LG G4 OLED TV: Beautiful Image High quality Accessible In Bigger Sizes

8.5/ 10
SCORE

LG G4 sequence OLED TV (2024)

Execs

• Excellent total picture high quality
• Preserves black ranges nicely in shiny rooms
• Superior distinction and off-angle viewing
• Large number of dimension choices

Cons

• Costly
• Shiny display catches reflections in shiny rooms

OLED TVs ship the greatest image we have ever examined at CNET, and over the previous few years LG has continued to enhance its highest-end fashions within the G sequence. In 2023 we awarded the G3 the title of the most effective TV for image high quality, and this 12 months’s model, the G4, is even higher. In our side-by-side comparisons it beat its predecessor in brightness and total picture high quality with the type of jaw-dropping photos you’ll be able to solely get from a topflight OLED TV.

In a shiny room, nonetheless, the G4 fell in need of the efficiency of its direct competitor, the Samsung S95D. That is as a result of the Samsung makes use of an all-new matte display end, which in our checks did a greater job combating reflections than the extra typical shiny display of the Samsung. The S95D’s matte end has its draw back, specifically a discount in distinction, however total we most well-liked its bright-room picture high quality over the G4’s.

Each of these two high-end OLED TVs appeared unbelievable, and largely an identical, in darker rooms; except for the display end neither confirmed a marked benefit over the opposite. Sure, the Samsung’s shade was a bit extra saturated at occasions and it received barely brighter, however these aren’t main variations. And the G4 has different benefits over the S95D, together with an 83-inch dimension.

This is the place we point out that almost all TV viewers can be completely glad with one thing cheaper however nonetheless wonderful, just like the step-down LG C4 or a mini-LED mannequin. That stated, the G4 is a wonderful selection for anybody who needs a high-performance tv and is keen to pay for it.

Watch this: LG’s 2024 OLED TVs Minimize Wires, Enhance Brightness

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LG G4 OLED TV sizes, sequence comparability

LG additionally affords a less-expensive OLED vary, the C sequence, which is not as shiny and lacks the G sequence “gallery” model design. Final 12 months we thought of the C3 the most effective high-end TV for the cash, because of its wonderful high quality and considerably cheaper price than the G3. We’ll assessment the 2024 C4 quickly, however we do not count on any main year-over-year developments, so the C3 stays an important worth so long as it is accessible. 

Tremendous-thin panel, flawed stand

The G4 panel is super-thin and glossy with an almost unnoticeable bezel, permitting the image to take up seemingly the complete display. LG designed the TV with wall-mounting in thoughts – there’s an indentation on the again that enables it to take a seat almost flush in opposition to the wall if you use LG’s particular bracket – and calls the design “gallery.” The 55- and 65-inch sizes include a tabletop stand (the bracket prices $70 and works on all sizes), whereas the bigger sizes embody the bracket (its stand prices $200).

The stand, whereas super-thin and glossy, is flawed. It had a noticeable tilt to the left (a half-inch distinction between the suitable and left sides, to be actual; we measured), regardless of the stand being securely screwed on. Aside from the aesthetics, the TV itself was additionally wobbly on the stand. It is not a deal-breaker however we count on a extra supportive stand on a TV this costly — final 12 months’s G3 had a way more stable stand (though you needed to pay additional for it).

The LG G4 distant is at the least twice the dimensions of the Samsung distant and rather more function heavy. It consists of numbers to navigate to particular channels, which I am undecided is so essential anymore, as cable fades into the space and is changed by streaming companies that require much less advanced remotes. The enter listing is less complicated to entry than the Samsung distant with a delegated button on the distant. There are additionally six shortcuts together with Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Alexa, Sling and LG Channels.

The LG distant makes use of a point-and-shoot method, which we discovered fairly clumsy and pointless in on a regular basis use. It is over difficult at greatest, and irritating at least as a result of it is super-easy to overshoot buttons. There is not any actual purpose to have such a delicate cursor on a TV distant.

The principle menu is made up of a bunch of modular, applike classes that mean you can regulate widespread settings, together with your image mode. Individuals who prefer to experiment with image modes and have a finely tuned eye would doubtless respect this ease of entry to image mode settings, versus having to dig deep right into a settings menu. 

