Compare: LG 55 B4 vs LG QNED87T6B

LG OLED B4 is an exceptionally versatile device in the semi-premium category. For how else could one describe an OLED television that is so well-priced, and whose price, as history shows, will quickly fall? Ideal blacks and contrast are two things that inevitably mesmerise, and we are certain that anyone who has owned a device with this panel will not be able to return to LCD units. The brightness results of the television in HDR content may seem rather low; however, in this case, thanks to this particular panel, they will appear optically much higher. It is worth noting their stability and uniformity in practically every scene. In this case, a minor downside is the brightness of a full-frame shot filled with a large amount of white. However, we do not believe this to be a serious problem, as there are not many such instances anyway. The factory colour reproduction also deserves praise, which in our specimen is very decent, but one cannot help but remember how beneficial calibration has been for the image, allowing the director's intentions to be conveyed fully. LG B4 will be an excellent choice for all kinds of gamers, as well as sports enthusiasts. The former will certainly appreciate the rich support in the form of all the conveniences stemming from the HDMI 2.1 standard. Meanwhile, the latter will benefit from the advanced motion smoothing with multi-step adjustments. And lastly, one cannot overlook the convenience provided by the remote control with a built-in gyroscope, allowing it to function like a mouse. The WebOS system, which we will navigate, is extremely smooth and responsive. It offers a multitude of applications, which will be more than sufficient for the vast majority of users. The heart of the LG B4 television is the advanced Alpha processor, responsible for the smoothness of the image and advanced signal analysis. In summary: who is the LG OLED B4 for? It is the perfect device for those expecting the highest possible image quality within a given budget, but not only that. The LG B4 stands out significantly above its competition at this price point, which cannot offer such high-quality images.

LG QNED87T is a television that definitely stands out. It is somewhat unconventional – it doesn’t forcefully compete with top OLED models, but it makes up for that with modern features and user-friendly operation. This is a device that works wonderfully for those who value convenience and versatility. The 120 Hz panel, VRR, and ALLM ensure that the television handles dynamic content well. Games run smoothly, the picture is sharp, and the responses are quick. If we spend time on a console, we will appreciate the lack of delays or blurring. When watching sports, fast actions are clear, without stuttering. On a daily basis, LG QNED87T is simply comfortable. WebOS operates intuitively, applications launch quickly, and the Magic Remote significantly simplifies control. Voice control saves time, especially when searching for films or series. Features such as USB recording and Bluetooth offer more options, increasing its versatility. The IPS panel is a significant advantage when it comes to viewing angles. Regardless of where we sit in the room, the picture looks good. It’s an excellent solution in larger spaces, where not everyone has a direct view of the screen. Older films or standard television from built-in tuners also look decent – the improvement in the quality of lower resolution materials works surprisingly well. However, there are certain things that may stand out. The contrast is simply tragic. In dark scenes, there are no details at all. In the evening, in a dimmed room, this is very noticeable. During the day, these imperfections are less felt, so LG QNED87T is better suited for well-lit places. LG QNED87T is a television that has its strengths. It handles dynamic materials well, is comfortable to use, and is perfect for bright rooms. It is not an ideal model for evening screenings in darkness, but in everyday use, it certainly stands out. It is a versatile device that is worth considering when choosing a new television.

LG B4 uses OLED panels produced by LG Displays. The use of this type of panel provides us with perfect contrast and black levels. With such conditions, the picture is incredibly vivid and one might even get the impression that it is three-dimensional. The series of the manufacturer with the letter "B" has always been an ideal solution for those seeking very good picture quality while not wanting to pay extra for features that are only available in higher series. Therefore, these models have become something of a dark horse in this price range, as their advantageous pricing primarily competes with Mini LED televisions. It is not difficult to say that these models have won these battles due to the absence of characteristic flaws associated with LCD receivers with multi-zone backlighting, such as blooming/halo effects or dimming of images containing fine bright details. And as we can see in the test scenes from the films "Oblivion" and "Sicario 2," the fidelity is at the highest level. Looking at the first one, we see a spectacular play of lights that, despite their brightness, are perfectly separated from one another. Even a more challenging scene with a helicopter poses no problem for LG B4, showcasing a wealth of details and a unique colour grading specific to this title.

