If you're searching for a top-notch TV that fits snugly into a modest-sized space, the LG OLED48C1 should be on your radar. This TV not only boasts impressive picture quality, but it also excels in delivering an exceptional gaming experience.

LG has long been at the forefront of OLED technology, and their C-series sets are no exception. Before 2021, these TVs were already top contenders, known for their incredible dark detail and vivid, vibrant colors—a hallmark of OLED screens.

Gamers especially will find the LG OLED48C1 appealing for two main reasons. First, its compact size is perfect whether it's being used as a secondary gaming screen in the bedroom or as the primary TV in a cozier living room.

But perhaps more importantly, LG is committed to keeping their TVs up-to-date with the latest apps, services, and picture processing technologies. This means that with the OLED48C1, you get the assurance that your TV will support the latest next-generation gaming standards. If there's a new feature available that can enhance your TV's performance, LG’s OTA (Over The Air) updates will ensure you get it promptly.

Price

When it comes to value for your money, this product is a standout choice. Affordable yet packed with impressive features, it promises not to disappoint.

Why Choose This Product?

• Exceptional Quality: Enjoy a premium feel at a budget-friendly price.

• Durability: Built to last, ensuring that your investment is secure.

• Efficient Performance: Engineered for top-notch functionality without breaking the bank.

Affordable Excellence

Experience the perfect balance of cost and benefits, making this an excellent addition to your collection. Whether you're a savvy shopper or just looking to get the best bang for your buck, this product has something to offer for everyone.

For more details and customer reviews, check out the product page.

The LG OLED48C1 comes with an attractive price tag: £1099 in the UK, where you’ll see it listed as the ‘LG OLED48C14LB’. In the US, the ‘LG OLED48C1PUB’ is available for $1297. In Australia, look for the LG OLED48C1PTB priced at AU$2095. You can also find this model in 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, and 83-inch sizes.

Build

When it comes to constructing a reliable device, the attention to detail and the quality of materials used play pivotal roles. This build is no exception. Every element has been thoughtfully engineered to ensure longevity and robust performance.

Design

The sleek design not only looks modern but also ensures ergonomic comfort. The placement of buttons and ports is intuitive, allowing for effortless use. You'll appreciate the meticulous workmanship that has gone into crafting this product.

Materials

High-grade materials are used throughout, promising durability and a premium feel. This isn't just about aesthetics; these materials also contribute to the overall functionality and resilience of the device.

Assembly

Every unit is assembled with precision. The quality control processes guarantee that each device meets stringent standards, providing you with a product you can trust.

Overall, the build quality of this device is exemplary, setting a high bar for the industry. It's designed to not only meet your needs but exceed your expectations, making it a standout choice in the market.

The packaging advises that two people are recommended to build and position the LG OLED48C1. This makes sense given the investment, but thanks to its manageable size and weight, you can likely handle and set it up solo without much hassle.

The edge-to-edge glass design is sleek, featuring only a minimal black bezel. With this streamlined frame, it might occupy no more space than an older 42-inch TV. However, it's still a good idea to measure your space to be sure.

As usual, the OLED panel is incredibly thin, while the base houses the necessary electronics and speakers. This classic design, anchored by LG's central plinth-style stand, has been a staple for their top-range TVs over the years. It’s both smart and consistent.

For 2021, the LG Magic Remote has received an update, adopting a more rectangular shape compared to the previous curvy versions. Despite the change, it retains gesture control and voice capabilities. Although the scroll wheel’s dual function as a select button can be a bit tricky, the remote remains highly functional and user-friendly.

When it comes to connectivity, LG covers all bases. The TV boasts four HDMI 2.1 ports, three USB ports, headphone and optical-out jacks, and supports Bluetooth for wireless audio. Plus, it’s Freesat compatible.

Features

Discover the standout features that make our product a game-changer in the market. With a sleek design and cutting-edge technology, it offers a user-friendly experience that's second to none.

Innovative Design

Our product boasts a modern, stylish look that fits seamlessly into any environment. The intuitive interface ensures you can navigate effortlessly, making it ideal for both tech enthusiasts and casual users.

Advanced Technology

Equipped with the latest advancements, it delivers unparalleled performance and efficiency. Whether you're using it for work or leisure, you can count on reliable and swift operation.

