Overview

The LG LED UR78 65" 4K Smart TV (2023) offers a solid blend of features and performance, making it a competitive option in the mid-range 4K TV market. Equipped with LG’s webOS platform, it ensures a smooth smart TV experience, while its 4K LED panel promises clear and vivid visuals for all types of content. The TV is designed to be user-friendly and provides excellent compatibility with various apps and streaming services. As a 2023 model, it brings a few upgrades from its predecessors, including improved processing power and AI features to enhance picture quality and sound.

Analysis

Display & Picture Quality

The 65-inch 4K display uses LED backlighting, providing sharp visuals with vibrant colors and impressive brightness. The 4K resolution ensures that details are crisp, and it supports HDR10, which enhances contrast and color accuracy when watching HDR content. However, it lacks more premium HDR formats like Dolby Vision, which some competitors in this price range offer.

The TV includes LG's AI-powered 4K upscaling technology, allowing it to enhance lower-resolution content to near-4K quality. The result is a clearer image when streaming HD shows or using older input sources. The viewing angles are decent, but the performance in very bright rooms can be slightly affected by reflections due to the lack of advanced anti-glare coating.

Smart Features & Operating System

The UR78 runs on LG's webOS, a highly intuitive platform that provides access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube. The interface is easy to navigate, and the Magic Remote with point-and-click functionality further enhances the user experience. The AI ThinQ feature integrates voice controls via Google Assistant and Alexa, enabling you to control the TV with voice commands, as well as compatible smart home devices.

Multi-tasking features like the ability to browse the web while watching TV, or switching between apps seamlessly, make webOS stand out. However, some users might find that the platform can occasionally slow down when running multiple apps or updates in the background.

Audio Quality

The audio quality on the LG UR78 is adequate for general use. It features a 2.0 channel speaker system with a total output of 20 watts, which is decent for casual watching but lacks the depth and immersion expected for cinematic experiences. The TV supports AI Sound Pro, which adjusts audio settings based on content type, but the overall sound lacks punch and bass. For users seeking a richer audio experience, investing in a soundbar or external audio system is recommended.

Design & Build

The LG UR78 has a sleek, minimalistic design with thin bezels, allowing the screen to take center stage. The stand is sturdy and well-balanced, though some may prefer wall-mounting this 65-inch model for a cleaner look. The overall build quality feels solid, although it's mostly plastic, which is expected in this price range.

Gaming & Connectivity

For gamers, the LG UR78 supports HDMI 2.0 ports and offers a low input lag, making it suitable for casual gaming. It also supports ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), which automatically adjusts settings when a console is detected. However, it lacks more advanced gaming features like a 120Hz refresh rate or support for HDMI 2.1, which may disappoint more serious gamers looking for next-gen performance.

The connectivity options are standard, with 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Ethernet, and wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). It covers all the essentials for connecting external devices like game consoles, sound systems, or Blu-ray players.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Sharp 4K visuals with solid HDR10 support.
• webOS platform offers intuitive navigation and access to a wide variety of streaming services.
• Magic Remote enhances user interaction with point-and-click functionality.
• AI 4K upscaling improves picture quality for non-4K content.
• Voice control with AI ThinQ, Google Assistant, and Alexa.
• Decent input lag for casual gaming.

Cons:

• Lacks Dolby Vision and HDMI 2.1 support, which limits its future-proofing for advanced HDR content and high-performance gaming.
• Audio quality is average, requiring external speakers or soundbar for a better experience.
• Brightness and anti-reflection handling could be better for bright rooms.
• Occasional performance slowdowns when multitasking in webOS.

Verdict

The LG LED UR78 65" 4K Smart TV (2023) is an excellent choice for those seeking a feature-rich TV in the mid-range segment. It offers great 4K picture quality, an intuitive smart platform, and useful AI features, making it suitable for a wide range of users, from casual viewers to families. While it may not have all the advanced features like Dolby Vision or HDMI 2.1 for gamers and cinephiles, it provides solid value for the price. For those who prioritize streaming, smart features, and everyday viewing over high-end gaming or home theater performance, this TV will likely meet expectations.

Table of Features