In the category of black levels and contrast, the television LG QNED87T6B has certain challenges to overcome. Equipped with an IPS panel, it does not match models with VA panels in terms of performance in this area. Additionally, the edge-lit dimming affects its poor results in this category. It is worth mentioning that the exception here is the 50-inch variant, which has a VA panel, and is not subject to this test.

Although the manufacturer offers a dimming control option, the effects remain relatively weak. Test patterns show that the contrast is truly miserable, and in the test scene from the film "Sicario 2," it is clearly visible how the television struggles with uneven backlighting, illuminating a large portion of the screen from below. This demonstrates that in more demanding scenes, the television has difficulties maintaining an appropriate level of contrast and black levels, which negatively impacts the overall visual experience.

The brightness results in HDR materials for LG B4 are very good. It is true that none of them exceed 1000 nits, although the stability of luminance is excellent and looks practically the same in every scenario. The only moment where the tested television performs worse is the last of the scenes, although this should not be surprising. Large frames filled with a lot of white have always been, and probably will continue to be, somewhat of a weakness for OLED televisions. However, the combination of perfect contrast, black levels, and brightness of LG B4 allows for a full experience of the HDR effect. Additionally, the incredibly high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut deserves recognition, reaching 99%. This makes the colours look incredibly vivid and striking.

LG QNED87T6B delivers truly decent visual experiences when it comes to HDR. During our tests on test patterns, the television achieved brightness close to 500 nits, which is a satisfactory result and allows for good visibility of details in high dynamic scenes. Support for basic HDR formats, such as HDR10 and HLG, ensures appropriate image quality. Unfortunately, the television does not support more advanced standards, such as Dolby Vision or HDR10+, which are particularly important at this screen brightness. The lack of support for dynamic metadata means that in certain scenes, the television may struggle to fully reproduce details, especially in very bright areas – precisely when dynamic metadata could significantly improve image quality. Nevertheless, it is worth noting the excellent coverage of the wide DCI-P3 colour gamut, reaching as high as 96.4%. This ensures that the colours displayed by the QNED87T6B model are more vibrant and natural, enhancing the quality of 4K content with a wide colour palette.

The best factory mode prepared by the manufacturer is "Filmmaker," which is exactly what we used throughout the entire testing procedure. We must admit that the unit we received out of the box had quite good colour reproduction. The biggest problem in both SDR and HDR content turned out to be white balance. In the former, a strong red hue was evident, causing the displayed image to have a pronounced yellow tint, particularly noticeable on skin tones and whites. In higher quality materials, this colour was also accentuated, but due to a lack of blue, there were also signs of green visible. Apart from these issues, we also encountered problems with grayscale and the colours themselves.

The colour reproduction in the LG QNED, even in Filmmaker Mode, which is the best factory setting, is not without flaws. The main issue is the white balance – we noticed that the level of blue on the graph tends to decrease. This results in a shift towards yellow tones, making the image appear warmer than it should. This deviation affects the naturalness of colour reproduction, especially in scenes with a white or neutral background. The Color Checker test confirmed that some colours are distorted and deviate from reality. Such distortion can make cinematic scenes seem less realistic, and details are represented in incorrect colours, which negatively impacts the overall picture quality.

In terms of contrast, the analysis of the gamma graph revealed significant drops, while the optimal value should be 2.4. This means that the television may display darker parts of the image brighter in certain scenes, which reduces their depth and dynamism. Additionally, on the EOTF curve, which is responsible for brightness reproduction, an unnatural drop was noted at the beginning. This phenomenon may result in less accuracy in reproducing dark scenes, which in turn affects the overall picture quality. The television may not convey the full depth of black, causing more demanding scenes to lose realism and detail. As a result, viewers may notice that details in the darker areas of the image become less distinct.

LG B4 has been providing very advanced calibration tools in its televisions for years. We can even say that as the only manufacturer on the market, it allows for such deep intervention in image adjustment. It is thanks to these tools that we were able to calibrate the device so well. Evidence of this is the extremely low deltaE errors, which can be said to be at a reference level. Both SDR and HDR materials now look exactly as intended by the film director. It is no coincidence that televisions of this brand are most often used as preview screens for various graphic or post-production studios.

After calibration, the colours in SDR content look very good. The improved white balance translates to natural and harmonious shades in various scenes. Thanks to the precise adjustment of the gamma, details in shadows and bright areas of the image are accurately reproduced. The television performs excellently in everyday use, offering vivid, well-balanced images and solid colour quality in HD quality. The greatest beneficiary here is also the contrast. The gamma chart has been freed from very large errors, so here the television has gained a second face.

