The OLED TV market has been consistently dominated by LG, and their latest offering, the OLED77C2PUA 77" C2 Smart OLED Evo 4K UHD TV with HDR, further cements their position at the top. This television is a testament to LG's incessant pursuit to provide viewers with unmatched visual experiences. In this comprehensive review, we will delve into the various aspects of this TV that make it a worthy contender for your next big investment.

 

The Evolution of LG's OLED Technology

Over the years, LG's OLED has been at the pinnacle of high-end television offerings, and the C2 series is the latest iteration of this success story. The C2 series OLED TVs, including the 77-inch model under review, bring forth a significant enhancement in image quality, superseding any non-OLED TV available today. What's more, the C2 series offers a wider range of size options, including an all-new 42-inch variant, catering to a broader consumer base.

What We Appreciate

• Unsurpassed image quality among non-OLED TVs
• Superior contrast and off-angle viewing experience
• First-rate gaming features
• Elegant design with a super-light, thin panel

Areas of Improvement

• Pricier compared to other brands
• Marginal improvement in picture quality compared to the 2021 C1 series

The Competitive Landscape of OLED TVs in 2022

There's no denying that the competition in the OLED TV market is fiercer than ever before. LG's primary competitor, Samsung, has also entered the OLED TV market, promising superior color quality with its innovative QD-OLED panel. Sony is offering two different types of OLEDs, including its own QD-OLED that has been garnering positive reviews. A number of TV manufacturers are also rolling out mini-LED models in 2022, promising excellent image quality at a fraction of the cost of OLED TVs.

Despite the tough competition, LG's C2 stands tall, thanks to its impeccable image quality and affordable pricing. The visual experience offered by the C2 series is unrivaled, even when compared to LG's previous models. While the C2 does feature a new "Evo" panel, the difference in image quality between the C2 and its predecessor, the C1, is minimal.

LG C2's Range of Sizes and Series Comparison

The C2 series is an impressive range of OLED TVs, with the 65-inch model being the most popular. However, the series also includes other screen sizes, all offering identical specifications and expected to deliver similar picture quality. The only exceptions are the 42-inch and 48-inch models, which do not feature the “Evo” panel and may be slightly dimmer.

The C2 series holds a middle-ground position in LG's 2022 OLED TV lineup. They offer a wide range of screen sizes and all the features you would expect from a high-end TV. If you're willing to spend more, the G2 series offers an incrementally brighter panel and a unique "gallery" design. On the other hand, the more affordable A2 series lacks HDMI 2.1 gaming features, a 120Hz refresh rate, and the advanced processing found on other 2022 LG OLEDs.

LG's C2: A Blend of Lightweight Design and Picture-Packed Display

The design aesthetics of the C2 series align with the minimalist look of LG's past OLED TVs. However, LG has introduced a few changes for 2022. The most noticeable difference is the weight – the C2 is significantly lighter than the C1. The weight reduction, up to 47 percent depending on the size, is primarily due to the use of new carbon-fiber materials.

The screen's bezel is 6mm slimmer than the C1's, providing an even greater all-picture look. Additionally, the stand has a smaller footprint and raises the panel slightly higher off the table, both of which are improvements over the previous model.

LG C2's Smart TV Capabilities and User Interface

The C2 runs on LG's WebOS platform, offering a plethora of features and a solid selection of apps. However, the interface can be a bit cluttered, with notifications, weather updates, prompts to sign in to LG's system, and a collection of random content labeled "Trending Now." Despite this, WebOS provides a host of useful features, including Apple AirPlay, multiple voice assistants, and a web browser.

Multiview and Voice Assistant Features

Another new feature for 2022 is a multiview function that allows two sources to be displayed side by side or in a picture-in-picture format. However, you cannot display two HDMI inputs on-screen simultaneously. The C2 also supports Apple's phone-mirroring feature and allows you to issue voice commands to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa via the remote or hands-free.

A Gamers' Paradise

The C2 is particularly appealing to gamers, with all four of its HDMI ports supporting 4K/120. This is a rare feature among high-end TVs and is great news for hard-core gamers with multiple next-gen devices.

The Outstanding Picture Quality of LG's OLED77C2PUA

The LG C2's picture quality is nothing short of spectacular. Its performance when displaying TV and movie content surpasses that of any other TV in its class. Even when compared to its predecessor, the C1, the improvements in the C2's picture quality are hard to spot.

Gaming on LG's OLED77C2PUA

As with non-gaming content, the OLEDs looked better than the LCDs in side-by-side comparisons. The LG C2 improves upon the gaming experience of the C1, already a favorite among gamers.

Bright Lighting Performance of the LG's OLED77C2PUA

LG has claimed that the C2 is 20% brighter than non-Evo OLED TVs like the C1, but real-world measurements do not support this claim. However, the C2 is still bright enough for almost any viewing environment.

LG OLED77C2PUA's Light Output in Nits

The C2 is bright enough for just about any viewing environment, but as usual, it's not as bright as competing LCD-based models. As with most TVs, the brightest mode for HDR and SDR (Vivid on the C2) is horribly inaccurate.

Picture Setting Notes for LG's OLED77C2PUA

The most accurate settings were Cinema and Filmmaker mode for both HDR and SDR, as well as the two ISF modes available in SDR. Game Optimizer is best for gaming, thanks to its processing, but quite blue; for the best color accuracy for gaming you should adjust the color temperature control all the way toward red.

Bottom Line

The LG C2 Evo OLED offers one of the best pictures we've ever seen on a TV, with nearly cinema-perfect color out of the box, as well as incredibly low input lag for gamers.