LG B3 OLED review

The LG B3 OLED is the most recent in LG’s long-running B Sequence vary, providing the standard OLED panel and intuitive sensible TV platform of higher-end 2023 units, with out fairly the identical price ticket.

There are some corners reduce to carry that RRP down, primarily within the processing division – and relating to brightness output – however that is nonetheless a near-complete OLED bundle, with a bunch of nice options for TV watchers and avid gamers alike.

Design & Construct

• Three TV sizes
• Central TV stand with choice to wall-mount
• LG Magic Distant

The B3 has the same old type issue for an LG OLED: an extremely slim display and near-invisible bezel, with a barely jutting rear that comprises the display’s numerous inputs and audio system.

The entire depth is 46.9mm, although a well-placed show will make sure the again stays clear out of view – particularly in the event you determine to wall-mount the B3 fairly than use the (included) central TV stand.

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You may get the LG B3 in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes, which means you’re sorted for the most typical sizing choices, although anybody after a extra compact display must look elsewhere. For instance, the LG C3 OLED is available in 42- and 48in sizes.

LG’s Magic Distant returns, with an ergonomic design that’s as pleasing to carry and multi-functional as ever. It’s quite simple to change between a mouse-like cursor, directional buttons, or the distant’s scrolling wheel, permitting any person to navigate their TV the way in which they like. 

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Granted, you get this with each LG OLED, but it surely’s a giant perk nonetheless – and the bottom of the distant packs in shortcut buttons for the most-used TV streaming companies, which means (on the UK mannequin examined) Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ are all on present right here.

A microphone button lets you entry voice search and utilise sensible assistants, although it’s not fairly as outstanding because the blue button on Amazon’s Alexa Voice Distant.

Specs & Options

• Up to date webOS interface
• 120Hz refresh price
• HDMI 2.1 (for 2 ports, not less than)

Regardless of a less expensive α7 AI Processor 4K Gen6 processor in comparison with some higher-end LG OLED units, the B3 does provide a full suite of specs for cinephiles and avid gamers alike.

Out of its 4 HDMI ports, two are the most recent HDMI 2.1 spec, permitting for 4K passthrough at 120Hz in addition to eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for two-way soundbar communication. You’ll get two USB 2.0 inputs, Ethernet, a single optical port, inputs for satellite tv for pc and antenna, alongside help for Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

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The primary distinction between the LG B3 and final 12 months’s B2 mannequin is within the interface. All the webOS platform has been overhauled for 2023, with a brand new modern structure that appears to refine the structure of earlier years. Many of the display is now taken up with a single banner, with ‘playing cards’ beneath pertaining to gaming, work, music, sports activities, and sensible dwelling capabilities – so you may simply leap into no matter you want your OLED TV for. 

Under which are app icons, however you must transfer all the way down to a second overview to get content material suggestions and examples of exhibits or movies on key streaming companies, like Ted Lasso or Platonic on Apple TV. The earlier structure had content material recommendations a lot increased, however the brand new model feels far tidier and extra geared in the direction of what’s helpful for the viewer. Prime marks.

All the main gamers on the subject of streaming apps are included right here (UK mannequin examined), with Netflix, Prime Video, Now TV, Apple TV, iPlayer, ITVX, All 4, My5, Disney+, Spotify, Twitch, YouTube, and BBC Sounds all supported.

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The Settings menu is much more obtrusive now, protecting a stable cutout of the display’s left facet as a substitute of a clear overlay, which is an odd alternative – although it does make it simpler to see quite a few image and sound settings at a fast look.

The B3 makes a robust case as a gaming TV, notably. The display helps top-tier gaming options corresponding to 4K at 120Hz, VRR (variable refresh price) for suitable Xbox and PlayStation consoles, and a devoted sport mode for responsive, low-latency play.

You received’t get the built-in microphone that permits for hands-free voice management on the C3 and LG G3 OLED, although you may nonetheless entry voice assistants by way of a touch-to-speak button on the distant.

Image & Sound High quality

• Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR
• No OLED evo
• Dolby Atmos and AI Sound Professional
• Solely 20W audio energy

So, what of the image? The LG B3 has loads of issues going for it, notably its self-emissive OLED panel, which presents vivid colors, unbelievable (‘infinite’) distinction, and impossibly deep blacks due to the flexibility to show pixels off fully.

It truly is a succesful image, and one which thrives when depicting every part from newsreels and TV dramas to immersive open-world video games.

That is largely widespread to any OLED panel, although, and the remainder of LG’s vary has been pulling forward on a key metric that the B Sequence has but to make amends for – brightness. A brand new OLED evo expertise can increase the sunshine output of standard OLED by anyplace from 20- to 70%, in accordance with LG, although you’ll want to purchase the LG C3 or LG G3 to get it. 