As for the white balance in 4K HDR, it has also been significantly improved. However, certain errors still appear at the end of the chart. This could be due to the overly aggressive operation of the television's local dimming, which affects the accurate reproduction of colour in certain scenes. It is difficult to speak here of an improvement in brightness represented by the EOTF curve. Due to its construction limitations, the television has certain disadvantages and we are not able to overcome them. The Color Checker test confirms the issue with colour saturation – despite the television offering a wide colour palette, it is not able to fully convey what the director intended.

Despite these shortcomings, the overall picture quality after calibration is significantly better than before. Improvements in white balance and gamma adjustment make images more vivid, and colours closer to reality.

The fluidity of tonal transitions, often overlooked in various tests on competing portals, is an equally important aspect of image quality assessment. It is particularly important when watching material that features a wealth of colours and many intricate effects, where textures blend. This often leads to the so-called banding of colours, which is a lack of smooth gradation. The tested television handles tonal transition smoothing quite well. However, it is worth noting that it has its weaker moments, such as a bright coloured sky in the film "Kingsman" or "The Martian". Nevertheless, these are not aspects that detract from the viewing pleasure. Therefore, we positively assess the quality of tonal transitions in LG B4.

The gradation in LG QNED is quite good, despite minor issues on the colourful dark sky. These slight flaws do not detract from the fact that the gradation is one of the positive aspects of this model. Overall, the television performs well with smooth transitions of colours.

In this paragraph, we will take another look at the function for smoothing tonal transitions, but we will also check how the television handles lower quality material. As we have managed to verify, the setting responsible for smooth gradation works quite efficiently, although it has its weaker moments. Just as the function works correctly in SDR content, it becomes rather useless in HDR content. Even at the lowest of the options, it blurs essential details, which is why we advise against using it.

The image scaling on LG B4 is rated rather moderately positively. Although there is no edge doubling, the image itself is naturally "soft." We can change this by adjusting the sharpness slider.

When it comes to lower quality materials, the gradation looks really good. A feature called "Smooth Gradation" effectively smooths out the most problematic areas of the image without negatively affecting the film grain. For the best effect, it’s worth setting it to a low level. This solution significantly improves the quality of the displayed content and makes watching lower resolution materials more enjoyable and smoother.

In terms of digital processing, the image is displayed without cropping, known as overscanning. Although slight fringing of the branches against the model’s background can be noticed, the overall presentation is very good. Users should be satisfied with the image quality when watching low-quality materials, such as standard television. The television handles this task exceptionally well, providing a satisfying visual experience even with lower quality content.

The maximum refresh rate that we can set on the LG B4 is 120 Hz. This is the absolute minimum for those requiring high image fluidity. The manufacturer has implemented a multi-step motion smoother called "TruMotion". It has been divided into two separate sliders adjusting the sharpness of moving images (De-Blur) and jitter (De-Judder). Both sliders can be set in the range from 0 to 10, with each degree affecting the level of fluidity, so everyone can find their golden mean.

The LG OLED B4 panel features an average response time of 0.1 ms (which directly results from our measurements), allowing for an incredibly clear image, unattainable for LCD televisions, whose response times can be as high as several milliseconds. This is clearly evident in the pictures from the "UFO Test", showing no trail following the object.

The television provides decent smoothness when watching films, thanks to the "Tru Motion" feature that allows for adjustment of the motion smoothing level on a scale from 0 to 10. De-Judder adjusts motion smoothness, while De-Blur regulates motion sharpness. The user has the option to choose between a traditional, cinematic effect with slight judder (lower settings) and a smoother, theatrical image. Although the latter slightly deviates from the cinematic standard, it may be appealing to many viewers.

As for gamers and sports fans, the LG QNED87 television with a 120Hz panel will certainly not disappoint them. And with the use of an IPS panel, the response time is generally better than that of VA panels available at a similar price. This guarantees smoother gameplay and dynamic experiences when watching sports events.

The LG B4 television is equipped with four fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports with a full bandwidth of 48Gbps. All features that are identical to this standard were activated without any issues, and throughout the entire testing process, they did not cause any problems. The combination of such extensive functionality and low input lag suggests that the tested television is truly made for gaming. This is not surprising, considering that the manufacturer has always placed great emphasis on this. Therefore, we can enjoy both the properly implemented HGIG mode and gaming in Dolby Vision with low latency. This pairing will certainly attract the attention of all passionate gamers for whom quality is paramount.

