LG C1 OLED (2021) 4K TV review – Is this the best OLED for 2021? [55″ OLED55C15LA]

Page 1 of the review covers the specification, set-up, WebOS, picture quality and sound quality.

Price and Alternative Options

The RRP for the LG C1 OLED models is (Currys affiliate links):

• 48-inch: £1299
• 55-inch: £1699
• 65-inch: £2499
• 77-inch: £3999

The LD G1 is £1,999, it is supposed to offer a superior picture quality thanks to the brighter OLED Evo technology. There seem to be mixed reviews online about how much difference this offers, but it should work better in light rooms and also offer more impressive HDR performance.

Last years LG OLED55CX6LA is a sensible buy, saving around £400, offering almost the same hardware specification as this TV but older software with a few less features. It is worth noting that the launch price of this was £1800, so LG has lowered the price this year.

The Sony Bravia XR XR55A80J would be the direct competitor to this TV and is priced identically. The Sony has higher peak brightness and seems to offer better audio passthrough support. However, it has fewer HDMI 2.1 ports and also lacks FreeSync/G-SYNC or VRR. Neither TV has HDR10+ I also personally prefer WebOS.

Alternatively, the top of the range Samsung QLED models are either the QE55QN95A for £200 more at £1,899.00 or £1,699.00 for the QE55QN90A. These will offer much higher brightness with impressive HDR, but won’t offer the same contrast levels or pure blacks.

Overall

Based on my experience and research, the LG C1 is the best option on the market right now, factoring in price. Admittedly I don’t have much chance to review TVs regularly, it is possible that the Sony XR55A80J might somehow be better, but I doubt it. If you have no strong feelings toward OLED, then the Samsung QN90A is no doubt an excellent choice too

However, the LG C1 OLED offers outstanding performance, and it is crammed full of the latest tech that won’t go out of date too soon. It is excellent movies and gaming alike, making this the perfect all-rounder.

Price is, of course, an issue, you will save hundreds if you don’t mind waiting 6+ months for the prices to drop, but it’s the same price as other TVs in this segment from 2021. Alternatively, the hardware on the TV is pretty much identical to last years CX model.

With the introduction of 48-inch OLED panels, the C1 would also be a near-perfect PC monitor. You will, of course, have to be careful with burn-in, but this is mostly avoidable nowadays. For £1299, it doesn’t seem that unreasonable either, the 144Hz 43″ Asus XG43UQ costs more, and the 120Hz  XG438QR is only a little cheaper, and I think I would prefer an OLED over a VA LCD.