LG C4 OLED TV Review: Best TV for Gaming and Movies?

The LG C4 OLED represents LG's 2024 iteration of their beloved C-series, which has long been the go-to choice for enthusiasts seeking a perfect balance of performance and value. With the new alpha9 AI Processor Gen7, enhanced gaming features, and refined webOS interface, the C4 promises to be the ultimate all-rounder for both cinephiles and gamers alike. But does it live up to the hype? Let's dive deep into this comprehensive review.

Introduction

When it comes to OLED televisions, LG has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. The C-series has established itself as the sweet spot in LG's lineup, offering flagship-level features without the eye-watering price tag of the G-series gallery models. The LG C4 OLED continues this tradition, bringing meaningful upgrades over the C3 while maintaining competitive pricing.

Whether you're a dedicated gamer looking for the lowest input lag and butter-smooth 4K 120Hz gameplay, or a movie buff craving perfect blacks and stunning HDR performance, the C4 aims to satisfy both camps. In this review, we'll examine every aspect of this TV to help you decide if it's worth your investment.

Design and Build Quality

Physical Design

LG has refined the C4's design while maintaining the sleek, minimalist aesthetic that made its predecessors so popular. The panel itself remains impossibly thin at the top, measuring just a few millimeters, while the bottom section houses all the electronics and speakers.

The bezels are incredibly slim, nearly disappearing when viewing content. This frameless design creates an immersive viewing experience where the screen seems to float in space. LG uses a combination of premium plastics and metal for the construction, giving the TV a solid, premium feel without excessive weight.

Design Specifications

Stand and Wall Mounting

The included stand positions the TV at an ideal height and provides good stability. The central pedestal design means you'll need a TV stand at least 22 inches wide for the 55-inch model. For those who prefer wall mounting, the TV supports standard VESA patterns and lies nearly flush against the wall.

Picture Quality

OLED Technology Excellence

The C4 uses LG's evo OLED panel technology, which delivers the self-emissive picture quality that has made OLED the gold standard for home theater enthusiasts. Each of the 8.3 million pixels produces its own light, allowing for perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratios that LCD TVs simply cannot match.

Core Display Specifications

SDR and HDR Performance

In standard dynamic range content, the C4 excels with accurate colors out of the box. The Filmmaker Mode delivers near-reference level accuracy, making it an excellent choice for those who want to see content as creators intended.

HDR performance is where the C4 truly shines. With support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, you're covered for virtually all premium content. The peak brightness reaches approximately 850 nits in a 10% window, which is a noticeable improvement over the C3. Specular highlights pop with impressive intensity, while shadow detail remains exceptional.

The alpha9 Gen7 processor brings improved AI-assisted tone mapping, which dynamically adjusts the HDR presentation scene-by-scene. This results in more natural-looking images with better preserved detail in both highlights and shadows.

Color Accuracy and Uniformity

Color accuracy on the C4 is exceptional. In Filmmaker Mode, Delta E values (a measurement of color accuracy where lower is better) typically fall below 2.0, which is below the threshold of perceptible color difference for most viewers.

OLED panels are inherently free from the uniformity issues that plague many LCD TVs. There's no backlight bleeding, clouding, or DSE (dirty screen effect) to worry about. Every pixel maintains consistent brightness and color across the entire screen.

Gaming Performance

The Ultimate Gaming TV

The LG C4 is arguably the best gaming TV on the market for 2024. It combines the inherent advantages of OLED technology with a comprehensive suite of gaming features that cater to both console and PC gamers.

Gaming Features Comparison

Input Lag and Response Time

The C4 delivers class-leading input lag, measuring approximately 9.2ms at 60Hz and an impressive 5.3ms at 120Hz in Game Mode. This near-instantaneous response ensures that your actions translate to on-screen movement without perceptible delay, which is crucial for competitive gaming.

