LG OLED G4 vs Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

Direct compare

Check the best price offer:

LG OLED G4
$1 796

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Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)
$1 125

G45 / G42

Info

The Frame / LS03FAU

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”77”83”97”

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”

Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: WebOS

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

8.5

7.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    8.5

    6.8

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    9.1

    6.5

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    9.0

    6.4

  • Gaming on console

    9.5

    8.3

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    8.2

  • Watching in bright light

    6.0

    6.3

  • Utility functions

    8.6

    7.2

  • Apps

    9.1

    8.7

  • Sound quality

    8.6

    6.0

Advantages

  • Phenomenal image fidelity to the director's intent

  • Reference color reproduction after calibration

  • Very high brightness in HDR materials

  • Remarkable compatibility with console and computer

  • The panel suppresses reflections very well

  • Perfect viewing angles

  • The matte display effectively reduces reflections

  • Customization options for the screen with interchangeable frames + art mode

  • Free accessories in the form of a wall mount + OneConnect module

  • High native contrast

  • Decent brightness

  • High refresh rate - 120/144Hz

  • Lots of features for gamers - VRR, ALLM, Gamebar, proprietary motion smoother working in games

Disadvantages

No like
  • Visible tonal transitions

  • Sound of the built-in audio system - could be better in this class of television

  • No HGiG mode – makes it difficult to set HDR accurately on the console.

  • No DTS support – requires additional equipment for certain films from Blu-ray discs.

  • Paid image mode

Our verdict

The LG G4 is a top contender for the best television of 2024, offering an exceptional viewing experience. Combining OLED black with MLA technology, it delivers a dynamic and detailed image, making it ideal even for sunny rooms. The operating system, while not as open as some competitors, offers a lot of functionality, with the standout feature being the intuitive remote control with a cursor, ensuring ease of use. Out of the box, colour reproduction is solid, but after calibration, it reaches almost reference quality, providing a truly cinematic image. Post-production studios favour this brand for its deep calibration capabilities, including 3D LUT adjustment.

The TV does have some issues with tonal transitions, but these can be largely remedied by enabling the "Smooth Gradation" feature, improving the viewing experience. The motion smoother is highly advanced, catering to sports and dynamic content with adjustable fluidity. With HDMI 2.1 ports supporting full functionality, including low input lag, the TV is perfect for gamers. Overall, the LG G4 is a versatile and high-quality television, offering superb performance both day and night.

Samsung The Frame 2025 is a TV unlike any other – and even though competition has emerged for it, it still does it best. The matte display, flush mounting to the wall, and one thin cable thanks to the One Connect module make the device look more like a painting than any other screen. The Art Store app still offers the best scanned artwork on the market (even if it's subscription-based), and with interchangeable frames, we can adapt the TV to the interior almost like a piece of furniture. As for the image itself, because we are also talking about a regular TV, there are no significant changes, but also no disappointments compared to last year's model LS03D. The Frame still offers high native contrast and solid brightness at 600 nits, which combined with the matte coating provides very comfortable use during the day. The colors are not as vibrant as on glossy screens, but against the backdrop of competing matte constructions – it performs the best. A novelty is the 144 Hz refresh rate, though in practice, mainly PC gamers will benefit from it. And indeed – in terms of features for gamers, The Frame has almost everything: low input lag, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, automatic game mode (ALLM), Game Bar, and a unique motion smoother designed for gaming. Unfortunately, not everything is as perfect as it might seem. Why? Because the HGiG mode is suddenly missing from the latest version of the Tizen system. And here Samsung really should respond, as for many gamers this is a crucial element of screen selection. And we fully understand that. Although LS03F The Frame 2025 doesn’t bring major revolutions, it is still a unique TV that, apart from its appearance, offers quite a solid picture and extensive gaming features. It’s just a shame that year after year we also encounter new compromises.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz
Build quality
BuildQuality-
Premium
Stand type
stand-type-
Legs
Stand type
stand-type-
stand-type-Changeable Frame
Stand
stand-Height Adjustment
FlatDesign
Nie
Yes
Accessories
accessories-Stand, accessories-Wall Bracket
accessories-Stand, accessories-Wall Bracket, accessories-OneConnect Box

