LG B4 OLED evaluate | Tom’s Information
As makers of a few of the finest TVs, LG is among the few producers to supply a wide-sweeping vary of OLED designs, with sizes and costs to match most households. That is the place the LG B4 OLED TV shines — it options as few concessions as attainable on a value level that’s not too demanding, bringing OLED know-how to extra dwelling rooms.
Certain, the LG C-series OLED TVs come heralded as a few of the finest OLED TVs primarily for his or her efficiency and worth. However this yr’s LGs B4 pulls forward with some stellar specs at a outstanding value. There are few OLEDs located in its value bracket, making the B4 a premium TV with some legs and little competitors.
It’s, in any case, nonetheless a leaner TV mannequin. Thus, the LG B4 is a killer OLED with its good black ranges and vibrant colours, however there are nonetheless some minor inconsistencies. It carries over from its predecessor a subpar sound system. It’s additionally lacking HDR10+ help and an ATSC 3.0 tuner.
That mentioned, the positives nonetheless outweigh the negatives, which is why the B4 may very well be one among this yr’s finest OLED values. Let’s see what it has to supply.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Worth and launch date
The LG B4 OLED is a successor to the LG B3, launching within the 2024 LG TV lineup on the base of its OLED choices. Given its place within the lineup, you possibly can count on some nice pricing — proper now, it begins at simply $649 for the 48-inch mannequin.
It is available in a spread of various sizes, although, going up to an enormous 83-inch configuration (as a result of TVs are getting larger, in any case). Our testing follows the 65-inch LG B4, however if you wish to get essentially the most out of your TV picture in your explicit setup, try what dimension TV must you purchase to be taught extra about what configuration works finest for you.
- 48-inch LG B4 OLED TV (48B4PUA) – $799 ($649 on sale)
- 55-inch LG B4 OLED TV (55B4PUA) – $1,699 ($999 on sale)
- 65-inch LG B4 OLED TV (65B4PUA) – $2,199 ($1,299 on sale)
- 77-inch LG B4 OLED TV (77B4PUA) – $3,399 ($1,699 on sale)
- 83-inch LG B4 OLED TV (83B4PUA) – $4,499 ($2,499 on sale)
Weirdly, the 48-inch B4 OLED isn’t listed on LG’s retailer web page, however will be bought at Greatest Purchase. This configuration is marked one of many least expensive OLED TVs proper subsequent to the 55-inch Sansui OLED (which we’re presently evaluating).
Apart from the Sansui TV, there’s principally no different OLEDs that match the B4’s value level. That makes the B4 a unicorn, because it’s bought a comparatively well-rounded spec sheet and a spread of sizes for many consumers, all with costs which can be fairly exhausting to beat.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Design
Regardless of its low value level, the B4 is constructed on a number of premium specs like its WOLED panel and 120Hz refresh fee. It makes use of LG’s Alpha 8 processor for video processing and upscaling, a more recent chip that’s largely powered by AI. This helps in upscaling sure content material as much as 4K decision, in addition to working different image processing capabilities.
What comes as a little bit of an annoyance on the B4 is that its energy twine is constructed straight into the again of the TV, which will be barely irritating to take care of within the setup course of. It comes outfitted with two small legs which can be fairly simple to connect to the TV, however if you happen to’d relatively wall mount it, the LG B4 is VESA suitable particularly for 300 x 200 mount sizes.
The 65-inch TV that we examined weighed about 37.7 lbs, which wasn’t too exhausting for me to deal with on my own — however it’s possible you’ll wish to have another person round significantly when attaching its legs. The width between the stands is round 41-inch, so be sure to have a floor massive sufficient for it.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Ports
Regardless of its comparatively low value, the B4 has the entire ports you may count on on a contemporary, upscale show, together with an ethernet port, two USB inputs (model 2.0), an RF enter, and an RS-232C mini-jack. In contrast to a number of TVs in its value vary, the LG B4 comes outfitted with 4 complete HDMI 2.1 ports, making it a players dream come true and one of many finest HDMI 2.1 TVs out there, given its value level. .
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After all, a type of HDMI ports is an eARC connection if you wish to increase the B4’s 2.0-channel speaker system with a soundbar. You received’t discover any ATSC 3.0 tuner on this show, although, as LG is difficult fought in a lawsuit round its use — and meaning no NextGen TV entry for the B4 (or for the remainder of LG’s 2024 lineup, for that matter).
