Verdict
Increased brightness and improved blueprint , alongside comprehensive gambling feature film and connectivity options . Whether you ’re watching films , stream a TV series or playing games , the LG C2 pose down an impressive marker for 2022 OLEDs to stick to .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Another yr , another LG C - series OLED hits the market . But where the theoretical account from the past duet of years offered only slight but beneficial improvements on the established pattern , the 2022 iteration has the potential of a giving step forth for LG ’s mid - range OLED .
This year sees the C2 carry the brighter OLED evo panel that LG brought to the market in 2021 with itsG1 OLED . The design has been fine-tune and there ’s a newDolby Visionfeature to deform out more performance from HDR content .
All of this does hail at a higher starting cost thanthe C1 . So the obvious query to ask is , does the LG C2 justify the extra disbursement ?
The C2 series bring in a smaller 42 - in model , which joins its 48- , 55- , 65- , 75- and 83 - in sib . damage - wise , the 65 - inch incurs an increase to £ 2699 ( May 2022 ) compared to the £ 2499 bulge out cost of the 65 C1 ( at the time of that review , it fell to £ 2299 ) .
There are two unlike edition : the OLED65C24LA and OLED65C26LD . The 24LA model is on Amazon UK , Currys , Richer Sounds , John Lewis & Partners and Hughes Trade . The latter is available through Argos , Sevenoaks and Costco UK .
The difference looks like a heavier stand for the OLED65C26LD , plus that exemplar only comes in 77- , 65- and 55 - in sizing .
Design
LG has made changes over the former model and they ’re all for the safe , with everything I mat up needed attention addressed . One of the cardinal changes is the stand , which has a smaller footprint that help in set the boob tube on surfaces large and lowly .
The outcome of the stand ’s more compact class stand for it ’s easier to slip cable length from a soundbar beneath the tv set ’s frame . It could perhaps do with being slightly higher to fit a soundbar more well , though . The Devialet Dione I was examine edged up to and just over the bottom bezel , but did n’t obscure the IR pass catcher for the remote .
The C2 ’s stand weigh less , too ( 45 % less according to LG ) , with the unite weight of the idiot box and stand at 16.5 kg . Assembly is a subtlety bare , too : accept it out the box to turn it on take less than 10 proceedings .
The rearward promotional material has been tidied up , occupying less space . And aside from the upwards - facing CI interface , all the connection are side - facing , which aids access when the C2 is wall - climb on . There ’s a cable television mare’s nest area on the back of the stand , but it ’s only there to siphon off the exponent cable through .
With a thin bezel design that ascertain the concealment is the focus , this is LG ’s best - bet C - series model yet . It ’s a gorgeously stylish OLED .
Interface
The 2022 variant of webOS is a continuation of the determination in 2021 to move to an interface that rivet on curating capacity . alas , this main hub was n’t work properly for me , so I could n’t access late / background apps .
It was easy enough to parry the issue by heading to the app store via the Home Dashboard or through voice dominance , but there remain a few niggles such as not being able to update apps in the app store – although opening apps with voice dominance led to them mechanically update themselves . Asidefrom a assembly post , I have n’t seen the issuing mentioned elsewhere .
The Magic remote carries over from 2021 and feel less fiddly to utilise , the pointer less prone to flying across the blind . It has hotkeys for Netflix , Prime Video , Disney+and Rakuten , as well as shortcuts for Alexa and Google digital assistants .
There ’s a amplitude of apps with the likes ofApple TV , Sky Store and Twitch ; Hulu , HBO Maxand Sling TV for US customer ; and withFreeview manoeuvre , the UK catch - up and on - demand apps are useable . LG Channels has nearly 200 free - to - watch over canal to pour , while LIVENow – single to LG goggle box – have memory access to live medicine concerts and event .
The Home Dashboard is where you may manage the TV ’s various inputs , wireless connections ( such asAirPlay 2 ) or connect to IoT ( cyberspace of thing ) devices around the home . The menu system of rules remain easy to voyage , with fewer discussion section to wade through , and few nuzzle computer menu . The Multi View , which I had n’t noticed before , provide for two covert to be viewed at once for any exquisite multitaskers .
Features
There are 4 xHDMI 2.1inputs ( HDMI 2 is eARC for beam lossless audio to a compatible soundbar ) , a headphone out , digital opthalmic out , Ethernet , planet , and aerial inputs , 3 x USB , and a CI+ 1.4 ( Common Interface ) slot .
