Looking for a compact, high-performance TV? Meet the 48-inch version of the impressive LG C4 OLED TV! Though it shares its name and appearance with the 65-inch model reviewed earlier, this 48-inch variant comes with its own unique advantages. It's a follow-up to last year's LG OLED48C3, which also garnered positive reviews.

You might be asking why we're taking another look at this TV in a smaller size, given that the 65-inch model has already earned five stars. The answer is simple: performance can significantly vary with TV size. While the 65-inch C4's stellar performance might hint at similar results for the 55- and 77-inch models, the 48- and 42-inch versions show notable differences in areas like pixel density, brightness, and sound systems.

LG’s C-series OLED TVs have consistently impressed both film enthusiasts and gamers across various sizes. Last year's 65-inch C3 initially received mixed reviews, but the 48-inch C3 was welcomed more warmly. However, there were still some concerns about its higher price and limited upgrades from its predecessor. Despite this, it was still considered the best

Price

The price of the product is competitive, offering great value for the features it provides. Compared to similar items in the market, it stands out as an affordable yet high-quality option. Whether you are on a budget or looking for the best deal, this product is a smart choice that doesn't compromise on performance or style.

The 48-inch C4 hit the market at the same price as last year's 48-inch LG C3; £1499 / $1599 / AU$2499. However, being available for a while now, price drops are becoming common. You'll often find this TV down to around £1299 / $1200 in the UK and the US, while discounts are less frequent in Australia.

Competition in this market segment is heating up. Surprisingly, the 48-inch C3, its predecessor, remains a strong contender, deeply discounted since its launch. At the time of writing, it's available for just £979 in the UK, although stocks are limited elsewhere. Additionally, LG is introducing a 48-inch variant of its entry-level OLED TV for 2024, the LG B4, though UK pricing and availability remain unknown.

Sony's 48-inch A90K continues to be a player after two years in the market, albeit more expensive than the C4 at £1599 / $1400 / AU$2290. Philips just released the OLED809 in a 48-inch size, available only in the UK and EU. While we haven't reviewed this size, Ambilight fans can get it for a competitive £1299.

Lastly, Samsung has introduced its step-down OLED TV in a new 48-inch version. The 48-inch Samsung S90D retails for £1349 / $1600, making it cheaper than the C4 based on launch pricing, though current pricing sees LG undercutting it.

Build

Our latest device showcases a streamlined design, merging modern aesthetics with practical functionality. It's crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring both durability and a premium feel. Lightweight and sleek, it’s perfect for those on-the-go and seamlessly fits into any lifestyle.

Performance

This product is engineered to deliver top-notch performance. Its swift processing power and impressive battery life keep you connected and productive throughout your day. Users will appreciate the seamless multitasking capabilities and responsive interface.

User Experience

Navigating through features is intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their tech-savviness. The vibrant display and clear, immersive sound elevate your overall experience, whether you're streaming, working, or playing.

Connectivity

Stay connected effortlessly with robust connectivity options. Whether you're syncing with other devices or accessing the internet, this device ensures a stable and speedy connection.

Conclusion

Embrace the future of technology with our innovative, stylish, and powerful device. It's designed to enhance your daily life, offering a blend of performance, durability, and user-friendly features that make it a standout choice in today’s tech market. Upgrade your experience and discover what true innovation feels like.

LG has remained remarkably consistent with its design language over recent years. The C4 closely resembles the C3, which in turn looked like the C2. However, the C4 features a darker, subtly brushed bronze finish on its stand, compared to the silver of the previous model. Speaking of the stand, it’s a centrally mounted pedestal style that is 48cm wide, similar to the larger sizes in this range. While it looks sleek, it’s not ideal for positioning a soundbar in front of it.

When viewed from the side, the C4 retains its remarkably thin top section, with the main components stored in a chunkier bottom section that occupies about two-thirds of the TV. The faux-stone effect on the top section adds a suave touch, although, realistically, you won’t spend much time looking at the back of this TV.

One frustrating design quirk is the non-removable power cable. It’s not particularly long and is tricky to access, raising durability concerns. If the cable gets damaged, it’s not an easy swap-out solution.

We're also not huge fans of the included remote, which is the same as in the previous two generations of this TV. The glossy plastic finish doesn’t feel premium. While this isn't a flagship TV, it’s frustrating that LG doesn’t offer backlit remotes with its premium OLED TVs. If Sony and Philips can do it, so can LG.

Features

Discover the exceptional features that make our product stand out from the competition. Designed for seamless user experience, our product boasts an intuitive interface, stunning design, and unparalleled performance.

Intuitive Interface

Our user-friendly interface ensures that you can navigate through features effortlessly. Whether you are a tech expert or a novice, the ease of use remains consistent.

