I’m not normally a fan of LG TVs, but I tried the LG G4 OLED Television this year, and I must admit that it has the most impressive picture quality of any TV I have ever bought, used or tested.
Also: The next big HDMI leap is coming next week: What the 2.2 standard means for you
Although the Christmas sales are over, you can still find the LG G4 65 inches on sale for over $600 off its $3,399 retail price on both Amazon and Best buy as retailers expand their New Year’s savings opportunities. Priced at around $2,800, the LG G4 OLED is still an expensive TV (the best price we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday was $2,300).
For that price you could get two. Sony X90L 65-inch TVs — my pick for the best TV for the price. But if picture quality is your number one priority and you have the budget, there is no TV on the planet with a better picture than the LG G4.
What makes the LG G4’s OLED image so good? Various things.
Firstly, there are the things that make all OLED displays great, and this is especially true for LG OLEDs because they are one of the leading innovators in technology. We’re talking true blacks (as opposed to the washed-out dark grays of LCD TVs), deep contrast, more vibrant colors, and amazing dynamic range in shots that have both light and dark elements. The LG G4 has all of those qualities, and at the highest levels I’ve seen in any TV, because it’s LG’s flagship OLED TV for 2024.
Plus: I tested Samsung’s 98-inch 4K QLED TV and here’s why it could be worth the $13,000
So what’s new in this year’s LG G4? The biggest advancement comes in image processing, and that is possible thanks to the new α11 AI 4K processor. I’ve always considered Sony the king of image processing, and it was a long way from LG and Samsung, essentially tied for second place, with budget TV makers TCL and Hisense lagging behind. However, with the 2024 α11 AI processor, LG is now pushing Sony for first place in image processing, and that’s saying a lot.
Where this really matters is when it comes to out-of-the-box picture settings, upscaling older and lower quality 720p and 1080p content, and the TV automatically adjusting the picture so that HDR content needs to look great. In all of those areas, the LG G4 now rivals Sony.
And because LG has always made the highest quality OLED TV panels, this improvement in image processing elevates the LG G4 to the top of its class in image quality. For movies, shows, games, and virtually any other content, the LG G4 brings them to life with vibrant colors, smooth motion, and incredible contrast—more than any other TV you can buy right now.
Plus: How I turned this 98-inch TV into an immersive entertainment system (and it’s $1,500 off)
I tested it with some of my favorite content with challenging images, including Dune, Avengers: Endgameand several other avant-garde cinematic marvels. All the content looked better than I’ve ever seen on any TV I’ve ever used, bought or tested, and that includes some of the best TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG, TCL and Hisense in recent years. .
What are the drawbacks?
There are a few drawbacks to note about the LG G4. First, of course, is the premium price. As I mentioned, you can buy two. Sony X90L 65 inch Televisions for the price of a 65-inch LG G4. And I think most people would be very happy with the mid-range Sony X90L. But you’re not most people if you are considering the LG G4.
The other drawbacks are remote control and LG’s built-in webOS software. Both are mediocre at best. I consider LG’s remote control to be the worst of any of the big five TV manufacturers. It’s big, thick, and has a confusing amount of buttons. A television that is good and has such a premium, slim and beautiful design, deserves a better designed remote control.
Plus: You can finally buy LG’s transparent OLED TV, if you’re willing to pay $60,000
LG’s built-in webOS software is almost as disappointing as remote control. It works well, but it’s not very intuitive and not as well thought out as the TV’s {hardware}. The content icons are small and sometimes difficult to select, the menu system is a bit complicated and there are embedded ads running in the software, making it seem unnecessary for such an expensive TV.
That said, when testing the 83-inch LG G4 in ZDNET’s TV lab, I simply never used the remote control or the built-in software. I attached an Apple TV 4K and used that remote control and its interface to access all the services and streaming content I wanted. The combination of the LG G4 and the Apple TV was glorious. So if you buy an LG G4, I recommend adding a high-end streaming box like the Apple TV 4K, Google TV Streamer (4K), Amazon Fire TV Cubeoh Nvidia Shield.
The built-in sound on the LG G4 is good, but not great, like virtually any other budget or high-end TV. So if you buy a TV that expensive, I’ll assume you’ll add a sound bar. At the very least, I would recommend getting the Hisense AX5125H 5.1.2 Channel Sound Bar — my pick for best budget soundbar. And if you really want to speed up, I recommend the Sony Bravia Quad Theaterwhich automatically calibrates based on your room.
Plus: Changing these 5 soundbar settings made my living room look like a movie theater
Lastly, if you prefer a high-quality OLED TV with excellent remote control and excellent built-in software so you don’t have to run a separate streaming box, I recommend the Sony A95L OLED TVthat runs Google TV and has very premium remote management. And if your TV is going to be in a very bright room with a lot of windows or lights, I recommend the Samsung S95Dwhich almost matches the LG G4 in image quality but comes with an incredible glare-free display that looks great in any room.
ZDNET Buying Tips
While Sony and Samsung offer similarly priced OLED TVs, the flagship LG G4 OLED It’s unmatched in image quality, making it a solid recommendation at this asking price. Its powerful α11 AI processor is on par with the vibrant colors, true blacks and dynamic range displayed on its elegant panel. For a more immersive sound experience, comparable to that of a movie theater, consider adding a sound bar, as I mentioned above.
Take advantage of these discounts on Amazon or Finest Purchase while they last.
How we test televisions
While testing and researching the TVs on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:
- Price: Not all budgets are the same. And if you’re working on a budget, that shouldn’t mean you have to settle for a poor quality TV. Each TV model on this list has been chosen in a variety of prices to help meet different needs.
- Screen size: The most important factor to consider, after price, when purchasing a new television is whether or not it will fit into your space. Each of the best TVs on this list was chosen because they are available in a wide variety of sizes to fit different rooms.
- Image and audio quality: A new TV doesn’t mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn’t provide a great picture and clear audio. Every TV on this list is guaranteed to support multiple HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object tracking sound.
For a more detailed look, check out our extensive TV testing methodology.
