LG 55" OLED evo C4 Smart TV (2024) Review 2026
Last year's C-series OLED at closeout pricing. Perfect blacks, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and Dolby Vision IQ -- for similarly priced the current C5.
Last year's C-series at a steep discount offers 90%+ of the C5 experience. If OLED picture quality matters more to you than having the latest processor, this is the smart buy while stock lasts.
The Smart OLED Buy
The LG C4 is the TV equivalent of buying last year's iPhone. The technology is 90% the same. The core experience -- per-pixel dimming, infinite contrast ratio, sub-millisecond response time -- is identical to the C5. What you lose is some peak brightness and the newer alpha-11 Gen2 processor. What you gain is a real price reduction while supplies last.
OLED under $800–$1,200 is the headline. A year ago, a 55-inch C-series OLED cost more. The C4 at closeout represents the best value entry into OLED picture quality. Period.
Per-Pixel Perfect Blacks
Every pixel on an OLED panel produces its own light. Turn a pixel off and it is truly black -- not dark gray, not elevated black levels, not "close to black." Black. This is the fundamental advantage over every LCD technology, including Mini-LED.
In practice: movie credits on the C4 are white text floating in absolute darkness. Night sky scenes show stars as pinpoints of light on infinite void. Dark scenes in prestige TV reveal shadow detail that Mini-LED panels obscure with blooming haze. The contrast ratio is mathematically infinite because the denominator is zero.
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. Response time under 1 millisecond. Input lag in Game Mode around 10ms. The C4 is the best gaming TV under $800–$1,200 -- and that is not an opinion. It is measurable. Connect every console and gaming PC you own without compromise.
The Brightness Trade-Off
At roughly 800 nits peak, the C4 trails the C5's ~1000 nits and falls well behind Mini-LEDs pushing 1500-2500 nits. In a bright room with afternoon sun, HDR highlights on the C4 cannot compete with a high-brightness Mini-LED. The screen is watchable but the HDR punch is muted.
In a dimmed or dark room, the brightness limitation barely matters. OLED's infinite contrast means that even moderate brightness creates dramatic HDR impact because the dark parts of the image are truly dark. The delta between highlight and shadow is enormous even at 800 nits when the floor is zero.
Strengths
- ✓OLED picture quality under $1,000 at closeout pricing
- ✓4x HDMI 2.1 for gaming — <1ms response time
- ✓Dolby Vision IQ and Filmmaker Mode
Cons
- ✗Previous generation — C5 has better brightness and processor
- ✗Lower peak brightness than C5
- ✗Gradually being discontinued — stock limited
C4 vs C5: The Real Difference
The C5 costs similarly priced. For that premium, you get roughly 200 nits more brightness, the alpha-11 Gen2 processor with improved AI upscaling, and a current-generation product with full warranty coverage. For most viewers in moderately lit rooms, the difference is visible in direct comparison but not dramatic in isolation.
Buy the C4 while it lasts if price matters. Buy the C5 if you want the latest processor and maximum brightness. Both deliver the OLED experience that no LCD can match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the LG C4 or wait for the C5?
If the C4 is still available at closeout pricing, buy it. The C5 adds improved brightness and a newer processor, but the C4 delivers 90% of the OLED experience at a lower price. OLED picture quality -- perfect blacks, infinite contrast, sub-millisecond response time -- is identical in principle between generations.
Is burn-in still a concern on the LG C4?
Burn-in risk is low for typical use. LG's pixel-shifting, logo dimming, and screen saver features mitigate static content damage. Avoid leaving news tickers, game HUDs, or channel logos on screen for extended hours daily. For varied content viewing, burn-in is not a practical concern in 2026.
Why does the C4 have 4 HDMI 2.1 ports when most TVs have 2?
LG designed the C-series as the ultimate gaming TV. Four HDMI 2.1 ports mean PS5, Xbox Series X, a gaming PC, and a streaming device all connect at full bandwidth simultaneously. No HDMI switching, no compromises. No other TV at this price offers this.
How does the C4 compare to Mini-LED for movies?
OLED wins on black levels, contrast ratio, and viewing angles. Mini-LED wins on peak brightness in HDR highlights. For dark room movie watching, the C4 is superior. For bright room viewing, a bright Mini-LED like the Hisense U8QG maintains visibility better.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.7/5
Last year's C-series at a steep discount offers 90%+ of the C5 experience. If OLED picture quality matters more to you than having the latest processor, this is the smart buy while stock lasts.
Buy it for OLED picture quality at the lowest C-series price in years. Skip it if you need maximum brightness for a bright room -- Mini-LED or the C5 serve better.
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