User-Centric Features

• Easy-to-use controls

• Customizable settings

• Robust security measures

Our product is designed with you in mind, ensuring every feature enhances your experience.

Connectivity

Stay connected with multiple options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB. Seamlessly integrate with your existing devices and enjoy smooth, uninterrupted connectivity.

Explore the possibilities and elevate your lifestyle with our innovative product. It's not just a purchase; it's an investment in a smarter, more connected future.

One of the top reasons to buy an LG TV is its extensive array of features. The only minor limitation is its lack of support for Samsung’s HDR10+ standard. However, with Dolby Vision reigning as the market leader in dynamic HDR, this isn’t a significant drawback. Additionally, Dolby Vision IQ can be activated by enabling LG’s AI Brightness Setting, which adjusts your screen’s output based on the ambient light in your room while watching Dolby Vision content.

The core of the TV’s functionality is driven by LG's latest Alpha 9 processor, specifically the quad-core Alpha 9 Gen 4. This new version brings several picture and sound enhancements. Its Object Enhancement technology can now identify entire bodies, faces, animals, cars, and more. Sound can be upmixed to an Atmos-virtualised 5.1.2 format.

New features include Scene Detection, which dynamically optimizes the picture based on the type of scene, and Auto Volume Levelling, ensuring consistent sound levels between different sources. This means no more sudden volume spikes when switching back to live TV from streaming services.

For gamers, the TV's appeal is undeniable. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 40Gbps, 4K@120Hz, VRR (in all current formats), and ALLM. Impressively, input lag is less than 13ms, and eARC is also supported.

LG’s updated TV operating system for 2021, webOS 6.0, is rich with apps and services, though it does lack BT Sports, Apple Music, and TuneIn. It supports mirroring via AirPlay 2 and is generally user-friendly and enjoyable to use.

While the home page is somewhat cluttered and more focused on trending content rather than personalized recommendations, it performs well and is more intuitive than many alternatives.

Picture

When it comes to visuals, clarity and vibrancy are paramount. Make sure your display settings are optimized for the best picture quality. This simple tweak can significantly enhance your viewing experience, making colors pop and details come to life. Adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness to suit your environment and personal preferences.

Calibrating Your Display

Calibration can seem daunting, but it's worth the effort. Begin by accessing your screen's settings menu. Use standard calibration tools or follow the guidelines provided by your manufacturer. A well-calibrated screen reduces eye strain and provides a more immersive experience.

• Brightness: Set this according to the ambient light; darker rooms need lower brightness.

• Contrast: Enhance this to define shadows and highlights better.

• Sharpness: Adjust until edges are clear, but not overly sharp or jagged.

Advanced Tips

For enthusiasts, consider professional calibration services. They can deliver precision that might be challenging to achieve manually. Investing in a high-quality HDMI cable can also make a noticeable difference in picture quality.

Remember, the ultimate goal is a pleasing, realistic image that enhances your viewing pleasure.

LG deserves praise for its well-calibrated picture presets for 2021. The Standard and Cinema modes offer genuine out-of-the-box options for different tastes. The Standard mode is more contrasty, while the Cinema mode provides a natural and believable image, though the motion processing might need some adjustment.

For the best experience, switch to Cinema Home. Fine-tune with the sharpness slider and adjust the color temperature to your preference, achieving the ideal look in just minutes.

Watching Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 on 4K Blu-ray, LG’s OLED processing impresses by revealing dark details in the fireside scene on Berhert. The flickering campfire side lighting shows good tonal variation across the faces of Ego and the Guardians. Shadow details remain clear, allowing us to see the textures of Gamora’s black leather clothing and the bark on the trees around her.

Inside Ego’s craft, the sculpted white curves of the egg-shaped vessel’s interior look wonderfully three-dimensional when not overused with the contrast enhancer. With Peak Brightness on High and the HDR Tone Mapping filter active, the picture achieves an excellent balance between dynamism and subtlety.

Quill’s oxblood coat looks striking and glossy without losing the finer touches of the scene, like the faint freckles on Mantis’s skin or the variety of grey strands in her hair. The colors are stunning, from the yolk-colored walls to the kaleidoscope of hues on Ego’s planet.

