You’ve seen the glossy ads. You’ve probably walked past the blindingly bright displays in Best Buy and wondered if your eyes were actually supposed to hurt that much. Buying a TV shouldn't feel like a high-stakes gambling match, but when you’re looking at the LG 55 OLED C4, it kinda does. Everyone says OLED is the gold standard, but then you see the price tag and start sweating. Is it actually better than the C3? Or is it just a slightly shinier version of what we already had?
Let’s be real. The LG C-series has been the "default" recommendation for anyone who wants a serious TV without selling a kidney for the G-series. But the 2024 model—the C4—landed in a weird spot. It looks almost identical to last year’s model. The remote hasn't changed in what feels like a decade. Yet, underneath that familiar carbon-fiber-looking plastic shell, there are tweaks to the processing and the refresh rate that actually matter if you’re a gamer or a cinephile who obsesses over "true" colors.
The 144Hz Elephant in the Room
For years, 120Hz was the ceiling. If you had a PS5 or an Xbox Series X, 120Hz was the target. But the LG 55 OLED C4 pushed that to 144Hz.
Does it matter?
Honestly, for console players, no. Not at all. Your PlayStation isn't hitting 144 frames per second on anything meaningful. But for the PC crowd—the people running RTX 4090 rigs—this is a massive deal. It turns a 55-inch living room TV into a legitimate, giant gaming monitor. Using it feels fluid. It’s snappy. When you’re panning the camera in Cyberpunk 2077, that extra headroom reduces the tiny micro-stutters you didn't even realize were bothering you.
LG also stuck with four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports. This sounds like technical jargon, but it basically means you can plug in your soundbar, your PS5, your PC, and a Switch without ever having to play "musical cables" to get the best resolution. Most mid-range TVs from Sony or Hisense still only give you two high-speed ports, and one of those is usually taken up by your eARC soundbar. It's an annoying limitation that LG simply refuses to impose on its users.
Brightness, WOLED, and the MLA Debate
If you’ve been reading forum threads on Reddit or AVSForum, you’ve probably heard people screaming about "MLA" or Micro Lens Array. This is the tech in the more expensive LG G4 that makes it bright enough to rival the sun.
The LG 55 OLED C4 does not have MLA.
It uses a standard WOLED panel. Some people call this "old" tech. They’re wrong. LG’s Alpha 9 AI Processor Gen7 (yes, that’s a mouthful) does some heavy lifting here. It’s better at managing heat, which allows the panel to push slightly higher peak brightness than the C3 did. Is it a night-and-day difference? No. But if you’re watching a movie with high dynamic range (HDR), like the neon-soaked streets in John Wick 4, those highlights—the streetlights, the muzzle flashes—pop with a bit more aggression.
Why Perfect Blacks Still Win
LED TVs, even the fancy Mini-LED ones like the Samsung QN90 series, still struggle with "blooming." That’s when you have white text on a black background and there’s a weird hazy glow around the letters. It’s distracting.
On the C4, because it's an OLED, every single pixel can turn off completely.
Zero light.
Pure darkness.
This creates an infinite contrast ratio. When you’re watching a space thriller like Interstellar, the stars are tiny pinpricks of light against a void that actually looks like a void, not a dark grey soup. That’s the "OLED magic" people talk about, and in the 55-inch size, it’s particularly dense and sharp.
WebOS is Getting... Crowded?
We need to talk about the software. LG’s WebOS used to be the gold standard for TV interfaces. It was fast and stayed out of your way. Now, it’s a bit of a billboard.
When you turn on the LG 55 OLED C4, you’re greeted with a full-screen home menu packed with "recommendations" (read: ads). It’s busy. Fortunately, LG promised five years of software updates for this model—the "webOS Re:New program"—which is actually huge. Most TVs are abandoned by their manufacturers after two years. Knowing your TV will get new features and security patches until 2029 makes the high price tag a lot easier to swallow.
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The Magic Remote is still a "love it or hate it" situation. It works like a Nintendo Wii pointer. You shake it, a cursor appears on the screen, and you point at what you want. It's incredibly fast for typing in Wi-Fi passwords or searching for movies. But if you have shaky hands or just want a normal D-pad experience, it can be a bit finicky.
The Sound Quality Reality Check
Look, the C4 is thin. Like, "scary thin" at the top edge.
