Compare: LG OLED C4 vs Samsung The Frame LS03D

LG C4 is a television that, in its price range, will likely have no competition for many users. Thanks to its extensive capabilities, it will appeal to those looking for a television not only for films and series but also for gaming. The advanced WebOS system and a remote control that functions like a mouse will certainly be a significant convenience in everyday use, making it likely that we will stick with this brand for much longer. The OLED panel implemented by the manufacturer, resulting from over 10 years of history, shows that this brand has not yet said its last word. The brightness results in HDR materials are very solid and can deliver an incredibly dynamic and deep image. It is worth mentioning the excellently implemented dynamic tone mapping feature, which makes HDR10 content look almost as good as Dolby Vision. And when it comes to fidelity to artistic vision, one cannot overlook how calibratable LG televisions are, allowing considerable freedom for calibrators and classic calibration for home users, as well as 3D LUT for professionals. However, if we are looking for a gaming television, then the LG C4, like most of the manufacturer’s OLED televisions, will be an ideal choice. With the implementation of HDMI 2.1 ports and the full utilisation of their potential, we can enjoy incredibly smooth gameplay with all the benefits, such as VRR, ALLM, FreeSync, and G-Sync. Of course, the panel, with a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz and an advanced motion smoother, will also provide a very smooth and sharp image during the broadcast of various sporting events. It is hard not to give a high rating to LG OLED C4, as a television in a similar price range with such advanced features is difficult to find among the competition.

Samsung The Frame LS03D (2024) is not an ordinary television that you can place in the corner and forget after two days. Here, it is immediately evident that the manufacturer has focused on something more than just playing films. First, the “Art” mode captures attention – with just a few clicks, we can turn The Frame into a digital gallery, displaying works that, in combination with the matte screen, truly resemble a real framed painting. And speaking of the frame, we have the option to customise its colour to perfectly match our interior. Additionally, the package includes a wall mount, allowing the television to hang almost “flush”, which further enhances the impression of engaging with an image rather than a typical screen. The matte screen provides excellent protection against reflections, which together with high brightness (650 cd/m²) works well in bright sunlight. Furthermore, we have a VA panel with quite decent contrast and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, so when watching sports or playing dynamic titles, everything appears smooth and pleasant to the eye. If we also add a gaming features package – VRR, ALLM and HGiG – it’s clear that Samsung has also considered console and PC enthusiasts. As a result, Samsung The Frame can be both a picturesque decoration for the living room and a reasonably effective gaming monitor. The mentioned One Connect is another useful gadget – it allows us to hide all the cables in one place, with a thin wire connecting the television to this magical box. If we like order, this solution is made for us. Another advantage is the Tizen system – easy to use, fast, and full of applications. We may not find absolutely everything in it (e.g. the Tidal app), but it still provides a wide range for exploring various streaming platforms. Of course, there’s no rose without thorns. The lack of local dimming is noticeable in dark scenes, where blacks become less pronounced. We also need to remember that there is only one HDMI 2.1 port here, so if we want to connect more devices at 4K and 120 Hz, we may feel limited. Additionally, the viewing angles are rather average, so it’s better for the most important viewer (that is us) to sit directly in front of the television. For fans of Dolby Vision, this will also not be an ideal choice, as The Frame LS03D only supports HDR10 and HDR10+. Furthermore, the sound – as with most slim televisions – is mediocre, so it’s worth considering a soundbar if we care about clearer bass and a bit deeper sound. Despite these weaker points, The Frame still makes a great impression. It is striking, stylish, and versatile – perfect for watching the latest hits as well as displaying reproductions of paintings on the wall. If we value an unusual appearance, high brightness, and at the same time want to play with low input lag, this model will be a perfect choice. And although it is not a leader in terms of value for money nor a technological “monster” in terms of picture quality, it has something that simply makes it likable. It is a device that stands out with its unique character and can blend into any interior, attracting attention both in television mode and as a digital art gallery.

LG OLED C4, as the name suggests, uses an organic panel of its own production. This series definitely ranks among the most recognisable on the market. Over 10 years of experience in the construction of self-emitting panels has allowed for the refinement of each subsequent design, with the models from the 2024 vintage being the epitome of this. Of course, the use of this type of screen enables the achievement of impeccable contrast and blacks, allowing for immersion in the world created by the director. This is made possible by the OLED panel, characterised by the absence of conventional backlighting, with current passing through organic pixels instead. This allows for super-accurate control of the image, thereby eliminating issues such as the dimming of delicate fine details or the halo/blooming effect. Looking at both of our test scenes, we can observe two things: perfect separation of lights and a whole plethora of details in the film "Sicario 2".

