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
LG C4 vs Sony A90J OLED TV – about time you upgraded?
Deciding between LG C4 vs Sony A90J? Here's what you need to know
Updated: Mar 15, 2024 11:24 am
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The LG C4 looks to be one of the best TVs of 2024. Sure, it does not feature the latest and greatest MLA panel, but it offers a suite of excellent features that make it a very good option. So, if we were to compare the LG C4 vs Sony A90J, the latter being a 3-year-old flagship, which TV would be a better choice?
With its new Alpha 9 AI processor, the LG C4 is a brighter OLED TV. Plus, the improved CPU has also made the overall browsing and navigation a lot smoother. You also get plenty of gaming features like a high refresh rate and instantaneous response time, which make it one of the best gaming TVs of the year.
In comparison, the Sony A90J, released in 2021, also came with major improvements over its predecessor. For instance, the TV offered 2x HDMI 2.1 ports for fast-paced gaming and an OLED panel that brought remarkably vibrant colors to the table.
In this guide, we will be comparing the two TVs side-by-side to see which one offers the most value for money.
Sony Bravia XR Master Series A90J
Pros
Very intuitive operating system
Sleek design
Decent motion clarity
Delivers great upscaling
Cons
On the expensive side
Lacking some premium features
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LG C4 vs Sony A90J specs
| Specification | LG C4 | Sony A90J |
|---|---|---|
| Panel type | OLED evo | OLED |
| Size range | 42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | 55”, 65”, 83” |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Processor | Alpha 9 AI | Cognitive Processor XR |
| HDMI standard | 4x HDMI 2.1 | 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
| VRR | HDMI VRR, AMD FreeSync, NVIDIA G-Sync | HDMI VRR, NVIDIA G-Sync |
| HDR | Dolby Vision / HDR10 / HLG | Dolby Vision / HDR10 / HLG |
With a three-year technological gap between them, there are going to be plenty of differences between the C4 and the A90J, but the biggest has to be their displays. With the OLED evo panel, the LG C4 makes the most out of its Alpha 9 AI chip to take its peak brightness to the next level. As such, the TV is significantly brighter than the A90J in both HDR and SDR content.
In contrast, the A90J uses a traditional OLED panel, and while it may not get as bright as the C4, its wide color gamut and top-notch color accuracy makes it one of the most beautiful and realistic TVs in recent years. So, if you love watching movies and truly want to appreciate the color brilliance, the A90J is an excellent option. However, this isn’t to say that the LG C4 falls short in color quality. It is also a great choice with its vivid colors and sharp details.
One aspect that the LG C4 lacks, just like its predecessors, is the built-in sound quality. Sure, it has Dolby Atmos support and AI Sound Pro to virtually offer a 9.1.2-channel audio, but we highly recommend that you pair it with the best soundbar you can to have the best experience. Its Dolby Atmos implementation is wireless and lossless, so you don’t have to worry about cable clutter or inferior quality.
The A90J, at the time of its release, had above average built-in audio. It also supports Dolby Atmos, but its Acoustic Surface Audio+ got the most spotlight. The TV’s screen vibrates to create sound, giving you an immersive experience.
As for HDR, both TVs support Dolby Vision, which is very good, but HDR movies will look better on the C4 due to its high brightness. There are also major differences between the gaming capabilities, but we will go over them in our gaming section down below.
LG C4 vs Sony A90J price
| Size | LG C4 launch price | Sony A90J launch price |
|---|---|---|
| 83” | $5,399.99 | $5,999.99 |
| 77” | $3,699.99 | N/A |
| 65” | $2,699.99 | $2,999.99 |
| 55” | $1,999.99 | $1,999.99 |
| 48” | $1,599.99 | N/A |
| 42” | $1,499.99 | N/A |
If we compare the MSRP of the two TVs, the A90J comes across as the pricier option. But that’s not the case at all. Over the years, the A90J has seen major price cuts to the point that it is now a significantly cheaper option than the C4.
