LG 55 B4

B46 / B42 / B43

Available screen sizes: 55”65”77”

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

Our verdict

8.1

Overall rating

LG OLED B4 is an exceptionally versatile device in the semi-premium category. For how else could one describe an OLED television that is so well-priced, and whose price, as history shows, will quickly fall? Ideal blacks and contrast are two things that inevitably mesmerise, and we are certain that anyone who has owned a device with this panel will not be able to return to LCD units. The brightness results of the television in HDR content may seem rather low; however, in this case, thanks to this particular panel, they will appear optically much higher. It is worth noting their stability and uniformity in practically every scene. In this case, a minor downside is the brightness of a full-frame shot filled with a large amount of white. However, we do not believe this to be a serious problem, as there are not many such instances anyway. The factory colour reproduction also deserves praise, which in our specimen is very decent, but one cannot help but remember how beneficial calibration has been for the image, allowing the director's intentions to be conveyed fully. LG B4 will be an excellent choice for all kinds of gamers, as well as sports enthusiasts. The former will certainly appreciate the rich support in the form of all the conveniences stemming from the HDMI 2.1 standard. Meanwhile, the latter will benefit from the advanced motion smoothing with multi-step adjustments. And lastly, one cannot overlook the convenience provided by the remote control with a built-in gyroscope, allowing it to function like a mouse. The WebOS system, which we will navigate, is extremely smooth and responsive. It offers a multitude of applications, which will be more than sufficient for the vast majority of users. The heart of the LG B4 television is the advanced Alpha processor, responsible for the smoothness of the image and advanced signal analysis. In summary: who is the LG OLED B4 for? It is the perfect device for those expecting the highest possible image quality within a given budget, but not only that. The LG B4 stands out significantly above its competition at this price point, which cannot offer such high-quality images.

Advantages

Reference colour mapping after calibration
Very good image compliance with the director's intentions
Excellent compatibility with consoles and PCs
Advanced motion smoothing system
Deep and vivid image
Advanced WebOs system and "mouse" remote control

Disadvantages

Visible tonal transitions

Movies and series in UHD quality

8.1
Classic TV, YouTube

8.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

8.6
Gaming on console

9.3
TV as a computer monitor

7.6
Watching in bright light

5.7
Utility functions

9.5
Apps

9.7
Sound quality

7.1

Competing TVs in this price range

8.6

LG OLED G4 55”

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8.4

Samsung OLED S95D 55”

Go to review

8.4

Panasonic Z95A 55”

Go to review

8.3

Sony A95L 55”

Go to review

8.3

LG OLED C4 55”

Go to review

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”

Go to review

TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) 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 55 B4 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 B4 uses OLED panels produced by LG Displays. The use of this type of panel provides us with perfect contrast and black levels. With such conditions, the picture is incredibly vivid and one might even get the impression that it is three-dimensional. The series of the manufacturer with the letter "B" has always been an ideal solution for those seeking very good picture quality while not wanting to pay extra for features that are only available in higher series. Therefore, these models have become something of a dark horse in this price range, as their advantageous pricing primarily competes with Mini LED televisions. It is not difficult to say that these models have won these battles due to the absence of characteristic flaws associated with LCD receivers with multi-zone backlighting, such as blooming/halo effects or dimming of images containing fine bright details. And as we can see in the test scenes from the films "Oblivion" and "Sicario 2," the fidelity is at the highest level. Looking at the first one, we see a spectacular play of lights that, despite their brightness, are perfectly separated from one another. Even a more challenging scene with a helicopter poses no problem for LG B4, showcasing a wealth of details and a unique colour grading specific to this title.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.3/10

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:

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

Result

664 nit

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

Result

650 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

677 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

662 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

410 nit

The brightness results in HDR materials for LG B4 are very good. It is true that none of them exceed 1000 nits, although the stability of luminance is excellent and looks practically the same in every scenario. The only moment where the tested television performs worse is the last of the scenes, although this should not be surprising. Large frames filled with a lot of white have always been, and probably will continue to be, somewhat of a weakness for OLED televisions. However, the combination of perfect contrast, black levels, and brightness of LG B4 allows for a full experience of the HDR effect. Additionally, the incredibly high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut deserves recognition, reaching 99%. This makes the colours look incredibly vivid and striking.

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

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

Let us now take a look at our two challenging test scenes from the films "Mr" and "Billy Lynn". The first one, mastered to a very high brightness, performed excellently. Of course, the television cannot generate such luminance and the picture is slightly dimmed, but the retention of all details in the highlights and clouds is at the highest level. This state of affairs is due to the well-implemented dynamic tone mapping feature. The second of the test frames, more varied, aims to showcase both high contrast and impressive bursts of fireworks. With this task, LG B4 performed excellently and it can be said that the scene was rendered in accordance with the director's intentions. We also note the very natural reproduction of skin tones, which is full of shades, making it extremely realistic.

