ZDNET: LG C5 OLED praised for picture and ultra‑thin design but costs more than C4

ZDNET says LG's 2025 C5 OLED ranks among the best OLED TVs for picture quality, with an ultra‑thin 0.25‑inch screen, premium materials and a distinctive look. The review notes the set was on sale at the time of writing and that some discounts exceeded $1,300.

The C5 includes an Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor that powers AI features such as AI Super Upscaling, AI‑assisted Deep Learning and AI Concierge. The TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports and three USB 2.0 ports, an Always Ready motion‑sensor wallpaper function, and packaging and design touches like a black marble pattern on the back and silicone pads on the stand. The reviewer flagged issues with LG's AI Sound Pro and the Magic Remote (no dedicated mute button and no backlight), and recommended disabling Energy Saver modes for best HDR brightness, preferring the ISF Expert Bright Room setting.

ZDNET's measurements showed only marginal brightness gains over last year's C4 and the C5's refresh rate tops out at 144Hz (listed as 120Hz up to 144Hz), while competing higher‑end models may reach 165Hz. The review calls the C5 exemplary and visually impressive but says its upgrades are not necessarily game‑changing, and advises that buyers may be better served by a C4 until the C5's price drops. The article was updated on January 24, 2026 to reflect a fact check and changes to recent sales pricing.

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Tech, Lg, Magic Remote, Woled