LG 65" OLED evo C5 Smart TV (2025) Review 2026
The benchmark OLED scaled to 65 inches. Same perfect blacks, same four HDMI 2.1 ports, same flawless gaming -- on a canvas that fills the living room.
If 55" feels too small for your living room, the 65" C5 scales the same OLED excellence to a larger canvas. The price jump is significant, but OLED at 65" is a transformative viewing experience.
OLED at Living Room Scale
At 55 inches, the C5 is an outstanding TV. At 65 inches, it becomes an experience. Perfect blacks across a 65-inch panel create a viewing window that immerses you in content. Dark scenes in movies surround your field of vision with genuine darkness. HDR highlights at ~1000 nits pop against that infinite black with three-dimensional intensity.
The jump from 55 to 65 inches is not just size. It is the point where OLED's advantages become room-defining. A 55-inch TV with perfect blacks is impressive. A 65-inch TV with perfect blacks is cinematic.
Same Excellence, Bigger Canvas
The alpha-11 Gen2 processor, four HDMI 2.1 ports, Dolby Vision IQ, and webOS are identical to the 55-inch model. LG does not downgrade components at the larger size. The panel uniformity is consistent across the 65-inch surface -- no visible banding or uneven backlighting (because there is no backlight).
Gaming at 65 inches is particularly compelling. Elden Ring's dark environments gain depth that even the best Mini-LEDs cannot replicate. Racing games fill your peripheral vision. First-person shooters are more immersive. And sub-millisecond response time means zero ghosting at any size.
Wall-mounting the 65" C5 on a dark wall maximizes the OLED effect. Without a stand elevating the panel, the screen appears to float -- and OLED's perfectly black borders blend into the surrounding wall. The effect is more pronounced at 65 inches, where the panel is large enough to dominate the wall visually.
Strengths
- ✓Same benchmark C5 OLED quality at 65"
- ✓4x HDMI 2.1 for the ultimate gaming setup
- ✓Perfect blacks with improved brightness over C4
Cons
- ✗Significant price jump from 55" C5
- ✗Still not as bright as Mini-LED for HDR
- ✗Burn-in risk with static content like news tickers
The Price of Going Bigger
At $1,200–$1,800, the 65" C5 costs modestly more expensive the 55" version. That premium buys you 10 more diagonal inches of OLED perfection. It also puts you in the price range of very good 75-inch Mini-LEDs that offer more screen for less money -- but with LCD limitations instead of OLED perfection.
The decision is personal. If picture quality per inch matters more than total inches, the 65" C5 is the most satisfying TV you can buy at this size. If total screen coverage matters more, a 75-inch Mini-LED delivers more immersion for less money -- with the understanding that blacks will never be as deep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 65" C5 worth the price jump from the 55" C5?
If your viewing distance is 8+ feet and your room supports 65 inches, the larger canvas makes OLED more immersive. Perfect blacks at 65 inches fill more of your visual field. The price jump is significant -- weigh it against your room size and budget.
Should I get the 65" C5 or the 55" G5?
The C5 at 65" gives you more screen area. The G5 at 55" gives you Tandem OLED brightness (~1800 nits vs ~1000 nits) and Gallery Design for flush mounting. For size priority, get the C5. For brightness and wall aesthetics, get the G5.
Can the 65" C5 handle a bright living room?
The C5 handles moderately lit rooms well at ~1000 nits. In rooms with significant direct sunlight on the screen, a large Mini-LED like the Samsung 65" QN70F or TCL 65" QM7K will maintain better visibility. For evening and controlled lighting, the C5 is excellent.
Is burn-in more of a risk at 65 inches?
Burn-in risk is independent of screen size -- it depends on pixel usage patterns. The same anti-burn-in features (pixel shifting, logo dimming, screen refresh) protect both sizes. Varied content at normal viewing habits poses no practical risk.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.8/5
If 55" feels too small for your living room, the 65" C5 scales the same OLED excellence to a larger canvas. The price jump is significant, but OLED at 65" is a transformative viewing experience.
The best 65-inch TV for viewers who prioritize picture quality over size. Perfect blacks at this scale create a cinematic experience that no LCD technology can replicate.
See all Best OLED TVs