Stunning Design

With an emphasis on aesthetics, our product is crafted with a sleek and modern design. Its visual appeal is sure to captivate and impress, making every interaction delightful.

Unparalleled Performance

Experience blazing-fast speeds and robust functionality. Our product is engineered to deliver superior performance, ensuring efficiency and reliability every step of the way.

Seamless Connectivity

Stay connected and enjoy uninterrupted service with our advanced connectivity options. Whether you're at home or on the go, our product keeps you connected with ease.

Enhanced Security

Your safety is our priority. Our product comes with top-notch security features to protect your data and privacy, giving you peace of mind.

Explore these amazing features and see why our product is the perfect choice for you!

This TV may be a step-down model, but it still packs a punch, even without the Micro Lens Array (MLA) brightness-boosting tech found in the flagship G4 OLED TV. Since LG Display hasn’t produced MLA OLED panels smaller than 55 inches yet, we're not surprised or too disappointed. Instead, it utilizes one of LG’s OLED Evo displays, which promises to be brighter than last year’s model, even if LG remains tight-lipped on specific nit values.

When it comes to gaming, an LG C-series OLED TV is a reliable choice. This model mirrors last year's setup with four HDMI 2.1 sockets, fully supporting 48Gbps bandwidth for 4K/120Hz gaming. It also supports VRR and ALLM, plus a new feature for 2024 – 144Hz VRR support. While this may not be significant for console gamers yet, PC gamers with top-tier rigs will appreciate the extra smooth gameplay. Additionally, there’s Dolby Vision Gaming and HGiG support for HDR gaming on compatible sources and titles.

For HDR enthusiasts, the C4 model supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. Although it lacks HDR10+ support, this is a longstanding characteristic of LG TVs and is unlikely to be a dealbreaker.

Sound-wise, the C4 handles Dolby Atmos audio when paired with a compatible soundbar or AVR through HDMI eARC. Moreover, if you use an LG soundbar, you can benefit from WOW Orchestra, blending the TV’s 2.2-channel audio with the soundbar's output.

The C4 runs on LG’s webOS 24 smart platform, which has its strengths and flaws. App support is extensive, covering both global and localized streaming services. The Magic Remote’s pointer interface, reminiscent of the Nintendo Wii, offers a smooth user experience for many. However, like previous versions, this iteration of webOS is quite ad-heavy, with noticeable sponsored content and shopping suggestions occupying prime space on the home screen.

Lastly, the Alpha 9 Gen 7 processor powers this TV. While it isn't as robust as the flagship LG G4’s Alpha 11 chip, this isn’t unexpected for a step-down model. Notably, previous C-series OLED TVs shared their processors with flagship models, but the C4 series deviates with a slightly upgraded version of last year's chip. It introduces new features like virtual 11.1.2 sound upmixing and an improved voice remastering capability.

Picture

The quality of the picture is a game-changer in the world of digital displays. You're going to love the vibrant colors and stunning clarity that this screen offers. With enhanced resolution, every detail comes to life, making your viewing experience truly immersive.

Visual Experience

Expect unparalleled performance with deep contrasts and brilliant brightness levels, ensuring you never miss a moment of action. The advanced technology behind this display ensures fluid motion, which is perfect for watching fast-paced sports or thrilling action movies.

Moreover, the wide viewing angles mean everyone in the room gets the best seat in the house. Whether you're watching alone or hosting a movie night, this display excels in delivering top-notch picture quality.

Enhanced Features

Another fantastic aspect is its smart feature integration, allowing seamless connectivity with your favorite streaming services. Say goodbye to complicated setups; this display is designed for ease of use, getting you straight to your content with minimal fuss.

We found the 65-inch version of this TV to be a formidable step up in picture quality over its predecessor, and a worthy adversary to our current top picks in the market. While there are plenty of factors to consider when scaling down a five-star TV from 65 to 48 inches, we honestly find that many of the attributes we admire from the larger TV have worked their way down to the more compact model.

We are once again comparing the C4 to the 55-inch Sony A80L, and we have our trusty reference 4K Blu-ray discs to hand (Blade Runner 2049, Top Gun: Maverick and Oppenheimer) as well as Mad Max: Fury Road on Apple TV to test its Dolby Vision capabilities. While there is a discrepancy in screen size, we’ve adjusted our testing to account for the greater pixel density of the smaller LG set and the higher brightness capabilities of the larger Sony TV.

Diving into the LG’s picture settings in Filmmaker mode with the Cinematic Movement clarity setting applied, we find that the smaller C4 has all of the richness and solidity of the larger variant. Colors appear warm – especially side by side with the cooler-toned Sony – and skin tones have a touch more life to them, making the A80L look a tad pasty in comparison.

