LG's flagship OLED with MLA technology for exceptional brightness and premium gallery design.
Full review
Second-Gen MLA Brightness Gains
The LG G4 OLED represents the second generation of LG’s Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, a significant hardware evolution from the standard OLED panels found in the C-series. What Hi-Fi? describes the G4 as offering a 'brilliantly bright picture that is full of contrast,' noting that the MLA screen technology, which debuted on the G3, has matured to become a 'very strong contender' against rivals like the Samsung S95D. While the specifications might suggest incremental changes, reviewers found the real-world performance to be a 'much bigger step forward' than the paper specs imply. The primary benefit of this MLA implementation is a substantial increase in peak brightness, allowing the TV to handle high-dynamic-range content with more impactful highlights without sacrificing the deep blacks inherent to OLED technology.
RTINGS.com data supports these qualitative assessments, highlighting the G4’s superior luminance capabilities compared to previous generations. The MLA layer focuses light more efficiently, resulting in a brighter image that is particularly noticeable in well-lit rooms or when watching HDR content with intense specular highlights. TechRadar notes that the G4 continues to 'push the limits of OLED TV tech,' leveraging this brightness boost to maintain its position as a flagship model. For users upgrading from older models like the C8 or CX, the difference in brightness is often the most immediately perceptible upgrade, with Reddit users confirming that highlights and HDR scenes 'really pop' on the G4, especially in bright, sunny environments where older OLEDs might struggle with dimming.
Gaming Performance and Features
Gaming performance remains a cornerstone of the LG G4’s appeal, with What Hi-Fi? awarding it 'stellar gaming features' in their review. The TV supports all the latest HDMI 2.1 features, including 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, making it a top-tier companion for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and high-end PCs. RTINGS.com typically measures input lag on these models to be exceptionally low, often under 10ms at 120Hz, ensuring that competitive gamers experience minimal delay between controller input and on-screen action. The G4 also includes NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility, providing smooth variable refresh rate support across a wide range of frame rates.
Beyond raw specs, the G4 benefits from LG’s Game Optimizer menu, which allows users to fine-tune settings like response time, black stabilizer, and super resolution for specific games. TechRadar emphasizes that the G4 is not just about raw power but also about refinement, offering a seamless experience for both casual and hardcore gamers. The combination of the MLA panel’s brightness and the advanced gaming features means that fast-paced action scenes are rendered with clarity and speed, without the motion blur or stuttering that can plague lesser panels. This makes the G4 a versatile choice for users who want a single TV that excels in both cinematic viewing and interactive entertainment.
Build Quality and Design Aesthetics
The LG G4 maintains the sleek, gallery-style design that has become synonymous with LG’s flagship G-series. What Hi-Fi? notes that the design is 'all but identical to the G3,' featuring a flat back with a subtle step around the edges and a universal thickness ranging from 2.4cm to 2.8cm depending on the screen size. This thin profile is designed to blend seamlessly into modern living spaces, often mounted directly to the wall to resemble a framed piece of art. The minimalist aesthetic is complemented by a clean interface and discreet ports, ensuring that the TV does not distract from the content it displays.
However, the build quality has faced scrutiny from some users regarding acoustic issues. Reddit discussions in r/LGOLED reveal a recurring complaint about 'snapping, cracking, and popping' noises emanating from the TV, particularly during transitions from dark to bright scenes in HDR content. One user documented extensive troubleshooting, including removing the back panel and applying Gorilla Tape to dampen resonance, but concluded that 'there is no way to get rid of the pops entirely.' This issue appears to be related to the internal foam or structural components expanding and contracting with temperature changes, a problem that has persisted across multiple units and has frustrated some owners despite the TV’s visual excellence.
Audio Performance Limitations
While the visual performance of the LG G4 is widely praised, its built-in audio system is a notable weak point. What Hi-Fi? explicitly lists 'thin audio that is prone to sibilance' as a con in their review, indicating that the speakers lack the depth and richness expected from a premium flagship TV. The audio output is described as adequate for casual viewing but insufficient for immersive movie watching or gaming without an external sound system. This limitation is common among thin OLED TVs, where the slim design restricts the size and power of the internal speakers.
Given this shortcoming, most reviewers and users recommend pairing the G4 with a soundbar or a dedicated home theater system to fully realize its potential. In the r/hometheater community, users often showcase the G4 as part of a larger AV setup, such as the 7.1.4 Atmos system mentioned in one popular post, which includes a Denon AVR and RSL speakers. This approach not only compensates for the TV’s weak audio but also enhances the overall cinematic experience, allowing the G4’s visual strengths to shine without being undermined by poor sound quality. Shoppers should factor in the cost of external audio when budgeting for the G4.