Contrast and black detail

10/10

6/10

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,800:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,750:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

14,900:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,500:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,300:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The LG G4, benefiting from over a decade of OLED panel development, excels in contrast, black levels, and detail reproduction, especially in the darkest scenes. Incorporating MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology further enhances this, improving brightness and handling light reflections effectively, making the TV a strong performer in sunlit rooms. OLED technology offers perfect blacks by turning off individual pixels, which results in exceptional immersion and a three-dimensional effect, surpassing even some of the best Mini LED models. This is particularly evident in challenging scenes from films like The Revenant, where even the finest details are captured with remarkable clarity.

The black levels in the LG OLED G4 are nearly flawless, amplifying the depth and realism of high-contrast scenes. The TV’s high contrast, combined with deep blacks, delivers an immersive viewing experience, making it stand out in a crowded market of competing models.

The year 2025 looks quite interesting when it comes to lifestyle TVs. Why? Because Samsung has prepared two versions of the iconic model The Frame – one regular and another with the "Pro" label. In this review, we take a look at the version without "Pro," which – as will soon become evident – is quite significant. The regular model LS03F does not feature any local dimming technology, unlike its more expensive sibling. This is important because it affects not only the overall picture quality but primarily how this TV handles black levels.

The VA panel used in The Frame 2025 has a high native contrast – and this obviously works to its advantage. In the tested movie scenes, details in the dark parts of the image were clearly visible; nothing blended together, and it didn’t create a uniform black/bright spot. For the average viewer, this will be more than sufficient. But of course, not everything is perfect. The lack of local dimming causes the black levels on this TV not to be perfectly deep – it resembles a dark navy more than pitch black. Additionally, in our tested unit, we noticed slight backlighting in the right part of the screen, but this may just be the "beauty of the specimen" rather than a rule. Theoretically, one could try to improve the perception of blacks by backlighting the screen – for example, with an LED strip – but in the case of The Frame, this is rather impossible because this TV is meant to sit flush against the wall like a painting. So to achieve better blacks visible to our eyes, we are forced to watch the LS03F with the lights on. Such is the charm of this technology.

HDR effect quality

7.8/10

6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 98.3%, Bt.2020: 74.7%
DCI P3: 91.5%, Bt.2020: 72.2%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1474 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1467 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1403 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1441 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

850 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

642 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

589 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

574 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

584 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

631 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: HDR10+

HDR luminance chart:

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

LG OLED G4

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

The LG G4 excels in delivering an incredibly vivid HDR experience, positioning it as one of the best models in its class. Equipped with second-generation Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, it achieves a remarkable peak brightness of 1474 nits in real-world scenes. While it may not match Mini LED-backlit LCD TVs in full-screen white scenes, the overall performance is outstanding. The fine details in HDR content shine brightly, a distinct advantage of OLED technology over non-OLED displays. With this impressive brightness and wide DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, HDR content is brought to life with unmatched engagement and immersion.

The Frame LS03F is a television that can surprise with its brightness. The maximum luminance reaches around 650 nits, which already looks solid on paper. But as we know, lab tests are one thing, and real movie scenes tell a completely different story. When watching HDR content in natural conditions, The Frame 2025 maintains very good results. In most film scenes, peak brightness remained at levels of 550–650 nits. This is enough to feel the difference between standard image quality and that of HDR – bright highlights, reflections on water, and moonlight appear clear and impressive.

It’s also worth noting that the LS03F is a QLED television, which translates to solid color saturation. The coverage of the DCI-P3 color space reaches about 92%, allowing for vibrant, intense colors in HDR content. It may not be at the level of top premium models, but for a lifestyle screen, the result truly deserves recognition.

