LG C4 vs Sony A90K – are they closely matched?

Time to compare LG C4 vs Sony A90K - just how much better is the C4?

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LG introduced its 2024 lineup at CES as usual, and considering the affordability of their newest C-series model, we’re going to compare the LG C4 vs Sony A90K to determine which TV better suits gaming and everyday use. Let’s see which is the best OLED TV between these two.

For starters, the LG C4 uses an OLED evo panel, which relies on the newer Alpha 9 AI chip to bring a remarkable boost in brightness. As a result, the C4 looks much better in well-lit environments than its predecessor.

The Sony A90K uses an OLED panel as well, so you can expect an equally impressive color contrast with deep blacks. However, one of its main sellings point is the “Perfect for PS5” features, which make it an exciting choice for PlayStation users.

So, which TV offers the best display, sound, gaming experience, and value for money? In this guide, we will compare the two in-depth to figure this out for you.

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

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Sony Bravia Master XR A90K

Pros

Perfect blacks

Infinite contrast ratio

Stunning viewing angles

Multiple HDMI 2.1 ports

Cons

Expensive

Peak brightness lacking

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LG C4 vs Sony A90K specs

Specification	LG C4	Sony A90K
Panel type	OLED evo	OLED
Size range	42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″	42”, 48”
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	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision

There are lots of differences between the C4 and the A90K, but the first one you’ll likely notice is the lack of available sizes in the A90K. The TV is only available in 42” and 48”, which means if you want a big screen, you’ll have to look towards the LG C4, including popular 55-inch and 65-inch models.

When it comes to picture quality, the LG C4 wins with its much brighter OLED evo panel. The TV is not only bright in SDR but also exceptionally beautiful in HDR content. As a result, it also handles reflections very well. As for the A90K, it suffers from low brightness, which means the TV does not look as good in well-lit rooms. However, in darker environments, its color accuracy really cranks things up a notch as it covers the Rec. 709 color gamut by around 99.78%.

Both TVs have excellent HDR support with HLG, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, but we would recommend the LG C4 for HDR content because of its higher peak brightness.

One reason why the LG C4 can get so bright is its processor, the Alpha 9 AI chip. LG has made several improvements in this processor to make it as efficient as possible, and that’s why the chip can optimize its power to boost the brightness in highlights so well.

Moving towards sound quality, we find the A90K to have some interesting features over the C4. While both TVs support Dolby Atmos, the A90K’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ is simply better in terms of immersion. However, one good thing about the LG C4 is its ability to support wireless, lossless Dolby Atmos. This means you can connect to a soundbar and have better sound than the A90K, all without having the trouble of managing cables. With both models, we’d recommend picking up the best soundbar for TV if you want a more complete experience.

LG C4 vs Sony A90K price

Size	LG C4	Sony A90K
83”	$5,399.99	N/A
77”	$3,699.99	N/A
65”	$2,699.99	N/A
55”	$1,999.99	N/A
48”	$1,599.99	$1,399.99
42”	$1,499.99	$1,299.99

Since the A90K has been out for a couple of years, it makes sense that the TV costs less than the C4. Both models are around $200 cheaper than their LG C4 counterparts at the time of writing. So, if you were planning to get the cheapest of the two to save the most money, we recommend you go with the A90K as a cheap HDMI 2.1 TV.

Plus, if you can wait, the A90K will likely drop further in price as we approach various deal seasons and clearance sales. The 2022 model is not the most current anymore, so price cuts are likely.

However, for the features it offers, we still think the LG C4 is a better deal. For just a few hundred dollars more, you get a much newer 2024 TV with a significantly brighter display, which is quite a sweet deal.

LG C4 vs Sony A90K for gaming

Going over their gaming capabilities, the LG C4 is an overall better option for both console and PC gaming. That’s because it delivers all the essential features better than the A90K.

Take refresh rate for example; the LG C4 can refresh at up to 144Hz, while the A90K can only get to 120Hz. Since consoles don’t support higher than 120Hz, it is not a big deal for console gamers, but PC gamers can make full use of the extra 24Hz, which is a nice bonus. Similarly, the LG C4 also boasts a jaw-dropping <0.1ms response time coupled with a low input lag, which makes it an ideal choice for fast-paced competitive gaming.

Another important feature that matters a lot in gaming TVs is the Variable Refresh Rate, which means the TV can lower (or increase) its refresh rate to match the game’s FPS. This way, the TV will not suffer from screen tearing or stuttering issues. Well, both the C4 and A90K have G-Sync compatibility and HDMI VRR, but the LG C4 also supports AMD FreeSync, which makes for a more complete package.

Regarding HDMI, the LG C4 has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four ports, but the A90K only has 2x HDMI 2.1 ports, and the other two run at HDMI 2.0, which aren’t capable of 120Hz at 4K. All of these features make the LG C4 superior in gaming to the Sony A90K.

However, the Sony A90K could be better at gaming, especially for PlayStation 5. It has a couple of unique PS5 features that make it stand out. For instance, Auto HDR Tone Mapping automatically optimizes the TV’s HDR setting according to the game, and if you enable Auto Genre Picture Mode, your A90K will switch to Game Mode itself as soon as you turn on your PS5. However, similar results can be achieved with the C4 by using its Game Optimizer settings.

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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Sony Bravia Master XR A90K

Sizes

42″, 48″

Screen Technology

OLED

Resolution

4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p

Refresh rate

120Hz

Panel type

OLED

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

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Should I buy the LG C4 or Sony A90K?

All things considered, if we were to pick one TV between the LG C4 and the A90K, we would go with the C4. Its OLED evo technology backed by the Alpha 9 AI chip gives it an impressive brightness boost. Along with that, it also has top-tier gaming features like a high refresh rate and low response time, all while maintaining picture-perfect display quality.

The Sony A90K is a great option if you want to save a couple of hundred dollars, but for the most part, we think going with the LG C4 is the right choice in 2024.

Is the Sony A90K still relevant in 2024?

Back when we compared the Sony A90K vs LG C2, we found that they were closely matched, but the C2 was still the better pick for gaming. This of course carries over to the latest C4, but the 2024 model has caught up in other areas such as AI upscaling and other AI improvements thanks to its newer Alpha 9 AI processor. All of these factors make it a better TV, but we don’t think this means that the A90K is irrelevant at all.

The A90K is still a decent choice if you want a smaller 42″ or 48″ display and don’t plan on using it often in a well-lit room. It is still a great choice for console gaming and content consumption, but it is held back by its limited number of sizes compared to other models – including the A90J.

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Final word

You’ve finally made it to the end of our LG C4 vs Sony A90K comparison guide. There has been quite a lot to talk about when pitting these two together. With two years of developments separating them, the 2024 LG C4 is the the clear winner across the board. However, the A90K remains a solid option if you’re using it in a dimly-lit room and want to save some cash when it’s on sale.

The C4 is much more versatile thanks to its improved specs and wider range of sizes to choose from. We’d only really recommend 42″ and 48″ models for a smaller living space or even a gaming PC setup for desktop use – it doesn’t really cut it for a large family room or home theater setup.

If you are indeed interested in the C4, check our dedicated where to buy LG C4 OLED TV page.