The LG G4 is the latest flagship OLED directly aimed at cinephiles, promising the ultimate TV experience for serious movie watching.

This second-generation flagship OLED from LG features the innovative Micro Lens Array (MLA) screen technology, which made its debut last year with the LG G3. Despite some initial challenges, the technology demonstrated significant improvements, earning high praise from reviewers.

The G4 faces stiff competition, particularly from the highly-rated Samsung S95D, which received top marks earlier this year.

After extensive testing, we can confidently state that the G4 is a formidable option. It showcases significant advancements over last year's model, similar to its sibling, the LG C4.

For those seeking a state-of-the-art flagship OLED for an immersive movie experience, the LG G4 should be at the top of your list.

Price

Finding the perfect balance between cost and quality is essential when making a purchase. Understanding the value of an item goes beyond just the price tag—it's about what you're getting for your money. Dive into the details to ensure you're investing in something that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Looking for a quality item that fits your budget can sometimes be daunting, especially with so many options available. Do your research and compare different brands. Make sure to read reviews and consider the long-term benefits of your purchase. A higher upfront cost might be worth it for a product that will last longer and perform better.

The LG G4 is available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to an impressive 97 inches. The smallest 55-inch model is priced at £2400 / $2299 / AU$4199. Our featured 65-inch version comes at a higher cost of £3299 / $3299 / AU$5299.

Moving up, the 77-inch version is listed at £4499 / $4599 / AU$7999. For a larger viewing experience, the 83-inch retails at £5999 / $6299 / AU$9999, and the grand 97-inch G4 is tagged at £24,999 / $24,999 / AU$TBC.

To give you some perspective, a 55-inch Samsung S95D costs slightly more at £2499 / $2600 / AU3295. Alternatively, you can opt for the 55-inch Sony A95L, a top-tier OLED from last year, available for £2299 / $2798.

One major point to consider is the pricing of the outgoing G3 model, which has seen a significant drop. Stocks are depleting fast, but you can currently purchase a 55-inch LG G3 for £1699 / $1897 / AU$3130—a substantial discount from its initial price of £2600 / $2500 / AU$4195.

This price drop is a typical pattern for LG and is why we often advise waiting a few months before purchasing a new OLED. Prices, even for flagship OLED TVs, tend to decrease relatively quickly, so with a bit of patience, you can score a fantastic deal shortly after their release.

Design

Our latest product has been crafted with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. The sleek, modern look will enhance any space, while the intuitive user interface ensures that you can easily take full advantage of all its features.

With its minimalist design, this product fits seamlessly into any environment, be it your home, office, or any other setting. The build quality is robust, offering durability and longevity, ensuring your investment stands the test of time.

We've focused on making the design as user-friendly as possible. From the smooth edges to the strategically placed controls, every detail has been thoughtfully considered to provide an exceptional user experience.

Key Features:

• Elegant and modern aesthetic

• Intuitive and accessible interface

• Durable build for long-lasting use

Whether you are using it for professional purposes or personal enjoyment, this product's design is sure to impress and deliver.

Unboxing the G4, it looks very similar to the G3, which itself resembled the G2. The design includes the same flat back, with a step around the edges, and a thickness ranging between 2.4cm and 2.8cm, depending on the model size.

If you were looking for a completely new design, it might be disappointing, but LG has made a notable update. For the 55-inch and 65-inch G4, you now have the option of using a pedestal stand or wall mount; previous G-series models only came with a wall mount. Our specific review unit, the OLED65G46LS, includes a stand, while the OLED65G45LW variant comes with the Zero Gap mount from the G3. The official pricing remains consistent whether you choose a stand or wall mount, although minor variations might occur based on retailer discounts.

The stand mechanism is efficient and straightforward to install with a few screws provided. It features a small footprint and offers two height settings. The taller configuration provides ample space to fit a large soundbar, such as the Sonos Arc, underneath.

The only drawback is that the stand can wobble, even when properly assembled, especially on the higher setting.

The team is also divided on the G4’s remote, which remains unchanged from last year's version. It’s a small, all-plastic unit that feels cheaper and less well-made compared to the metal remotes of competing flagship models, like the Sony A95L, Panasonic Z95A, and Philips OLED909.

We would have appreciated motion-sensitive backlighting, which we consider essential for serious movie fans who watch films in the dark.

Features

Welcome to an exciting exploration of our latest features! We've designed this space to keep you informed and inspired. Let's dive into what's new and noteworthy, ensuring your experience is both engaging and enlightening.

