The Pro model, or ‘C5E’ as it is also known, is a special edition that is only available in a few places. It sits between the standard C5 model and the more expensive top-of-the-range G5 in the hierarchy. For just a little more, you reportedly get higher brightness than the standard version. But how much more do you actually get for your money – and does that mean you can get one step closer to the spectacular image quality of the high-end G5?

Design and build quality

From the outside, the OLED C5 Pro looks very similar to the regular C5. It has the same slim design and the same centre-mounted stand. The only difference is that the Pro model has a brown colour on the stand and chassis (LG calls it ‘Umber Brown’), while the regular C5 is silver. The C5 Pro also comes in the same screen sizes as the C5, with one exception, as the largest 83-inch model is missing.

Usability and features

When we unpacked our test model of the LG OLED C5 Pro, we got a little surprise: the Pro model comes with the classic Magic Remote and not the latest type used by the regular C5 and many other LG models this year. It seems like a slightly strange choice for a model that markets itself as ‘more professional’?

However, LG has informed L&B Tech Reviews that they are in the process of resolving this remote control issue. Those who purchase an OLED C5 Pro will therefore receive the new remote control, and those who have already purchased a C5 Pro are asked to contact the store or LG’s customer service to have a new remote control sent to them.

For the record, we can mention that both remote controls have been updated with the new AI assist button in the middle, so the functionality is roughly the same.

When it comes to the actual user experience, we are also in familiar territory here: the WebOS 25 operating system is the same as on the other 2025 models, with the option of user profiles and support for all major streaming services.

On the connectivity side, you get four HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K/120 Hz, lightning-fast game mode and all types of VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) – making the TV extremely suitable for gaming. LG’s Game Optimiser menu has plenty of useful settings for gamers.

The TV also supports Dolby Vision (including Filmmaker Mode) and Dolby Atmos, but as usual, HDR10+ and DTS audio are conspicuous by their absence.

Picture quality

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

So, to the main point: How does the OLED C5 Pro compare to both the C5 and G5? Firstly, in terms of hardware, the Pro uses exactly the same display panel as the C5. It is not an advanced hybrid model, nor has LG chosen to use the MLA panel from last year’s G4 on this one. So it’s no surprise that the image quality is very close to the standard version of the C5.

LG itself says that the brightness should be slightly higher than a standard C5, but is somewhat cryptic in the way it is stated. While the C5 should deliver approximately 150 per cent higher brightness than a standard B5 OLED, the C5 Pro delivers 165 per cent.

And the C5 Pro does indeed deliver a slight boost in brightness – we measured around 200 nits more than the standard C5 (around 1,400 nits versus 1,200 nits in a 10 per cent window). This makes a noticeable difference in high-brightness HDR effects, such as explosions, sunlight and reflections, where our eyes are immediately drawn to the C5 Pro.

The C5 Pro also has marginally higher brightness in SDR mode. But the difference is far from dramatic, and in most scenes the image looks almost identical to the standard C5, just a little brighter. But it’s worth keeping in mind if you watch a lot of TV in daylight.

The G5 is still a class above

When we compare it to the OLED G5, however, the difference becomes much more apparent. The flagship model uses the latest and most advanced RGB Tandem Layer panel, which provides significantly higher brightness in both white and colours – and a more nuanced and contrast-rich image in both HDR and SDR. Here, the G5 really pulls ahead compared to the C5 Pro.

The colour reproduction is excellent, and both screens have a very accurate and nuanced colour palette. It is primarily on HDR material that the G5 makes a noticeable difference with increased dynamics and breadth in colour nuances. But the G5 can also benefit from slightly higher brightness in regular SDR material with a lot of white, such as black-and-white films and winter sports.

The colour reproduction on the C5 Pro is still impressive with rich and nuanced tones and perfect black levels thanks to OLED technology. However, the C5 Pro cannot match the extra punch that the G5 shows in demanding HDR scenes.

Sound

The sound system is identical to the regular C5: 2.2 channels with 40 watts of output power. The sound is clearly above average, but it doesn’t quite match its big brother, the G5, which has an even stronger, more dynamic sound and, in particular, deeper bass. However, neither of these can compare to the sound experience you can get from a separate soundbar, which should be a given if you want the sound quality to match the good picture.

For the 2025 model year, Samsung has set out to achieve even higher performance. The QN90F has been upgraded with a new picture panel, more dimming zones and a more powerful video processor (NQ4 AI gen3), which should provide even smoother and more detailed picture quality. In addition, the screen has been given a matte finish that minimises reflection in bright rooms: in theory, this sets the stage for excellent performance in all environments, from morning to night.

Samsung QN90F: The full LCD package

Samsung has made a name for themselves with exceptional OLED screens such as the S95F, but they have by no means forgotten LCD, or “Neo QLED”, which is their clever name for LCD TVs with quantum dot MiniLED backlighting. The QN90F is the official top model with 4K resolution, surpassed only by the QN900F and QN990F with 8K resolution. Using advanced image processing and hundreds of dimming zones, it manages to deliver an image that in many cases is surprisingly close to OLED – while also offering higher brightness.

Ease of use and features

While some Samsung models offer a separate One Connect connection box, the QN90F series uses standard integrated connectors. It has four HDMI 2.1 connectors, all of which support modern 4K/120Hz signals. If you have a powerful gaming PC, the screen can handle refresh rates of up to 165 Hz with VRR.

The Samsung screen offers a lightning-fast gaming setting, which we measured at 9 milliseconds input lag. However, to achieve the lowest time, some of the image processing must be turned off, including local dimming, which can negatively affect image quality. For non-competitive games, such as adventure games, a different setting may be preferable, even if it is not as fast.

The QN90F uses Samsung’s own Tizen user interface, and the 2025 models have an updated menu structure that looks stylish and easy to navigate.

In terms of design, the QN90F is impressively slim, especially considering all the LEDs on the inside. In fact, it is not much thicker than the design model The Frame Pro, which has a significantly simpler dimming technology.

The QN90F is also available in a wide range of screen sizes, from 43 to a whopping 115 inches! So it should be possible to find a size that fits, whether you live in a large palace or a tiny house. We tested the 65-inch version.

Picture quality

We well remember the image quality of its predecessor, so expectations were high for the 2025 model QN90F – which both delivers and surprises in some areas.

In terms of measurements, the Samsung screen has excellent brightness, which we measured at almost 2,500 nits in a 10% window in HDR mode. Equally impressive is that the QN90F manages close to 800 nits with the entire screen in white. This is obviously useful when you want to watch TV during the day and the screen has to compete with the sunlight.

The high brightness is also extremely advantageous when viewing HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. In fact, this is one of the best HDR TVs we have tested so far. The Samsung QN90F delivers a razor-sharp, high-contrast image that is bursting with dynamism and punch. The colours are incredibly vivid and nuanced without feeling exaggerated. And even when you think all the power has been used up in a bright scene, there is more power to draw on if the content requires it.

The QN90F also has really good image processing, and you can choose how hard the powerful AI processor should work. A separate menu lets us optimise the image for sports or other genres, and the impression is that the 2025 model has become even more natural in the way it works. The image is razor sharp, and the movements are very smooth without feeling artificial. Watching fast-paced sports is therefore a pleasure with this screen.

Film enthusiasts will probably prefer the film setting, which provides more neutral colours and gentler image processing. Alternatively, there is the purist Filmmaker Mode. However, in our experience, the QN90F is at its best when it is allowed to use some of its AI processing power to improve the image. It is not intended as a studio monitor, but rather as a good all-round TV.

Another improvement is the matte screen coating, which we know from other models such as The Frame. It is a practical feature that counteracts annoying reflections and is a lifesaver for anyone with a sunny living room. For example, if you have bright windows right behind the sofa, they will not be reflected on the screen, unlike the mirror-like variants, where this can be a problem.

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... and here is the Q90F with a matte screen (Photo: Audun Hage)

The QN90F also delivers excellent black levels thanks to precise local dimming. The light distribution is among the best we’ve seen from LCD. However, it must be said that there is still some way to go to match the black levels of an OLED TV – such as Samsung’s own S95F or S90F – in the exposed areas. When we look at the Samsung screen with difficult scenes such as a dark starry sky or fireworks in a pitch-black room, we can see a hint of a halo effect around the bright spots. Or that the screen instead chooses to dim the light in places where the OLED still glows.

LCD will hardly be able to match the black level and contrast of an OLED TV in all cases. This is due to the display technology used – even though LCD displays can have thousands of dimming zones, they are still a long way from OLED displays, which can turn each individual pixel (almost 8.3 million of them!) on and off as needed. That said, it’s impressive how close they manage to get.

What about the viewing angle?

It should also be noted that the QN90F – like most TVs – looks best from the front when sitting at a 90-degree angle to the screen. If you sit at an angle to the side, e.g. 45 degrees, the colours become noticeably paler.

The QN90F is not alone in this, but here it has – like all LCD TVs – a clear disadvantage compared to OLED, and especially QD-OLED, being almost unaffected by the viewing angle. So if you like to watch TV from both the dining room and the sofa, this may be a good reason to consider an OLED instead. Alternatively, you can purchase a wall mount that allows you to angle the TV in the desired direction.

Sound

The Samsung QN90F is equipped with a 4.2.2-channel speaker system, which in practice means that it has speakers underneath, on top and on the sides, as well as separate woofers. It also supports surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos. In itself, the TV sound is excellent, with strong and clear voice reproduction and a soundstage that matches the size of the screen well. But of course, it’s a far cry from the sound experience you can get with a soundbar. The QN90F is well prepared to be used with one of Samsung’s own soundbars, such as the home cinema beast HW-Q995F or the more civilised HW-S710F, where the so-called Q Symphony uses the TV speakers and soundbar in tandem.

Samsung was just a hair’s breadth away from being named the best TV of 2024, but was outmanoeuvred by arch-rival LG at the finish line. Now Samsung is back in the game with the top-of-the-line S95F, which appears to have been packed with one goal in mind: revenge! So what could be better than pitting it against LG’s top model, the OLED G5?

Samsung S95F vs. LG OLED G5: Price and screen sizes

Samsung S95F has added an extra screen size to its repertoire this year: in addition to 55, 65 and 77 inches, it is now also available in an 83-inch version – and, ironically, LG plays a role here! The 83-inch model does not use Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panel, but rather an LG W-OLED panel of a similar type to that used in the LG G5. LG also offers an extra-large 97-inch model in the G5 series, but it is not equipped with all the latest technology.

In this test, however, we have tested the 65S95F, and fortunately it has a genuine QD-OLED panel of the latest generation. Samsung claims that the new panel achieves a significant improvement in brightness, while a new matte surface treatment (Glare Free 2.0) should provide even less light reflection. Reflection is a thing of the past with this type of screen, but it can also be TOO matte in some cases – we’ll come back to that.

In terms of price, the two competitors are at the same recommended retail price for 65 inches. LG has been on the market a little longer and is available at a lower price in some places. But this will probably even out over the course of the season.

Design

In terms of design, the S95F is virtually unchanged from last year. It is still a very thin OLED screen, with a completely flat back so that it can be hung close to the wall. Nevertheless, Samsung has managed to squeeze in a 4.2.2-channel surround sound speaker system with an output power of 70 watts. This is quite an achievement, considering that the TV is only one centimetre thick across its entire surface.

Samsung’s trick for keeping the TV as thin as previous generations is that much of the electronics and HDMI connectors are not located in the TV screen itself, but in an external One Connect Box. You can choose to mount that on the back of the TV stand or on a nearby shelf. The latter is a good idea if you plan to wall-mount the TV.

However, it should be noted that the S95F does not use the new Wireless Connect Box that comes with the new QN990F and The Frame Pro, but the previous generation with a cable. It is actually quite a thick cable that transmits both power and A/V signals. So you should take this into account (or make a hole for it) if your goal is to achieve a completely clean installation with no visible cables.

The competitor, LG OLED G5, is also very slim and sharp-edged, and there are no protruding parts here either. The screen is only a few millimetres thicker than Samsung’s, but with integrated connections, you can expect a little more “cable salad” – especially if you have many video sources.

It’s also worth mentioning that LG will soon be launching a new M5 model, which is very similar to the G5 but with wireless transmission – so they’ll have an alternative for those who are allergic to loose wires. However, this model is expected to be significantly more expensive.

We are not interior designers, but we must say that the design favours Samsung this time.

User-friendliness and features

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

Former Samsung owners who switch to the S95F will be greeted by an updated user interface called One UI, which is inspired by the mobile screens from the same team. The menus have been streamlined; for example, the image settings have now been moved to a smart menu window in the lower left corner of the screen. This means that it is no longer necessary to cover the entire screen when you want to change something.

The S95F has four HDMI 2.1 ports and supports up to 165 Hz refresh rate, just like LG. Both screens are also lightning fast; we measured an input lag of approximately 10 milliseconds in Game Mode – significantly faster than models with the wireless box. Both screens also support VRR, Freesync and now Nvidia G-Sync to provide a seamless gaming experience.

The selection of apps is plentiful, as in previous generations, and Samsung is quick to support new services. However, we note that the S95F unfortunately does not have access to Samsung’s Art Gallery – known from the design model The Frame – which several of the QLED models now have.

LG strikes back with a user interface (WebOS) that is about as fast and well-assorted as Samsung’s, but perhaps not quite as clear. On the other hand, you get a touch remote control that is easy to navigate. Existing LG and Samsung owners will probably still prefer “their” system out of old habit.

Upgraded video processor with AI

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

The biggest upgrade on this year’s S95F is hidden under the hood in the form of a more powerful video processor (NQ4 AI Gen3), which is capable of smarter image processing – with the help of AI, of course.

One of the new features is AI Gamma Correction, which can correct and improve the level of detail in dark movie scenes so that they remain clear under varying lighting conditions in the room. In practice, this means turning up the brightness in dark areas, but in a more intelligent way than before.

If you’ve watched films and series in HDR format, you’ve probably noticed that some scenes can seem too dark – to the point where it can be difficult to see what’s actually going on! The fact is that many films and series are actually designed to be watched in a dark room. The purpose of gamma correction is to even out some of this to suit more normal lighting conditions, and during testing we found it extremely useful in many cases. The brightness is increased without negatively affecting the colours.

Picture quality

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

With Samsung and LG side by side, there is no doubt that we are looking at two powerful OLED screens. Both deliver top-class image quality, but each has its own distinctive features. LG’s has already been thoroughly described, so what more can Samsung contribute?

The first impression is that the Samsung screen has become even brighter than its predecessor and almost as bright as LG’s: the S95F delivers 2,200 nits in a 10% window compared to LG’s 2,300. In practice, this is a very small difference, and it allows the S95F to deliver HDR content with sparkling high-light effects and, above all, stunning colour nuances. Because it’s not just the “whitest white” that has become stronger, but also the colours.

In fact, in some cases, the colours can almost seem too strong. Samsung’s own Film setting has a preference for warm and red skin tones, which can give film characters a slightly reddened appearance compared to LG. This evened out when we switched to the more neutral Filmmaker setting. But it is still LG that has the most accurate colours with lower deviations in the measurements.

On the other hand, if you are the type who wants to show off what your TV can do, it may be exciting to check out Samsung’s new “AI” adaptive picture setting. It must be activated in a separate menu and automatically adjusts sharpness, noise reduction and other parameters depending on the content you are watching. It can also learn your preferences and create a custom setting.

Our impression is that, as expected, the AI setting significantly increases contrast, colour and sharpness, but it does so in a more gentle and intelligent way than simply putting the TV in dynamic mode. We prefer Samsung’s AI setting, as it looks more balanced than LG’s. If you like a little extra “spice”, you can safely choose this setting for most TV content without worrying about the settings along the way.

When it comes to HDR, it appears that Samsung has no plans to ever support the popular Dolby Vision format on its TVs. On the other hand, Samsung’s “own” HDR10+ format is starting to gain wider support from streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+. This means that Samsung users will also be able to access higher quality HDR content than they could previously.

The non-reflective screen makes a big difference

The competing screens both offer excellent contrast and deep black levels thanks to OLED technology, which can turn each individual pixel on and off. But there is a significant difference in the “canvas” on which they display the images.

Samsung introduced OLED with a matte screen (called Glare Free) last year with the S95D, and this year they have managed to improve the formula slightly. The S95F with Glare Free 2.0 has become even better at reducing light reflections from the front and sides. At the same time, a dark black level with fewer grey tones is maintained. But the main difference is still the same, namely that the matte screen surface has a major practical impact on the viewing experience.

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

With the Samsung S95F, we can say that annoying mirror images are a thing of the past. The screen is super matte, so any reflection from the room is gone. If youhave been bothered by light coming in from windows directly behind your sofa, this screen is likely to be the right solution. Without screen reflections, you will be able to see more of the image itself.

LG, on the other hand, has chosen a slightly different strategy. Their OLED panel uses a dark filter to reduce internal and external light reflections, and it works more effectively than previous generations. But the screen is still glossy.

This difference means that the images on the LG screen have a more “polished” and shiny appearance, while Samsung, as expected, is more matte in the darkest colours. Imagine a freshly washed black limousine compared to one with slightly dull paintwork, and you’ll understand what we mean.

Which screen is “best” for displaying images therefore depends on preferences and environment. The difference is most noticeable in a bright room or in the evening with lamps in front of the screen. Under such conditions, Samsung has a big advantage. In a completely dark room, however, there is not much difference unless you shine a torch on both screens – then Samsung is clearly more matt.

Sound quality

When it comes to sound reproduction, however, there is no doubt that the results are in Samsung’s favour. The S95F has a more powerful sound system with multiple speaker units, and this is clearly audible. The Samsung screen has an impressively strong and clear sound with rich bass and clear voice reproduction. The LG screen, on the other hand, is a little darker and more enclosed in its sound reproduction.

Both screens would, of course, benefit from a little extra help in the form of an external sound system. We have had particularly good experiences with Samsung’s own soundbars, such as the top-of-the-range HW-Q995F, which we recently tested with good results. Here you get a sound experience that matches the magnificent picture experience.

With integrated wall mounts, frames in different colours and the ability to display art and photos in standby mode, it’s no wonder The Frame has become so popular. At the same time, Samsung has been criticised for the picture quality, which has been rather ordinary and bland compared to other displays in its price range.

Many have called for a more potent luxury version that not only looks good on the living room wall, but can also shine when lined up for a film night or a new series. Ergo, the Pro version comes as requested – if it manages to deliver the goods in crystal clear, sparkling 4K HDR…

Testing Samsung The Frame Pro: From apprentice to pro

Our test sample of The Frame Pro is 65 inches, which is expected to be the most popular screen size. It is also available in 75 and 85 inches, but if you want something smaller (e.g. 55 inches), you’ll still have to settle for a “regular” The Frame.

The Frame Pro looks almost identical to the standard version and uses the same type of wall mount, but apparently requires different frames because it has a slightly different light sensor and a control panel on the underside. So you can’t simply move the frames from your old Frame to the Pro version.

The most important new features are on the inside. The key to the Pro model is that it has an upgraded picture panel with MiniLEDs and a special vertical local dimming that promises significantly better contrast and brightness.

In addition, Samsung can tempt you with a new wireless connection box: Wireless One Connect.

