LG C3 OLED review

LG’s C-series is without doubt one of the hottest OLED TV ranges available on the market, and for good purpose. With beautiful image high quality, an easy-to-navigate interface and a slim, high-quality construct, they’re arduous to beat.  

This yr, the C-series hasn’t fairly had the identical glow-up as LG’s extra premium G-series, that means that there isn’t an excessive amount of that has modified from the C2 – however don’t write off the C3 in the event you’re searching for an OLED TV. That is nonetheless a surprising and versatile TV that you just gained’t remorse shopping for.

Design and construct 

• Slimline design
• Six display screen sizes
• Stand included, but additionally wall-mountable

The C3 has retained the same design to its predecessor, the C2. It’s stunningly slim at 45mm / 1.8in thick, with an virtually bezel-less show, that means that you just get essentially the most out of that panel. It is available in six sizes, vary from 42- to 82in.

The panel wrap has a premium deep silver end, with all ports and audio system are tucked away neatly on the again with the included panel covers and fittings – excellent in the event you’re a catastrophe with regards to cable administration.  

Establishing the TV is comparatively simple with the included directions, although I selected to make use of the stand reasonably than wall mounting it. On the 65in model I examined, the stand sits instantly within the centre, with out taking on an excessive amount of area. That’s preferable in the event you don’t have a large TV bench to accommodate ft at every finish.

It’s price noting that the smallest and largest variations of this TV have barely completely different setups. The 42in model comes with ft both aspect, whereas the 83in has a a lot bigger centre stand to deal with that ginormous panel.  

The centre-mount stand it elegant but sturdy, and leaves a lot of room for different house leisure package comparable to video games consoles. It’s included within the field, and is one thing you don’t get with the G3. 

LG has caught with its magic distant design, which features a rollerball within the center for navigation. This hastens entry in on-screen keyboards (for logging into apps or making searches) however the cursor is a bit over-sensitive. There are additionally scorching keys for some apps together with Netflix and Prime Video.  

The distant additionally has a microphone button for voice instructions. This good for fundamental controls, however isn’t as intuitive because the Roku distant or Google Assistant.

Nonetheless, as a distant, it’s nice. The buttons have clear lettering and protruding dots and different markings which are simple to really feel with out trying to see what you’re urgent. This additionally provides it higher accessibility than different TV remotes.  

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Specs & options 

• 4x HDMI 2.1 ports
• webOS 23 with wide selection of streaming apps
• G-Sync, FreeSync

If you would like a TV that may deal with a variety of gadgets, that is it. There are 4 HDMI 2.1 ports on the LG C3 that help 4K and 120Hz refresh charges. There’s additionally an eARC port, do you have to wish to join a soundbar.  

You’ll discover an ethernet port, an optical audio output, two RF inputs (you get stay TV by way of Freeview within the UK) and a CI slot. There are additionally three USB ports, plus Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.

The LG C3 runs webOS. Tidied up a bit since final yr, the structure of the house display screen is straightforward and straightforward to navigate, with giant playing cards for the varied sections and apps. Plus, there isn’t an enormous variety of adverts and bloat as you’ll discover on, say, Amazon Fireplace TVs. The menu is clean to navigate, and no apps crashed throughout testing.  

Talking of apps, there’s a variety to select from, together with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Now, BBC iPlayer and extra area of interest ones such because the gaming service Twitch and the sports activities channel DAZN which aren’t frequent on sensible TVs.  

LG additionally features a devoted house part, the place you’ll be able to handle your sensible house lighting, Matter merchandise and extra. If you would like the TV to behave as an ornamental piece in your lounge, then you’ll be able to depart it in ‘All the time Prepared’ mode, with the show biking by numerous issues. 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

For those who’re a gamer, the LG C3 is a stable alternative. There’s a devoted Recreation Optimiser mode, with a panel that means that you can regulate the colors for the sport you’re enjoying, tweak the body price and latency. There are additionally two choices for VRR (variable refresh price) with AMD Freesync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync help.  

The TV is suitable with the LG ThinQ app, which you should use share movies and pictures and use your smartphone as an extra distant management.  

Image and sound high quality 

• LG’s sixth technology a9 AI Processor
• Eight image modes
• Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG and Dolby Atmos help

The C3 has the identical Evo panel from the C2, which could look like a disappointment however there’s no denying it nonetheless delivers unimaginable 4K image high quality. This implies it additionally has the identical 100Hz refresh price (120Hz in some areas) and the Brightness Increase function.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

One distinction is that the C3 will get LG’s sixth-generation a9 AI Processor, which the corporate claims to enhance upscaling for higher readability and to reinforce dynamic tone mapping.

The proof, as ever, is within the pudding. And the C3 produces putting, vivid colors in addition to managing to ship true black shades with out sacrificing distinction. Superb particulars on pores and skin, garments and the surroundings seem true to life and pop with readability. That is particularly noticeable on nature documentaries, the place scales on reptiles are extremely clear, with the display screen capturing a variety of shades distinctly.

And it actually doesn’t matter what you’re watching because the C3 handles a wide range of content material completely, being simply as spectacular for a soccer match as it’s for having fun with a Marvel film. I had no points with glare when watching in a brilliant room, although the panel shines finest when watching after darkish and also you actually gained’t wish to place it instantly going through a window as a result of reflections.

Oddly, LG has peak brightness disabled within the settings, so if you wish to get one of the best HDR efficiency out of your new buy, it’s best to set this to excessive. And HDR is superb on the C3, simply as you’d count on.

