The LG C2 OLED is one of the most popular TVs of 2022, and with its incredible performance for gamers and media enthusiasts alike, it will certainly be a popular choice going into 2023 as well.
Having had recent price reductions before the LG C3‘s arrival, it’s a compelling pick to choose when it comes to OLED TVs. For myself, as a newer dad, I’m spending far more of my limited time gaming on TVs instead of PCs.
Personally, it’s easier and more relaxing to grab the controller, melt into my couch, and game on my PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X at the end of a long day. And as someone who appreciates high refresh gaming coming from PC, the LG C2 OLED has made my console gaming experience that much better. Not to mention, shows and movies are absolutely stellar, and, spoiler alert, you really won’t be disappointed.
So here’s a long-term review of the LG C2 OLED from a tired gamer dad who appreciates an incredible TV. I’ll also have all product links for everything.
Build and Design
![LG C2 OLED Long Term Review: Design](https://www.clearcrypt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LG-C2-OLED-TV-DESIGN.jpg)
Honestly, it’s held up incredibly well over the year. I’m still impressed by how thin and lightweight it is, thanks to the OLED panel. The overall design is sleek with super thin bezels which can be quite a shock if you’re used to older TVs.
The stand, which is centered has minimal branding and feels like high-quality metal. Because of the centered stand, there’s a bit of wobble when you nudge the TV, but it hasn’t been a problem for me, especially if I end up mounting it on the wall. However, the stand’s height is a bit short, so I’ll need to keep that in mind when I get a soundbar later this year.
I went with the 55-inch model, but looking back, I kind of wish I went for at least a 65-inch one. The available sizes range from 42 inches to a massive 83 inches.
Ports
![LG C2 OLED Long Term Review: Ports and Cable Management](https://www.clearcrypt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LG-C2-OLED-Ports-and-Cable-Management.jpg)
What’s really cool is that a lot of people are using the 42-inch model as a PC monitor. But, if you want that high refresh rate through HDMI 2.1, you’ll need a 6000 or 30 series GPU later on because there’s no display port.
Talking about HDMI and ports, one thing I love is that this TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports. Many TVs only have two, which is a bit disappointing, but this one has four, including one for your sound system. There are also three USB ports and ethernet ports for direct internet connection.
There’s a headphone jack, which is handy for PC users, and optical and coaxial ports for other devices. The clips on the back help hide cables which is great for cable management. While we’re back there, consider adding a light strip to the back of your TV. It’s an affordable way to improve any setup especially with ambient white lights during the day. Overall, the build quality top notch.
Gaming
![LG C2 OLED Long Term Review: God of War Ragnarok Playing image](https://www.clearcrypt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/God-of-War-Ragnarok-on-LG-C2-OLED.jpg)
This is why the C2 is so amazing for me. While some people watch more TV and movies, gaming is where I really get the most out of it. What’s special about the C2 especially for me as a long-time PC gamer is the high refresh rate. It’s a must-have for me and paired with the new generation of consoles, C2 delivers.
I recently finished playing God of War Ragnarok, which is easily one of my favorite games ever and now I don’t know what to do with myself. But I’ve moved on to Elden Ring, which has been quite an experience. At least I can fail repeatedly on a crisp 4K HDR TV.
For fast-paced games like Call of Duty or Overwatch, the FreeSync and G-Sync technologies really make a difference. There’s no noticeable tearing or artifacts while gaming, which makes it a fantastic experience. Xbox Series X supports AMD FreeSync, and PlayStation 5 supports Nvidia’s G-Sync.
Even though I’m still getting beat by kids in these games, the amazing colors and deep blacks of the OLED panel make it all a bit easier to swallow. And it’s not a problem with the hardware. With the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, there are some great features enabled, like VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto low latency mode), which make this tv a great choice for gamers.
VRR allows the TV to take advantage of the new-gen consoles for better frame rates, even unlocking frames up to 120 FPS for games like Horizon Forbidden West or Spider-Man. Plus, LG includes gaming-specific menus, which is a nice touch, allowing you to change settings and see your FPS on the fly.
For competitive gamers, ALLM makes controller input super quick and easy. And it’s not just great for high-end gaming; older systems or even a Nintendo Switch still look amazing on C2 OLED.
Picture Quality
![LG C2 OLED Long Term Review: Picture Quality](https://www.clearcrypt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LG-C2-Picture-Quality.jpg)
The content on C2 OLED looks amazing, as I mentioned earlier. I’m not usually one to watch a lot of shows or movies since I’m busy gaming, working, and parenting. But I have to say it is one of the best I’ve ever seen. HDR content looks especially stunning, and that might be because I spend a lot of time watching animated movies with my toddler. They always have incredible 4K HDR imagery but even other shows and movies look noticeably beautiful on this OLED panel.
I should mention that OLED panels don’t get as bright as many LED ones, so keep that in mind if you have a lot of light in your room from a window or other sources. I’m right next to a window but it’s not really a problem most of the time. I recently watched Top Gun Maverick for the first time, and it was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a while, and watching it on it was a real pleasure.
Despite the reflections and glossy finish, I thought the viewing angles might be worse, but even from extreme sides, the content is still perfectly watchable. Not that you’d ever really be watching from those angles anyway.
Speakers
The speakers are actually really great as well, although I don’t really ever blast them, and I can’t really show you through this video the quality of the speakers. It is super nice playing music though and having it fill the entire floor. I’m in the market for a good soundbar though, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments.
Software and UI
![LG C2 OLED Long Term Review: Software and UI](https://www.clearcrypt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LG-C2-OS-and-UI.jpg)
The C2 comes with an updated web OS operating system that has pretty much everything you need, although I think it’s a bit cluttered. But since I use it every single day I’ve gotten used to it. There are a lot of apps, ads, and suggestions that I don’t really use. So, I’m thinking of connecting an Apple TV soon because I prefer its simple interface.
The C2 also has Smart features like Google and Alexa integration, but I haven’t really used them much. It comes with all the popular apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus. The ambient modes are a nice touch for relaxing on the couch, working, or reading.
But my absolute favorite feature is being able to connect Bluetooth earbuds to the TV without disturbing my family. It’s a must-have for my late-night gaming sessions.
Remote
![LG C2 OLED Long Term Review: Remode](https://www.clearcrypt.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LG-C2-OLED-TV-Remote.jpg)
When it comes to the remote, it’s thick and while I wasn’t really a fan about it in my original review, my opinion largely remains unchanged. The magic cursor is cool, but I still don’t really use it. The remote shortcut buttons are actually super useful. If I’m not gaming, I’m just switching between the media apps. Either way, I think I’ll be getting a new Apple TV, as mentioned, which would replace this remote. From gaming to movies, this has easily been one of the best TVs I’ve ever used.
Verdict
Honestly, I’m just happy to have high refresh with my new-gen consoles. I still PC game every week when I want to be more competitive, but I’ll always be a console COD player, and I’ll always prefer open-world and story-based games on a TV. At the end of a long day, jumping into my favorite game is peak relaxation.