LG C5 vs. LG C4

LG, a leader in the TV world producing excellent OLED TVs featuring amazing picture quality and a OLED Panel with good brightness (high nits) and the specs and features that you have come to see in their TV lineups.

The LG C4 from LG, which was released last year, is still a great buy as the upgrades from LG C4 to LG C5 are not voluminous but is still a nice purchase in LG’s mid-range of the high-end C series Lineup. The previous model in the C-series OLED lineup, the LG C3, is still a decent smart TV purchase and will have a lot of the same specs at the LG C4. However, we will focus on the upgrades from the LG C4 to the LG C5.

LG utilizes MLA Panels or Micro Lens Array technology, which is the cutting-edge technology to lower the wastage of light from your light source, or TV in this case, adjusting the brightness and nits to fit your viewing environment.

LG, with their class leading OLED TVs, is a direct competitor to Samsung which uses a different panel called QD-OLED and QLED, and they are also nicely priced with good specs OLED Panels at retailers with offerings from manufacturers like Sony or TCL as well as the amazing LG OLED TVs we are reviewing.

Let’s do an OLED Review of the two panels, the LG C4 and the new LGC5 and compare this year’s model to the previous years,

2024 Model LG C4

We will conduct a TV review of both LG C4 and LG C5 and you can make an informative decision about which one is right for you. However, when you start getting into the high-end TVs like the LG G5 OLED which was announced at the CES 2025 you will see a tremendous upgrade over the C-series lineup like the TVs that we are reviewing the LG C4 and the LG C5. As the high-end LG G5 the display is moving to a four stack WOLED panel. However, that does not apply to the middle tier LG C5.

General features/Picture Quality

Let us begin with the fantastic LG C4 OLED EVO which was last year’s model. This TV is a great model in the amazing c-series OLED lineup of TVs from LG. This TV was highly touted and reviewed and won several awards. Here are some of the amazing specs and features you can expect on one of the best OLED TVs.

• Why watch TV from streaming services like Netflix with only SDR support? With a 4K resolution with HDR support for HLG, HDR10, and even Dolby Vision. Couple with a blazing fast 144hz refresh rate, and you can even activate the VRR or Variable Refresh Rate meaning you get smooth, vibrant and clear picture no matter what your viewing environment. Please note that this TV does not support HDR10+ as an HDR option. Use the Filmmaker mode for viewing overall amazing picture quality which suits everyday watching, thanks to the 4K HDR support.

• Due to the high refresh rate of the OLED panel, with over 8 million self-lit pixels on the LG C4 OLED, you can expect a high-quality picture for your viewing experience. In addition, the power on the new processor, which is the Alpha 9 Gen7, which is a nice upgrade to the LG C3, therefore, you get a great picture performance on an OLED panel TV. This lets you split your screen into 2 unique views so you can watch more content at the same time. So, you can have one channel playing some relaxing music as you watch a show.

• This Smart TV from LG, the LG C4 OLED TV and you love to game either on your PC or a gaming console like the Microsoft XBOX you get enhanced gaming features, with the LG game mode which you can then use the Game Dashboard and Optimizer for an awesome gaming experience. The super speedy 0.1 MS response time, and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, with AMD Free Sync Premium and VRR included. make this TV These will all enhance your TV to produce a smoother refresh rate, faster response time and low lag while delivering a gorgeous picture. It also features wonderful 4K upscale films, pictures and videos that may have been recorded in FHD or 1080P.

• Gamers also get the wonderful game mode which will lower your lag time and ensure that you can compete with all those advanced online fast paced action gaming. Plus, with the 144HZ refresh rate, you also shouldn’t see any jitter in your game. All these features help make the LG C4 and tremendous gaming display.

• There are 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, with the main one having eARC capability, using a high speed HDMI cable (check our manufacturers like Rocket Fish or Monster) you can connect an A/V receiver with a wide range of speaker setup or soundbar with enhanced audio return channel features allowing the TV and Receiver to send information back and forth to each other resulting in an amazing display and audio. With this game mode feature there should be an increase in bandwidth speed due to its 32 channels of audio, as well as allowing you to send higher-quality audio from your TV to a soundbar or an AV receiver. This capability requires using an HDMI 2.1 port however you can always use the audio gains from coaxial or even optical audio. However, these connections will not provide Dolby Atmos, you will need a 2.1 HDMI cable that provides immersive audio. Supporting Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, the LG C4 OLED provides amazing quality in viewing and immersive surround sound. The TV also has virtual upscaling, so the viewing experience with awesome sound should really help you unwind after a long day.

• An A/C Receiver should be set up and to achieve an unparallel listening experience the following: Let’s say you have 7 speakers for your surround experience (the center channel which all of the dialogue comes through plus front speakers, two side speakers, two rear speakers, a subwoofer and two Dolby Atmos ceiling or height speakers this would be called a 7.1.2 setup). As the first number in this setup acknowledges your center, side and rear speakers. The second number is how you want subwoofers you may have attached to your receiver. Many of the new AV Receivers can accommodate multiple subwoofers for tremendous Bass either via an LFE cable or wired in. The third number indicates how many Dolby Atmos speakers are in your set up. In this case we see there are two Dolby Atmos speakers. Many of those speakers are Hight Speakers or in the ceiling with the wiring hiding behind the drywall until it gets to the A/V receiver.

• The LG C4 and the LG C5 have the same screen sizes of 42 inches, 48 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, 77 inches and an extremely large 83-inch model as well.