Samsung The Frame uses a VA panel, which in itself provides quite high contrast. In our tests, the results oscillated around 4000–5000:1, which will be more than enough for most users. However, the lack of local dimming is noticeable, especially on more demanding test slides. In dark scenes, it can be observed that black has a subtle hint of navy blue. During the day or in a well-lit room, this will not be an issue, but during an evening viewing, more discerning viewers may feel a slight deficiency.

The results of HDR materials are definitely among the better ones. Practically every film significantly exceeds the 700 nits barrier, allowing for a very realistic image. Of course, none of them surpasses the magical thousand, yet the combination of such results and unlimited contrast and black effectively boosts the outcome optically. The last of the scenes, featuring a full-screen burst of sunlight, is actually less bright than the others, although it still represents a commendable level. It is also worth mentioning the excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette, which will allow for achieving extremely vivid colours.

Samsung The Frame LS03D performs really well with brightness. Results of 700 nits make bright elements on the screen look striking and detailed, whether they illuminate the entire screen or appear as small points of light against a dark background. In more demanding scenes, like the fourth sequence from the film Sicario 2, the black levels are average, but we have already discussed this in the section on contrast. As for brightness – the television definitely excels here. An additional advantage is the quantum dot coating, which is QLED technology. Thanks to this, the colour palette coverage has been improved, although The Frame does not stand out in this regard compared to the competition.

The best factory mode implemented in the tested television was "Filmmaker". It was this mode that we used during all tests. This mode proved to be quite good in terms of colour reproduction; however, other shortcomings effectively detracted from the enjoyment of viewing. Starting with the most basic aspect, the white balance, it was easy to notice that it was marked by a dominance of red, which overall changed the characteristics of the image. We could thus see a strong yellowing of the whites and a shift of all colours towards warmer shades. The gamma, which is a curve just as important, if not more so, was quite significantly lowered, resulting in a considerable drop in contrast, except at the beginning of the graph, where the television insidiously lost details. That’s all regarding SDR materials. Taking a closer look at films with a wide dynamic range, we can observe exactly the same phenomenon of yellowing of the white balance as in films with a standard colour palette. The EOTF curve, which replaces our gamma curve, is practically perfect and cannot be faulted.

Samsung offers several picture modes on its televisions, but undoubtedly the Filmmaker Mode is the one that should provide the most natural representation of content. Unfortunately, as is often the case with mass production, the differences between units can be considerable, and our tested model was not free from a few issues.

In the case of SDR content, the white balance leaned heavily towards red, with a slight boost in blue. This effect was particularly noticeable in comparison images – for example, in a photograph of a boy whose face was unnaturally flushed. The gamma, or brightness characteristic, also did not perform perfectly – the image was slightly brightened, which detracted from its depth.

In 4K HDR content, the white balance was again dominated by red, this time in combination with green. Meanwhile, blue clearly lost intensity, which was easy to notice on the Color Checker palette, where colours began to "drift" in the wrong direction. The EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in HDR content, showed that the television has a tendency to excessively brighten the image, especially in the darkest elements of scenes.

Overall, while it did not look terrible, it definitely required adjustment. Fortunately, Samsung offers extensive calibration options, which provides the chance for a significant improvement in image quality. Therefore, we proceeded with professional calibration to extract the full potential from this television.

As we mentioned earlier, LG televisions are equipped with advanced tools for carrying out the calibration process. We therefore used them to model the image in the way that the director intended. And without modesty, we must admit that we achieved this phenomenally. Both SDR and HDR materials present a level that clearly indicates that this is how a film should look. It is worth looking at the colour errors on the "ColorChecker" palette here, where practically none of them exceeds "1", apart from two samples.

After professional calibration, the Filmmaker Mode shows its full potential. The white balance in HD content is exemplary – errors at the level of 0.5 indicate almost perfect colour reproduction accuracy. The image now looks natural, and the colours are precisely as they should be. In 4K HDR content, the effect is not quite as perfect, but it still maintains a really high level. The colours are vibrant, well-saturated, and the overall picture quality can be impressive.