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

The TV itself only needs a power cable, while the video sources are connected to the Wireless One Connect box via HDMI. From here, the signals are transmitted wirelessly to the monitor in 4K quality. Audio signals can also be sent wirelessly to a compatible Samsung soundbar if desired.

Wireless video transmission isn’t new, but it’s still quite rare in a TV context. LG is among the few others to offer this (only the flagship M-series model). And from the Samsung stable, only the 8K flagship QN990F actually comes with the same type of Wireless One Connect Box.

This allows you to place the TV and other devices completely separate from each other, for example on a nearby shelf. This allows you to hang the TV on the wall without having a piece of furniture underneath, which saves space.

The only downside to wireless connectivity is the transfer speed, because although the Frame Pro supports display frequencies up to 144 Hz and has plenty of gaming features, it’s not as fast as the fastest gaming monitors out there. We measured input lag at around 22 milliseconds, which is in the middle of the pack in this class.

Usability and features

The remote is still white, but now with solar cells and USB charging. In terms of smart features, the Frame Pro also benefits from Samsung’s updated One UI, which is faster and more customisable.

You have more control over how the home screen looks and get recommended content based on your own preferences. You can even go in and adjust the size of the menus so they don’t cover the entire screen. And a separate shortcut button takes you directly to the picture settings if you wish.

The selection of apps is impeccable and services load quickly. Switching back and forth between different types of content sources, including Samsung’s own free TV service TV+, is also fast.

Art Mode – digital art gallery

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(Foto: Audun Hage)

One of The Frame’s greatest strengths is the Art Mode digital art gallery, which features over 3,000 original paintings and photographs from galleries and museums around the world. The latest addition is new content from the Disney catalogue, including iconic images from Star Wars.

Note: This year other Samsung TV models will also get access to the Art Store, so it’s no longer exclusive to The Frame. And the subscription still costs a pretty penny. But you can also generate your own images using an AI assistant, and that part is completely free.

Picture quality

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

The big question, of course, is whether Samsung has managed to significantly improve the picture quality. The answer is a resounding yes.

As expected, the first impression is that the Pro model has significantly better contrast as a result of more precise light control. Because the monitor has local dimming zones, it can more easily control, increase and decrease the brightness in different areas at the same time, staying more true to the original image signal.

Compared to a regular The Frame, there is no doubt that the Pro model achieves higher brightness, and that means: approximately 1,000 nits in a 10% window is roughly double the standard, providing significantly more dynamics and pop in HDR lighting effects.

This difference in contrast and image dynamics is also reflected in the colour reproduction, which is noticeably more vibrant and nuanced. Frame Pro also has a neutral colour palette – just what was needed when part of the purpose is to display original images and photographs.

The difference is evident in all types of imagery, from news to sports, but especially in films and series, where there are many dark scenes. Here, the Pro version manages to serve images with more depth and clarity than the standard version of The Frame, which is quite flat by comparison.

When watching popular series like Yellowstone or Last of Us, it’s clear that the action feels a little more vibrant, lifelike and engaging on The Frame Pro.

We’re also impressed with the sharpness. The images are amazingly sharp and noise-free without feeling artificial. This is probably due in no small part to the matte, anti-glare panel and the advanced NQ4 Gen 3 AI video processor.

However, Samsung hasn’t gone all the way, because there’s still some way to go before the best Neo QLED and OLED models. The Frame Pro model uses a simpler form of vertical local dimming, where the LEDs are mounted on the underside of the panel and the light is spread out in vertical blocks.

This solution differs from the high-end Neo QLED models, where there are thousands of dimming zones right behind the LCD panel. It’s tempting to call the Pro solution “local dimming light”, as it doesn’t offer nearly as precise control, which means we can glimpse some small halo effects around bright objects on a dark background.

But it’s better to have SOME local dimming than none at all. Therefore, Frame Pro is a solid step in the right direction for the Frame family. But if you want a bit more performance, it might be worth checking out the Samsung QN900F: It will also have a Frame-like design, but with full-blooded direct-lit local dimming under the hood – albeit at a much higher price.

Sound quality

On the audio side, there hasn’t been much room for change in the Pro compared to the standard Frame. It still has a pretty standard built-in stereo speaker system. It plays relatively clear and clean, but as it has no separate woofers, the soundstage is quite narrow.

If you want proper sound, it’s still recommended to supplement with a separate sound system, such as Samsung’s own smart S-series models. We’ve also heard The Frame Pro work well with a pair of Music Frame “frame speakers”. New this year, these can also be used as stereo rear speakers in a surround setup.

Last but not least, the LG display was also chosen as the best in a prestigious blind test ahead of tough competitors like Panasonic, Samsung and Sony. The combination of a bright OLED panel and advanced video processing resulted in an image quality that few could match.

Now the 2025 model OLED G5 is here, and expectations are naturally sky-high for what this vintage brings to the table. LG says they’ve focused on making the imaging even smarter and more flexible to your viewing habits. But the hardware is also new, with a new picture panel and an updated video processor under the bonnet.

So has LG managed to improve an already good model, or is it just a case of the same old wine in a new bottle? It’s time to find out!

LG OLED G5 – design

Design-wise, most things are pretty much the same as before. The LG display still has a slim, picture-like frame in brushed metal. The back is completely flat with a recess that allows it to be mounted close to the wall. Almost like an OLED version of Samsung’s The Frame, you could say.

The G5 is customised for wall mounting and if you choose the model with ‘LW’ at the end of the model name, a specially designed wall mount is included in the box. What is NOT included, however, is a regular stand or plinth for table mounting. If you want this, look for the model with ‘LS’ at the end instead.

Alternatively, LG also sells a plinth as an option. This is important to consider when comparing the G5 to its little brother, the C5, or competitors such as the Samsung S95F. Both of these come with a base in the box, but no wall mount.

The G5 series is available in a wide range of screen sizes, from 55 all the way up to 97 inches, and we tested the 65-inch version. The very largest model, the OLED97G5, will certainly tempt those looking for a true OLED big screen. But it comes in at close to €30,000! And it doesn’t use the latest panel technology either, which is currently only available up to 83 inches (LG OLED83G5).

Ease of use and features

The OLED G5 comes with LG’s latest user interface, WebOS 25, where special attention has been paid to allowing family members to create their own user profiles so that TV settings can be tailored to their preferences. It can actually be very useful when you think about it.

For example, the home screen can suggest content you like, while the picture and sound settings are set exactly as you like them. That way you don’t have to change everything after your sister, brother or mother-in-law has used the TV.

Like other LG 2025 models, the G5 also features the new generation Magic Remote. The new remote has a flatter design and a new ‘AI’ button that triggers the AI assistant. But like its predecessors, it still has a handy pointing function.

By moving the remote, you can steer a ‘mouse pointer’ around the screen and operate it by pressing different buttons. It can be very addictive.

That said, we still think the G5 deserves a slightly more premium remote control than the C-series – preferably in brushed steel or aluminium and with backlit buttons, for example. After all, we’re talking about a high-end model!

Connectivity and formats

Among the connections on the back, LG boasts four HDMI 2.1 inputs, all with full bandwidth to accommodate 4K/120Hz or even higher. So there’s plenty of room for multiple gaming consoles and a gaming PC if you wish.

The new LG TVs also have more customisable gaming features, such as refresh rates of up to 165Hz (up from 144Hz on the G4), with support for NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR. A dedicated Game Optimiser mode ensures smooth and seamless performance with various console and PC games. We measured the lag to be around 9.5 milliseconds when Game mode was enabled (60 Hz), and at 120 Hz you can expect it to be halved. This makes LG’s OLED TV still one of the best choices for those who prefer to game on a large TV screen.

The G5 also has wide format support, including Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos on the audio side. However, there is no support for HDR10+ or DTS audio, for example.

LG OLED G5 with new panel and powerful ‘AI’ processor

While its predecessor, the G4, wasn’t bad when it came to image performance, LG has had to upgrade its successor in several areas.

The OLED G5 is equipped with the new α11 Gen 2 video processor combined with the latest OLED panel from LG Display, also known as Primary RGB Tandem. This technology provides what LG calls Brightness Booster Ultimate and is only available in this model and the wireless OLED Signature M5.

Its little brothers in the C5 and B5 series have to make do with more conventional technology. In other words, the G5 series is for those who want ‘the very latest’ and are willing to spend a few extra grand – as long as it makes a noticeable difference, that is.

Measurements

The big question, of course, is whether the G5 delivers what it promises compared to the already good G4 model. In terms of measurements, there’s no doubt that the brightness makes a solid leap. We measured the G5 display at around 2,300 nits in a 10 per cent window and HDR movie mode. That’s up from around 1,600 nits from the OLED G4 in the same mode, and that equates to an increase of just over 40 per cent, just as LG has claimed. The G5 display also managed to maintain a higher brightness over a larger image area than its predecessor, making it a very ‘usable’ improvement.

The measurements also show that the LG OLED G5 – like its predecessor – delivers very accurate colours and greyscale as it comes out of the box from the factory. Low delta deviations in both SDR and HDR modes are well below 3, which equates to a very neutral picture. And those who wish can calibrate for even more studio-correct colours with the latest Calman software and advanced measurement equipment.

Picture quality

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LG OLED G5 with ‘Our Universe’ from Netflix (Photo: Audun Hage)

Measurements are one thing, but when it comes to practical differences in the real world, it’s more natural to trust our eyes. A 40 per cent increase in brightness doesn’t have to be ‘night and day’ when displayed on a small image area like this, but it is clearly noticeable as long as the image content and/or video processing manages to utilise the extra gain in the high-light areas.

When testing with familiar video material, it’s easy to see that the LG panel benefits from the extra brightness in demanding HDR scenes. Fast-paced scenes from the F1 series Drive to Survive are served up with even more punch in the highlight effects. The sunlight sparkles and the brake discs glow. The sparks as the chassis scrapes the tarmac feel even more alive. But the colours of the decorated formula cars have also become brighter than before. The reds in particular seem more intense, but the blues and greens have also become more pronounced.

On a regular SDR film, such as the Blu-ray version of the Batman film Dark Knight, there is also a significant difference. The G5 generation has significantly more contrast and brightness in some scenes, such as when Alfred visits his master Bruce Wayne in his underground lair. The LG display also captures the smallest details in dark scenes. The upscaling to 4K is exemplary, with even sharper images and less noise, which the G4 was already very good at.

That’s not to say that the G4 is completely behind: in our opinion, these are more subtle improvements that show up to varying degrees on different types of image content and with different image settings. So those who already own a G4 or have snapped up one of the latest offers have nothing to cry about.

One thing we did notice that could have worked a little better on the G5 is the transitions between different colour tones. The LG display occasionally showed visible colour gradations in the form of bands or ‘banding’ in some scenes, where some of its competitors (including Samsung and Sony’s QD-OLED displays) have been able to show even more seamless transitions. We wonder if this is something LG could have fixed in some way through a firmware update.

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LG OLED G5 with images from ‘Drive to survive’ on Netflix (Photo: Audun Hage)

More smart picture modes

In keeping with tradition, LG offers a variety of picture modes that you can use to set the picture exactly how you prefer it. New this year, you can also get help from AI to choose the settings for you with the so-called ‘Personal Picture Wizard’.

The LG monitor’s personal ‘AI mode’ will first show you some test images with different contrast, sharpness and colour enhancement. You can choose which picture aesthetic you prefer, and based on these preferences, the TV will create your personalised picture profile. Alternatively, you can simply select one of the pre-programmed picture modes.

We tested by selecting the images we liked the most, and from that we got a fairly contrasty picture with exceptionally strong colours. Not unlike the TV’s own Vivid mode.

The problem with such a mode is that it can be a challenge to choose the ‘right’ test images when you don’t have a clear reference. However, it is entirely possible to correct some of the settings afterwards and thus trim the image exactly how you prefer it. The settings can be saved so that the TV remembers your profile the next time you log in.

For example, film enthusiasts will appreciate that LG introduces an updated picture mode ‘Filmmaker Mode’, which now takes into account the local lighting conditions in the room. This mode is basically designed for watching films in pitch-black rooms, but it’s not very living room-friendly: many have found that films become very dark. Now the TV can compensate for this by increasing the brightness while maintaining a neutral picture.

So now you can rest assured that the TV will serve the picture exactly as you like it the next time you log on. Then it’s up to the family council to decide what happens when several people want to watch TV at the same time…

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LG OLED G5 in Filmmaker Mode - here with images from ‘Yellowstone’ (Photo: Audun Hage)

Sound quality

A high-end TV deserves decent sound and LG has made sure to equip the G5 with a respectable set of speakers. There are both underslung speakers and integrated woofers, and the system can simulate a surround effect. Dialogue reproduction is crisp and clear, and there’s also a fairly rich bass, which is useful for action, suspense and especially music. The G5 can also play relatively loud without sounding distorted.

The sound is quite good and is at the level you’d expect from a premium TV, but not much more than that: We know, for example, that Philips has gotten more powerful sound out of its latest OLED+950. So there’s no doubt that the G5 series deserves to be expanded with a separate sound system. LG offers a separate matching soundbar with a slim profile for wall mounting, which could be a good choice for the design-orientated.

LG OLED G5 with SG10TY soundbar. (Photo: LG)

Now we’ve had the C5 on the test bench, and it comes right after the flagship G5, which we’re already very impressed with. In other words, expectations are high for what the little brother has to offer!

LG OLED C5: Best picture for the price?

Here at Sound & Vision, we naturally love to test the very latest high-end products that deliver the highest level of performance and set the bar for other products in their category. But it’s inevitable that “high-end” also means a high price tag.

That’s why we’re just as keen to find the best buys in the premium class, where you can often find products that perform “almost” as well as the flagship models at a more accessible price. Here, the C-series from LG has been a frequent returnee in recent years.

The LG OLED C5 is far from a budget model, but it still costs several thousand dollars less than an equivalent 65-inch G5. With less lavish cosmetics and slightly cheaper technology on the inside, you can still achieve an excellent picture.

LG OLED C5 – design

On the design front, not much has changed since the C4 generation. For starters, the LG OLED C5 is super thin with a barely visible frame around the screen, followed by a slightly thicker backside that houses the electronics and connections. The back has a stylish surface reminiscent of dark stone tiles. The base is a center-mounted flat foot that raises the screen a few centimeters from the tabletop. This should be taken into account if you plan to place a soundbar in front of the screen, for example.

The C5 is available in a wide range of screen sizes from 42 all the way up to 83 inches: We think the design is nice and modern, and if you’re planning to place the TV on a table anyway, there’s not much difference between this and the more expensive G5 model. However, the latter has an advantage if you want to wall mount the TV, as it comes with an original wall mount that places the screen extra close to the wall.

Ease of use and features

Those who like gadgets and gizmos have something new to look forward to with the C5 model: a new remote control! Yes, you read that right, after many years on the market, LG has finally decided to replace the trusty Magic Remote.

The new version has a flat design with fewer buttons, but retains the familiar pointing function. It also adds an “AI Concierge” button that you can use to invoke various AI functions. The WebOS 25 user interface has also been updated with more comprehensive user profiles, so you and the rest of the family can enjoy TV content according to your preferences.

The OLED C5 starts up quickly and switches quickly between menu items, but it strikes us that it may not work as fast as its big brother G5 in all situations. This may be because the C5 has slightly less memory and processing power. However, the app selection is impeccable with all the leading streaming services in place. There’s also the option to display content from your phone via AirPlay 2 or Chromecast. And like Samsung, LG offers free, advertising-funded TV channels through “LG TV Channels”. But we think there can sometimes be a little too much advertising on the home screen.

LG also boasts support for the HDR format Dolby Vision, which ensures optimal quality for very modern video content. However, they don’t support the HDR10+ format that Samsung is aiming for. There is also no support for DTS audio.

LG OLED C5 offers great connectivity (Photo: Audun Hage)In keeping with tradition, the C5 has great connectivity options. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K/120Hz video signals or up to 144Hz with VRR for gaming purposes. LG has a dedicated “Game Optimizer” menu that can be used to fine-tune performance for different game genres. And with a lag of less than 10 milliseconds, there’s no doubt that this is also a suitable TV for gamers.

Picture quality

Cosmetics and niceties are one thing, but as usual, we’re most concerned with image quality. Has LG managed to squeeze out a slightly better performance this year? For starters, the C5 has to do without the new four-layer OLED panel (Primary RGB Tandem) from the top model G5. The refresh rate stops at 144 Hz versus 165 Hz. It also doesn’t benefit from the highly efficient MLA technology that we remember well from last year’s G4: many had hoped that this advanced light-boosting filter would “trickle down” to the new premium model, but that didn’t happen.

Instead, LG has kept the same faithful OLED Evo panel as in the C4 and tried to refine it further, using an updated video processor (Alpha 9 AI gen 8). They claim to have achieved higher performance, including increased brightness, but note that this applies to the larger screen sizes (55, 65, 77 and 83) and not the smaller 42 and 48-inch screens.

(Photo: LG)

What does this look like in practice?

We’ve already had the big brother LG OLED G5 on the test bench and have therefore had the opportunity to compare the G5 and C5 side by side. The good news is that the C5 comes very close to the high-end model on several points. Dangerously close, in fact!

Both LG displays have phenomenal sharpness and contrast thanks to the “self-luminous” OLED panel, where every little pixel can be turned on and off one by one. This gives a huge sense of depth. When watching different movie clips, both familiar and brand new, it’s easy to be engaged by the realistic image quality.

OLED displays have traditionally had a slightly dim brightness that was best suited for watching TV in dark rooms, but that’s “history” with today’s displays. Both the G5 and C5 prove to have excellent brightness and are perfect for watching sports and other TV entertainment in bright environments.

Let’s face it, there’s no doubt that big brother has an edge in the measurements: While a G5 squeezes out around 2,300 nits in a 10 percent window, the C5 stops at just over half that (around 1,200 nits, or a difference of around 1,100 nits). But that’s still 200 nit higher than last year’s C4.

The difference between the G5 and C5 becomes apparent when we watch demanding movie sequences in HDR (High Dynamic Range) format. For example, the nature documentary The Universe on Netflix in Dolby Vision format. Here, the big brother shows that it has a little more power and glow in the brightest parts of “The Big Bang”. In the computer-animated images of the burning sun, we can see that the G5 has a little more nuance – more energy – to play with. But the C5 still does a very respectable job.

The color reproduction is excellent and both monitors have a very accurate and nuanced color palette. It’s only on HDR material that the G5 pulls away a little with increased dynamics and breadth of hue. But the difference is far from being “night and day”. We might as well have been comparing two high-end monitors. That’s how good the C5 generation has become!

Sound quality

Sonically, the LG monitor is relatively unchanged from last year. The C5 has the same speaker setup as before, with 2.2 channels and 40 watts of power output. Voice reproduction is clear and crisp with a distinct treble that helps emphasize dialogue. There is good width in the soundstage and a rich bass reproduction brings music and sound effects to life.
The sound is well above average, but it doesn’t quite match its big brother G5, which has an even stronger and more dynamic sound and especially deeper bass. But neither of these can compare to the sound experience you can get from a separate soundbar, which should go without saying if you want the sound quality to match the great picture.

The Thomson QLED Pro is a relatively new mid-range model that offers many smart features, including Dolby Vision and 144Hz, at a reasonable price. And that’s necessary to compete in an increasingly tough TV market!

