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, 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.

Advantages

High efficiency in HDR materials
Very good colour reproduction after calibration
Faithfulness to the image with directorial vision
Excellent collaboration with consoles and PCs - low input lag, a wealth 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

8.9

Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) 75”

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8.6

LG OLED G4 77”

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8.4

Samsung OLED S95D 77”

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8.3

Sony A95L 77”

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8.1

LG 55 B4 77”

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8.1

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

Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) 77”

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8.1

Sony Bravia 7 (XR70) 75”

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8.1

Philips OLED909 77”

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7.9

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN95D Main photo

Samsung Neo QLED QN95D 75”

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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 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".

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, 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.

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

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

The measurement sequence, measurement sequence, and yet it would be useful to check the LG C4 with two varied films, namely "Pan" and "Billy Lynn." The first of these, featuring light effects reaching values above 2000 nits, looked outstanding on the LG OLED C4. Thanks to the dynamic tone mapping function, all the details in the highlights were reproduced accurately and with excellent detail. We can also note that live in practice, there is no visible dimming of the image, as is often the case with other televisions of a similar class. The second scene shows exactly what we expected from it, namely a subtle play of light and shadow. Delicate shadows and details perfectly blend with the explosions of fireworks, complementing each other. We must admit that it is rare to observe such adherence to the directorial vision in televisions.

HDR luminance chart:

The dynamic tone mapping function is designed to retrieve details that are unavailable or difficult to reproduce by HDR with static metadata, which refers to the overall material rather than to each individual scene. The function implemented in the LG C4 OLED works wonderfully and essentially performs the job for which it was created perfectly. However, it must be noted 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

An additional feature enabling the maximisation of image fluidity is "OLED Motion", which employs black frame insertion (BFI) between frames of the film, aimed at "resetting" the retina of the eye, thereby enhancing the sharpness of the image. In the television under test, it only functions at 60 Hz and has a beneficial effect on image sharpness, although one must reckon with a significant drop in brightness. The function 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

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.

Input lag

10/10

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.

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 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.

Viewing angles

7.5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 25%

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Manufacturer's marketing solutions:

AI Processor α9 Gen7 – The seventh generation of the α9 processor uses artificial intelligence for advanced image and sound analysis and optimisation, adjusting them to the displayed content and environmental conditions.
Brightness Booster – A technology that increases screen brightness, allowing for sharper and more vivid images, even in well-lit rooms.
OLED Care – A set of maintenance features designed to maintain the optimal performance of the OLED panel, minimising the risk of pixel burn-in and extending the screen's lifespan.
webOS 24 – The latest version of LG's Smart TV operating system offers an intuitive user interface and access to a wide range of apps and streaming services.
AI Picture Wizard – A feature that allows personalisation of image settings by analysing user preferences, creating the ideal settings from millions of possible combinations.
Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro – Dynamic tone mapping technology optimises the image, ensuring perfect light and shadow reproduction in every scene.
OLED Motion – A feature that improves motion clarity, reducing blur in dynamic scenes, providing smoother and more realistic viewing experiences during sports or action movies.
OLED Pixel Dimming – Technology that individually controls the brightness of each pixel, allowing for deep blacks and excellent contrast.
Super Resolution AI – A feature that uses artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of lower resolution content to near 4K levels, improving image 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 – Noise reduction technology in the image, improving clarity and quality of displayed content.
AI Genre Selection – Automatic adjustment of image and sound settings depending on the type of content being viewed, ensuring optimal experiences while watching movies, sports, or gaming.
AI Picture Processor – An advanced image processor using artificial intelligence to analyse and optimise every element of the image 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 excellent contrast, allowing for incredible image depth. LG C4 test shows that black in this model is perfect, as seen in high-contrast scenes. Test LG OLED C4 confirms that the contrast is unmatched, translating into an outstanding visual experience in movies and games.

HDR technology in LG OLED C4 offers an incredibly realistic reproduction of colours and details. LG C4 OLED test shows that even the most demanding scenes from dynamic films look great. 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, the 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