LG C2 - Why the hype?

The LG C1 was a wildly popular TV, and for good reason. With support for high refresh rate gaming, a large range of sizes to choose from, and a stunning OLED screen that we’ve come to expect from LG, it’s hard to imagine what big improvements the C2 could feature.

Well LG definitely managed to enhance what was already a stellar offering. The TV market is a very hotly contested space right now, so to shine you either have to do something special, or be very affordable, LG kind of just decided to do both. Let’s see how…

LG is certainly no stranger to building TVs. You’ll consistently find their name in top TV lists, and their OLEDs have looked stunning over the past few years. Unsurprisingly the C2 continues this trend.

The LG C2 is in many ways very similar to its predecessor, the C1. The key difference with this evolution comes from LG’s engineers managing to eke out even more brightness from this panel (only for the 50” and above though), as well as the new Alpha a9 Gen 5 processor, which offers better object enhancement, as well as dynamic tone mapping than the C1. Thank god for competition forcing innovation. 

The new Alpha a9 Gen 5 processor offers better object enhancement and dynamic tone mapping than the C2's predecessor.

This TV really looks stunning, the near bezel-less design makes the C2 look like all you’re looking at is your content. Large bezels don’t seem like a big deal until you’ve used a TV without them. You have 6 options for your screen size, ranging from a tidy 42" all the way up to a huge 83". The port options are fantastic, the are 4x HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K up to 120Hz (one is eARC), ethernet, 3x USB ports, a coaxial cable, a headphone jack, and an optical. There is also wireless support for Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 (another improvement over the C1, which only supported Wi-Fi 5). For most of the C2 range, you’ll get a singular central stand (with slightly fewer cable management options than the C1), for the 42” however, you’ll get feet that attach on either end of the TV.

Let’s talk a bit more about the 42” option. The 48” C1 was a great TV that was perfect for dorm rooms or smaller living spaces. However, another use quickly became popular. Many immediately saw the use this TV had as a replacement for a monitor. The huge screen meant there was ample space for productivity, you could effectively have four 24” 1080p displays. While high refresh rate, OLED screen and HDMI 2.1 ports made for a fantastic gaming experience. The 42” C2 option is even better in this situation. You don’t quite need the same level of space between you and the display to use it effectively and it fits comfortably into far more people's setups without requiring a lot of rejigging.

LG's WebOS is a breeze to use, and makes it easy to fine tune the C2 to your needs.

The OLED panel on the C2 is stunning, especially the EVO panels that come with the 50"+ models.

Enjoying your favourite content with the C2 is a joy. The remote control starts you off with a unique experience, with its gyroscopic motion control that allows you to control your TV as though you were a wizard. If you’re feeling slightly more like a muggle, the remote also has the standard buttons you’d expect, along with shortcuts to popular streaming apps such as Netflix and Disney+.

Once you get the hang of the fun remote, you’ll be diving into LG’s WebOS, which is perfectly serviceable with anything you could really ask for from a TV operating system. It’s easy to get into whatever streaming content you need, and even has the option to be used as your smart home hub with shortcuts for Google Home and Alexa.

If you’re looking at how this TV can enhance your gaming experience, the C2 features a Game Optimization menu that will be automatically brought up the first time a console is detected. This allows you to create custom presets for different types of games, like an RPG or FPS, for example, adjust black levels and customise the colour of the Game Optimization menu. You’ll also get a little pop-up that displays the current framerate for whatever is being displayed on the television. 

With so few TVs offering any information about your gaming, the C2’s comparatively excellent support for console and PC allows you to make sure you’re getting the most out of your hardware.

If you’re after a great TV for nearly any environment, and an especially strong performer with gaming, look no further than the LG C2. If you’re looking for an 8K option, something more affordable, or pretty much any other kind of TV, check out the full range of televisions at PB Tech!