Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsEverything you need to know to make an informed decision
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
Setting up this TV and learning its quirky remote and navigation system combine with its constant need to be managed and adjusted wont be something everyone wants to deal with. Other limitations and gimmicks will likely keep this from being a good TV for everyone, as it fills a very specific need, which is perfect for me. I will get into the specifics below
As a Gaming display
- Console Games looks amazing , my ps5 looks so much better than i thought possible, and even my Nintendo switch with its limited hardware and resolution looks simply incredible.
- your gaming consoles just come on when you activate them through the controller, there is no need to manually select the proper input.
- The LG remote actually works on the PlayStation and Switch Menus, which is more useful than you would think, especially when navigating the game stores.
- While a game console is active the Settings menu completely changes to what looks like an LG Monitor and has a new set of custom options specifically for gaming. The pixel response time is insane. We are talking like .3ms or less
-120 FPS is impressive but remeber you'll only see this on supported games / Consoles
As a Television / Streaming TV
- I've never spent more time using a TVs menu system, and having to constantly adjust and reset things just to watch a show or change to a different streaming platform.
- WEB OS is by far the worst TV operating system out of the gate, however once you take the time to set it up , find the menus and options that let you turn off the censory overload launch pad. I think eventually most people will be good with it and get used to it.
- When you pause your show the Screensaver comes on fast, which is great, definitely what you want with OLED. However I found everytime my Screensaver comes on, my HDMI Soundbar disconnects and the TV speakers get activated.
- No way to customize the screen saver
- No pausing OTA Tv via USB Jump Drive support at all. This means if you use an antenna to get local channels, you have no way to pause live TV.
- The default settings and the pre programmed settings may not work for you. True Motion is the worst feature I've seen on a TV and I have no idea why it's on by default. Out of the box I felt like the TV just looked weird, to jittery, to sharp , so much color and contrast, and too much fluid motion somehow all at once, all the shows looked like a budget Soap Opera, or watching someones home movies from a VHS recording. I tried all the default and pre made settings and none of them looked good to me. Even the custom picture wizard feature that is supposed to help you design your optimal picture preference by showing you various images and asking you which one you prefer ,was a total waste of time for me. It was not until I got into the advanced settings and turned the True Motion completely Off and made a ton of other adjustments to the sharpness and other settings that I finally got the picture I expected, but for some reason those settings don't apply when changing apps or inputs, so I would spend 5 minutes in the menus just changing the picture for each specific show I wanted to watch, however once it's set, it's set and it is very easy to switch back and forth between different visual profiles.
-The Sound from the TV itself is better quality than any TV I've ever heard, i didn't know flat tvs could deliver such amazing sound, but that said of all the sound settings it seems that Atmos only sounds good in Cinema Mode. The AI sound mode is another total failure of features. I have my TV mounted to a wall arm so the TV sets out and away from the wall a good 18 inches. With the TV essentially floating with space all around and behind it i can say the speakers are good enough you probably that I don't need a sound system , but I dont know how good it woul sound on a stand or flush mounted to the wall. unless you're setting up a home theater there is a good chance you'll be happy with the TV sound.
- Like the picture the sound is crazy Inconsistent, there is no sound normalization feature like you find on even the cheapest TV i think the AI sound is supposes to do this, but it just doesn't work. I am constantly adjusting the volume from channel to app to console.
-The TV focuses more on gimmicky ideas that don't work like AI integration rather than using existing systems that do work.
- at boot they want you to agree to around 7 different user agreements, some of which are 3rd party companies collecting your data. You only have to agree to the first 2 LG agreements to make the TV work, so make sure you know what you're consenting too rather than just pressing "agree to all"
-athe frame is tiny, maybe 1/4 inch on the sides and top and only slightly bigger at the bottom, no LG logo , just clean and classy.
-The inputs are well placed and concealed well on the left side of the TV (left side from viewers point of view) the panel is so thin and the design is so clean, even the back of the TV looks amazing.
-The screen is so glossy it really adds to the depth and quality of the picture. However, the slightest amount if light coming towards the TV screen, will essentially turn the screen into a mirror. If you look at the 2 pictures i posted you can clearly see in the first picture the reflection of a single 40 watt Lamp that is 15 feet away from the screen. Definately a TV best for dark spaces, but it can work okay in a lit room if you crank up the brightness and a few other settings. Still the TV surface is highly reflective no matter what and the best way to light a room with this TV is with lighting behind the TV.
-TV really performs in dark rooms and seems designed for that purpose (which is what I bought it for) but the fact that the remote doesn't light up is really a huge miss for me, considering what these TVs cost, the remote could be better in several ways.
-eye care mode is a nice feature
- it's a small thing but I LOVE that you can turn off the power / standby light.
As a PC Monitor
- While some may have great success with this as a Monitor, there are so mant variables you need to consider. The TV software can cause more issues than you can imagine, while some people may have zero issue. I use LG Monitors and they are amazing, but this is a TV it is NOT designed to be a Monitor, and when LG calls it a Gaming TV they really are thinking about consoles and that is where this TV is simply amazing.
The Remote
- The remote is bloated with to many buttons
- no backlight
- Doesn't use an type of standard format for Home, Back, and Options button location
- Select Button is also a scroll wheel that often gets scrolled rather than pressed. This can cause all kinds of problems
- Nintendo Wii style magic wand is an interesting idea that some people may like, but most will find it annoying and just another element of using this TV that requires an extra step. I hated it for about an hour, now I think it's amazing. However i could see some people may never like this remote
- important buttons are to small and not placed in an ergonomically comfortable position.
What its like Watching Shows and Movies on this TV.
I know OLED is supposed to be much safer for the eyes, but I found the no matter how much I tweeked the TV it was hard to look at as It seemed to mess with my neurology while watching Shows, this was something that i felt intensely at first, it almost gave me anxiety. Over the course of about 7 days I've completely adjusted to it, and now it seems much easier on my eyes than my QLED.
Ultimately I am happy with the purchase , because I have it in a very dark room and I do a lot if gaming, so it is exactly what I need and at the right price ( as far oleds go)
-Conclusion
In my Opinion console gaming and Dark Room viewing is were this TV really excels, and in that specific set of conditions I give it 5 Stars. While it does look amazing for games, i'd say maybe only 20% better than qled, so it's up to you if this large of an investment is worth that small of an improvement because this TV really only excels when it comes to comsole gaming and dark room viewing.