LG G4 vs B4 OLED TV – flagship panel vs budget pick

There's lots to compare between the LG G4 vs LG B4, but which OLED TV should you buy?

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LG revealed its 2024 line-up during CES, and we will be comparing the LG G4 vs B4 to see how their flagship competes against the entry-level budget option.

The LG G4 has all the spotlight around it, all thanks to the second-gen MLA OLED panel that gives it a significant brightness boost and a suite of AI-backed features that improve both display and sound quality, making it one of the best OLED TVs right now. However, the B4 appears to be quite a bang for the buck and a big improvement over last year’s B3 – and comparing B4 vs C4 also drew many parallels.

It does not have the OLED evo display like the C4 or the MLA OLED like the G4, so it’s not going to be the brightest panel of the bunch, but it rocks the latest Alpha 8 AI to bring meaningful upgrades to the overall display quality.

Nevertheless, both the LG G4 and B4 are solid options as gaming TVs as well. But is the G4 worth the big bucks? Or are you better off saving money with the B4? To find out, we will compare both TVs across different categories, including their pricing and gaming performance.

LG G4 OLED Series

Pros

Bright second-gen MLA OLED panel

Up to 144Hz, ideal for gaming PCs

Rapid responsiveness

Upgraded Alpha 11 AI Chip

MLA now available in 83″ model too

Cons

Expensive

Still no MLA in 97″ model

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LG B4 OLED Series

Pros

Now features four HDMI 2.1 ports

4K @ 120Hz for gaming

Highly responsive

Crisp OLED panel visual clarity

Cost effective

Cons

Worse processor than C-series and G-series

No 42-inch model

Not as bright as other LG OLEDs

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LG G4 vs B4 specs

Specification	LG G4	LG B4
Panel type	OLED evo (MLA)	OLED
Size range	55″, 65″, 77″, 83″, 97″	48″, 55″, 65″, 77″
Resolution	3840 x 2160 (4K)	3840 x 2160 (4K)
Refresh rate	144Hz	120 Hz
Processor	Alpha 11 AI	Alpha 8 AI
HDMI standard	4x HDMI 2.1	4x HDMI 2.1
VRR	HDMI VRR, AMD FreeSync, NVIDIA G-Sync	HDMI VRR, AMD FreeSync, NVIDIA G-Sync
HDR	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision

Starting with the specifications, the difference is quite clear. While the OLED panel on the B4 looks good and boasts an infinite contrast with beautiful vibrant colors, it is not nearly as bright as the Micro Lens Array OLED technology used in the G4 – which will affect both SDR and HDR performance. Both TVs have Dolby Vision and HDR10, which is great – support for Dolby Vision in a budget TV like the B4 is in itself quite impressive.

Moving on, the B4 is available in 48”, while you can only get the G4 for as small as 55”. So, if you want a specifically smaller TV, you’ve got to go with the B4; only the C4 offers the smallest 42″.

The Alpha 11 AI chip on the G4 is also way ahead of the Alpha 8 AI used in the B4. The Alpha 11 AI processor and its features like AI Director Processing significantly enhance the color tone accuracy of the display. Similarly, Brightness Booster Max makes sure the TV achieves its famous high-end brightness.

In contrast, the Alpha 8 AI chip is not a particularly weak or slow processor. In fact, it is quite impressive just how well the chip performs. You also get Brightness Booster, AI Sound Pro, and other similar LG features in the B4 to improve the overall experience.

As for the sound quality, both TVs support Dolby Atmos and AI Sound Pro for virtual up-mix, but last year’s B3 was a big letdown in terms of audio, and even if LG has improved the B4 a lot, it will still not sound as good as the G4. So, make sure to get the best soundbar for it. We’d even recommend doing so with the G4 for a more immersive experience.

LG G4 vs B4 price

Size	LG G4	LG B4
97”	$24,999.99	N/A
83”	$6,499.99	N/A
77”	$4,599.99	$3,399.99
65”	$3,399.99	$2,199.99
55”	$2,600.00	$1,699.99
48”	N/A	$1,499.99 (expected)

Coming towards the pricing, it comes as no surprise that the LG B4 is significantly more affordable than their G4 alternatives. This makes sense because the B4 is a budget-friendly series and is meant to offer the most value for money. It definitely makes for one of 2024’s best cheap HDMI 2.1 TVs.

