LG C4 vs C3: is LG's 2024 'step-down' OLED TV better than last year's?

Longtime readers will know that we've long extolled LG's C-series as being among the best value OLED TVs around: they offer premium specs without any superfluous bells and whistles for a reasonable price. Or, at least, they used to.

Because the C3 was a bit of a disappointment. It's not a bad TV – in fact, it's very good. But the lack of significant upgrades over the C2 coupled with a higher price allowed Sony's A80L to swoop in and take the step-down OLED crown.

Now LG is back, and it wants to reclaim its number one position. The C4 has better gaming specs, a brighter picture and a new operating system. It's also now available with some very hearty discounts.

Stock of the C3 is now running thin, but it is possible from time to time to find one that's cheaper than the equivalent C4. In that case, which should you buy?

• I’m blown away by how much better the LG C4 is than the C3

LG C4 vs C3: price

The C4 launched at a lower price than the C3 did last year, but the C3 had of course been heavily discounted by then, putting hundreds of pounds/dollars between them.

Now, though, the C4 has itself had loads of discounts and, typically, there's not much between the two models in terms of price. That said, those C3s that are still available (stock is running low) do tend to be available for a little less than the equivalent C4. Whether that small extra saving is worth making is something we'll tackle in time, but the C3 has to take this round on strict maths.

** Winner: LG C3 **

LG C4 vs C3: design

To look at, the C4 and C3 are nigh-on identical. Both are amazingly slim, with their 65-inch variants measuring from around 0.5cm to 4.5cm at their thickest points. They're super light too, especially compared to the competition. Admittedly this will only really be noticeable when you're manoeuvring them into position or packing them up to move house, but if you're wall-mounting, they will put far less stress on your walls and fixings.

Despite being lightweight, both TVs feel solidly built, with no corners cut. They also come with stylish, compact stands, but it's a shame these can't be adjusted to accommodate a soundbar (LG's own USC9S fits in seamlessly, but it's not much cop).

** Winner: Draw **

LG C4 vs C3: features

What's new with the C4? Gamers have always been well served by LG's C-series, and the C4 is no different. This year, they get a higher refresh rate of 144Hz – up from 120Hz – which PC gamers will appreciate (consoles are capped at 120Hz), and Nvidia G-Sync certification. (Dolby Vision gaming is also supported up to 144Hz, if any console ever manages to output at that high a refresh rate.) These come along with all the C3's existing gaming features, like four HDMI 2.1 ports, LG's Game Optimiser menu, VRR and ALLM.

It again has an OLED Evo panel, and despite lacking the G4's heatsink and MLA tech, it is still much brighter than the C3's. The 42- and 48-inch models are thought to be only marginally less bright than their larger siblings – previously, the difference was more noticeable (we've only reviewed the 65-inch C4 so far).

The C4 has an upgraded version of the Alpha 9 processor found on the C3, which will allow AI Sound Pro to process virtual 11.1.2 surround upmixing, up from 9.1.2 on the C3. And voice remastering should improve dialogue clarity.

The C3 brought some new features, like AI Super Upscaling Pro to upscale sources to 4K while reducing noise without losing the authentic 'graininess' of film. OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro breaks the image down into 20,000 zones (rather than the 5000 of before) for separate HDR optimisation. Object Enhancer sharpens foreground characters and props, while HDR Expression Enhancer applies specific tone mapping to those foreground elements.

The C4 also gets a new version of webOS. Along with other new LG TVs for 2024, it will qualify for free updates for at least five years, so you'll get access to some – but not all, it depends on your TV hardware – new features every year when a new version of webOS drops.

webOS 24 brings recommendations to the home screen, shrinking the Quick Cards to make room. The Quick Cards are now dynamic, and reveal more information when you hover over them. You can password-protect your user accounts, set a Picture Wizard AI setting for each, and Chromecast built-in is now supported. The new Accessibility tab acts as a handy repository for anyone who's sight- or hearing-impaired.

Voice recognition for individual users is also coming, though not until later in the year. There's no word if this will be exclusive to the G4 and M4 (which feature the Alpha 11 processor), or if the C4 will be included. It will launch in the US and South Korea first.

** Winner: LG C4 **

LG C4 vs C3: picture

While the C3 didn't move the dial on much further in terms of picture quality, it still set the bar pretty high. It offers a subtle, detailed picture, with highlights that are marginally brighter than the C2's. Shadow detail is good, despite some slight paleness to colours in low light. It's a great watch, though it's pipped in terms of punch and dynamism by the Sony A80L. The C3 does have some extra shadow detail, but the A80L's blacks are significantly deeper.

The C4 is a definite step up from both the C3 and the A80L. Even in a brightly-lit room, it has vibrant colours and plenty of pop. Bright elements are pleasingly detailed, and the image is much sharper and more solid than the comparatively soft C3. It delivers this pin-sharp picture and bold colours without any sense of exaggeration – everything looks natural, and not like it's been artificially boosted. Add the warm, rich tones and you've got a proper cinematic powerhouse on your hands.

Perhaps what's most pleasing about the picture is that LG has fixed the low-light colour issues. Now colours don't lose their volume in dimly lit areas, instead retaining their natural shades. Motion is super smooth, too. Our only niggle is a slight lack of dark detail, but it's a leaf of a bugbear in an ocean of positives.

** Winner: LG C4 **

LG C4 vs C3: sound

Audio has been a particular weak point for LG TVs in recent years, made all the more glaring by their excellent other attributes. The C3 sounds dull, even by TV standards. AI Sound Pro does give it a bit more energy, but it's too harsh to be listenable. Dolby Atmos adds weight and a sense of spaciousness, but it's too prone to distortion. We've said it before and we'll say it again: add a soundbar.

While you'd also be wise to also add a soundbar if you buy the C4, you won't feel as shortchanged if you don't. It sounds much better. AI Sound Pro is much punchier and more dynamic, and while it does struggle with deep bass, it doesn't any more than most rival TVs. It's much better at high volumes too, with less distortion. You have to push it really loud to hear any significant issues.

** Winner: LG C4 **

LG C4 vs C3: verdict

Well that's pretty clear cut. The C4 is the better TV, and now that it's been discounted to almost the same level as the C3, it's pretty much a no-brainer of a decision.

There are some C3s still on sale, though, so how much cheaper would one of those need to be for us to recommend it over the equivalent-sized C4? We'd say about 15-20 per cent. If the price gap is any smaller than that, we recommend that you pay the extra for the excellent C4.

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