LG OLED C4

C45 / C41

Available screen sizes: 42”48”55”65”77”83”

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Panel technology: WRGB OLED | Brand: LG | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: WebOS | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

8.3

Overall rating

LG C4 is a television that will likely have no competition in its price range for many users. Thanks to the wide options for purchase, it will appeal to those looking for a TV strictly for movies and series, as well as for gaming. The advanced WebOS system and a remote that works like a mouse will certainly make everyday use much easier and ensure that we will likely stick with this brand for a much longer time. The OLED panel implemented by the manufacturer, resulting from over 10 years of history, shows that it has not yet said its last word. Brightness results in HDR material are very solid and can display an incredibly dynamic and deep image. Here, it’s worth mentioning the excellently implemented dynamic tone mapping feature, which makes HDR10 images look almost as good as Dolby Vision. And if we’re talking about fidelity to artistic vision, we can't forget about how calibratable LG TVs are, allowing for a great deal of freedom for the calibrator and classic calibration for home users, as well as 3D LUT for professionals. However, if we are looking for a gaming TV, then the LG C4, like most of the manufacturer’s OLED TVs, will be the ideal choice. With the implementation of HDMI 2.1 ports and the full use of their potential, we can enjoy extremely smooth gameplay with all the benefits, such as VRR, ALLM, FreeSync, or G-Sync. Of course, the panel, which has a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz and an advanced smoothing technology, will also allow for very smooth and sharp images during broadcasts of various sporting events. It’s hard not to give a high rating to LG OLED C4, as it's difficult to find a TV in a similar price range with such advanced features among the competition.

Advantages

High efficiency in HDR materials
Very good colour reproduction after calibration
Faithfulness of image with directorial vision
Excellent collaboration with consoles and PCs - low input lag, multitude of conveniences
Advanced motion smoothing system

Disadvantages

Sometimes visible tonal transitions

Movies and series in UHD quality

8.2
Classic TV, YouTube

8.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

8.6
Gaming on console

9.3
TV as a computer monitor

8.6
Watching in bright light

5.7
Utility functions

9.5
Apps

9.7
Sound quality

7.5

Competing TVs in this price range

8.6

LG OLED G4 55”

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8.4

Samsung OLED S95D 55”

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8.4

Panasonic Z95A 55”

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8.3

Sony A95L 55”

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8.1

LG 55 B4 55”

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8.1

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Main photo

Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) 55”

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8.1

Philips OLED909 55”

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7.9

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN95D Main photo

Samsung Neo QLED QN95D 55”

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7.9

Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) 55”

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: IR (remote) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

10/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Review LG OLED C4 Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

∞:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

LG OLED C4, as the name suggests, uses an organic panel of its own production. This series definitely belongs to one of the most recognisable on the market. Over 10 years of experience in building self-emissive panels has allowed for the refinement of each subsequent design, with the models from the 2024 range being the quintessence of this process. Of course, the use of this type of screen enables the achievement of flawless contrast and blacks, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the world created by the director. This is possible thanks to the OLED panel, characterised by the absence of conventional backlighting, which instead allows current to pass through organic pixels. This permits super-accurate image control, thereby eliminating issues such as dimming of delicate fine details or the halo/blooming effect. Looking at both of our test scenes, we can notice two things: perfect light separation and a plethora of details in the movie "Sicario 2".

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.9/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review LG OLED C4 Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

796 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

772 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

869 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

837 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

604 nit

The results of HDR materials are definitely among the better ones. Practically every film significantly exceeds the 700 nits barrier, which allows for a very realistic image. Of course, none of them surpasses the magical thousand, however, the combination of such results along with unlimited contrast and black effectively boosts the visual outcome. The last of the scenes, featuring a fullscreen sun burst, is indeed less bright than the others, although it still represents a respectable level. It's also worth mentioning the excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette, which will enable the achievement of exceptionally vivid colours.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Measurement sequence, measurement sequences, and yet it would be good to check the LG C4 on two different films, namely "Pan" and "Billy Lynn". The first of these, having light effects reaching values above 2000 nits, performed exceptionally well on the LG OLED C4. Thanks to the dynamic tone mapping feature, all details in the whites were reproduced correctly and with remarkable clarity. We can also note that live in practice, the image dimming is not noticeable, as is often the case with other televisions of a similar class. The second scene shows exactly what we expected from it, which is a subtle play of light and shadow. Delicate shadows and details perfectly complement the explosions of fireworks, balancing each other. We must admit that it is not often we have the opportunity to observe such alignment with the director's vision in televisions.

HDR luminance chart:

The dynamic tone mapping feature aims to recover details that are either unavailable or difficult to render by HDR with static metadata, meaning those that relate to the overall material rather than to each individual scene. The feature implemented in the LG C4 OLED works exceptionally well and essentially performs the job for which it was designed perfectly. However, it must be acknowledged that compared to material equipped with dynamic metadata, the image is slightly overexposed.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.1/10

The fluidity of tonal transitions in LG televisions has always been a rather sensitive issue, as the manufacturer, despite impeccable performance in other areas, has almost always struggled to get this right. The evaluation results for the fluidity of tonal transitions in the tested television were quite good, with issues mainly visible in darker scenes, such as the last two scenes. Interestingly, this is a significantly better result than the highest model from the manufacturer, namely the LG G4.

