LG C3 OLED Review: Bright & Beautiful

Worth When Reviewed

From $1399 | Mannequin reviewed $2600

Finest Costs In the present day: LG C3 OLED (2023)

$1249.99

$5,296.99

LG’s C-series is among the hottest OLED TV ranges available on the market, and for good purpose. With gorgeous image high quality, an easy-to-navigate interface and a slim, high-quality construct, they’re onerous to beat.  

This 12 months, the C-series hasn’t fairly had the identical glow-up as LG’s extra premium G-series, that means that there isn’t an excessive amount of that has modified from the C2 – however don’t write off the C3 in case you’re searching for an OLED TV. That is nonetheless a shocking and versatile TV that you simply gained’t remorse shopping for.

Design and construct 

• Slimline design
• Six display screen sizes
• Stand included, but additionally wall-mountable

The C3 has retained the same design to its predecessor, the C2. It’s stunningly slim at 45mm / 1.8in thick, with an nearly bezel-less show, that means that you simply get probably the most out of that panel. It is available in six sizes, vary from 42- to 82in.

The panel wrap has a premium deep silver end, with all ports and audio system are tucked away neatly on the again with the included panel covers and fittings – good in case you’re a catastrophe in the case of cable administration.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Establishing the TV is comparatively straightforward with the included directions, although I selected to make use of the stand somewhat than wall mounting it. On the 65in model I examined, the stand sits instantly within the centre, with out taking on an excessive amount of area. That’s preferable in case you don’t have a large TV bench to accommodate ft at every finish.

It’s price noting that the smallest and largest variations of this TV have barely totally different setups. The 42in model comes with ft both aspect, whereas the 83in has a a lot bigger centre stand to deal with that ginormous panel.  

The centre-mount stand it elegant but sturdy, and leaves plenty of room for different house leisure equipment comparable to video games consoles. It’s included within the field, and is one thing you don’t get with the G3. 

LG has caught with its magic distant design, which features a rollerball within the center for navigation. This quickens entry in on-screen keyboards (for logging into apps or making searches) however the cursor is a bit over-sensitive. There are additionally sizzling keys for some apps together with Netflix and Prime Video.  

The distant additionally has a microphone button for voice instructions. This good for fundamental controls, however isn’t as intuitive because the Roku distant or Google Assistant.

Nevertheless, as a distant, it’s nice. The buttons have clear lettering and protruding dots and different markings which might be straightforward to really feel with out trying to see what you’re urgent. This additionally offers it higher accessibility than different TV remotes.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Specs & options 

• 4x HDMI 2.1 ports
• webOS 23 with wide selection of streaming apps
• G-Sync, FreeSync

If you’d like a TV that may deal with a variety of gadgets, that is it. There are 4 HDMI 2.1 ports on the LG C3 that help 4K and 120Hz refresh charges. There’s additionally an eARC port, do you have to need to join a soundbar.  

You’ll discover an ethernet port, an optical audio output, two RF inputs (you get dwell TV through Freeview within the UK) and a CI slot. There are additionally three USB ports, plus Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.

The LG C3 runs webOS. Tidied up a bit since final 12 months, the structure of the house display screen is easy and straightforward to navigate, with giant playing cards for the assorted sections and apps. Plus, there isn’t an enormous variety of advertisements and bloat as you’ll discover on, say, Amazon Fireplace TVs. The menu is clean to navigate, and no apps crashed throughout testing.  

Talking of apps, there’s a variety to select from, together with Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Now, BBC iPlayer and extra area of interest ones such because the gaming service Twitch and the sports activities channel DAZN which aren’t frequent on sensible TVs.  

LG additionally features a devoted house part, the place you possibly can handle your sensible house lighting, Matter merchandise and extra. If you’d like the TV to behave as an ornamental piece in your front room, then you possibly can depart it in ‘All the time Prepared’ mode, with the show biking by varied issues. 

