The LG C5 OLED represents a meaningful step forward for LG's most popular OLED series, delivering noticeably improved brightness over its predecessor while maintaining the perfect blacks and vibrant colors that define OLED technology. Powered by the α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8, this television excels in dark room viewing with its infinite contrast ratio and impresses with significantly enhanced SDR and HDR brightness that makes it more viable in well-lit spaces. Four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K/144Hz gaming with VRR and ALLM, cementing its position as a top choice for console and PC gamers. While it doesn't match the peak brightness of mini-LED rivals or higher-end QD-OLED panels, the C5 strikes an appealing balance between performance and value for viewers who prioritize cinematic picture quality and gaming versatility.[^1_3][^1_2][^1_4][^1_5][^1_1]

Design and Build Quality

The LG C5 OLED maintains the minimalist aesthetic that has defined LG's mid-range OLED series for years, featuring an ultra-slim profile with incredibly narrow bezels that virtually disappear during viewing. The panel measures just millimeters thick at its slimmest point, creating an elegant floating appearance when wall-mounted that emphasizes the expansive screen rather than the television itself. Build quality feels premium throughout, with solid construction that inspires confidence during installation and daily use. The centered stand design provides stable support while maintaining the sleek visual profile, though the shallow depth may concern users with active households or curious pets. Available in sizes ranging from 42 inches to 83 inches, the C5 accommodates diverse room dimensions and viewing preferences, though buyers should note that the two smallest models sacrifice some brightness capability due to their lower pixel aperture ratios.¹²³⁴⁵⁶

The rear panel houses four HDMI 2.1 ports alongside optical audio output, USB connections, and Ethernet, with all connections positioned for relatively easy access even during wall mounting. LG's Magic Remote accompanies the television, featuring a comfortable curved design with pointer functionality, though some users find the lack of dedicated input selection buttons inconvenient. The remote feels substantial rather than hollow, communicating quality through its materials and button feedback. Cable management solutions integrated into the stand help maintain the clean aesthetic that complements modern living spaces.⁷⁸⁴⁵⁶

Performance in Real Use

The LG C5 OLED delivers its most compelling performance in controlled lighting environments where its perfect black levels and infinite contrast ratio create stunning depth and dimensionality. Movie enthusiasts watching in dimmed rooms experience the kind of cinematic presentation that justifies OLED's premium reputation, with dark scenes revealing shadow detail that LCD technology simply cannot match. Each of the 8.3 million self-lit pixels can turn completely off, eliminating the blooming and halo effects that plague even the best full-array local dimming implementations.⁹¹⁵¹⁰

Brightness represents the C5's most significant improvement over its predecessor, with measurable gains across both SDR and HDR content. In SDR viewing, the television reaches levels that make it viable in moderately lit rooms, overcoming indirect glare from windows and overhead lighting more effectively than previous C-series models. HDR content benefits even more noticeably, with small to medium highlights measuring approximately 1,165 nits compared to the C4's 1,049 nits. This translates to more impactful specular highlights in HDR mastered content, where sunlight glinting off metal or explosive visual effects pop with greater intensity against the absolute blacks.^111281310

However, full-screen brightness remains a limitation when compared to premium mini-LED displays, with entirely bright HDR scenes measuring between 300-1000 nits versus the 3,000+ nits achievable with high-end LCD technology. This means extremely bright daytime sequences in films or HDR gaming in well-lit rooms lack the aggressive punch that mini-LED delivers. The television performs best when ambient lighting can be controlled, though its improved brightness makes it more versatile than previous OLED generations.¹¹¹³⁵

Image Processing and Accuracy

The α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8 represents LG's latest processing silicon, delivering noticeable improvements in upscaling and noise reduction compared to earlier generations. Lower-resolution streaming content benefits significantly from the processor's AI Super Upscaling, which analyzes and reconstructs detail to produce sharper, cleaner images from compressed 1080p sources. Viewers watching older television series or streaming services with variable bitrates report that content appears cleaner with fewer compression artifacts and better-defined edges.¹¹⁴¹⁰

Out-of-the-box color accuracy ranks among the best available in consumer televisions, with professional measurements showing a Delta-E average of just 0.32 in SDR mode. This means the television reproduces colors almost exactly as content creators intended without requiring professional calibration. The Rec. 709 color gamut coverage exceeds 99%, while HDR content shows similarly impressive accuracy with 99.45% UHDA-P3 coverage and 76.18% Rec. 2020 coverage. These numbers translate to vivid yet accurate colors that bring animation, nature documentaries, and prestige dramas to life without oversaturation or unnatural tinting.⁸⁴⁵⁶

