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Superb images from LG’s brightest OLED TV to date
The LG G3 has a few small issues, but overall, it’s a success.
The most influential business in bringing OLED technology to the forefront is LG, and their newest flagship OLED TV, the G3, is no exception. Still, LG has set a new standard with the G3, which surpasses all of its predecessors in many respects and brings brightness to a whole new level.
Even if it has dropped a bit since its launch in March 2023, the LG G3 is still priced like a premium flagship TV. On the other hand, the Samsung S95C is a similarly equipped TV that is available for less money right now. I’m sure the two will compete with price cuts. You can find a G3 in about any size you want, from 55 inches all the way up to 83 inches (though the 83-inch has a less bright panel and will behave differently). If you’re looking for something smaller, though, you could always check out the LG C3, which is also one of the best OLED TVs.
The G3 has revolutionary picture quality because of its next-gen image processor and Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which enhances the brightness of its already outstanding OLED Evo screen. The G3’s picture is absolutely breathtaking, right up there with the best of what the best of the finest have to offer in terms of vibrant colors, sharp textures, deep blacks, and dynamic contrast.
While the LG G3’s internal audio is passable—with surprisingly deep bass in certain modes and generally audible dialogue—it would be even better with a top-tier speaker to complement its stunning display. Consider TVs like the Samsung S90C or Sony A80L if you place a premium on having excellent built-in audio.
When it comes to gaming, the LG G3 is like being in heaven. The specifications are top-notch for gaming, with support for 4K at 120 Hz across all four 2.1 HDMI ports, 120 Hz Dolby Vision gaming, VRR, and ALLM. When you add in the Game Optimizer’s picture mode and the user-friendly Game Dashboard interface, it’s impossible to find fault with it.
webOS 23, the operating system for LG smart TVs, is simpler and more user-friendly than webOS 22, the software from last year. It gives you more control over how you organize apps with the Quick Card feature, and you can even make suggestions based on your preferences. Since last year’s recommendations were a bit much, it’s good to hear that webOS 23 has reduced their number.
When wall-mounted, the G3’s beautiful, bezel-less design makes it a show-stopping television. However, the fact that a desktop stand is not included and will be sold separately makes it even more inconvenient for those who prefer to use a stand with this TV; instead, it comes with a specialized wall mount that eliminates gaps.
An excellent option among the many TVs available is the LG G3, which offers picture quality that rivals that of competing models and is ideal for a wide range of uses, from gaming and movie marathons to casual daytime viewing. The LG C3 and the Sony A80L are two examples of affordable high-quality OLEDs; nevertheless, when compared to the G3, these models lack the G3’s brightness and other features. If you’re in the market for a top-tier 4K television, the G3 is a strong contender, but the Samsung S95C is our top pick owing to its superior sound and excellent external connections box, which gives it a little better overall value.
Price and Availability
For the 55-inch model, prices start at $2,099 / £1,999 / AU$4,195 when it is released in March 2023. The 83-inch model can go up to $5,799 / £5,999 / AU$10,995.
Among LG’s premium OLEDs, the G3 is right up there with the 8K Z3 series, the LG M3 (which boasts insane wireless capabilities), and others. The 55-inch G3 version cost $2,099 / £1,999 / AU$4,195 when it was released in March 2023. The 65-inch version costs $2,799 / £2,699 / AU$ 5,295 at the same time. The 77-inch version cost $3999 / £4,299 / AU$8,395 at the same time. The 83-inch version cost $5,799 / £5,999 / AU$10,995 at the same time. Along with its main rival, the Samsung S95C, it had a reasonable pricing point.
Even while the LG G3’s price has reduced in the months after its release, it is still significantly more expensive than most OLEDs. Despite its high price tag, the G3 is still competitive when compared to other TVs with comparable specs, such as the Samsung S95C or Sony A95L.
Specs
Micro Lens Array (OLED) screen type
Frame rate: 120 hertz
High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatibility: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HRG
We support Dolby Atmos and DTS for audio.
Operating System: webOS 23
Four HDMI 2.1 ports
Features
• 4.K 120Hz with Dolby Vision support for gaming
• Alpha 9 Gen6 processor
• Micro Lens Array (MLA) OLED Evo panel
As organic light-emitting diode technology (OLED) develops further, the LG G3 has what the company calls Brightness Booster Max, a light-boosting mechanism that, according to LG, makes the G3 70% brighter than OLEDs of earlier generations.
The LG G3’s Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology is the secret ingredient that makes this possible. It’s a layer of tiny lenses that sits atop the OLED panel and lets a lot more light from the panel reach your eyes. The G3 stands out from LG’s lineup thanks to its MLA tech, which is missing on the cheaper LG C3. Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG are all supported by the LG G3, however HDR10+ isn’t. This is a problem with all LG TVs.
The LG G3 has a tonne of features that gamers will love, like support for Dolby Vision, four 4K 120Hz HDMI connectors, virtual reality range extenders (VRR) that work with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and compatibility with HGiG and ALLM. With its powerful Alpha 9 Gen6 processor, the G3 is ready to take on any game or image-processing task.
The goal of the 4.2-channel speaker system is to achieve audio that can match the on-screen picture by improving upon the audio performance of other OLEDs. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS.