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Efficiency
In testing the LG B4, I watched a wide range of completely different films and reveals to get an ample really feel of its normal efficiency throughout HDR and commonplace definition content material. I watched primarily utilizing a few of the finest streaming providers, but in addition watched “The Fighter” and “Tenet” on Blu-ray with a Panasonic DVD participant to see the B4’s upscaling prowess.
Proper off the bat, the B4’s OLED panel actually shines via right here. It’s bought some stellar distinction, with wealthy and deeper darkish scenes popping essentially the most. I beloved watching darker reveals and films on this show (like “The Penguin” and “Alien: Romulus”) as there isn’t any noise or grayness within the darker scenes. It feels totally pure, and that goes even for the extra vibrant photographs.
However whereas darker scenes do look nice, they appear nice primarily within the night. One of many B4’s greatest points is its extremely reflective display. That is made worse by the truth that it doesn’t output the very best brightness, which sits at round 628 nits in commonplace content material and 659 nits in HDR in a ten% window. Thus, if in case you have a extra ambiently sun-drenched room, your mileage in darker scenes received’t be too nice.
Nonetheless, colours on the B4 had been fairly scrumptious. The recently-launched “Dragon Ball Daima” did a terrific job of displaying off the LG B4’s coloration accuracy. It’s a extremely vibrant show that reveals itself off even when watching in Filmmaker mode, which may usually be a bit darker and fewer colourful. Being an OLED show, there’s no blooming on the subtitles, which may rear its ugly head on Mini-LED TVs.
To the dismay of many, even the World Sequence-losing New York Yankees seemed grand on the B4. A serious spotlight was the B4’s movement processing, which confirmed minimal hiccups and 0 blooming across the white uniforms. I additionally watched the newest “Mission: Unattainable” in HDR, whose fast-paced, bike-jumping sequence was enthralling on the B4.
LG B4 OLED TV: How we take a look at
We comply with a normal testing protocol for each TV we evaluate at Tom’s Information. Our benchmarks embody a sequence of technical and topic assessments designed to fee the set’s efficiency. For our technical assessments, we use a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Steel sample generator, and Portrait Shows’ Calman TV-calibration software program to take measurements. We additionally use a Leo Bodnar 4K Enter Lag Tester for figuring out the TV’s gaming prowess.
Subjective assessments range primarily based on the reviewer, however normally characteristic anecdotes from a various number of films, TV reveals, and different content material reflecting the varieties of issues you may very well wish to watch on the TV. For a extra detailed have a look at what we do and the way we do it, try our “How we take a look at TVs” web page.
LG B4 OLED TV: Check outcomes
The LG B4 OLED stands out, as there are so few OLED TVs in its value vary, however we put it to the take a look at towards a number of choices out there from Sony’s X90L, Samsung’s QN90D, and the brand new 55-inch Sansui OLED TV.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | LG B4 | Samsung QN90D | Sansui OLED | Sony X90L |
| SDR Brightness (10%, in nits) | 628 | 1,986 | 406 | 1,445 |
| Delta-E (decrease is healthier) | 0.8 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 2.4 |
| Rec. 709 Gamut Protection | 97.37% | 99.57% | 129.94% | 99.86% |
| HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) | 659 | 2,027 | 427 | 1,446 |
| UHDA-P3 Gamut Protection | 99.22% | 94.29% | 97.67% | 96.56% |
| Rec. 2020 Gamut Protection | 74.92% | 72.52% | 72.04% | 72.82% |
| Enter latency (in milliseconds) | 9.7ms | 9.6ms | 14.5ms | 18.1ms |
It’s necessary to notice that the Sansui incorporates a Brightness Booster setting that bumps it as much as 539 nits in commonplace content material and 568 nits throughout HDR workloads, however these nonetheless do not prime the B4’s brightness measurements. And, whereas the Samsung and Sony shows may blow the B4’s brightness out of the water, they’re LEDTVs, so you possibly can count on them to have an edge. One other notable spotlight is the LG B4’s coloration accuracy — its Delta-E rating of 0.8447 beats the remaining considerably.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Gaming
Even at a comparatively lower cost for many OLEDs, the B4 delivers in spades on its gaming efficiency. I performed most video games on PS5 and on a mini PC to get a broader perspective of the B4’s gaming potential.