Thomson QLED Pro: Design

We already have good experiences with the cheaper UG5 model from Thomson, which we tested recently. When we unpack the slightly more expensive big brother QG7, nicknamed ‘QLED Pro’, it’s easy to see that it belongs to the same family. A slim but sturdy metal casing and a central swivel stand make the TV usable and easy to position. The impression of quality is impeccable and it feels like the screen is built to last.

Google TV

The Thomson display is based on the popular Google TV interface used by a wide range of TV manufacturers. The biggest advantage of the Google platform is the wide range of apps. You can find virtually all global streaming services – as well as the more regional ones – here and the list is constantly updated. As long as you are connected to a Google account, you can get personalised content recommendations. Family members can have their own user profiles and voice control (Google Assistant) is available via the microphone in the remote control.

The TV therefore feels easy and logical to operate, but it’s worth mentioning that Thomson hasn’t made any major changes to the regular menu system. There are no particularly advanced or original setting options here, for better or worse.

QLED TV

Compared to the UG5, the QLED Pro has some important upgrades under the hood in the form of a more advanced ‘QLED’ LCD panel. The display uses a Quantum Dot LED colour filter, which contributes to a wider colour spectrum and better brightness.

In addition, the refresh rate has been increased from 60 to 144Hz. This makes the Thomson TV more receptive to modern video formats, not least gaming. It also allows for better interpolation (smoother movements).

The QLED Pro also has direct LED backlighting, but this is a relatively simple implementation with few LEDs and no localised dimming. So it cannot dazzle you with high brightness or switch individual parts of the panel on and off for better black levels. These things typically cost more money.

Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

Another welcome addition on the Thomson QLED Pro is the HDR format Dolby Vision, which was conspicuous by its absence on its little brother UG5. Unlike regular HDR10, Dolby Vision contains dynamic metadata – extra information in the video signal – that helps optimise brightness, contrast and colour in content.

Of course, without local dimming, it can be argued that the Thomson panel has limited benefit from HDR, but in our experience the Dolby version is still preferable as it often has better picture quality than the HDR10 version.

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(Photo: Thomson)

Image quality

What does it look like in practice? Well, right from the factory, the Thomson TV (like others) comes in a power-saving Eco mode. The downside of this is that it limits brightness and contrast, and thus doesn’t show what the TV is really capable of. So the first thing we did was switch the display mode to Standard (while blatantly ignoring repeated power consumption warnings!).

The Standard setting turned out to be a good all-round picture mode that worked well for most TV content. The Thomson impressed with a sharp, contrasty and pleasant picture with enough brightness for daytime TV viewing. In addition, movement was smooth and flicker-free.

When we switched to streaming services like Netflix, the Dolby Vision HDR mode is activated for movies. Then you can enjoy modern movies or new series like ‘La Palma’ with excellent contrast and colour detail.

Compared to its little brother UG5 and many others, there’s no doubt that the colour reproduction is stronger and more nuanced. However, you should still sit directly in front of the screen or angle it in the direction of where you are sitting. This is because the viewing angle is quite narrow and results in significantly paler colours to the sides – something that is typical of LCD.

In addition, we found that the Standard colour temperature was quite cold and gave a noticeable blue-green tint to the image. The Warm setting was therefore preferable. The menus don’t offer much more in the way of adjustment options: Thomson could have provided access to more advanced colour and calibration settings for advanced users.

When it comes to overall brightness and contrast, we’re not dealing with an ‘OLED killer’. The Thomson display lacks localised dimming as mentioned, so while the black level is good, you can’t expect pitch black backgrounds. The brightness is also moderate (measured at around 500 nits), so you won’t be dazzled by the HDR effects. If that’s your goal, you’re better off spending a few thousand extra on an OLED or MiniLED TV.

Thomson does have an advantage when it comes to motion, which is impressively smooth and offers a clear advantage in sports, for example. Thanks to its 120Hz/144Hz refresh rate and additional video processing, it can create a noticeably smoother picture than many competitors in the same price range, which still make do with 60Hz. With two HDMI 2.1 compatible inputs, you can connect gaming consoles or a gaming PC and enjoy gaming at up to 4K/120Hz or 144Hz at lower resolutions. This is definitely something that gaming enthusiasts in the family will appreciate.

Sound quality

Thomson has also found room for decent sound in the compact screen: there are relatively powerful speakers at the bottom of the screen to ensure clear and strong speech. Music and sound effects also sound good. That said, we didn’t notice much difference in sound compared to its little brother, the UG5. However, the QLED Pro has Dolby Atmos sound processing, which is also supported via the built-in apps. This makes it easier to connect an external Atmos-compatible soundbar and achieve a big improvement in sound.

We recently tested the budget model QLED780 with good results, but it was a basic model without local dimming: With the big brother C765 – also known as MQLED85 here in the Nordics – we take a step up the ladder, with a more advanced MiniLED backlight. This results in a clearly noticeable difference in image quality. Screen sizes range from 55 to 98 inches, and we’ve tested the medium-sized 75-inch version!

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TCL MQLED85. (Photo: TCL)

TCL C765/MQLED85

Calling a 75-inch ‘medium-sized’ may sound a little odd, but that’s because we’ve had several giant 98-inchers on test recently, and in retrospect the 75 feels like a pretty manageable and compact size! It will be a great match for medium-sized TV rooms and living rooms, with a seating distance of around three metres.

TCL now has a wide range of LCD screens on the market, all of which basically follow the same recipe: A Google TV with an LCD panel, ‘QLED’ colour filter and MiniLED backlight, the main difference being the number of individual dimming zones inside. More LEDs cost more money, but also result in a more fine-meshed and precise backlight with higher contrast. And according to TCL, an LCD TV is perfectly capable of competing with OLED, as long as it has enough zones!

With the premium model C765/MQLED85, we may be approaching the ‘golden mean’ in this respect. It’s the little brother of the more expensive C855 and X955, which we’ve previously tested with good results. And the main difference lies in the number of dimming zones.

For example, the 75MQLED85 that we’re testing here has 1248 zones, while its big brother, the 75C855, has 2160 zones under the bonnet. This isn’t something TCL hides in the specifications either.

On the design front, the MQLED85 is also very similar to the rest of the family. The 75-inch has a central foot that is easy to mount (the 98-inch model has two feet with wider spacing). The design is relatively simple and spartan, and the screen is somewhat thicker than, for example, the Samsung QN85D, so it will stick out more if you mount it on a wall.

Ease of use and features

On the smart side, the TCL MQLED85 is equipped with the Google TV user interface, which has a wide range of apps, plus support for familiar features like Google Assistant, Chromecast and AirPlay. Here you can find all the major streaming services, and the main menu can be customised to give you and your family personalised programme recommendations. The TV responds quickly to commands from the remote control.

Connectivity is good, but follows the same limitation as other models in that only two out of four HDMI inputs support 4K/120Hz. This is despite the fact that Samsung and LG have had this for a while. This is due to the chipset used, and we’ll probably have to wait until 2025 before TCL can offer models that support 4K/120Hz on all four. But at least TCL has ensured that the third HDMI connector can be used as an audio output (HDMI eARC), so you always have two free inputs for gaming purposes.

The TCL screen also excels with good format support, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for films, series and gaming. The TCL monitor is also well organised for gaming, with support for 144 Hz and VRR, FreeSync and G-Sync, plus a separate Game Bar with game settings.

Picture quality

When it comes to picture quality, MiniLED is the key word according to TCL. Their 2024 models are utilising a new MiniLED chip that is reportedly brighter and more energy-efficient than the previous generation, and makes it possible to insert multiple light sources and zones for a given screen area.

We can immediately see that too, because the MQLED85 screen really does have excellent brightness! Even in a brightly lit room in broad daylight, it manages to deliver a brilliantly clear picture, perfect for enjoying sports and other entertainment.

We measured the TCL MQLED85 at just over 2,000 nits in a small 10% window, and 750 nits across the entire screen. That’s almost as much as its big brother, the C855, and twice as much as a typical OLED TV! What’s more, the light distribution is even and precise, with no tendency to ‘dirty screen’ when the entire screen is white. In other words, you can look forward to the winter sports broadcasts.

The TCL screen also manages to be ‘switched off’ when it needs to be: Here, an excellent black level in the dark areas. This, in turn, leads to a fantastic contrast, and here we notice a big difference compared to the QLED780/C655, which is a less expensive model without local dimming.

Naturally, films and series in HDR format look great on the MQLED85, thanks to the intense brightness that the TCL display has in store. There’s plenty of colour in bright details such as sunlight, explosions and the like. Even fireworks in dark skies look impressive, thanks to effective localised dimming. Admittedly, we can glimpse a few outlines and halo effects here and there, which aren’t as prominent on high-end models with even more zones, such as the C855 and X955.

As a result of the generous brightness, the TCL is also able to offer a wide palette of vibrant colours. Colour reproduction is convincing in both SDR and HDR modes, although perhaps not as ‘studio-correct’ as the very best. For example, a Sony Bravia 7 has even more neutral colours in movie mode. Alternatively, it may be worth paying extra for a calibration of the TCL monitor.

Another area where we see the TCL doesn’t always keep up with the very best is in motions. During fast movements and camera pans, we can sometimes glimpse a little break-up and unevenness in the image. In addition, the local dimming sometimes seems to lag a little behind the rest of the image, blurring it a little. The Samsung QN85D, for example, is slightly sharper in this discipline.

It should also be mentioned that the MQLED85 has a fairly narrow viewing angle. So you don’t have to sit much to the side for the image to look significantly paler. This is a common problem with most LCD screens with backlighting, but it’s still worth a mention.

Sound quality

The TCL MQLED has an Onkyo-branded 2.1 sound system with under-mounted stereo speakers and an additional bass unit on the back. The sound has to be described as okay, with strong and clear voice reproduction and sufficiently rich bass to give a decent impression of music and sound effects. It’s completely standard and average TV sound. For most people, it will be beneficial to spend a few extra euros on a soundbar.

Conclusion

The TCL MQLED85 joins the ranks of successful LCD TVs from TCL. It is clearly modelled on its predecessor, the MQLED80, and delivers a performance that in many cases is close to its big brother, the C855. First and foremost, this means impressive brightness and significantly better contrast than the simpler LCD variants. However, there are some prominent competitors (e.g. Samsung QN85D, Sony Bravia 7) that offer even better connectivity and a slightly sharper picture in some cases. But they don’t fare as well on price in all screen sizes. The MQLED85 is therefore a good buy for those who want to take a step up from the budget models without breaking the bank!

With a sleek design, interchangeable frames and a clever wall mount, The Frame was an instant hit and has lasted for generations ever since. It’s never been a high-end TV with superb picture quality, but it’s still a firm favourite in decor-conscious homes. If you’re lucky enough to find a property advert where they’ve kept the TV in the living room, you can bet it’s a Frame.

The 2024 model LS03D has been on sale for a while now and is fundamentally very similar to its predecessor LS03B, which dates back to 2022. With the challenger NXTFRAME knocking at the door, it might be interesting to check out what’s new and changed since then!

Samsung The Frame (2024)

The TV screen has exactly the same shape and physical dimensions as its predecessor. This means a slim design where the entire screen is flat all the way round with no protruding parts. This makes it possible to mount the screen flush to the wall with Samsung’s own wall mount. However, The Frame also has a VESA mount for those who want to use other wall mounts. It also comes with feet that make it possible to mount the TV at two different heights.

The Frame is available in the same screen sizes from 43 up to 85 inches. You can use the same interchangeable frames on this model as on its predecessor LS03B, but they are still optional. Frames in white and various wood colours are available as options, while the screen itself is black. You should consider a set of frames, otherwise it can look a bit grey and boring. Maybe a colour that matches the floor or another piece of furniture?

Ease of use and features

On the smart front, The Frame differs from NXTFRAME by using Samsung’s own operating system called Tizen. Samsung is good at keeping it updated with new features and apps. Among the latest is the Samsung TV+ streaming service, which provides access to many free (ad-funded) TV channels with news and entertainment like Top Gear, Bloomberg and Baywatch.

The well-established Art Store is an exclusive service dedicated to The Frame. This subscription-based service (€5 per month) provides access to a wide range of original works from recognised photographers and artists. Samsung has agreements with a number of world-renowned museums and art galleries such as MoMa and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. So your walls at home can be adorned with art from Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondrian or Carl Larsson. And if you don’t want to subscribe to fancy art, you can upload your own photos via the SmartThings app.

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Samsung offers many smart features and apps, including Samsung TV+ with free TV channels. Remember Baywatch?

Excellent connectivity

In order for the monitor to hang neatly on the wall without a lot of wires, the power supply, connections and other electronics are hidden in the separate One Connect box, which connects to the TV with a thin cable.

Frame supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K/120Hz on all four inputs. There’s also support for key gaming features like VRR. Samsung’s own Game Bar provides a full overview of the different settings. We measured the input lag at around 12.5 milliseconds at 1080p/60Hz in gaming mode.

Please note that only screen sizes from 55’ and upwards support 120 Hz video signals. The smaller Frame models have a lower refresh rate of 60 Hz.

Picture quality

The Frame also uses the same type of LCD picture panel and video processor as the two previous generations, with a matte surface to counteract glare. The Frame also has light sensors that correct the colour reproduction according to the lighting conditions in the room.

Inside, it’s still a relatively ordinary LCD TV with 4K resolution, QLED colour filter and edge-mounted Dual LED backlighting. In other words, there’s no fancy MiniLED technology that we can find on more expensive Samsung models like the S90D or QN85D.

However, Samsung has taken care to get the display Pantone Validated, which means they’ve gone the extra mile at the factory to ensure that the display can reproduce different photographs and paintings accurately compared to the original.

So how does it all look in practice? Quite well, actually. As expected, the latest Frame model is very similar to its predecessors, but the first impression is that Samsung has done a good job with colour reproduction. The colours appear strong and clear, while being relatively neutral and having a large colour space.

It may not be ‘QD-OLED’, but the display still has an impressively wide colour gamut that brings out the nuances of different images. Samsung is at its best here compared to TCL, which doesn’t have quite the same richness of colour and detail.

The brightness is excellent, with enough light to provide an image in bright environments. The matte surface makes the screen pleasantly free from reflections and mirror images, but also has an impact on how it looks during normal TV viewing. The image is impressively clear and sharp, but depending on the lighting conditions it can also appear less ‘polished’. This was also something we observed during our test of the flagship Samsung S95D.

As with most LCD monitors, the contrast is in the centre of the field and we would have liked to see an even greater dynamic range from dark to light. The Frame is very similar to the TCL NXTFRAME in this respect. However, Samsung has a more efficient image processing that helps make the best of the situation.

For example, The Frame manages to emphasise more detail in the dark parts of an image, while there is generally a little more light throughout. The TCL, on the other hand, tended to lower the brightness too much, even though we had switched off all power saving.

The Samsung screen is also better for motion in general, whether it’s fast-paced sports broadcasts or fussy film viewing. The different picture modes work well for their purpose. The motion smoothing creates smooth images, but you can also choose to switch it off when you want to watch feature films without artificial smoothing.

In comparison, the TCL NXTFRAME seems to struggle a bit in the fastest sequences. In some film scenes with fast action and/or camera movements, we experienced some unevenness and discontinuities that weren’t as apparent on the Samsung display.

The overall impression we are left with is that Samsung has a more refined and well-functioning image processing than its TCL competitor. This in turn leads to better sharpness, making the small details in an image stand out more clearly.

Sound quality

On the audio side, Samsung The Frame is equipped with some compact, bottom-mounted speakers and some small drivers on the back. The sound is pretty much as you’d expect, rather weak and uninspiring. The voices are there, but they just don’t come out properly. There’s no bass to speak of either.

Therefore, it’s obvious that The Frame should be paired with a suitable soundbar and preferably a wireless subwoofer. At least if you have ambitions for anything resembling ‘home cinema’ sound.

Samsung doesn’t have an exclusive audio partnership with Bang & Olufsen like TCL does, but their own speaker division has proven to be competent enough. The latest addition is the Music Frame speaker, and you can connect two of these to your TV for stereo sound.

We’ve also tested many great soundbars from there and can recommend the compact S711D, available in black or white, as a good match for The Frame. This one also has the advantage of connecting wirelessly to the TV, which means you can ditch the HDMI cable – it just needs a power cord.

The conclusion

This year’s test of Samsung The Frame offers no big surprises. The 2024 model is very similar to the previous two generations and does not represent a revolution in terms of design, image or sound. The solution with a separate tech box and a thin cable is still very smart.

Moreover, the smart features have been refined a lot since the last generation, which means that user-friendliness has been well taken care of. As an ‘art TV’ on the wall, The Frame is a slightly more sophisticated option than the TCL NXTFRAME, thanks to Samsung’s Art Store. But it also comes at an extra cost for a subscription.

The image reproduction is characterised by the fact that it’s a relatively ordinary LCD screen on the inside, but the quality is good. Colour reproduction is good and sharpness is excellent, although you have to do without the dazzling contrast of the hottest OLED displays. The sound quality is about as thin as the frame around it, but this is solved with separate speakers.

All in all, Samsung The Frame is still – after all these years – one of the most versatile TVs you can buy. And the original is still the best!

Samsung has long had a ‘monopoly’ on this type of design TV, but now TCL obviously thinks enough is enough! The name, concept and look are very similar to the competition, right down to the interchangeable frames in different colours.

TCL NXTFrame

The NXTFrame A300 is available in screen sizes of 55, 65 and 75 inches. And if you opt for the more lavish Pro version, which we’ve tested, you also get a beautiful soundbar with wireless subwoofer developed in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen.

When we unpack the TCL monitor, there’s no doubt that the similarities with the competition are striking. The TCL monitor has a slim, flat and straight design that allows it to be hung close to the wall. Like Samsung, a customised wall mount is included in the box. However, unlike Samsung, TCL doesn’t have a universal mount for VESA mounts, so it can be difficult to use with other wall mounts.

The monitor itself has a white frame, but TCL has also been kind enough to include a set of bezels in the box. This is something Samsung charges extra for.

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The remote control is of course in white and uses Bluetooth like the other TCL variants. In comparison, Samsung's remote is somewhat nicer and uses rechargeable batteries (via USB-C or solar cells). (Photo: Audun Hauge)

Wall bracket and frame included – but not table stand

The frames included with the TCL are made of plastic and aluminium in a light wood colour and attach to the screen using magnets. We think the fit is relatively good and comparable to The Frame.

What is oddly NOT included are feet to place the TCL monitor on the table. You’ll need to buy these as an option, either in the form of two adjustable height feet or a stylish floor stand with wheels.

TCL probably expects most buyers to mount the TV directly on the wall right away. However, in our experience, it’s convenient to be able to place the TV screen safely on a TV stand sooner or later. Samsung has taken this into account by including both table and wall mounts in the box.

Ease of use and features

Another key difference between the two competitors is the audio and video connections. On the NXTFRAME, all inputs and outputs are located in the TV screen itself, unlike Samsung’s separate ‘One Connect’ box.

It’s actually quite impressive that TCL has managed to integrate both connections and power into such a sleek TV. However, this can be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on how you choose to mount the screen. You have to be a little careful to avoid cable clutter.