The LG G4, on the other hand, is priced at the upper end of the spectrum. Being a flagship and a premium offering, the TV carries a hefty price tag. This means that if you are low on budget and want the cheapest of the two, the LG B4 is a no-brainer. It can cost less than half the price of a G4.

LG G4 vs B4 for gaming

The LG G4 is a remarkably well-built gaming TV. It has all the latest and greatest features that make it one of the best. From a high 144Hz refresh rate to an amazingly low <0.1ms response time, the G4 knocks fast-paced FPS and racer gaming out of the park. In addition, its input lag is so minimal that it is the ideal TV for all action games.

However, the LG B4 is not too far behind. Sure, it is not as good as the G4, but it can never be. For the price, you get 120Hz refresh rate, which is more than enough for console gaming, a low response time, and all the features that you’d expect from the G4, including AMD FreeSync, HDMI VRR, and compatibility with NVIDIA G-Sync.

One aspect that the B3 lacked was a full HDMI 2.1 interface; it had only two HDMI 2.1 ports and the other two were HDMI 2.0. Well, the B4 is now equipped with 4x HDMI 2.1 which makes it a tempting choice for budget gamers. Plus, having a 48” size also targets PC gamers, as they generally don’t prefer a 55” massive TV sitting on their desk.

LG G4 OLED Series

Sizes

55″, 65″, 77″, 83″, 97″

Screen technology

OLED

Resolution

3840 x 2160 (4K)

Refresh rate

144Hz

Panel type

WOLED (MLA)

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

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LG B4 OLED Series

Sizes

48″, 55″, 65″, 77″

Screen technology

OLED

Resolution

3840 x 2160 (4K)

Refresh rate

120Hz

Panel type

WOLED

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

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How much brighter is LG G4 vs B4?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the G4 is much brighter than the entry-level B4. It has the benefit of the OLED evo panel with MLA technology, as well as Brightness Booster Max, which the B4 misses out on. MLA refers to a thin layer of microscopic lenses on top of the G4’s OLED panel that helps bounce more light out of the display.

Even ahead of their respective release dates, LG didn’t go into too many specifics regarding peak brightness levels or metrics similar to this. However, they did slip one statistic that directly compares 2024’s G4 and B4 OLEDs. On the LG store page for the G4, we can see in the specs that the high-end evo MLA panel is up to 150% brighter than standard OLED panels such as the one featured on the B4. This is when talking about peak brightness levels and according to LG’s internal testing.

Should I buy the G4 OLED or B4 OLED?

There’s no denying that the G4 offers a much better experience than the B4 overall, but that doesn’t mean you should count out the B4. These two OLED TVs are obviously designed for different budgets and needs. If you’re looking for the very best LG OLED display on the market, then you’re looking to compare G4 vs M4 rather than these two.

We’re actually impressed with some of the improvements that the B4 has made to make it a more appealing option, especially against the ever-popular C-series. If you’re looking for a budget option, definitely go for the B4, especially now that it has a new 48″ model that’s ideal for bedrooms or a PC gaming setup. If you’re looking for the best cinematic experience or commonly use your TV in a bright room, then the G4 covers all bases and is the clear winner.

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Final word

All things considered, both the LG G4 and the B4 have two completely different target audiences, and calling one the best would be unfair. Sure, if we look at every feature other than price, the LG G4 is the superior choice. It has a 2nd-gen MLA panel that is up to 150% brighter than the B4, and it also sounds more immersive and better.

However, if we look at the pricing, the LG B4 is a true bang for the buck and the best budget TV you can get. For the money, you get all the latest features and technology that LG has developed, and its picture quality and gaming capabilities are simply too good to be true at the price.

If you want to see another important LG OLED comparison from this generation, see our C4 vs G4 guide. No matter which model is for you, you can check out where to buy G4 and where to buy B4 while you’re here as well!