HDR luminance chart:

As we have seen, the tone mapping feature in films works very well. Despite this, we decided to test it once more in a more challenging scenario, in an image with a lot of white. Thanks to the efficiently functioning DTM feature, or dynamic tone mapping, all details are very well visible, and only minor elements blend into the background. Therefore, we certainly recommend using it. LG B4 is equipped with the HDR Dolby Vision format, which has dynamic metadata allowing for adjustments to be made to the image frame by frame. When such a signal is provided, everything that was less visible presents itself in full splendour. This only demonstrates how essential this format is for units that do not break the magical barrier of 1000 nits.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.4/10

The fluidity of tonal transitions, often overlooked in various tests on competing portals, is an equally important aspect of image quality assessment. It is particularly important when watching material that features a wealth of colours and many intricate effects, where textures blend. This often leads to the so-called banding of colours, which is a lack of smooth gradation. The tested television handles tonal transition smoothing quite well. However, it is worth noting that it has its weaker moments, such as a bright coloured sky in the film "Kingsman" or "The Martian". Nevertheless, these are not aspects that detract from the viewing pleasure. Therefore, we positively assess the quality of tonal transitions in LG B4.

Review LG 55 B4 Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7.9/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

In this paragraph, we will take another look at the function for smoothing tonal transitions, but we will also check how the television handles lower quality material. As we have managed to verify, the setting responsible for smooth gradation works quite efficiently, although it has its weaker moments. Just as the function works correctly in SDR content, it becomes rather useless in HDR content. Even at the lowest of the options, it blurs essential details, which is why we advise against using it.

The image scaling on LG B4 is rated rather moderately positively. Although there is no edge doubling, the image itself is naturally "soft." We can change this by adjusting the sharpness slider.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

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

BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 120Hz

Brightness drop with BFI: 49%

The maximum refresh rate that we can set on the LG B4 is 120 Hz. This is the absolute minimum for those requiring high image fluidity. The manufacturer has implemented a multi-step motion smoother called "TruMotion". It has been divided into two separate sliders adjusting the sharpness of moving images (De-Blur) and jitter (De-Judder). Both sliders can be set in the range from 0 to 10, with each degree affecting the level of fluidity, so everyone can find their golden mean.

The LG OLED B4 panel features an average response time of 0.1 ms (which directly results from our measurements), allowing for an incredibly clear image, unattainable for LCD televisions, whose response times can be as high as several milliseconds. This is clearly evident in the pictures from the "UFO Test", showing no trail following the object.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

An additional feature that maximises picture 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. Unfortunately, it is completely useless, as when activated, the television loses every other frame, severely affecting the viewing comfort.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

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

The LG B4 television is equipped with four fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports with a full bandwidth of 48Gbps. All features that are identical to this standard were activated without any issues, and throughout the entire testing process, they did not cause any problems. The combination of such extensive functionality and low input lag suggests that the tested television is truly made for gaming. This is not surprising, considering that the manufacturer has always placed great emphasis on this. Therefore, we can enjoy both the properly implemented HGIG mode and gaming in Dolby Vision with low latency. This pairing will certainly attract the attention of all passionate gamers for whom quality is paramount.

An additional standard in televisions from this Korean manufacturer is the implementation of GameBar, allowing for quick adjustment of settings "on the fly," without the need to exit the game. It also enables image adjustments for individuals with visual impairments, 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 thanks to the construction of the panel and the lack of conventional backlighting. However, it is normal for shades of grey to flicker slightly; nevertheless, this is a characteristic feature of this function regardless of the manufacturer or television.

In summary: the LG B4, like all of the manufacturer’s OLEDs equipped with 120Hz panels and HDMI 2.1 ports, creates a harmonious whole with the console. In practice, this is a comprehensive television, and if we expect the highest possible efficiency in gaming, B4 will be the ideal choice.

Input lag

10/10

Input lag for the LG B4 is at an incredibly low level in every scenario. Even the most dedicated gamers will certainly 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 these same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remains consistent, which is not as evident 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

7.6/10

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: RWBG

Max refresh rate: 120Hz

G-Sync: Yes

LG B4 combined with a PC performs excellently, thanks to a very low latency of just 13.5 ms, which is practically an instant response between the mouse, the eye, and the screen. An extremely important factor when working on a screen is primarily the readability of the text, which in the case of the tested television is very good. However, it is worth noting that to achieve sharp fonts, one must enable the passthrough option in the settings.

The RWBG pixel layout has no significant impact on the display of fonts or letters, which provides a considerable advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED matrices. Users of both Windows and macOS equipped computers are sure to be pleased with the performance on the screen of the tested television.