Wireless connectivity includes Wi - Fi , Bluetooth 5.0,AirPlay 2 , Chromecast and Bluetooth Surround Ready , where you could pilfer up wireless talker that act as surround speakers . Both versions of the C2 financial support WiSA connectivity , a means of adding wireless loudspeaker software package and soundbars wirelessly .
You wo n’t recover a likewise priced TV from a rival brand as stack for play features as the C2 . ALLM ( Auto Low Latency Mode ) automatically switches the television into its lowest latency state when it detects a gaming twist . VRR ( Variable Refresh Rate ) dynamically alters the filmdom ’s refresh rate to reduce optic artefacts such as tear , and offer a fast response time . 4K/120Hz HFR ( High Frame Rate ) allows for a smoother - looking icon and less lag . They ’re available across each HDMI input , which is uncommon outside of LG and a few gamey - end Samsung TVs .
But expect , there ’s more!AMD FreeSync PremiumandNvidia G - SyncVRR solutions cater to PC gamers , reducing latency and improving image calibre . Google Stadiais joined by Nvidia’sGeForce Nowfor streaming game from the swarm . Dolby Vision Gamingsupports 4K/120Hz and adapts the HDR carrying out of compatible games for good light ( brightness ) and black stratum . HGiG calculate to supply a consistent , non - dynamic HDR performance across game .
Gaming latency at 4 honey oil is 12.9ms , a few millisecond uncollectible than the C1 ; but VRR , Game boost ( for 60Hz content ) and 120fps funding can bring latency to lower figures . With the Game Optimiser menu there ’s room to customise the C2 ’s public presentation for whatever plot you ’re play , whether that ’s adjusting the latency or changing luminosity levels .
concern about image retention or tan - in are mitigated by a Screensaver fashion that ensures no still images are pass on on the screen . Other meter include Screen Move ( which shifts pixels slightly ) , changing how bright on - screenland logotype appear and world-wide sustentation .
Picture Quality
The C2 gets the bright evo OLED instrument panel , but it is n’t on mirror symmetry with the G2 organic light-emitting diode . The G2 gets a luminousness cost increase of up to 30 % , while for the C2 the gain are 20 % . Last year ’s C1 quantify at 800 nits on a 10 % windowpane in Standard mode , while the C2 clocked around 854 nits ; in Vivid mode it can go as high as 909 nits . But luminousness is only one scene to consider in the pursuit of image excellency .
Also young is Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail . Dolby Vision IQautomatically adapts the image for shiny and dark rooms , and this enhanced version wring more distinctness and detail from both brighter and colored area of the image . LG says this is possible thanks to its α9 Gen 5 AI processor , and it ’s the only TV manufacturing business to offer it at the time of review . Other HDR data formatting covered are HDR10 and HLG , with LG opting not to includeHDR10+to optimise video recording from the likes of Prime Video andHulu .
characterisation quality is , as is becoming the average for an LG organic light-emitting diode , antic – particularly with Dolby Vision . compare to a 2021 55 - inch Sony A80J , the C2 ’s colour volume ( the stove of colouring material at dissimilar brightness levels ) is more expressive , displaying a richer colour palette and brighter Dolby Vision playback that also picks up more visible detail in the ikon ’s sorry portion .
There are several moments in Netflix ’s The Dig where the LG uncovers more item in night - time scenes than the A80J , such as the panorama where Lily James ’ and Johnny Flynn ’s characters connect after a Spitfire crash . The LG is better able-bodied to reveal the tree melodic line behind them , and the outlines of the threshold of a little hut they end up at is more define in the darkness whereas on the Sony it can scarce be look .
It not only helps to produce a better signified of the surround the characters are in , but produces more depth and detail than the Sony . If this is Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail at work , then there are gain from having it let in .
The LG ’s sense of contrast is more expressive , too , OLED ’s customary black level commingle with the gain in luminance makes the fervor of a camp web site in The Dig and the candles of a séance in Apple TV+ ’s Dickinson bear out better . Complexions across a range of HD and 4 K content are expressively showcased , with lots of nuance and realism that establish for a goodly - search look-alike .
With HDR10 content , black level need a slim allowance ( nudge Brightness to 60 ) . Overall detail storey are high , whether it ’s the extravagant costuming of Cruella , or the period look of The Last Duel to the make - up and product design of Hellboy II : The Golden Army . The LG C2 serves up fabulous grade of asperity and definition splice with a lush quality that makes 4 kelvin HDR content look terrific .