NXTFRAME’s on-screen menu is based on the familiar Google TV that we’re used to seeing on other TCL models. The Google system is considered one of the most user-friendly variants as it offers a wide range of apps.

Format support is good and TCL excels in supporting a wide range of video formats, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, as well as Dolby Atmos on the audio side. Samsung does not support Dolby Vision, relying instead on its own image processing.

TCL has four HDMI inputs, two of which are 2.1. Samsung offers 2.1 and 4K/120HZ on all four inputs.

Dedicated art gallery with AI-created art

When it comes to specific features for NXTFRAME, the most important app is ART GALLERY. TCL does not have its own art subscription like Samsung, but offers a free selection of images. In addition, you can select so-called ‘AI-generated’ images.

The images are then retrieved by entering specific wishes based on different themes and moods. Based on the information you enter, the TV will then suggest a suitable image to display when the screen is in standby or pause mode.

We don’t know if the images are created by the AI from scratch or if there is an existing archive of images, but it works pretty well anyway. We’ve had a lot of good suggestions through the service. We like that it’s possible to choose from a wide range of colourful and atmospheric images without paying for them. In addition, it is of course possible to show your own private photos.

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

Picture quality

The TCL TV is equipped with a 4K LCD panel with a ‘QLED’ colour filter for a wider colour spectrum. Image processing is handled by an ‘AIPQ Pro’ video processor. The screen frequency goes all the way up to 4K/120Hz and 144Hz, which is favourable for both motion and gaming.

Like Samsung, TCL has opted for a matte finish on this monitor, and while it doesn’t look as ‘super matte’ as The Frame, it’s not bothered by reflections.

The first impression is that the TCL screen delivers a crisp and clear image with good and nuanced colour reproduction. The screen is relatively bright and the lighting is evenly distributed – if you sit directly in front of the screen.

In other words, the TCL TV will be suitable for general TV entertainment, but when we take a closer (art-critical?) look, we also discover some weaknesses.

The viewing angle is a typical disadvantage of LCD monitors, which becomes very apparent on this model. Colours and contrast become noticeably paler and more ‘washed out’ when viewed from the side.

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

Limited contrast

It’s also worth noting that TCL NXTFRAME – like Samsung – uses a panel with a so-called ‘Edge LED’ backlight. This in turn affects the image quality you can expect.

TCL is known for its advanced MiniLED displays with thousands of dimming zones and dazzlingly strong contrast, but on this model they have chosen a more conventional variant without local dimming, presumably to save space.

The contrast is therefore in the centre of the field and cannot be compared to OLED or MiniLED in terms of dynamics or depth perception. In combination with the matt screen surface, the image can be perceived as a bit flat and unengaging.

These limitations probably won’t come as a shock to experienced TV viewers, but are nevertheless worth mentioning. Because although the difference isn’t that big in normal TV viewing, it’s very apparent when we switch to more demanding HDR (High Dynamic Range) material.

Such scenes place extra high demands on the contrast and brightness of the display. And since NXTFRAME is only around 330 nits and has no local dimming, there’s no real sparkle in the bright areas. You might miss out on the party and fireworks.

This is a limitation shared with Samsung The Frame, by the way. It’s worth noting that both Samsung and TCL have significantly more ‘HDR-capable’ TVs in their range, such as the TCL MQLED85 and Samsung QN85D.

Not as good at colours

Of course, this is primarily a comparison with The Frame, and here TCL delivers more in line with its Korean competitor. However, we found that The Frame has some visible advantages in some cases.

When comparing the two screens side by side, it’s clear that the Samsung has slightly better contrast, a more nuanced colour reproduction, but also an overall sharper image. Tiny details and contours in faces and other objects don’t come out as well on the NXTFRAME, especially when the action is in motion. Also, in many cases, the image seems a little too dark.

TCL offers several different picture modes, such as Standard, Dynamic, Cinema and Filmmaker Mode, and automatically switches to, for example, Dolby Vision HDR when appropriate. But the one called Standard is oddly enough a kind of eco mode with limited brightness.

We also found that the Film mode tended to drown out the darkest details. This could easily be solved by adjusting the brightness up a few notches, but strictly speaking it shouldn’t be necessary. We would therefore like to see a more optimal universal setting for varied use, such as Samsung’s adaptive mode.

Sound quality

On the audio side, NXTFRAME comes in two different variants: A300 is the standard model with built-in speakers. We tested the upgraded version A300 Pro, which has an upgraded sound system – made in collaboration with Bang & Olufsen.

The soundbar that comes with the A300 Pro model has 3.1.2 channels with a total of 9 speakers and a slim separate subwoofer. They come in white and have a shape that fits well with the TV.

The sound is definitely better than the average TV out there and on par with what we expect from today’s soundbars. The voice reproduction is clear and crisp with a warm and rich tonal balance that gives a good experience of both music and sound effects. There’s also good resolution in the treble, which contributes to an airy and pleasant soundstage that’s impressively wide for its size. The wireless subwoofer adds extra foundation and more punch to the bass rhythms.

Overall, this solution actually sounds excellent, even if it’s not quite on par with the very best entry-level soundbars, such as the popular Sonos Beam. But when we take into account the price difference between the regular A300 and the A300 Pro, it’s actually a very nice price to pay for a soundbar with a subwoofer.

Conclusion

The NXTFRAME is the latest design TV from TCL, and given the popularity of the model it’s up against, it’s natural to have high expectations. First impressions are good: the design and build quality are great. We like that TCL includes a wall mount and a stylish frame in the box – but we’re a little surprised that there are no feet included.

If you opt for the Pro model, you get a stylish audio solution in a matching design that also sounds impressive for its size.

But to outperform a competitor like The Frame, you either need to be significantly cheaper or better in some areas. And this is where NXTFRAME falls short on all counts. The picture quality still has some way to go before it can match The Frame. And while TCL has created a nifty free picture feature, it’s no match for Samsung’s sophisticated art selection – even if this comes at an extra cost.

Remember, Samsung has had years to develop and refine its concept, while this is only TCL’s first appearance. In that respect, the NXTFrame is a promising product and it will be exciting to follow its further development. For example, it would be particularly exciting to see an NXTFRAME with MiniLED technology within the frame…

Strangely, Samsung has been virtually alone with the concept for several years. No other manufacturer has dared to copy the concept of the picture frame aesthetic and interchangeable frames – until now.

Chinese challenger

TCL has come up with a rather cheeky imitation – NXTFRAME – or ‘the next Frame’. Yes, even the name is included. There should be no room for misunderstanding here.

‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’, they say. We don’t know if Samsung feels flattered, but they’ve certainly felt the pressure from their Chinese competitor.

TCL has had quite an adventurous growth in recent years. They came in from the sidelines as a low-cost challenger with a focus on affordable LCD TVs with a Google interface.

From there, the number of models, screen sizes, technologies and not least price ranges have grown at record speed, all the way up to €26,000 for the largest 115-inch with MiniLED. And now their own Frame version.

TCL NXTFRAME meets Samsung The Frame

So the question is, which of these design TVs is the best? We’ve tested both the 2024 model of Samsung The Frame LS03D and the TCL NXTFRAME A300 Pro, which means we’re in for a real design duel!

Both the TCL and Samsung variants are available in a range of different models. Samsung ranges from 43 to 85 inches, while TCL offers two different model series (A300 and A300 Pro) with the same picture but different sound. Prices are close to the respective Samsung models.

We have tested the 55-inch versions of Samsung The Frame and TCL NXTFRAME A300 Pro. Let the competition begin!

So does that mean ‘game over’ for LCD? Not necessarily.

OLED is not necessarily the best for everyone. Some still appreciate the bright and effortless brightness that only the best LCD screens can deliver – without the risk of burn-in. A good LCD TV can provide a very pleasing, well-balanced picture quality with rich, rich colours.

In fact, some manufacturers have managed to trim and improve their LCD screens so well that they not only keep up with OLED, but also surpass them in some areas. Even at a competitive price, and often in many more screen sizes. Sony Bravia 7/9 and TCL C855/X955 come to mind, but Samsung also has several powerful ‘Neo QLED’ LCD screens – including the QN90D, which we have now had on the test bench.

Samsung QN90D

This model belongs at the high end of the Samsung range, just below the flagship QN95D and QN900D models. It targets discerning film, gaming and sports enthusiasts and is loaded with features.

The Samsung TV has advanced MiniLED backlighting on the inside, controlled by a video processor with AI capabilities (NQ4 AI Gen 2). It’s also necessary because controlling so many dimming zones (switching the light on and off precisely and smoothly) on top of the other image processing requires a lot of processing power.

The QN90D is also available in a wide range of screen sizes, from 43 to a colossal 98 inches. So whether you’re looking for a high-performance TV for the living room, bedroom or home cinema, this should be a good buy.

With the exception of brightness and the number of dimming zones, which increase with size, the specifications are very similar. All models support 144 Hz screen frequency, with the exception of the 98-inch, which stops at 120Hz. It’s quite rare for the smallest LCD TVs, especially in the 43 to 50-inch format, to achieve such a high refresh rate.

Design-wise, the QN90D is impressively slim, especially considering all the LEDs on the inside. In fact, it’s not much thicker than the design model The Frame and it has a much simpler backlight technology (Edge LED).

However, the QN90D has to do without the separate One Connect connection box and instead comes with integrated connections. These can be difficult to access if you hang the TV on the wall. In that case, it might be worth considering the QN95D or QN900D with One Connect instead.

Ease of use and features

The Tizen menu and user interface should be familiar to Samsung users. The manufacturer has refined the system over the years, adding new features and services. However, it takes a bit of a ‘super user’ to know how to quickly get to the settings and the various video inputs at the very beginning. With a little navigation and a few tricks, it is possible to create a shortcut to the settings and the relevant video sources on the home screen.

The Tizen system has the vast majority of streaming services available, including the ‘free’ TV service Samsung TV+. This can be a great and quick way to access content.

However, we have to put up with a lot of advert interruptions along the way and the service can be a bit of a hassle with the way it pops up when you start using the TV. If you already have a stable TV receiver, it can be tempting to switch the service off – unless you become addicted to the Top Gear and Baywatch channels.

Another smart feature worth mentioning is the so-called Ambient Mode, which allows us to generate ‘picture pauses’. This way you can make your TV screen more personalised and atmospheric when it’s turned off. To access the feature, navigate to the Ambient Mode menu where you can choose between different themes and moods. The TV will then display different images that harmonise with the home environment. You can also upload your own images. It may not be as artistic as The Frame, but it’s something!

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

Great connectivity and format support

Connectivity is also exemplary with 4 x HDMI 2.1 inputs, all of which can handle 4K/120 Hz video signals. If you have a relevant gaming PC, you can go all the way up to 144 Hz.

There’s no hiding the fact that this is a model that is also aimed specifically at gaming. The Samsung monitor has its own ‘Game Bar’ menu with many different settings that can be used to optimise the gaming experience. Of course, it supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and a dedicated gaming setting ensures you’re quick on the draw. We measured the lag at just under 9 milliseconds (measured at 1080p/60Hz), which is low enough for most people.

In the fastest gaming mode, some of the image processing (including local dimming) has to be reduced quite a bit, which also affects the overall contrast, but the image quality still remains at a high level. Samsung also offers features where you can adjust the black level to see more detail in dark areas.

The only thing we miss is (as usual) support for the HDR format Dolby Vision, but it seems unlikely that there will ever be sweet music between Samsung and Dolby on this point. The TV will therefore have to rely on tone mapping to achieve the optimal reproduction of video in HDR format, but luckily this is something Samsung has a lot of experience with.

Picture quality

Compared to OLED, an LCD display will always have a challenge because it relies on backlighting to create watchable images. Since images consist of both dark and light areas, there can be issues with light bleeding and halo effects around bright objects on a dark background.

Samsung’s solution to this problem is to equip the QN90D with an advanced MiniLED backlight and many local dimming zones on the inside. Exactly how many zones Samsung won’t disclose, but there are many!

Because the Samsung display is able to switch off the light where it needs to, it achieves an impressive black level that in many respects comes close to OLED. There is also very little of the typical halo effects. The result is a beautiful, contrasty and vibrant image.

In fact, the QN90D is so good that we think it could be mistaken for an OLED TV in many cases! The backlight works quickly and accurately enough that it’s hard to distinguish during normal TV viewing. At least as long as you’re sitting directly in front of the TV.

An experienced enthusiast will be able to detect the LCD technology by taking a few steps to the side, because then the picture becomes noticeably paler. Although the QN90D actually has a very good viewing angle for an LCD TV, it’s hard to avoid the colours and contrast becoming more greyish when you move to the side.

Dazzling brightness

Of course, you can reveal the Samsung screen on another (important) detail, and that’s brightness. No OLED TV can match it. After all, one of the benefits of having a lot of LEDs on the inside is that it provides plenty of firepower when required.

We measured the Samsung QN90D at close to 2,500 nits in a small 10 per cent window and closer to 750 nits with full screen white. These are impressive numbers, and not far below the TCL X955, which is the strongest we’ve measured so far, with 2,700 and 1,000 nits respectively. In comparison, the flagship OLED model Samsung S95D only manages around 1,600 and 300 nits.

This difference is not only reflected in the measurements, it’s also something you can feel in practice. When watching regular TV in SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) format, you may not notice much difference. But when it comes to modern, high-quality HDR video, it’s a completely different story.

We trawled through several titles in HDR format such as Top Gun: Maverick, Formula 1 Drive to Survive and the Netflix series Fast Cash, and we literally saw them in a whole new light. The images were served up with impressive dynamics, contrast and depth, and the best shots looked truly magical.

During a shooting scene in Fast Cash, the gang members move through an arcade full of flickering lights and shattering glass, and here the extra light intensity added an extra level of realism to the image experience.

And let’s not forget nature programmes like Life in Colour with David Attenborough, where the screen explodes with hues. The volume of the colours is impressive.

We often return to the fighter jet scenes in Top Gun, where the intense brightness of the sunlight and blue sky really comes into its own. The same is true during the breathtaking laps in the F1 documentary Drive to Survive, where the sparks and glow of the brake discs are almost palpable. Here we also witness truly smooth and seamless movements, with the Samsung display maintaining impressive sharpness even during the fastest camera pans.

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From Life in Colour with David Attenbourogh on Netflix. (Photo: Audun Hage)

Best without the handbrake on

Subjectively, the Samsung QN90D delivers some pretty hefty picture experiences that, in our opinion, can’t easily be replicated by OLED displays like the S95D or S90D. And if you’re looking for a slim LCD TV with significantly better picture quality than The Frame, there’s not much to worry about!

Admittedly, during several of these sessions we used Samsung’s Film mode, which still uses a certain amount of video processing and extra contrast to enhance the images. But if you’re the kind of person who likes that, you’ll definitely love the QN90D.

If you’re a purist who prefers as little cosmetics as possible, the Samsung display also has a more neutral Filmmaker Mode in its repertoire. But here the brightness is reduced somewhat, combined with interpolation and noise reduction being switched off.

It must be said that the QN90D performs very well here too, although it doesn’t shine as impressively as in the regular film mode. While the colours are very neutral and nuanced, it’s just not quite in the ‘reference class’ of the very best OLED displays, such as Samsung’s own S95D, in terms of grey scale and colour reproduction. On the LCD side, we must also highlight the competitor Sony Bravia 9, which has truly exemplary colour reproduction.

Compared to OLED, the difference is of course not so obvious when the backlight, local dimming, contrast enhancement and other functions are running at half power. And then some of the wow factor disappears. So if you’re considering such a TV, our advice is that you should be able to use it for what it does best.

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(Photo: Audun Hage)

Sound quality

With a TV as slim as this one, there aren’t high expectations for the sound. Samsung has placed some speakers on the sides and below the screen, including top speakers for Dolby Atmos, but it’s not a great sound solution with extra dedicated woofers or the like. The sound is mostly fine, with good clarity in the vocal range, but generally quite thin. It quickly becomes clear that it’s no match for the powerful image.

It’s clear that you should spend money on a soundbar or similar, at least if you have any ambitions for a home cinema. A Samsung HW-Q810D or perhaps preferably the larger HW-Q995D would be a good match. These have the ability to receive the audio signal wirelessly via Wi-FI, but for the best possible sound we recommend using the HDMI eARC connector.

The conclusion

The Samsung QN90D is undoubtedly one of the best LCD screens you can buy in 2024. For those who are extra picky about picture quality, it’s easy to be tempted by today’s best OLED TVs, but you shouldn’t rule out LCD for that reason. LCD screens have been further refined as a result of increased competition, and the Samsung screen is one of the best examples of this.

With impressive contrast, energetic colours and crazy brightness, this monitor is an impressive sight. Add to that a smart user interface, great connectivity and sleek design, and this is a TV that’s easy to recommend. Just don’t forget your sunglasses!

LG OLED C4: Design

On the design front, LG is sticking to its successful design that was first introduced on the C2 generation. This means a really slim OLED display with an almost invisible bezel, combined with a slightly thicker section on the back where the electronics and connections are located.

The 2024 model is now available in screen sizes up to 83 inches and has a distinctive slate-like surface on the back of the screen. Not that you will be seeing much of it from the couch, but it’s something. All in all, there’s not much to fault in the design, although it may not scream ‘premium’ to the same degree as Sony and Samsung. Note that if you’re planning to wall mount the TV, it might also be worth considering the more expensive G4 model, which is even better suited for this.

Ease of use and features

Existing LG owners will feel right at home when they unpack and set up an OLED C4. LG has seen no need to reinvent the wheel, and the familiar Magic Remote is in place – largely unchanged for generations. This means you can use an arrow to navigate the menus.

The WebOS 24 user interface, on the other hand, has received some updates over the years, including allowing more family members to have their own customized home screen when they turn on the TV. The LG OLED C4 is ready in a flash and quickly switches between menu options. The app selection is impeccable with all the leading streaming services in place. There’s also the option to display content from mobile via AirPlay 2 or Chromecast. And like Samsung, LG offers a bunch of free, ad-supported TV channels for you to feast your eyes on if you want to.

LG has even promised to keep the user interface updated for the next five years as they launch new features. This means you won’t feel like you’re being left behind every time LG launches a new generation. It’s a very commendable stunt that Samsung has also had to follow up with a similar guarantee for updates.

LG also boasts support for the HDR format Dolby Vision, which ensures optimal quality of very modern video content. Samsung has a policy of not supporting this format, choosing instead to focus on its own HDR image processing.

With four 2.1 HDMI inputs, the LG TV is well equipped for modern video sources and gaming consoles. It can even handle display frequencies up to 144 Hz and VRR if you have a gaming PC powerful enough. LG has a dedicated game bar menu full of relevant settings for gaming and a fast, low-latency gaming mode.

Image quality

It’s on the picture front that it really counts, and here we were full of anticipation as we’ve already been very impressed with this year’s top model from LG, the OLED G4. The cheaper C4 model is traditionally a slightly scaled-down version without the top-of-the-line MLA OLED panel, and thus the image processing is slightly downgraded.

That said, there’s no reason to underestimate the C4!

First impressions are that this is a very accomplished OLED TV, even by 2024 standards. The LG OLED C4 delivers the picture quality you’d expect from a premium OLED TV, and it’s also a noticeable improvement on last year’s C3 model.