As seen normally leisure, the wealthy black ranges on this show actually stands out in darker, extra brooding experiences like the brand new “Name of Responsibility” and “Silent Hill 2” remake. The movement processing and intensely low enter latency of simply 9.7ms in Recreation Optimizer mode actually has an impression in “Black Ops 6,” and “Star Wars Outlaws” advantages tremendously from the B4’s sharp coloration accuracy.
Sadly, whereas the viewing expertise is nice and the settings in depth, the LG B4 did randomly shut off on me whereas playtesting for this evaluate. This might trigger my PS5 to enter standby mode and would kick me from the sport, which was a bit annoying. I’m unsure what was the reason for this, however I did a full reset on the TV to check if any current updates might need triggered it. Since resetting, I haven’t had any points.
The mini PC additionally appears simply as beautiful as its PS5 rival (although I did play video games largely in 1080p, which had been then upscaled to match the TV’s 4K decision). “Elden Ring” and “Darkish Souls 3” look fairly good and run easily, aided by the B4’s G-Sync and FreeSync help.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Audio
As you may count on from the entry-level mannequin in LG’s OLED lineup, some sacrifices need to be made, and there’s no space extra missing on the B4 than its middling audio system. With a 2.0-channel system constructed on a mere 20W output, you’re not likely going to have a terrific expertise within the audio division. However, you possibly can pair it up with one of many finest Dolby Atmos soundbars, just like the Bose Sensible Extremely.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Interface and apps
Constructed on webOS 24, the B4 comes outfitted with LG’s newest software program, so that you probably received’t have to attend for main updates. That being mentioned, I do discover the B4’s interface to be relatively gradual and clunky in comparison with its extra premium brethren. It’s nowhere close to as gradual because the Sansui interface (which runs on Google TV, by the way), however I did have some slight issues with webOS.
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App-wise, there are not any complaints. LG has a fairly strong interface stacked with principally any app you possibly can consider (in contrast to Roku, which nonetheless doesn’t have entry to Twitch and different apps). LG’s webOS is even combating the likes of Samsung with its personal set of cloud gaming providers, together with GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, and Blacknut, if that’s your factor.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Distant
TV remotes are in a stagnation interval. I even wrote about this just lately, highlighting how Samsung and Roku’s TV remotes are one of the best within the enterprise for a wide range of causes. LG is among the worst culprits in its TV distant design, as they’re sometimes relatively cumbersome and likewise use LG’s magic wand characteristic that allows you to level and click on on the display, which I’m not a fan of.
Though I’m not an enormous fan of the design, it does include entry to virtually each app and performance you may want. LG’s distant has a few of the most fast entry performance out there, with the B4 distant having a button devoted to apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Sling, and even an Alexa button. If solely LG may add rechargeability and backlit buttons — this might be a slam dunk.
LG B4 OLED TV evaluate: Verdict
There’s no query that OLEDs ship a few of the finest image efficiency on the planet and the B4 is not any exception. I used to be in awe with how properly the B4 performs, making for a stellar re-creation within the market, and a win for these trying to get their first OLED TV at a considerably lower cost.
There are some concessions you’ll need to make at this lower cost. For one factor, the B4 is nowhere close to as vivid as even a mid-range OLED TV just like the LG C4 (to say nothing of top-tier OLEDs just like the LG G4 and Samsung S95D). You’ll additionally need to forgo HDR10+ help, a extra bombastic audio system, and the power to showcase 4K video games at 144Hz. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re not apprehensive concerning the B4’s relative dimness, I feel these are all simply acceptable sacrifices for a TV that also affords a few of the finest efficiency out there — for films, reveals and gaming.
Regardless of its modest brightness, not very many TVs can match the B4’s efficiency, simply by advantage of the truth that it’s an OLED TV. The brand new Sansui 55-inch OLED could be well-priced, nevertheless it’s not constructed by probably the most well-known TV producers within the area, and it doesn’t provide a number of extra premium options supplied on the B4, like its Recreation Optimizer dashboard.
That’s what makes the B4 top-of-the-line TVs for A/V fans and players on a finances, because it affords all of the specs you’d need on a extra premium OLED TV with out the hefty funding. Should you don’t really feel such as you’re lacking out on a brighter OLED expertise, the B4 is a unbelievable alternative.