Factory color reproduction

8.4/10

7.1/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

Before calibration, the "Filmmaker" mode on the TV had a noticeable red and green colour dominance, resulting in a warm-yellow hue across both SDR and HDR content. This warm tone, typical of modes like "Cinema" and "Filmmaker," led to a yellowish cast that was evident when switching from the "Standard" mode.

Looking at the brightness characteristics, the Gamma chart showed decent performance for mid-tones and bright whites, but it struggled with the darkest details, which tended to merge into a black blob. HDR content, as represented by the EOTF curve chart, displayed a drop in contrast due to excessive brightness, which overshadowed fine details and negatively affected the overall image quality. Additionally, the "ColourChecker" chart revealed that colours were under-saturated, contributing to a less accurate and vibrant visual experience.

This provided a good foundation to build on, but calibration was needed to bring out the full potential of the "Filmmaker" mode and address these issues.

When it comes to image quality right out of the box, even in Filmmaker mode, which is supposed to be the closest to reference, there were issues. In both HD and 4K HDR content, we noticed noticeable deviations in white balance. The image was heavily skewed towards red and blue, giving the screen a characteristic rosy tint. This effect was most visible in bright scenes – for example, in shots with a lot of white, where neutral light should naturally dominate. In such moments, the screen clearly leaned towards pink tones, which can also be seen in the attached comparison photo. As for brightness characteristics – it wasn't as bad as one might expect given such color inaccuracies. Analysis of the gamma curve and EOTF showed a slight brightening of the image compared to the reference, but not enough to drastically affect the perception of the material.

Color reproduction after calibration

9.5/10

8/10

The manufacturer has been offering extensive support for the calibration process in its LG televisions for many years. Therefore, we used 2- and 20-point grayscale adjustments along with an advanced CMS (Colour Management System) to optimise the display. As shown, the calibration procedure greatly improved each parameter. The results included studio-quality colour reproduction, enhanced detail in dark areas, corrected brightness characteristics, and accurate colour saturation. This led to a near-perfect match with the reference image—the one the film director saw on the preview monitor. It’s also worth mentioning that LG G4 televisions are unique in offering even deeper image adjustments through 3D LUT matrices, a feature primarily suited for post-production or graphics studios.

After calibration, the movie mode gained a completely new quality. The issue of pink tint, which had previously been clearly visible, especially in bright scenes, was effectively eliminated. Colors began to look much more natural, and the white balance no longer dominated the rest of the image. It was no longer the same exaggerated “box picture” – everything gained coherence and a cinematic character. Additionally, the tendency of the television to slightly brighten scenes, previously visible in the EOTF curve analysis, was partially corrected. Of course, this was within the limits of what the design allows without local dimming – it’s hard to speak of perfect brightness management here. Nevertheless, the final effect was definitely closer to what one would expect from a mode called Filmmaker.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.2/10

9/10

The tonal transitions on the LG G4 are not among the best in class. Every scene played from a Blu-ray disc with 10-bit HDR showed noticeable inconsistencies in colour transitions. This was particularly evident in "The Green Knight," where posterization issues were especially noticeable. Similar problems were observed in films with moderate to high brightness, such as "The Martian" or "Kingsman," which is unusual for televisions of this calibre and was quite surprising. These results suggest that in scenes with low luminance and a lot of black, this issue may become bothersome, even for casual viewers.

In terms of the fluidity of tonal transitions, the LS03F maintains a high level – just like last year’s models. The television had no issues during the testing of more challenging movie scenes, where visible transitions between color shades can easily occur. The color grading is very good here – both in the lighter and darker parts of the image. We did not observe the typical banding effect or other disturbances that could stand out while watching movies. If we had to nitpick, in the most demanding scenes – with subtle transitions and delicate gradients – small imperfections can be noticed. But only when one gets really close to the screen and begins to analyze the image from a distance not intended by the manufacturer.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

8.2/10

6.7/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
No
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The LG G4 does not perform well with materials rich in tonal transitions, leading to a pronounced posterization effect. However, the manufacturer has included a smoothing system called "Gentle Gradation," with three levels: Low, Medium, and High. These settings are effective at smoothing bright colours, though less so for darker tones. It is recommended to use the Low setting, as the higher levels can distort the director's intentions by removing film grain.

