Ignacy Giżyński
The latest flagship from LG is starting to appear in the first independent tests. The LG G5 model, which continues the popular OLED series from the "Gallery" line, has been scrutinised by the editorial team at RTINGS.com. How does the latest premium representative perform in 2025? Let's analyse the test results from the Canadians together!
Black and Contrast OLED G5
As expected from an OLED, the black in the LG G5 is simply... perfect. As with any organic matrix, each pixel lights up (or doesn’t light up) independently, so where there is supposed to be black, there is literally a lack of light. The effect of this is that the contrast is practically infinite, just like in its predecessor, the G4 model.
The brightness of G5 is revolutionary...but...
HDR Brightness
Although we've already got our proverbial hands on the G5 (our measurement results are included below), tests published by the Canadian portal RTINGS confirm what LG Display boasted at the launch of the new tandem RGB panels. In short, we're witnessing a true breakthrough when it comes to image brightness in OLED televisions. Just like in our lab, their tests also showed that the G5 can achieve a peak brightness of around 2500 nits in a 10% window. This is a value that until now was reserved only for top models with Mini LED backlighting. Until recently, this was something one could only dream of in an OLED.
Moreover, the brightness of white on the full, 100% screen matches the new QD-OLED panels from Samsung Display, which we can find in models like the S95F and (probably) the new Sony Bravia 8 II.
So where is the "but"...?
However, there’s no rose without thorns. RTINGS points out a rather concerning issue with displaying content in HDR10 format. In some scenes – particularly the darker ones – the G5 can severely disrupt tonal transitions. Instead of smooth gradients, there are strange bands and contours that not only break immersion but also deviate from the director’s intent. As the Canadians put it:
“Unfortunately, HDR10 has strange contouring present that introduces a lot of apparent banding in dimmer scenes. It's especially bad when using the Game Optimizer; you can see examples of this below.”
Fortunately, Dolby Vision, which is a format with dynamic metadata, does not exhibit these issues, so if you are using streaming platforms, there's really nothing to worry about. But with classic HDR10 – for example, from a player or the HGiG signal on a PS5 or XBOX Series X/S, it's a topic worth keeping in mind because the content may look worse than on its predecessor...
However, there is a good chance that the problem will be resolved with a software update, but at the time of writing this text, it is what it is. It's a shame because in other aspects, the LG G5 has made huge strides – for example, the coverage of the wide BT.2020 colour gamut exceeds 82%!.
One more thing... viewing angles
Unfortunately, there is something else that we believe deserves attention – a deterioration in viewing angles compared to last year's G4 model. Our suspicions were confirmed: after dropping the MLA micro-lenses that were in the G4, the LG G5 has lost some visibility when viewed from the side. Don't get us wrong – the viewing angles are still very good, as one would expect from an OLED. But in direct comparison with Samsung's or Sony's QD-OLEDs, and even with the G4, the differences are noticeable to the naked eye. It might be a minor issue, but in the context of a flagship device – it's also a certain "downgrade" that is worth being aware of.
To illustrate the difference, we are placing two YouTube videos where you can see how the viewing angles look on the LG OLED TV with MLA micro-lens and on the model with the classic WOLED panel.
WOLED MLA Television
WOLED Television
Players, get your controllers ready – LG G5 is a gaming beast
Like its predecessor, the LG G5 is an OLED designed with gamers in mind. But this time, the Koreans have added something extra: a panel with a refresh rate of up to 165 Hz. Sounds impressive? Indeed, although it should be noted right away that this bonus will mainly benefit a very narrow group of PC gamers. For console gamers, nothing changes – Xbox or PlayStation still limit to 120 Hz. Fortunately, input lag remains very low, regardless of resolution or format – under 10 ms in most scenarios. RTINGS noted some anomalies at 165 Hz (input lag slightly increases), but for the typical user, it’s more of a curiosity than a real problem. Onboard, we find everything we expect from a premium OLED: support for Dolby Vision in game mode, HGiG mode, automatic game mode (ALLM) and variable refresh rate (VRR) – all through 4 HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48Gb/s.
The biggest novelty? The LG G5 supports cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass straight out of the box. Everything works without needing to connect a console – just an account with a subscription and a Bluetooth controller. Admittedly, this feature is also coming to the G4 and older models, but only after a software update. Here, it’s ready to go from the start.
Remote – minimalism, minimalism, minimalism...
Another noticeable change in the LG G5 is the new remote. It has been significantly minimised and... closely resembles the one found with Samsung televisions. The numerical buttons have been eliminated, which we can somewhat understand – more people are using apps and VOD platforms today. But there is one decision that is truly hard to defend.
The remote has lost the “Exit” button, which allowed users to switch between sources – e.g. HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or terrestrial television – with a single click. This is one of the most frequently used buttons in everyday use, especially for those using multiple devices connected to the television. Yes, it is still possible to do all of this through the on-screen menu, but it takes more time and is simply less convenient. We understand the desire to simplify the design, but adding one small button would not have hurt anyone.
Fortunately, LG has not given up one of the most distinctive features of its remote – the gyroscopic control. We can still control the cursor on the screen by moving our wrist, as if we were holding a magic wand. And it must be said that it still makes a great impression and makes operating the television quick, intuitive, and... simply enjoyable.
Sound – an elegant form, surprisingly good tone
Similar to its predecessor, the LG G5, despite its very slim and elegant design, offers really solid sound experiences. The television tries to reproduce space, and even a slightly discernible bass. Unfortunately, once again there is an element that may concern home theatre fans – the lack of support for DTS audio. LG has opted out of supporting this format. In practice, this means that if we want to watch Blu-ray movies with the original DTS sound, we have to reckon with limitations. Of course, it can be worked around – simply connect the player or console directly to a soundbar or receiver that supports DTS and passes the image on to the television. But this complicates the whole setup.
Breakthrough, but not without compromises.
LG G5 is undoubtedly a groundbreaking television. Its impressive brightness, refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, and completely new tandem OLED panel all contribute to the G5 taking a huge leap forward in terms of technology. In many aspects, it clearly surpasses its predecessor, especially when it comes to HDR performance and features for gamers.
However – and this is an important "however" – there are also elements in which the G5 performs worse. The deterioration of viewing angles due to the elimination of micro-lenses, lack of support for DTS:X audio, and issues with tonal transitions in HDR10 are not just minor nuances – they are real differences that should be considered when making a purchase. Sure, many of these shortcomings – such as the aforementioned artifacts in HDR10 – may be improved with updates, but for now, they are simply present. Therefore, before you jump at the latest model, it’s worth asking yourself: do you really need that level of brightness? Or maybe better viewing angles, full DTS:X audio support, or simply a lower price would be more important? The G4 model, which still offers excellent picture quality and a full suite of features, is now available at very attractive prices. We encourage you to also check out our review of the LG G4 – perhaps last year’s flagship will turn out to be the best choice for your living room.
In conclusion, we can say: the LG G5 can be compared to a rose – the groundbreaking display is the flower that truly shines, but in full light, you can also see the thorns that may prompt you to reach for last year’s model.
Source: Rtings.com
PS. We are still waiting for the first test samples to conduct our test for you!
