The LG C4 OLED represents the gold standard in mid-range OLED televisions, delivering exceptional picture quality and gaming features at accessible pricing. With improved brightness reaching 1,049 nits HDR peak, 144Hz gaming support, and LG's refined webOS platform, the C4 maintains the C-series reputation for best-in-class value. Available in sizes from 42 to 83 inches, the C4 serves diverse room configurations while maintaining consistent performance. After extensive testing with 4K HDR content, gaming across multiple platforms, and everyday viewing, we evaluate whether the LG C4 OLED deserves its status as the TV most enthusiasts should buy in 2025.

Picture Quality: OLED Perfection Refined

The C4's OLED panel delivers pixel-perfect contrast with individually controlled pixels that achieve absolute black levels. This fundamental OLED advantage creates stunning image depth and pop that LCD/LED technologies cannot match. Dark scenes maintain shadow detail without the blooming artifacts common with local dimming backlights.

Brightness improvements represent the C4's most significant upgrade over the C3. Peak HDR brightness reaches 1,049 nits on a 10% window, compared to the C3's 830 nits. Full-screen brightness hits 296 nits versus the C3's 163 nits. These improvements enhance HDR impact, particularly with highlights in Dolby Vision content where specular details now truly pop.

Color reproduction excels with support for 100% of the DCI-P3 color space and excellent color volume. Colors appear vibrant and saturated without the oversaturation that plagues some displays. Skin tones render naturally across diverse lighting conditions, while vibrant scenes showcase the panel's ability to reproduce rich, accurate colors.

Motion handling benefits from the OLED's near-instantaneous pixel response time. The TruMotion processing system offers various interpolation modes for those who prefer smoothing, though purists will appreciate Filmmaker Mode's authentic 24fps presentation without artificial smoothing. Sports and fast action appear crisp without the motion blur common on slower panels.

HDR Performance

The C4 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, providing compatibility with virtually all HDR content. Dolby Vision IQ adjusts picture parameters based on ambient lighting, optimizing the viewing experience across different room conditions. A new Dolby Vision Filmmaker mode disables motion smoothing in its default settings, respecting content creators' intentions.

HDR content showcases the OLED's strengths brilliantly. The combination of perfect blacks and improved peak brightness creates stunning contrast that makes HDR truly impactful. Watching Blade Runner 2049 in Dolby Vision demonstrates the panel's ability to handle extreme contrast, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, without crushing details at either extreme.

The panel handles specular highlights impressively for its brightness class. While it can't match the 2000+ nit peaks of high-end mini-LED displays, the 1,049-nit capability suffices for most HDR content. The OLED's infinite contrast ratio means highlights appear to pop even more than higher-brightness LCD panels that lack absolute black levels.

Gaming Performance: Console and PC Excellence

Four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K video at 120Hz and now 144Hz, making the C4 ideal for next-gen console and PC gaming. All ports support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) through HDMI 2.1 VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, and NVIDIA G-Sync, ensuring compatibility with any gaming platform. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) automatically switches to Game mode when detecting game console signals.

Input lag measures impressively low at approximately 5ms in Game mode at 4K 120Hz, making the display responsive enough for competitive gaming. The near-instantaneous pixel response time eliminates motion blur, creating crisp visuals during fast-paced action. These characteristics make the C4 particularly attractive for first-person shooters and racing games where response time matters.

HDR gaming benefits from Dolby Vision support at up to 120Hz from compatible sources, including Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Games like Horizon Forbidden West and Forza Motorsport showcase stunning HDR visuals with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and impactful highlights. The OLED's perfect blacks enhance atmospheric games like Resident Evil 4 Remake, creating genuine tension in dark environments.

The Game Optimizer dashboard provides quick access to gaming-specific settings without entering full menus. Options include selecting game genre presets, adjusting black level stabilizer, and configuring VRR behavior. This streamlined interface makes optimizing settings for different games straightforward.