MLA know-how boosts image high quality

The G4 has all of the options we might count on from a high-end OLED TV. Its major picture-enhancing additional in comparison with the “C” sequence is LG’s MLA show know-how, which stands for micro-lens array. Billions of tiny lenses contained in the OLED panel assist focus the sunshine, cut back scatter and enhance effectivity. 

The G4 helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR, not like Samsung’s OLED TVs (however we do not take into account {that a} main disadvantage within the Samsung OLEDs). Each corporations’ OLED traces assist Dolby Atmos and a 144 Hz refresh charge.

LG continues to excel at connection choices. Like its competitors, the G4 has the newest model of the HDMI customary: 2.1. Meaning the HDMI ports can deal with 4K at 120 frames per second and variable refresh charge, in addition to enhanced audio return channel and automated low-latency mode (auto recreation mode). In different phrases, they’ll benefit from the newest graphics options accessible from PlayStation 5 and Xbox Collection X and S consoles in addition to high-end graphics playing cards. As with the Samsung S95D, all 4 of the G4’s HDMI ports assist 4K/120 – nice for hard-core players with a number of next-gen units. 

• 4 HDMI inputs with HDMI 2.1, HDCP 2.2

• Three USB 2.0 ports

• Optical digital audio output

• RF (antenna) enter

• RS-232 port (minijack, for service solely)

• Ethernet (LAN) port

Wonderful image high quality, regardless of some glare 

For this side-by-side comparability take a look at, we arrange the G4 subsequent to a few different OLED TVs, together with its direct competitor, the Samsung S95D, in addition to the less-expensive LG C4 and the LG G3, the G4’s predecessor from final 12 months. The G4 appeared higher than the 2 different LG fashions however a bit worse total than the Samsung, because of its the S95D’s higher bright-room picture and was barely brighter with a bit extra impactful shade.

TV and flicks: We began with the Spears and Munsil 4K benchmark and the S95D vs. the G4 had been so shut as to be virtually indistinguishable. Colours appeared barely completely different, with a extra saturated pink within the tulips and strawberries on the Samsung and the grass below the cows wanting deeper and extra life like on the LG. In highlights, each appeared equally shiny to the attention, however the Samsung measured barely brighter usually. With the solar rising over the mountains, for instance, the S95D measured about 520 nits to the LG’s 450, in line with a spot examine on the sunshine meter. The opposite two LGs had been additionally dimmer than the Samsung, however notably, the C4 was brighter (440 nits, principally the identical because the G4) than the G3 (390).

Black ranges on all 4 had been excellent, as anticipated on any OLED TV. We appeared intently on the objects in opposition to black backgrounds, for instance, a honey dripper. Black areas closest to the honey appeared principally an identical. Within the shot of a Ferris wheel, the Samsung revealed barely extra element at the hours of darkness areas below the pier and above the buildings, however the distinction was very delicate. 

Once we watched The Umbrella Academy on Netflix, the variations had been equally slight between the 2 greatest OLEDs, the G4 and S95D. In comparatively dim cinematic scenes these two appeared a bit higher, with extra depth, distinction and realism in backgrounds and faces. The C4 and G3 appeared a bit flatter and fewer impactful, however I do not suppose the distinction could be apparent outdoors of a side-by-side comparability.

Gaming: The G4 stays an excellent gaming TV, with extra choices in its Sport Optimizer menu than different televisions, together with the Samsung. It gathers the entire gaming settings in a single place and verifies refresh charge, VRR standing and extra at a look. I additionally appreciated the flexibility to edit the gaming dashboard to swap in additional standing indicators (decision, Dolby Atmos and so forth), however I am fairly nerdy like that. Samsung’s Sport bar has a cleaner design, nonetheless.

The Darkish Room mode is designed to scale back eye fatigue, nevertheless it additionally dulls the picture so I would keep away from utilizing it until it’s worthwhile to. Among the many numerous gaming picture modes I favored Commonplace greatest for many video games with its steadiness of shadow element and distinction – and a extra dramatic, cinematic look than the Samsung’s customary. FPS is greatest in order for you extra visibility into shadows, or you’ll be able to simply crank the Black Stabilizer management up (on the expense of a washed-out picture).

