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LG C3 OLED TV Review

Nathan Rizzuti Avatar
Updated Feb 22, 2024 10:45 AM

True Score

85
86
9

Experts

93
12.7k

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

LG C3 OLED TV has great picture quality, near-infinite contrast ratio, and deep, inky blacks for an immersive experience. If you’re looking for a top-notch OLED experience, the C3 is excellent; otherwise, consider the more budget-friendly C2 model.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

Released in 2023, the LG C3 OLED TV is the mid-tier option and the most popular in LG’s new OLED product lineup. The OLED lighting style eschews the LED back panel and instead uses individual lit pixels to create an image, a technology used on many of the market’s best TVs.

This creates near-perfect blacks and dynamic brightness levels. The OLED style also eliminates the haloing or blooming effect. Its superb reflection handling and peak brightness in HDR and SDR ensure pleasurable viewing experiences, even in bright rooms or environments with glare.

Equipped with LG’s latest α9 AI Processor Gen6, the C3 promises improved image processing through Brightness Booster Max and AI Tech technologies.

It also boasts four HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports, making it a great option for gamers seeking low input lag and a smooth gaming experience. For more, read our list of the best OLED TVs.

Best For

  • 40-inch

  • 50-inch

  • 55-inch

  • Best Overall

  • Computer Monitor

  • Gaming

  • Home Theater

  • LG

  • PlayStation

  • Small

  • Sports

  • The Brand

  • Xbox

Consensus

our Verdict

The LG C3 OLED TV has an excellent peak brightness of 474 cd/m² and exceptional reflection handling, suitable for bright rooms or areas with glare.

It also has an Inf. :1 contrast ratio and deep blacks ensure captivating viewing experiences for sports, movies, and gaming. The Gamers will love the low 5.4 ms input lag, offering instantaneous responses to their actions on-screen.

While it has aggressive ABL and potential burn-in concerns, they don’t overshadow the TV’s overall performance. LG’s webOS interface adds user-friendliness, and the support for DTS enhances the audio experience.

The four HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports also cater to PC users. The superb tested response time of 0.2 ms is among the best in the OLED TV category.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Excellent picture quality
    • The TV’s bright colors, deep blacks, and excellent reflection handling make it great for gaming, sports, and HDR content. The color gamut tests in at 99.51% color gamut, delivering stellar colors placing it at the top of the OLED category.

  • The near-infinite contrast ratio for perfect blacks
    • Displays near-perfect deep black levels, especially in dark rooms, as it boasts an Inf: 1 contrast ratio, which ranks at the very top of the OLED category.

  • Strong peak brightness
    • Delivers vibrant displays in brightly lit rooms, as the peak brightness tests at 815 nits, which is slightly above average for OLED TVs.

  • High-performance motion handling
    • The TV processes near-immediate commands and handles fast-paced scene changes without blurriness, as tests show it has a 5.4 ms input lag and 0.2 ms response time, both outstanding for OLED TVs.

  • Fast refresh rate
    • Images don’t tear during fast-paced scenes due to a 120 Hz refresh rate and VRR support.

Reason to Avoid

  • Aggressive automatic brightness limiter
    • ABL can be overactive in bright environments, which reduces image quality and is distracting

  • Subpar sound quality
    • Fails to produce strong bass and has distortion when turned up to high volumes

LG C3 OLED TV Specs

Backlight TypeBacklight TypeNo
Display TypeOLED
HDMI Inputs4
HDMI TypeHDMI TypeHDMI 2.1
HDR FormatDolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
HomeKit CompatibleHomeKit CompatibleYes
LED Panel TypeLED Panel TypeWOLED
Max Resolution3840 x 2160 (4k)
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels7.1.2
Panel TypePanel Type
Refresh Rate120 Hz
Screen size42", 48", 55", 65", 75", 83"
Smart PlatformSmart PlatformwebOS
Speaker OutputSpeaker Output20 Watts
Sync TechnologySync TechnologyAMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync
VRRVRRYes

All Specs

Test Results

Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy)98.98
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv)99.51
Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy)73.28
Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv)76.01
Color Gamut % (sRGB)0
Color Gamut % (Rec 709)0
Color Gamut % (BT.2020)74.7
Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB)0
Color Gamut % (BT.709)0
Contrast Ratio (x:1)0
SDR Brightness (nits)383
HDR Brightness (nits)795
Input Lag (ms)9.6
Response Time (ms)2.3
Color Washout (Degrees)63
Color Shift (Degrees)34
Brightness Loss (Degrees)70
Reflections (%)1.1
Low-Freq Extension (Hz)80
Freq Response StdDev @ 70db1.14
Freq Response StdDev @ 80db1.98
Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db0.085
Intermodulation Distortion @80db4.49
EOTF (600 nit delta)0.0056
EOTF (1000 nit delta)0.0054
EOTF (4000 nit delta)0.0051

All Tests

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Product Comparison

LG C3 OLED TV Review

True Score

85
88
87
89
NR

Ranking

#

24

/

158

#

8

/

158

#

14

/

158

#

3

/

158

#

/

Market Context

Released in 2023, the LG C3 OLED TV is the mid-tier option and the most popular in LG’s new OLED product lineup. The OLED lighting…

Released in 2023, the LG C3 OLED TV is the mid-tier option and the most popular in LG’s new OLED product lineup. The OLED lighting style eschews the LED back panel and instead uses individual lit pixels to create an image, a technology used on many of the market’s best TVs.

