LG C3 vs C4 OLED TV – a big enough upgrade?

Brand-new OLED TV, or settle for last gen? Here's our LG C4 vs LG C3 comparison

Table of Contents Table of Contents

With CES 2024 now long gone and much to talk about (as always), we thought it would be a great idea to compare LG C4 vs LG C3 OLED TVs to see if the latest generation is really worth upgrading to. We’ve been big fans of the C-series ever since we reviewed the C1, followed up by a C2 review – a TV we would still recommend to this day given the big price drops. 2023’s LG C3 was more of a marginal upgrade as the series seemingly started to hit a diminishing returns threshold.

Despite all that, the C3 is undoubtedly one of the best OLED TVs on the market. Now that the LG C4 release date is more or less here and specs are already out there to see, we’d say a comparison is much needed. If you’re debating about these two, then continue reading on! Likewise, you can also check out our LG C4 vs LG C2 OLED TV and LG G4 vs LG G3 OLED TV comparisons, or even the LG B4 vs LG C4 if you want a cheaper option.

LG C3 OLED Series

Pros

Updated webOS version

Alpha a9 Gen 6 processor

AI Sound Pro

Brightness booster

Cons

Expensive

Shop on Amazon

CHECK PRICE

LG C4 OLED Series

Pros

Now up to 144Hz refresh rate at 4K

Highly responsive

Improved Alpha 9 AI chip

Native Chromecast support

Wide range of sizes

Cons

Still no MLA like the G-series

Not a massive upgrade over the LG C3

Shop on Amazon

CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Today’s best TV deals

---

LG C3 vs C4 specs

Specification	LG C3	LG C4
Processor	Alpha a9 Gen 6	Alpha 9 AI chip
MLA (Micro Lens Array)	No	No
Screen technology	OLED	OLED
Screen resolution	3840 x 2160 (4K)	3840 x 2160 (4K)
Max refresh rate	120Hz	144Hz
Response time	0.1ms	Less than 0.1ms
Connectivity	HDMI 2.1 (x4), USB, AirPlay	HDMI 2.1 (x4), USB, AirPlay, Chromecast
VRR	HDMI 2.1 VRR, AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync compatible	HDMI 2.1 VRR, AMD FreeSync, Nvidia G-Sync compatible

You’ll notice that many key specs remains as what we know from the C3, but there are some notable improvements to consider. First off is the new processor in the C4, the Alpha 9 AI chip. One of the most noticeable differences with this is that makes running webOS faster and should result in more responsive menus and browsing. Still not quite on the level of the LG G4 a11 chip for example, but a worthwhile improvement.

Another LG C4 upgrade comes in the form of the refresh rate, which now boasts up to 144Hz instead of the usual 120Hz we see on gaming TVs. Current consoles only support 4K @ 120Hz via HDMI 2.1, so this benefit is reserved for PC gamers for the time being. Still, not something to complain about. Finally, LG is also bringing native Chromecast support in the C4 to support the rest of the smart TV connectivity for your favorite streaming services and more.

LG C3 vs C4 design

Looks-wise, these two LG OLED TVs are pretty similar but there are some important details to discuss. Both TVs are super slim, sit upon a pedestal stand, and come equipped with LG’s Magic Remote. LG promises some improvements in brightness levels for the C4 – potentially to rival some QD-OLEDs already on the market. The G-series will always shine here though with its MLA design that the C-series still misses out on, even in the C4.

In terms of differences, the C3’s smaller models (the 42″ and 48″ variants) missed out on benefitting from the latest OLED panel technology in 2023. This year, the C4 has higher quality panels across the board – LG say that this brings some brightness boosts to the smaller displays as well.

LG C3 vs C4 audio & sound

Browsing through the specs for both the official LG C3 & LG C4 store pages reveals that the audio specifications for both of these models remain largely the same, but the C4 has a trick up its sleeve. The LG C4 now offers wireless connectivity to compatible LG soundbars, with uncompressed audio over Wi-Fi thanks to the new processor, according to TechRadar. Most would recommend picking up a soundbar rather than relying on built-in TV speakers if you want the best experience.

Both models have Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support (though only via by-pass for the latter). The pair of them also feature down-firing speakers with 40W audio output on a 2.2 channel speaker system – additional features include LG Sound Sync and AI Sound Pro (Virtual 9.1.2 up-mix) for optimization. Clear Voice Pro is also available which automatically adjusts audio levels to make dialogue more crisp. Overall, the C4 doesn’t offer anything more than its predecessor when it comes to sound quality, but the wireless connectivity is great.

LG C3 vs C4 price & sizing

We now know the price of the LG C4, so how much does it cost? We expected it to be extremely similar to the C3 on launch, but there is a consistent $100 price rise across all models based on the launch prices at the official LG store. Now that the C3 has had plenty of time to sit on the market, prices are dropping quite significantly as well.

Size	LG C4 OLED	LG C3 OLED
42″	$1,499	$1,399
48″	$1,599	$1,499
55″	$1,999	$1,899
65″	$2,699	$2,599
77″	$3,699	$3,599
83″	$5,399	$5,299

LG C3 vs C4 gaming performance

Now moving on to a massively important aspect of these gaming TVs – gaming performance of course. There’s no question that LG OLEDs are some of the best TVs for gaming and the LG C4 doesn’t buck that trend one bit. With HDMI 2.1, 4K 120Hz gameplay is the golden standard and something that modern games consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X can take advantage of.

The high refresh rate and near-instant responsiveness of OLED panels makes both the LG C3 and LG C4 great for gaming. Both of these HDMI 2.1 TVs don’t disappoint in this regard. An important note however is that many people actually use an LG C-series TV as their gaming monitor, and powerful gaming PCs can outperform consoles to warrant a higher refresh rate. The higher 144Hz on the C4 lets it pull ahead slightly for gaming on PC, but current-gen console performance is unchanged.

LG C4 OLED Series

Sizes

42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″

Screen technology

OLED

Resolution

3840 x 2160 (4K)

Refresh rate

144Hz

Panel type

WOLED

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

Check price

LG C3 OLED Series

Sizes

42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″

Screen technology

OLED

Resolution

3840 x 2160 (4K)

Refresh rate

120Hz

Panel type

WOLED

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

How We Review

Shop on Amazon Check Price

LG C4 vs C3 OLED TV – which one is better?

In terms of objectively deciding one which one’s better, it’s clear than the LG C4 is the best here (as it should be). We think that it’s better to consider value for money here though and incoming LG C3 price drops will no doubt make it an appealing option. Truth be told, the differences are getting pretty minimal but LG is at least pushing some specs for the C4 such as a higher refresh rate and Chromecast to make it worth it for enthusiasts. The usual processor upgrades we see with each generation are always welcome too.

If you already have an LG C2 or C3, we don’t see much reason to upgrade to the C4 given the cost, the older C1 still holds up for most people too. However, anyone with a generous budget looking for their first entry to this series may want to go for the C4 for better future-proofing and overall quality. To find one, check out our where to buy LG C4 OLED TV page.

FAQs

Is the LG C4 out yet?

The LG C4 OLED TV has now been listed for pre order – according to the Amazon page, it releases on March 11, 2024.

Will the LG C3 price drop?

Yes, we’ve already seen price drops for the LG C3 since its release. Based one what we’ve seen with the C2 and C1 in the past, the C3 will only get cheaper once the latest LG C4 OLED TV is out.