For motion, Cinematic Movement is your go-to preset. Watching the intro to Jack Reacher on Blu-ray, there's a minor hint of judder as the camera glides over Pittsburgh, but overall, the action remains smooth without any soap opera effect or processing artifacts as the shooter’s car drives beneath bridges and cables on the way to his spree at the car park.

The Alpha 9 Gen 4 handles upscaling quite well, especially for films that may appear noisy. The filters manage to eliminate the worst of the noise, while retaining impressive skin details in close-ups. Tom Cruise’s battle-hardened Reacher character is depicted with pits and scars, just as you'd expect.

Blacks are deep, and colors hold steady, especially in the overhead shot of the crime scene. The foliage appears realistic, and there’s a lovely indigo tint to the riverside walk's paving slabs.

Interestingly, the 'Eco' preset provides the quickest access to the ideal SDR picture. This is because viewing is optimal without many brightness boosters, which can otherwise wash out the details. Add a small amount of the contrast enhancer, fine-tune with the contrast slider, and you’ll have a perfect picture.

The outcome is well worth it. In the two-shot of Cruise and Rosamund Pike in profile during the cafe scene, the whites are stunning. Pike’s pale skin and hair, her lilac shirt, and the white crockery on the table are all rendered beautifully with the right texture and material feel, from gloss to matte, and porcelain to fabric.

Taking a quick look at BBC News 24, the LG performs typically of any 4K set asked to upscale a large amount. Colors don’t clash, and faces look fine in close-ups, though they are understandably soft and lacking detail. There’s a bit of ghosting on the edge of the time and ticker at the screen's bottom, and objects look slightly rough from a distance, but that's typical for SD viewing.

Sound

Experience rich and immersive sound quality with our latest audio systems. Our aim is to bring you crystal-clear audio, perfect for any setting. Whether you're listening to your favorite music, watching a movie, or diving into a podcast, our technology ensures an exceptional auditory experience.

Key Features

• High-Fidelity Sound: Enjoy a true-to-life audio output that enhances your listening pleasure.

• Advanced Noise Cancellation: Filter out unwanted background noise for a clearer and more focused sound.

• Seamless Connectivity: Connect effortlessly to your devices via Bluetooth or wired options.

Why Choose Our Audio Systems?

We prioritize quality and customer satisfaction. Our audio systems are designed to be user-friendly and durable, making them a great investment for any audio enthusiast. Upgrade your sound experience with us today!

The audio performance of LG’s C-series has significantly improved over the past few years. The previous muddled sound from rear-firing speakers has been replaced by a 2.2ch 40W setup at the bottom edge of the TV. This change is similar to the CX-range from 2020 but brings a different presentation. This year's focus is on clarity, which is a welcome decision, even if it means sacrificing a bit of impact here and there.

Revisiting Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, there's a level of detail that was previously missing in older LG OLED models. The dialogue between Peter and Gamora on Ego’s planet is delivered in a crisp and clear fashion, and the sound of the two ears of 'space corn' rubbing together is as rasping and irritating as expected.

When Nebula attacks her sister, the LG’s 5.1.2 virtualiser does an excellent job of spreading the sound. Bullets seem to rain down in the correct locations, and the craft's whooshing sound extends well beyond the TV frame.

While there’s enough dynamism to feel some of those blasts at Gamora’s feet, the overall sense of excitement could be improved. Most of the time it's good, but occasionally an effect seems to get lost in the soundtrack. Some of Nebula’s crash landing impacts don’t seem to match the onscreen action for power.

You can get a more consistently impactful sound by turning off the Dolby Atmos processing, and increasing the volume, but the bass can become muddied, which detracts from the clarity that LG has worked hard to achieve this year.

The optimal solution is, of course, to invest in a soundbar or a dedicated home cinema system. But you probably already knew that, right?

Verdict

The LG OLED48C1 is a fantastic all-around TV, a recommendation that comes easily. While the Philips 48OLED806 might excel in pure cinematic performance, this LG model offers greater usability and is significantly easier to optimize.

Even for those less interested in next-gen gaming features, LG's commitment to promptly adding them when available speaks volumes about the brand's dedication to offering the latest apps, services, and features. LG consistently keeps its TVs up to date, a quality not all competitors can match, ensuring a superior experience for both film and TV viewing.