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The LG G4 OLED is the best TV I’ve seen this year. Currently $600 off.

MONews
10 Min Read

Key takeaways from ZDNET

  • The LG G4 OLED is selling for $2,796 on Amazon and Best Buy.
  • LG has made great strides with OLED picture quality, and this model is truly unconventional.
  • However, the full price may be a turn-off because you can get a good TV for half the price.

More Buying Choices

I don’t usually like LG TVs, but I tested it out. LG G4 OLED TV I have to admit that the picture quality is more impressive than any other TV I’ve bought, used, or tested this year.

also: HDMI’s Another Big Leap Launches Next Week – What the 2.2 Standard Means for You

Holiday deals are over, but you can still find them 65-inch LG G4 It’s on sale for more than $600 off the retail price of $3,399. Amazon and Best Buy Retailer is expanding savings opportunities for the new year. At around $2,800, the LG G4 OLED is still an expensive TV (the highest price we saw during Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday was $2,300).

I can buy two for that price. 65-inch Sony X90L TV — Our picks for the best TVs for the money. But if picture quality is your top priority and you have the budget, there’s no TV on the planet that offers better picture quality than the LG G4.

Why is the LG G4 OLED picture quality so good? diversity.

First of all, there are things that make all OLED screens great, and this is especially true since LG OLED is one of the leading innovators in technology. We’re talking about true blacks (as opposed to the washed-out dark grays of LCD TVs), deeper contrast, more vibrant colors, and incredible dynamic range in pictures with both dark and light elements. The LG G4 has all of these qualities, and it’s the highest I’ve ever seen on any TV. Because it is LG’s flagship OLED TV in 2024.

Also: We Tested Samsung’s 98-inch 4K QLED TV, and here’s why it’s worth $13,000

So what’s new with the LG G4 this year? The biggest advancement is in photo processing, made possible by the new α11 AI Processor 4K. I’ve always thought of Sony as the king of picture processing, with LG and Samsung essentially tied for second place, with budget TV makers TCL and Hisense lagging behind the crowd. However, with the 2024 α11 AI processor, LG is now pushing Sony to the top spot in photo processing, and that says a lot.

Where this really matters is when it comes to out-of-the-box picture settings, upscaling older, lower-quality 720p and 1080p content, and letting your TV automatically adjust the picture to make today’s HDR content look great. In all these areas, the LG G4 now competes with Sony.

83-inch LG OLED evo 83G4 4K Smart TV
Adam Breeden/ZDNET

And since LG has always made the highest quality OLED TV panels, this picture processing upgrade puts the LG G4 at the top of its class in picture quality. For movies, shows, games, and just about any other content, the LG G4 brings them to life with more vivid colors, smooth motion, and stunning contrast than any other TV you can buy today.

More: How I Turned This 98-Inch TV into an Immersive Entertainment System (Save $1,500)

I gave it a try with some of my favorite content with challenging visuals, including: Dune, Avengers: EndgameAnd many other cutting-edge cinematic wonders. All of the content looked better than anything I’ve seen on any TV I’ve used, purchased, or tested. This includes the best TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense over the past few years. .

What are the downsides?

The LG G4 does have some drawbacks. First, it is a premium price. As mentioned earlier, you can purchase two. 65-inch Sony X90L A TV for the price of one 65-inch LG G4. And I think most people will be very happy with the mid-range Sony X90L. but you don’t most people If you are considering the LG G4

Other downsides are the remote control and LG’s built-in webOS software. Both are mediocre at best. I think LG’s remote is the worst of the big five TV manufacturers. It’s big and chunky, and the number of buttons is confusing. A good TV, with a slim, beautiful premium design, needs a better designed remote control.

Also: If you’re willing to shell out $60,000, you can finally buy LG’s transparent OLED TV.

LG’s built-in webOS software is just as disappointing as the remote control. It works well, but it’s not very intuitive and isn’t as well thought out as TV hardware. Content icons are small and difficult to select at times, the menu system is a bit cluttered, and there are ads built into the software that feel unnecessary for such an expensive TV.

83-inch LG OLED evo 83G4 4K Smart TV
Adam Breeden/ZDNET

That said, when I tested the 83-inch LG G4 in ZDNET’s TV lab, I didn’t use the remote control or any built-in software. I plugged in my Apple TV 4K and used its remote and interface to access all the streaming services and content I wanted. The combination of LG G4 and Apple TV was dazzling. Therefore, if you purchase the LG G4, Apple TV 4K, Google TV Streamer (4K), Amazon Fire TV Cubeor nvidia shield.

The LG G4’s built-in sound is good, but not as great as almost any other high-end or budget TV. So, I’m assuming that if you’re buying a TV this expensive, you’re going to add a soundbar. At least I recommend getting: Hisense AX5125H 5.1.2 channel soundbar — Our picks for the best budget soundbars. And if you really want to go at high speed, I recommend: Sony Bravia Theater QuadIt automatically calibrates to suit your room.

Also: Change 5 soundbar settings to make your living room feel like a movie theater.

Lastly, if you prefer a high-quality OLED TV with a great remote control and great software built in so you don’t have to run a separate streaming box, we recommend these: Sony A95L OLED TVIt runs Google TV and has a very fancy remote control. And if your TV is in a very bright room with lots of windows or lights, we recommend the following: Samsung S95DThe picture quality is almost similar to the LG G4, but it comes with an amazing glare-free screen that looks great in any room.

Buying advice from ZDNET

Sony and Samsung offer similar priced OLED TVs, but their flagship products are LG G4 OLED The image quality is unrivaled, so at this selling price it is definitely recommended. The powerful α11 AI processor matches the vibrant colors, true blacks, and dynamic range displayed in a sleek panel. For a more immersive, theater-like sound experience, consider adding a soundbar as mentioned above.

Enjoy the savings at Amazon or Best Buy while the sale lasts.

How to Test a TV

While testing and researching the TVs included in this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept the following criteria in mind:

  • price: Not all budgets are created equal. Working with a limited budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for a subpar TV. Each TV model on this list was chosen from a variety of price points to accommodate a variety of needs.
  • Screen size: The most important factor to consider when buying a new TV, after price, is whether it will fit into your space. The best TVs on this list were chosen because they come in a variety of sizes to fit different rooms.
  • Picture and Audio Quality: Even if it costs an arm and a leg, it doesn’t mean much if your new TV doesn’t offer good picture quality and clear audio. Each TV on this list is guaranteed to support a variety of HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object tracking sound.

Check out our extensive TV testing methodology for more details.

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