Among the many popular apps available on the newly revamped webOS 23 smart TV platform are Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and Apple TV Plus. With the reduction of ads and recommendations, the webOS 23 home screen can now fit onto two pages instead of four, resulting in a more organized appearance.
Additionally, the home screen now features a new Quick Cards system that organizes apps by genre, such as Sports, Music, and so on.
Picture Clarity
The picture is detailed and realistic, and the dark depths are deep.
Let’s begin with some numerical data: In Filmmaker HDR mode, the LG G3 achieved a peak brightness of 1,449 nits on a 10% window.
This is slightly brighter than the 1,400 nits obtained by the Samsung S95C, making it the brightest OLED that we have measured thus far. While 219 nits is respectable, it is far lower than the 265 nits we measured with the S95C while using a full 100% window.
These measurements back up LG’s claims that the G3 will be 70% brighter than its prior OLED TVs. Using the same Filmmaker mode as the G3, the LG C3 achieved 830 nits, which is slightly more than half of the G3’s score, whereas last year’s LG G2 reached 1,000 nits in a 10% window when tested in the bright Vivid mode. The MLA panel on the G3 has unquestionably increased the peak brightness.
While conducting this test, I utilized the 65-inch G3. It is important to mention that the 83-inch G3 does not contain MLA, so it is expected to have a brightness performance similar to the LG G2. However, we have not personally verified this.
Once again, the LG’s color fidelity was superb in Filmmaker HDR mode, with an average Delta-E value of slightly under three. Here, we can see how the on-screen color differs from the test pattern; we’re relieved that values below three are considered TV-safe. Impressive results were achieved with both DCI-P3 (the color space used for mastering 4K Blu-rays and digital cinema releases) and BT.2020, with a coverage of 98% and 73.8%, respectively. Similarly impressive were the grayscale Delta-E values, which evaluated the accuracy of black levels and contrast, with an average of about 1.9.
Upon initial observation, it was clear that the G3, equipped with its MLA panel and anti-glare screen, effortlessly handled the intense overhead lights and spotlights present in the testing area. We raised the lights to gauge its performance. The LG G3 should work quite fine in most bright interior environments, as the only reflections were from some poorly positioned overhead lights. Even though neither of these options can compete with mini-LED TVs like the Samsung QN95C, the Samsung S95C’s slightly higher full-screen brightness will make it a better choice for really bright, sunny settings. However, the G3’s handling of the light testing environment is still really remarkable, even with only minor reflections.
The LG G3 has stunning out-of-the-box photos. I tested the G3’s color, sharpness, contrast, and brightness capabilities by cycling through various picture presets, revealing the full extent of the MLA panel’s capabilities and putting these settings through their paces in a few scenes from The Batman, beginning with the scene where the hero uses a flare to guide people through a room that is both dark and flooded. The colors were vibrant, and the picture was passable in standard mode. However, the black levels were shallow, and the brightness was overdone.
But when I switched to Cinema mode, the contrast was much more even, and the G3 showed off its ability to emphasize shadows, adding a lot of detail to the final product. The G3’s Filmmaker mode took it a step further, enhancing the flare with a subtle yet bright vibe that was eye-catching without being overbearing. Similarly, the black levels were superb in the scene where Batman makes his debut in a subway brawl, making the gloomy shadows and intricate details of Batman’s suit look authentic.
While in Filmmaker mode, I tested out Dolby Vision HDR content by streaming a lightsaber battle from Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus. It featured lightsabers whose vibrant colors were eye-catching without being blinding. The scene had a lot of red—the guards’ uniforms, Kylo Ren’s lightsaber, and even part of the backdrop—but the G3 managed the brightness effectively, creating an effect that was both natural and eye-catching.
More HDR content testing with the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark Blu-ray brought out the G3’s already remarkable picture quality in a variety of demo materials. The G3’s ability to manage bright whites without muddying the image is on full display in a number of wintry scenarios. Excellent contrast levels were captured in a number of cityscape nighttime pictures, thanks to the stark contrast between the night sky and the brilliant skyscraper lights.
In terms of motion, the G3 had no trouble keeping up with intense action sequences. Even with almost no motion processing enabled in Filmmaker mode, the G3 breezed through the Batmobile chase sequence in The Batman, giving the impression of fluidity to the car’s nimble handling. The G3s’ processing power also kept the picture clarity and detail intact when the swooping fighter aircraft careered through the air at a dazzling velocity throughout both the training and final missions of Top Gun: Maverick.
The G3’s picture settings provide many options to alter in order to avoid the dreaded “soap opera” appearance, which might be a problem if you prefer a brighter picture mode like Standard (avoid Vivid at all costs!). Trumotion, the motion processing engine, does produce this effect. Stick with Filmmaker mode if you want the finest picture; it really brings out the G3’s best features and puts it in the same league as the top OLED TVs.
Final Thoughts
With the addition of brighter OLED TV technology, the LG G3 ups the ante and produces a breathtaking image by increasing the contrast. Amazing gaming performance and a high-end design come together in the G3 to show that classic OLED technology isn’t dead yet. However, there are high-end alternatives that offer better value for the money.
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