Interactive Design

Our platform now boasts a more interactive and user-friendly design. Navigating through our content has never been easier or more enjoyable. Experience a seamless flow and intuitive interface that enhances your journey.

Enhanced Performance

Speed and efficiency are at the forefront of our updates. Enjoy faster load times and smoother transitions as you explore. We understand the importance of a swift experience and have optimized our platform to meet your needs.

New Content Categories

Discover a broader range of topics with our new content categories. From technology to lifestyle, expand your knowledge and stay updated with the latest trends. Dive into diverse subjects that cater to all your interests.

Community Engagement

We've introduced features that foster community interaction. Share your thoughts, join discussions, and connect with like-minded individuals. Your voice matters, and we're here to amplify it!

The LG G4 TV has undergone significant hardware and software updates while retaining a familiar look. One of the standout changes is the adoption of a second-generation MLA panel. Impressively, the G4 is the first TV to feature this upgrade, with similar panels expected on the Panasonic Z95A and Philips OLED909 later this year.

Key enhancements aim to improve the viewing experience, with a primary focus on increased brightness. According to LG Display, the second-generation MLA panels can reach a maximum brightness of 3000 nits, which is an impressive 1000 nits higher than the first-generation MLA OLED panels.

While this maximum brightness is noteworthy, it’s important to note that real-world conditions may vary. This is why many TV manufacturers distinguish between 'maximum' and 'peak' brightness levels when discussing nit counts.

It's also crucial to consider that most modern movies aren't mastered to reach such high nit counts. Consequently, when using modes like Filmmaker, the brightness levels won't typically approach the maximum figure.

Another significant upgrade with the G4 is the introduction of the new Alpha 11 chip, setting it apart from the LG C4, which utilizes the older Alpha 9 processor. This new chip brings several advanced features, most notably offering 'four times more AI processing power' compared to the Alpha 9.

The advanced AI capabilities of the Alpha 11 power features like the G4’s 'Peak Highlighter', 'AI Director Processing', 'Object Enhancing by Visual Perception', and 'AI Sound Pro'.

These features collectively enhance the home cinema experience. For instance, Peak Highlighter intelligently boosts the brightness of select pixels, making them significantly brighter for a more dynamic and impressive visual output. LG claims this feature can push three percent of the screen’s pixels to 150 percent brighter than what is achievable on non-Evo OLEDs. While the specifics might be complex, the essence is a more vibrant and impressive local highlight.

AI Director Processing is designed to help the TV deliver more accurate, 'as the director intended' colors. This feature aims to compete with similar technologies from other brands, ensuring that the G4 remains at the forefront of color accuracy and visual fidelity.

Object Enhancing by Visual Perception leverages AI to enhance depth and three-dimensionality in images. Meanwhile, AI Sound Pro aims to deliver a richer and fuller virtual 11.1.2 surround sound experience.

HDR support is impressive, covering HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), Dolby Vision, and Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail technology. However, HDR10+ / HDR10+ Adaptive are still not included.

For gamers, this new LG TV, like most modern C- and G-series OLEDs, features four HDMI 2.1 ports that support ALLM and VRR. Notably, it supports 4K/144Hz, allowing top-end PCs to display games more smoothly compared to its predecessor, which supported up to 4K/120Hz.

The frequency, or refresh rate, indicates how many images per second a TV can display, with a higher number resulting in smoother gameplay and enhanced performance in reaction-based games when coupled with a low input lag. The PS5 and Xbox Series X support up to 120Hz, making 144Hz a bonus for PC gamers with powerful rigs.

Dolby Vision gaming support continues to be a feature of the G-series, contributing to one of the best all-round gaming TVs from a features perspective, despite the smaller impact of 144Hz for some existing users.

Many rival sets, except for Samsung's, still offer only two HDMI 2.1 connections, one of which serves as the eARC port. While two connections may suffice for single-console users, multiple consoles and an Atmos audio system can lead to frequent cable swapping.

The G4’s webOS 24 supports all major streaming services, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV, along with regional options like Now, iPlayer, and All 4 in the UK, as well as specialized platforms like CrunchyRoll and Shudder.

Our testers noted mixed reactions to the changes in the latest webOS version. While improvements like dynamic Quick Cards, which accelerate access to recently used services, are welcomed, embedded ads in the UI remain a less favored feature.