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

When you’re a gamer, the LG C3 is a strong selection. There’s a devoted Recreation Optimiser mode, with a panel that permits you to alter the colors for the sport you’re taking part in, tweak the body price and latency. There are additionally two choices for VRR (variable refresh price) with AMD Freesync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync help.  

The TV is appropriate with the LG ThinQ app, which you need to use share movies and pictures and use your smartphone as an extra distant management.  

Image and sound high quality 

• LG’s sixth era a9 AI Processor
• Eight image modes
• Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG and Dolby Atmos help

The C3 has the identical Evo panel from the C2, which could seem to be a disappointment however there’s no denying it nonetheless delivers unimaginable 4K image high quality. This implies it additionally has the identical 100Hz refresh price (120Hz in some areas) and the Brightness Increase characteristic.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

One distinction is that the C3 will get LG’s sixth-generation a9 AI Processor, which the corporate claims to enhance upscaling for higher readability and to reinforce dynamic tone mapping.

The proof, as ever, is within the pudding. And the C3 produces putting, vivid colors in addition to managing to ship true black shades with out sacrificing distinction. Wonderful particulars on pores and skin, garments and the surroundings seem true to life and pop with readability. That is particularly noticeable on nature documentaries, the place scales on reptiles are extremely clear, with the display screen capturing a spread of shades distinctly.

And it actually doesn’t matter what you’re watching because the C3 handles a wide range of content material completely, being simply as spectacular for a soccer match as it’s for having fun with a Marvel film. I had no points with glare when watching in a vibrant room, although the panel shines finest when watching after darkish and also you definitely gained’t need to place it instantly dealing with a window because of the reflections.

Oddly, LG has peak brightness disabled within the settings, so if you wish to get one of the best HDR efficiency out of your new buy, it is best to set this to excessive. And HDR is great on the C3, simply as you’d count on.

Good as it’s, the C3 can’t match the costlier G3 which advantages from a brand new MLA (Micro Lens Array) OLED panel. Within the announcement for the 2023 vary, LG’s information confirmed that the C3 is 50% dimmer than the G3, however it’s nonetheless 20% brighter than the cheaper B3 mannequin.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 actually shone why it got here to HDR efficiency, with the C3 displaying neon lights and sweeping galaxies in all their complexities.

It helps for Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10 and HLG, although LG has as soon as once more skipped on HDR10+ help – one thing to bear in mind in case you’re a subscriber of Amazon Prime Video, as this is among the foremost codecs for that streaming service.

Whenever you first activate the TV, LG will take you to a personalised image mode, which lets you alter the colors and ranges utilizing visible guides.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

On high of that, there are eight totally different image presets to select from, although you may also alter colors and steadiness manually at any time to your tastes. The Normal mode does a fantastic job for many forms of content material, as does the Auto Energy Save mode, which is simply barely dimmer however – because the identify states – makes use of much less energy. 

Each Sports activities and Vivid massively oversaturate colors with greens and oranges particularly are evident and garish. Nevertheless, Cinema mode offers a deeper, moodier tone that’s ideally for night-time watching.  

Some image modes mechanically allow TruMotion mechanically – LG’s time period for movement smoothing. Whereas applicable in some conditions, comparable to in sure motion movies and fast-moving sports activities, it feels jarring and unnatural a whole lot of the time – it particularly detracted from the fantastically animated movie, Into the Spider-Verse. 

Due to this fact, in case you like one explicit image mode, you possibly can merely tweak the movement smoothing settings to your desire.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Enabling Recreation Optimiser mode on the C3 means much less enter lag, making the TV fast and conscious of fast-action motion. It’s a wonderful selection when you’ve got a PS5 or Xbox Sequence X, however the nice upscaling meant it was nonetheless a pleasure to play Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on the Nintendo Swap, including further flare to an already gorgeous sport.  