When it comes to upscaling lower-quality material, the television's performance is quite good, delivering a sharp and clear image. However, attention should be paid to the jagged edges of fine details and the occasional halo effect around figures. This occurs due to the sharpening imposed by the LG G4, even when the lowest setting is selected (0). This is a noticeable change from the LG G3, which did not apply such strong sharpening, even at setting 0.

The LS03F is equipped with the NQ4 processor, which is responsible for improving image quality—especially in lower-quality materials. In practice, it works surprisingly well, particularly with older content and recordings with lower resolution. Activating the "noise reduction" feature yields noticeable effects. The television effectively smooths tonal transitions and removes digital noise that can appear in darker areas of the image. Compared to previous generations, there is a clear improvement—previously, this feature often smoothed everything too much, including details that it shouldn't have removed. In this year's model, the smoothing still occurs, but it is done in a much more acceptable manner. Textures of materials, skin, or fabric details are no longer so heavily muted as before—the image retains more naturalness. However, this does not change the fact that film grain is still removed by the television, which may not be to everyone's liking. On the other hand, it is no longer as aggressive an intervention as in previous models. It is also worth mentioning that the LS03F may struggle with very weak signals—such as recordings from VHS tapes or video in low resolution. In such cases, we noticed slight clipping of the image at the edges—so-called overscan. This can lead to situations where a small part of the image (e.g., subtitles at the bottom edge) gets cut off.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

6.9/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
50%
43%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Image flickers in this mode

The LG G4 offers a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz, achievable when connected to a powerful PC. For most users, however, the TV operates at a maximum of 120 Hz, ideal for watching sports or other content with fast motion. To improve image fluidity, the television includes the "TrueMotion" motion smoothing system, which features two separate sliders: De-Blur (for the sharpness of moving images) and De-Judder (for judder reduction). These sliders allow users to adjust the level of smoothing between 0 and 10, ensuring everyone can find the ideal setting.

With a response time of 0.78 ms, the LG G4 delivers exceptionally clear images, outperforming LCD televisions, which can have much slower response times. This results in no trailing blur behind moving objects, as shown in the "UFO Test." The TV also provides precise control over motion smoothing, which is especially beneficial during fast-paced video game sequences. Thanks to OLED technology, the G4 eliminates ghosting, ensuring a crisp and clear image even during the most dynamic sports or action scenes.

A novelty in The Frame for 2025 is the panel with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Yes – in a television primarily associated with displaying artwork, you can now not only watch Van Gogh but also comfortably play on a console or follow dynamic sports action. This is a definite step towards greater versatility. In the case of Samsung films, as usual in models with a 120 Hz panel and above, it allows you to adjust motion smoothness according to your own preferences. You can set a more cinematic representation while maintaining frame rate or opt for full motion smoothing. The range of options is wide, allowing you to tailor the effect to your taste – whether the viewing experience is meant to resemble classic cinema or a presentation on a modern theater panel.

*this part of the test refers to the model LS03FAU in sizes 55 and 65 inches, which is equipped with a 144Hz panel; the 43 and 50-inch sizes have 60Hz panels, and therefore perform much worse in terms of motion smoothness.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

8.1/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    40 - 144Hz
    48 - 144Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

The LG G4 TV supports all the features encompassed by the HDMI 2.1 standard, making it a gaming powerhouse. During testing, every feature activated seamlessly, ensuring a smooth experience for both console gamers and PC users. Notably, the HGIG mode (HDR Gaming Interest Group) is implemented correctly, allowing games mastered to brightness levels higher than the TV’s maximum luminance to map tones accurately, preserving the game’s original visual integrity.