Buried inside Sport Optimizer is one other setting labeled “Scale back enter delay (enter lag)” with two choices, Commonplace and Enhance. The previous, which is the default for any recreation, serves up a superb enter lag outcome: round 13.6ms for each 1080p and 4K HDR sources. Partaking Enhance cuts lag even additional, to round 10ms for each, much like the Samsung. The catch is that Enhance is just accessible for 60Hz sources, so you’ll be able to’t use it with 120Hz video games or VRR. And no, I do not suppose many people would discover the additional 3ms of lag.

In keeping with my Xbox’s particulars display, the G4 supported 4K/120Hz and VRR in addition to Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming (which Samsung doesn’t assist).

Vivid lighting: The G4 is a wonderful TV in each shiny rooms and darkish, however the Samsung S95D and its matte display have the benefit. Once we set the 2 up side-by-side reverse a shiny window, the Samsung’s display markedly lowered the brightness of the home windows mirrored on the display. In the meantime the LG G4, very similar to different OLED TVs we have examined, confirmed a shiny, mirrorlike reflection. However the LG preserved black ranges higher for a extra contrasty, impactful picture, however we most well-liked the efficiency of the Samsung total in shiny rooms.

Under are my measurements in nits for choose comparability TVs of their brightest and most correct image modes, utilizing each customary dynamic vary (SDR) and excessive dynamic vary (HDR) take a look at patterns. In brief, the G4 and S95D are neck-and-neck for the title of brightest OLED TV ever, and each are brighter than their 2023 predecessors.

The brightest mode for SDR (Vivid) is horribly inaccurate. For the correct outcomes listed above on the G4, I used ISF Skilled Vivid image mode. Observe that with SDR, you will have to disable the Auto Power Saving setting (Normal > Power Saving > Power Saving Step > Off) and interact Peak Brightness (Image > Superior Settings > Brightness > (Peak Brightness: Excessive) to get full brightness. HDR is a unique and far easier story. Filmmaker is the brightest mode and probably the most correct, so you’ll be able to set it and overlook it no matter room lighting.

The G4 maintained its peak brightness over time. I ran a take a look at sample for a full minute and it stayed the identical brightness.

Like all OLED TVs together with the Samsung S95D, the G4’s brightness was considerably decrease when a bigger proportion of the display was white. With home windows bigger than 10% of the display its brightness fell steadily, hitting 450 nits with 50% of the display white and reaching a low of 220 nits with a full 100% white display. I’ve not often observed this drop-off when watching regular TV exhibits or films, nonetheless, so I do not take into account it a giant deal.

Uniformity and viewing angle: Like most OLEDs I’ve examined together with the Samsung S95D, the G4 was exemplary on this space in comparison with LCD-based TVs, with no vital brightness or shade variations throughout the display and almost excellent picture high quality from off-angle. 

Image settings and testing notes

I like that LG TVs have the flexibility, launched final 12 months, to customise the settings menu by including shortcuts and shifting them round. I added the setting that disables the ambient mild sensor, for instance, making it simpler to entry for my measurements (which require it to be turned off). In keeping with these measurements, Filmmaker was the most-accurate preset mode with HDR, however Cinema was exceedingly correct too. I selected Filmmaker for many of my viewing, and in contrast to final 12 months’s G3, it wasn’t considerably darker than Cinema. For SDR I additionally went with Cinema as a result of it was fairly correct and focused my most well-liked 2.2 gamma (Filmmaker focused 2.4). Each ISF modes had been additionally very correct.

Sport Optimizer is greatest for gaming, because of its processing, however fairly blue; for the most effective shade accuracy for gaming it is best to regulate the colour temperature management towards pink (Image > Superior Settings > Coloration > White Steadiness > Coloration temperature). Observe that until you choose Sport Optimizer within the sound settings as nicely, some settings like recreation style switching could be grayed out and unable to be adjusted.

Like most TVs, the G4 affords settings that interact smoothing, aka the cleaning soap opera impact, as I want to show it off for TV exhibits and flicks (and it is off in Sport Optimizer mode as a result of it will increase enter lag). You’ll be able to experiment with the settings (Image > Superior Settings > Readability > TruMotion).

Portrait Shows Calman calibration software program was used on this assessment. 

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