The LG OLED Evo ‘C’ series traditionally attracts the interest of experts due to its superb price qwality ratio. In turn, it’s due to the optimal balance between performance, functionality and price. As a result, all ‘C’ models of recent years confidently enter the list of bestsellers. In fact, they are slightly inferior to the flagship ‘G’ TVs in specs and some premium options, but significantly benefit in price (65-inches models):
– C2 vs G2 – $ 1,100 – $ 1,350 vs $ 1,500;
– C3 vs G3 – $ 1,250 vs $ 2,000;
– C4 vs G4 – $ 1,400 vs $ 2,000 – $ 2,600.
At CES, the South Korean giant presented new TVs 2025, including the OLED Evo C5. Its ultra-thin design, measuring about 5mm thick at the top, is identical to last year’s C4. The stand hasn’t changed either and unfortunately remains awkward for placing a soundbar.
LG C5 Stand.jpg
The new Magic Remote is thinner, longer, and offers an extra button for AI features.
LG C5 Magic Remote.jpg
The lineup includes 42-, 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inshes TVs. All models support the popular Brightness Booster feature except for the two smallest sizes.
This year, LG slightly surprised competitors and experts by refusing to further improve MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology. As known, it allowed the company to significantly increase the panel brightness due to additional focusing using micro lenses between the glass and the OLED panel.
Micro Lens Array technology.jpg
Perhaps this decision is due to high production costs. The company announced its intention to use Primary RGB Tandem four-layer OLED panels based on 4-Stack technology.
LG Primary RGB Tandem.jpg
Panel and Sound
The new structure uses two layers of blue elements and two independent stacks of red and green elements. The 3rd gen panels used red and green elements in a single yellow layer. According to the developer, this innovation will increase peak brightness to 4,000 nits in a 3% window for Vivid mode. For reference, the max brightness of the previous generation panels does not exceed 3,000 nits. The max color brightness has also increased to 2,100 nits. In full-screen mode (100% APL), the panel brightness reaches 400 nits vs 250 nits with the 3rd gen. Moreover, the company claims a 20% reduction in power consumption.
In addition, LG TVs 2025 use a new anti-glare film that blocks up to 99% of internal and external light reflections. According to LG Display, the new panel maintains color accuracy even in bright ambient light up to 500 lux.
Preliminary, the flagship G5 and wireless M5 will already come with the 4th gen OLED panel in 65, 77, 83 and 97-inch models. The company is already calling them the world’s ‘brightest OLED TVs’ to date. Unfortunately, the LG C5 still has a standard WOLED display. However, the company promises to increase its brightness in some scenarios compared to the C4 with improved performance of image processing algorithms.
The sound system is unchanged.
LG OLED C5 Audio.jpg
The C5 uses a 2.2ch 40W audio system. Like the C4, the C5 offers 11.1.2 virtual surround sound processing, but the advanced voice remastering of the improved AI Sound Pro should improve the intelligibility of dialogue. In fact, AI Voice Remastering technology identifies, extracts and enhances each voice from the audio mix. In addition, it optimizes the volume when changing scenes in movies. Dolby Atmos immersive audio is supported via the HDMI eARC connection.
Key Features
As last year, the new processor was one of the main improvements. Unlike the C3 with the α9 AI Processor 4K Gen6, last year’s C4 received its improved Gen7 version. The new C5 comes with Gen8. In addition to the performance gains, the new processor offers advanced AI features.
LG α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8.jpg
In particular, the list includes improved voice recognition, which supports switching between user profiles and TV settings depending on the sound source. In addition, the C5 offers an AI-based chatbot function to help troubleshoot and optimize settings.
The company also promises enhanced HDR processing capabilities to improve the display of certain tones. In addition, improved AI Picture Pro feature should improve the upscaled image quality when displaying low-resolution content.
Supporting a 144 Hz refresh rate, both models provide the smooth reproduction of fast-moving objects and, as a result, which is confirmed by the VESA ClearMR 9000 certificate.
The C4 and C5 are compatible with HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision, but do not support Samsung’s HDR10+.
LG C5 runs the latest webOS 25 out of the box. Unlike last year’s webOS 24, the updated version offers some new gaming-centric apps, including, for example, the Xbox app. It supports streaming console-quality game with the help of connecting a Bluetooth controller directly to the TV. Of course, OS supports a wide range of streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, etc. However, as part of the webOS Re:New program, the company promises to update the firmware of any model for 5 years after the start of their sales.
The set of ports has not changed. All 4 HDMI 2.1 ports support 48Gbps bandwidth. Both TVs support 4K@144Hz when connected to a PC, VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync.
Conclusion
Pros
– superb image quality with excellent contrast;
– remote with extended functionality;
– new LG α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8;
– improved AI Voice Remastering technology;
– wide feature set;
– VESA ClearMR 9000 certificate.
Cons
– launch price too high;
– non-backlit remote;
– just good sound.
For reference, Clear Motion Ratio (CMR) characterizes the ratio of clear pixels to blurry pixels. Accordingly, the higher the CMR value, the less there are blurry pixels and the motion is clearer.
In general, the list of improvements is quite traditional. New more powerful processor, an extra button on the remote for AI features, advanced intelligibility of dialogue, announced enhanced HDR processing and latest webOS 25 ‘out of the box’ are quite adequate for small annual progress.
But its launch price seems too high. A price comparison shows a nearly two-fold difference (55-inches LG C5 vs LG C4):
~£1,900 / $2,000 / €2,400 vs ~£925 / $1,130 / €1,200.
With virtually identical specs, the price-quality ratio of the LG C4 is clearly better. However, this aspect is unlikely to stop progressives with a good budget who are ready to pay for innovation. But for the majority, a short wait for the traditional correction of launch prices will allow significant savings. In this case, the improved price-quality ratio will allow the C5 to traditionally claim a place among the bestsellers. For reference, in March 2024, the launch price of the 55-inch LG C4 was ~$ 2,000 / £ 1,900 / AU$ 3,300, which coincides with the current prices of the LG C5.
This video introduces the latest LG Display’s 4th gen OLED technology.