I first saw the LG G3 OLED at CES 2023, a consumer electronics expo famed for TV product launches. After viewing the G3 at LG’s UK headquarters compared to 2022’s G2 OLED model, I knew it was exceptional.
After living with the 65-inch LG G3 OLED for a week for this review, I’m convinced it’s the greatest OLED TV money can buy. Nevertheless, the G3 is pricey, so you’ll need a lot of that. Its “One Wall” design requires wall-mounting or purchasing a stand.
In summary, the LG G3 OLED is the greatest TV in 2023, rivaling Samsung’s QLED line in brightness. Besides cost and competition, there are subtleties. I think cinephiles will love this LG TV, but I don’t think everyone will love the G3 OLED.
LG G3 OLED Price and Availability
The LG G3 OLED comes in four sizes, from 55-inch to 83-inch, although the largest isn’t as brilliant (the 83-inch panel doesn’t use MLA, or Micro Lens Array, technology).
55-inch G3 OLEDs cost £2,600/$2,500. The 65-inch, priced at £/$3,300, is many people’s “sweet spot” size. A super-massive 77-inch model costs £5,000/$4,500. The £7,500/$6,500 83-inch model is too big for most living rooms. The G2’s 97-inch model remains (but is a special order for obvious reasons).
The G3 OLED costs at least £/$200 more than the G2 OLED did a year earlier. If you don’t need the brightness improvement, the G2’s price decrease makes the older OLED more appealing. Many will be swayed by the financials: a 65-inch G2 costs £/$500 less than a 55-inch G3.
LG G3 OLED Review: New Features?
MLA technology, also known as Brightness Booster Max by LG, is what distinguishes the G3 OLED from its predecessor. This set of small lenses, hundreds per pixel, lies atop the OLED structure and reduces light dissipation, improving brightness.
You’ve probably seen several G3 OLED brightness figures. The correct response is “extremely,” but context matters. In Vivid mode and measured from a 10% window, the LG G3 can reach over 2,000 nits, but that’s not a realistic bums-on-the-sofa viewing experience. Nonetheless, this model outperforms the last-gen by 25%. It matters.
The OLED G3 also has a better anti-reflective coating, an updated processor, the Alpha 9 Gen 6, that improves upscaling of non-UHD sources using AI Picture Pro, sound up-mixing to 9.1.2 channels (up from 7.1.2), LG’s “WOW Orchestra” that lets you use Bluetooth speakers with the TV’s speakers, and a simplified webOS operating system.
LG G3 OLED: Picture Quality
The LG G3 OLED’s image didn’t impress me at initially. Given my review’s start, shocking. However it was probably more my problem than the TV’s, as there’s so much brightness and so many pre-set options and tweaks that you can quickly highlight less-than-optimal sources’ faults.
However, LG offers an AI Picture Wizard to set the screen to your preferences based on a series of visual prompts, and with automatic ambient light detection and automatic Filmmaker Mode activation (when sources that prefer it identify it, if this mode is switched on), the TV can present everything in exquisite quality.
These automations are there for a reason: while viewing a Sky Movies HD broadcast of Where The Crawdads Sing, Filmmaker Mode looked excellent with amazing dynamic range in the upscaled HDR picture, while Vivid mode was full of excesses that distracted from the goal. Don’t stray from the G3 OLED’s picture selection—it’ll provide amazing.
The G3 OLED shines with the best sources. I’ve been amazed by Ghostbusters: Afterlife’s 4K Blu-ray picture, from its peak white brightness to its exquisite contrast thanks to OLED’s unique pixel lighting. No blooming, and the anti-reflective coating mutes brilliant white reflections even with daylight. It’s like a private movie in the dark.
LG’s conventional OLED TV can compete with its main rivals. The Samsung S95C and Sony A95L QD-OLED devices will be brighter, while the S95B and A95K are not (in their default modes). The G3’s vivid conventional OLED is remarkable, and its photos show it.
Gaming maximizes the G3’s “wow” moments. VRR and ALLM support 4K resolution at 120Hz with four HDMI 2.1 connectors. Hogwart’s Legacy on PS5 showcased these characteristics, giving super-smooth images and a color palette considerably wider and deeper than my regular TV (a mid-range Panasonic OLED now many years beyond its prime), with frame-rates ranging from the mid-40s to 120fps.
The LG G3 OLED’s image potential is huge. It produces brilliant, well-controlled pictures without LED-backlit blooming. True, you may push its capabilities beyond rational, and its AI Picture Pro upscaler can’t salvage all content, but give this LG the greatest sources (Dolby Vision and HDR10) and mode automations, and it’s amazing.
LG G3 OLED: AUDIO
This is the case here (at 2.45cm all-in, excellent stuff), any TV built for wall-mounting will be narrow by design and hence unable to produce truly class-leading sound quality without some aid.
As is the norm these days, LG employs artificial intelligence to upscale and project sound in the most appealing and enshrouding way possible, with realistic height, but the AI mode never sounds full enough for a high-end (and expensive) TV like this.
I’m not saying the G3 OLED’s sound is horrible, but you’ll want one of the top soundbars for a deeper experience. Experience you deserve with visual quality this high.
LG’s WOW Orchestra lets you mix your own speakers with the set’s. This works well, however the cross-over won’t prioritize your external sound source. As HDMI-wired speakers are my eARC passthrough preference for soundbars, the mode only works with optical and Bluetooth sources
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But, a good soundbar-and-subwoofer combo has improved this LG’s sound output. It can decode Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and pass that on to your extra hardware, so connect this TV up with a good package and you’ll have realistic surround audio to go with those brilliant, luscious graphics. Consider it when pricing a G3.
LG G3 OLED: Design & Usability
LG’s usage of webOS, which I consider the greatest TV operating system, has been a positive. The G3 OLED presents it on fewer pages, making it neater. I can also easily access Now, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and other popular applications to watch whatever I choose.
Unfortunately, there is a big advert area covering much of the upper section of the screen, which I don’t grasp, and I’m sure not everyone will appreciate the “pointy zapper” remote control, which needs to be aimed like a wand at the screen to make most decisions, which may be difficult.
LG G3 OLED: Verdict
Give the LG G3 OLED the greatest source material for the optimal viewing experience. Cinephiles will appreciate this OLED image quality.
As good as the image quality is, the lack of a stand mount, so-so sound (expected for a skinny design), and high price are obstacles to overcome if you’re contemplating this as your new TV.
Overall, the LG G3 is a top OLED TV. This panel technology’s apex is amazing. The greatest TV for high-end consumers.
Furthermore, consider
As mentioned before in this review, the LG G2 is cheaper than the G3 provided you can live with less brightness. LG C2 is cheaper with a stand.
The Philips OLED 937 combines Ambilight for off-screen color immersion and a powerful sound system to a wonderful-looking device.
QD-OLED, too. Later in 2023, the Sony A95L will likely compete strongly. The price is unknown.