Connectivity

• In addition to the 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, with two supporting a 120 Ghz refresh rate you also get additional connectivity with Wi-Fi AC or Wi-Fi 5 which allows you to access the faster 5 Ghz network for quick downloading of apps superb gaming on your smartphone.

• There is also the optical connectivity option using the TOSLINK Optical (Digital Audio) or the 1/8" / 3.5 mm Headphone jack. And with Bluetooth 5.1 standard you can pair items like remotes, headphones and even your phone. directly to the TV for private listening or adding to the TV sound with a great pair of headphones like the Bose Ultra Quiet Comfort, or the Sony ULT Wear headphones for booming bass.

• There are three USB-A 2.0 ports to attach external media sources like a Western Digital external hard drive as an example. So, at any time you can feel free to attach a USB flash drive, memory card (with an adapter) and access al of your media files including old photos you may have stored on that drive. So, it’s a great way to look back on some momentous occasions you may have filmed. There are also three USB-A 2.0 to attach media storage or other USB enabled devices to. You can then access their content if possible (check the user manual) on the TV screen. So, pull out an old external hard drive and enjoy reminiscing on the amazing content that may show cherished family memories.

• There is an ethernet port to attach an HDMI cable to the TV. Plus, you can use the magic remote from LG to control all your peripherals as well.

• This TV is also Apple Airplay (their wireless bluetooth connectivity) is compatible meaning you can stream from Apple devices like your iPhone or iPad and have the content play through the TV. There are also connectors from Apple to attach your iPhone to an HDMI cable which you can then insert into one of the HDMI ports on the TV.

• The LG C4 uses the WebOS 24 operating system in conjunction with the LG Think Q app. This app can be found in the Apple Appstore and the Googe play store on android devices. This allows your phone, tablet or other device to have amazing control over your TV. You can always use the remote as well to get to your virtual assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, for easy voice input to find your favorite apps and content.

• This TV is still a great buy in 2024 and with the introduction of the C5 OLED TV you should be able to get the LG C4 with nice discounts at different retailers.

2025 Model LG C5

We will not review the new LG C5 in terms of how it differs from its predecessor, the LG C4. There were not many significant upgrades, however we will explore the ones that LG made for this new year’s model.

General Features/Picture Quality

The LG C5 comes with tremendous new AI capabilities, including voice recognition that can automatically switch between user profiles as the TV learns the user’s voice, and if you have multiple people who use your new LG C5, this customizes the settings based on who's speaking.

The magic remote that comes with the LG C5 is noticeably slimmer than the one from the LG C4. Don’t forget that you can also control the TV with LG ThinkQ App which you can easily download to your Apple iPhone or Android device.

• The LG C5 has AI troubleshooting which makes using this TV so easy. You don’t have to spend a lot of time going through different parts of the menu. Just use your voice and the magic remote will use your voice to find the content that you desire, from streaming services like Netflix or Productivity apps.

• Using the LG C5 also offers VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) like on the C4 with support for AMD Free Sync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, along with ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode.) Dolby Vision is also present for movies and shows which can be played in Dolby Vision which is considered the gold standard of HDR.

• The LG C5 utilizes WebOS 25, which offers some more additional gaming and productivity apps as well as streaming apps. Once you start to use the TV, the operating system will become so easy to work with.

• An upgraded HDR on the LG C5 has improved processing capabilities and can handle upscaling of non 4K content to 4K.

• The color reproduction on the LG C5 will have dropping jaws of the viewers. Getting accurate tones, especially skin tones of a subject of your photoshoot, will result in a soft lifelike exposure.

• The WOLED technology on the LG C5 will help with adjusting the brightness level to fit the room you’re in and the lighting setup. So, you can get the proper amount of brightness nits to for the lighting conditions, so you get tremendous viewing experience.

• Even though the internal speakers offer 11.1.2 surround sound, we highly recommend that you get a soundbar or an A/V receiver for the best sound reproduction. This will make a huge difference when watching TV with amazing sound.

Connectivity

• With bluetooth 5.3 you are getting one of the latest bluetooth standards which will make the audio coming into your wireless headphones even better. Also, there is improved connection for further distances.

• You also get Wi-Fi 6E which is often found in offices as the range is less than that of Wi-Fi 6, yet the lag and download/upload speeds have improved. Hence, you can speedily download apps, upload photos and other items to your social media page.

• USB ports are generally the same as the LG C4, however you do get HDMI ports all supporting a 120Ghz refresh rate. That is a great boon for gamers if you have a lot of peripherals to attach. Two of the HDMI ports support a 120 FPS refresh rate so you can attach two gaming consoles if you desire such as the Xbox series X, or the Sony PlayStation 5.

• The three USB ports allow you to attach media devices such as external hard drives or USB flash drives. Inserting these will allow your TV to access the content and it will appear on your TV. You can then use the magic remote to control the viewing content. There is also a 3.5mm headphone out port so you can wire your headphones directly to the TV.

Verdict

While there are some cool AI and other minor upgrades to the C-Series lineup from LG with the LG C5 the main aspects with support for HDR standards, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos computability and tremendous connectivity options including Wi-Fi 6E which is an upgrade over the standard Wi-Fi 6. When using a compatible router make sure that it is near your TV to utilize those blazing speeds on the Wi-Fi 6E band. This will give gamers quite a boost to online fast paced gaming. Expect a gorgeous picture on the LG C5, with its AI based technology, however we feel that if you currently have the LG C4, the new specs and features in the LG C5 don’t really justify upgrading at this time.