Viewing angles

7.4/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 29%

The undisputed advantage of OLED panels is their performance in the context of group viewing, that is, from various angles. LG B4 maintains very good contrast, colour saturation, and fidelity. Although this is not the result of organic televisions supported by MLA technology, one cannot say 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 LG's WRGB panels, without the aforementioned micro-lens technology, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it.

TV efficiency during daytime

5.7/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Very Good

The maximum brightness of the television in SDR materials is 370 nits. For an OLED television, this is a very good result and allows for quite comfortable viewing during the day. It is worth paying attention to two things. The first is the rather mediocre handling of reflections caused by the satin finish of the panel, which means that direct light hitting the television will be quite obtrusive. The second issue is the brightness of the screen when filled 100% with white, oscillating around 260 nits, which is an excellent result, as until recently, OLED televisions in this price range could "boast" a brightness twice as low. Thanks to this, the conditions for watching, for example, winter sports will be very good.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

LG 55 B4: 374 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: 03.11.10

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 B4 uses the well-known proprietary system WebOS. The system offers practically all the most important applications, and those that are lacking can be counted on one hand, such as CDA or KODI.

WebOS also boasts a highly appreciated ability to perform operations using a cursor that appears when the remote control is moved. The convenience of such a feature is invaluable when entering queries or passwords for portals. WebOS, like most systems, also supports functions such as screen mirroring, AirPlay, voice search in Polish, and the capability to connect headphones via Bluetooth. On a more practical note, WebOS allows us to use both headphones and the television speaker simultaneously, which will certainly be a great help for those with hearing impairments. Among the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the option to enable an alert for upcoming matches, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel also deserves praise for allowing control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the end of a washing cycle will be signalled by a notification in the top right corner.

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

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.5/10

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 in LG B4 definitely handles most images well, although the absence of a few equally popular formats is surprising. We can successfully play videos recorded in virtually all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that LG B4 will not play is H.266 VVC, although this is currently rather unused. However, it is worth noting the supported image formats, of which there are only two: JPEG and PNG. Users of Apple devices may feel disappointed by the lack of support for the HEIC format, which is the default format when taking photos. The remedy for this is to use the built-in AirPlay feature. We will also mention the lack of support for TXT subtitles.

Apps

9.7/10

Sound

7.1/10

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 built into the LG OLED B4 can be considered quite good. We can say that it performs well for its price range. The bass is quite noticeable, but does not overpower the other frequencies. It can be said that the sound is fairly well balanced. We believe that those opting for this class of display are, or will be, in possession of an appropriate audio system. Therefore, the presence of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos codecs is not insignificant.

Manufacturer's marketing solutions:

AI Processor α8 Gen6 – The sixth generation α8 processor uses artificial intelligence for advanced image and sound analysis and optimisation, adapting them to the displayed content and surrounding conditions.
AI Picture Wizard – A feature that allows personalisation of picture settings by analysing user preferences, creating the ideal settings from millions of possible combinations.
AI Sound Pro – Sound processing technology that delivers realistic, spatial sound, adapting it to content and surroundings.
OLED Care – A set of maintenance functions 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 Brightness Control – Automatic adjustment of screen brightness depending on the room's lighting, ensuring comfortable viewing in various conditions.
AI Super Upscaling – A feature that uses artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of lower resolution materials to a level approaching 4K, improving sharpness and detail of the image.
Filmmaker Mode – A mode that allows you to watch films according to the creators' intentions, automatically adjusting image settings to lighting conditions.
Game Optimizer – A control panel for quick access to gaming settings, such as VRR, ALLM, or synchronisation with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos – Support for these standards provides realistic image and immersive, spatial sound, creating a cinematic experience in the comfort of your home.

In the LG OLED B4 review, the optimisation of details in the darkest and brightest areas of the image is clearly noticeable, making movie watching and gaming even more immersive. The processor effectively reduces noise and improves the overall quality of displayed content, which is particularly important when watching 4K quality materials. As a result, the LG B4 TV offers even better picture quality than many competing models in a similar price range. Currently, OLED technology is gaining increasing recognition, and the LG B4 model is a great example of its advantages. The LG OLED B4 test showed that the device handles dynamic action scenes excellently, offering smooth transitions without motion blur. By browsing other TV tests, it can be seen that OLED TVs are becoming increasingly popular among demanding users who value high picture quality and modern technologies. Most importantly, no popular applications are missing. In summary: who is the LG OLED B4 for? It is the perfect device for those expecting the highest possible picture quality within a given budget, but not only that. The LG B4 stands out significantly above the competition in its price range, which cannot offer such high picture quality at this price.

LG 55 B4

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