The LG C2 OLED is a high-end TV that comes after the very popular LG C1 OLED. Self-emissive OLED TVs like the C2 don’t need a backlight like LCD TVs, so they can show a nearly perfect contrast ratio in dark rooms, with deep blacks and no blooming or haloing around bright objects. It has the same webOS smart interface as other LG TVs, which has been slightly updated for 2022 by adding user profiles and making a few other small changes. This year, there is a big focus on gaming features, like support for GeForce Now and Stadia game streaming, and it comes in a wider range of sizes than previous models, including the first-ever 42-inch OLED panel. LG’s “C” line of OLED TVs is usually the most popular. It comes after the “Gallery Style” LG G2 OLED and before the “Hard to Find” LG B2 OLED.
1. Prices and options for the LG C2 OLED TV
Even though the number of ports is the same for all three sizes, it’s important to remember that only the 55-inch LG C2 OLED TV and larger has the new evo panel, so the smaller two models might not work as well. We think the 48-inch and 42-inch sets might be more like the LG C1 OLED TV in how they work. Other than that, the 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, and 83-inch models all use OLED evo and should work the same.
The LG C2 OLED TV is definitely more expensive than the best cheap TVs, but it’s a little cheaper than the LG G2 OLED TV (65 inches, $2,999). So, you might be able to save money on the C2 OLED TV if you look for the best TV deals during the holiday season.
2. LG C2 OLED TV review: Design
The LG C2 OLED TV is a well-known and beautiful piece of technology. The panel itself is so thin that it can’t be real. The top half of the TV is only 0.1 inches thick. Even though the compartment for the parts sticks out on the bottom half of the back chassis, the whole thing is still very sleek.
A central stand keeps the TV steady on a table or console, but one of the best TV mounts can also be used to hang it on the wall (VESA 300mm x 300mm.) This could be a reason to buy the C2 instead of the G2, which doesn’t come with feet and needs a special mount to be set up.
3. LG C2 OLED TV review: Ports
Four HDMI ports can be found on the LG C2 OLED TV. All four are HDMI 2.1 and support 4K at 120Hz. One of them also supports HDMI ARC/eARC (enhanced audio return channel). We have a Blu-Ray player, a sound bar, and a gaming console, so having all 2.1 inputs is helpful. These HDMI ports have a variable refresh rate and an auto-low latency mode, so the PS5 and Xbox Series X can use their next-generation graphics. The LG C2 also works with AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync.
4. LG C2 OLED TV review: Performance
The Alpha 9 Gen 5 Processor 4K powers the upscaling on the LG C2 OLED TV, and the addition of OLED evo promises a better and brighter picture overall. Now, when evo came out last year on the LG G1 OLED, it didn’t live up to its promises, so we went into this review with low hopes. Our tests with an X-Rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer, a SpectraCal VideoForge Pro pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software showed that the C2 was up to the task.
The LG C2 OLED TV’s 1.7 Delta-E score is a big plus when it comes to color accuracy. With a score of 1.3, the LG G2 OLED TV is a little more accurate, but the average viewer can’t tell the difference between scores under 2.
5. LG C2 OLED TV review: Audio
The LG C2 OLED TV’s internal speakers now have 7.1.2 channel sound instead of 5.1.2 channel sound. We didn’t notice a huge difference, but LG’s built-in OLED speakers are usually pretty good because they support Dolby Atmos and have an AI sound feature that makes the soundscape more immersive.
6. LG C2 OLED TV review: Interface and apps
All LG 2022 TVs come with webOS 22, an interface that puts everything on a home page that takes up the whole screen. The interface is mostly the same as the ones on the best LG TVs from last year, but user profiles have been added to help make suggestions and keep each user’s content handy.
The LG 2022 TV’s “Always Ready” tool has a “background” mode that shows art, photos, or a music player when nothing is being watched. Samsung has done a great job with Ambient Mode and even more so with The Frame 2022, so it’s clear that LG wants to make something similar.
7. LG C2 OLED TV review: Remote
The LG C2 OLED TV remote, which is called the Magic Remote, is mostly the same as it was in previous years. It offers a simplified experience, even though it has more buttons than some other top TV remotes. You can move around by using buttons, a wireless cursor, or motion controls, which feel like they came straight from the Nintendo Wii.
All View
The LG C2 OLED TV is the new benchmark for all the TVs we’ve gotten this year. It has almost everything we want in a high-end OLED TV, including a great design, great performance, a smart TV platform, and more.
Even though the LG G2 OLED is a beautiful TV, it’s hard to set up and needs to be done by a professional. It’s also not as good for gaming. Plus, it costs more than the C2 by a few hundred dollars. This is why most people will want to buy the LG C2 OLED TV this year.