Upscaling can be a deal with for TV exhibits and movies that aren’t in 4K, making HD content material crisper and extra detailed. Nevertheless, on some apps like Channel 4 there generally is a delay of some seconds earlier than this kicks in. It even manages to make standard-definition channels watchable – no imply feat on a 65in panel.

Constructed-in TV audio system won’t ever match the depth and energy of a standalone soundbar or hi-fi audio system, however the LG C3’s definitely do a great job. The audio nonetheless fills the room, with clearly distinguishable lows, mids and highs. Assist for Dolby Atmos provides extra depth with appropriate exhibits and movies.  

As soon as once more, there are preset modes for audio to fit your preferences, together with LG’s personal AI Sound Professional mode, which is supposed to duplicate the sound produced by 9.1.2 encompass audio system. 

I didn’t like this characteristic in any respect. It makes every little thing a lot louder, and there’s a noticeable deal with mid-range frequencies, however the primary concern was that it made every little thing sound very echo-y and noisy. I like to recommend sticking with both the cinema or music modes for one of the best punchy bass and balancing. 

When you’re anxious about disturbing your neighbours, then you may also allow computerized sound adjustment to make sure that your quantity stays at one stage, helpful in case you’re watching a movie with plenty of explosions or leap scares.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Worth & availability 

The LG C3 costs begin from $1399/£1500, with the 65in mannequin coming in at $2600/£2899. Nevertheless, these are the non-discounted costs and we’ve already seen the C3 on sale for barely lower than these on the time of writing.  

Within the US, you should buy the C3 from LG, Amazon, Goal and Finest Purchase. UK readers in the meantime should purchase it from LG, Amazon, Currys and John Lewis. When you order the 65in or above from LG’s web site within the UK, then the corporate will throw in set up at no cost. That doesn’t embody wall mounting, although, so it isn’t a the profit it could seem like.

Nevertheless, earlier than you order one, it is best to think about shopping for an LG C2 as an alternative, given the similarities between the 2 fashions. It’s now obtainable at an enormous low cost, making it round $1000/£1000 cheaper than the C3 for the equal display screen measurement.  

The state of affairs would possibly change later this 12 months, with massive reductions on TVs round Black Friday, for instance, however in case you’re after a TV proper now, the C2 gives higher bang to your buck.

You can additionally go for the G3 to make the most of that brighter panel, although it will set you again round a grand extra.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

Remember that the LG C3 has an vitality ranking of F, so isn’t probably the most economical TV. You may reduce down on vitality payments by choosing the assorted vitality saving modes however, let’s face it, you’re in all probability not contemplating shopping for an costly OLED TV in case you’re anxious about working prices.

You may see how the LG C3 compares to rivals in our record of one of the best TVs, which incorporates different OLED fashions, in addition to Mini-LED choices.  

Verdict

When you’re searching for a shocking OLED TV that may deal with a wide range of content material expertly, then the LG C3 must be in your record – with its vibrant and daring image high quality, a wide range of ports and choices for players and a smooth design that may make for an ideal centrepiece in your room. 

AI Sound Professional leaves one thing to be desired, as do the Sports activities and Vivid image modes that make the colors seem overexposed. It additionally isn’t a large leap up in high quality from the LG C2, which is at present a way more aggressive choice for readers proper now.  

Nonetheless, if you would like the newest TV expertise however can’t make the leap to LG’s extra premium G3 mannequin, then the C3 will nonetheless impress.  

Specs 

• Sizes: 42/48//55/65/77/83in 
• Mannequin examined: 65in 
• Show expertise: OLED 
• Decision: 3840 x 2160 4K 
• Refresh price: 120Hz 
• HDR help: Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, HDR10, HLG 
• HDMI: x4 (2.1) 
• Tuner: Freeview Play 
• OS: webOS 23 Sensible Platform 
• Dimensions: 1441(w) x 826(h) x 45.1(d)mm (with out stand) 
• Weight: 16.6kg (with out stand)