Real-World Picture Quality Nuances
The picture quality of the LG G4 is generally hailed as exceptional, but user experiences vary based on their previous TV and viewing environment. A Reddit user who upgraded from a 7-year-old LG C8 to the G5 (a close sibling to the G4) reported seeing 'almost no difference,' suggesting that the improvements may be less dramatic for those already owning recent OLED models. However, another user who upgraded from a CX to a G4 noted a 'drastic' difference, particularly in a bright, sunny room where the G4’s MLA panel excelled. This discrepancy highlights that the value of the G4’s brightness gains is highly dependent on the user’s specific lighting conditions and prior equipment.
RTINGS.com and other professional reviewers emphasize that the G4 offers superior color accuracy and contrast compared to non-MLA OLEDs. The MLA technology not only boosts brightness but also improves color volume, allowing for more vibrant and accurate colors even at higher luminance levels. TechRadar notes that the G4 is pitched directly to cinephiles, and its ability to render fine details and subtle gradients in HDR content is a key selling point. For users who prioritize visual fidelity and watch a significant amount of HDR content, the G4’s picture quality is a significant upgrade, even if the difference is less noticeable to those with older, dimmer OLEDs.
Value Proposition and Pricing Strategy
The LG G4’s value proposition is complex, influenced by its high launch price and the rapid depreciation of OLED models. What Hi-Fi? points out that the 65-inch G4 retails for $3,299, a significant investment that places it in direct competition with other premium flagships like the Samsung S95D and Sony A95L. However, the reviewer also notes that prices for the outgoing G3 plummeted upon the G4’s release, suggesting that patience can yield substantial savings. This pattern of quick price drops is common in the OLED market, and savvy shoppers often wait a few months after launch to secure a better deal.
Reddit users have reported finding the G4 at significantly discounted prices, with one user claiming to have purchased a brand-new 65-inch G4 for $600 due to a pricing error at Best Buy. While such deals are rare, they highlight the potential for value if shoppers are willing to hunt for mistakes or open-box units. Another user debated buying an open-box G4 for $1,193 versus a new G5 for $2,199, with community advice leaning towards the G4 for its refined performance and lower cost. The consensus is that the G4 offers excellent value if purchased at a discount, but its full retail price may be hard to justify for budget-conscious consumers.
Who It Is Best For
The LG G4 OLED is best suited for cinephiles and gamers who demand top-tier picture quality and are willing to invest in a premium flagship. Its MLA panel provides exceptional brightness and contrast, making it ideal for users with bright living rooms or those who watch a lot of HDR content. The stellar gaming features, including low input lag and comprehensive HDMI 2.1 support, make it a perfect match for next-gen console owners and PC gamers. Additionally, the sleek, gallery-style design appeals to those who prioritize aesthetics and want a TV that blends seamlessly into their home decor. Shoppers who value visual fidelity and have the budget for a high-end TV will find the G4 a strong fit.
However, the G4 may not be the best choice for budget-conscious consumers or those who are satisfied with their current OLED TV. The high launch price and the availability of cheaper alternatives like the C-series or previous-generation G3 models offer better value for money. Users who are sensitive to the 'popping' noises reported by some owners should also consider this potential issue, as it can be a significant annoyance in quiet viewing environments. Finally, those who rely on built-in audio for an immersive experience should look elsewhere or budget for an external sound system, as the G4’s speakers are thin and prone to sibilance. For these users, the G4’s premium price tag may not justify its limited audio performance and potential build quirks.
Strengths
- +MLA technology for higher peak brightness
- +Gallery Design with flush wall mount
- +α11 AI Processor for enhanced upscaling
- +Excellent gaming features with 4K 144Hz
Watch-outs
- −Very expensive
- −No included stand (sold separately)
- −Limited to 77-inch max size
How it compares
LG's best OLED with superior brightness and premium build quality, ideal for dedicated home theaters.
Who this is for
At a glance: Premium home theater enthusiasts wanting maximum OLED brightness.
Why you’d buy the LG G4 OLED
- MLA technology for higher peak brightness.
- Gallery Design with flush wall mount.
- α11 AI Processor for enhanced upscaling.
Why you’d skip it
- Very expensive.
- No included stand (sold separately).
- Limited to 77-inch max size.
Rating sources
“With a superb picture, gaming capabilities, and operating system, and plenty of other forward-looking features, the LG G4 is an OLED TV that gets just about everything right.”
“The Bottom Line LG's Evo G4 TV stands out for its sleek design, user-friendly webOS interface, and the best OLED picture quality we've seen to date.”
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Our 4.2 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
