LG OLED C2 42" 4K Smart TV Review

The LG OLED C2 42" 4K Smart TV is a compact yet powerful display that offers exceptional picture quality, robust gaming features, and a versatile smart TV experience. Here’s a detailed review of its key aspects.

Picture Quality

The LG OLED C2 boasts the same self-lighting pixels that define OLED technology, providing unparalleled contrast and deep black levels. This results in a vivid, detailed picture with exceptional shadow detail. The TV's ability to display true blacks without any backlight makes it ideal for HDR content, ensuring that the expanded contrast range is fully utilized. However, it's worth noting that the 42-inch model has minimal increases in peak brightness compared to its predecessors, which might affect its performance in very bright environments.

Gaming Performance

The LG OLED C2 is a gaming powerhouse with four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K 120Hz pass-through, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR (including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia GSync), HGiG, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming. This setup ensures seamless performance for console and PC gaming. The TV's input lag time is 9.1ms with Boost Mode activated, making it an excellent choice for fast-paced games.

Smart TV Features

The LG OLED C2 runs on the webOS smart TV platform, which is one of the best on the market. The interface is user-friendly, with Quick Cards organizing apps into easy-to-navigate categories and a Quick Menu allowing for quick adjustments without leaving the screen. However, there is a large banner ad at the top of the home page, which is a common issue with many smart TV platforms.

Sound Quality

The built-in speakers of the LG OLED C2 are average and may not provide the cinematic experience some users seek. While it delivers clear dialogue and has a good balance, its bass is limited, and virtual surround sound effects lack impact. For a more immersive audio experience, investing in a soundbar is recommended.

Viewing Angles

One of the significant advantages of OLED technology is its ability to maintain picture quality from every angle. Unlike LED TVs, which can suffer from backlight issues and distortion when viewed from the sides, the LG OLED C2 ensures that the picture remains vibrant and colorful regardless of the viewer's position.

Durability and Burn-in Risk

OLED TVs, including the LG OLED C2, have a potential risk of burn-in if static images are displayed for extended periods. However, LG has implemented measures to reduce this risk, such as moving the image slightly and refreshing the panel periodically. If you watch a variety of content, burn-in is unlikely to be an issue.

Color Accuracy

The LG OLED C2 supports dynamic formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which allow for scene-by-scene picture settings. This ensures that colors are accurately reproduced at any brightness level, making it suitable for HDR-enhanced content.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional Picture Quality: Deep black levels, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast.
• Robust Gaming Features: Four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 120Hz pass-through, VRR, HGiG, ALLM, and Dolby Vision gaming.
• Versatile Smart TV Platform: User-friendly webOS with Quick Cards and Quick Menu.
• Wide Viewing Angles: Maintains picture quality from every angle.
• HDR Support: Accurate color reproduction with dynamic formats.

Cons:

• Average Sound Quality: Limited bass and virtual surround sound effects.
• Peak Brightness: Minimal increases in peak brightness compared to predecessors.
• Reflection Handling: May not be ideal for brightly lit rooms.

Verdict

The LG OLED C2 42" 4K Smart TV is an excellent choice for those seeking a compact yet powerful display. Its exceptional picture quality, robust gaming features, and versatile smart TV experience make it a great all-purpose TV. While it has some limitations in sound quality and peak brightness, these can be easily addressed with external solutions. Overall, it is a solid investment for anyone looking to enhance their viewing experience.

Features Table