The LG LED UR78 55" 4K Smart TV is part of LG’s 2023 lineup and offers an entry-level, budget-friendly experience that combines reliable picture quality, smart features, and AI-driven enhancements. This model is aimed at users who want a quality TV for general entertainment, streaming, and casual gaming, without the premium pricing of OLED or high-end QLED models.

1. Design and Build Quality

The LG UR78 sports a clean and minimalistic design, consistent with LG’s modern aesthetic. The bezel is slim, giving the TV a sleek and immersive look. The stand is simple yet stable, although wall mounting is recommended for a more streamlined appearance. At 55 inches, it fits comfortably in medium-sized living rooms or home theater setups. While it doesn't come with the high-end materials you'd find in premium models, the build feels solid and durable.

2. Picture Quality

The TV features a 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution, providing crisp and detailed images. The LED panel offers decent brightness levels, though it doesn't reach the peak brightness of more premium OLED or QLED TVs. The colors are vibrant enough for most content, thanks to HDR10 support, which enhances contrast and color depth in compatible media. However, the absence of Dolby Vision is noticeable for viewers who prioritize cinema-grade picture quality.

The AI-powered 4K upscaling is a valuable feature in this TV, ensuring that lower-resolution content is displayed more sharply. For sports and fast-moving scenes, the TruMotion 120 technology helps smooth out motion, although it’s technically a 60Hz panel with motion interpolation that simulates higher refresh rates. This means the TV is sufficient for casual viewing but may not be as fluid for fast-paced gaming.

3. Smart Features and Interface

The LG UR78 runs on LG's webOS 23 platform, known for its intuitive interface and ease of use. Access to a wide range of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and others is simple, and the LG Content Store offers plenty of apps to download. Navigation is smooth, and the platform integrates well with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control.

LG’s AI ThinQ technology provides added intelligence, allowing the TV to recognize user patterns and recommend content. It also enables better integration with smart home devices. Apple AirPlay 2 is supported, making it easy for iOS users to mirror their devices.

4. Gaming Capabilities

For casual gamers, the TV offers Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which ensures that the TV automatically switches to low-latency mode when a gaming console is detected. Input lag is relatively low, making the TV suitable for most console gaming. However, the 60Hz refresh rate and lack of HDMI 2.1 ports mean that it’s not ideal for next-gen gaming at 4K 120Hz, which is available on more advanced TVs.

The Game Optimizer mode provides some useful settings for tweaking performance based on the type of game (FPS, RPG, etc.), but it’s still geared more towards casual than serious gamers.

5. Audio Quality

The audio performance of the LG UR78 is adequate for everyday viewing, but it’s not exceptional. It comes with a 20W 2.0-channel speaker system, which is sufficient for dialogue clarity but lacks the deep bass needed for a truly immersive sound experience. AI Sound Pro helps optimize audio depending on the content type, but for home theater enthusiasts or those looking for a more cinematic experience, a soundbar or external audio system is highly recommended.

The TV supports Bluetooth surround sound, allowing users to connect external speakers or sound systems wirelessly, which can help enhance the audio quality.

6. Connectivity

The TV offers a decent range of connectivity options, including:

• 3 HDMI ports (HDMI 2.0) for connecting gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, or other media devices.
• 2 USB ports for media playback and peripheral connections.
• Ethernet port for wired internet connections, though it also supports Wi-Fi for wireless networking.
• Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting wireless headphones or external speakers.

However, the lack of HDMI 2.1 and limited high-refresh-rate support may be a downside for users who want cutting-edge features for gaming and high-end home entertainment setups.

7. Energy Efficiency

The LG UR78 is energy-efficient, with energy-saving modes that adjust brightness and power consumption depending on the ambient lighting. This is particularly useful for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint and lower energy costs.

Key Features Table of LG LED UR78 55" 4K Smart TV (2023)

Verdict

The LG LED UR78 55" 4K Smart TV is a strong contender in the budget-friendly 4K market. It offers solid performance for everyday entertainment, casual gaming, and streaming, all within an affordable price range. The AI-powered features, 4K resolution, and user-friendly webOS 23 make it a convenient and intelligent TV choice for a wide range of users. However, advanced gamers and home theater enthusiasts may want to consider higher-end models with OLED panels or HDMI 2.1 support for future-proofing.