LG OLED C4 Review

For years, the LG C-series OLED has been the default recommendation for anyone seeking a premium home entertainment experience without a flagship price. With the arrival of the C4, the question isn’t whether it’s good, but whether it pushes the boundaries far enough to maintain its reign. This new model brings subtle yet significant enhancements that aim to refine an already winning formula.

The LG OLED C4 continues its legacy as the quintessential “sweet spot” television, masterfully balancing performance and price. At its core is the foundational brilliance of OLED technology—perfect, inky blacks and infinite contrast that make every scene, from dimly lit thrillers to vibrant nature documentaries, pop with breathtaking realism. This year, LG has coaxed even more brightness from the panel, thanks to its new Alpha 9 Gen 7 AI processor. While it doesn’t feature the Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology reserved for the higher-end G4, the C4 delivers a noticeable boost in specular highlight intensity over its predecessor, making HDR content look more dynamic and lifelike. The new processor also brings a more sophisticated Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, which analyzes and adjusts luminance on a per-frame basis, pulling out incredible detail in both the darkest shadows and brightest skies.

For gamers, the C4 is an absolute powerhouse and arguably one of the best displays on the market. The headline upgrade is the jump to a native 144Hz refresh rate, a feature previously exclusive to PC monitors. This makes it an ideal choice for high-end PC gamers looking for a large-format display that can keep up with powerful graphics cards. Console gamers aren’t left out, with four HDMI 2.1 ports providing full support for 4K at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). LG’s Game Optimizer dashboard returns, offering a clean, accessible hub to tweak settings like G-Sync and FreeSync Premium on the fly, ensuring a smooth, tear-free experience.

In terms of design, the C4 is a testament to minimalist elegance. The panel itself is impossibly thin, bordered by razor-sharp bezels that make the picture feel like it’s floating in your room. The chassis is constructed from a lightweight composite fiber material, which makes it surprisingly easy to handle and mount. It sits on a familiar central pedestal stand that is both stable and has a relatively small footprint, though it doesn’t exude the same ultra-premium feel as the gallery-style design of the G-series. The built-in audio is serviceable for casual news or dialogue-heavy shows, but its thin profile leaves little room for powerful speakers. To truly match the stunning visuals, an external soundbar or a dedicated audio system remains a near-essential investment.

Ultimately, the LG OLED C4 is not a revolutionary leap but a meticulous and intelligent refinement of a champion. It solidifies its position by improving brightness, enhancing processing, and catering directly to the high-end gaming community with its 144Hz panel. While owners of a C2 or C3 may not find a compelling reason for an immediate upgrade, the C4 is an outstanding choice for anyone coming from an older LED TV or building a new, high-performance entertainment setup. It offers a spectacular, near-flagship experience that justifies its price tag, delivering on the promise of being the people’s premium OLED.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon