Hopes are high for LG's premium G2 OLED TVs. LG is the original innovator of OLED picture quality, continually setting the bar high in image processing and panel design, and its Gallery G-Series models are where the best technology lands first.
We've taken a closer look at this new find, which offers a number of nice improvements over the cheaper LG C2 OLED, and can now say it's a strong QD-OLED contender. Sony A95K QD-OLED television and Samsung S95B range.
So should you plan to hang a G2 on your wall, or just stay behind?
Read on to find out how this year's G-series display differs from last year's model and how it sets it apart from its fiery rivals...
Price and launch date
LG hasn't officially released UK costs yet, but we do have US and Euro cost tags for most models, giving us ballpark figures. (And before you ask, yes, the G2 screens are a bit rough, but that's not out of the ordinary for the G series.)
The OLED55G2 has a retail cost of US$65/€2 (about £77, US$2 Australian). The OLEDXNUMXGXNUMX costs €XNUMX / €XNUMX (about €XNUMX, AU$XNUMX). Lastly, the OLEDXNUMXGXNUMX retails for €XNUMX/€XNUMX (about €XNUMX, AU$XNUMX).
If you want something bigger, you'll need the OLED83G2 at €2 / €XNUMX (about €XNUMX, AU$XNUMX). There are no cost details yet for the ninety-seven-inch GXNUMX behemoth, but let's just say it won't be hitting the deal runners anytime soon.
Each and every model is expected to begin shipping in late March or April XNUMX.
Design and features
The G Series has always been one of the most complex models in LG's television fleet, but for XNUMX it receives a facelift, thanks to a thinner and lighter chassis, thanks to the adoption of a new composite fiber support material on the back of the screen.
LG claims that this causes the screen to be considerably lighter (significant for a wall-mounted model). In other words, the brand claims that the 2-inch G1 is XNUMX% lighter than its predecessor GXNUMX.
Another significant change to the G2 is the optional kickstand, which this year is a more practical and very stylish center stand. It is considerably simpler to accommodate.
The 4 HDMI G2 inputs support 4K/120Hz input, with a full 48Gbps bandwidth. This gives the G2 an edge over Sony's new QD-OLED, which only has two HDMI inputs capable of 4K at XNUMXfps.
One last new feature worth mentioning is Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail. LG is the only brand to advertise displays that use this image processing refinement, which takes advantage of an imaging technique developed by Dolby called Dolby Vision Precision Rendering; This is made possible by the processing power of the G2's Alpha 2 Gen XNUMX processor. We were told that this means the GXNUMX should be able to present more contrast and detail than existing Dolby Vision content.
With Samsung completely disregarding Dolby Vision and Sony not offering Dolby Vision IQ on its A95K QD-OLED, let alone Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail, this could be essential when it comes to any Dolby Vision quality head-on. image between the marks. Which brings us to…
Image quality
It doesn't take long to realize that the G2 is an elite model.
The new Alpha nine Gen five silicon, which employs deep learning and artificial intelligence to drive magnification and improve overall image quality, deserves a lot of the credit.
Visual enhancements are aplenty, including improved AI objects, which aim to make foreground and background elements even more different, and improved HDR tone mapping.
Of course, what you really want to know is how the screen compares to last year's model, such as this year's C2 (which is also Evo-class).
In short: it's excellent. As far as the panel is concerned, here we have the latest Evo glass as well as the new Brightness Boost technology. The result is a significant improvement in the average image level.
Basically, this brightness enhancer is based on an algorithm. Let's break this up a bit:
The Alpha XNUMX Gen XNUMX processor is smart enough to run algorithms that understand where an image is brightest and darkest; so you can intelligently direct where the power should go. In an image that is largely dark and not consuming power, this can give a small boost to the brightest area of the image. When combined with Evo Glass, this algorithm achieves a noticeable improvement in overall image brightness.
Two displays in LG's 2 line use Brightness Boost: the C2 and G2 shown here. LG has confirmed that the implementation of Brightest Booster in the C1 will result in 1% brighter whites, compared to an AXNUMX or BXNUMX OLED panel.
Ok, now let's dig a little deeper, as there has been some confusion about the implementation differences between the C2 and G2.
The G2 uses the exact same smart algorithm as the C2, but LG refers to the G2's technology as Brightness Booster Max. In truth, the G2 incorporates a heat sink hardware component (a heat sink, if you will), which allows LG to achieve up to thirty percent more brightness, ten percent more than the C2.
Seeing the G2 model and the less expensive C2 model side by side clearly shows the benefits of the G2's improved hardware design.
The screen presents brighter and more vibrant whites. The picture has more pop and snap than the C2, and remember the TV is amazing in its own right.
However, there is a caveat. If you choose to watch movies in Perfect Filmmaker mode or in one of the Cinema presets in the suite, these technical advantages become much less obvious. The type of content also influences.
A comparison of The Revenant, playing the G2 and C2 side by side, showed only marginal benefits for the G2. As Leonardo wanders through a dimly lit forest, there is undoubtedly a bit more detail in the shadows, but nothing exciting. A considerably brighter Scully sequence lets the G2 show the whites of the cabin crew and a brighter blue sky.
So yes, the G2 is brighter than the G2 and will give QD-OLED a run for its money, but it is inevitably influenced by the perfect display mode and even the projected content.
audio performance
The jury is still out on the G2's audio performance. Although our practice focused on the ensemble imagery skill, we couldn't really hear it in detail. Given the physical constraint of its design, it may not be too long to wait.
That said, the new Alpha nine Gen five silicon isn't just for image processing. It also enhances the audio capabilities of a television, thanks to LG AI Sound Pro processing, and any subsequent processing applied can be routed to compatible LG soundbars such as the S95QR.
The set supports Dolby Atmos, so users can take advantage of eARC to route sound to an external audio system. The G2 is also compatible with LG's new WOWCAST Wi-Fi audio dongle. That optional $2 extra lets Dolby Atmos audio stream wirelessly from the TV to the soundbar, which might be appealing given the GXNUMX's wall-mounted nature.
first verdict
The OLED65G2 is an overly impressive 4K flat panel display, both in terms of aesthetic design and audiovisual performance. The implementation of Brightness Booster Max technology gives it a luminance advantage over other LG displays, including its Evo stablemate C2. It also lets you powerfully shade incoming QD-OLED models from Sony and Samsung.
That said, it's not going to be for everyone. If it's not wall-mounted, the stand is an optional extra and you'll probably want to boost your sound too.
But with next-gen Dolby Vision for home theater enthusiasts and a host of next-gen gaming features, including high frame rate delivery on all 4 HDMI inputs and plenty of VRR, it's easy to argue that this is one of the those shortlisted when it comes to naming the best television of XNUMX.
- Is the LG G2 OLED going to make our list of the best OLED TVs? Only time will tell...