Because of that, there is physically no room for decent speakers. LG talks about "9.1.2 virtual surround sound" powered by their AI processor. It's mostly marketing fluff. It sounds fine for the evening news or a sitcom, but if you're watching Dune and expect to feel the rumble of a sandworm, you’re going to be disappointed.
The speakers are down-firing. The sound hits your TV stand and bounces toward you. It’s thin. It lacks bass.
If you're spending this much on a LG 55 OLED C4, factor a soundbar into your budget. Even a mid-range one will outperform the built-in speakers by a mile. LG does have a "WOW Orchestra" feature that lets the TV speakers and an LG soundbar work together, but honestly, just getting a good standalone system is usually the better move.
Real World Usage: Living Room vs. Bedroom
The 55-inch size is the "Goldilocks" zone.
In a small living room, it feels cinematic. In a bedroom, it feels like a private IMAX. However, OLEDs have a glossy screen. While the C4 has a decent anti-reflective coating, it’s not a miracle worker. If you have a massive window directly opposite the TV, you’re going to see your own reflection during dark scenes in House of the Dragon.
If your room is sun-drenched and you can't close the curtains, a high-end Mini-LED might actually serve you better. But for 90% of people, especially those who do their serious watching at night, the C4 is unbeatable.
Longevity and the Burn-In Ghost
"Will my TV have a permanent news ticker burned into it in three years?"
Probably not.
Burn-in was a massive issue in 2017. In 2024 and 2025, the LG 55 OLED C4 has so many preventative measures it’s almost a non-issue for normal users. It has "Pixel Cleaning," it subtly shifts the image by a few pixels every now and then (you won't notice), and it dims static logos automatically. Unless you leave CNN on for 20 hours a day at 100% brightness, you’re fine. LG’s panels are significantly more resilient than they used to be.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
You’ve got options. It’s not just LG in the game anymore.
- The Sony Bravia 8: This uses the same LG panel but has Sony’s "XR" processing. Some people swear Sony makes motion look more natural and handles low-quality streaming better. But it’s usually more expensive and only has two HDMI 2.1 ports.
- The Samsung S90D: This is a QD-OLED. It gets brighter and has more vibrant colors (reds especially pop). However, it doesn't support Dolby Vision. If you're a movie buff, the lack of Dolby Vision on the Samsung is a huge bummer because so much Netflix and Disney+ content is mastered for it.
- The LG C3 (Last Year’s Model): If you can find a C3 on clearance, buy it. The C4 is better, but it’s an incremental "evolution," not a revolution. If the price gap is more than $300, the C3 is the better value.
Is the C4 Actually Worth Your Money?
The LG 55 OLED C4 isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It's a refinement of a formula that LG has perfected over the last decade. It’s the TV for the person who wants the best possible picture without entering the realm of "diminishing returns" where you pay double for a 5% improvement.
It’s great for:
- Gamers who want 144Hz and G-Sync/FreeSync support.
- People who watch movies in light-controlled rooms.
- Users who want a smart TV platform that will actually be updated for half a decade.
It’s not great for:
- Bright sunrooms with no blinds.
- People who refuse to buy a soundbar.
- Budget-conscious buyers who would be just as happy with a high-end LED for half the price.
Practical Steps for New Owners
If you decide to pull the trigger on the LG 55 OLED C4, don't just leave it on the "Vivid" setting out of the box. It looks blue and unnatural. Switch it to "Filmmaker Mode" or "ISF Expert Dark Room." Your eyes might take a day to adjust because it looks "warmer" (more yellow/orange), but this is actually how the director intended the movie to look.
Also, disable "Energy Saving Step." It’s turned on by default to meet regulations, but it aggressively dims the screen and ruins the HDR experience. Turn it off and let the TV actually breathe.
Finally, check your HDMI cables. If you're using an old cable from 2015, you won't get 4K at 120Hz or 144Hz. Look for a "Certified Ultra High Speed" cable. It's a small investment that ensures you're actually seeing what you paid for.
The C4 is a workhorse. It’s beautiful, it’s fast, and while it’s not a massive leap over the C3, it remains the most well-rounded OLED on the market for most people. Just make sure you turn off the motion smoothing—nobody wants their favorite movie looking like a soap opera.