To be fair, the ads are less intrusive than those on Amazon’s FireOS, which powers the retail giant's Fire TVs. Nonetheless, they are considered a waste of space and an unnecessary intrusion into the home viewing experience.

Picture

When it comes to visuals, this device doesn't disappoint. The crystal-clear picture quality, enhanced by the latest technology, offers an immersive experience that's perfect for movie nights or gaming sessions. The vibrant colors and sharp details make every scene come alive, providing an engaging viewing experience.

Sound

The audio performance matches the impressive visuals. With deep bass and crisp highs, the sound quality ensures that you hear every detail, from delicate whispers to booming explosions. Whether you're listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a game, the sound is clear and dynamic.

Design

This device is not just about performance; it also boasts a sleek and modern design. Its slim profile complements any room decor, while the intuitive interface ensures ease of use. It's a perfect blend of style and functionality, making it a great addition to your entertainment setup.

Connectivity

Staying connected is easy with multiple input options. Whether you're streaming online or using external devices, the versatile connectivity options provide seamless integration. You'll appreciate the convenience of quickly switching between sources without any hassle.

User Experience

Overall, this device offers a fantastic user experience. From the straightforward setup process to the user-friendly interface, everything is designed to make your life easier. Whether you're tech-savvy or a beginner, you'll find it easy to navigate and enjoy all the features this device has to offer.

The main question we always ask when reviewing a TV is, 'how good is its picture?' Here, the answer is very good indeed. Throughout our testing, the G4 shows noticeable improvements over last year's G3 in nearly every aspect, once we've tweaked its settings.

This year, like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, TCL, Hisense, Philips, and almost any TV brand you can think of, LG is heavily using AI to enhance picture quality.

Out of the box, the AI-powered processing is a bit intense, with colors appearing overcooked and movements slightly artificial – much like many of the TVs we test, OLED and otherwise. However, after scaling back the active settings, we noticed LG has significantly improved the TV’s processing, so much so that we actually keep some of the active processing turned on.

The Cinematic Movement option is a great example. We see its benefits while running our regular Top Gun: Maverick test disc. Cinematic Movement is the lightest-touch option in the TV’s TrueMotion settings. It aims to artificially insert frames into what's playing to make the picture look smoother. Traditionally, we haven’t been fans of settings like these as they can make motions appear robotic and introduce artifacts when the TV wrongly guesses what 'should' be added.

The reason companies continue adding this feature is that, when done correctly, it can enhance picture quality. Any movie mastered at 24fps, which most are, can suffer from judder during rapid camera movements, as only 24 images per second are shown, making gaps between each more noticeable.

Playing Top Gun: Maverick on the G4, we find the Cinematic Movement setting - which just targets movies at 24fps specifically - takes a wonderfully light but effective touch. Movements as Maverick speeds across the desert landscape on his bike look wonderfully realistic, with not even a hint of the dreaded soap opera effect or artifacts creeping in.

The same can't be said for the Samsung S95D we tested it against. Running the same scene with its motion smoothing at its lowest setting, some artifacts creep in around Maverick's bike, detracting from its realism.

We enjoy similar results with BladeRunner 2049. The classic fight in the first scene holds wonderful heft, with each character's movements feeling suitably brutal and authentic. The same is true in the second scene where a car flies over the dark, sprawling cityscape. The scene holds wonderful levels of detail and is completely free of artifacts, making for a great home cinema experience.

The benefits of MLA are also clear, with the city’s neon lights sparkling through smog-filled streets and skyline, creating an immersive viewing experience with heaps of contrast. The added contrast gives the picture a wonderful three-dimensional feel, with characters standing out as separate and removed from the background, while objects have a great sense of depth. The only set we’ve found that matches the G4 in this regard is the Sony A95L.

We have noticed a significant improvement from LG in tackling one of our major concerns with the G3 – the lack of vibrancy in low light scenes. On the G3, the Filmmaker setting made dark scenes appear somewhat pale and dull, losing the contrast that stood out in brighter scenes – a forte of MLA sets.

This issue has been addressed in the G4. Take the moody opening scene of Blade Runner 2049, where K enters a dilapidated house; the G4 excels in color reproduction, especially with skin tones. Dave Bautista’s skin displays amazing detail and vibrant hues, providing a realistic and warm portrayal, unlike the S95D, which tends to show cooler, bluer skin tones.

