Ignacy Giżyński
The latest flagship from LG is beginning to appear in the first independent tests. The LG G5 model, a continuation of the popular OLED series from the "Gallery" line, has been scrutinized by the editorial team at RTINGS.com. How does the latest premium representative perform in 2025? Let's analyze the results of the Canadian test together!
Black and Contrast OLED G5
As it is with OLED, the black in the LG G5 is simply... perfect. As with every organic matrix, each pixel lights up (or does not light up) independently, so where black is supposed to be, there is literally no light. The effect is that the contrast is practically infinite, exactly like in its predecessor, the G4 model.
The brightness of G5 is groundbreaking...but...
HDR Brightness
Although we have already gotten our proverbial hands on the G5 (our measurement results are below), tests published by the Canadian portal RTINGS confirm what LG Display touted during the launch of the new tandem RGB panels. In short, we are witnessing a true breakthrough in terms of image brightness in OLED televisions. Similar to our laboratory, their tests also showed that the G5 can achieve peak brightness levels of around 2500 nits in a 10% window. This is a value that until now has been reserved only for top models with Mini LED backlighting. Until recently, one could only dream of something like this in OLED.
Moreover, the brightness of the white on the full, 100% screen matches the new QD-OLED panels from Samsung Display, which can be found, for example, in the S95F model and (possibly) the new Sony Bravia 8 II.
So where is the "but"...?
However, there is 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 significantly spoil tonal transitions. Instead of smooth gradients, there are strange bands and contours, which not only disrupt the 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 is probably nothing to worry about. However, with classic HDR10 – for example, from a player or the HGiG signal on a PS5 or XBOX Series X/S console, it is worth keeping in mind that the content may look worse than on its predecessor...
However, there is a good chance that the problem will be solved 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 significant progress – for example, the coverage of the wide BT.2020 color gamut exceeds 82%!.
One more thing... viewing angles
Unfortunately, there is one more thing that we believe deserves attention – the deterioration of viewing angles compared to last year's G4 model. Our suspicions were confirmed: after the removal of the MLA micro-lenses found in the G4, the LG G5 lost some visibility when viewed from the side. Don't get us wrong – the viewing angles are still very good, as is expected of an OLED. But in direct comparison with Samsung or Sony's QD-OLEDs, and even with the G4, the differences are clearly visible. It may be a minor detail, but in the context of a flagship – it is also a certain "downgrade" that is worth being aware of.
To illustrate the difference, we place two YouTube videos where you can see what the viewing angles look like on the LG OLED TV with MLA micro lenses and on the model with a classic WOLED panel.
WOLED MLA TV
WOLED TV
Players, get ready – LG G5 is a gaming monster
As with its predecessor, the LG G5 is an OLED designed for gamers. But this time the Koreans added something extra: a display with a refresh rate of up to 165 Hz. Sounds impressive? Indeed, although it should be immediately noted that such a bonus will primarily benefit a very narrow group of PC gamers. For console players, nothing changes – Xbox or PlayStation are still limited to 120 Hz. Fortunately, input lag remains very low, regardless of resolution or format – below 10 ms in most scenarios. RTINGS noted some anomalies at 165 Hz (input lag slightly increases), but for the typical user, this is more of a curiosity than a real issue. On board, 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 right out of the box. Everything works without the need to connect a console – just an account with a subscription and a Bluetooth controller are enough. Although this feature is also available for the G4 and older models, it only comes after a software update. Here, it's ready from the start.
Remote – minimalism, minimalism, minimalism...
Another noticeable change in the LG G5 is the new remote. It has been significantly minimized and... closely resembles the one found in Samsung TVs. The numeric buttons have been removed, which we can somewhat understand – more and more people today use apps and VOD platforms. But there is one decision that is really hard for us to defend.
The "Exit" button has disappeared from the remote, which allowed users to switch sources with a single click – for example, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or terrestrial television. This is one of the most commonly used buttons in daily use, especially for those using several devices connected to the TV. Yes, it’s 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 tiny button really wouldn’t have hurt anyone.
Fortunately, LG did not give up one of the most characteristic features of its remote – 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 creates a great impression and makes operating the TV quick, intuitive, and... simply enjoyable.
Sound – elegant form, surprisingly good sound
Similar to its predecessor, the LG G5, despite its very slim and elegant design, offers really solid sound experiences. The TV tries to reproduce space, and even a slightly perceptible bass. Unfortunately, once again there is an element that may worry home theater fans – lack of support for DTS sound. LG has given up support for this format. In practice, this means that if we want to watch Blu-ray movies with original DTS sound, we have to deal with limitations. Of course, it's possible to work around this – just connect a player or console directly to a soundbar or receiver that supports DTS and passes the image on to the TV. But this complicates the whole setup.
Breakthrough, but not without compromises.
LG G5 is undoubtedly a groundbreaking television. Impressive brightness, refresh rates up to 165 Hz, and a completely new tandem OLED panel – all these factors make the G5 a huge step forward in terms of technology. In many aspects, it clearly outperforms its predecessor, especially when it comes to HDR effects and gaming capabilities.
But – and this is an important "but" – there are also elements where the G5 falls short. The deterioration of viewing angles due to the abandonment 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 worth considering when making a purchase. Of course, many of these shortcomings – such as the mentioned artifacts in HDR10 – may be improved in updates, but for now, they are simply present. Therefore, before you rush to get 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 will be more important? The G4 model, which still offers excellent picture quality and a full package of features, is now available at very attractive prices. We encourage you to also check out our review of the LG G4 – maybe last year's flagship will turn out to be the best choice for your living room.
In the end, we add: The LG G5 can be compared to a rose – the groundbreaking matrix is a flower that really shines, but in full light, the thorns are also visible, which may prompt one 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!