An additional standard in televisions from this Korean manufacturer is the implementation of GameBar, allowing for quick adjustment of settings "on the fly," without the need to exit the game. It also enables image adjustments for individuals with visual impairments, which is a very nice touch. Another important piece of information is that when VRR technology is enabled, we will not experience a drop in contrast. This is thanks to the construction of the panel and the lack of conventional backlighting. However, it is normal for shades of grey to flicker slightly; nevertheless, this is a characteristic feature of this function regardless of the manufacturer or television.

In summary: the LG B4, like all of the manufacturer’s OLEDs equipped with 120Hz panels and HDMI 2.1 ports, creates a harmonious whole with the console. In practice, this is a comprehensive television, and if we expect the highest possible efficiency in gaming, B4 will be the ideal choice.

LG QNED offers a range of features that make it an excellent choice for gamers looking for a high-performance television. The television is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing for connection to the latest consoles, such as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and taking full advantage of features including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). With the Game Bar feature, gamers can quickly and easily manage all their game settings without having to navigate through complicated menus. It is possible to adjust parameters such as VRR, ALLM, Multi View, and monitor frame rates. The television also supports G-Sync and FreeSync technologies, which is particularly important for owners of Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. G-Sync and FreeSync synchronise the television's refresh rate with the graphics card. The 120Hz panel ensures incredible motion smoothness and image clarity. Combined with the Black Frame Insertion (BFI) feature, available at 60Hz and 120Hz, gamers can enjoy an even clearer and smoother picture. LG QNED87 is a television that will meet the expectations of even the most demanding gamers, offering modern technologies and features that significantly enhance comfort and satisfaction in gaming.

Input lag for the LG B4 is at an incredibly low level in every scenario. Even the most dedicated gamers will certainly appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, which is just 5 ms. It is also worth noting that the lag at these same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remains consistent, which is not as evident with the competition. Therefore, it deserves the highest rating and recommendation.

LG QNED stands out with an extremely low input lag, which is crucial for smooth and responsive gameplay. For a refresh rate of 120Hz, input lag values do not exceed 6 ms, whereas at 60Hz, the input lag reaches a maximum of 15 ms. These are truly impressive results that ensure player reactions are almost instantly reflected on the screen.

LG B4 combined with a PC performs excellently, thanks to a very low latency of just 13.5 ms, which is practically an instant response between the mouse, the eye, and the screen. An extremely important factor when working on a screen is primarily the readability of the text, which in the case of the tested television is very good. However, it is worth noting that to achieve sharp fonts, one must enable the passthrough option in the settings.

The RWBG pixel layout has no significant impact on the display of fonts or letters, which provides a considerable advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED matrices. Users of both Windows and macOS equipped computers are sure to be pleased with the performance on the screen of the tested television.

The LG QNED television works excellently with a computer, offering very good font readability. As a result, working and browsing content is exceptionally comfortable. The high refresh rate of 120Hz ensures a smooth and vivid image. It combines a large workspace with efficiency, making it a real pleasure to use. However, for more demanding users, the disappointing fact may be that the television has issues displaying fonts on a dark background. Instead of white letters, they take on a greenish hue.

The undisputed advantage of OLED panels is their performance in the context of group viewing, that is, from various angles. LG B4 maintains very good contrast, colour saturation, and fidelity. Although this is not the result of organic televisions supported by MLA technology, one cannot say that anyone who purchased the device was dissatisfied with the results obtained. However, it should be noted that at sharp angles, a slight greenish tint can be observed. This is a characteristic feature of LG's WRGB panels, without the aforementioned micro-lens technology, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it.

When it comes to viewing angles, LG QNED87 performs really well. Thanks to the use of an IPS panel, it offers wide viewing angles compared to VA panels. This means that the image remains clear and does not lose quality even at an angle. Although it may not achieve results as perfect as OLED televisions, which maintain colours and brightness regardless of the viewing angle, in the context of LCD QNED87 screens, it stands out positively. This makes it an excellent choice for larger rooms where viewers often watch from an angle.