The deep black level we take for granted, but when we look at HDR content, it’s clear that brightness has also taken a small jump this year, which is also confirmed by the measurements – from around 800 nits on the C3 to 1,000 nits on the OLED C4. This is an important step forward as most HDR movies are mastered at 1000 nits.

The LG display has an impressive contrast that makes TV content look vivid with excellent detail reproduction. Test scenes from Top Gun: Maverick, Dune 2 and Blade Runner have seldom looked better. LG also benefits from support for Dolby Vision, a widely used HDR format for streaming, gaming and UHD Blu-ray.

Color reproduction is also exemplary, so much so that even a ‘studio-correct’ competitor like Sony should feel threatened. In fact, the C4 model’s movie setting is very accurate in terms of color reproduction and grayscale. LG has obviously done a thorough job with the calibration directly from the factory.

When comparing with competitor Samsung and their S90D, we notice some small but distinct differences. For example, Samsung generally had a slightly brighter image than LG in the default setting. The S90D also has a very smart AI picture mode, which analyzes the content you’re watching and adjusts the picture settings automatically. But if you’re the type of person who prefers to choose your own picture mode based on what you’re watching anyway, this might not be so important.

Sound quality

In addition to the brilliant picture quality, the LG TV also has a pretty good sound quality. Voice reproduction is clear with a crisp mid-range and a distinct treble that helps bring out the dialog. LG has also provided a rich bass reproduction that helps make music and sound effects more engaging. However, we note that the OLED C4 can’t play as loud and clear as the Samsung S90D.

The sound is well above average, although it doesn’t compare to the competition, which is equipped with more lavish sound systems. LG does, however, offer a matching soundbar for its OLED screens that can also be used as a TV stand. It might be worth checking out if you’re looking to upgrade your sound.

Conclusion

The LG OLED C4 doesn’t differ dramatically from its predecessor, the C3, in terms of design and features, but LG has managed to squeeze a little more performance out of the 2024 model. Among other things, the C4 now has the ability to play frame rates of up to 144 Hz, which is probably most relevant for PC gamers.

More interestingly for regular TV viewers, the brightness has taken a noticeable jump, bringing extra realism to movies and series in HDR format. The picture quality is really sparkling! This makes an already good OLED TV even better, and the LG OLED C4 maintains its status as one of the very best TV purchases in the premium class.

TCL C655/QLED780

The new C655 series consists of LCD displays with a so-called QLED colour filter and is made in a slim design with two V-shaped feet. The panels are VA (Vertically Aligned) with direct LED backlighting, which is known to provide good contrast. However, this series doesn’t have localised dimming with zoning, which we find on its big brother C655 Pro (QLED810).

The TCL display delivers 4K resolution, of course, but makes do with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. It can also handle video signals of up to 120 Hz from gaming consoles or PCs by reducing the resolution to 1080p. The only exception is the largest 98-inch in the series, which is capable of handling 144Hz (or 1080p/240Hz). We tested the 55-inch model in the series, which is available in screen sizes from 43 and up.

Ease of use and features

The TCL C655 uses the familiar Google TV user interface that we are used to seeing on the manufacturer’s TVs. The Google system has the advantage of being easy to use, offers a wide range of apps and is regularly updated with new features. For example, in the latest version you can create your own user profiles, customise your home screen and get personalised recommendations based on your viewing history.

The remote control uses Bluetooth, which means you don’t have to point it directly at the TV, which also responds quickly to commands. There is also voice control (Google Assistant) with a microphone in the remote control.

Format support is good and TCL excels in video formats such as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos on the audio side. Image processing is handled by an AIPQ video processor. The C655 has a separate picture mode for gaming, where we measured the delay at 16 ms at 60 Hz.

When it comes to connections, TCL makes do with three HDMI connectors on this model, which is otherwise of the 2.1 type. There are now many models with four inputs, also from TCL, but they typically cost more.

Picture quality

We’ve recently tested many high-contrast OLED displays and dazzlingly bright Mini LED TVs that have literally burned themselves into our retinas! So naturally, one has to adjust expectations a little when it comes to a relatively affordable LCD in the Basic class. That said, we were pleasantly surprised by the picture quality that TCL delivers.

The TCL C655/QLED780 is a so-called “QLED” LCD, where a special filter is used to provide stronger and more nuanced colours. We note that the TCL panel reproduces a sharp and detailed image with strong and clear colours in standard picture mode. The screen has good brightness, making it suitable for varied TV viewing in different lighting conditions.

For many budget LCD TVs, it’s typical for the viewing experience to be characterised by low contrast, but that’s not the case here. The TCL model has surprisingly good contrast and an even light distribution with no spots or impurities. This is indicative of a good quality picture panel and we think many people will be very happy with this picture quality for general TV entertainment, series and sports.

The TCL panel also has its own “Cinema” picture mode plus a separate Filmmaker mode with neutral colours. Here you can watch the film without the video processor ‘messing’ with the picture too much. Again, we found that the good contrast/light distribution resulted in a pleasant picture with no noticeable unevenness. Of course, the black level isn’t as pitch black as on an OLED screen, but those things cost a lot more money.

The limitations become more apparent when we switch to more demanding HDR (High Dynamic Range) material. This type of scene places extra high demands on the contrast and brightness of the display. Ideally, it should be able to handle at least 1,000 nits of brightness or more, and since the C655/QLED780 can only handle about half that (500+ nits), it’s a slightly weaker experience than the more lavish premium models.

It’s worth mentioning that big brothers QLED810 and QLED870, for example, deliver even more contrast and brightness. The latter also has a panel that goes up to 120 Hz, allowing for even smoother motion. But this is most prominent in HDR mode and not something you miss when watching regular TV. The aforementioned models also cost a lot more, and since the QLED780 delivers pretty much the same overall picture quality, we consider it to be a great buy.

Sound quality

When it comes to sound, the TCL TV delivers a good experience thanks to an Onkyo 2.1 sound system with stereo speakers and an additional woofer on the back. Speech and entertainment programmes sound relatively clear and crisp, but the sound is generally a bit thin and not very dynamic. A simple and inexpensive soundbar would of course provide a significant sound improvement. TCL supports surround sound formats such as Dolby Atmos via the HDMI eARC output, so you can take advantage of this when connecting an external soundbar.

Conclusion

The C655/QLED780 is the latest in the line of affordable LCD panels from TCL. The picture quality is well above average and we were particularly impressed with the contrast and colour reproduction of the TCL screen. Add a well-functioning Google TV user interface and you get a total package with excellent performance for the price.

The model range is also available in a wide range of screen sizes, so whether you’re looking for a new kitchen TV or a large cinema screen, there are plenty of options here. However, the sound is a little thin, so you’ll have to pay for a separate soundbar. A great buy in the budget class!

For a long time, this type of TV screen was largely inaccessible to mainstream consumers, but now the situation has changed. Thanks to increased competition and price point pressure between manufacturers, you can now buy a decent 98-inch TV without being forced into poverty. That’s great news for anyone interested in movies, series and other home entertainment. But there are some pros and cons to be aware of. Time for a test in the TV heavyweight class!

Samsung DU9005: Design

If you’re looking for a stylish and minimalist interior, you may as well keep looking: it’s not easy to hide such a beast of a TV screen. At least Samsung has provided a smart design, so this behemoth is actually quite nice to look at – relatively speaking.

The DU9005 has a slim frame around the screen and a smooth back with no protruding parts. This makes it possible to mount the TV close to the wall.

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Samsung 98” DU9005 (Photo: Samsung)

Samsung has also thought carefully when it comes to table placement: the included feet can be mounted in two different widths with approximately 150 or 45 cm between them. What’s more, the feet are very easy to install – and “click” into place without the need for screws.

However, there is no wall mount included in the box, so if you want to mount on a wall, you will need to purchase it separately.

You may want to choose a wall mount that allows you to pull the monitor out as needed: the connections are recessed on the right side from the front, about 30 centimeters in from the edge, and can be difficult to access.

Installation: How to avoid accidents!

Speaking of installation, our first piece of advice when considering buying a TV screen of this size is to order home delivery. That way, you let the supplier take all the risk of shipping, potentially saving you a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

One thing is the packaging itself, which alone requires you to have a rather large van or trailer. A 98-inch in packaging typically measures 2.5 x 1.5 meters and weighs 60-70 kilos or more.

Another unfortunate fact is that LCD screens of this size are extra sensitive to bumps, twists and other mishaps during transportation. This is something we regularly experience with the large monitors we receive for testing, and unfortunately this was also the case with our first test sample of the Samsung 98DU9005.

Despite extensive – and seemingly undamaged – packaging strapped to a pallet, it had been subjected to enough stress along the way to render the monitor unusable in the form of a shattered screen glass.

Luckily, Samsung got us a new test sample in no time, but unless you have favorable home insurance, you may want to order home delivery. And make sure you have at least one or two skilled buddies to help unpack and set up!

You could also consider outsourcing the installation to specialists: L&B Tech Reviews has previously written about the unfortunate Norwegian who smashed his 98-inch monitor before he could enjoy it.

Ease of use and features

The 98DU9005 uses the well-known Tizen menu system from Samsung. The start menu is clear and gives us quick access to different video sources, apps and services. We also appreciate that Samsung – after some criticism – has made it easier to access the settings directly via a button on the remote control. We would have liked the remote to have a backlight, but solar charging is fine.

The selection of apps and services is great. Also worth noting is Samsung TV+, their own TV service, which offers free, ad-supported TV channels ranging from news and sports to entertainment. The quality varies, but content like Baywatch Remastered and Top Gear is great. We have to admit, watching icons like David Hasselhoff and Jeremy Clarkson upscaled to 4K on a big screen – interrupted only by the occasional commercial break – makes us nostalgic.

However, the DU9005 series is a little more sparsely equipped than the more expensive QLED and Neo QLED models: for example, it only has three HDMI inputs. But all three support 4K/120Hz video signals, so you can connect a games console or gaming PC. The monitor is also well set up for gaming with its own picture mode and VRR support.

Support for the HDR format Dolby Vision is not available on this or other Samsung TVs. This would be an advantage if you want to enjoy movies and series in this format. On the other hand, Dolby Atmos is supported on the audio side – although you will of course need a proper soundbar to enjoy it properly.

Image quality

Getting a TV screen of this size into your home takes a bit of courage and sheer muscle power. But all the hard work is quickly forgotten when you see the amazing picture.

Even though we’ve started to gain significant testing experience with 98-inch screens, we’re still mesmerized by the phenomenal viewing experience these monitors can provide. Whether it’s classic feature films in 2.35:1 or modern series in full screen 16:9, they really come into their own on the large screen area.

Not to mention sports or gaming! Here you can enjoy football and first-person shooter games while leaning back on the couch. It’s just not quite the same sitting close to a 55-inch screen.

When images are blown up to this size, you can see far more detail in both the foreground and background of the action – something we miss on smaller screens. This alone gives the viewing experience a solid boost. But it can also make things worse in terms of noise and grainy resolution.

However, the Samsung monitor has some subtleties that help it deliver the goods. Firstly, it has an efficient video processor that ensures good upscaling of various video sources to 4K resolution. This ensures that even older entertainment programs in regular HD (we mentioned Top Gear, for example) actually look decent on the big screen.

The noise reduction works well without ruining all the small details. Furthermore, movements are smooth and fluid with minimal flicker. In this respect, Samsung is among the best in its class.

Color reproduction is also excellent, and even though the DU9005 is a so-called “Crystal UHD” display without the so-called QLED color filter with quantum dots, we have to admit that the color spectrum is still quite impressive. The DU9005 also has a nice Movie Mode with soft colors and an extra neutral Filmmaker Mode. However, you’ll have to do without the advanced “AI” upscaling of the top models, which analyzes and changes the picture mode automatically.

Limited HDR effect

As is always the case with affordable LCD displays, compromises have to be made, and it’s mostly about contrast and brightness. While the Samsung 98DU9005 has excellent brightness for general daytime TV viewing, it falls a little short in the really demanding movie sequences.

The DU9005 uses an LCD panel with LED backlighting, but comes without so-called local dimming. Therefore, it doesn’t have the ability to vary the brightness at different points on the screen like a more advanced Neo QLED/MiniLED or OLED display can do.

These weaknesses become more apparent when we switch to modern video content in High Dynamic Range (HDR) format. This type of content places much higher demands on contrast and brightness, of which there are only limited amounts on the Samsung DU9005.

The maximum brightness is limited to around 600 nits, which is too low to get any real benefit from HDR content. This means you won’t get the brilliant high brightness effect in sunshine and explosions. You’ll also have to put up with a somewhat more limited color gamut and less color volume as a result.

The black level isn’t very impressive either, as there always needs to be a certain amount of light on the screen to reproduce bright objects. This is where the more advanced monitors have a clear advantage as they can turn off the light in certain places. The difference in contrast is therefore significant.

For example, L&B Tech Reviews has tested the more expensive Samsung Q80C model. This last year’s model has so-called local dimming, which provides a significantly larger contrast range. And let’s not forget the competitor TCL and their 98C855. These monitors cost a lot more than the Samsung 98DU9005, but may be worth considering if you plan to watch a lot of movies at night.

Sound quality

When it comes to sound, we’re not that impressed: While the DU9005 does of course have built-in speakers, it seems like they’re mostly meant to fulfill the minimum requirement for a TV to at least have sound. The sound reproduction itself is quite thin and limited, with diffuse voice reproduction and thin bass. In other words, it doesn’t match the great picture at all.

However, the Samsung display does have HDMI eARC output, so it can share audio signals with an external amplifier or speaker. It also supports Dolby Atmos audio processing, so you can use this audio format from apps like Netflix and Disney+.

We also borrowed the Q995D, which is Samsung’s largest and widest soundbar, for the test. It also comes with additional surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer. In our opinion, this is the class to invest in to match the size of the picture.

Conclusion

The Samsung 98DU9005 is the latest and most affordable 98-inch from the South Korean TV manufacturer, and although the DU9005 lacks some of the niceties needed to compete with the hottest premium displays, it delivers when it comes to overall picture quality, not to mention the entertainment factor.

Thanks to a sharp 4K LCD panel, great video processing and a smart user interface, the DU9005 manages to provide an excellent TV experience in XXL format. Contrast is middling, so if you’re a particularly picky movie fan, it might be worth stepping up to its big brother 98Q80C – but for general TV entertainment, sports and gaming it works brilliantly.

All in all, we consider the Samsung 98DU9005 to be a great buy. However, the sound is mediocre at best, so you should budget for a separate audio solution to match the picture experience!

Samsung QN85D

Design-wise, Samsung is a sight to behold with its slim design. The screen is impressively thin for an LCD TV and has a smooth back with no protruding parts. Therefore, it will also be fine for wall mounting. However, this monitor does not have a separate junction box, which you will find on some other Samsung models.

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Samsung QN85D. (Photo: Samsung)

Ease of use and features

The Samsung model has a very good level of features. The smart Tizen user interface has a clear menu system and we like that the TV responds quickly to commands when we press the remote control. The QN85C is actually noticeably faster than the TCL. The only downside of the tiny remote control is that it can easily get lost between the sofa cushions!

The app selection is exemplary and in addition to the obligatory selection of streaming services, there’s also Samsung’s ad-funded TV+ with plenty of sports and entertainment channels, including treats like Baywatch: Remastered. But alas, those darn commercials…

Samsung also boasts excellent connectivity – the best in the test – as all four HDMI inputs support 4K/120 Hz video signals. The QN85D is also suitable for gamers, with support for VRR and a separate Game Bar where all the settings are in one place. The Samsung display also has a built-in Smart Hub, which can be used to remotely control connected devices in a smart home – for example, shades and lighting can be controlled via the TV screen.

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Image quality

The Samsung monitor immediately impresses with its excellent image quality: Here we are in a different class to, for example, its little brother Q77D/Q74D, which we have previously tested. This can be seen first and foremost in the fact that there is a clear improvement in contrast and brightness. So if you’re wondering whether MiniLED and local dimming make a noticeable difference, the answer is a resounding YES.

When it comes to image processing, Samsung uses a very powerful video processor (NQ4 AI Gen 2) with a host of smart features. The TV can analyse the picture and learn which picture settings you prefer for different genres. You can then choose your own “AI-adapted” picture setting, which automatically adjusts the picture when it detects sports or films, for example.

This time it’s actually more than just lip service, in practice we found the AI setting to be quite useful as you don’t have to keep changing settings.

The overall picture quality is crisp and detailed, and Samsung excels at really effective noise cancellation and super-smooth motion. Which makes this a great TV to watch sports on. The European Football Championship broadcasts were exemplary, with impressively precise ‘ball handling’ and good sharpness on the move.

The QN85D also delivers very good colour reproduction in movie mode: colours in movie mode are very neutral and balanced with no excessive saturation anywhere. The Calman measurements also revealed a very accurate colour space and a grey scale with very low delta deviations. On the other hand, the Samsung QN85D doesn’t have as strong contrast and brightness as its competitor from TCL.

What is conspicuous by its absence is – typical for Samsung – support for the HDR format Dolby Vision. The TV only supports regular HDR10 and HDR10+. This has been the case for a number of years and it doesn’t seem to change with the 2024 generation. When displaying HDR content from Netflix, Disney+ or other sources, the QN85D has to rely on tone mapping, which in most cases does not provide as detailed contrast.

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Sound quality

On the audio side, the Samsung QN85D boasts an extended sound system, with strategically placed speakers around the screen. The soundstage is clearly bigger and wider, with more surround effect than average. Speech reproduction is clear, and down in the bass there is good fullness in music and sound effects. Still, a Dolby Atmos-compatible soundbar would be recommended, and in this regard, it may make sense to choose a Samsung soundbar – such as the Q810D, which we have good experience with.

Conclusion

The QN85 series from Samsung has traditionally been one of the best in the premium class, and this year’s QN85D delivers very high performance in all areas. In terms of design and usability, this is a winner – but the picture quality is also top notch. We’re particularly impressed with the smart picture settings that customise the image to the viewer’s needs. Gaming enthusiasts are well catered for here, and if we were to take one of the monitors home to watch the European Football Championship and the Olympics, it would probably be the Samsung QN85D.

TCL C855

Its predecessor, the C845, was one of the better premium LCD TVs we tested last year, but the C855 has more power under the bonnet, which should make the picture quality even more sparkling. The backlight reportedly has more than twice as many dimming zones, and in addition, brightness is claimed to have increased from 2,000 to 3,500 nits.

On the design front, this TV is very similar to the previous TCL models, with a centralised stand that is easy to mount (the larger 85- and 98-inch models may have other solutions). The finish is a little more industrial and angular than the slightly slimmer screens from Samsung and Sony.

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TCL C855 (Photo: TCL)

Ease of use and features

The TCL C855 is equipped with the Google TV user interface, which includes a wide range of apps and support for familiar features like Google Assistant, Chromecast and AirPlay. Here you can find all the streaming services you could wish for and the main menu can be customised to give you personalised programme recommendations. However, the menu system isn’t lightning fast like on Samsung’s display with the Tizen operating system on board.

The TCL monitor is otherwise characterised by good format support, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for movies, series and gaming.  The panel supports frame rates up to 120 Hz, or up to 144 Hz for gaming. Connectivity is good, but not on par with Samsung: like Sony, only two of the four HDMI inputs have full bandwidth for 4K/120 fps video signals. But TCL has at least made sure that the third connector can be used as an audio output (HDMI eARC), so you have two free inputs for gaming purposes.

Image quality

The TCL monitor features a new QLED LCD panel and upgraded Mini LED backlighting with multiple local dimming zones for better contrast and brightness. At first glance, it looks quite impressive.

As expected, the C855 has dazzling brightness and contrast, which contributes to a very vivid and dynamic image. The light distribution is very precise, with no annoying halo effect around bright objects on a dark background. Moreover, there is plenty of brightness across the entire screen at the same time. This means that the TCL monitor will work well both for sports in daylight and for watching films in the evening in a dark room.

Naturally, films and series in HDR format look very impressive thanks to the generous brightness. There’s plenty of high-lit detail such as sunlight, flames and explosions, but also excellent detail levels in dark scenes.

Colour reproduction is good, with strong and nuanced colours from the QLED-based display. The TCL C855 has a very accurate grey scale and colour reproduction in SDR mode, but in HDR mode it deviates slightly more from its competitor Samsung. It may therefore make sense to sacrifice a Calman calibration on this monitor to achieve the most accurate reproduction.

As we look at the TCL C855 with different types of test content, we also become aware of a few potential challenges. For example, it’s clear that the screen doesn’t follow the fastest movements as well.

The motion compensation, also known as interpolation, is characterised by a kind of ‘curtain effect’ where some blocks in the image are delayed compared to the rest. The result is that the image reproduction is not as seamless as Sony and Samsung achieve. This is hopefully something that can be improved with a software update, but nonetheless something to be aware of.

Another possible criticism of the TCL monitor is that, like most LCD monitors, it has a rather narrow viewing angle. You don’t have to sit very far to the side for the beautiful colours and greyscale to look significantly paler. However, the TCL isn’t dramatically worse than Samsung’s competitor.

Sound quality

The TCL C855 has an upgraded sound system with 60 watts of output power, distributed over a total of six speakers. This is also reflected in a large and powerful soundstage that spreads well across the large screen. Voices come through loud and clear, and the music and sound effects are full and rich. The sound does a good job on its own – but there’s no doubt that a TV of this size deserves to be complemented with a soundbar.

Conclusion

Overall, the TCL C855 delivers impressive picture quality with excellent brightness and contrast. Compared to the challenger Samsung in this test, the TCL display isn’t quite as convincing for sports or discerning film lovers respectively, but overall this is a good all-round TV that performs well in all disciplines. We also note that this monitor has already been on offer at prices well below the recommended retail price. The C855 will therefore be a good buy in many contexts.

Samsung Q77D/Q74D

In terms of design, the Samsung screen is among the slimmest, and it’s also easy to set up. The centre-mounted stand screws into place quickly and there is room for the TV on most TV furniture. Connectivity is good and with all four HDMI inputs supporting HDMI 2.1 and 120 Hz video signals, you won’t run out of inputs. The TV also has a built-in “Smart Hub” with Matter support, which means it can remotely control almost any smart device in your home if you so desire.

Samsung’s own user interface (Tizen OS) is modern and up-to-date, and is also supposed to be extra protected against hacking and other unpleasantness through Knox Security. The Q77D has a wide range of apps, including Samsung TV+, which is Samsung’s ad-funded service with a wealth of channels. The small remote is solar (or USB-C) charged and we appreciate that the TV responds quickly when we press it. We’re sure you’ll experience and appreciate that too.

If you’re a gaming enthusiast, you’ll also like the fact that the Q77D supports VRR and can handle 120 fps video signals. However, the HDR format Dolby Vision is not supported, only the usual HDR10 and HDR10+.

Image quality

On the image side, the Q77D is equipped with a good quality LCD panel, but there haven’t been many advanced improvements since the previous generation Q77C. The screen has a QLED filter, which provides a wider colour gamut, but there’s no direct LED light or local dimming as some of the competitors boast. As a result, you can’t expect the same raw contrast as TCL and Sony.

Still, the Samsung monitor delivers a very sharp and detailed image, and the black level is actually among the best in the test. The Q77D can also handle signals of varying quality and makes them look really good. The upscaling is good and the movements very smooth, thanks to an advanced and efficient video processor. This makes this a great sports TV.

The colours are strong, nuanced and neutral thanks to the QLED filter. Light distribution is good across the entire screen without the unevenness we experienced with LG and Philips. Most TV content looks really good and the Q77 is also excellent for sports thanks to the above qualities. We were able to follow fast counter-attacks and ball games without annoying notches or flicker.

Where the Samsung display falls short is in the localised contrast in certain areas of the screen, and not least the level of detail in dark areas. Here it is noticeable that the competitors with local dimming and direct LED backlighting (TCL and Sony) shine a little brighter and with a greater sense of depth, especially on films.

Conclusion

For sports and varied TV entertainment, the Samsung Q77D is still a fine all-rounder that’s as fast and stylish as few in its class. Most of the competition looks downright clumsy in comparison!

Please note that the Samsung Q77D is a brand new 2024 model and therefore the price is slightly higher than for the 2023 models. At the time of writing, you can also buy the outgoing premium model and test winner Samsung QN85C (with miniLED, local dimming and higher contrast) for the same price as the Q77D.

Here we are clearly in the high-end class with a slim and elegant metal frame, and inside sits a razor-sharp 8K display with a resolution of 7,860 x 4,320 pixels. It delivers an incredible picture depth that simply has to be experienced.

The QN900D also comes with some features that are exclusive to the 8K models. For example, only the QN900D (and its little brother QN800D) comes with Samsung’s most powerful video processor, the NQ8 AI Gen3, which is equipped with the latest AI enhancements. And this time it’s more than just buzzwords, but improvements you can actually see and hear.

Samsung QN900D: 8K TV in the high-end class

The 8K format hasn’t been a huge success so far. The film industry is focusing almost exclusively on 4K with HDR in the future, and there’s no indication of a move to 8K resolution anytime soon. However, there are a number of YouTube videos filmed in 8K. And as soon as Netflix, Prime, MAX or other streaming services decide to focus on 8K video, interest in 8K will likely pick up again.

The other TV manufacturers don’t seem to be investing much in 8K either. Sony hasn’t launched a new 8K TV since the Z8K in 2022, and Philips, Panasonic and TCL don’t yet have any 8K TVs in their range. On the other hand, LG has a new 8K model in the pipeline, the QNED99, which will hit the market in 2024.

Samsung, on the other hand, seems to have absolute confidence in 8K resolution and continues to offer it in its top models. The lack of content doesn’t seem to be a big problem – that’s what (increasingly smart) upscaling is for!

The design

The QN900D is also a beautiful example of industrial design. The screen has a thin but strong metal frame, which allows the image to go all the way to the edges without any black stripe around it. This creates an interesting effect where the image almost seems to float in the air. The impression is only enhanced by the new stand, which is designed to be almost invisible.

The sleek and smart design is of course particularly advantageous on the 85-inch TV we’re testing. Large screens can easily become very dominant in the interior, but the slim design helps to make it less distracting. The QN900D deserves a place in the living room instead of being tucked away in a dark home cinema room.

Ease of use and features

The Samsung QN900D runs the latest version of Samsung’s Tizen operating system, which provides a fast and clear user interface. It provides access to a wide range of apps and streaming services, including Samsung’s free, ad-funded TV+ service. Samsung also highlights its proprietary ‘Knox’ security system, which prevents hacking and other unpleasantness.

The QN900D also comes with One Connect, which is Samsung’s separate connection box. It allows connections and other electronics to be hidden away in a nearby shelf with just one cable up to the screen. This allows the TV to sit neatly on the table – but it’s worth noting that it looks particularly good on the wall.

The QN900D also has built-in Smart Hub features that allow it to act as the hub of the smart home with full visibility and control of lighting, shades and other Wi-Fi connected devices.

Speaking of connectivity, it’s worth mentioning that all four HDMI inputs support resolutions up to 8K/60Hz or 4K/240Hz. On the gaming front, there’s support for VRR and a plethora of subtleties with a dedicated ‘Game Hub’ full of relevant settings.

However, there is still no support for the popular Dolby Vision HDR format, only regular HDR10 and HDR10+. However, the Samsung display is equipped with powerful image processing and tone mapping to compensate for the lack of metadata.

Image quality

Samsung has saved the very best image processing for its 8K models, which they still believe are in a class of their own. We’re ready to put it to the test!

When you pay this much for a high-end TV, you expect a picture out of the ordinary, and that’s what you get with the Samsung QN900D. As we saw during CES and Samsung’s own presentation in Frankfurt, this 8K display has a very potent and vibrant picture.

The first thing we noticed was that the screen appears exceptionally solid and coherent, almost regardless of the content. The 8K resolution allows the screen to achieve a very high pixel density (PPI), and with 33 million densely packed pixels, there is naturally less room for ‘black gaps’ than on a 4K screen of the same size.

The challenge arises when filling in all those missing pixels – also known as upscaling – but here Samsung has achieved a significant improvement over this year’s model. The QN900D is equipped with 8K AI Upscale Pro, where the video processor analyses the entire image and adds the missing image information using AI, instead of just copying the surrounding pixels.

The improvements are clearly visible as the image reproduction is really sharp and detailed, even when the original image has a lower resolution. Even regular Full HD looks very sharp with a convincing sense of depth.

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(Photo: Amund S. Hammeren)

Smooth movement

Many previous generations of 8K monitors have struggled with upscaling and moving the image at the same time, but the QN900D does a great job here too, thanks to the fact that it’s equipped with a real badass of an image engine. The image reproduction is very smooth and seamless, handling even quick pans without flickering or breaking up. This makes it an ideal TV for films, sports and other TV entertainment.

Speaking of sports, the QN900D is equipped with what Samsung calls ‘AI Motion Enhancer Pro’ and ‘Ball Detection Mode’, which can detect when you’re watching football or other ball sports. It should therefore be extra good at predicting where the ball is going and counteract flicker. However, we can’t guarantee whether it can make the goalkeeper any faster!

Accurate contrast

What about contrast? Here too, the Samsung monitor performs well and actually significantly better than last year’s QN900C model. Thanks to the finely meshed miniLED backlight, the light distribution is very precise and the QN900D is not particularly bothered by halo effects around bright objects. Whether this is due to more dimming zones or just smarter management of the existing zones, we can’t say for sure, but the improvement is obvious.

When it comes to the black level, it’s still clear that we’re dealing with an LCD panel. The QN900D has so many pixels to illuminate that it doesn’t quite manage to switch off the light in the dark areas. So while the black level is excellent, it’s not quite in the class of an OLED display like the S95C or S90C.

Samsung’s display also has plenty of brightness to offer, both for video in HDR format and regular SDR. The QN900D pumps out a respectable 1,500 nits in a 10% window, around 1,000 at 25% and down to 500 at 100% screen area.

That said, it’s not a groundbreaking brightness for an LCD display, and again we suspect it may be due to all those millions of pixels that the backlight has to pass through. In fact, Samsung’s own OLED TV S95D delivered similar nit values when we tested it recently. Which makes both it – and the Samsung QN900D – suitable for watching TV even in bright environments.

In any case, the sum of all the above qualities adds up to a TV that not only has excellent picture quality for virtually all types of content, but is also very easy to live with for most applications – and living room environments.

Sound quality

Even though the QN900D is very slim, that hasn’t stopped Samsung from mounting a large number of speakers in the screen, most of them on the back. In total, we’re talking about a speaker system with 6.2.4 channels! It sounds pretty insane in a TV without separate speakers, but is based on a high degree of virtual sound processing.

The sound may not be as impressive in practice as it looks on paper, but you can hear that this is a step up from the more affordable Samsung models. The QN900D manages to create a big soundstage that matches the size of the screen well. There’s also a good woofer for music and sound effects. Samsung has also succeeded well in placing the various sound effects where they occur in the picture, and not least the speech is strong and clear.

Most importantly, the monitor supports Dolby Atmos sound processing, which it can also share with a soundbar if connected via HDMI eARC. If you choose a compatible Samsung soundbar (e.g. Q990D), the sound can also be transmitted wirelessly.

Competitors?

As fewer and fewer TV manufacturers seem to be focusing on 8K, there aren’t many direct competitors to the QN900D out there from model year 2024. On the other hand, LG will still be selling its OLED Signature Z3 from 2023 – the successor to the Z2, which we tested with excellent results last year. An OLED TV with 8K resolution is a beautiful blend of contrast and sharpness that we recommend everyone take a look at. The only downside is the price, which creeps over £100,000 for a 77-inch.

Sony hasn’t launched a new 8K TV this year, but their 2022 Z8K could be an alternative, albeit with an older MiniLED backlight (fewer dimming zones) and a slightly more bulky form factor than Samsung’s slim form.

If we are taking the resolution down to 4K, there are several competitors, not least from Samsung’s own range. We recommend taking a look at Samsung’s QN95D, which is the manufacturer’s top model in the 4K range. Keep an eye out for tests of this in the future.

And let’s not forget the TCL X955, which has impressed us with its strong contrast and dazzling brightness at a competitive price in the high-end class. However, it’s not as sleek, attractive and living room-friendly as the Samsung, nor does it have 8K resolution.

Conclusion

The QN900D is an expensive high-end model, but also delivers ‘the extra’ when it comes to picture quality, design and overall user experience. The build quality is very good and suitable for both wall and table mounting. Although there is still quite a bit of true 8K content to watch, Samsung makes up for it with powerful and advanced image processing. Combined with a bright, high-contrast miniLED backlight, the result is impressive image sharpness and clarity, as well as formidable image depth. Overall, the QN900D is one of the best TVs we’ve tested this year, and among 8K TVs it’s probably the best yet.

The top model, the S95C from 2023, almost made it to the top in last year’s test. And now its successor, the S95D, is ready to compete – equipped with an upgraded QD-OLED panel and a smarter AI video processor as some of the key improvements.

Samsung S95D – design

This year’s new top model has the same basic design as last year’s model, but there are some key differences. The first thing we notice when we unpack the Samsung screen is the super matte screen glass.

The S95D is covered in a plastic film during shipping, but when it comes off, it’s like staring into a black hole! Your eyes will struggle to focus because there’s simply nothing to focus on. The super matte surface soaks up almost all the light coming in. In comparison, the LG screen we’re standing next to is relatively glossy and characterised by reflections/mirror images.

The screen’s ‘body’ is also one of the most gorgeous things we’ve seen. Samsung’s OLED display is only 1.1 centimetres thick – less than half as thick as the LG competitor. How is that possible?

The trick, as usual, is that the power supply, electronics and connections have been moved to a separate box, Slim One Connect. That way, the display stays just as slim and flat throughout without anything protruding.

You can choose to place the connection box on the back of the base or hide it in a shelf, for example. Of course, this solution looks very tidy if you mount the TV on the wall. A longer cable is included for this purpose, but it’s relatively thick due to the power requirements.

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Samsung S95D. (Photo: Samsung)

Samsung S95D – usability and features

Samsung favour their own operating system and user interface, Tizen OS, which has also received a small facelift this year. The main menu has been made clearer to reflect the many apps and services available, and we like that it’s now easier to bring up the settings menu as a pop-up on the screen instead of having to go through a lot of menus and button presses. The app selection is impeccable as usual, and for those who like that sort of thing, there’s also access to a lot of free TV channels via Samsung TV+. Baywatch, anyone?

Samsung has also made sure that hardcore gamers have plenty of features to enjoy. For example, you get four full-bandwidth HDMI inputs. The OLED panel can handle speeds of up to 144 Hz and a separate Game Bar menu gives us a full overview of the relevant settings.

Format support is good, but Samsung still needs to support Dolby Vision HDR for games, films and streaming services. However, there is full support for Dolby Atmos, both via the built-in speaker system and via the HDMI eARC output.

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Samsung's external Slim One Connect Box is a smart solution that keeps connections away from the TV itself, or as shown here, mounted on the back of the base. (Photo: Audun Hage)

Measurements

Our first measurements showed that both the LG OLED G4 and Samsung S95D provide very accurate colours and greyscale, straight out of the box and without calibration. Both displays delivered a delta deviation of <3, which is typically below what the human eye can perceive. The LG delivered exceptionally well in SDR. On the other hand, the Samsung S95D actually delivered even better in HDR with very low deviations in colour and greyscale. LG, on the other hand, delivered slightly higher brightness and contrast.

Note: The slightly higher deviations on the LG display are due to slightly higher colour values in blue, which can be compensated for with a Calman calibration. With the Samsung, there is almost no need to calibrate as the readings are already so low.

Image quality

The first impression is that the new Glare Free OLED panel has a rather significant and mesmerising impact on the viewing experience. Most TV screens have a rather mirror-like surface, but the Samsung screen has almost no reflections from the surroundings in the room, including lamps, windows or other objects. Even the direct light from the mobile phone’s flashlight at close range is wiped away! The result is a screen that is incredibly clean and free from visual distractions – only the image shines.

However, the matte screen is not without its side effects. Because the panel lacks the glossy, ‘highly polished’ finish, it also loses some of its absolute black level in some surroundings. The screen also becomes slightly lighter and greyish when exposed to light from the sides.

Looking at the Samsung S95D and LG OLED G4 side by side in a bright room, it’s clear that the latter has a deeper black level and slightly glossier and more polished images. The S95D can sometimes seem a little more flat in appearance, while losing some detail in dark scenes.

On the other hand, there were many other instances where the Samsung display looked noticeably cleaner and sharper thanks to the matte finish. And when the light is dimmed or switched off, there is little difference in the black level. And here the Samsung display will have a significant advantage in many cases, especially if you have lamps or windows directly behind your sofa. So you simply have to prioritise based on your own preferences and the lighting conditions in your home.

In addition, the matt surface seems to be significantly less sensitive to grease marks. Fingerprints are far more visible on the glossy LG screen…

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This image gives a good illustration of how the screens look in a dimly lit room with a light source behind the sofa. (Photo: Audun Hage

Razor-sharp images

When the images actually appear on the screen, there’s a lot to be excited about. The S95D provides a very sharp and contrasty image experience with a characteristic, almost 3D-like depth effect. The latter is probably also largely thanks to Samsung’s powerful AI image processing. Of course, 4K images in HDR format look great on this display thanks to excellent contrast and brightness. But we’re also impressed with the image quality from more common video sources without HDR.

The video processor does an excellent job of upscaling different video sources, making even our old Blu-ray films look like 4K. There’s very little ‘sawtooth’ or other noise to be detected here, without the image feeling unnaturally polished in any way. Furthermore, the S95D retains good image sharpness, even when moving.

QD-OLED displays have traditionally had a strong advantage in colour reproduction. The S95D is no exception in this regard, and there is no doubt that the Samsung display has very rich and nuanced colours, which are also measured very accurately. However, it seems that LG has managed to make up for lost time here, as their MLA OLED display has also achieved very impressive colour reproduction.

All in all, there’s no doubt that both of these OLED displays perform very well. You can’t go wrong with either of these high-end TVs. When it comes to pure picture quality, LG has a slight advantage thanks to slightly higher contrast and deeper black levels in certain lighting conditions. While the Samsung screen will probably be the most practical and usable in many cases.

