There's a reason LG's C-Series has become the world's best-selling OLED TV range. Offering high-end performance and smart TV tech at a price that – while not exactly budget-friendly – feels justified, these screens attract discerning buyers like moths to a flame. The C5 is the latest in the lineage, and it quietly sets the bar for what a premium OLED should be in 2025. This model offers evolutionary improvements over last year's C4, being moderately brighter and having smarter processing. Unmistakably, it's a class act.

The C5 comes in a wide range of screen sizes, from modest to monumental. On our test bench is the 65-incher. At launch, it's expected to mirror last year's C4 introduction, with a ticket price of £2,699 (US$2,699 and AU$4,077). It is kept company by 42-, 48-, 55-, 77- and 83-inch C5 models. Confirmed euro prices are €1,700, €1,800, €2,400, €4,600 and €7,200, respectively. In the US, expect the 65-inch model to land at $2,699, mirroring last year's pricing.

It is worth pointing out that brightness varies according to screen size. Those that benefit from LG's latest Brightness Boosting algorithm and panel are the 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch models. The 48- and 42-inch TVs are not as bright. This is down to pixel size. A 4K TV has 8.3 million pixels; on the smallest screens, those pixels are crammed into a much smaller area than a larger panel. So it's much harder to pass that light through. All 8.3m pixels are slightly bigger on the larger screen sizes, so light passes through more efficiently.

The LG C Series occupies the sweet spot between flagship TV extravagance and real-world affordability (if your idea of 'affordable' still runs north of £2,500). It inherits the EVO panel technology that defined last year's C4 but adds a touch more brightness and pairs it with a new Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, promising better upscaling, sharper detail, and various AI enhancements. So is the C5 actually the best value, premium OLED TV you can buy right now?

UP CLOSE

Design-wise, the C5 looks suitably posh. From the seamless metallic wrap around its ultra-thin panel to the central brushed metal stand, the C5's design is confident but understated.

This finesse even extends to the back panel with its slate-like finish. It's almost a shame that most owners will wall-mount this beauty, hiding its handsome rear from view.

Connectivity ticks all the right boxes. You get four HDMI 2.1 ports, all capable of 4K at 120Hz, with HDMI 2 offering eARC for connection to a Dolby Atmos soundbar or AVR. There are also three USB ports, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an optical digital audio output for legacy audio systems. Tuners for terrestrial and satellite broadcasts complete the package.

The familiar Magic remote control has had a tweak and now comes with a dedicated AI button that links directly to the Home screen. However, this zapper is essentially the same as what we've seen before. A slimmer remote, being sold with US editions of the C5, is not available in the UK – boo hiss to that. The Magic remote is not backlit but you do get button shortcuts for Netflix, Prime video, Disney +, Rakuten TV, Amazon Alexa, and LG Channels. The latter is LG's own IP-delivered TV service, comprising hundreds of FAST channels and some LG exclusives. It's this provision of a TV over IP content suite that has led LG to drop Freeview Play in the UK. When it comes to mainstream catch-up channels, the manufacturer is negotiating directly for individual catch-up apps – which were not yet available on my review sample.

If LG's webOS once felt like a capable but increasingly cluttered content portal, 2025's version seems much more personal, and that's entirely by design. Thanks to Voice ID, the C5 now recognises who's speaking and automatically switches to their personalised Profile. Recommendations, watchlists, and even picture and sound presets can all be tailored per user. It's a neat embellishment.

LG's AI chatbot has also grown up. More than just a troubleshooting assistant, it can actively tweak your settings on command. Can't hear the dialogue? Say the word – literally – and the TV will clarify the speech on the fly. Watching Daredevil and the action looks too dark? Ask it to lighten the picture. No deep dive into menus is required.

There's also a new AI-powered Sound Wizard that allows individual users to create their own audio profiles. This is helpful in households where one person loves booming bass and another prioritises crystal-clear voices. An AI Concierge helps with content suggestions based on viewing history, with voice control for easier navigation. A final smart carrot is the promise of five years worth of webOS updates, meaning this smart platform won't feel dumb a year after you buy it.

VISION ON

The C5 doesn't reinvent OLED in the same way that the novel RGB Tandem OLED panel used in the step-up G5 flagship does, but instead refines it beautifully. Colour reproduction is rich but not overcooked, blacks remain deep and inky, and near-black detail is superb, which is important if you spend your nights navigating the shadowy catacombs of the Nevermore Academy (Wednesday, Netflix).

Picture modes include an AI-derived Personalised Picture mode (configured during setup), Vivid, Standard, Cinema, sports, Game Optimiser, Filmmaker Mode, and a couple of ISF presets. As always, with Dolby Vision content, you get slightly amended choices. The AI-derived Personalised Picture actually works well for most content types, offering a razor-sharp image with punchy contrast and colour. For Dolby Vision encoded movies, I'd recommend selecting Cinema Home.

HDR performance is particularly strong. I measured peak HDR brightness at just under 1,400 nits in Vivid picture mode (with a 5% window), and 1,276 nits in Standard mode (10% window). That's enough luminosity to do justice to everything from Dune's sun-scorched landscapes to the alien cityscapes of The Mandalorian. LG's Brightness Boosting algorithm does an admirable job balancing dazzling peaks with consistent, natural midtones.

Filmmaker Mode, traditionally a purist's sanctuary, now supports Dolby Vision and can adjust itself slightly based on ambient light. It's a delicate balancing act, but the effect is genuinely helpful in brighter rooms, keeping shadow detail intact without betraying the director's intent. While I'm not generally a fan of Filmmaker Mode, these changes are welcome.

Motion handling is excellent. Trumotion interpolation is available in a variety of flavours: Cinematic movement, Natural, Smooth Movement or User adjustable. My preference is for Cinematic Movement, which avoids the somewhat off-putting soap opera effect, which can make movies and TV shows look dirt cheap. Watching Paradise on Disney+ with Cinematic Movement engaged, visibly adds several noughts to the budget of each episode.

For gamers, LG's Game Optimiser remains a big attraction, with genre-specific presets and real-time performance data. Latency was measured at 13.1ms (1080/60), which is perfectly respectable and, incidentally, the same as I logged on last year's C4. With 4K/120Hz, 144Hz PC support, VRR, ALLM, and compatibility with NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, this is one of the best-equipped gaming TVs you can buy.

If the C5 has an Achilles heel, it's probably audio. LG's AI Sound Pro actually works quite well, using the Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor to widen the soundstage and some depth. Although it tends to make dialogue a little sharp, it's still acceptable for casual viewing. For all that, this is still a 2.2 configuration sound system with 40W amplification. You'll want to pair this TV with a Dolby Atmos soundbar or full-blown surround system for movies. That said, compatibility with LG's Wow Orchestra feature, which syncs the TV speakers with an LG soundbar, is a clever trick, and a good reason to partner this screen with a compatible bar.

THE VERDICT

LG's new C5 is the OLED sweet spot for 2025. It skillfully balances a premium level of performance with affordability. Whether you're a film fan craving cinematic precision, a gamer demanding silky-smooth 4K 120Hz gameplay or just someone who wants a TV that feels smarter than the average bear, the C5 delivers.

The picture is bright, bold, and beautiful. HDR is handled with finesse. It may lack the latest RGB Tandem OLED panel technology that features in the step-up G5 model, but the law of diminishing returns means there's not an awful lot between them, particularly if you're mainly planning to watch Reacher or thrash mates on Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Gaming features are cutting-edge, and while the audio is serviceable at best, that's easily solved with the right soundbar or AVR. Ergo, LG's C-Series winning streak remains unbroken.

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