Maciej Koper
LG C5 has just debuted in stores, and we - taking the opportunity - are looking at the first reviews. The first to dive in was the team at RTINGS.com, which has already published its full test of this model. After all, we are talking about one of the most popular OLED series in the world, so any change - even the smallest - generates significant interest. Fortunately, we can analyze data from the best sources and draw the most important conclusions for you - specifically, without marketing noise! What’s new with the LG C5? Is it a "small" G5, or perhaps a clever development of last year's proven formula? We invite you to the analysis!
👉 *Of course, we also encourage you to check out our review of the LG C4 - there are currently many great promotions on it, so perhaps it will be the better choice for you.
Construction and design – is it déjà vu?
If you've seen the LG C4, then... the LG C5 will be familiar to you. The design has hardly changed – the television looks almost identical to its predecessor. We won't dwell on whether the case color is black, gray, or titanium black – visually, it just looks the same as the previous model.
But is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. The C5 still looks very elegant, especially from the side. The slim metal frame makes a great impression, and the whole thing looks modern and minimalist. Yes, at the back, we still have that characteristic "bum" – that is, the thickening of the case at the bottom – which is unlikely to bother anyone.
Size Availability
No surprises here – the LG C5 will be available from 42 to 83 inches. Most variants look identical, except for the 42” model, which – like in the C4 – has two separate legs instead of a central stand.
Black and Contrast – The Best of OLED Classic
As it should be for an OLED, the black in the LG C5 is simply perfect. There's a reason why OLED TVs have been recognized for years as the best choice for evening movie and series viewing, where every detail in dark scenes matters. In the case of the LG C5, there are no major surprises – and that's a good thing. What was already perfect was not improved because simply... there was nothing to improve.
HDR Brightness – finally 1000 nits!
This measurement can already be confirmed from our own experience, as we had the opportunity – albeit briefly – to test the new LG C5 live. And we must admit one thing: it is noticeably brighter than the C4. This is the first time that the "C" series from LG approaches the level of 1000 nits peak brightness, which means it has finally caught up with the first generation of QD-OLED panels in this aspect. Above this section, you will find our direct comparison of the brightness of the LG C4 and LG C5, conducted according to the same testing procedures.
Tonal Transitions - Unfortunately, the Same Problem as in G5
Unfortunately, not everything performs as well as we might wish. Similar to the LG G5, the RTINGS editorial team notes certain issues in the C5 model. Specifically, it concerns tonal transitions in dark scenes on the HDR10 signal. If you haven't had the chance to read our analysis of the G5 yet, we highly encourage you to do so. We mentioned back then what tonal transitions actually are. In short: they involve smooth connections of colors and shades, especially in scenes with delicate gradients – e.g., dark skies, misty backgrounds, dimly lit rooms. Instead of a smooth transition between colors, unfortunately, there are visible bands that not only spoil the visual effect but also deviate from the creators' intent.
Reports are already starting to emerge online about a planned software update that is supposed to solve this problem. It is suspected that it is a matter of a new way of processing images by the processor, which in some way disrupts the shading gradation. Nevertheless, as of today - the LG C5 performs worse in this regard than the C4, just as the G5 does compared to the G4.
LG abandons DTS:X
It is said that the final product is designed by accountants – and it seems that this is exactly what happened with this TV. The company has abandoned support for DTS:X sound, even in the "C" and "G" series models, which are aimed at more demanding users. This state of affairs may disappoint home theater fans, especially those who use physical media or their own library of high-quality files. Probably LG simply concluded that it wasn't worth paying for a license for something that only a small percentage of users utilize.
Fortunately, this can be circumvented – just connect the player directly to a soundbar or receiver that supports DTS:X, and send the image on to the television. It works, but it’s another thing to keep in mind when purchasing a new model.
New remote and webOS
Fortunately, not everything has been simplified "for the sake of savings." The LG C5 runs on the latest version of webOS, which is even faster and more responsive. The new launcher interface looks clear, and navigating through the menu and apps poses no difficulties.
Additionally, there is a refreshed remote, which – although minimized – still gets the job done. Not everyone will appreciate the lack of numeric buttons or "sources," but the wrist control, which is LG's signature gyroscope, remains. And it works just as well as in previous generations – once you get used to it, you probably won't want to go back to a regular remote.
Playing on C5? You will be pleased
Here – similar to black and contrast – the television was practically perfect before, so LG didn't have to reinvent the wheel. All the features known from C4 have been retained: HDMI 2.1, VRR, FreeSync, Dolby Vision in games, low input lag, and support for HGiG. Moreover – the Xbox app came straight out of the box with C5 (yes, the same one that was previously reserved only for Samsung televisions). With it, you can play games from Game Pass without a console; all you need is a subscription and a Bluetooth controller. Maybe in a year or two, LG will manage to learn from Samsung how to add its proprietary TruMotion smoothing to the "Game" mode – similar to what already works in Samsung models. Who knows, maybe someday...
LG C5 – a TV that gives with one hand and takes away with the other?
LG OLED TVs from 2025 can be summed up in one sentence: they give and take away. On one hand, the LG C5 is a noticeable step forward compared to the C4, especially regarding the panel itself – brightness is higher, HDR support is better, and support for new features like Xbox Game Pass is pleasing. On the other hand, it's hard not to notice gaps that were not present before. The lack of support for DTS:X audio, issues with tonal transitions in HDR10 (which will likely be fixed with an update), and the absence of a "Sources" button on the remote – these are minor things, but they might be annoying for some users.
Don't get us wrong – the LG C5 is not a bad TV. On the contrary, it's a very good, at times even phenomenal model, which will likely be one of the bestsellers of 2025. Great brightness, a polished system, strong features for gamers – all of this is impressive.
But... let's move on to the price, because it is what complicates this choice the most.
Therefore, if you care about the best quality-to-price ratio, we definitely recommend considering the purchase of a 2024 model – LG C4 or G4. This way, you can save as much as 40–50%, and you can easily allocate the price difference to a soundbar, image calibration, or additional equipment for your home entertainment center. Below, we leave links to current promotions and our reviews so you can assess for yourself whether it might be better to opt for last year's models!
Source: rtings.com, own measurements: choose.tv.
