LG C4 vs LG G4: How Much Better is MLA?

The LG C4 and LG G4 are two of the most popular OLEDs in LG’s 2024 lineup. With differences like the inclusion of an MLA layer on the G4 and different processors, there are some key considerations when trying to choose between these two models. Which one is better? Let’s find out.

Models Tested:  LG OLED65C4PUA and LG OLED65G4SUB

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0:00 Intro 
0:23 Size & Variants
1:17 Design
2:11 Inputs
2:51 Performance
3:20 HDR Brightness
4:22 SDR Brightness
4:39 Reflections
4:58 Viewing Angle
5:46 Image Processing
6:20 Sound Quality
6:53 Verdict
8:40 Outro
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[EhNothing]

Thanks rtings. Appreciate your testing and data.
Edit: what happened to the blooper reel at the end? Is Abby just no longer making any mistakes and getting it all in 1 take every time, or are we being punished for doing something wrong? We need those bloopers!

[mattevanst]

I just got a brand new 55 inch C3 in europe as my first OLED and it was half the price the C4 is going for and i'm insanely happy. Seeing everything about C4, it's just not worth it, unless you have infinite money (in which case you go for the G series anyway lol). Thanks for all your work Rtings!

[futureaceone]

LG states "the green tint on Rtings C4 is within manufacturing tolerances", thus making it sound like a minor panel lottery issue. However the Sony Bravia 8 that Rtings reviewed had the identical green tint problem, which can be seen in the off angle viewing video and Chroma and Hue graphs. That both TVs from different brands have the identical problem and virtually identical measurements suggests more than a manufacturing tolerance issue. The panel for both TVs is made by LG Display (a separate entity from LG Electronics) and it appears that they have screwed up their non-MLA panels this year? Thoughts?

[allmtbnzscottbrownhill]

I love my 77 G4, panel spec was only part of my decision making. The G4 got my pick because it is so much thinner for wall mounting.

[phizix]

I just picked up the 65” G4 a couple days ago for my living room. It’s incredible. I’m an avid gamer and have a PC built for my living room as well and playing Ghost of Tsushima on this thing IN 4K with HDR on is absolutely stunning. Also have watched a couple of my 4k Blu Rays and I realize I never truly experienced HDR until I got this TV as I was coming from a 5+ year old basic Samsung LCD TV (non QLED). Mind blowing. Zero regrets.

[freedomutilities]

If you're planning to buy some great TV to become monitor with PC mode, I recommended LG 42 C4, it's not only C4 but also 42 inch version of it, because its all 4K TVs, so 42 (smaller one) has more Pixel per inch (PPI) than any other unit, Don't forget to using ISF mode to getting the most accurate color possible, and when you're using it as monitor and looking at the screen from monitor distance, so hard to tell which one has MLA, but you definitely can tell which screen is sharper because of LG 42 C4 has 103, 39 PPI, while 55 G4 (smallest size of G4 series) only has 80, 58 PPI.

[dogsbark]

Bought a 77in G3 on clearance for $2280 with the stand, such s great deal. The C4 looks great, but the G3 and G4 look amazing. IMO get a G3 if you can find one and save.

[N.BR]

Love the reviews(as always!).
And from what I learned watching this channels for quite some times, those Brighter OLEDs TV gonna pop up some Burn-In faster, specially w/ red colors.
So my choice would be C4 for way cheaper prices (and ready to return + get another if I won the lottery of Bad Batches and get super Green Tint issue)

[philipadastra]

Colour volume on the G4 is better too the MLA layer increase the G4's ability to make colours brighter also it seems a lot of reviewers are talking about how the G4 seems to have more depth almost like a 3D effect in the picture.

[SamW]

Excellent comparison review. Thank you.

[masomaf]

I heard cinematic/movies the processing on G4 is much better now (than other models):
Fluid motions when pan shots/drone shots: less judder/stutter without getting soap opera, even without the cinematic motion option ON. With cinematic motion on, soap opera is minimized while pan shots are even more fluid.

The G3 needed cinematic motion for more fluid pan shots while the G4 did not need it.

Source : stop fomo and brians tech therapy compare test.


But whatabout c4???

[michaelwyckoff]

Hi Abby. Money no object the G4 is the way to go but not everyone has deep pockets for a G4. The C series has always seemed to be the TV most people get.😊

[Kivancli]

Its a shame Samsung dont use their best processors on the QD oled models, otherwise the choice would had been pretty clear cut, especially when it comes to gaming. So, now we are stuck with "Should i go with LG cause of the better processing + DV & DTS, or should i go with Samsung because of color brightness and better game mode 🤔" torment ...

[Codestud]

I bought a G4 recently and thought it was worth it for that bit of extra brightness. I could have saved a little and bought the C4 but at the end of the day this is a TV I want to live with for years.

[TruTechnoGamer]

Good video here. Keep in mind that there is more to the "Brightness Booster Max" technology on the G4 than just the MLA layer. Several pieces of software accompany that technology overall and it clearly makes the G4 brighter than the C4. The interesting thing here is what the 97" G4 will look like without MLA? On the surface, it should fall somewhere between a C4 and smaller G4 w/MLA. But it still may have some of the brightness boosting software, still has the enhanced A11 processor, still has a heatsink, and still uses a G4 panel. What will it be lacking compared to the smaller sizes in PQ? For light controlled rooms, if it's just missing a few extra nits it shouldn't be a factor.

[vicentecabrera]

abby you are the best I just bought the 77 C 4 hope don’t be regretting

[userbosco]

Great review. Happy to say that our 2015 LG OLED is still doing great (knock wood), but good to keep up in case she decides to call it quits on us. I guess paying $2, 500+ on a 65" TV today is in line for what we paid in 2015 - for quality and reliability.

[FforeverF]

G4-OLED is king 👑
Last year's G3-OLED with MLA a viable alternative if you can snag one at discounted price.

[RatimirRS]

Nice simple and easy-to-understand review.
Good job!

[sbphotos]

Would be handy to know peoples opinions about using it for a Mac or PC set up