Generally speaking, colors are pleasingly punchy without looking garish; in fact, it's with this TV that we find out the car driven by Oppenheimer as he moves his family to the Los Alamos facility is a deep shade of forest green, not black. A later shot of a watch tower in the New Mexico desert is pleasingly crisp and three-dimensional without looking overly etched. Three-dimensional depth is, arguably, the Sony’s greatest strength, so seeing the LG go toe-to-toe with other top contenders is an impressive sight indeed.

LG hinted that the smaller C4s had a noticeable upgrade in brightness, and while we don’t have a C3 on hand for a side-by-side comparison, we have to say that the OLED48C4 handles highlights very well indeed. A glimpse of the sun through some foliage in Oppenheimer immediately draws our eye thanks to its punchy and vibrant presentation, while also remaining controlled and natural.

A new picture feature for 2024 is the Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode, which we explore with Mad Max: Fury Road. The C4 presents this film with a perfect blend of intensity and composure, showcasing the rich reds and yellows of the smoke flares in stark contrast to the natural cool blue of the sky and burnt golden sand. This TV is exceptionally detailed. The various scratches and metal rivets of the War Rig are highlighted with excellent precision, and the same level of detail extends to skin and clothing textures.

We also find the Cinematic Movement setting particularly useful when watching action-packed scenes like in Mad Max. This feature smoothly handles the frantic action, with minimal judder or stuttering. While it occasionally appears a bit overzealous in smoothing out motion, we believe this is a worthwhile tradeoff for enhanced motion handling overall.

Our only minor gripe is that the C4 can feel slightly restrained in Dolby Vision Filmmaker mode. Although this mode excels in authenticity, accuracy, and realism, it can sometimes make the picture seem somewhat dim. Nevertheless, this is not a deal breaker, especially since other picture modes tend to overcompensate with excessive brightness.

When using non-4K and SDR content, the TV does an admirable job of revitalizing content with a crisp and balanced picture, free from over-processing or artificial sharpening.

Sound

If you're looking to elevate your audio experience, you've come to the right place. Getting the right sound setup can drastically enhance your listening pleasure. Whether you're a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, the impact of a well-designed audio system cannot be overstated.

First, consider the space where you'll be enjoying your music. Are you setting up in a cozy living room or a spacious open-plan area? The size and shape of your space will impact the acoustics and the type of equipment you need.

Next, think about the components of your audio system. A high-quality amplifier and a great pair of speakers are essential. An amplifier can boost your audio signal, delivering clear and powerful sound, while top-notch speakers will reproduce that sound with precision and clarity.

Don't forget about connectivity options. Wireless technology has brought a plethora of opportunities to enjoy music without the clutter of cables. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled devices allow you to stream music directly from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Finally, remember that the best sound experience is one that suits your personal preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment with different setups to find what works best for you. Happy listening!

The larger C4 model gained praise for its enhanced sound system, but the smaller version unfortunately doesn't receive the same accolades.

Testing with our go-to Blade Runner 2049 chapter two sequence, the TV immediately struggles with the challenging low-end effects. There's noticeable distortion at the deepest frequencies, persisting even when the volume is lowered, and the thumping bassline in this scene lacks depth and impact. The sound also feels confined, with minimal projection or scale, sticking close to the TV's chassis. The downfiring speakers provide little directional sound.

The LG recovers some points during dialogue-heavy scenes like the baseline interview. Vocals are clear, carrying a hint of emotion. Additionally, the TV handles dynamic shifts decently, with sudden explosions in Oppenheimer delivered with fair responsiveness – though the lack of low-end weight remains an issue.

For optimal audio, pairing the TV with a Dolby Atmos soundbar is recommended. A compact option that matches the TV’s footprint, such as the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), would be ideal.

Verdict

In conclusion, this product offers an exceptional experience that stands out in its category. With a sleek design, user-friendly interface, and robust features, it's a top contender for anyone in the market. The value it brings is undeniable, making it a worthwhile investment for both novice and seasoned users. Whether you're upgrading or purchasing for the first time, this product is sure to impress.

What sets it apart is the attention to detail and the seamless integration of innovative technology. It's designed not only to meet but exceed customer expectations. The powerful performance ensures that every task is accomplished efficiently, without compromising on quality.

It's clear that the creators had the end user in mind at every stage of development. From the intuitive controls to the responsive support, every aspect is crafted to provide the best possible experience.

If you're lookingfor reliability and excellence, this product is a standout choice in today's market.

Have you heard the news? LG's latest C-series OLED TV is currently the best 48-inch TV you can buy. It's competitively priced, perfectly suited for gamers, and offers a significant picture upgrade over its previous model.

Although we hope LG will improve the built-in sound in future models and reduce the number of ads in the user interface, this TV has very few downsides. It's an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a cinematic experience without needing a lot of space.