Upscaling is similar to the C1 when watching the Diamond League Athletics in standard definition . The C2 displays the common bleary edge definition around the bodies of the athletes , sharpness is lacking and noise is seeable once they start run . follow The Bidding Room , colours are strongly represent – and in the close - up of people ’s faces , there ’s a decent amount of item for the C2 to dig up .
With a Blu - ray of Thor : The Dark World , it ’s as if I ’m watching a 4 K version of the film . No noise , no blurriness or notched edge ; just terrific levels of fine point in costumes and faces , innate colours , a clean - face figure , and impressive levels of sharpness .
The C2 ’s motion accomplishment better upon the C1 ’s comme il faut amplification . The number of options has been reduced to Cinematic Movement , Smooth Movement , Natural and User Selection ; Natural considered for general use while Smooth Movement is a better fit for sportsman . I do inquire why LG does n’t just give them more specific name to make that absolved .
In any case , while there rest a degree of artificiality to the C2 ’s motion , it ’s less obvious and at last less distracting viewing Sam Mendes ’ 1917 . When Lance Corporal Schofield runs across the field , his legs do n’t count divorced from his torso , while lowly hand movements are resolved without glaringly obvious judder , even on the strongest place setting .
In terms of vitality , an instalment of The Venture Bros displays fewer move artefact such as jerky motility or blurriness with fast zooms . A stream of the Miami GP highlight on All 4 and LG ’s TruMotion produces a more stable , less edgy image – this is a step up from the C1 .
Some do n’t loveFilmmaker mode , but I revalue its inclusion body for the purposes of accuracy . Despite that , colour accuracy out of the box was n’t as good as the C1 ; but to my eye the picture was very strong . However , forfend follow received definition SDR content in this mode , since it ’s a somewhat dim figure of speech .
Sound Quality
The C2 features a 40W 2.2ch system with support forDolby Atmos – and it ’s another lusterless effort . It ’s an ever - intimate comment to make , but a soundbar or wireless sound system of rules would help .
The AI Sound Pro mode total processing that makes content louder , hyperbolise detail and unfold up the soundstage . However , it bring in detail to the prow that should be leave in the background , not a altogether exact or born theatrical performance of what is being follow .
The width of the soundstage with AI Sound Pro is appreciated , as is the focus on dialogue , but there ’s sibilance to voice communication when watching daytime shows such as The Bidding Room and The Chase . The performance can diverge when streaming content , which seems to fare well overall .
received mode is better , since it ditches litigate for a more natural and smoother tone , while Cinema is best for film , finding more vigor and applying processing to create depth .
Dolby Atmos processing is activated when Atmos soundtracks are detect , submit them in a virtual 7.1.2 up - mix . In Last Night in Soho , the moment where Eloise is transmit into the 60s and the consequence where the soundstage expands is subdue ( Panasonic ’s 40 - in JX850 wangle to carry more heft ) .
The LG C2 ’s Atmos performance with Black Panther miss heft up in military action panorama or system of weights in the futuristic aircraft as they vanish across the filmdom . It ’s at least unmortgaged and nipping in contingent , the TV ably tracking event as they trash across the level . In Blade Runner 2049 there ’s a whiff of altitude impression as K ’s spinner landed estate at Sapper Morton ’s farm , but it ’s no match for an Atmos soundbar .
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Should you buy it?
Like the C1 before it , the C2 caters to a all-embracing - Christian church of TV security guard , movie theater rooter and gamers . If the LG C2 were a boxer , it would be one of the best pound - for - Egyptian pound fighter .
Aside from the middling audio recording and comparative want of brightness liken to premium LCD , there ’s small to moan about unless you ’re concerned about image retention and burn - in , which can be finagle with various build - in solutions .
Final Thoughts
Does the LG C2 justify the extra outlay ? The answer is an comfortable yes . LG has extracted as much performance from its ampere-second - series as potential : the evo OLED yield more brightness , move is better , upscaling is excellent , the design is improved , and the gaming features are superb .
The LG C2 is a three - class meal deliver all at once . There are few TVs as tasty as the C2 , and it ’s more low-cost than the G2 or the QD - organic light-emitting diode from Samsung and Sony . It ’s still unknown what other brand have in store , but LG has render another fabulous mid - range OLED in the C2 .
Trusted Score
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FAQs
The 65 - column inch simulation of the C2 comes with the bright evo OLED panel .
The main differences are that the C2 has the new evo OLED control board for a slight increment in overall brightness with HDR content , the pedestal and rearward board have been redesign to take up less space , and the C2 features the new α9 Gen 5 AI processor which allows for enhanced Dolby Vision playback .
Test Data
Full Specs