The OLED's near-instant pixel response time of 0.1ms eliminates motion blur almost entirely. Fast-moving objects remain sharp and clear, whether you're tracking enemies in a first-person shooter or following the ball in a sports game.

4K 120Hz and VRR Support

All four HDMI ports on the C4 support full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1, meaning you can connect multiple gaming devices and take advantage of 4K 120Hz on any input. The TV supports both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, ensuring tear-free gaming regardless of your graphics card preference.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support ranges from 40Hz to 120Hz with standard VRR, and LG's Low Frame Rate Compensation (LFC) kicks in below 40Hz by doubling frames to maintain smooth visuals even in demanding scenes.

Dolby Vision Gaming

One standout feature is Dolby Vision gaming support at 4K 120Hz. While the number of games supporting this feature is still limited, titles that do support it look absolutely stunning on the C4, with enhanced dynamic range and more nuanced color grading.

Smart TV Features

webOS 24 Experience

The C4 runs LG's latest webOS 24 operating system, which brings a refined interface and new features while maintaining the intuitive navigation that users love.

Smart TV Features Overview

Streaming App Support

All major streaming apps are available on webOS, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube, and many more. Apps load quickly thanks to the alpha9 processor, and switching between apps is seamless.

The Netflix app supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, as does the Disney+ and Apple TV+ apps. YouTube supports 4K HDR playback, and all apps benefit from the TV's excellent upscaling for lower-resolution content.

LG Channels and Free Content

LG Channels offers a selection of free streaming content without requiring a subscription. While the selection isn't as comprehensive as dedicated streaming services, it's a nice bonus for casual viewing.

Magic Remote

The included Magic Remote remains one of the best TV remotes in the industry. Its point-and-click navigation, voice commands, and universal remote capability make controlling the TV effortless. The scroll wheel is particularly useful for adjusting volume or scrolling through content.

Sound Quality

Built-In Audio Performance

The C4 features a 2.2 channel speaker system with a total output of 40 watts. For a TV this thin, the audio quality is surprisingly capable. Dialogue is clear and centered, and there's enough bass response for casual viewing.

LG's AI Sound Pro technology analyzes content in real-time and optimizes the audio output accordingly. The virtual 9.1.2 surround sound feature does a respectable job of creating a more immersive soundstage, though it can't replicate a true surround system.

Audio Specifications

External Audio Options

For serious movie watching or gaming, we recommend pairing the C4 with a dedicated sound system. The TV supports Dolby Atmos passthrough via eARC (HDMI 2), making it compatible with modern soundbars and AV receivers. LG's WOW Orchestra feature allows the TV speakers to work in harmony with compatible LG soundbars for an expanded soundstage.

Size Options and Pricing

Available Sizes

The LG C4 OLED is available in four screen sizes to fit different room configurations and budgets.

Size and Pricing Table

Value Proposition

At around $1,299 for the 55-inch model during sales, the C4 offers exceptional value for an OLED TV with this level of gaming features. While Samsung's S95D offers higher peak brightness with QD-OLED technology, it also commands a significant premium. The Sony A95L is priced even higher. For most buyers, the C4 hits the sweet spot between performance and price.

Comparison with C3 and Competitors

LG C4 vs LG C3

If you're considering upgrading from a C3 or choosing between the two, here's what's changed:

The improvements are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The Gen7 processor brings better upscaling and tone mapping, and there's a modest brightness bump. For C3 owners, upgrading isn't essential unless you want the latest features. For those choosing between the two, the C4 is worth the extra cost if prices are comparable.

Competition Analysis

The OLED TV market in 2024 is more competitive than ever:

Samsung S95D (QD-OLED): Brighter in HDR (1300+ nits), excellent color volume, better for bright rooms. More expensive and lacks Dolby Vision support.

Sony A95L (QD-OLED): Superior image processing, exceptional upscaling, best for film purists. Significantly more expensive with fewer gaming ports.