A notable highlight is the dedicated GameBar, which can be accessed at any time to quickly check or adjust game settings. More importantly, enabling VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) does not compromise contrast—a common issue in TVs with local dimming or Mini LED backlighting. This is thanks to the OLED panel’s self-emissive pixels, which maintain consistent contrast. However, a slight grey flicker may appear when VRR is enabled, though this is standard across OLEDs.

In summary, the LG G4, like most OLED TVs, is ideal for gaming and online competitions. Its HDMI 2.1 ports offer a full 48 Gbps bandwidth, supporting features such as VRR, ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), G-Sync, FreeSync, and HDR Dolby Vision gameplay, ensuring an exceptional gaming experience.

As we mentioned earlier – although The Frame likely displays images and works of art most of the time, Samsung has recognized that a Van Gogh enthusiast can just as easily be an avid gamer. And it must be admitted that The Frame 2025 has almost everything it needs to become a fully-fledged gaming television.

On board, we find support for ALLM (automatic game mode) and variable refresh rate (VRR) thanks to the implementation of one HDMI 2.1 port. The television handles lower resolutions at higher refresh rates without any issues and features an expanded Game Bar – already known from other Samsung models – which allows for quick previewing and changing of the most important gaming-related settings. For this, it earns additional points from us. The proprietary motion smoother Auto Motion Plus Game also deserves special mention, which – and it's worth emphasizing – works without increasing input lag. Samsung remains the only manufacturer that has managed to implement this feature in a practically noticeable way in terms of delays. The result? Much better fluidity in games, especially those that struggle to maintain stable 60 frames. This solution can realistically improve the gaming experience in more demanding titles – especially on consoles that don’t always manage full fluidity, especially in AAA games.

As for the downsides – the lack of Dolby Vision is already considered standard in Samsung televisions, so there's nothing to particularly complain about here. However, the problem is something entirely different. In the latest version of the Tizen system, the HGiG option has disappeared. Literally – it's not there. This is a significant setback when configuring a console for proper HDR content display in games. It’s hard to understand why such a decision was made, but one thing is certain – this should be fixed as soon as possible. We are talking about a brand that has set standards for gaming on televisions for years. If HGiG comes back – and we hope that it will – The Frame LS03F can confidently aspire to be a true gaming television. Not just as a decoration on the wall, but as equipment that really provides joy in gaming.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
14 ms
13 ms
1080p120
5 ms
8 ms
2160p60
14 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms
8 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
2160p120 DV
5 ms

The LG G4 excels in lag time performance, maintaining impressively low input lag across all scenarios. Even the most demanding gamers will appreciate its remarkably low input lag of just 5 ms at 4K 120 Hz with HDR enabled. This remains consistent even with Dolby Vision HDR activated—something that many competitors struggle to achieve. Such outstanding performance earns the LG G4 top marks and a strong recommendation for gamers seeking a responsive, lag-free experience.

In terms of input lag, Samsung maintains a high standard – and it's a very high one. The LS03F, like most of this year's models from this brand, achieves a score of 8 ms for 4K content, which is almost a reference value. This result allows you to play even the most dynamic titles without delays and with full responsiveness. Well done!

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

8.2/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Very Good
Average
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
5ms
8ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
BGR
Max refresh rate
144Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The LG G4 performs exceptionally well when connected to a PC, thanks to its ultra-low 5 ms latency, ensuring near-instantaneous responsiveness between mouse input, visual perception, and on-screen action. This makes it ideal for both gaming and productivity tasks.

A standout feature is the excellent text readability, a crucial aspect for extended screen use. The RWBG pixel arrangement does not negatively impact the display of fonts or characters, a clear advantage over Samsung’s QD-OLED matrices, which can sometimes struggle with text clarity. Users of both Windows and macOS will find the LG G4’s screen performance highly satisfying, making it a versatile choice for various computing needs.

