LG TVs ^{2020 & 2021 lineup compared}

LG’s UP7000 is the successor of the UN7000 and is considered a low entry-level model of the 4K UHD series. The device is especially suitable for regular TV viewing in a dark environment since there is definitely room for improvement with a contrast of 1260:1 and a brightness of 350 nitsSI unit of luminance: 1 nit = 1 cd/m² – The best way of measuring and comparing a TVs brightness  .

Gamers will also have their fun with the TV if they stick to the older consoles, as an HDMI 2.1 port and VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card are missing. On the whole, the TV is suitable for anyone on a budget with low demands. However, if you want to experience great cinema in your living room at home, then you should rather reach for another device.

The NANO90 replaces last year’s model and can be distinguished from the predecessor by the suffix PA instead of NA. It is also one of LG’s entry-level models and therefore has to do without some features that are reserved for the expensive models. However, especially the fast 120Hz panel, an HDMI 2.1 port, low input lag and VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card support make the NANO90 a very good gaming TV.

Regardless, the mediocre contrast and poor performance in dark rooms should not be ignored. Here, it is recommended to unpack the controller during the day, as the TV does not perform well in terms of picture quality in the dark, despite the local dimming feature. As far as smart features are concerned, the NANO90 offers everything you could wish for. The Magic Remote, which makes it much easier to operate the TV, is particularly noteworthy here.

Compared to the UP8000, the NANO90 plays in a completely different league and can perform significantly better in almost all areas. Especially in gaming and watching sports, the NANO90 is the better choice. However, those who still want a home theater experience in their living room will not be well served with either model. The NANO90 also has problems displaying HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) content well.

OLED TVs are considered rather expensive due to their unique technology, but LG has launched an affordable OLED this year with the A1. Thus, the A-series also has a theoretically infinite contrast and a perfect black, but you can tell that the A1 has cut some corners. Nevertheless, the TV is perfectly suitable as an entry-level OLED and delivers the excellent picture quality OLEDs are known for.

Gamers will also enjoy the OLED quality, even though the A1 is not suitable for the new consoles since it lacks an HDMI 2.1 port and VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card. The response time of ~0.3ms and an input lag of ~10ms still make it a fast TV for gaming. In terms of smart features, the A1 is in no way inferior to its more expensive colleagues and offers everything you could wish for.

The completely different panel is clearly noticeable in a direct comparison with the NANO90. Although the NanoCell TV performs much better in the gaming sector because it has HDMI 2.1 and VRR, you should rather go for the OLED TV if you want to watch movies and series in a breathtaking picture quality.

The C1 follows in very big footsteps, as it is the successor to the CX, which is considered the best TV of 2020. To say one thing in advance: the success story continues. Again, with the C-series you’ll get a high-end device for your living room that leaves hardly any wishes unfulfilled. The perfect black and the theoretically infinite contrast of the OLED panel make movies and series really shine, because the outstanding picture quality remains. Only the Automatic Brightness Limiter has to be mentioned negatively here, since it pushes the OLED’s brightness down even further.

The C1 can convince gamers with an even lower input lag, and it also offers all other features to fully utilize the new consoles: four HDMI 2.1 interfaces, VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card and ALLM. In addition, the TV offers all the smart features that you can have nowadays including a new Magic Remote, which makes it child’s play to operate the TV.

Compared with LG’s B1, you hardly notice any differences at first glance. These are also minimal since the B1 is not quite as bright with 600 nitsSI unit of luminance: 1 nit = 1 cd/m² – The best way of measuring and comparing a TVs brightness   and it is a bit weaker with the Alpha7 Gen4 AI processor. Apart from that, the two OLEds are quite similar, but you should go for the B1 if you’re on a budget.

This year’s “Gallery TV” G1 Evo simply looks good and is an eye-catcher in every living room. The TV, which looks like a large picture on the wall, is in no way inferior to the C1 and can even perform a bit better thanks to the advanced Evo panel. The Evo panel causes the OLED to increase in brightness and is more power-efficient at the same time. Thus, a brightness of ~850 nitsSI unit of luminance: 1 nit = 1 cd/m² – The best way of measuring and comparing a TVs brightness   can be achieved without sacrificing the perfect black and infinite contrast.

The G1 Evo also offers an excellent performance in all other areas, whether in gaming or with all its smart features that leave nothing to be desired. For extensive gaming, the G1 is suitable due to its excellent picture and four HDMI 2.1 ports, VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card and ALLM. Additionally, the G1 offers Dolby VisionDynamic HDR-format with a color depth of up to 12 Bits and Mastering of up to 10,000 Nits Gaming, which will especially please Xbox gamers.

