LG C4 (OLED65C4) 4K OLED TV Review (2024)

The LG C4 is the sweet spot in the OLED TV line-up sitting above the B4 and below the Gallery Series G4. Where in the past the C and G-series shared the same panel and processing but had different cosmetics, this is no longer the case, with the G-series now sporting a step up MLA OLED Panel with higher-end features and adding a real differentiation between the two product lines.

What is MLA

The C4 is almost identical to last year's C3 model with just a few specification tweaks and a slightly different surface material to the rear of the panel, there is no significant step up in performance, it is an evolution of the mid-level OLED model.

The C4 is available in 42, 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83-inch screen sizes with similar features throughout the range. Brightness is slightly dimmer on the small 42 and 48-inch screen sizes due to pixel pitch, but they are reported to be brighter this year compared to the C3 small sizes. We will test this fully when we get one in for review.

The C4 features all relevant HDR formats including HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail technology. There is no support for HDR10+ but, given the lack of content that is available in that format, I don’t see that as an issue.

Also new for 2024 is the ability to use Filmmaker Mode with Dolby Vision content, which means you get a picture preset that plays back Dolby Vision without any unnecessary processing being applied and seeing the content as it was intended.

... new for 2024 is the ability to use Filmmaker Mode with Dolby Vision content

The updates to the α9 AI Processor 4K Gen 7 chip promise to push more peak brightness from the C4 up to 1000 nits in Filmmaker Mode and getting close to 200 nits full screen. You can check our measured results below in that regard. Plus, there have been slight tweaks to colour brightness and improvements in reducing gradation and posterisation.

Plus, Filmmaker HDR has Dynamic Tone Mapping switched off as default, which is welcome for those looking for image purity to the creator’s intent. We also see the Professional setting from the recently tested G4 available here within the Dynamic Tone Mapping menu, which allows the setting of clip points for 1000, 4000 and 10,000 nit HDR masters, allowing a hard clip or roll-off to be dialled in directly within the menus.

We also have the full calibration controls on offer with advanced auto-calibration available through CalMAN software and LG is still the only manufacturer that allows such an advanced use of 1D and 3D LUT uploading directly to the TV, which makes them very popular as client monitors within Hollywood for professional studios and the C4 continues to provide that accuracy and flexibility.

The C4 is equipped with four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) connections with support for HDR 4K/144Hz, 4K120Hz including Dolby Vision HDR, NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and VRR as well as the Game Optimizer and dashboard, giving gamers complete control of their gaming experience with the C4. We measured the input lag at an incredibly low 9.2ms with 4K/60 signals and 4.7ms with a 120 signal.

As the C4 is a 2024 model it gets the WebOS 24 OS and Smart TV system which is now part of the LG Re:New system that will see the company offer OS upgrades for its new smart TVs for the next five years.

WebOS 24 has had some small updates to the design of the two main home pages. The Quick Cards are redesigned to be much smaller boxes, but with nice pastel colours and readable typeface that makes them stand out.

... walks users through picture quality and other settings making it simple to understand how to use the menu and setting systems,

Like the G4, the new accessibility card houses many of the features that first-time users or those requiring better accessibility options can explore. The one that stands out for me here is the Chatbot. This neat solution walks users through picture quality and other settings making it simple to understand how to use the menu and setting systems, which many mass-market consumers struggle with. I’d like to see LG move this feature further forward and more visible on the main home page.

Also, like the recently reviewed LG G4, an item I don’t like is the waste of space in the top third of the WebOS 24 homepage that is used for advertising. You can switch this off in the main menu system or opt out during the initial setup, but it does leave an uninteresting image in the top area of the page that serves no real use. My suggested solution is to replace this image with an active real-time video window with suggested content or similar as you highlight apps and features. This, to me, would solve the problem of wasted real estate. I also want to encourage LG to change the advertising opt-out to an opt-in approach. Why should someone who has paid a large sum of money for their OLED TV then have to disable and opt out of adverts on that TV?

LG G4 review

So with the usual yearly model refresh, is the C4 worth the outlay over last year’s C3 (which can be found at lower prices compared to the C4) or indeed the C2? Let’s try and answer that and see just what the C4 offers end users.