The television's PQ EOTF tracking proves excellent overall, meaning HDR content displays at brightness levels close to filmmakers' intentions across most of the luminance range. Some deviation occurs at the brightest extremes due to the panel's physical limitations, but this rarely impacts real-world viewing enjoyment. Gradient handling excels for an OLED, with only minor banding visible in test patterns that disappears during actual content.¹⁰

Gaming Performance

Gaming represents a particular strength for the LG C5, which includes four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports capable of handling 4K signals at 144Hz refresh rates. This comprehensive connectivity surpasses many competitors that limit HDMI 2.1 capabilities to two ports, forcing gamers with multiple next-generation consoles to swap cables or invest in switchers. The television supports both NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium technologies, ensuring smooth variable refresh rate performance regardless of graphics card choice.¹⁷⁸

Input lag measures extremely low in Game Optimizer mode, with virtually imperceptible delay between controller input and on-screen response. Competitive gamers and those sensitive to input latency will appreciate the responsive feel that rivals dedicated gaming monitors. The near-instantaneous pixel response time inherent to OLED technology delivers crystal-clear motion during fast-paced action, eliminating the motion blur that can obscure detail in LCD displays.¹⁵⁹⁶¹⁰

Console gamers benefit from automatic low latency mode that switches picture settings when game consoles are detected, while the Game Optimizer dashboard provides quick access to performance metrics and picture adjustments without interrupting gameplay. Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 owners can take full advantage of 4K/120Hz output with Dolby Vision gaming support. However, users should note that Game Optimizer mode reduces peak HDR brightness compared to other picture modes, though the C5 still delivers satisfying HDR impact during gameplay.¹²⁶¹⁰

Audio Performance

The C5's built-in 40-watt, 2.2-channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos support delivers surprisingly competent audio for a television of its thickness. Many users report satisfaction with the built-in sound quality for casual viewing, noting clearer dialogue and better overall presence than expected from such a slim panel. The AI Sound mode analyzes content and adjusts audio characteristics appropriately, providing a more dynamic presentation than static presets.¹⁶¹³⁴¹

Despite these strengths, the physical limitations of thin OLED panels mean the C5 cannot produce the bass response or room-filling volume that external audio systems deliver. Users seeking a true home theater experience consistently recommend pairing the television with a soundbar or discrete speaker system to complement the stunning visuals. The television's Dolby Atmos pass-through via eARC ensures compatibility with modern audio systems capable of processing immersive audio formats.⁴¹⁶

Smart Features and Interface

The webOS smart platform continues to provide a comprehensive streaming ecosystem with all major services pre-installed and easily accessible. The interface responds quickly to navigation inputs, though some reviewers note that webOS feels less modern than competing platforms from Samsung and Google. AI features include intelligent search capabilities, picture wizard tools for easy calibration, and smart home integration that allows voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, and LG's ThinQ ecosystem.¹⁷⁸⁵⁴⁶

Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast support enable wireless streaming from mobile devices, tablets, and computers without requiring dedicated streaming hardware. The AI calibration feature uses smartphone cameras to analyze room lighting and adjust picture settings automatically, providing a convenient alternative to manual calibration for most users. While some AI recommendations feel unnecessary or intrusive, these features can be disabled for viewers who prefer traditional control.⁸¹⁶

Long-Term Ownership Considerations

Users reporting six to eight months of ownership experience no visible burn-in, though OLED's susceptibility to permanent image retention remains a consideration for those who watch content with static elements like news tickers or gaming HUDs extensively. LG includes pixel refresh and screen shift technologies that mitigate burn-in risk during normal varied viewing. The television's energy efficiency proves reasonable for an OLED panel, with power consumption varying based on content brightness.⁹¹⁷¹¹⁰

The C5's versatility across content types makes it a practical choice for households with diverse viewing habits, performing admirably whether streaming compressed content, watching 4K Blu-rays, or gaming across multiple platforms. The combination of excellent processing, accurate colors, and gaming-focused features creates a television that remains relevant across typical ownership periods of five to seven years. While not perfect in every scenario, the C5 represents a well-rounded package that prioritizes the qualities most viewers value in premium television technology.^171498510