LG G4 OLED: LG's flagship with MLA technology for higher brightness, more premium design with flush wall mount. About 30-40% more expensive than C4.

For pure gaming performance and overall value, the C4 remains hard to beat.

Pros and Cons

Verdict

The LG C4 OLED continues the C-series tradition of offering an outstanding balance of performance, features, and value. It delivers on virtually every front that matters: stunning picture quality with perfect blacks, exceptional gaming performance with industry-leading input lag, and a polished smart TV experience.

While it doesn't match the absolute peak brightness of Samsung's QD-OLED offerings or the premium design of LG's own G4, these trade-offs come with significant cost savings. For the vast majority of users, the C4 provides more than enough performance to satisfy, whether you're watching the latest blockbuster in Dolby Vision or playing competitive games at 4K 120Hz.

The alpha9 Gen7 processor brings meaningful improvements in AI processing, and webOS 24 refines an already excellent smart TV platform. Four full HDMI 2.1 ports mean you'll never have to choose which devices get access to the best features.

Final Score: 4.7/5

The LG C4 earns a well-deserved 4.7 out of 5. It loses points only for not matching the peak brightness of more expensive competitors and the ever-present (though well-managed) concern about OLED burn-in. For everyone else, this is the TV to buy in 2024.

Who Should Buy the LG C4 OLED?

You Should Buy This TV If:

• You're a gamer: The combination of 4K 120Hz, VRR, G-Sync/FreeSync support, and 5.3ms input lag makes this arguably the best gaming TV available.

• You prioritize picture quality: OLED's perfect blacks and infinite contrast create an unmatched viewing experience for movies and premium content.

• You want an all-rounder: The C4 excels at everything from sports to gaming to movies without major compromises.

• You value features over absolute brightness: If your viewing room has controlled lighting, the C4's brightness is more than sufficient.

• You want value for money: The C4 offers 90% of the G4's performance at a significantly lower price.

You Should Consider Alternatives If:

• Your room is extremely bright: The Samsung S95D's higher brightness may be better suited for rooms with lots of windows.

• You prioritize sound quality: Built-in audio is adequate but not exceptional. Budget for a soundbar if audio matters.

• You're concerned about burn-in: If you watch content with static logos for many hours daily (like 24/7 news), consider an LCD alternative.

• You want a PC monitor: While the 42-inch works at a desk, dedicated gaming monitors may be more practical for desktop use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the LG C4 OLED worth it over the C3?

If you're buying new, yes. The C4 offers better processing, improved brightness, and updated software for a similar price once the C3 is discontinued. For C3 owners, upgrading isn't necessary unless you specifically need the Gen7 processor improvements.

Does the LG C4 suffer from burn-in?

Modern OLED panels have excellent burn-in mitigation features including pixel refresh, logo luminance adjustment, and screen savers. With normal varied content viewing, burn-in is unlikely to be an issue within the TV's lifespan. However, displaying static content (like news channel logos or game HUDs) for many hours daily does pose a risk.

Can the LG C4 do 4K 120Hz on all HDMI ports?

Yes, all four HDMI ports on the LG C4 support full 48Gbps bandwidth, enabling 4K 120Hz with HDR, VRR, and ALLM on any input. This is a significant advantage over some competitors that only offer full features on select ports.

Is the LG C4 good for watching sports?

Absolutely. The combination of OLED's instant response time, 120Hz refresh rate, and motion interpolation options make fast-moving sports content look incredibly smooth. The wide viewing angles also mean everyone in the room gets a great picture.

How does the LG C4 compare to the Sony A95L?

The Sony A95L uses QD-OLED technology for higher brightness and more saturated colors, and Sony's processing is considered superior for film content. However, the A95L costs significantly more, has only two HDMI 2.1 ports versus the C4's four, and has higher input lag. For gaming-focused users, the C4 is the better choice. For pure movie watching with a larger budget, the A95L may edge ahead.