Stepping into the spotlight, LG's C series OLED TVs continue to shine, albeit somewhat quietly compared to the grand unveiling of the G3 – the world's first MLA OLED TV. While the C3 might not have received the same hardware glam-up as its G3 counterpart, it remains a steadfast choice for those seeking quality viewing experiences.

The 65-inch C3 model, despite its impressive lineage, has encountered a bit of a stumble this year. Last year’s model was a beacon of excellence, but without notable advancements and amidst a competitive market, this year's rendition has seen its shine dim to a four-star appeal.

However, don't be too quick to overlook the 42-inch variant. LG's smaller scale OLEDs, like the 42-inch C3, stand in their own unique light. Maintaining its price point and without facing a surge of new contenders, it holds its ground firmly, continuing to offer a compelling option for those seeking high-quality entertainment on a more intimate scale.

A Fresh Look at the OLED42C3's Price Point

The OLED42C3 debuted with a tag of £1500 / $1400 / AU$2595, positioning itself as a slightly pricier option in the UK compared to its predecessor, the OLED42C2, yet maintaining the same price in the US and even seeing a slight reduction in Australia. Interestingly, discounts have already been spotted on this model.

Considering the price drops of last year's C2, it might be wise to contemplate acquiring it while it's still on the market. We'll delve into this further.

When looking at the competition, it appears the OLED42C3 faces few direct challengers. Sony, for example, has opted not to introduce new 'small' OLEDs in 2023, continuing with the XR-42A90K instead — a model outperformed by the LG C2 and, despite being a previous year's product, is currently retailing at a higher price than the newly released C3. Philips has signaled its intent to release a 42-inch OLED TV within the year, although it's not yet available. There's also anticipation around Panasonic possibly revealing a similar offering, though no official announcements have been made.

Exploring alternatives beyond OLED technology, the four-star, 43-inch Samsung QN90B from last year remains on the market, soon to be succeeded by the QN90C. While we haven't had the chance to review the upcoming model, it presents another option for those considering the latest in television technology.

Rediscovering the Art of Design

Stepping into the arena of style, the latest 42-inch model retains the familiar look of its predecessor, which might spark a debate on aesthetics. The choice of feet over a central stand does offer flexibility for those eyeing a sleek desktop setup, yet, their plasticky appearance and inability to accommodate most soundbars underline a missed opportunity for innovation. Imagine feet that adjust, elevating your viewing experience both literally and metaphorically! This is a nifty feature found in offerings from Sony and Philips, and it's high time it became more widespread.

Speaking of appearances, the hallmark of OLED technology - its incredible slimness - is somewhat obscured in this model's design. The back of the set boasts a uniform thickness of 4.1cm, diverging from the ultra-thin edge that OLEDs are celebrated for, only at the very rim. This compromise, likely a necessity due to the gadget's compact size coupled with its robust feature set, does leave us yearning for that sleek, futuristic feel that OLED screens typically exude.

Discover the Ultimate Viewing Experience with LG's Latest Marvel

Step into the future of home entertainment with LG's C3, the pinnacle of gaming and cinematic experiences. With its four robust HDMI 2.1 ports, each offering a massive 48Gbps bandwidth, this TV is a dream come true for gaming aficionados. Whether it's the 4K/120Hz brilliance, seamless VRR, or the quick-switching ALLM, the LG C3 caters to your high-speed gaming needs. Fully compatible with the PS5, Xbox Series X, and gaming PCs, it stands a notch above with its exclusive Dolby Vision gaming up to 4K/120Hz and a bespoke HGiG mode for optimal HDR tone mapping in modern games, ensuring a gaming TV experience second to none.

Not just a gamer's paradise, the LG C3 is a treasure trove for movie buffs and series enthusiasts. Powered by the sophisticated webOS 23 platform, it brings every imaginable streaming app to your fingertips, in stunning 4K, enriched with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Its seamless integration within the LG ecosystem means every feature performs smoothly, free from the common pitfalls of other TV operating systems, delivering a frustration-free viewing experience.

Embracing minimalism, the 2023 webOS interface showcases a streamlined approach, reducing app clutter with an intuitive folder system dubbed ‘cards.’ This enhances usability, making the hunt for entertainment as simple as opening a folder. LG's dedication to enhancing user experience shines through in these thoughtful quality-of-life improvements, though there's room for debate on the prominence of certain UI elements.