With the Gallery mode, famous artworks or your own photos can be presented when the TV is turned off, making the TV invisible in the living room and turning it into a real work of art.

The Evo panel is responsible for the slight differences between the G1 and C1. Due to the G1’s increased brightness, its reflection behavior is also better and HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) content can be displayed more beautifully.

The UN7300 is a great 4K Smart TV for beginners from LG’s 2020 lineup. The IPSIn-Plane Switching, type of LCD Panel panel brings a wide viewing angle and a quite nice picture in bright surroundings, which is probably due to the good reflection handling. In dark surroundings all IPS panels do not perform very well. Due to the low contrast ratio of 1050:1 and the only weak black, the picture quality is not quite as convincing. The peak brightness is not very high with about 350 Nits and the color gamut is not extended. Therefore, HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) content does not look very different from usual SRD content. But its motion handling is quite reasonable despite the 60Hz panel. Because of the low response time of about 5ms only some motion blur can be seen in fast movements.

If you are looking for a gaming TV and do not have to push the upcoming Next Gen consoles to their limits, you will appreciate the UN7300. The low input lag of 10ms makes the TV very responsive and an Auto Low Latency Mode is also available.

In terms of smart features, the UN7100 is in an excellent position and is just as smart as LG’s much more expensive OLED series – but only if you additionally buy the Magic Remote.

Further features such as HDMI 2.1, a variable refresh rateHertz is the derived SI-unit of frequency with 1Hz=1/s – When talking about TVs this means how many different pictures a TV can display in one second. or a twin tuner LG has saved for the more expensive models.

The NANO80 is the most affordable NanoCell TV and shows quite similar performance compared to the UN7100. Due to the Edge Lit Local Dimming feature, it has a higher contrast ratio; however, the Local Dimming feature is not really good, creating some negative effects like blooming or visible dimming zones. In dark rooms, the picture quality is not really good and black looks rather grayish here. The wide viewing angle and the better performance in bright surroundings are caused by the IPSIn-Plane Switching, type of LCD Panel panel.
The NanoCell technology in combination with an extended color gamut leads to purer and more vivid colors, which is especially beneficial for HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) content. While it can display them better than the cheaper LG models, it does not get bright enough to really show HDR content in a great way.
In terms of gaming, the NANO81 is not an improvement on the UN7100. In this category, it performs very similar and has no additional features.

The Nano90 is the top of the NanoCell series. In terms of features, viewing angle and picture quality in bright surroundings, it does not have much more to offer than the NANO85. However, it has the Full Array Local Dimming feature, which makes its picture quality much better in dark surroundings. In addition to the FALD, it is a little bit brighter than the other NanoCell models with approx. 640 Nits, so that it can display HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) contents better.

The input lag is very good with ~15ms – even if it seems to be higher than the NANO85 in the first moment. This is because the NANO85 does not really display HDR games differently than SDRStandard Dynamic Range – image/video with a conventional gamma curve (opposite: HDR) – “normal” videos content and therefore the input lag was chosen for SDR content. HDR content has to be processed in a more complex way, which of course increases the response time.

Unfortunately the dirty screen effect is quite obvious on its display. It is already present on the NANO85, but not as clear.

The BX OLED plays in a completely different league than the NANO90. Due to the OLED design, it has perfect blacks and a theoretically infinite contrast ratio, which makes its picture quality in dark environments truly breathtaking. The same applies to motion handling. Televisions with IPSIn-Plane Switching, type of LCD Panel panels simply cannot match the response time of an OLED, because a response time of 0.2ms means an almost instantaneous color change of the LEDs. In addition to HMDI Forum VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card, the BX was also equipped with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync.

Unfortunately the BX does not become very bright. This is not only a negative factor for picture quality in bright rooms, but also for HDRHigh Dynamic Range – image/video with more dynamic range (contrast range) content. Because of the low peak brightness, HDR can not be displayed as well and bright highlights do not really stand out.

Unfortunately, the BX is not yet available in Europe, so we will have to be patient for a while (as of August 2020)

The LG model GX OLED has the same technical features as the CX, but brings an elegant look and the so-called “Gallery Design“. The TV should look like an object of art and thus fit seamlessly into the interior of the room. To achieve this, LG has opted for a seamless wall mount and a narrow, stylish frame, taking advantage of the panel’s wide viewing angle. If desired, the TV can also be set up, but the matching stand must be purchased separately.