Good as it’s, the C3 can’t match the costlier G3 which advantages from a brand new MLA (Micro Lens Array) OLED panel. Within the announcement for the 2023 vary, LG’s information confirmed that the C3 is 50% dimmer than the G3, however it’s nonetheless 20% brighter than the cheaper B3 mannequin.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 actually shone why it got here to HDR efficiency, with the C3 displaying neon lights and sweeping galaxies in all their complexities.

It helps for Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10 and HLG, although LG has as soon as once more skipped on HDR10+ help – one thing to remember in the event you’re a subscriber of Amazon Prime Video, as this is without doubt one of the fundamental codecs for that streaming service.

Whenever you first activate the TV, LG will take you to a personalised image mode, which lets you regulate the colors and ranges utilizing visible guides.  

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On high of that, there are eight completely different image presets to select from, although you may as well regulate colors and stability manually at any time to your tastes. The Normal mode does an awesome job for many sorts of content material, as does the Auto Energy Save mode, which is simply barely dimmer however – because the title states – makes use of much less energy. 

Each Sports activities and Vivid massively oversaturate colors with greens and oranges particularly are obtrusive and garish. Nonetheless, Cinema mode provides a deeper, moodier tone that’s ideally for night-time watching.  

Some image modes robotically allow TruMotion robotically – LG’s time period for movement smoothing. Whereas applicable in some conditions, comparable to in sure motion movies and fast-moving sports activities, it feels jarring and unnatural quite a lot of the time – it particularly detracted from the superbly animated movie, Into the Spider-Verse. 

Due to this fact, in the event you like one explicit image mode, you’ll be able to merely tweak the movement smoothing settings to your desire.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Enabling Recreation Optimiser mode on the C3 means much less enter lag, making the TV fast and conscious of fast-action motion. It’s a positive alternative when you have a PS5 or Xbox Collection X, however the nice upscaling meant it was nonetheless a pleasure to play Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo Change, including additional flare to an already beautiful recreation.  

Upscaling can be a deal with for TV exhibits and movies that aren’t in 4K, making HD content material crisper and extra detailed. Nonetheless, on some apps like Channel 4 there is usually a delay of some seconds earlier than this kicks in. It even manages to make standard-definition channels watchable – no imply feat on a 65in panel.

Constructed-in TV audio system won’t ever match the depth and energy of a standalone soundbar or hi-fi audio system, however the LG C3’s actually do a superb job. The audio nonetheless fills the room, with clearly distinguishable lows, mids and highs. Help for Dolby Atmos provides extra depth with suitable exhibits and movies.  

As soon as once more, there are preset modes for audio to fit your preferences, together with LG’s personal AI Sound Professional mode, which is supposed to duplicate the sound produced by 9.1.2 encompass audio system. 

I didn’t like this function in any respect. It makes every part a lot louder, and there’s a noticeable concentrate on mid-range frequencies, however the primary problem was that it made every part sound very echo-y and noisy. I like to recommend sticking with both the cinema or music modes for one of the best punchy bass and balancing. 

For those who’re apprehensive about disturbing your neighbours, then you may as well allow automated sound adjustment to make sure that your quantity stays at one degree, helpful in the event you’re watching a movie with a lot of explosions or bounce scares.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Value & availability 

The LG C3 costs begin from $1399/£1500, with the 65in mannequin coming in at $2600/£2899. Nonetheless, these are the non-discounted costs and we’ve already seen the C3 on sale for barely lower than these on the time of writing.  

Within the US, you should buy the C3 from LG, Amazon, Goal and Finest Purchase. UK readers in the meantime should buy it from LG, Amazon, Currys and John Lewis. For those who order the 65in or above from LG’s web site within the UK, then the corporate will throw in set up without spending a dime. That doesn’t embody wall mounting, although, so it isn’t a the profit it could seem like.

Nonetheless, earlier than you order one, it’s best to think about shopping for an LG C2 as a substitute, given the similarities between the 2 fashions. It’s now out there at an enormous low cost, making it round $1000/£1000 cheaper than the C3 for the equal display screen measurement.  

The scenario would possibly change later this yr, with large reductions on TVs round Black Friday, for instance, however in the event you’re after a TV proper now, the C2 gives higher bang on your buck.

You can additionally go for the G3 to make the most of that brighter panel, although this may set you again round a grand extra.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Needless to say the LG C3 has an power ranking of F, so isn’t essentially the most economical TV. You possibly can reduce down on power payments by choosing the varied power saving modes however, let’s face it, you’re in all probability not contemplating shopping for an costly OLED TV in the event you’re apprehensive about working prices.

You possibly can see how the LG C3 compares to rivals in our record of one of the best TVs, which incorporates different OLED fashions, in addition to Mini-LED choices.  

Verdict

For those who’re searching for a surprising OLED TV that may deal with a wide range of content material expertly, then the LG C3 must be in your record – with its brilliant and daring image high quality, a wide range of ports and choices for players and a smooth design that can make for an ideal centrepiece in your room. 

AI Sound Professional leaves one thing to be desired, as do the Sports activities and Vivid image modes that make the colors seem overexposed. It additionally isn’t an enormous leap up in high quality from the LG C2, which is presently a way more aggressive choice for readers proper now.  

Nonetheless, if you’d like the newest TV know-how however can’t make the leap to LG’s extra premium G3 mannequin, then the C3 will nonetheless impress.  

Specs 

• Sizes: 42/48//55/65/77/83in 
• Mannequin examined: 65in 
• Show know-how: OLED 
• Decision: 3840 x 2160 4K 
• Refresh price: 120Hz 
• HDR help: Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, HDR10, HLG 
• HDMI: x4 (2.1) 
• Tuner: Freeview Play 
• OS: webOS 23 Sensible Platform 
• Dimensions: 1441(w) x 826(h) x 45.1(d)mm (with out stand) 
• Weight: 16.6kg (with out stand)