This B Sequence display makes do with a extra conventional brightness output for OLED, and whereas the superb distinction helps to focus on vivid factors and distinction it successfully with darkish objects or surroundings, remember that different LG screens are doing higher on that entrance nowadays.

The B3’s a7 AI processor can be a step behind the a9 chipset utilized in higher-end units. The distinction in processing isn’t all the time obvious, to the B3’s credit score, although sure triggers may cause a flash of video noise, pixelating objects and interrupting an otherwise-impressive image.

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That is largely attributable to quick movement, as when somebody stands or sits in a sudden style, and is aggravated in darkish scenes the place the motion is more durable to make out. For some, it could be a small grievance for the worth; for others, it could smash the expertise fully.

Nonetheless, it’s laborious to fault the picture, other than these particular person incidents. The OLED panel excels at color accuracy and distinction, whether or not the shifting greens and browns of a forest, or the exact tones of a darkish cloak in opposition to the night time sky. 

That’s very true when watching in Dolby Imaginative and prescient, the dynamic HDR format that fine-tunes your image’s distinction and color output on the fly: tuning into the most recent season of The Witcher, it’s thrilling to see the sunshine of flames engulf a constructing in opposition to a purely-black sky, or the glint of amber in Henry Cavill’s eyes through the rush of battle.

The actual benefits of OLED are additional heightened for great impact.

It’s price noting that you simply solely get 20W of quantity right here throughout a stereo speaker system – about half the output of the LG C3.

LG claims its AI Sound Professional expertise is ready to just about recreate a 5.1.2 encompass sound, although I can’t converse to its effectiveness in follow; whereas the AI Sound Professional instance you get at setup seems spectacular, utilizing it throughout Netflix binges is rarely fairly on the cash.

Sound continues to be largely efficient, with nice readability for voices, and the vary to output present soundtracks and SFX with relative aplomb – which can be a boon on the subject of gaming. webOS comes with a devoted gaming dashboard, with an optimizer mode that robotically selects the settings most conducive to top-tier gameplay.

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Returning to the punishing Elden Ring, I used to be impressed by the crisp, high-contrast visuals, the brightness functionality (although we largely stored issues darkish, for ambiance), and the audio element discovered within the sport’s screams, laughs, and weapon impacts.

Dolby Atmos help is nice to see, although the stereo audio system right here aren’t able to multi-channel sound to that extent, and also you’ll want to attach an exterior sound system to get an audio expertise that basically matches the standard image.

Worth & Availability

The LG B3 OLED is obtainable in 55-, 65-, and 77in sizes. They price $1,699.99/£1,899.98, $1,999.99/£2,699.98 and $2,900/£3,799.98 respectively.

Which means you don’t get fairly the scale number of the C Sequence OLED, which might shrink all the way down to 42in or balloon to 83in; and in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing exterior of the B3’s three measurement choices, chances are you’ll wish to take a look at the C3’s bigger unfold.

The entry-level A3 OLED, too, is available in a 48in measurement if you need one thing even smaller and cheaper than the 55in B3. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem like on sale within the UK or US but.

You could find the B3 OLED on the majority of gadget or gadget-adjacent retailers that inventory TVs nowadays, from LG, Currys, Argos and Amazon to John Lewis, Box, and Richer Sounds.

Within the US you could find it at LG’s official store in addition to BestBuy and Walmart.

Nevertheless, final 12 months’s LG B2 isn’t too totally different, and you’ll at the moment discover it at a 65-inch size for even lower than this 12 months’s 55-inch mannequin.

For extra choices, take a look at our chart of one of the best TVs.

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Verdict

The LG B3 OLED is as succesful as previous B Sequence fashions – that’s to say, not overly totally different, apart from the brand new webOS platform out on LG’s 2023 TVs.

But it surely nonetheless presents many of the image benefits of a high-end OLED, with just a few small movement points, a restricted variety of HDMI 2.1 ports, and a fundamental 20W audio output to mood our expectations.

If these limitations don’t hassle you, then the LG B3 OLED is a superb alternative as a house cinema display.

Specs

• Sizes: 55/65/77in 
• Mannequin examined: 55in 
• Show expertise: OLED 
• Decision: 3840 x 2160 4K 
• Refresh price: 120Hz 
• HDR help: Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG 
• HDMI: x2 (2.1), x2 (2.0) 
• Tuner: Freeview Play 
• OS: webOS 23 Sensible Platform 
• Dimensions: 1228(w) x 708(h) x 46.9(d)mm (with out stand) 
• Weight: 18.9kg (with out stand)