LG OLED C1 Series Alexa Built-in 4k Smart TV Review

In the ever-evolving world of TVs, the LG C1 Series emerges as a shining star. This series, boasting OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology, promises an unparalleled viewing experience with inky blacks, vibrant colors, and stunning clarity. But with so many OLED contenders on the market, does the C1 Series live up to the hype? This review dives deep into the C1’s strengths and considerations to help you decide if it deserves a place in your living room.

Today’s LG OLED C1 Series Alexa Built-in 4k Smart TV Deals

Picture Quality

The LG C1 Series takes full advantage of OLED technology, delivering a picture quality that is truly captivating:

• Perfect Blacks and Infinite Contrast: Unlike traditional LED TVs, OLED panels can completely turn off individual pixels. This translates to perfect blacks, where shadows hold immense detail and scenes appear incredibly lifelike. This is a game-changer for dark room viewing, revealing details often lost in other display technologies.
• A Billion Shades of Color: The C1 Series boasts exceptional color accuracy and vibrancy. Thanks to LG’s advanced processing technology, colors appear incredibly natural and realistic. Witness content come alive with a spectrum of rich and vivid hues.
• HDR Brilliance: The C1 Series supports various HDR (High Dynamic Range) formats like HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. This unlocks a wider range of colors and brightness, creating a more realistic picture with highlights that truly pop and shadows bursting with detail. Whether you’re watching a nature documentary or the latest blockbuster, HDR content on the C1 Series is a sight to behold.

Design

The LG C1 Series embraces a minimalist design philosophy. The ultra-thin bezels create a near bezel-less look, allowing the picture to take center stage. The sleek stand complements most modern living spaces, and the cable management system helps maintain a clean aesthetic. While not the most extravagant design, the C1 Series exudes a sense of sophisticated simplicity, perfect for design-conscious viewers.

Standing Out from the Crowd: How the C1 Series Compares

The C1 Series faces stiff competition from other high-end OLED TVs. Let’s compare it to two worthy rivals:

• Sony A80J: Both the A80J and C1 Series offer exceptional OLED picture quality. However, some users might find LG’s processing delivers slightly better motion handling, particularly for fast-paced content. The C1 Series might also be a better choice for gamers due to its wider selection of gaming features.
• Samsung S95B Series: While not OLED, the Samsung S95B Series utilizes QD-OLED technology, offering impressive brightness levels and potentially richer colors compared to the C1. However, OLED technology still reigns supreme in terms of perfect blacks and contrast. Ultimately, the choice depends on your viewing priorities.

Brightness and Contrast

As mentioned earlier, the C1 Series utilizes OLED technology, delivering perfect blacks and an infinite contrast ratio. This is ideal for dark room viewing, where details often lost in shadows become clear and defined. However, OLED technology doesn’t reach the peak brightness levels achievable by some LED backlit TVs. This might be a consideration for very bright rooms where glare can be an issue.

Sound Quality

The built-in speakers on the C1 Series deliver a decent audio experience for casual viewing. Dialogue is clear, but the overall sound can feel a bit thin, lacking the depth and power needed for a truly immersive cinematic experience.

To elevate your audio experience, especially for movie nights or music listening, investing in a soundbar or a surround sound system is highly recommended. This will provide a more robust and immersive soundscape, doing justice to the C1 Series’ exceptional picture quality.

Smart Features

The LG C1 Series boasts LG’s webOS smart platform, a user-friendly interface known for its intuitive navigation and vast app library:

• A World of Entertainment: Access a massive library of popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, HBO Max, and countless others. Finding something to watch will never be a chore, with options catering to diverse interests.
• ThinQ AI and Voice Control: The C1 Series integrates LG’s ThinQ AI platform, allowing voice control with various assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Use your voice to search for content, control playback, adjust TV settings, or even control smart home devices. This hands-free functionality adds a layer of convenience to your viewing experience.
• Magic Remote Control: LG’s Magic Remote goes beyond basic controls. It utilizes motion control, allowing you to point and click your way through menus. This can be a more intuitive way to navigate compared to traditional directional pads.

Motion

The C1 Series incorporates LG’s advanced processor for exceptional motion handling. This translates to smooth and clear visuals, even in fast-paced scenes like action movies or sports. Judder (a stuttery effect) and motion blur are minimized, ensuring a captivating viewing experience. Gamers in particular will appreciate the C1’s handling of fast motion.

Gaming Features

The C1 Series caters to serious gamers with features like:

• HDMI 2.1 ports: These high-speed ports support features like 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rate and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) for ultra-smooth and tear-free gameplay. This is a major advantage for competitive gamers or those seeking the most responsive and visually immersive gaming experience possible.
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): This feature automatically reduces input lag, minimizing the delay between your controller input and what appears on the screen. This is crucial for fast-paced games where every millisecond counts.
• Game Optimizer: The C1 Series offers a Game Optimizer menu, allowing you to fine-tune settings for various game genres. This ensures you get the best possible picture quality and performance for your specific needs, whether you’re playing a first-person shooter or a role-playing game.

Durability and Build Quality

The C1 Series utilizes premium materials and a well-built design. The sleek stand provides excellent stability, and the overall construction feels solid and reliable. LG is known for its reputation in quality, and the C1 Series upholds that tradition.

Viewing Angles and Screen Uniformity

Thanks to OLED technology, the C1 Series offers wide viewing angles without significant color or brightness shifts. This makes it suitable for rooms where viewers might be seated at various angles from the TV. Additionally, OLED panels are generally less prone to uniformity issues like dirty screen effect (DSE) compared to some LED TVs.

Inputs

The C1 Series offers a good selection of inputs, including:

• 4x HDMI ports (all supporting HDMI 2.1 features)
• 3x USB ports for media playback or connecting external devices
• Digital optical audio output
• Ethernet port for wired internet connection

This selection caters to most viewers’ needs. You can connect various devices like streaming sticks, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and external hard drives without any limitations.

Overall Value

The LG C1 Series comes at a premium price point, but it delivers an exceptional viewing experience. Here’s a quick recap:

• Strengths: Unparalleled picture quality with perfect blacks, vibrant colors, and wide viewing angles, exceptional motion handling, excellent gaming features with HDMI 2.1 support, user-friendly smart platform, and a well-built design.
• Considerations: Pricey compared to some LED TVs, built-in speakers might not be ideal for immersive audio experiences, and peak brightness might not be the absolute best for very bright rooms.

Conclusion

The LG C1 Series emerges as a top contender for discerning viewers seeking a premium OLED TV experience. With its exceptional picture quality, motion handling, and robust gaming features, the C1 Series caters to movie buffs and gamers alike. While the price tag might be a consideration, the C1 Series is an investment in a future-proof TV that will deliver years of entertainment enjoyment.