Review LG OLED C4 Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

8/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Once again, we will take a look at the feature responsible for gentle gradation, but we will also address the one that aims to enhance the quality of lower-quality materials. The default smoothing of tonal transitions, as we could see, was not the worst, but it can be improved further. The function has a slider that allows us to adjust its intensity. We recommend using the former, as it produces very good results and does not blur important details.

Image scaling on LG C4 is quite good, however, it cannot be said to be without flaws. The image is slightly sharper by default, although not in a very noticeable way. While jagged edges of trees can be seen, it is not a major issue when compared to other manufacturers.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 49%

The maximum refresh rate we can set on the LG G4 is 144 Hz. Naturally, this is only possible when connecting the TV to a very powerful PC. Otherwise, we will operate at a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is recommended if we primarily want to watch sports or content with a lot of motion dynamics. For those who require high fluidity of the image, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-level motion smoother called "TrueMotion". It has been divided into two separate sliders that adjust the sharpness of moving images (De-Blur) and judder (De-Judder). Both sliders can be set in the range of 0 to 10, with each degree affecting the level of smoothing, allowing everyone to find their sweet spot.

The panel of the LG OLED C4 features an average response time of less than 1 ms (which directly results from our measurements), enabling the achievement of an extremely clear image, unattainable for LCD TVs, which can have response times of up to several milliseconds. This is clearly evident in the images from the "UFO Test," which show no trailing blur behind the object.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

An additional feature that allows for maximising image fluidity is "OLED Motion", which utilises black frame insertion (BFI) between film frames, aimed at "resetting" the retina of the eye, thereby enhancing image sharpness. In the tested television, it operates only at 60 Hz and has a beneficial impact on image sharpness, although one must consider a significant drop in brightness. The feature is indeed available at 120 Hz; however, it does not produce any effect.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 40 - 144Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

We can now say that LG C4, like practically every OLED television from the manufacturer, is exceptionally good in terms of cooperation with consoles and PCs. Thanks to the implementation of four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps, the manufacturer has embedded all the features that enhance gaming comfort, including simultaneous support for FreeSync and G-Sync technologies. With such a tandem, players with graphics cards from AMD or nVidia can safely choose C4. However, what should please gamers demanding the highest possible quality the most is the simultaneous implementation of HDR Dolby Vision and HGIG mode. The former is particularly important as it operates with extremely low input lag in all settings.

A standard feature in televisions from the Korean manufacturer is also the implementation of GameBar, allowing for quick adjustments of settings "on the fly," without the need to exit the game. It also allows for image adjustments for people with visual impairments, which is an incredibly nice touch. Another important piece of information is that when VRR technology is enabled, we won’t experience a drop in contrast. This is, of course, due to the design of the panel and the absence of conventional backlighting. It is, however, normal for shades of grey to flicker slightly, although this is a characteristic feature of this function regardless of the manufacturer and television.

In summary: LG C4, just like all the manufacturer's OLEDs equipped with high-refresh-rate panels and HDMI 2.1 connections, creates a harmonious whole with consoles. In practice, it is a complete television, and if we expect the highest possible efficiency in gaming, C4 will be an ideal choice.

Input lag

10/10

The latency time of LG C4 is remarkably low in every scenario. Even the most avid gamers will surely appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, which is only 5 ms. It's also worth noting that the lag at these same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remains unchanged, which is not so obvious with the competition. Therefore, it deserves the highest rating and recommendation.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 13 ms	2160p60: 13 ms	2160p60 DV: 13 ms
1080p120: 5 ms	2160p120: 5 ms	2160p120 DV: 5 ms
2160p60: 13 ms
2160p120: 5 ms

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 5ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: RWGB

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

LG C4 combined with a PC works wonderfully, thanks to its very low latency of just 13.5 ms, which is practically instantaneous feedback between the mouse, eye, and screen. An extremely important aspect when working on a screen is the readability of text, which in the case of the tested TV is very good. However, it is worth noting that to achieve sharp fonts, you need to enable the passthrough option in the settings.

The RWBG pixel layout does not significantly affect the display of fonts or letters, which is a significant advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED panels. Users of both Windows-based PCs and macOS will surely be pleased with their experience on the tested TV screen.

Viewing angles

7.5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 25%

The undisputed advantage of OLED panels is their efficiency in the context of group viewing, meaning from various angles. LG C4 maintains very good contrast, colour saturation, and fidelity. Although this isn't a result of organic TVs supported by MLA technology, it's fair to say that anyone who purchased the device was satisfied with the results obtained. However, it should be noted that at sharp angles a slight greenish tint can be observed. This is a characteristic feature of WRGB panels from LG, without the aforementioned micro-lens technology, and unfortunately, there's nothing that can be done about it.