Sound quality

The Samsung screen is only half as thick as the LG screen, but you wouldn’t think so when you hear the sound. The Samsung S95D has a significantly richer and more powerful sound reproduction than the LG OLED G4, and that’s because it has several rather large speaker units spread around the back. Together, they manage to create a fairly large, wide and clear soundstage.

The voice reproduction comes through clearly, while the music and sound effects are rich. You can get by without a separate sound system – but of course it’s much better if you add a soundbar. Then you can also utilise the Q Symphony feature, which uses all the TV’s speakers together with the soundbar. We’ve tested this with the latest soundbar, the HW-Q995D, and have to admit that it gives a pretty cool effect.

Conclusion

Samsung has given its OLED top model a welcome update for 2024 with a new display panel and a more powerful video processor under the hood. It’s undoubtedly a very good-looking, potent and high-performance TV.

We especially like the sleek design and consistent ease of use. In addition, the new super matte picture panel ensures a fantastic, glare-free viewing experience. The competition is strong in the high-end segment and the picture performance is only a whisker away from the LG OLED G4, and overall, the Samsung S95D is still one of the very best OLED displays we’ve tested in 2024.

LG OLED G4 with super powerful ‘AI’ processor

LG is focusing a lot on image processing this year, and the OLED G4 is equipped with the new α11 video processor, which is only found in this model and the wireless OLED Signature M4.

Developed specifically for OLED TVs, the new α11 processor is significantly more powerful than its predecessor, the α9. Among other things, LG promises a 70 per cent improvement in graphics performance and a 30 per cent increase in processor speed.

LG’s processor also uses AI (artificial intelligence) to improve image quality. Like Samsung’s NQ4 processor, it can analyse image information and decide how best to process objects. It’s not the first time we’ve heard this, but now the improvements are starting to gain momentum.

LG OLED G4 – design

The G4 model is called ‘Gallery OLED’ because it is tailor-made for wall mounting. The back of the screen is completely flat with a notch for wall mounts and cables. In fact, previous generations of the G series were so ‘wall orientated’ that they didn’t even come with a socket in the box! But this year, LG has thankfully turned things around and includes a regular plinth, while the wall mount is now optional.

In our opinion, it’s a smarter and more flexible solution – so you can experiment and find the right position before drilling holes in the wall.

The new centre-mounted base is heavy and sturdy and can raise the screen a notch to accommodate a soundbar underneath. Otherwise, the design is relatively similar to its predecessors.

LG seems to have been inspired by Samsung’s slim design, but here there is no separate box for cables etc. – which means the TV is a bit thicker and you’ll definitely end up with more ‘cable clutter’ dangling from the screen.

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LG OLED G4. (Photo: LG)

Ease of use and features

The LG monitor comes with the latest user interface (WebOS 24), which has become very fast and clear. The TV offers multiple user profiles and the home screen can be tailored to individual preferences. The remote control is the trusty Magic Remote with pointer that LG has used for as long as we can remember.

Like Samsung, LG offers four HDMI 2.1 inputs with up to 120Hz/144Hz on all of them. The G4 also has plenty of gaming features, which are available in the Game Optimiser submenu. A dedicated picture mode for gaming helps reduce lag to under 10 milliseconds. And with support for Freesync and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), gaming is smooth and flicker-free.

Both LG and the Samsung competitor perform really well for a variety of gaming purposes, and both would be great monitors for consoles like Xbox and PS5. But if we have to highlight anything, it’s that LG – unlike Samsung – supports Dolby Vision formats for films, series and games.

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We measured input lag at 9.1 milliseconds, but to achieve this, remember to enable the game optimization feature! (Photo: Audun Hage)

Measurements

Our first measurements showed that both the LG OLED G4 and Samsung S95D provide very accurate colours and greyscale, straight out of the box and without calibration. Both displays delivered a delta deviation of <3, which is typically below what the human eye can perceive. The LG delivered exceptionally well in SDR. On the other hand, the Samsung S95D actually delivered even better in HDR with very low deviations in colour and greyscale. LG, on the other hand, delivered slightly higher brightness and contrast.

Note: The slightly higher deviations on the LG display are due to slightly higher colour values in blue, which can be compensated for with a Calman calibration. With the Samsung, there is almost no need to calibrate as the measurements are already so low.

Image quality

Naturally, we were extra excited to see what impact the new ‘AI wizardry’ would have on the LG display. We’ve already had several of the new features demonstrated at trade shows and the like, but with all the settings turned up to maximum to emphasise the differences – which were very exaggerated.

But with the LG display set to the more neutral Cinema mode, we witnessed one of the best – perhaps the very best – TV picture we’ve ever seen!

It’s one thing what the metrics say, but we regularly found our eyes being ‘drawn’ to the LG screen, which was the sharpest, most detailed and most contrasty of the two competitors.

Firstly, the OLED G4 has a phenomenal sharpness and detail that we’ve hardly seen before. The absence of noise, combined with refined and gentle image processing, emphasises details without overdoing it.

The contrast in the image is also formidable and barely manages to surpass the rivalling Samsung S95D in both the lightest and darkest shades. Both of these monitors are absolutely top class, but LG has a slight advantage in terms of contrast and black level.

In addition, LG has managed to squeeze a very nice and more nuanced colour reproduction out of the panel. QD-OLED still has an advantage in terms of colour volume, but on the G4 these differences seem to have diminished significantly. The only point where we can see that the Samsung display has an advantage is that it has even more fine gradation from dark to light.

The LG OLED G4 also has motion smoothing (interpolation), which works brilliantly on everything from 24p feature films to sports and other types of TV content. Images are smooth, sharp and almost flicker-free without introducing too much ‘soap opera effect’. The improvement is remarkable, which again must be due to the smart video processor.

Sound quality

On the audio side, the LG G4 is relatively sparsely equipped with a single speaker system and dedicated woofers. It’s meant to offer virtual surround sound. And yes, the sound reproduction is clear enough, with clear voice reproduction, but it quickly becomes obvious that it’s no match for the size of the Samsung sound system. The S95D has strategically placed speakers all around, providing an impressive soundstage with a more airy surround effect.
Many would probably prefer a separate soundbar or sound system for a TV in this class anyway, and we would recommend it in this case. The G4 supports Dolby Atmos via the HDMI eARC connector and if you choose a compatible LG soundbar, you can also send the sound wirelessly or use the monitor speakers in combination with the soundbar – the so-called WOW Orchestra.

Conclusion

The G-series from LG has traditionally been among the best OLED TVs on the market, and this year’s OLED G4 is no exception. The combination of raw and contrasting picture quality, great design and a smart user interface and good design make this an excellent overall package. This year it even comes with a foot in the box (!) – so you can quickly set up the TV. The fact that the price starts a little lower than its predecessor did back in the day is no disadvantage either.

Of course, the LG OLED G4 faces strong competition from the Samsung S95D in terms of picture quality, usability and design. And if the built-in TV sound is an important factor for you, Samsung has a clear advantage. But as a pure imaging machine, the G4 is – by a narrow margin – the best in our opinion. Therefore, it’s a narrow but well-deserved victory for LG in this duel.

All in all, we have no hesitation in giving the LG OLED G4 top marks and our special recommendation. It’s simply a great TV!

OLED displays are known for their superior contrast and deep black levels, and more and more manufacturers are turning to OLED when developing new models. LG helped introduce the technology 11 years ago, while Samsung has come in strong from the sidelines in recent years with its own QD-OLED variant.

Samsung S95D vs. LG OLED G4

Of course, there’s a lot of prestige associated with this year’s new high-end flagship models, the Samsung S95D and LG G4. This is where the manufacturers have used all their technical know-how and the latest cutting-edge technology to give us the best picture quality.

The Samsung S95D uses the latest QD-OLED panel with super matte ‘Glare Free’ screen surface, while the LG OLED G4 features the latest WOLED panel and extra bright MLA technology.

Both TVs are equipped with the latest video processors, NQ4 AI and Alpha 11, which both refer to highly advanced and intelligent AI technology. The goal is to achieve the best picture and sound quality through stronger and smarter processing.

On top of that, of course, both come with the ‘latest advances’ in product design, smart features and usability, which will hopefully be rolled out to more affordable models over time.

OLED duel

We were lucky enough to borrow both flagship models in 65-inch versions, which cost a tidy sum of DKK 23,999 (LG OLED65G4) and DKK 26,999 (Samsung TQ65S95D).

In the high-end class, you’re allowed to have high expectations. As usual, we’re looking for the best picture quality, but of course we also emphasise sound, features and overall usability.

Does the super matte screen filter really make a positive difference to image quality? Have Samsung and LG managed to squeeze even more brightness and contrast out of the OLED panel and does the new AI image processing provide an even sharper picture?

So which of these high-end OLED TVs offers the very best experience? It’s time to find out. Ready-set-go!

The reason these huge TV screens have become so popular in the Nordic region is probably because we Norwegians are among the few who are “crazy” enough to buy such a large TV, and also have enough space in our living rooms.

Testing such large TV screens also presents some logistical challenges – but sore knuckles and stiff backs are quickly forgotten when you get them up against the wall.

These are not cheap flat screens: The 98 and 115-inch X955 cost €12,999 and €29,999 (RRP) respectively, so the TCL X955 must really deliver the goods when it comes to picture quality. Plus, of course, we wonder if it’s worth going for the extreme size of a 115-inch colossus!

TCL 98X955 and 115X955 MAX: Colossal TVs for home cinema

The new top model from TCL uses an advanced 144 Hz 4K LCD picture panel with MiniLED backlight and local dimming.

The biggest difference between this and more affordable TCL models is in the backlight. The screens are densely packed with LEDs on the inside, divided into between 5,000 and 20,000 dimming zones depending on the screen size. The X955 should be able to squeeze out up to 5000 nits of brightness at full nail, which should make the displays suitable for sports, gaming and films with dazzling HDR effects.

The TCL X955 is a big, heavy and space-consuming TV. The 98-inch alone is approximately 2.2 x 1.3 metres wide/high and weighs 70 kilos. Meanwhile, the 115-inch measures a full 2.5 x 1.5 metres, and the scale stops at around 98 kilos. The TCL screens are also significantly thicker than an OLED TV, for example. But hey – you don’t buy a 98 or 115-inch because of the slim form factor!

On the plus side, the X955 is actually relatively easy to set up once you’ve opened the box. TCL has ensured that the feet can be mounted while the TV is in the box. Then just lift it into place. The heaviest 115″ model comes with its own carrying handles that are screwed into the sides.

Here you can see the physical dimensions of the TCL monitors.

Ease of use and features

The user interface is similar to other TCL models: More specifically, Google TV with a wide range of apps and streaming services. The X955 also comes with a newer “premium” remote control in brushed metal.

We immediately notice that the TV responds quickly to commands and loads menus and apps very quickly. However, TCL has chosen a slightly odd position for the volume buttons, which are located on the side of the remote control. But that’s probably mostly a matter of getting used to it.

The TCL monitors support up to 144Hz refresh rate, to handle the most intense PC games as well as provide smoother motion (interpolation) on different types of TV content. The X955 also supports gaming at 120Hz with Dolby Vision HDR, which we verified on our Xbox Series X.

The TCL X955 also supports popular picture and sound formats such as Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also has a surround sound speaker system from Onkyo inside. The 98X955 has 4.2.2 channels while the 115X955 MAX has 6.2.2 channels.

The TCL monitors also come with four HDMI 2.1 inputs, but as with many other models, only two of them support 4K/120-144Hz signals.

Films are made to be seen on a big screen!

It may seem vulgar to bring a three to four square metre TV screen into your home. And yes, for regular TV viewing, this is probably overkill. However, if you have a dedicated room for home cinema and serious movie watching, it might actually make sense.

The fact is that with feature films in 2.35:1 format, much of the screen area is wasted in black bars, which steals a lot of the screen height – and film enjoyment – from a regular TV. So you simply have to think big when it comes to uncompromising film enjoyment.

The bonus of such a huge 16:9 TV is that you can also watch series, sports and games in full screen format. Many of today’s series and content are filmed and produced in 4K resolution with an impressive sharpness and level of detail that doesn’t come across very well on a (relatively) small 65″ or 75″ screen.

With 85″ we’re getting closer, but it’s still a long way up to the experience you can get from a 98″ TV. Not to mention 115 – we’re talking about a TV that can really give you the “IMAX feeling” in your own home.

Picture quality

No need to beat around the bush: Both TCL monitors deliver very impressive picture quality that is among the best we’ve seen from LCD. Both brightness and contrast are very good, as expected, but also the light distribution is surprisingly precise, with virtually no halo effect.

Thanks to thousands of dimming zones (5,184 on 98″, and 20,000+ on 115″), the X955 is able to deliver a dazzlingly bright and precise image. The advanced backlight has high enough “resolution” and works fast enough to follow the image content to the letter. This also means that the black level is very deep and convincing, close to OLED class in many cases. Dark areas of the image remain black, with nothing spilling over from the bright areas.

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The TCL monitors have a very convincing, almost OLED-like black level (Photo: Amund S. Hammeren)

We spent the very first days of testing with the 98X955. Naturally, it offers a completely different picture experience than you might expect from a small 75 or 85-inch.

With a TV of this size, you can really appreciate all the detail inherent in the 4K format. In fact, we’d argue that you haven’t really seen 4K until you’ve looked at a screen this size! Even at a viewing distance of just under 3 metres, there’s no hint of pixelation, distortion or extra noise, unless it’s very prominent in the video signal.

When the TV picture is blown up in such a large format, you may be more aware of compression noise from streaming services, but the TCL-X955 has a well-functioning image processing system with effective noise reduction.

During the test, we used a lot of HDR video material from Netflix, HBO Max and Prime, which typically use the heavily compressed AV1 video codec. But the real wow factor came when we switched to 4K Blu-ray and lower compression test videos. For example, the UHD HDR Benchmark test disc from Spears & Munsil, which features videos in 4K Dolby Vision HDR format, mastered to 4000 nits.

Here we were able to enjoy the extra colour and highlight detail that comes with the HDR format. The TCL displays have an impressively wide colour gamut and dazzlingly strong reproduction of, for example, sunlight, blue skies, flames and sparks. Here, the X955 manages to reproduce many nuances that are lost on less light-capable displays. The realism is palpable, and we can literally feel the radiant heat from the screens in some cases.

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HDR content mastered to 4000 nits looks great on the TCL X955 (Photo: Audun Hage)

From 98 to 115 inches

98 inches isn’t exactly a small TV, but 115 inches is actually the biggest TV we’ve tested so far! That meant some useful test experiences and entertaining moments in front of the two TCL screens.

Looking at the 98X955 and 115X955 side by side, there’s no doubting the similarities. Both TCL monitors deliver roughly equivalent performance on colour reproduction, brightness and contrast, although it was clear that the 115’s big brother had the higher brightness in many cases – presumably as a result of even more dimming zones.

When it comes to picture EXPERIENCE, however, there is no doubt who is the king of the living room, and the eye is immediately drawn to the larger of the two, as images and subjects are larger and more visually striking.

Both the 98X955 and 115X955 MAX looked very convincing when we tested them with HDR video material and test images mastered to 4000 nits, but even then it was clear that “big brother” could cope with slightly higher brightness than little brother.

Gaming on the TCL X955

The TCL monitors also offer a formidable gaming experience. This is something completely different from being glued to a 30-40 inch gaming PC monitor! Here you can lean back in your armchair and still have a full overview of the environment you’re travelling in, whether it’s a racing car game, role-playing game, flight simulator or shooter.

The X955 has an efficient game mode – Game Master Pro 2.0 – with low input lag (measured at around 14ms) and smooth flicker-free movements. We were able to play intense car games like Dirt 5 on Xbox at 120fps with crisp and smooth visuals without experiencing annoying screen tearing. The realism and immersion in shooter games like Gears 5 was also excellent, with brilliant shadow detail even through the darkest passages.

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The X955 has a dedicated gaming menu with various game-related settings and info.

The X955 has a dedicated gaming menu with various game-related settings and info.

Limited viewing angle

With the X955, TCL has managed to reduce many of the classic weaknesses of LCD, but of course they haven’t managed to eliminate them completely. This is primarily visible in the viewing angle. With an LCD layer and LED lighting on the back, the angle you look from becomes quite crucial.

When viewing the screen from the side, the image becomes noticeably paler with weaker colours and contrast. Therefore, you should arrange the TV and sofa/chairs so that viewers are seated directly in front of the TV. But as long as you take these precautions, there is little to criticise in terms of picture quality.

When it comes to motion and levelling (interpolation), TCL has not usually been in the same class as Sony, LG or Samsung, for example. But the TCL X955 seems to have made some improvements here too, and we tried a few different settings for motion and flicker reduction, eventually finding a good balance of smooth motion without an artificial “soap opera” effect. No TV is perfect in this area.

Measurements

After a fascinating first impression, we took out our measuring instruments to check whether the TCL X955 lives up to its promises in terms of brightness and colour precision.

Measured straight out of the box in the most precise cinema mode, the TCL displays give generally good readings for MiniLED LCDs, albeit not quite in the reference class.

LCD screens with backlighting are known to be very dependent on local dimming to work properly, which means that the measurements can be a little uneven. You can achieve more precise measurements by switching off all local dimming, but then the screens also lose a lot of the extra contrast.

We measured the TCL X955 at just over 3000 nits (98″) and 4000 nits (115″) in a 10% test window in HDR mode. It’s undoubtedly a very powerful brightness, but some way off the specified 5000 nits. Despite repeated attempts in different window sizes and settings, we were unable to squeeze out the last few nits.

However, we must make a small reservation here, as this may be due to something in our chosen test mode, light meter or picture settings, and not necessarily a lack of brightness in the TV screen itself.

When we contacted TCL about this, they pointed out that the TVs are still very new, and that there may be newer, customised software that makes even better use of the capacity of the picture panel. At a TV event in Poland last year, a 98″ X955 managed just over 5000 nits.

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Sound quality

With TVs of this size, it’s clearly advantageous to have multiple speakers.

Both TCL monitors have a slightly more lavish Onkyo sound system with 4.2.2 and 6.2.2 channels respectively. It consists of additional surround speakers on the top and sides, as well as two additional subwoofers on the back of the monitor.

The sound reproduction is above average, and gains extra efficiency thanks to the extra dispersion of the sound sources. The soundstage is sized to match the massive aspect ratio, and when the cars pass the pit on Ford v. Ferrari, we get a good sense of surround effect. Speech reproduction is relatively strong and clear, and you get a decent sense of the bass on music and sound effects.

That said, the built-in sound is no match for a separate soundbar or surround speaker system, and with a high-end TV, you might as well budget for a serious home cinema setup. We take that for granted!

Conclusion

TCL has previously impressed us with its large and affordable LCD screens. With the X955 series, they really take the step up to the high-end class. And we have to say that the Chinese manufacturer has succeeded well with its largest and most expensive TV to date.

Technically, the X955 delivers impressive brightness and contrast. The black level is also very good, with very little “halo” effect thanks to very precise and well-functioning local dimming.

Grayscale and colour reproduction is very nuanced, although colour precision is not quite “studio quality” out of the box. It may therefore be worth paying for a Calman calibration on this monitor.

