LG OLED C1 Series 65 Inch 4K Smart TV review for home entertainment!

Description

Design and Build Quality: A Sleek Masterpiece

I was immediately struck by how unbelievably thin and modern this TV is. The LG OLED C1 Series 65” (model OLED65C1PUB) blends effortlessly into any living space, and its razor-thin bezel design ensures the display is the star of the show. It almost feels like I mounted a piece of digital art in my living room. What’s more, the Gallery Stand option (sold separately) elevates the aesthetic to a whole new level, allowing placement anywhere in the room. That said, the slim profile does make the TV feel somewhat fragile, so mounting or moving it requires careful handling.

Picture Quality: A Feast for the Eyes

The self-lit pixel technology is nothing short of revolutionary. Every frame bursts to life with perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and a billion rich colors, creating a viewing experience that’s as close to “real life” as I’ve ever seen. Watching a nature documentary, I could almost feel the texture of a lion’s mane—it’s that detailed. The Dolby Vision IQ feature takes it a step further by adapting the picture based on ambient light, ensuring optimal brightness and clarity even during the day. However, if I had to nitpick, the glossy screen does reflect light, which could be distracting in bright rooms.

Gaming Performance: Next-Level Immersion

As someone who spends hours gaming, I was thrilled to test the G-SYNC and FreeSync compatibility on this TV. The 1ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate provide buttery-smooth gameplay, and the absence of screen tearing or lag was a game-changer. I particularly loved the Game Optimizer feature, which consolidates all the gaming settings into one menu. Whether I played fast-paced shooters or open-world RPGs, the experience was seamless. The TV even supports HDMI 2.1, making it a top choice for next-gen console owners. On the downside, there’s no dedicated headphone jack, though Bluetooth connectivity partially addresses this.

Audio: Surround Sound Without the Clutter

The Dolby Atmos integration creates an immersive audio experience, making me feel like I was in the middle of a movie theater. Explosions in action scenes reverberated around the room, while whispered dialogue remained crisp and clear. The Bluetooth Surround Ready feature is another bonus, allowing the addition of wireless speakers for a true surround sound setup. However, for audiophiles, the built-in 2.2-channel speakers might not suffice, and an external soundbar could be necessary to fully unleash the TV’s potential.

Smart Features: Intuitive and Convenient

The webOS and ThinQ AI platform is surprisingly user-friendly. Navigating through apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube felt intuitive, especially with the Magic Remote. I loved the point-and-click functionality, which felt like using a virtual wand. Voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant worked flawlessly, whether I asked to adjust the volume or find a specific show. The Home Dashboard also made it easy to control connected devices. That said, some features, like Apple AirPlay 2, require a bit of setup, which could be intimidating for less tech-savvy users.

Key Benefits

• Stunning OLED picture quality with perfect blacks and infinite contrast.
• Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos for a cinematic viewing and audio experience.
• Gaming-focused features like G-SYNC, FreeSync, and 120Hz refresh rate.
• Intuitive smart TV platform with Magic Remote and voice assistant compatibility.
• Sleek, ultra-thin design that elevates room aesthetics.

Critiques

• Reflective screen might cause distractions in brightly lit environments.
• Built-in speakers lack depth, necessitating a soundbar for audiophiles.
• No dedicated headphone jack, limiting wired audio options.
• Some smart features require additional setup or subscriptions.

Competitive Options

In the world of OLED TVs, the LG OLED C1 competes head-to-head with products like the Sony A90J and Samsung QN90A. The Sony A90J boasts exceptional motion handling and slightly better color accuracy but comes at a higher price point. On the other hand, the Samsung QN90A, while not OLED, offers QLED technology with bright, vivid colors and better performance in well-lit rooms. However, the LG OLED C1 outshines both in gaming features and deep black levels, making it the ideal choice for gamers and cinephiles alike.

Value Proposition

For its feature set, the LG OLED C1 offers remarkable value for money. It’s not the cheapest OLED TV out there, but the combination of picture quality, gaming performance, and user-friendly smart features justifies the investment. If you’re looking for a TV that can handle everything from movie nights to competitive gaming sessions, this one is hard to beat. While some minor flaws exist, the overall package delivers a premium experience that feels worth every penny.

Additional information