The LG G5 OLED has earned CNET's Labs Award for Best Color Accuracy, marking a significant leap forward in OLED technology for 2025. Reviewers praised its exceptional brightness, which is 40% higher than previous models, and its superior color accuracy. While the extra brightness is most noticeable in gaming and well-mastered 4K content, it also improves performance in bright rooms. However, the remote control is considered a step back from earlier models, and the premium price point makes it less accessible for budget-conscious buyers. This TV is ideal for those seeking the absolute best picture quality and color accuracy, but those looking for maximum value might consider alternatives like the Samsung S90F.
Full review
Brightness leap confirmed
The LG G5 OLED delivers on its promise of significantly increased brightness, with measurements showing a 40% improvement over previous generations. This enhancement is particularly noticeable in HDR content and bright room viewing conditions. The new panel technology, known as Primary RGB Tandem, allows for more efficient light emission compared to the older MLA panel. In practical tests, the G5's peak brightness reaches levels that make it competitive with LCD TVs in well-lit environments. The extra luminance becomes most apparent during console gaming or when watching well-mastered 4K material, where the difference in perceived brightness is quite striking.
While the improvement isn't always visible in standard Blu-ray movies or streaming HDR content, it becomes evident when watching content specifically designed to take advantage of enhanced luminance. The brightness boost is especially beneficial for viewers who watch in rooms with ambient light or prefer to keep their lighting on while watching television. This makes the G5 a strong contender for households with multiple lighting conditions or those who value versatility in their viewing experience.
The panel's ability to maintain high brightness without sacrificing contrast or color accuracy represents a major advancement in OLED technology. The G5's performance in this area surpasses that of the Samsung S95F and other premium models tested, establishing it as the brightest OLED TV available in 2025. The new panel technology also contributes to improved energy efficiency, which is a notable benefit for consumers concerned about power consumption. This technological upgrade allows the G5 to deliver both exceptional picture quality and superior brightness, making it ideal for users who demand the best in both categories.
Panel technology breakthrough
The G5's adoption of the Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel marks a significant departure from the traditional MLA approach used in previous G-series models. This new panel structure features a 4-layer design that improves light output while maintaining the deep blacks and contrast that OLED is renowned for. The transition from the older Micro Lens Array technology represents a fundamental shift in how LG approaches OLED development for its flagship line. The panel's enhanced light efficiency allows for better performance in bright environments without compromising the traditional OLED advantages.
Testing revealed that the new panel technology provides a wider color gamut compared to previous generations, resulting in more vivid and accurate colors. The improved color accuracy is particularly evident in the calibration process, where the G5 achieves near-reference color reproduction. The panel's ability to maintain consistent performance across different viewing angles also shows improvement over the G4 model, though not to the extent of the predecessor's capabilities. The Tandem OLED structure also contributes to better energy efficiency, which is beneficial for long-term usage and environmental impact.
The panel's design allows for more uniform light distribution across the screen, reducing the subtle variations that were sometimes present in older OLED models. This consistency in light output contributes to the overall viewing experience, especially in scenes with high dynamic range content. The panel's enhanced performance in brightness and color accuracy makes it suitable for a wide range of viewing conditions, from dimly lit movie theaters to sunlit living rooms. The technology also supports higher refresh rates and better motion handling, which are crucial for gaming and sports viewing.
Gaming performance excellence
The G5's gaming capabilities represent a major upgrade over previous generations, with support for refresh rates up to 165Hz and comprehensive gaming features. The inclusion of NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR ensures smooth gameplay across different platforms. The dedicated Game Optimizer mode provides seamless performance adjustments for various gaming scenarios, while the TV's ability to handle high-resolution content without motion blur is exceptional.
In practical gaming tests, the G5 demonstrates excellent responsiveness and minimal input lag, making it ideal for competitive gaming scenarios. The TV's support for 4K/120Hz content allows for smooth gameplay at the highest resolutions, while the 165Hz refresh rate provides an advantage in fast-paced games. The G5's handling of motion is particularly impressive, with minimal blur and excellent clarity even during rapid movement. The integration of features like ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and HGIG (HDMI Game Input Guidance) ensures optimal gaming performance across different platforms.
The G5's gaming performance extends beyond console support to include PC gaming capabilities, with the HDMI 2.1 inputs providing full bandwidth for high-end gaming setups. The TV's compatibility with various gaming formats and its ability to maintain picture quality during intense gaming sessions make it a versatile choice for gamers. The processor's handling of different video formats and its ability to maintain consistent performance under load demonstrates the G5's commitment to gaming excellence. The combination of high refresh rates, low input lag, and advanced gaming features positions the G5 as a top choice for serious gamers.
Smart features and interface
The G5 runs on WebOS 25, which introduces several improvements over previous versions, including better personalization options and enhanced user experience. The interface allows for individual user profiles, enabling family members to have customized settings for picture, sound, and content preferences. This feature is particularly useful in households with multiple users who have different viewing habits. The system's ability to suggest content based on individual preferences makes the viewing experience more personalized and convenient.
The Magic Remote has been updated with a new design that includes an AI button for voice assistant integration. The remote maintains its signature mouse pointer functionality, which allows for precise navigation through menus and interfaces. While the updated remote is sleeker and more modern, some users have noted that it lacks the premium feel of previous generations. The inclusion of the AI assistant button adds functionality for voice commands, though it's not as comprehensive as dedicated smart home hubs. The remote's battery operation is standard, with no solar charging capability.