Even with Pan – despite it being a subpar movie, it serves as a great test disc due to its atypical 4000 nits mastering. The G4 exhibits excellent HDR and peak brightness performance. In a bright scene where a flying pirate ship heads towards a sunset, the picture maintains impressive detail. The sun’s peak brightness is substantially higher than past models, creating a shimmer in the distance that non-MLA sets, such as the LG C4 and Sony A80L, struggle to replicate.

We did notice a minor anomaly with the G4 not displaying as wide a range of colors in certain scenes compared to the S95D, despite offering slightly higher peak whites overall. Like many QD-OLEDs, the Samsung set features more vibrant reds and oranges around sunlit areas, likely thanks to its wider color gamut. This difference is only significant in very bright HDR content, though.

In Mad Max: Fury Road, known for its bright scenes and vivid designs, the G4 continues to impress. Flames from a raider’s guitar and the rising sun over the wasteland appear vibrant but not oversaturated, preserving detail even in the brightest parts.

Switching to SDR performance, we played a Blu-Ray of True Grit, a challenging film due to its dark scenes and grainy look. The G4 again shines, displaying ample detail in dark scenes without the black crush seen in many sets. The film’s grain and warm yet accurate colors offer an authentic experience, as intended by the director.

Overall, the G4 is an outstanding TV for movie enthusiasts.

Sound

Experience the ultimate in audio quality with our top-of-the-line speakers. Designed to deliver crisp, clear sound, these speakers will immerse you in your favorite music, movies, and more. Whether you're a casual listener or an audiophile, our products cater to all your auditory needs.

Our speakers are crafted with precision engineering, ensuring every note is reproduced with the highest fidelity. You can count on deep bass, balanced midrange, and sparkling highs, all while maintaining a natural and dynamic soundstage.

Don't just take our word for it. Explore our range of audio solutions and elevate your listening experience today. For more details and to see what others are saying, visit our website.

LG TVs have historically struggled with sound performance in test rooms. Since the first-generation G and C-series OLEDs appeared, poor audio has been a persistent issue for LG TVs.

Out of the box, the Standard sound setting is flat and thin, suitable only for casual viewing. However, switching to the AI Sound Pro mode brings noticeable improvements.

In the third scene of Blade Runner 2049, featuring disembodied voices moving around an apartment, the difference is stark compared to the G3. Dialogue stands out with nice directionality and separation from background noise, enhancing clarity and making it easier to get immersed in conversations.

In the second scene of the same movie, known for its booming bass, the G4 shows clear advancements. Unlike the G3, which tries to compensate for poor bass by pushing it forward, the G4 takes a more controlled approach. This precision gives the bass a distinct place over the soundtrack's synths.

Still, the G4 is far from the best-sounding TV on the market. The sound remains thin, lacking the dynamism needed for an immersive home cinema experience. Watching Oppenheimer, bomb blasts feel weaker and less impactful than with even a moderately priced soundbar, like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). Higher frequencies also suffer, prone to sibilance.

Strings in the Oppenheimer soundtrack have a nasally, acidic quality that distracts from the movie. The same happens with the opening scene of Top Gun: Maverick. The speakers' thin quality undermines Kenny Loggins' iconic Danger Zone, which lacks the dynamics and power to get any excitement going.

Despite LG's improvements, we still recommend using a separate sound system with the G4. This advice applies to almost every TV we review, but it’s particularly relevant here.

Verdict

In conclusion, this product delivers outstanding performance and reliability. It's an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their setup without compromising on quality. With its user-friendly features and sleek design, it's sure to impress both novices and experts alike. Whether you're upgrading your current system or starting fresh, this product is a top contender in its category.

Overall, we believe it offers great value for money, combining performance and aesthetics seamlessly. Don't miss out on this exceptional product – it's a worthy addition to any tech enthusiast's collection.

The G4 marks a significant leap forward for LG TVs. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, LG’s second generation MLA OLED technology builds impressively on its predecessor. Key highlights include exceptional HDR performance, vibrant and accurate colors from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows, and outstanding motion handling. Combined with a robust suite of gaming features, the G4 is an excellent choice for any home cinema aficionado looking to upgrade to next-generation OLED.

On the downside, despite LG's commendable efforts, the G4’s audio leaves something to be desired. The sound remains thin, and higher frequencies aren’t managed well, making an external sound system a necessary addition for an optimal home cinema experience.

Nevertheless, given how prevalent this issue is among many of the TVs we review, it’s hardly a deal breaker. When you consider the G4’s superior picture quality, it stands out as a fantastic flagship OLED TV well worth your consideration.