The C3's excellence extends beyond its software; its hardware prowess remains uncontested, sharing the same acclaimed ‘OLED Evo’ technology as its predecessor. This exceptional technology, tailored for smaller screens, ensures vivid colors and deep blacks, despite a slightly lower brightness in models under 55 inches. Coupled with the groundbreaking Alpha 9 Gen 6 processor, the C3 elevates visuals to breathtaking levels. From AI Upscaling Pro for crystal-clear sub-4K content to OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro for exquisitely detailed HDR, every image comes to life in stunning clarity.

Discover the Visual Excellence of Compact TVs

If you're wrestling with the idea of choosing between a sprawling 65-inch TV and the more modest 42-inch alternative, there's an unexpected perk to going smaller you might not have considered. The secret? Pixel density. With their pixels packed tighter than their larger counterparts, smaller screens like the OLED42C3 boast an unparalleled sharpness that often leaves bigger screens looking somewhat lackluster.

Despite its diminutive size, the C3 model doesn't sacrifice brightness for compactness as much as one might think. Though it doesn't reach the luminosity of its bigger sibling, the difference in real-world viewing is surprisingly minimal. Highlights might not pop as much, but what the 42-inch version lacks in brightness, it more than makes up for in dynamics, thanks to its superb pixel-level contrast control.

While the highlight brightness between the two sizes is close, the smaller C3 shines in delivering slightly more detailed blacks and a lighter touch on mid-tones. This results in a performance that, though marginally less detailed than the larger model, delivers a pleasing boldness and impact.

But don't mistake the C3's compact size for a lack of sophistication. Its delivery is subtle when it comes to shading and true-to-life with its color handling. It handles Dolby Vision content flawlessly with the 'Dolby Vision Cinema Home' preset and most other content with the 'Filmmaker Mode'. A few personal tweaks may be necessary, but these settings will get you close to visual perfection.

Personal preference plays a big role in motion processing. We suggest starting with the 'Cinematic Movement' option to minimize judder in 24p content without heavy processing. Despite preferences varying widely, the C3 offers settings that will satisfy nearly every viewer, though it's noteworthy that some competitors manage to blend smoothness and naturalism even more seamlessly.

Stepping outside the realm of 4K HDR content—because, let's face it, we can't watch everything in 4K—the 42-inch C3 continues to impress. It upscales lower resolution content with an exceptional balance of sharpness and clarity that might just convince you you're watching native 4K.

Revitalizing Your Viewing Experience

As we embark on exploring LG's 2023 TV lineup, we've noticed a trend – the audio experience, particularly with smaller models like the 42-inch C3, hasn't quite hit the mark compared to their larger counterparts.

Indeed, the compact C3 doesn't pack the same auditory punch as the heftier 65-inch model. It falls a bit short on bass and doesn't reach the same volume peaks. However, it's not all dim; this actually minimizes bass distortion at very high volumes – a hiccup more commonly encountered with the larger C3 model. And when it comes to Dolby Atmos mode, the 42-inch C3 leverages it to craft a more spacious sound landscape and clearer voice projection, despite its size constraints.

Yet, when diving into deeper, more dynamic audio sequences like those in Blade Runner 2049, the 42-inch C3's performance can feel somewhat lacklustre. The thrilling beats and cinematic dynamics don't fully engage, leaving the sound feeling a bit flat for truly immersive movie experiences.

But let’s not dismiss the 42-inch C3 for everyday entertainment; it handles regular TV viewing quite well. For those looking to elevate their movie nights, integrating a soundbar might just transform your living room into the cinematic haven you're after.

Review Highlights

Stepping into the world of compact entertainment, the 42-inch C3 OLED TV holds its ground firmly, mimicking its larger 65-inch counterpart in many ways. This scenario might initially seem a tad disappointing, especially for those eagerly anticipating groundbreaking advancements in the small OLED TV arena. It's crucial to note, however, that these smaller models naturally face challenges in achieving the brightness levels seen in bigger screens.

What sets the 42-inch C3 apart is not just its performance, which is commendably just a notch above its predecessor, but also its pricing strategy. Unlike its bigger sibling, the C3 enters the market without a hefty price tag difference from the previous generation and finds itself with fewer competitors. This context makes its incremental improvements all the more significant, crowning it as the top choice in its category for us. Yet, for the savvy shopper, snagging the previous model, the C2, at a discount could be a smart move while options last.