So where does the problem arise, given our praise for colour reproduction? Unfortunately, the entire experience is marred by brightness characteristics. The gamma in HD content looks decent, but in 4K HDR it's not as good. The EOTF curve shows that the television excessively brightens certain parts of the image, which is a result of construction limitations. The lack of local dimming means that the television cannot accurately control the differences between the brightest and darkest areas of the screen. This is a barrier that simply cannot be overcome in this model.

Nonetheless, after calibration, Samsung The Frame LS03D offers excellent colour reproduction, particularly in HD content, and the overall appearance is considerably better than before the settings were corrected.

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

This is one of the best televisions we have had the opportunity to test in terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions. Any potential imperfections are so minor that you really have to strain your eyes to notice them. They are subtle enough that we only deducted a symbolic fraction of points in this category. Without a doubt, this is one of the greatest advantages of this model. It is possible that such a good effect is partly due to the matte screen coating, which gently masks any irregularities in the colour gradation. The smoothness of tonal transitions in Samsung The Frame LS03D is at a level that will satisfy even exceptionally demanding users. Kudos to LS03D!

Once again, we will take a look at the function responsible for smooth gradation, but we will also address the one that aims to improve the quality of lower-quality materials. The default smoothing of tonal transitions, as we have seen, was not the worst, but it can still be improved. The function has a slider, which allows us to adjust its strength. We recommend using the first one, as it yields very good results and does not blur important details.

Image scaling in 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. Admittedly, there are jagged edges on the trees, but this is not a major issue compared to other manufacturers.

It’s time to check how Samsung The Frame LS03D performs with older, lower-quality materials. We already know that the fluidity of tonal transitions is at a very high level here, so we were curious to see how the television would handle smoothing them out.

The noise reduction feature in the "Standard" setting does its job well – tonal transitions are noticeably smoothed out, and at the same time, the image does not lose too much detail. However, it is worth noting that this effect also smooths out film grain, so its use will be a matter of individual preference.

When it comes to image scaling, the television also performed really well. The test chart turned out solid – the model was reproduced correctly, with clear details. The branches in the background, though slightly frayed in places, generally appear natural and do not stand out as imperfections.

The maximum refresh rate that we can set on the LG G4 is 144 Hz. Naturally, this is only possible when connecting the television to a very powerful PC. In other cases, we will be operating at a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is recommended if we primarily want to watch sport or content with a lot of motion dynamics. For those requiring high fluidity of the image, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-step 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 within a range from 0 to 10, with each degree affecting the degree of smoothing, allowing everyone to find their golden mean.

The LG OLED C4 panel features an average response time of less than 1 ms (which directly results from our measurements), allowing for an incredibly clear image that is unattainable for LCD televisions, whose response times can be as high as several milliseconds. This is clearly visible in the pictures from the "UFO Test," showing no trailing blur behind the object.

Firstly, it is worth noting that the model we tested in the size of 55 inches, like the 65, 75 and 85-inch versions, is equipped with a 120 Hz panel. Unfortunately, the 43 and 50-inch variants of this series only offer 60 Hz panels, which is worth keeping in mind when making a purchase. As for improving motion fluidity, the television offers a feature called “Picture Clarity”. This is a classic motion smoother that gives users the ability to adjust it using two sliders:

Motion blur reduction – this controls the sharpening of the image in dynamic scenes. The higher the value, the less blur during quick camera movements or moving objects. However, overly aggressive settings may cause the image to become unnatural, appearing like a “soap opera”.

Judder reduction – this slider influences the smoothness of frame playback, particularly in materials with a lower frame rate, such as films (24 fps). Higher settings can smooth motion but may also lead to excessive “plasticity” of the image.

Both sliders operate on a scale from 0 to 10, allowing for precise adjustment of the effect to one’s own preferences. It is worth experimenting with the settings to find the perfect balance between fluidity and a natural appearance of the image. We recommend setting them as shown in the picture.

We can already say that LG C4, like practically every OLED television from the manufacturer, is exceptionally good in terms of compatibility with consoles and PCs. Thanks to the implementation of four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports at 48 Gbps, the manufacturer has included all features that enhance the gaming experience, among which we find simultaneous support for FreeSync and G-Sync technology. With such a tandem, gamers with a graphics card from AMD or Nvidia can confidently opt for C4. However, what should delight the players requiring the highest possible quality the most is the simultaneous implementation of HDR Dolby Vision and HGIG mode. The first is particularly important as it works with extremely low input lag in all settings.

