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
LG G4 vs Sony A90J OLED TV – how big is the difference?
With a few generations between them, we compare LG G4 vs Sony A90J
Updated: Mar 5, 2024 5:04 pm
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The Sony A90J had all the buzz around it when it was first released in 2021. After all, the TV introduced HDMI 2.1 support for the first time in a Sony flagship line-up. However, times have changed, and now that LG has finally unveiled their 2024 flagship, the G4, we think it’s time to compare the LG G4 vs Sony A90J to see if it’s worth upgrading.
The HDMI 2.1 interface is not the only feature Sony brought with the A90J. It also boosted the overall brightness with its OLED panel, especially in HDR content. Plus, the response times and input lag improved drastically when compared to the A9G.
On the other hand, LG completely knock brightness out of the park with their Micro Lens Array (MLA) OLED panel. The G4 is one of the brightest TVs currently available, and it is also a great choice as a gaming TV, all thanks to its high 144Hz refresh rate and impressively-low response time.
There is no doubt that both the LG G4 and the Sony A90J are some of the best OLED TVs of all time, but just how much of an upgrade the G4 is when put next to the A90J? To find that out, we will compare the two based on their performance, price, and gaming features.
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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CHECK PRICELG G4 vs Sony A90J specs
| Specification | LG G4 | Sony A90J |
|---|---|---|
| Panel type | OLED evo | OLED |
| Size range | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″, 97″ | 55”, 65”, 83” |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Processor | Alpha 11 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 |
| Audio | AI Sound Pro, DTS:X, Wireless lossless Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, DTS, XR Sound |
Starting off with the specifications, both TVs use an OLED panel, so you can expect the infinite color contrast to be simply incredible on both of them. However, the MLA technology on the LG G4 gives it a significant edge in peak brightness in both SDR and HDR content. The Sony A90J is already known for low HDR brightness, so you could even say that the LG G4 makes it look bad, comparatively.
As for color accuracy and vibrance, the Sony A90J is still a really good option, it depicts color very naturally, and they pop quite a lot. But the LG G4 obviously isn’t slacking either, because it also looks simply beautiful, especially thanks to the Alpha 11 AI CPU. The AI in the G4’s CPU suggests different AI-accelerated features, but our favorites among them include AI Sound Pro, which brings virtual 11.1.2 up-mix to the table, and Brightness Booster Max for a high peak brightness.
Recent G-series models have been a little lackluster when it comes to sound quality, instead we’d suggest pairing it with the best soundbar for TV – whether gaming or in a home theater setup. The raw sound quality of the A90J is pretty similar, but it does benefit from its XR Sound Position feature for immersive audio. Both TVs support Dolby Atmos, with DTS and DTS:X for the A90J and G4 respectively.
But when it comes to speed, the LG G4 really shines with the Alpha 11 AI CPU. It is much more responsive, and the TV can refresh at up to 144Hz, which is very good for PC gaming at 4K. The Sony A90J, on the other hand, can only refresh at up to 120Hz, and that further comes down to 60Hz if you turn on HDR.
Speaking of HDR, both TVs support Dolby Vision, but the LG G4 gets another point as it also supports HDR10+, which the A90J lacks. Overall, if you compare numbers on paper to figure out which TV offers a wider and better set of features across the board, the LG G4 is the clear winner.
LG G4 vs Sony A90J price
| Size | LG G4 | Sony A90J |
|---|---|---|
| 97” | $24,999.99 | N/A |
| 83” | $6,499.99 | $5,999.99 |
| 77” | $4,599.99 | N/A |
| 65” | $3,399.99 | $2,999.99 |
| 55” | $2,600.00 | $1,999.99 |
Coming towards pricing and which TV offers the most value for money, the LG G4 turns out to be a pricier option, and it is not just a little pricey, it is way more expensive. For instance, the 55” LG G4 costs $600 more, the 65” costs $400 more, and the second biggest 83” model costs a jaw-dropping $500 more than their Sony A90J competitors.
What’s even more telling is that the prices we have listed are the retail prices. Since the A90J has been out for three years, it has seen massive price cuts over different deal seasons and clearance periods. For instance, this time last year, we spotted the 55” A90J for just $1398, 65” for $1,799, and the massive 83” A90J for a mere $4,499.
This means that if the time is right, you can get yourself an A90J for even half the price of the LG G4, which puts it miles ahead of the LG G4 as far as value for money is concerned. On the flipside, the older TV is harder to find brand-new these days, which we’d always recommend with OLEDs.
LG G4 vs Sony A90J for gaming
When it comes to gaming, the newer G4 is definitely better, as no matter how you look at it, there is no aspect where the Sony A90J beats the LG G4 in terms of gaming.
Sure, the A90J is not necessarily a slow TV, and you can easily game on it without any hiccups, but the LG G4 is simply better in every way possible. For instance, it has an incredibly low response time of <0.1ms, a high refresh rate of 144Hz, and very low input lag. The A90J also has a high refresh rate and a low input lag, but it is not as good as the G4.
Furthermore, you also get 4x HDMI 2.1 ports with the LG G4, which the Sony A90J only has two. So, if you plan to hook more than two consoles or peripherals at a time, you need the LG G4. On that topic, the LG G4 also supports AMD FreeSync, which the Sony A90J lacks. But both have HDMI VRR and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility, so it shouldn’t be a big issue.
In contrast, what will be an issue for you is HDR gaming, especially if you want both HDR and a high refresh rate gameplay. That’s because with HDR enabled, the Sony A90J maxes out at 60Hz, while the LG G4 can reach its full potential even with Dolby Vision in full effect.
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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Check
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
Is the A90J still worth it in 2024?
The Sony A90J can still be worth it in 2024, for the right price. There’s no reason to be buying this TV anywhere close to its launch price anymore, but a steep price drop gives you a reason to consider it. However, in most cases, we’d still opt for a more recent generation model if you want an upgrade that will stay relevant for longer amount of time.
LG’s G4 offers much more than the A90J, and if you want a cheaper alternative, you can always consider the C4. If you want to stick with Sony, we’ve also compared the G4 vs A95L and G4 vs A95K to see how it matches up.
Is the LG G4 brighter than the Sony A90J?
Yes, and by a considerable amount. The Sony A90J features a similar (if not the same) panel as you’ll find in the LG G1. That’s obviously a few generations old compared to the G4 and misses out on MLA technology – microscopic lenses on top of the OLED panel to redirect more light towards the viewer. This is only available on the G3 and G4, with the 2024 model extending it up to the 83″ variant.
Considering that LG have disclosed that the G4 will be 150% brighter than the standard OLED panel featured in the B4, we can see that the A90J will also fall behind in this particular regard.
Final word
All in all, if you are currently looking to get a new TV, we would recommend the LG G4. It’s an obvious choice for an upgrade, especially when compared to the Sony A90J. The LG G4 is also more future-proof with more up-to-date tech and LG’s promised 5-year webOS support. On the other hand, the Sony A90J is already three years old, so you may feel like losing out on the latest features.
But the Sony A90J is still not a bad option, and we think you should go for it if you want a very affordable TV that does not cost nearly as much as current-gen flagships and delivers solid quality. While the A90J may miss out on the latest bells and whistles with plenty of gaming features, it still rocks one of the best OLED panels around. Just make sure to wait for the right deal before you make your purchase.