WebOS and Smart Features

WebOS 24 continues refining LG's smart TV platform with improved organization and faster performance. The interface remains intuitive with content recommendations, app shortcuts, and input selection accessible via the bottom launcher bar. The Magic Remote with pointer control enables efficient navigation that feels more natural than traditional D-pad remotes.

App selection covers all major streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, YouTube, and countless others. Content launches quickly, and the processor handles 4K streaming without buffering on adequate internet connections. Integration with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit extends functionality for Apple ecosystem users.

Gaming-specific smart features include cloud gaming support through NVIDIA GeForce NOW, enabling streaming PC games directly to the TV without additional hardware. The combination with the C4's low input lag and responsive panel creates surprisingly viable cloud gaming experiences when network conditions permit.

Sound Quality

The built-in 40W 2.2-channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos support delivers surprisingly capable audio for a slim TV. While it can't match dedicated soundbar systems, the audio suffices for casual viewing with clear dialogue and reasonable dynamic range. The Atmos virtualization creates a sense of height and space beyond typical TV speakers.

For serious home theater enthusiasts, the TV supports eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for lossless audio passthrough to soundbars and AVRs. This enables sending Dolby Atmos and DTS:X signals to external audio systems without quality degradation. The TV also includes optical audio output for connecting to older audio equipment.

Design and Build Quality

The C4 maintains LG's slim design philosophy with minimal bezels creating an immersive viewing experience. The Gallery Stand provides a flush-to-wall appearance when wall-mounted, while included table stands offer stable support. Build quality feels premium with solid construction and refined finishing throughout.

Cable management solutions hide connections cleanly, maintaining the minimalist aesthetic. The rear panel organizes ports logically with adequate spacing for accessing connections. The slim profile enables flexible placement options whether wall-mounted or table-standing.

Viewing Angles and Ambient Light Performance

OLED technology provides near-perfect viewing angles with no color shifting or contrast degradation when viewed off-axis. This characteristic makes the C4 suitable for wide seating arrangements where LCD displays would suffer visible quality degradation for off-center viewers.

Ambient light performance benefits from the improved brightness but still favors darker viewing environments. While perfectly viewable in moderately lit rooms, the panel performs best with controlled lighting where the perfect blacks and contrast capabilities truly shine. The anti-reflective coating reduces but doesn't eliminate reflections from windows and light sources.

Competition and Value

Against the Samsung S95D QD-OLED, the C4 offers better value and wider availability at lower pricing. Samsung counters with higher peak brightness and more vibrant colors, though at significantly higher cost. For most users, the C4's picture quality suffices while delivering better gaming support.

Sony's A80L OLED provides similar picture quality with superior motion processing and color accuracy out of box. However, Sony's OLED typically costs more while offering fewer gaming features and less refined smart platform. LG's C4 represents better value for gaming-focused users.

Against mini-LED competitors like the Samsung QN90D, the C4 trades peak brightness for perfect blacks and better viewing angles. Mini-LED excels in bright rooms with aggressive HDR highlights but can't match OLED's contrast and black level performance. The choice depends on viewing environment and priorities.

Final Verdict

The LG C4 OLED maintains the C-series tradition of delivering flagship-class picture quality at mid-range pricing. The improved brightness addresses the primary criticism of previous OLED TVs while maintaining the fundamental advantages that make OLED technology superior for many viewing scenarios.

For gamers, the C4 represents perhaps the best television available. The combination of 144Hz support, VRR across all platforms, exceptionally low input lag, and perfect response time creates an unmatched gaming experience. The four HDMI 2.1 ports accommodate multiple consoles and PC gaming simultaneously.

Movie enthusiasts will appreciate the perfect blacks, excellent HDR performance, and support for Dolby Vision content. The improved brightness enhances HDR impact without sacrificing the deep blacks that make OLED special. Filmmaker Mode ensures content displays as creators intended.

The LG C4 OLED earns its position as the TV most people should buy in 2025. It delivers exceptional picture quality, comprehensive gaming features, and refined smart functionality at pricing that represents genuine value in the premium TV market. For anyone seeking the best balance of performance and value, the C4 OLED stands unmatched.