A standard in the Korean manufacturer's televisions is also the implementation of GameBar, allowing for quick adjustments of settings "on the fly" without the need to exit the game. It also enables image adjustments for visually impaired individuals, which is a very nice touch. Another important piece of information is that when VRR technology is enabled, we will not experience a drop in contrast. This is, of course, due to the panel's design and the absence of conventional backlighting. However, it is 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 of the manufacturer's OLEDs equipped with high refresh rate panels and HDMI 2.1 ports, creates a harmonious whole with consoles. In practice, it is a complete television, and if we expect the highest possible performance in gaming, C4 will be an ideal choice.

The Frame LS03D in the 2024 version has been equipped with four HDMI ports, but only one of them supports the 2.1 standard with a bandwidth of 40 Gb/s. This is important information if we plan to connect more than one device that requires a 4K@120 Hz signal – for example, two consoles or a console and a gaming PC.

In terms of features for gamers, The Frame truly has a lot to boast about. Here we find ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and HGiG. It is worth highlighting that HGiG has been very well implemented here, which is particularly important as the television does not support Dolby Vision in games (which is only available on Xbox consoles). In this case, HGiG turns out to be a better standard for gaming.

Samsung has also not forgotten about features that enhance gaming comfort. Game Bar is an advanced panel for gamers that allows for quick adjustment of screen settings without the need to dig through the television's menu. We can even change the aspect ratio from 16:9 to a panoramic 21:9, which may be a significant advantage for some gamers.

However, Samsung's biggest ace up its sleeve is the Game Motion Plus feature. This is a special smoothness enhancer dedicated to games that adds additional frames of animation without significantly affecting input lag. The effect is truly noticeable – the image appears much smoother, which fans of dynamic titles will particularly appreciate.

In summary – Samsung The Frame LS03D is a television that offers a solid set of features for gamers. While the limitation to one HDMI 2.1 port may be a downside, the rest of the solutions makes gaming on this television a truly enjoyable experience.

The input lag of the LG C4 is at an incredibly low level in every scenario. Even the most dedicated gamers will surely appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, which is just 5 ms. It is also worth noting that the lag at the 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.

In terms of latency, The Frame LS03D is truly impressive. 13 ms for 60 Hz content and 8 ms for 120 Hz are results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers. Such low values mean that responses to controller movements are almost instantaneous. In dynamic games, such as shooters or racing games, every fraction of a second matters – this is where Samsung LS03D excels.

LG C4 in combination with a PC performs excellently, thanks to a very low latency of just 13.5 ms, which is practically an instantaneous response between the mouse, eye and screen. A particularly important issue when working on the screen is the readability of text, which in the case of the tested television 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 arrangement has no significant impact on the display of fonts or letters, which is a considerable advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED panels. Users of both computers equipped with the Windows operating system and macOS will certainly be satisfied with the experience on the screen of the tested television.

Using a computer on The Frame is truly a pleasant experience. The fonts are clear and well-rendered thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4. There is no blurring or fuzziness, which often occurs in cheaper televisions. Of course, if someone looks very closely at small text, they may notice minimal imperfections, but that's really a minor detail that doesn't interfere with everyday tasks. It is also suitable for PC gaming. The 120 Hz panel, support for G-Sync, and really low input lag ensure that games run smoothly and without delays.

The undeniable advantage of OLED panels is their efficiency in the context of group viewing, that is, from various angles. LG C4 maintains very good contrast, colour saturation, and fidelity. Although this is not the result of organic televisions supported by MLA technology, it cannot be said that anyone who purchased the device was dissatisfied 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 microlens technology, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it.

The viewing angles of the Samsung The Frame LS03D are average, which is typical for a VA panel. Here lies a bit of a problem – this television is supposed to serve as a display for images and works of art, which are not always viewed head-on. When viewed at an angle, colours begin to lose their intensity, and blacks turn into shades of grey. This is not at a level that completely ruins the experience, but if the television is to be placed where it will often be viewed from the side, the effect may be noticeable. It's a shame, as better viewing angles would be a significant advantage for a television of this purpose.

The maximum brightness of the television in SDR materials is 367 nits. For an OLED television, this is a very good result that allows for quite comfortable viewing during the day. It is worth noting two things. Thanks to the glossy coating of the screen, reflections are held well in place and do not spill over onto the rest of the display. The second issue is the brightness of the screen at 100% white fill, which hovers around 220 nits, a remarkable result, as until recently OLED televisions in this range could only "boast" of brightness that was half as much. This means that conditions for watching, for example, winter sports will be very good.

