LG C3 OLED: everything you need to know about this new TV
The LG C3 OLED TV made its debut at CES 2023, following the incredible C-series OLED displays we’ve consistently recommended throughout the year.
The LG C3 sits in the mid-range of LG’s 2023 OLED TVs – neither as affordable as the B3 nor as cutting-edge as the G3, so it sits somewhere in the middle of the range. Despite fierce competition from LG’s other offerings this year, including the wireless M3 OLED and the Samsung S95C (which we think is the best TV we saw at the show), the C-series displays are always well received. by reviewers and consumers alike – and the LG C3 OLED is one to watch closely this year.
So what makes the LG C3 OLED stand out from other C-series displays and is it worth buying compared to its predecessor, the LG C2? We’ve gathered everything we know about the LG C3 OLED display in one guide.
LG C3 OLED: price and release date
The LG C3 OLED doesn’t have a confirmed price yet, but we can expect it to be close to the retail price of the C2, especially given the similarity of the hardware available on both devices. Here are the retail prices of last year’s LG C2:
- 42 inches: €1,399
- 48 inches: €1,499
- 55 inches: €1,999
- 65 inches: €2,699
- 77 inches: €3,499
- 83 inches: €4,499
We can expect the same screen sizes for the C3, along with a similar March-April release date, though not all formats may launch at the same time.
LG C3 OLED: design and features – what’s new?
LG C3 OLED is not a significant evolution compared to previous models. It has the same OLED Evo panel as the C2, with brightness-enhancing capabilities in sizes 55 inches and up (brightness is lower in smaller sizes). But it’s powered by an upgraded Alpha9 Gen6 chip, which is LG’s latest and greatest image processor, which should be able to push the panel a little harder.
As always, this is a 4K HDR TV with a 120Hz panel, Dolby Vision IQ support and Dolby Atmos compatibility, and you can expect crisp resolution and capable upscaling alongside a full suite of premium formats. The new composite fiber construction also reduces the weight of this year’s C-Series screen.
The new algorithm is able to distinguish between the foreground and background of the image, which helps to increase brightness in important areas. Either way, the deep blacks and incredible contrast of the self-emissive OLED screens should be up to the task.
The speaker system has not been significantly improved; it is still a 3.1.2 channel speaker with 40W output. Despite LG’s claims, the C3 can provide “virtual 9.1.2 surround sound (opens in new tab) “Thanks to its AI Sound Pro feature, we’re a bit skeptical. If you want premium sound from this TV, you’ll still need one of the best soundbars – but the LG C2 sounded better. It’s louder than expected when used in AI mode, so we’re sure the C3 will be at least ‘decent’ in that regard.
Changes to the smart platform include a sleek new home page and improved user profiles that allow for more customization. When you set up the TV, you’re guided by a custom picture preset to ensure the default settings are to your liking, which is a good thing.
The C3 has four HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which supports eARC (for enhanced audio return channel) and a two-way connection to the soundbar. These high-end ports are great for gaming with next-gen consoles, while the display boasts sub-10ms input lag and a low response time.
What’s new this time is a function called function Fast Media switching VRR, so far exclusive to LG OLED TVs (although it is part of the HDMI specification). According to LG, “this can eliminate the occasional ‘black screen’ when switching between playback of content from different source devices connected via the TV’s HDMI 2.1a ports”. So if you tend to switch between Netflix and PS5 frequently, this should make for a more seamless experience. It will be especially nice for Apple TV 4K users, as this decoder can use this feature to change the frame rate.
LG C3 OLED: What we think so far
The LG C3 OLED is likely to be a bestseller like the C1 and C2 TVs before it. However, there aren’t many changes to this year’s model, and older models will likely see a price cut when the C3 hits the market. With that in mind, there isn’t much reason to upgrade for those with C2. While the improved webOS experience, updated lighting algorithms and fast media switching might be enough to tempt some to turn to the latest iteration of the C-series OLED, it probably won’t be if you own a C2 or C1.
The C3 remains the clearest and most comprehensive choice in LG’s OLED TV range – neither too expensive nor too compromising on price. With Samsung’s new QD-OLED display, it’s possible that more significant advancements from other TV manufacturers could reduce the visibility of the C3 in the coming year – the race to be the best OLED TV of 2023 will be interesting!