The collaboration of The Frame 2025 with a computer poses no major issues. Let's start with gaming, as this is where this model shows its strengths – support for a 144 Hz signal, low input lag, and compatibility with G-Sync technology (for NVIDIA cards) make it hard not to consider it a fully-fledged gaming monitor. It is one of the more interesting "PC gaming" TVs available on the market in this class.

When it comes to daily work, the situation looks just as good. The Frame easily handles chroma 4:4:4, which translates to good font readability and overall user comfort. We only noticed minor issues with dimming very thin lines and dark details on a bright background – this effect may occur particularly when working with small interface elements. However, in practice, with a 55-inch screen and standard office working distance, it will be difficult to notice this problem realistically. Nonetheless, it's worth keeping this in mind if the television is to serve as a monitor not only for entertainment but also for precise work with graphics or text.

Viewing angles

9.7/10

3.5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
9%
70%

The LG G4 OLED's MLA technology ensures consistent brightness, colour saturation, and white balance from all viewing angles, a clear advantage over standard LCD and non-MLA OLED panels. This uniformity remains intact regardless of where you're seated, offering an excellent viewing experience. Comparable performance is seen only in Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, which use quantum dot technology.

As one could expect from a VA panel, the viewing angles on The Frame 2025 are at best average. The image loses saturation and contrast when viewed off-angle. It’s a pity, because we are talking about a model that displays digital artworks while in standby mode—and it is precisely in such moments that wide viewing angles would make the most sense, enhancing the feeling of being in the presence of a real image, rather than just its screen imitation.

Perhaps in the future, manufacturers will decide to introduce special coatings or modified versions of VA panels that will improve this aspect—because in the case of lifestyle televisions, it would have real significance not only in terms of usability but also aesthetics.

TV efficiency during daytime

6/10

6.3/10

Matrix coating
Glare
Matte
Reflection suppression
Good
Very Good
Black levels during daytime
Average
Poor

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F): 596 cd/m2

LG OLED G4: 482 cd/m2

The LG G4’s glossy display coating, contrary to expectations, is a major strength. It enhances the TV’s efficiency by suppressing reflections at their source, ensuring a clear, distraction-free viewing experience. Notably, the black levels remain impressive even in daylight, a hallmark of LG Display’s WRGB panels. While OLED MLA panels are slightly less effective in this regard, they still outperform Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, which tend to appear grey in bright conditions. With a brightness of around 500 nits and a glossy coating, the TV is ideal for daytime use, except in rooms with extensive glazing.

One of the most characteristic features of The Frame is its matte display – and it must be admitted that Samsung has really refined this aspect. From our experience, this is one of the best solutions for reducing reflections, especially direct ones. If reflections on the screen can be irritating, it will be hard to find a better display in this budget than the matte panel used in Samsung TVs. Of course, this comes with a certain compromise. In very strong sunlight, colors may appear slightly washed out, and the image loses some depth. However, this is something we consciously accept when choosing a matte screen – something for something. In practice, the colors and contrast on Samsung's matte screen still perform better than on Chinese models like TCL NXT Vision or Hisense Canvas TV. If effectively reducing reflections and the desire to use the TV also as a 'digital picture' in bright rooms are priorities, it’s hard to find a better choice.

The Frame achieves about 600 nits of brightness, which, combined with the matte coating, allows the TV to handle well-lit daytime conditions without any issues. It may not reach the level of flagship models, but in everyday use – in a living room with plenty of light – it performs seamlessly.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
QLED
Software version during testing
03.10.85
T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.7, E2500007, BT-S
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

LG OLED G4

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

TV features

8.6/10

7.2/10

  • HDMI inputs
    0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 40Gbps
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    No
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    Yes
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Wyszukiwanie głosowe
    No
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes

LG’s long-standing proprietary WebOS system offers nearly all key applications, with only a few notable omissions like CDA and KODI. A standout feature is the motion-sensitive cursor, which appears when moving the remote, making tasks such as entering queries or passwords much easier. WebOS also supports screen mirroring, AirPlay, Polish voice search, and Bluetooth headphone connections. Uniquely, it allows simultaneous use of headphones and the TV speaker, a valuable feature for those with hearing impairments.

Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the match alert function, ensuring they never miss a game, while the home panel enables control of smart devices within the network—such as receiving laundry cycle completion notifications.

Overall, though WebOS may not be as widely recognised or versatile as Android TV, it delivers fast, stable performance and covers most essential functions, making it a reliable choice for users seeking a straightforward, effective TV operating system.

Classic TV Features

In terms of classic features, The Frame does not stand out in any way compared to the competition. There is no USB recording option or PiP (picture in picture) feature, which may be disappointing for some users. On the other hand, the TV allows for simultaneous use of speakers and headphones, which can be useful – especially for older users. The EPG, or electronic program guide, is quite readable, and despite the lack of traditional buttons on the remote, we managed to launch even the teletext. In everyday use, the basic functions work smoothly and without significant complaints.

Smart System – Tizen and Apps

The Frame 2025 runs on the Tizen operating system, which has been considered one of the most refined Smart TV solutions on the market for years. It is a system designed for devices that are more than just a television – and it was created with that spirit in mind. Tizen offers full integration with external devices – supporting both Apple AirPlay and Miracast. With the SmartThings app, it is possible to control not only the television but also other devices within the smart home. Since last year, Samsung has also been developing its own voice assistant with support for the Polish language, which significantly facilitates operation. However, the greatest strength of the Smart system in The Frame remains the Art Gallery app. Although access to it is paid (via subscription), it offers the best art scans on the market – we are talking about scans, not just ordinary photos. As a result, the effect of a digital artwork hanging on the wall looks much better than in any other lifestyle TV.

Playing files from USB

8.5/10

9.1/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
No
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
No
No
WebP
No
No
TIFF
No
No
BMP
No
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
No
Yes
24 Mpix
No
Yes
28 Mpix
No
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The default file player on the LG G4 handles most photo formats well, though it's surprising that a few popular ones are missing. Video playback is excellent, supporting nearly all common formats, including Dolby Vision, with the only exception being the H.266 VVC codec—currently rarely used. However, photo format support is limited to just JPEG and PNG, which may disappoint Apple users due to the lack of HEIC compatibility, the default format for iPhone photos. Fortunately, this can be bypassed using the built-in AirPlay feature. It's also worth noting that the player does not support TXT subtitles, which could be an inconvenience for some users.

During testing, we did not notice any major problems with playing files from a USB memory. The TV handled both video materials and photos well. Of course, there are some exceptions – for example, lack of support for the HEIC format (used by Apple devices) – but it’s hard to consider this surprising. On the plus side, there is full support for high-resolution photos – the TV displays files with a high number of megapixels without any issues, which may be particularly important for those who want to treat The Frame as a digital frame as well. However, during testing, we noticed a limitation regarding subtitles – the TV only properly handled files in the .txt format. It's worth keeping this in mind and ensuring that the downloaded subtitles for movies are saved in this format, otherwise they may simply not display.

Apps

9.1/10

8.7/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link

Sound

8.6/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    -
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    Yes
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    No

Audio quality is always subjective, but the LG G4 deserves recognition for its sound clarity. The primary drawback is its limited bass range, though this is less of an issue for those who plan to pair the TV with a home theatre system. Crucially, the LG G4 offers extensive support for audio codecs, including DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of high-quality audio setups.

For such a slim TV, the sound is quite good. It's full, sufficient for everyday viewing, but without much excitement – typical for flat designs. There's not much bass, although at times it can be heard. The speakers in a 2.0.2 configuration have a total power of 40 W (in the 55+ inch version). Unfortunately, the TV does not support DTS format, so when watching films with that audio, external equipment, such as a home theater system, must be used. You can connect a soundbar, and thanks to the Q-Symphony feature, the TV plays along with it. Samsung also offers visually matching models to The Frame like S700D or S800D, but they are sold separately. (This shouldn't surprise anyone😉).