All in all, we can safely recommend the TCL X955. If you’re dreaming of your own IMAX cinema, the 115″ TCL 115X955 MAX could be for you. But the 98-inch is in itself wild enough for most people, and appears to be the more sensible choice of the two – to the extent that a 98″ TV can be called sensible!

Now we can finally reveal: L&B Tech Reviews attended an event in the US just before Easter. The headline for the event was ‘Cinema is coming home’, and the setting was Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Los Angeles, where Sony’s new TV and home cinema products for 2024, including the Bravia 9, Bravia 8 and Bravia 7 models.

The last time we visited this studio was 11 years ago, when Sony introduced some of its first 4K TVs. So it was high time for a revisit!

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From the presentation of the Bravia 9, Bravia 8 and Bravia 7. The background is a gigantic curved LED screen for virtual production! (Photo: Sony)

Sony Bravia TV 2024: Bringing the cinema experience home

But wait a minute – why did Sony drag us all the way across the Atlantic to the US to show off some cool TVs and soundbars?

The intention is to show its strong connection with the cinema industry, of course, but also to give us a better insight into how – and why – famous films and series are produced in a certain way.

Sony has close ties to both the creative and executive sides of the film industry through Sony Pictures, which produces the films, and Sony Professional, which supplies film cameras, monitors and other production equipment.

In addition, it was of course a golden opportunity to highlight the latest TV products and emphasise why it’s so important that home electronics are able to faithfully recreate the best film experiences.

To give us an insight, Sony invited director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda to the stage. They are behind well-known blockbusters such as Tron: Legacy and Top Gun: Maverick.

Kosinski and Miranda told us how they managed to get a Sony Venice film camera into an F18 fighter jet during the filming of Maverick. Not to mention the painstaking work that goes into post-production, including colour grading.

“We can spend weeks, if not months, colour grading a film – so it’s crucial that the consumer is able to see it exactly as we intended,” says Joseph Kosinski, adding: “I love what HDR (High Dynamic Range) brings to the living room, that there’s much higher quality available to the consumer now.”

To bring us more TV content of a quality that lives up to the intentions of directors and producers, Sony is introducing more calibrated picture settings this year. In addition to the current Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode and Sony Pictures Core Calibrated Mode, a new Prime Video Calibrated Mode will be introduced to ensure optimal picture settings for different types of Prime content.

Will the film world soon move to 4,000 nits?

It’s part of the story that Sony Professional recently switched its mastering monitors from OLED to LCD. The trusty BVM-HX310, costing around € 25,000, is being replaced by the new HX3110, which is – yes, that’s right – an LCD-based monitor.

The reason for the replacement, according to Sony, is the need for more brightness for mastering HDR productions. While the old monitor tops out at 1,000 nits, the new model can deliver 4,000 nits continuously. And the difference is quite significant. Sony showed us test images with up to 4,000 nits of colour gradations, where the old HX310 flattened out and “clipped” at the top. It simply couldn’t reproduce the brightest shades of, for example, sunlight.

Interest in the film industry in producing and mastering films at 4,000 nits has so far been moderate: most feature films currently stop at 1,000 nits, and 2-300 nits is usually sufficient for cinema theatres. But Sony believes that more people will start to do so, as there is now a reliable studio monitor that can rise to the challenge. Not least because much of the content goes straight to streaming.

Or as Hugo Gaggioni from Sony Professional said: “Once one or two directors start exploring 4,000 nits in their films, more will jump on the bandwagon.”

Gaggioni also pointed out that the high brightness is not intended to dazzle us or make watching films uncomfortable. It’s about bringing out the extra nuances in small bright areas.

So much for the background – now for the TV models!

Sony Bravia 9: New top model in 2024

Rumours and speculation have circulated about this year’s range. Will this year’s new high-end model from Sony be a further development of last year’s top model A95L with QD-OLED, or has the Japanese manufacturer switched focus to LCD with MiniLED and local dimming?

The advanced prototype we saw at CES would suggest so, and now we have the answer: Last year’s A95L lives on, but the new flagship model in 2024 is actually a super-advanced MiniLED LCD TV and is simply called Bravia 9.

The Sony Bravia 9 utilises the latest version of Sony’s backlight technology – XR Backlight Master Drive. Sony wouldn’t reveal exactly how many dimming zones the Bravia 9 has, but did say that it has three times as many dimming zones as its predecessor, the X95L, and 50 per cent more brightness.

Sony was clearly most keen to talk about the smart and precise light control they have achieved on the new top model using their own 22 bit driver for the LEDs. And we have to admit that the new XR Backlight Master Drive technology seems to provide remarkably good and “”pinpoint”” light control.

The demonstrations we saw – just like at CES – gave the impression of a very fine-meshed, fast and precise distribution of light. In addition, the Bravia 9 has an impressive, almost OLED-like black level, which is probably the best we’ve ever seen from an LCD screen.

Sony had the Bravia 9 on display alongside the Samsung S95C QD-OLED and the LG OLED G3 from 2023, and the new model came very close to the studio monitor in several respects, with striking sharpness and detail, in addition to the brightness being very impressive.

The Sony monitor can reportedly handle over 4,000 nits in small batches, and it’s not necessarily about dazzling you, but rather having enough headroom to render the brightest HDR details without clipping and loss of colour. We saw a number of examples of how the less capable displays can easily lose hues in the brightest details if the content is produced to utilise the highest brightness.

Of course, the final judgement will have to wait until we’ve had the Bravia 9 on the test bench at home! There are plenty of interesting contenders this year, including the TCL X955 and Samsung QN95D, the latter of which also has 8K resolution. Sony, on the other hand, will not be launching a new 8K model this year, but will let the 2022 model Z9K live on.

Bravia 8 – new OLED TV replaces A80L

As Sony launches new LCD displays, their premium OLED displays are also getting a much welcome update, the successor to the popular Bravia A80L is the new Bravia 8. The successor to the popular Bravia A80L is the new Bravia 8, featuring Sony’s latest XR video processor with enhanced image processing and the built-in Acoustic Surface Audio+ sound system, but not the latest OLED panels with MLA technology.

Bravia 7 – replacing the X90L

The new XR Backlight Master Drive technology is also utilised in the little brother Bravia 7, which is also an LCD TV and a kind of successor to the popular and more affordable X90L series. We weren’t given any information about brightness, but the Bravia 7 will reportedly have 30 per cent more light and 8 times as many dimming zones as its predecessor. So this could be a really interesting model in the premium class.

Price and availability

Sony’s new TV models will be available in spring and summer 2024. Below you can see the prices that L&B Tech Reviews has been informed of::

Ease of use and features

The LG monitor is equipped with the WebOS 23 user interface, which provides a good overview of apps and content offerings. You also get the classic Magic Remote, where you use a “mouse pointer” to navigate around the menus.

On the features front, the QNED81 boasts four HDMI inputs, two of which support the latest 2.1 standard at up to 4K/120Hz. Curiously, however, there is no support for the popular Dolby Vision HDR format (only HDR10 and HLG) on this model. This contrasts with LG’s OLED displays, which do support Dolby and also feature HDMI 2.1 on all four inputs.

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Image quality

The LCD panel of the LG QNED81 series is of the IPS (In Plane Switching) type, which is known to provide better viewing angles. In addition, the display has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which provides smoother movements and better gaming performance. The video processor is an Alpha 7.

The backlighting, however, is of the standard Edge LED type. The 55-inch also has no local dimming – only the 86-inch in the series has it.

So what does this mean in practice? Well, firstly, the viewing angle is very good – exactly as expected. While many of its competitors struggle with washed-out colours when viewed from the side, the LG screen manages to maintain a rich and nuanced colour palette.

In addition, the LG QNED81 draws a sharp and detailed picture with very little noise. Video processing is good and we notice that the LG display also has good sharpness during motion.

The TV has good brightness (measured at around 700 nits in a 10% window), making it suitable for bright environments. It also adds a little extra punch in the brightest HDR sequences.

The QNED81 is almost similar to an OLED display in the way it handles colours. However, the contrast is far from OLED quality. The downside of IPS panels is that the contrast is noticeably paler and the black level looks more grey. Here, for example, the TCL QLED770 with its VA panel looks significantly more contrasty. Clearly, it’s hard to get it everything at once in this price range.

Conclusion

The LG QNED81 is an LCD TV suitable for sports and gaming thanks to a bright screen with a high refresh rate (120 Hz). The picture quality is characterised by good brightness and sharpness, excellent viewing angles – but unfortunately rather average contrast. Connectivity is good with four HDMI inputs (2 x 2.1). The LG monitor also has a well-functioning smart user interface. All in all, we think this LG monitor is a good buy in its price range.

Note that this LG monitor is not to be confused with the 2022 model, which has almost the same model code as this one, but a different design with a curved base. To get the latest 2023 model, look for the model code QNED816, which has a square base.

This time it’s not just a futuristic concept either, but an actual model that LG plans to launch in 2024. That said, TV technology at this level is sure to cost a fortune, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the OLED Signature T 77″ comes with a five-figure price tag.

A closer look at the OLED Signature T

We’d already seen the wireless display on stage, but then LG invited us up to their private suite on the 60th floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel. Here we got a closer look at the wireless transparent display. And it was actually quite fascinating to look at.

The technology works by removing the black background layer on the OLED panel, leaving the remaining OLED pixels that render RGB and white sitting on a transparent glass. The black background is replaced by a motorized cloth that can be pulled up or down as needed.

There are no electrical tricks in the panel itself, but rather a physical “blind” of an undisclosed material that blocks light from the back. It’s supposedly capable of blocking both daylight and direct sunlight, but we didn’t have time to check exactly how lightproof it is.

The picture quality is not bad at all: the LG OLED T has the same sharpness and color richness that we associate with OLED. Of course, contrast and black level depend on whether the background is on or not. But we probably can’t expect the same brightness and contrast as the brightest OLEDs with MLA panels, for example.

Having a transparent screen is actually quite fun. The parts that would otherwise be dark are transparent, but the colors remain bright and clear. The area that would otherwise be pitch black is now transparent, creating a three-dimensional depth effect where it almost looks like the objects on the screen are floating. The LG screen also has a lamp on the back that illuminates the wall behind it, enhancing this impression.

We think it looks pretty cool. And when we want more contrast, we just raise the black level again – literally – with a touch of the remote control.

OLED displays of the transparent type are probably primarily relevant for professional use, digital signage, advertising, etc. But who knows, maybe it could also be tempting at home? What do you think?

By the way, the OLED T-screen has pretty good built-in sound. There are speakers in the shelf construction that spread the sound down to the floor and beyond. But if you’re going for the wall-mounted version of the TV, it’s probably more obvious to choose a soundbar with wireless audio transmission – for example, an LG with WowCast.

In addition to the OLED Signature T, LG also exhibited the OLED M4 (now also in 65 inches) and the OLED G4, which is said to have greatly improved brightness. Both of the aforementioned models also get LG’s new and super-powerful Alpha 11 video processor, while the popular C-series – OLED C4 – makes do with the simpler Alpha 9 gen. 7.

The LG OLED T is the manufacturer’s answer to the increasingly larger and potentially more space-consuming TV. With its transparent OLED screen, it can more easily blend in with its surroundings, such as standing freely in the room or in front of windows without being obtrusive. The new TV was unveiled by Frank Lee, Director of Marketing during LG’s press conference at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

LG OLED T – transparent OLED TV

The transparent screen can keep you updated with simple information (time, smart home info, etc.) or atmospheric wallpapers in standby, or transform into a full-fledged TV when you turn it on with the remote control. A black “canvas” is then lowered onto the back or inside of the OLED panel, allowing the TV to display high-contrast images.

The LG screen needs power, of course, but the video transmission itself is wireless using the same type of junction box used in the OLED M3.

The TV will be part of LG’s Signature series and will come in a screen size of 77 inches. Image processing is provided by LG’s new and powerful Alpha 11 processor with AI capabilities.

The OLED T can be free-standing, wall-mounted or wall-mounted. It can be further customized by adding standing or floating shelves on one or both sides of the screen. This allows the TV screen to blend even more inconspicuously into the interior.

The LG Signature OLED T is an incredible result of consumer-driven innovation, offering entirely new viewing experiences plus the picture quality and performance of our award-winning OLED technology,” said Park Hyoung-sei, President of LG Home Entertainment Company in a press release. “LG’s transparent OLED gives customers greater freedom in their homes, completely redefines what’s possible and points the way to an exciting future for the TV industry.”

Pricing, specifications and availability in Europe are still too early to say, but LG’s OLED TV is certainly a fresh take on an exciting direction for TV entertainment! We can’t wait to take a closer look at it.

In the world of TV, bigger is better when it comes to watching the Super Bowl with family and friends, which has helped make TCL a relatively popular brand in the US in a short space of time.

The Chinese manufacturer is one of the main sponsors of the National Football League (NFL), and during the CES 2024 press conference, they had well-known sports anchors on stage to comment on their latest achievements, and naturally, the new 115-inch got extra attention.

The TVs officially launching in the US this week had some rather odd and unfamiliar model names, but spec-wise they are largely similar to the European models launched at the IFA show last fall.

TCL 115″ QM891 (X955)

The top model from TCL, the QM891 (also known as the X955 in Europe) uses an LCD-based picture panel with Quantum Dot Pro color filter, 4K resolution and MiniLED backlight with local dimming. The 115-inch is said to be capable of 5000 nits brightness and has more than 20,000 dimming zones. Additional screen sizes such as 98 and 85 inches will also be available.

This model was also shown at the IFA trade show last fall, and it seems that TCL is serious about bringing this colossus to the market in both the US and Europe. It is also rumored that Elkjøp has plans to bring the model series to the Nordic region in the long term. If this is the case, it would be exciting to test the 115-inch at home!

Whether it will be in stores in time for this year’s Super Bowl (February 11) is highly uncertain, but it should be in time for this year’s European Football Championship in June…

The price has not yet been confirmed, but it’s guaranteed to be in six figures – closer to twenty thousand dollars if we had to guess. But this is also a high-end big screen, in a slightly different league to what we’ve seen from TCL in the past.

The picture quality is obviously difficult to judge in a crowded exhibition hall, but the brightness and contrast are impressive – about as dazzling as the brightest billboards along the Strip in Las Vegas, and that’s saying something.

In addition to the X955 series, TCL showed a number of other exciting monitors in slightly smaller sizes, including a 31″ OLED PC display that can be bent into a concave shape. It’s made using advanced printing OLED technology (IJP) and looked really sharp.

The new M4, G4 and C4 series of OLED TVs are the successors to the respective 2023 model series. The screen size goes all the way up to 97 inches!

LG 2024 OLED TVs

The biggest news in 2024 is that LG is introducing a (supposedly) greatly improved video processor: The new α (Alpha) 11 AI processor has been developed by LG specifically for OLED TVs. It will be used in the top models LG SIGNATURE OLED M4 and LG OLED G4. Among other things, it promises a 70% improvement in graphics performance and 30% faster image processing compared to its predecessor α9.

Interesting features include upgraded upscaling, which uses precise pixel-level image analysis to sharpen objects and backgrounds. The processor uses machine learning/artificial intelligence to analyse and assess which objects to process and how – all for a clearer and more vivid viewing experience. The displays also feature Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, which fine-tunes brightness and contrast by analysing small variations in the image.

LG Signature OLED M4, OLED G4 and C4

LG’s M4 wireless OLED TV is the flagship model in the Signature series for 2024 and is now available in a new screen size of 65 inches, in addition to 77, 83 and 97 inches. The Zero Connect Wireless Box wirelessly transmits audio/video to the displays without the need for an HDMI cable. The technology was first introduced on the M3 model last year.

Both the M4 and G4 models utilise LG’s MLA OLED panel with extra cooling and higher brightness. The more affordable C4 model (successor to the 2023 C3) still has to make do without MLA technology and uses the somewhat more basic α9 video processor. All models mentioned support HDMI 2.1 on all inputs.

The top models also feature AI Sound Pro, which can simulate up to 11.1.2 surround sound, while WOWCAST and WOW Orchestra provide wireless integration with LG’s new soundbars. The 2024 models also support the smart home standard Matter, as well as Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast.

Support for 4K/144Hz video signals

As previously announced, LG displays now support video formats up to 4K 144Hz, which will primarily appeal to hardcore gamers. LG’s OLED TVs have a solid reputation in the gaming world thanks to a host of features and benefits. These include the Game Optimizer menu option, where you can easily optimise for different game genres, and support for NVIDIA G-SYNC® and AMD FreeSync VRR.

New user interface: webOS 24.

LG also promises that the new webOS 24 user interface will give the user experience a significant boost. The latest version of webOS allows you to create up to 10 individual user profiles with customised settings, home screen and preferences – including your favourite picture settings. In some countries, the TV will even recognise the user’s voice and switch to the correct profile.

As previously announced, LG also promises to keep the user interface updated for the next five years. This upgrade will also apply to selected models from 2022 and 2023.

Empowered by a class-leading OLED TV and an impressive QNED line-up, LG continues to assert its dominance in the premium TV market with (…) an excellent range of content and services available on its webOS smart TV platform,” said Park Hyoung-sei, President of LG Home Entertainment.

LG’s 2024 OLED TV models will be showcased during CES 2024 next week. We look forward to taking a closer look at them in Las Vegas!

The first rumours have already started to leak out. And we’re soaking them up.

LG OLED G4 and C4 boost to 144 Hz

LG has had great success with its OLED models for 2023, especially the flagship OLED G3. Its more affordable little brother, the OLED C3, has also been popular, although this model is more of an evolution than its 2022 predecessor, the C2.

The 2024 successors are thought to be called the OLED G4 and OLED C4. The LG OLED G4 is expected to build on the Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology that provided a significant improvement in brightness. The G4 may have the potential for a brightness of up to 3,000 nits, but it is currently uncertain whether the C4 will also benefit from this technology in the next generation.

One thing that does seem clear, however, is that the 2024 generation of LG’s OLED displays will increase the refresh rate from 120 to 144 Hz.

Chip manufacturer AMD mistakenly published some of the specifications for some of the 2024 models, claiming that the displays will support VRR at panel frequencies from 40-144 Hz. The information has since been removed from AMD’s website.

Thus, it seems that LG will increase the panel frequency in 2024 to meet the needs of demanding PC gamers. Competitors Samsung and TCL already offer up to 144Hz on some of their best TVs.

New AI video processor (Alpha 10?)

It is also rumoured that LG has developed a new and more powerful video processor for the top models. The current Alpha9 processor has been improved over several generations, but in 2024 there may be a completely new model under the name Alpha 10. The new processor is rumoured to contain a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which in practice means artificial intelligence.

In theory, this would mean that the video processor can analyse images more efficiently, reduce noise, identify and prioritise which objects in the image to process. Sound can also be analysed and upscaled. This could lead to both visible and audible improvements across LG’s 2024 OLED TV.

Price and availability

The new 2024 models from LG are expected to hit stores around April/May 2024. Prices, exact model names and screen sizes are currently unknown.

LG Electronics will be holding a press conference on 8 January at 08.00 am to coincide with the opening of CES 2024. L&B Tech Reviews will be there and we will take a closer look at which of the rumours turn out to be true!

Sources: ETNews, FlatpanelsHD, AVCaesar