The maximum brightness of the television in SDR materials is 370 nits. For an OLED television, this is a very good result and allows for quite comfortable viewing during the day. It is worth paying attention to two things. The first is the rather mediocre handling of reflections caused by the satin finish of the panel, which means that direct light hitting the television will be quite obtrusive. The second issue is the brightness of the screen when filled 100% with white, oscillating around 260 nits, which is an excellent result, as until recently, OLED televisions in this price range could "boast" a brightness twice as low. Thanks to this, the conditions for watching, for example, winter sports will be very good.

During the day, the LG QNED television performs acceptably. It has a satin finish panel that doesn't suppress reflections very well, which can be noticeable in bright rooms. Nevertheless, thanks to quite good brightness of 430 nits, the picture remains visible and readable. Although reflections can be somewhat distracting, the television's brightness allows for comfortable use during the day.

LG B4 uses the well-known proprietary system WebOS. The system offers practically all the most important applications, and those that are lacking can be counted on one hand, such as CDA or KODI.

WebOS also boasts a highly appreciated ability to perform operations using a cursor that appears when the remote control is moved. The convenience of such a feature is invaluable when entering queries or passwords for portals. WebOS, like most systems, also supports functions such as screen mirroring, AirPlay, voice search in Polish, and the capability to connect headphones via Bluetooth. On a more practical note, WebOS allows us to use both headphones and the television speaker simultaneously, which will certainly be a great help for those with hearing impairments. Among the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the option to enable an alert for upcoming matches, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel also deserves praise for allowing control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the end of a washing cycle will be signalled by a notification in the top right corner.

In summary, the WebOS system, despite being less known and having certain limitations compared to Android TV, offers stable and fast operation and supports most functions that users may need. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in a television.

LG QNED87 Television offers a multitude of features that significantly enhance user comfort. Let's start with the WebOS system, which we believe has the most user-friendly interface among all televisions available on the market. One of its greatest assets is the remote control with an integrated gyroscope, known as the Magic Remote. Thanks to this, navigation is intuitive and fast, making the use of the television a pleasure. WebOS also supports a number of smart features that greatly simplify daily use of the television. Among them, we find AirPlay, which allows easy content streaming from Apple devices such as iPhone or iPad. Additionally, the television supports a wide range of streaming applications, such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and many others, providing access to favourite films and series in one place. When it comes to daily usage, LG QNED87 does not disappoint. The television offers a USB recording function, which is increasingly rare in today's models. This allows for recording favourite programmes and watching them at any time. Furthermore, the television has a PIP (Picture-in-Picture) function, although only for one tuner, enabling the viewing of two programmes simultaneously. Connecting additional devices via Bluetooth is simple and hassle-free. The television supports various Bluetooth devices, such as mice, keyboards, or headphones, increasing its versatility and allowing easy personalisation of the user experience. With all these features, the LG QNED87 television is a versatile and convenient device that meets the expectations of even the most demanding users.

The default file player in LG B4 definitely handles most images well, although the absence of a few equally popular formats is surprising. We can successfully play videos recorded in virtually all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that LG B4 will not play is H.266 VVC, although this is currently rather unused. However, it is worth noting the supported image formats, of which there are only two: JPEG and PNG. Users of Apple devices may feel disappointed by the lack of support for the HEIC format, which is the default format when taking photos. The remedy for this is to use the built-in AirPlay feature. We will also mention the lack of support for TXT subtitles.

The built-in media player in the LG QNED87 television should not disappoint anyone. It offers rich capabilities when it comes to playing video and audio files. It supports many popular formats, providing versatility and user convenience. The only criticism that could be made is the limited number of supported image formats. However, this mainly concerns those less popular formats, so most users should be satisfied with the player's functionality. For everyday use and typical multimedia formats, the player performs very well.

The audio system built into the LG OLED B4 can be considered quite good. We can say that it performs well for its price range. The bass is quite noticeable, but does not overpower the other frequencies. It can be said that the sound is fairly well balanced. We believe that those opting for this class of display are, or will be, in possession of an appropriate audio system. Therefore, the presence of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos codecs is not insignificant.

When it comes to sound, one could say it is moderately pleasant. There is a lack of pronounced bass, and the mid-tones seem somewhat unclean. This is not an ideal situation for audiophiles, but it is worth noting that the television has no trouble playing DTS files. This is a feature that is lacking in many other televisions, so the LG QNED87 deserves praise for this support.

LG 55 B4 vs LG QNED87T6B

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound