LG G3 OLED TVs – The Brightest and Best Performing OLEDs Yet

The world of OLED TVs saw the launch of a new flagship model in 2023 with the introduction of LG’s G3 series. As the successor to the critically acclaimed LG G2 from 2022, the new LG G3 OLED TV aims to deliver the best picture quality yet in an LG OLED by incorporating new display technology to boost brightness.

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs have become popular options in recent years due to their ability to produce perfect black levels and incredibly high contrast ratios. This is because each pixel in an OLED display can turn on and off independently. When a pixel is displaying black, it is completely turned off. This gives OLED TVs several advantages over traditional LED-LCD TVs:

• Perfect black levels and infinite contrast ratios for amazing detail in shadows and night scenes
• Wider viewing angles with no color shifting when viewed from the side
• Exceptionally fast response times and motion handling for smooth, blur-free visuals

LG has been at the forefront of OLED TV technology, and the LG G3 represents their new premium flagship 4K OLED TV for 2023. In this in-depth review, we’ll examine what the G3 brings to the table and how it compares to other top models on the market.

An Overview of the LG G3 OLED TV

The LG G3 OLED is available in multiple sizes ranging from 55 inches up to a massive 83-inch model. The G3 label indicates it sits at the top of LG’s 2023 OLED lineup, above the more mainstream C3 series.

Key features of the LG G3 OLED include:

• New “Micro Lens Array” technology to boost brightness
• α9 Gen6 AI Processor for improved picture processing
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48Gbps bandwidth
• Latest webOS smart platform with built-in voice assistants
• Gallery design optimized for wall mounting

So how does this new premium G3 model stand out from LG OLEDs of the past and competing OLED TVs this year? Let’s take a deeper look at what LG’s G3 brings to the table.

Picture Quality – Brighter and Sharper Than Ever

One of the most notable features of the LG G3 OLED is its improved brightness levels, made possible by the new Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology incorporated into the panel. MLA uses an array of tiny lenses in front of the OLED diode to help focus and concentrate light. According to LG, the result is a brightness boost of up to 70% compared to last year’s G2 model.

In our extensive hands-on testing and measurements, the LG G3 OLED proved to be dramatically brighter than competitors:

• Peak HDR brightness over 1400 nits, compared to 820 nits on the LG C3
• Over 700 nits peak brightness in SDR, doubling many other OLED models

This increase in peak brightness gives the G3 incredible “pop” and vibrance. Specular highlights like sunlight glinting off the water are more dazzling, and colors are rich and vivid across all content from movies to games. The brightness advantage makes the LG G3 OLED an especially great option for well-lit viewing environments where glare can be an issue for darker OLEDs.

But the LG G3 OLED is about more than just boosting peak brightness. In other areas like black level, contrast, and viewing angles, it delivers the same class-leading performance OLED panels are known for:

• Inky, perfect black levels with no fading into gray
• Seamless contrast from dimly lit shadows to piercing specular highlights
• Wide viewing angles with no color shifting when viewed off-axis

LG has also enhanced motion clarity this year through improved response times. Fast action in sports, video games, and action films appears incredibly sharp with minimal motion blur. Response time measures at an astonishing 0.2 ms, demonstrating the near-instant pixel response that OLED is capable of.

Finally, LG has managed to boost color accuracy on the G3 by improving its color processing algorithms. After calibration, colors are extremely close to their target values with an average Delta-E of 1.25. This ensures colors in both SDR and HDR content appear natural and realistic. Flesh tones take on a lifelike appearance and nature documentaries showcase lush, accurate greens and blues.

Overall, the picture quality advances LG has achieved with the G3 make it the new reference for what the best 4K OLED TVs are capable of. It sets a new high bar for brightness while retaining OLED’s perfect blacks and pixel-level precision.

Smoother Gaming and Lower Input Lag

The LG G3 OLED continues the company’s strong reputation for gaming performance. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, it fully supports the latest gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. All inputs deliver the full 48Gbps bandwidth required for 4K 120Hz gaming with variable refresh rate (VRR).

Input lag measures an extremely low 5.5ms at 4K 120Hz in our testing. This minimal delay between controller input and screen response translates into a much more responsive, fluid gaming experience. It puts the LG G3 OLED on par with high-end gaming monitors in terms of responsiveness.

Other key gaming features include:

• NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium support for smooth VRR gaming.
• Auto Low Latency Mode automatically detects gaming signals and optimizes settings.
• Black frame insertion up to 120Hz reduces motion blur.
• HGiG mode for accurate HDR tone mapping with games.
• Low latency boosts further reduce input lag by 2-3ms.

The LG G3 OLED also provides a dedicated gaming menu called Game Optimizer. This dashboard gives you quick access to monitor key settings like frame rate, VRR status, and input lag. You can also easily tweak gaming-related settings here like a black stabilizer for visibility or enabling a low latency boost.

Fast action games that rely on quick reactions are extremely responsive on the LG G3 OLED. Frame tearing or stuttering is eliminated thanks to the VRR support. Fast-paced titles like Call of Duty or Doom Eternal feel closer than ever to the smoothness you’d expect from a high-end gaming monitor.

If you want one of the most responsive big-screen gaming experiences currently available, the LG G3 OLED should be at the top of your list. Very few TVs can match its combination of incredibly low input lag and instantaneous pixel response time.

Audio Quality and Smart TV Features

While the LG G3 OLED clearly shines when it comes to visual performance, it still packs some nice extras in the audio and smart TV departments.

For audio, the LG G3 OLED has a 4.2 channel 60W speaker system with support for Dolby Atmos processing. It provides a decent sense of audio immersion and spatial surround effects. The frequency response is solid, extending down to nearly 90Hz before rolling off.

The G3’s audio performance lacks the deep bass punch that a dedicated sound system can provide. Distortion also becomes more noticeable at maximum volumes. So, while the built-in speakers handle most TV shows and movies reasonably well, I’d still recommend pairing the G3 with a soundbar or speaker setup to bring out the full impact of sound effects and soundtracks.

The G3 uses LG’s latest webOS platform on the smart TV side. The interface is fast and smooth in daily use. You get quick access to all the most popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube and more.

Voice control is available through the LG Magic Remote or far-field mics on the TV. You can use voice commands to launch apps, search for content, control playback, and more. It integrates with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for expanded smart home control.

Gamers will also appreciate webOS’s game dashboard that provides handy shortcuts to game-related settings. And LG’s ThinQ platform allows you to control the TV through a smartphone app.

While LG’s smart TV interface isn’t as refined as alternatives from Samsung or Roku, it checks all the boxes in terms of speed, app selection, and voice control. The vast majority of users should have no problem finding and accessing their favorite content and apps on the LG G3 OLED.

Overall, the LG G3 OLED provides a solid smart TV experience, even if the audio doesn’t quite measure up to the amazing visuals this OLED is capable of.

How the LG G3 OLED Stacks Up Against the Competition

The LG G3 OLED establishes itself as a new brightness champion in the OLED TV space. But how does it compare against Samsung’s QD-OLED TVs and other models from LG’s own lineup?

LG G3 vs LG C3 OLED

The LG C3 is the more mainstream 4K OLED offering from LG. It comes in a wider range of sizes from 42 to 83 inches but lacks the new MLA technology of the G3. As a result, the C3 doesn’t get as bright in HDR or SDR content. It tops out at around 800 nits compared to over 1400 nits on the G3.

However, the C3 provides similar perfect black levels and incredible contrast. It uses the same α9 Gen5 processor as last year’s C2, so you don’t get quite the same level of image processing improvements. But for most users, the differences will be hard to spot outside of very bright rooms.

The C3 also comes equipped with a stand in the box, whereas the LG G3 OLED is designed solely for wall mounting. Ultimately, the C3 provides excellent performance at a more affordable price point. But the G3 justifies its higher cost with a noticeable boost in visual impact and brightness.

LG G3 OLED vs Samsung S95C QD-OLED

Samsung’s S95C QD-OLED TV combines quantum dot and OLED technology for enhanced color. In some regards, it goes toe-to-toe with LG’s new G3. Samsung’s panel gets nearly as bright, reaching over 1300 nits in HDR. Black levels and contrast are equally pristine on both models.

The biggest differences come down to colors and smart TV software. The S95C delivers a wider color gamut, especially in the reds. Its colors tend to “pop” more as a result. However, LG’s webOS smart platform is more polished and user-friendly than Samsung’s Tizen OS.

The S95C also has issues maintaining its peak brightness in Game Mode. Ultimately, LG’s G3 pulls ahead in terms of well-rounded performance and picture quality for mixed usage. But the S95C remains an excellent alternative for those who prefer Samsung’s smart ecosystem and bolder colors.

LG G3 OLED vs Sony A95K QD-OLED

Sony also makes the leap into QD-OLED TVs this year with their premium A95K model. It adopts the same QD-OLED panel as Samsung’s S95C but pairs it with Sony’s advanced image processing and the Google TV smart platform.

The A95K doesn’t get as bright as LG’s G3, topping out around 1000 nits. And black levels aren’t quite on par either. But where the A95K really pulls ahead is color volume. It produces a wider, more accurate color gamut that masters support for the P3 and 2020 color spaces.

Gamers may favor LG’s faster input lag, but the A95K arguably pulls ahead in terms of pure cinematic picture quality. At the end of the day, LG’s G3 still winds up being the best do-it-all big screen TV, while the A95K will appeal most to videophiles looking for superior color performance with movies.

Final Verdict – A True Flagship OLED TV

After extensively testing LG’s latest creation, it’s clear the LG G3 OLED will establish a new pinnacle for 4K OLED TV technology in 2023. By solving OLED’s biggest weakness – limited brightness – LG has produced their most well-rounded and high-performing OLED TV yet.

The difference the new MLA technology makes is obvious the moment you turn on the TV. With searing brightness over 1400 nits, the G3 makes everything pop more than competing OLEDs. Vibrant colors and dramatic contrast stand out even in well-lit rooms where glare can make darker OLEDs struggle.

Gamers will also appreciate the complete feature set, blazing fast response time, and remarkably low input lag. And LG’s user-friendly webOS platform provides access to all the top apps and services for streaming.

Considering the incremental improvements from last year’s G2 series, the boost in image impact and HDR performance easily justifies upgrading to the G3 for OLED fans wanting the best. High-end videophiles may want to consider Sony’s A95K Quantum Dot OLED for its wider colors. And Samsung’s S95C QD-OLED gives the G3 fierce competition on brightness and color vibrance.

But for an outstanding balance of black level, brightness, motion handling, smart features, and gaming chops, no TV on the market beats the comprehensive package LG offers with their new G3. If your budget allows, this is the 4K OLED TV to beat in 2023.