For instance, as of March 2024, the Sony A90J 83” is available for just $3,688.00, that’s over $1700 cheaper than the LG C4. Plus, last year, our deals team found the A90J 55” and 65” for just $1,398 and $1,799, respectively.
However, right now, both of these models are out of stock, and given how old these TVs are, we think availability is going to be an issue for them. Regardless, if you want the most affordable TV of the two options, the Sony A90J is a clear winner. Plus, if you wait for this year’s deal seasons, you’ll likely be able to get it for even less – as long as you can find stock available.
LG C4 vs Sony A90J for gaming
Focusing on the gaming features, this is where the LG C4 truly shines. From the most important features to the least, the TV is simply superior to the A90J in every way possible. Starting with the refresh rate, the LG C4 boasts a high 144Hz refresh rate, while the A90J only gets up to 120Hz. This isn’t a dealbreaker for console gaming, as they can only run at 120Hz anyway, but a noteworthy difference for PC gamers.
The lack of smaller sizes (42” and 48”) also makes the A90J a less tempting option than the C4, especially for gaming in a desktop setting or smaller bedroom. The LG C4 also has better response time and lower input lag than the A90J. Its <0.1ms rated response time beats out the A90J, making it the ideal choice for fast-paced FPS gaming. However, the Sony model still boasts <1ms which is near-instantaneous anyway.
On that topic, while both TVs are compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync and support HDMI VRR, the LG C4 also supports AMD FreeSync, which makes it more of a complete package in terms of variable refresh rate tech.
The LG C4 also provides full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four ports, so you can plug in your multiple consoles or gaming PC with zero compromises on performance. However, the Sony A90J only has 2x HDMI 2.1 ports, and the other two are HDMI 2.0 which fail to meet the 4K 120Hz standard, so it is not ideal for multi-platform gamers – especially if you’re adding a soundbar into the mix.
Lastly, while both TVs support HDR gaming, the A90J does not support high refresh rate gaming with Dolby Vision enabled (it maxes out at 60Hz). This is a big win in the C4’s favor.
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
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Price
Sony Bravia XR Master Series A90J
Sizes
55″, 65″, 83″
Display Technology
OLED
Resolution
4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p
Refresh rate
120 Hz
Panel Type
WOLED
HDMI standard
HDMI 2.1
Should I buy the LG C4 or Sony A90J?
We’d definitely recommend going for the LG C4 over the Sony A90J in 2024. Finding the A90J in stock for a good price these days is pretty difficult, so the newer C4 can even offer better value for money when you take into account the difference in specs and features. The C4 also comes in a wider range of sizes for you to choose from, so it is more relevant to wider consumer base.
The Sony A90J isn’t a bad TV by any means, it was one of the best back in 2021, but it of course less relevant in the wake of the C4 launch. If you do come across the A90J for hundreds of dollars less than the C4, then maybe it’s worth considering. But for us, the C4 is the clear winner.
Is Sony A90J 144Hz?
No, the Sony A90J does not support 144Hz. However, it still offers 4K 120Hz performance via one of its two HDMI 2.1 ports. This makes it a great choice for console gaming, and it even boasts exclusive features for the PS5.
The LG C4 on the other hand now supports up to 144Hz. This is an upgrade vs the C3 and is an option you’ll definitely want to toggle on if you have a high-end gaming PC that is capable of pushing 144 frames per second or more at 4K.
Final word
In short, after comparing the LG C4 vs Sony A90J, there is no doubt that the LG C4 is the better option of the two. It is a great all-rounder that nails all the necessary features to offer the most value for money. Its display can get really bright, offer vibrant colors, and support a high refresh rate with no compromises.
In comparison, while the A90J may be cheaper, it is also an older TV. So, if you are fine with missing out on the latest features to save some money, you should consider the A90J. But only if a massive price drop makes it significantly cheaper than the C4.
