LG C5 OLED: The Surprising Best Value Over Premium TVs

When it comes to choosing a television, picture quality remains the single most important factor for most viewers. Before considering smart features, brand reputation, or high refresh rates, the visual experience captures immediate attention. This explains why stores like Costco display rows of televisions all set to vibrant retail modes, each competing to make that powerful first impression based on stunning imagery.

Judged purely on visual performance, the LG C5 OLED stands out as one of the finest OLED televisions available. From the moment our review unit powered on, its excellence was unmistakable. This model delivers such impressive performance that it’s easy to recommend, especially when seasonal sales can slash more than $1,000 off the retail price.

The C5’s design is both unique and forward-looking. Its screen ranks among the thinnest available, measuring a mere quarter of an inch. Unboxing it required careful handling, as the edges felt incredibly delicate. A more substantial lower section provides a secure grip during setup. LG’s engineers clearly pursued a “more screen, less panel” philosophy this year, achieving a profile nearly four times slimmer than popular Frame TVs, though the ultra-thin portion covers only about two-thirds of the total surface.

Packaging deserves special mention. Opening the box reveals the remote control in its own sleeve, complete with pre-installed batteries. The stand and its components come neatly organized in a separate foam box, simplifying the unboxing process, a welcome detail for anyone familiar with setting up large-screen televisions.

Other thoughtful touches include a black marble pattern on the rear panel and small silicone pads on the stand’s base to prevent sliding. As a leader in OLED technology, LG consistently refines its offerings with each new release. While the C5’s outstanding image quality speaks to the brand’s commitment to excellence, several hardware upgrades drive this year’s enhancements.

The Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor powers an extensive suite of AI capabilities. These include AI Super Upscaling, which improves lower-resolution content to near-4K quality for streaming services, and AI-assisted Deep Learning, which studies your viewing habits to personalize picture and sound settings. AI Concierge was also tested; it monitors what you watch to recommend new shows. While these features alone may not justify upgrading from older models, they represent meaningful steps toward smarter, more intuitive television operation.

Connectivity remains robust, with four HDMI 2.1 ports and three USB 2.0 ports, matching last year’s C4 model. Although the C5’s default visuals are captivating, it also includes numerous tools for fine-tuning your viewing experience. Setup offers two paths: using your smartphone via the LG ThinQ app or the included remote. The app method proved convenient, beginning by asking whether the TV is placed on a stand or mounted on a wall, a choice that could influence performance.

During setup, the TV’s voice responses came through unusually fast, reminiscent of a sped-up legal disclaimer. This quirky delivery didn’t hinder the process, and actually moved things along more quickly. The C5 then prompts you to activate AI functions like AI Picture Pro. A brief demo featuring a baby and a screen sweep convincingly showcased real-time upscaling, leading me to enable the feature, though it can be disabled anytime.

Visual performance testing placed the LG C5 high on our list, even though it sits a tier below the flagship G5 model. Beyond standardized lab calibrations and stress tests, real-world evaluation included visually demanding film sequences. Scenes from “Avengers: Endgame,” ranging from dark, intimate moments to explosive battles, demonstrated the C5’s ability to exceed expectations. Colors appeared richly vibrant, contrast was clean and exact, and image details were rendered with striking clarity.

Even when idle, the C5 impresses. Its “Always Ready” function uses a motion sensor to display wallpapers or animations when it detects room activity. This mode highlights the OLED’s capacity for true black, adding a sense of depth that feels almost three-dimensional, as if you could reach into the screen behind shimmering visual effects.

LG’s AI Sound Pro feature proved less appealing. While it increased volume, it also made music sound tinny and overly sharp in the treble range. I preferred to leave this setting off, though pairing the TV with a soundbar would easily address any audio shortcomings.

For optimal HDR brightness, I recommend disabling Energy Saver modes. These settings typically conserve minimal power while noticeably reducing performance, especially in well-lit environments. Across various lighting conditions, the ISF Expert Bright Room setting delivered the best results.

The Magic Remote continues as the primary navigation tool. Its cursor-based control, reminiscent of a Wii remote, has never been a personal favorite. Fortunately, the cursor is now optional, activated via a wheel button, while a standard directional pad offers more conventional navigation. One notable omission is a dedicated Mute button. Instead, pulling down the left rocker switch mutes the audio, though you must hold it for two seconds. Additionally, the lack of backlit buttons feels like a missed opportunity for improved accessibility, especially in dim lighting.

Priced around $1,997 for the 65-inch model at the time of writing, the LG C5 OLED is a visually striking television whether active or off. Its upgrades over the previous C4 are incremental rather than revolutionary. Test measurements show only slight improvements, such as a minor increase in brightness measured in nits. The refresh rate also remains unchanged, capping at 144Hz rather than advancing to 165Hz as seen on some competing high-end models. Until its price decreases, shoppers may find better value in the C4 series, which offers similar performance at nearly half the cost.

(Source: ZDNET)