LG C3 vs. G2: How Do These Two OLEDs Compare & Which Is Better?

Thomas Nolte
6 min readSep 6, 2023

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Undeniably, LG remains the dominant force in the OLED TV market. It provides exceptional TVs with breathtakingly impressive picture quality and plenty of tech features and specs to flatter movie buffs, gamers, and casual viewers alike. Plus, an OLED screen is no longer prohibitive to those without the deepest pockets! Here are our Editor’s best OLED TV choices; LG C3 and G2. These two offer nearly identical performances, but there are some design differences.

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LG C3 vs G2: Side-by-Side Comparison

LG C3 vs. G2: Key Differences

LG C3 and G2 are some of the best on the market thanks to their incredible contrast, perfect black levels, and top-notch gaming capabilities. Let’s look at the major differences between LG C3 and G2 to help you choose between the two.

LG C2 vs. LG C3 Key Differences

Design

The G2 and C3 series differ in design. For instance, the G2 can be mounted on a wall, but the C3 can only be placed on furniture. So, you’ve to purchase an official LG stand to place G2 on your furniture. However, it’s a somewhat inelegant setup that feels like an afterthought.

You may be disappointed if you purchase the optional G2 stand for a tabletop setup. You’ll want to ensure that pets, tipsy party guests, and pets don’t get too close to it. The C3, on the other hand, features a more console-friendly design.

Every size in the C series features an impressive, pedestal-style stand that keeps C3’s panels securely in place. The C3’s lightweight, composite fiber material makes it easy to shuttle around your house, should you decide to shift it. And while G2 needs to be thicker than most LG TVs for its panels to sit flush against a wall, the C2 can be as thin as a smartphone to its narrowest point.

Connectivity

The connectivity for both models is the same, as they have the same outputs and inputs. All four HDMI 2.1 ports can connect an Xbox series X, a PS5, or a PC, and you can play in 4K up to a frequency of 120 Hz. One of the HDMI ports is eARC to help you connect a soundbar. They also have three USB ports: the LAN port, optical audio output, and satellite and antenna connections.

Even as LG experiments with transparent and wireless screens, it’s evident that most customers look for a TV that does its job exceptionally well. And these two tick the box with a dose of impressive connectivity. We fully expect them to be one of the best TVs in the world this year.

Sound

Their sound quality achieves good definition in high volume and dialogues. There are various sound modes to select the one you like best. They also support Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound. But it would be best to disable Dolby Atmos because it lacks overhead speakers. You won’t get any improvement, and the audio will worsen.

Choose acoustic tuning, which uses AI and picks up sound with the Magic Control’s mic to adjust the sound to the size of your living space. If you’re looking for a more immersive sound that gives you a pleasant experience when watching TV shows and movies, the best thing is to add a soundbar. It might be the same brand or another because there is no incompatibility.

Smart TV

Both use WebOS, a system designed for LG TVs. Currently, it’s called WebO22 and features additional functionalities like an option to create more user profiles.

The operation is quick, and everything loads smoothly with no short delays. The interface is simple and includes popular apps like Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video.

On the remote control, you’ve direct buttons to these applications, and it has a pointer function. Plus, LG includes a mic for this Magic Control. This makes it easier for you to use the Alexa and Google voice assistants effortlessly.

Picture Quality

Both models give us excellent images, but a few details differentiate them. The G3 and C2 series incorporate an enhanced Evo panel launched last year. This helps you enjoy these two panels at a more affordable price.

The Evo panel is a new generation of OLED TVs that improve color accuracy, durability, and brightness. More OLED layers are implemented to enhance the accuracy of color wavelengths.

The LG has moved from a blue OLED material based on Hydrogen to a blue OLED one based on deuterium. The higher atomic mass of deuterium makes the blue one less prone to degradation. Fortunately, OLED panels use two layers of blue light to counteract this issue. This helps improve brightness without worrying about degradation.

The extra green emissive layer on the Evo panels is also included to increase the brightness level and enhance the color gamut.

The main difference between the LG C3 and G2 TVs is that the former includes a heat sink so that the panel heats up less and has better cooling, allowing the transistor intensity to be increased to deliver more light.

Both TVs can reach the color volume and brightness of the new QD-OLED panels, which don’t use a color filter and white sub-pixel like Sony’s A95K and Samsung’s S95B series. They can also produce colors with better saturation in bright pictures and maintain brightness longer over a more significant portion of the screen.

All four HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming use support G-Sync and FreeSync Premium with a variable refresh rate to match the panel frequency and avoid screen tearing effects. They can also support Dolby Vision HDR in 4K at 150 Hz, so you’re assured of the best performance.

LG C3 vs G2: 5 Must-Know Facts

  • LG C3 is the newest LG brand available in 42", 48", 55", 65", 77", and 83" sizes.
  • The G2 includes Brightness Booster Max, which uses heat dissipation innovation to increase the general luminance by 30%.
  • The G-Series has always been more costly than LG’s two leading OLED screens.
  • G2s usually are larger than the C3s, with the smallest G2 screen sizes at 55 inches and the smallest C3 at 42 inches.
  • G2 has improved picture and sound quality than the C3 series.

Final opinion LG C3 vs. G2 Which One is Better to Buy?

The two screens can walk you through a series of different images and request which one is your best. Based on your answers, the TVs can make all the videos you watch look darker, brighter, more refined, with higher or lower contrast, and more or less saturated.

Moreover, both LG C3 and G2 can let you find a picture that’s comfortable for you to watch if the Vivid mode is too bright, but you still want some uptick in saturation and brightness. Other new features include WebOS 22, which helps bring recommended content to a center row and improve user profiles.

The most decisive point should be between their prices. If you want the best quality and particularly to hang it on the wall, the best choice is an OLED G3. But if you want to put on furniture, and your budget is tight, then C2 is also a better choice.

LG C3 vs. G2: Which TV is Better? FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What Does the LG Symbolize?

The letters “L” and “G” symbolize the world, future, humanity, technology, and youth. LG’s philosophy is based on humanity. Plus, it shows LG’s effort to keep close relationships with its clients worldwide.

What is the Recommended Viewing Distance for OLED TVs?

You must be at least five times the distance from the TV as the screen is wide. For instance, if your screen is 55 inches wide, the best viewing distance is 150 inches or about 12 feet.

Is WebOS 23 Worth the Hype?

Absolutely. LG has purposely designed WebOS 23 to cater to your preferences. It shows all images with varying brightness, color contrast, and saturation. You can choose which of these images fancies you, and the processor will create a custom image mode that reflects your preferences.

Is the LG G2 Better Than the C3 for Gaming?

The G2 and C3 are gaming powerhouses in equal measure. Each screen supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for smoother, low-latency gaming. The four HDMI 2.1 ports of both screens support 4K gaming at 120 Hz.

Does the G2 Come With a Stand?

Sadly, the G3 doesn’t feature a stand at all. It would be best if you bought a stand separately to put the screen on an entertainment console.

References

https://www.reuters.com/article/samsung-elec-lg-elec-television-idUKL4N0SP3OC20141030

https://www.lg.com/us/support/products/documents/2012-HE-LCD-47G2.pdf

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-24-full-hd-gaming-monitor-with-freesync-premium/6451069.p?skuId=6451069

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