Samsung The Frame is equipped with a matte panel that excels at suppressing direct light reflections. This means that even in a brightly lit room, the image remains clear, and reflections do not interfere with viewing. Of course, as is often the case with matte finishes, there is a trade-off – colours lose some intensity, and black may appear more washed out during the day. Fortunately, the television compensates for this with a brightness level of 650 cd/m². This ensures that the image is bright, clear, and well visible even in a heavily sunlit room.

LG uses the well-known proprietary WebOS system that has been around for many years. The system offers practically all the most important applications, and the few that are missing can be counted on one hand, such as CDA or KODI. It is also worth mentioning that the modern web browser and the remote control with a built-in mouse allow for convenient use of streaming services in this way, if there is no built-in application.

WebOS also features a highly valued ability to perform operations with a cursor that appears when the remote control is in motion. The convenience of such a function is invaluable when typing in queries or passwords for portals. WebOS, like most systems, also supports features such as screen mirroring, AirPlay, voice search in Polish, and the ability to connect headphones via Bluetooth. On more practical matters, WebOS allows simultaneous use of headphones and the TV speaker, which will certainly be a big help for people with hearing impairments. Among the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the option to turn on an alert notifying about an upcoming match, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel is also praiseworthy, allowing for the control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the cycle of completed laundry will be signalled by a notification in the upper right corner.

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

Samsung The Frame LS03D is a television that stands out from other models and is difficult to describe in a traditional way. Of course, it includes all the standard Smart TV features thanks to the Tizen system. The system operates responsively, is comprehensive, and offers a wide selection of applications. The remote control supports voice commands in Polish, and additional devices can be connected via Bluetooth – just like in many other televisions. But that's not the essence of this model.

The greatest strength of Samsung The Frame is its design. The "Art" mode allows you to display thousands of high-resolution images, which, combined with a matte display, look truly exceptional. The effect is surprisingly realistic and hard to compare with any other television.

The bezels may not be the thinnest on the market, but you can customise them in terms of colour and style to perfectly blend with your interior. (Sold separately) And while the bezels themselves are not ultra-thin, the entire construction is sleek and elegant. The wall mount, which is included (its value is approximately £80), also deserves special attention. With it, the television can be mounted practically flat against the wall, with no gap, which further emphasises the "picture" effect.

And what about the cables? Samsung thought of that too. The Frame has been equipped with a One Connect module – an external box where all devices are connected. Only one nearly invisible cable runs to the television, which transmits both the signal and power. The box can be easily hidden in a cabinet or behind furniture, which means nothing disrupts the aesthetics of the interior.

Samsung The Frame LS03D is more than just an ordinary television – it is a thoughtfully designed decorative element that combines the modern functionality of Smart TV with exceptional design and practical solutions. Although it lacks typical features such as USB recording or PiP, it is not a model created with a classic approach to television in mind. LS03D the frame is a television that is easy to love for its innovation, originality, and how wonderfully it fits into any interior.

The default file player in LG C4 definitely handles all image resolutions well. We can successfully play videos recorded in virtually all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that the C4 does not support is H.266 VVC, although this is currently rather unused. However, it is a pity that subtitles in .txt format are not supported. Attention should be paid to the supported image formats, of which there are only three: JPEG, PNG, and, importantly for Apple phone users - HEIC. However, the tested television cannot be faulted for lack of diversity in audio files, the playback of which will not be met with a compatibility warning.

The built-in media player in Samsung The Frame handles most popular video and audio formats without major issues. Video files, even those with subtitles that we have added, play smoothly and without interruptions. The same goes for audio files – here too, there are no significant surprises. The situation is somewhat worse when it comes to handling photo formats. The built-in player has certain limitations and does not support all possible types of graphic files. However, nowadays, most people use wireless photo transfer, so for many users, this will not be a major problem.

The implemented audio system in LG C4 has been 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 is one of the better sounding televisions. However, we believe that those deciding to purchase the C4 will already own a dedicated audio set. The presence of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos codecs will not be without significance.

The sound on the Samsung The Frame is… well, quite average. The slim design of the television, while looking impressive, doesn’t allow much space for decent speakers. As a result, the sound is flat and lacks dynamism – exactly like most televisions in this category. Samsung is clearly aware of this, as it offers a special series S of soundbars, specifically created for its "lifestyle" televisions, which includes the The Frame.

LG OLED C4 vs Samsung The Frame LS03D

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

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

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound