- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- 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
- TV features
- Playing files from USB
- Apps
- Sound
Complete the survey to find out the result
Panel technology: WRGB OLED Brand: LG Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: WebOS Model year: 2024
Our verdict
8.3
Overall rating
The LG C4 stands out in its price range, likely offering little competition for many users. With its versatile features, it is perfect for movie and series enthusiasts, as well as gamers. The advanced WebOS system, paired with a remote that functions like a mouse, ensures an excellent user experience, making it a compelling choice for long-term brand loyalty. The OLED panel, built on over a decade of expertise, continues to impress with its ability to deliver a dynamic and immersive viewing experience. The brightness performance on HDR content is exceptional, with a deep and vibrant image. The dynamic tone mapping function is particularly noteworthy, making HDR10 content nearly as stunning as Dolby Vision.
Additionally, LG's televisions are well-suited for calibration, offering flexibility for home users with basic settings and professionals using 3D LUTs. For gaming enthusiasts, the LG C4 is a top choice, like most of the manufacturer’s OLED models. Thanks to HDMI 2.1 support and features like VRR, ALLM, FreeSync, and G-Sync, the gaming experience is incredibly smooth. The panel’s 144Hz refresh rate and advanced motion smoothing make it ideal for high-performance sports broadcasts. Overall, it’s hard to fault the LG OLED C4, as it offers exceptional features at a competitive price.
Advantages
High efficiency in HDR materials
Very good color representation after calibration
Image fidelity with directorial vision
Excellent compatibility with consoles and PCs - low input lag, a multitude of conveniences
Advanced motion smoothing system
Disadvantages
Sometimes visible tonal transitions
Movies and series in UHD quality8.2
Classic TV, YouTube8.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)8.6
Gaming on console9.3
TV as a computer monitor8.6
Matrix brightness5.7
Utility functions9.5
Apps9.7
Sound quality7.5
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Competing TVs in this price range
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
10/10
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
The LG OLED C4, as the name implies, utilises an organic matrix developed in-house, making it one of the most recognisable series on the market. With over 10 years of experience producing self-emissive panels, LG has continually refined its designs, and the 2024 models are the pinnacle of this progress. An OLED screen ensures flawless contrast and black levels, immersing viewers in the director’s vision. OLED technology stands out for its lack of traditional backlighting, instead relying on current flowing through organic pixels. This design allows for precise image control, eliminating issues like dimming of fine details or halo/blooming effects.
In our test scenes, two standout features were immediately apparent: perfect light separation and an abundance of detail in "The Revenant." Crucially, the C4 displayed the distinct green tint some televisions attempt to correct, without issues. The LG OLED C4 excels in delivering exceptional contrast, resulting in incredible depth and richness. Test results confirm that the black levels are flawless, particularly in high-contrast scenes. Ultimately, the LG C4 offers an unmatched contrast ratio, delivering a visually stunning experience whether watching movies or gaming.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
6.9/10
Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
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 HDR performance of the LG OLED C4 is impressive, firmly placing it in the higher tier. Most films exceed 700 nits, delivering a highly realistic image. While none surpass the 1,000-nit mark, the combination of these results with the TV’s infinite contrast and perfect blacks significantly enhances the visual experience. The final scene, with a full-screen flash of sunlight, is slightly less bright than the others but still maintains a solid level of brightness. Another highlight is the excellent DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, which ensures incredibly vibrant colours. The HDR technology in the LG OLED C4 delivers exceptional colour and detail reproduction. The dynamic tone mapping feature optimises brightness levels, ensuring ideal light reproduction in every scene, even in the most demanding high-dynamic films.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
While the measurement sequence provides valuable data, it is equally important to evaluate the LG C4 using real-world examples, such as Pan and Billy Lynn. The first film, showcasing light effects exceeding 2000 nits, looked outstanding on the LG OLED C4. The dynamic tone mapping function ensured that all details in the whites were rendered with exceptional accuracy and precision. Notably, there was no visible image dimming—a common issue in other TVs of this class—making the viewing experience even more impressive.
The second film delivered exactly what one would expect: a delicate interplay of light and shadow. Subtle shading and fine details seamlessly complemented the bursts of fireworks, creating a harmonious visual balance. It is rare to witness such a faithful alignment with the director's artistic vision underscoring the LG C4's excellence.
HDR luminance chart:
The dynamic tone mapping function is designed to retrieve details that static HDR metadata—applied to the entire material rather than individual scenes—may struggle to reproduce accurately. On the LG C4 OLED, this feature performs admirably, fulfilling its purpose with remarkable precision. However, it is worth noting that, compared to HDR content with dynamic metadata, the image produced by this function appears slightly overexposed.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
8.1/10
The best factory mode on the tested television was "Filmmaker," which served as the basis for all evaluations. In terms of colour reproduction, this mode performed reasonably well; however, certain flaws significantly detracted from the overall viewing experience. The most fundamental issue was the white balance, which exhibited a noticeable dominance of red, skewing the image characteristics. This resulted in a pronounced yellow tint to whites and a general shift of all colours towards warmer tones.
The gamma, an equally crucial—if not more important—aspect, was notably lowered, leading to a marked reduction in contrast. Additionally, the television frequently lost detail at the start of the gamma curve. These issues were most apparent in SDR content.
When examining HDR materials, the same yellowing effect in the white balance was observed, as seen with SDR content. However, the EOTF curve, which replaces the gamma curve for HDR, was near perfect and left little room for criticism.
Color reproduction after calibration
9.5/10
As mentioned, LG televisions come with advanced tools to facilitate an accurate calibration process. By utilising these tools, we meticulously adjusted the image to align with the director’s original vision. Without overstating, the results were outstanding. Both SDR and HDR content now achieve a level of visual fidelity that reflects how films are intended to be seen.
Examining the colour accuracy on the "ColourChecker" palette reveals impressive results, with almost all colour errors falling below a delta of "1," aside from two minor exceptions. Post-calibration, the LG OLED C4 demonstrated a marked improvement in colour reproduction, particularly in SDR and HDR modes. Testing the TV after calibration highlighted its capacity for delivering exceptionally accurate colours, underlining the high calibre of this model. The LG C41LA offers a stunningly precise colour palette, sure to satisfy even the most discerning viewers.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
7.1/10
The fluidity of tonal transitions in LG TVs has long been a delicate issue, as the manufacturer, despite excelling in many areas, has consistently faced challenges in this aspect. However, the tested TV performed notably well in this regard. Issues were primarily confined to darker scenes, particularly the final two, where imperfections were more apparent. Interestingly, this model delivered better results in tonal transitions than LG's flagship model, the G4, showcasing a commendable improvement in this area.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
8/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
Let us revisit the function responsible for smooth gradation and consider its role in improving lower-quality materials. The default smoothing of tonal transitions, while decent, can be further enhanced. The feature includes a slider for adjusting its strength, and we recommend selecting the first option. This setting strikes a balance, offering excellent results without compromising important details through unnecessary blurring.
The image scaling on the LG C4 is commendable, though not entirely without flaws. By default, the image appears slightly sharper, though not to an intrusive degree. While jagged edges on elements like trees are occasionally visible, this issue is relatively minor compared to similar offerings from 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 LG G4 supports a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz, achievable only when connected to a high-performance PC. Otherwise, the television operates at a maximum of 120 Hz, the recommended setting for viewing sports or content with fast-paced motion. For those prioritising smooth image quality, LG has included a versatile motion smoothing feature called "TrueMotion." This function is split into two adjustable sliders: De-Blur, which sharpens moving images, and De-Judder, which reduces jitter. Both sliders offer a range of settings from 0 to 10, enabling users to fine-tune the motion smoothness to their preference.
The LG OLED C4 boasts an impressive average response time of less than 1 millisecond, as confirmed by our measurements. This results in exceptional image clarity, far surpassing LCD televisions, which often have response times of several milliseconds. This clarity is evident in tests like the "UFO Test," where no trailing blur is visible behind moving objects.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
An additional feature that allows for maximizing image fluidity is "OLED Motion," which utilizes black frame insertion (BFI) between film frames, aiming to "reset" the retina of the eye and thereby enhance image sharpness. In the tested television, it works only at 60 Hz and has a beneficial effect on image sharpness, although one must account for a significant drop in brightness. The feature is indeed available at 120 Hz, but 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
- G-Sync:
Yes
The LG C4, like nearly all OLED televisions from the manufacturer, excels in its compatibility with consoles and PCs. With the inclusion of four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 48 Gbps, the TV incorporates a range of features to enhance the gaming experience. Notably, it offers simultaneous support for FreeSync and G-Sync, making it an ideal choice for gamers using AMD or Nvidia graphics cards. For those seeking the best possible gaming quality, the integration of HDR Dolby Vision and HGIG mode is particularly impressive. HDR Dolby Vision operates with remarkably low input lag across all settings, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay.
A standout feature in LG's televisions is the GameBar, which allows users to adjust settings in real-time without leaving the game. This includes options for customising the image for viewers with visual impairments, a thoughtful addition. Additionally, enabling VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) does not result in a loss of contrast—a benefit of the OLED panel's self-emissive technology, eliminating the need for conventional backlighting. While some slight flickering of grey tones may occur, this is a characteristic of VRR technology across all manufacturers.
In summary: The LG C4, like the brand's other OLED models equipped with high-refresh-rate panels and HDMI 2.1, provides a seamless and immersive gaming experience. For gamers demanding top-tier performance, this TV is an outstanding choice.
Input lag
10/10
The latency time of the LG C4 is exceptionally low across all scenarios, making it a standout choice for even the most dedicated gamers. At demanding settings of 4K 120 Hz with HDR, the input lag is an astonishingly low 5 ms, ensuring an incredibly responsive gaming experience. Notably, this low latency remains consistent even when Dolby Vision HDR is enabled—a feature that competitors often struggle to maintain without increasing delay.
This consistency and performance firmly position the LG C4 as a top-tier option for gamers seeking high-quality visuals and minimal lag. It undoubtedly earns the highest rating and strong recommendation for gaming enthusiasts.
| 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
When paired with a PC, the LG C4 delivers excellent performance, largely due to its impressively low latency of 13.5 ms, ensuring a near-instantaneous response between the mouse, eye, and screen. This makes it an ideal choice for tasks requiring precision and speed.
One of the most crucial aspects of using a TV as a monitor is text readability, and in this regard, the LG C4 excels. The text appears sharp and clear, although enabling the passthrough option in the settings is necessary to optimise font sharpness.
The RWBG pixel layout is another advantage, as it does not significantly affect the clarity of fonts or letters—a notable improvement compared to Samsung's QD-OLED panels. Whether using Windows or macOS, the LG C4 ensures a smooth and satisfying user experience for work or general PC use.
Viewing angles
7.5/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 25%
One of the undeniable strengths of OLED panels is their exceptional performance for group viewing, allowing for consistent image quality from a range of viewing angles. The LG C4 upholds excellent contrast, colour saturation, and fidelity, ensuring a satisfying experience for viewers in different seating positions.
While it lacks the enhancements provided by MLA (Micro-Lens Array) technology, the C4 still delivers impressive results that most owners are likely to find highly satisfactory. However, at sharper angles, a slight greenish tint can sometimes be observed. This is a known characteristic of LG’s WRGB panels without micro-lens technology and, unfortunately, is an inherent limitation that cannot be mitigated.
TV efficiency during daytime
5.7/10
Matrix coating: Glare
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
The maximum brightness of the LG C4 in SDR content reaches 367 nits, which is an impressive result for an OLED television and ensures comfortable viewing, even during the day. Two notable aspects enhance the experience. First, the glossy coating on the panel effectively contains light reflections, preventing them from spreading across the screen and disrupting the image.
Secondly, the brightness of the screen at 100% white fill measures approximately 220 nits, a significant improvement over earlier OLED models, which often struggled to achieve even half this level. This enhancement provides an excellent viewing experience, particularly for bright and vibrant content such as winter sports broadcasts.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
LG 55 C4: 367 cd/m2
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 has used its well-established proprietary WebOS system, a staple in its televisions for many years. This system provides access to virtually all major applications, with only a few notable exceptions, such as CDA or KODI. Additionally, the modern web browser and the remote control with a built-in mouse make streaming services easily accessible, even when specific apps are unavailable. One of WebOS's standout features is its ability to operate using a cursor that appears when the remote control is moved, offering great convenience when entering queries or passwords.
WebOS also includes screen mirroring, AirPlay, and Bluetooth headphone connectivity. For users with hearing impairments, it’s worth noting that WebOS allows the simultaneous use of headphones and the TV speaker, providing added flexibility. For sports fans, the system has a handy alert feature that notifies users of an upcoming match, ensuring they never miss a game.
Another highlight is the home panel, which enables users to control all smart devices connected to their home network. For example, a completed washing cycle will trigger a notification in the upper right corner of the screen.
In conclusion, while WebOS may not be as widely known or feature-rich as Android TV, it offers stable, fast performance and supports the majority of functions that users need. It is a solid and reliable option for those seeking a simple, effective, and user-friendly operating system for their television.
Playing files from USB
9.3/10
| 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 the LG C4 handles various photo resolutions without issue, making it a reliable option for viewing images. It supports nearly all popular video formats, including Dolby Vision, ensuring compatibility with high-quality content. However, the television does not support H.266 VVC codec, which is relatively rare at this stage, so this limitation is not a significant drawback.
A notable omission is the lack of support for subtitles in the .txt format, which could be inconvenient for users who prefer using text-based subtitle files. In terms of photo formats, the C4 supports only three: JPEG, PNG, and HEIC (the latter being particularly useful for Apple phone users). While this is somewhat limited, it covers the most common formats for everyday use.
The TV excels in audio file compatibility, with no issues playing a wide range of audio formats, ensuring seamless music and sound playback without any compatibility warnings.
Apps
9.7/10
Sound
7.5/10
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 LG C4 audio system is well-tuned, providing strong bass and balanced mid and high tones. It stands out as one of the better-sounding televisions in its price range. However, most buyers will likely already have a dedicated audio setup. The presence of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos codecs enhances the overall experience, offering high-quality sound for those who rely on the TV's built-in speakers.