The G5's connectivity options include four HDMI 2.1 inputs with full bandwidth support, which is essential for modern gaming and high-resolution content. The TV supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, providing an immersive viewing experience. While the G5 lacks support for HDR10+ and DTS audio formats, it still delivers excellent performance in standard HDR and audio formats. The network capabilities include Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity, along with Ethernet support for stable wired connections. The system's ability to handle multiple devices and content streams simultaneously demonstrates its robustness and versatility.
Design and mounting options
The G5 maintains the premium design language of the G-series, featuring a slim aluminum frame and a completely flat back that allows for near-wall mounting. The TV is delivered without a tabletop stand, with a wall bracket included for flush installation. The scissor-style mount design allows the screen to be pulled slightly away from the wall during installation and then disappear into a small recess on the back, creating a seamless appearance. This mounting approach is particularly effective for modern interior designs that prioritize clean lines and minimal profiles.
The G5's design includes a silver-colored frame that distinguishes it from the black bezel of the C-series models. While some users find the silver frame aesthetically pleasing, others prefer the more understated black bezel of previous models. The TV's construction quality is premium, with attention to detail in the manufacturing process. The absence of a tabletop stand in the standard package means that users must either purchase the LS version with a stand or acquire a compatible VESA mount separately. The inclusion of a wall mount with the LW version provides a complete mounting solution for those who prefer wall installation.
The G5's build quality reflects its premium positioning, with materials and construction that meet high standards for durability and aesthetics. The TV's ability to be mounted flush against the wall creates a sleek appearance that complements modern living spaces. The design also includes considerations for cable management, with ports arranged for easy access and minimal cable visibility. The TV's overall profile is more substantial than the C-series models, which reflects the additional components required for the advanced panel technology and enhanced features.
Color accuracy and calibration
The G5's color accuracy is exceptional, with measurements showing near-reference color reproduction after calibration. The new panel technology allows for more precise color control, resulting in better performance across different viewing conditions. The TV's ability to maintain color accuracy in both bright and dark environments demonstrates the effectiveness of the Primary RGB Tandem panel. Calibration results show that the G5 can achieve excellent color accuracy with minimal adjustments, making it suitable for professional applications and critical viewing scenarios.
In comparison to other premium TVs, the G5 outperforms models like the Samsung S95F in terms of color accuracy, earning it recognition as the best color accurate TV in 2025. The panel's wide color gamut allows for more vivid and realistic colors, particularly in HDR content. The TV's performance in color reproduction is consistent across different viewing angles, though not as wide as the G4 model. The calibration process is straightforward and effective, with the TV's processor providing excellent results with minimal user intervention.
The G5's color accuracy extends to its handling of different content types, from movies to gaming to streaming content. The panel's ability to maintain color consistency across different brightness levels and viewing conditions makes it versatile for various applications. The TV's performance in color reproduction is particularly notable in scenes with complex lighting and color transitions. The combination of the new panel technology and advanced processing ensures that the G5 delivers accurate colors across all types of content, making it a strong choice for users who prioritize color fidelity.
Viewing angle limitations
While the G5 offers significant improvements in brightness and color accuracy, it does show a reduction in viewing angles compared to the G4 model. This limitation is particularly noticeable in wide viewing scenarios where multiple people are watching from different positions. The panel's performance in this area is still good, but not as comprehensive as the predecessor's capabilities. The viewing angle reduction is a trade-off for the enhanced brightness and color performance that the new panel provides.
In practical testing, the G5 maintains good color and brightness consistency when viewed from the center, but performance degrades somewhat when viewed from extreme angles. This is especially apparent in larger screen sizes where the viewing angle impact is more pronounced. The TV's performance in this regard is acceptable for most users, but those who frequently watch from wide angles may notice a difference compared to the G4. The panel's design prioritizes peak brightness and color accuracy over maximum viewing angle performance.
The viewing angle limitations are most noticeable in group viewing scenarios or when the TV is positioned in a way that requires viewing from multiple directions. For typical single-user or small group viewing, the impact is minimal and the TV's performance remains excellent. The G5's approach to balancing brightness with viewing angle performance reflects LG's focus on delivering the best overall picture quality rather than maximizing viewing flexibility. Users who prioritize viewing angles over brightness should consider alternative models.
Strengths
- +Highest brightness of any OLED TV yet with 40% increase in light output
- +Best color accuracy of any TV tested in 2025
- +Stunning image quality with excellent shadow detail, contrast, and black levels
- +Demonstrably brighter and more accurate than previous OLED generations
Watch-outs
- −Remote is not as good as previous versions
- −Expensive with roughly $600 premium over the 65-inch C5 model
How it compares
The LG G5 OLED delivers the highest brightness and best color accuracy of any TV tested in 2025, outperforming the S95H OLED in color reproduction and the Samsung S90H OLED in brightness, but it's more expensive and has a less intuitive remote than the LG C5 Series. It surpasses the Sony Bravia 8 II Series in brightness but lacks the native 120Hz support.
Rating sources
Our 4.5 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above; 4 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. More about methodology.