TV efficiency during daytime

5.7/10

Matrix coating: Glare

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Very Good

The maximum brightness of the television in SDR materials is 367 nits. For an OLED television, this is a very good result and allows for quite comfortable viewing during the day. It's worth noting two things. Thanks to the glossy coating of the panel, the light reflections are well held in place and do not spill over the rest of the panel. The second issue is the brightness of the screen when fully filled with white, oscillating around 220 nits, which is a remarkable result, as until recently, OLED televisions in this category could only boast brightness half as much. As a result, the conditions for watching, for example, winter sports will be very good.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

LG OLED C4: 367 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: 03.11.05

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

TV features

9.5/10

System operacyjny: WebOS
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): Yes
Recording programming: Yes
Picture in Picture (PiP): Yes
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes

LG uses the well-known proprietary WebOS system that has been around for many years. The system offers virtually all the major apps, and the few that are missing can be counted on one hand, such as CDA or KODI. It's also worth noting that the modern web browser and the remote with a built-in mouse allow for convenient access to streaming services in this way, if there isn't a built-in app.

WebOS also features a highly praised ability to perform operations using a cursor that appears when the remote is moved. The convenience of this function is invaluable when entering queries or passwords for portals. WebOS, like most systems, also supports features such as screen mirroring, AirPlay, voice searching in Polish, and the ability to connect headphones via Bluetooth. On a more practical note, WebOS allows simultaneous use of headphones and the television speaker, which will certainly be a significant help for those with hearing impairments. One of the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the ability to turn on an alert for an upcoming match, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel also deserves praise, allowing for control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the end of a wash cycle will be signalled by a notification in the top right corner.

In summary, the WebOS system, although less known and with certain limitations compared to Android TV, offers stable and quick performance and supports most functions that users may need. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in their television.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.3/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The default file player on LG C4 handles all photo resolutions exceptionally well. It successfully plays videos recorded in practically all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that the C4 won't play is H.266 VVC, although this is currently rather uncommon. It's a pity that subtitles in .txt format are not supported. Attention should be paid to the supported photo formats, of which there are only three: JPEG, PNG, and, importantly for Apple phone users - HEIC. However, the tested television cannot be faulted for a lack of variety in audio files, which can be played without a compatibility warning.

Apps

9.7/10

Sound

7.5/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

The audio system implemented in LG C4 is very well tuned, allowing us to experience strong bass as well as balanced mid and high tones. We can confidently say that in its price range, it's one of the better sounding televisions. However, we believe that those deciding to purchase the C4 will already have a dedicated audio set. The presence of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos codecs will also be significant.

Marketing solutions from the manufacturer:

AI Processor α9 Gen7 – The seventh generation of the α9 processor uses artificial intelligence for advanced image and sound analysis and optimisation, adapting them to the displayed content and environmental conditions.
Brightness Booster – A technology that increases screen brightness, allowing for more vivid and vibrant images, even in well-lit rooms.
OLED Care – A set of maintenance features designed to maintain optimal performance of the OLED panel, minimising the risk of pixel burn-in and extending the lifespan of the screen.
webOS 24 – The latest version of LG's Smart TV operating system offers an intuitive user interface and access to a wide range of applications and streaming services.
AI Picture Wizard – A feature that allows personalisation of picture settings by analysing user preferences, creating ideal settings from millions of possible combinations.
Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro – Dynamic tone mapping technology optimises the image, ensuring perfect reproduction of light and shadow in every scene.
OLED Motion – A feature that improves motion clarity, reducing blur in dynamic scenes, ensuring smoother and more realistic experiences when watching sports or action films.
OLED Pixel Dimming – A technology for individually controlling the brightness of each pixel, allowing for deep blacks and excellent contrast.
Super AI Upscaling – A feature that uses artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of lower-resolution content to near 4K levels, improving sharpness and detail.
AI Brightness Control – Automatic adjustment of screen brightness based on room lighting, ensuring comfortable viewing in various conditions.
AI Concierge – An intelligent assistant recommending content based on user preferences, making it easier to discover new movies and shows.
AI Noise Reduction – A noise reduction technology in the image, improving clarity and quality of displayed content.
AI Genre Selection – Automatic adjustment of picture and sound settings depending on the type of content being viewed, providing optimal experiences when watching films, sports, or gaming.
AI Picture Processor – An advanced image processor using artificial intelligence to analyse and optimise every element of the picture in real-time.

In TV tests after calibration, colour errors were minimised, highlighting the high quality of this model. LG C41LA offers an excellent colour palette that will satisfy the most demanding users.

LG OLED C4 stands out with exceptional contrast, allowing for an amazing depth of image. LG C4 test shows that the black levels in this model are perfect, as seen in high-contrast scenes. Test LG OLED C4 confirms that the contrast is unmatched, translating into an outstanding visual experience in films and games.

HDR technology in LG OLED C4 offers incredibly realistic colour and detail reproduction. LG C4 OLED test shows that even the most demanding scenes from dynamic films look stunning. Test LG OLED C4 indicates that the dynamic tone mapping technology in this model optimises the image, ensuring perfect light reproduction in every scene. After calibration, LG OLED C4 test showed significant improvement in colour reproduction, especially in SDR and HDR modes.

LG OLED C4

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound