LG has announced its 2024 OLED TV lineup and as expected, we know that the LG C4, the TV maker’s mid-range OLED offering, and the LG G4, its flagship OLED model, are coming.
Both the LG C4’s and G4’s predecessors, the LG C3 and LG G3 respectively, were two of the best TVs to come out last year. We gave each TV four and half stars after testing them, and also named the LG G3 as the ‘best for movies’ in the TechRadar Choice Awards 2023. So, both the C4 and G4 have a lot to live it up to.
We've now seen both the G4 and C4 in the in-person - at CES 2024 and at an LG reviewer workshop - and we can confirm both models have had upgrades over last year's models, with the C4's improved brightness that LG promised immediately obvious in the flesh.
But how do the LG C4 and LG G4 stack up against one another? Does the mid-range C4 offer a higher upgrade from last year’s model than the G4 does over its predecessor?
LG C4 vs LG G4: Price, sizes and release date
LG has revealed US pricing for its 2024 OLED TVs and while we have no official UK or Australian pricing, we have directly converted the provided US prices to UK and Australian prices for both the LG G4 and LG C4, which you can find below. However, it is worth noting that it's likely, based on last year's prices of the LG G3 and C3, that the LG G4 and C4 will be pricier in the UK and Australia than what we've listed below, but it should still give you some idea.
One UK price that has been confirmed is for the 55-inch version of the LG C4, which appeared for pre-order in the UK in early April, so we've made a note of this below.
As for a potential release date, both the LG C3 and LG G3 became available in March 2023 after being unveiled at CES 2023 in January 2023. This year, the LG G4 and C4 both became available for pre-order in March 2024, with expected shipping around April 2024 - with both models full range available in the US.
For sizing, the LG C4 will be available in the same 42-83-inch size range the C3 was and the LG G4 is again available in 55-83-inch sizes, the same as the G3, and available in a 97-inch size, which was last around in 2022’s LG G2.
Below you'll find official US pricing for the LG G4 and C4 with our conversions for the UK and AUS:
- OLED55G4: $2,599 / around £2,029 / AU$4,199
- OLED65G4: $3,399 / around £2,654 / AU$5,299
- OLED77G4: $4,599 / around £3,591 / AU$7,999
- OLED83G4: $6,499 / around £5,075 / AU$9,999
- OLED97G4: $24,999 / around £19,522 / AU availability TBC
Prices for the LG C4 are as follows:
- OLED42C4: $1,499 / around £1,170 / around AU$2,264
- OLED48C4 $1,599 / around £1,248 / around AU$2,415
- OLED55C4: $1,999 / £1,899 / around AU$3,020
- OLED65C4: $2,699 / around £2,108 / around AU$4,077
- OLED77C4: $3,699 / around £2,889 / around AU$5,587
- OLED83C4: $5,399 / around £4,216 / around AU$8,100
Across the board, there has been a general price increase compared to last year's models, which we did expect - with the exception of the larger 83 and 97-inch G4 models, which stay the same price as their predecessors.
LG C4 vs LG G4: Features
The LG C4 and G4 will both feature new and improved processors. The C4 will use the new Alpha 9 Gen7 chip, which claims to boost brightness and introduce more AI picture mode features. The LG G4 will come with the Alpha 11 chip, which introduces several new features such as more AI picture mode features and improved brightness. The most exciting new feature of these two chips is that when paired with a compatible LG soundbar, the chips can transmit wireless, lossless Dolby Atmos, which we believe is the next big home theater tech race.
In terms of panels, both the C4 and G4 will feature OLED Evo panels, the same as last year’s models, while the G4 will again feature micro lens array (MLA) tech to improve brightness over standard OLED models. Speaking of MLA, LG has confirmed that the G4’s 83-inch model will feature MLA tech this year, as last year’s G3 83-inch model missed out.
Although we don’t have any figures for what peak brightness levels these two models can hit as of yet, last year’s C3 and G3 had quite a substantial gap, hitting 830 and 1,449 nits respectively.
This year, LG promised that both the C4 and G4 would have improved brightness and when we saw the two sets in-person, the C4’s brightness boost was more impressive than the G4’s when compared to their previous models. When we saw the C4 in-person, we immediately noticed the extra “vibrance and pop”. The way the HDR highlights enhanced the picture quality was simply dazzling. This was most noticeable in the white areas of the screen, where there was an extra cleaness.
We estimated that the C4 looked to be capable of hitting 900-1,000 nits peak brightness and LG said this was the right ballpark, meaning it’s a pretty big step-up over the C3. LG is even boasting higher brightness in its smaller 42 and 48-inch sizes (though not as bright as the 55-inch plus sizes).
Even though image quality was better on the G4 when we saw the two models at CES (as we’d expect thanks to its MLA tech adding higher brightness thus giving perceived better contrast), the C4 is the one that’s seen the biggest upgrade from last year. It wowed us the most, thanks to the big step up in the set’s HDR performance.
Gaming features have also been improved in LG’s OLEDs, with both the C4 and G4 now compatible with a 144Hz refresh rate. This won’t affect console gamers (as consoles max out at 120Hz), but this will be welcome news for any PC gamers. Both sets are also AMD Freesync and Nvidia G-Sync certified and will come with LG’s Game Optimizer menu.
Built-in sound was one of the weaker points of the LG C3 but we don’t yet know if this has improved as sadly we weren’t able to hear the C4 or G4’s built-in sound at CES. On paper, both have the AI sound pro setting to upmix to 11.1.2 channels. Out of last year’s models, the G3 had the stronger sound, so we assume this will be the same for the C4 and G4.
We haven’t had a chance to fully test the C4 and G4 yet, but from what we can tell and have already seen, the G4 will of course maintain its status as the more premium, well-equipped TV, but the C4 still looks to be the bigger improvement over its predecessor.
LG C4 vs LG G4: Design
Both the C4 and G4 have maintained a similar design to their predecessors, which isn’t to say that’s a bad thing as we praised both the C3 and G3 for their sleek and trim looks, but we criticized the G3 for not coming with a stand in the box.
While we appreciated the G3 was designed with wall-mounting in mind, and a wall-mount was provided in the box, it meant those who wanted to buy the G3 but couldn’t wall-mount it had to opt for its pricey optional stand.
Well, thankfully, LG has listened and confirmed that the G4 will be shipped with a stand in the box. Although region availability hasn’t been officially confirmed apart from the US, which will see the stand shipped with 55- and 65-inch models. For the larger sizes, like the 77-, 83- and 97-inch sizes, you’ll be getting the zero-gap wall-mount.
LG C4 vs LG G4: Verdict
Although we can only go by the specs and what we’ve seen so far at CES, the LG G4 should be the superior TV thanks to its MLA tech with higher brightness and AI features. But the C4 actually looks to be the more exciting upgrade of the two, with increased peak brightness, a better image than the C3 while still keeping its wide variety of sizes.
When we get to test these two models, which should be in a couple of months, we’ll be able to really see what they’re capable of but from what we can tell so far, the C4 could end up being the better value model of the two.
