Producer or Full Identify/ZDNET
Observe ZDNET: Add us as a most well-liked supply on Google.
Should you’ve been trying to improve your lounge or residence theater with a high-end OLED TV, LG is without doubt one of the high manufacturers you may select. With the discharge of the brand new C6 OLED, the model continues to show why it deserves to be primary, however is the yearly refresh value spending the additional cash?
Additionally: The most effective OLED TVs you should buy
On the floor, the C5 and C6 do not appear all that completely different, with related good options and tech specs. However the principle variations lie within the improved Alpha processor and help for strong AI packages like Copilot. I’ve damaged down every improve and {hardware} refresh that can assist you resolve which is one of the best match to your wants and your price range.
Specs
LG C5
LG C6
Show sort
OLED
OLED
Show dimension
42 to 83 inches
42 to 83 inches
Refresh price
As much as 144Hz
As much as 165Hz
HDRDolby VisionDolby VisionAudioDolby AtmosDolby AtmosVRR supportNvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync PremiumNvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync PremiumVoice controlsAlexa, Apple Homekit, Hey GoogleAlexa, Apple Homekit, Hey GooglePriceBeginning at $900
Beginning at $1,400
You can purchase the LG C5 OLED TV if…
Adam Breeden/ZDNET
1. You’re keen on an excellent deal
With the LG C5 being a era behind, it is more likely to see gross sales and reductions than its successor, the C6. Should you maintain a pointy eye on offers pages at your favourite retailers, you may typically snag the C5 for as a lot as 50% off throughout massive sale occasions. Saving in your new OLED TV means you may have additional money to spherical out your own home theater with customized audio, recreation consoles, and even lighting results.
2. You desire a high-end OLED for streaming and gaming
The LG C5 nonetheless offers you loads of causes to select one up when you’re trying to improve your own home theater or gaming area. With a wide range of display screen sizes to select from, you’ll discover a display screen to suit any area, from residing rooms to workplaces. With a base refresh price of 120Hz, you may get easy movement for sports activities, video video games, and streaming.
Additionally: LG C5 OLED TV assessment
And with help for each Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, you may enhance the refresh price to 144Hz to eradicate movement blur. You may additionally get Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR and Dolby Atmos for enhanced image high quality and digital encompass sound.
3. You need much less AI integration
Firmware updates will allow the LG C5 to help the LG AI concierge function. However when you’re like me and need to maintain AI as far-off from your own home theater as doable, you may toggle options on and off. And being an older mannequin, the LG C5 will not have the processing energy to help extra strong AI packages like Copilot and Gemini.
You can purchase the LG C6 OLED TV if…
LG
1. You need a greater processor
The most important replace to the LG C6 is the brand new Alpha 11 Gen 3 CPU. It will get a beefy enhance for higher energy effectivity, quicker, extra correct image and sound rendering, and help for the brand new AI chatbot and customization options. The brand new AI Image and Sound Professional and AI Brightness Management options let you could have a “set and overlook” TV that mechanically adjusts image and sound settings, tailored to your area.
2. You desire a increased refresh price
The improved Alpha 11 processor not solely makes the LG C6 extra highly effective, but it surely additionally makes the TV quicker. With help for VRR applied sciences like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, you’ll push the refresh price as much as 165Hz, making it an amazing choice for dwell sports activities, console and PC gaming, and streaming fast-paced motion pictures and reveals.
Watch: LG pushes OLED TV know-how even brighter in 2026
The bottom refresh price of 120Hz is rapidly turning into the usual for 4K TVs and delivers easy, clear movement throughout all media.
3. You need extra AI integration
All 2026 LG TVs will function a built-in AI concierge to offer personalised search choices and media suggestions, however the LG C6 may even help Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. With each AI packages, you’ll do every thing from adjusting image settings to streamlining your workflow.
And you’ll seamlessly combine your new TV into your AI-based good residence community with out having to rebuild your preferences or readjust settings.
Author’s selection
Whereas the LG C6 is a superb OLED TV, its predecessor, the C5, nonetheless manages to eke out the win with much less intrusive AI options and extra frequent reductions. With the C5 being a era behind, retailers try to clear inventory to make method for the 2026 TV lineup, which suggests you would possibly be capable of snag a premium-grade OLED TV at a hefty markdown when you maintain a pointy eye on gross sales.
