Lab tests favor LG G4 over refreshed G5 OLED despite brighter new panel

ZDNET experts ran hands‑on lab comparisons of LG's G4 and refreshed G5 OLED TVs to judge picture performance, features and real‑world value. Both models come in 55–97 inch sizes, support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and offer 120Hz panels with boosted refresh rates (G4 to 144Hz, G5 to 165Hz).

They run webOS (G4 on webOS 24, G5 on webOS 25) and include Wi‑Fi 6E, multiple HDMI and USB ports. Listed starting prices show the G4 at $2,600 and the G5 at $2,500. The G4 stood out for color accuracy and overall picture quality. It includes dedicated picture modes such as Filmmaker Mode, automatic HDR tone‑mapping, strong 4K upscaling, and a gaming mode that supports Nvidia G‑Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium with a 0.1ms response time.

The G4 also features a slim metal design, narrow bezels and built‑in streaming apps. The G5 brings a new tandem OLED stack — two independent OLED layers — that pushes peak brightness toward the 3,000–4,000 nit range, making it better suited for bright rooms. It retains Dolby Vision, VRR support and higher boosted refresh, and aims for greater efficiency and potential pixel longevity.

However, ZDNET's review unit of the G5 showed inconsistent visual fidelity: fine detail appeared softened and colors seemed dull compared with a control screen. The reviewer found the tandem panel's implementation reduced overall picture clarity in that sample. ZDNET's verdict favors the G4 as the better buy for picture quality and color accuracy.

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AI, Tech, Lg Oled, Tv Review, Oled, Gaming, Display Tech