This creates near-perfect blacks and dynamic brightness levels. The OLED style also eliminates the haloing or blooming effect. Its superb reflection handling and peak brightness in HDR and SDR ensure pleasurable viewing experiences, even in bright rooms or environments with glare.

Equipped with LG’s latest α9 AI Processor Gen6, the C3 promises improved image processing through Brightness Booster Max and AI Tech technologies.

It also boasts four HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports, making it a great option for gamers seeking low input lag and a smooth gaming experience. For more, read our list of the best OLED TVs.

While the LG C3 OLED TV is positioned as a mid-range model, the LG G3 OLED TV is a high-end option with more advanced features….

While the LG C3 OLED TV is positioned as a mid-range model, the LG G3 OLED TV is a high-end option with more advanced features. For example, the C3 is equipped with the α9 AI Processor Gen6, and the G3 boasts Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology in addition to its α9 AI Processor Gen6, meaning the G3 offers more refined image processing and enhanced display performance compared to the C3. Both TVs provide near-infinite contrast ratios and deep, inky blacks. However, the G3 excels in peak brightness due to its Micro Lens Array technology. Check out our LG G3 OLED TV review for a more in-depth look.

The main feature difference between the LG C3 OLED TV and the Samsung S95C OLED TV is that the C3 supports DTS audio formats, whereas…

The main feature difference between the LG C3 OLED TV and the Samsung S95C OLED TV is that the C3 supports DTS audio formats, whereas the Samsung does not, limiting home entertainment options. The other major difference between the two premium televisions is in display quality. The Samsung TV is brighter and holds its brightness better than the LG, especially during gaming mode and when streaming HDR content; it also has superior gradient handling. However, the LG C3 reigns in low-res upscaling for older content. For another glimpse at a competing OLED offering, check out our Sony A95K TV review.

Overall, the LG C3 OLED and C2 are very similar. However, the C3 delivers better brightness than the C2 and a higher resolution, although this…

Overall, the LG C3 OLED and C2 are very similar. However, the C3 delivers better brightness than the C2 and a higher resolution, although this makes low-resolution content come through clearer on the C2. The most significant improvement year over year is the inclusion of DTS audio format support to the C3, which enhances the home entertainment qualities by allowing it to support Blu-ray discs. However, the C2 is similar but significantly cheaper. We also have a couple of other great resources you can check out, like our Samsung S90C TV review or a Vizio M-Series Quantum X TV review.

 The LG B3 OLED TV is an entry-level option compared to the higher-end LG C3 OLED TV, making it a more budget-friendly choice for those…

 The LG B3 OLED TV is an entry-level option compared to the higher-end LG C3 OLED TV, making it a more budget-friendly choice for those seeking the benefits of OLED technology. The LG C3 OLED TV has the α9 AI Processor Gen6, which promises improved image processing through LG’s Brightness Booster Max and AI Tech technologies. The B3 has an older processor, resulting in differences in upscaling capabilities and overall performance. Both TVs utilize OLED panels, delivering near-infinite contrast ratios and deep blacks, characteristic of OLED technology.  For more on this brand, check out our LG UQ9000 TV review.

Backlight Type

No

n/a

No

Self-Emitting Pixels

Display Type

OLED

OLED

OLED

OLED

HDMI Inputs

4

4

4

4

HDMI Type

HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.1

HDMI 2.1

HDR Format

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

HDR10+, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

HomeKit Compatible

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

LED Panel Type

WOLED

OLED

Max Resolution

3840 x 2160 (4k)

3840 x 2160 (4k)

3840 x 2160 (4k)

3840 x 2160 (4k)

Dig Deeper

LG G3 OLED TV Review →

Samsung S95C OLED TV Review →

LG C2 OLED TV Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

86

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

93

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

85

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    89
    The LG C3 is an amazing TV, sure to please all but the most demanding… Read More

    By:

    Samuel Breton
  • PC Mag
    95.6

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    The LG C3 Evo is an OLED TV with an incredibly colorful and fairly bright… Read More

    By:

    Will Greenwald
  • Tom’s Guide
    79.85

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    The LG OLED evo C3 is loaded with features that make it ideal for watching… Read More

    By:

    Matthew Murray
  • CNET
    80.25

    Category Trust Rating

    86
    PROS Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV we’ve tested, Superior contrast and off-angle image,… Read More

    By:

    David Katzmaier
  • Techradar
    67

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    LG’s C2 series was our top TV pick of the year for 2022, so the… Read More

    By:

    Al Griffin
  • Pocket Lint
    65.1

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    The LG C3 is a superb OLED TV that delivers pictures that are as cinematic,… Read More

    By:

    VERITY BURNS