LG has today announced new A3, B3, C3, G3 and Z3 OLED TVs. LG G3 will get Brightness Booster Max and reach significantly higher brightness. 2023 models also get HDMI 2.1 QMS.
LG explains that a new “light control architecture”, which it confirmed is a hardware component in G3 OLED, combined with a new light boosting algorithm is what makes G3 with Brightness Booster Max “up to 70% brighter” full-screen versus regular OLED TVs such as B2/B3.
However, it only applies to G3 in 55, 65 and 77 inches. The 83 and 97-inch panels should be 30-40% brighter.
LG G3. PHOTO: LG
An LG spokesperson said that peak brightness for G3 will be somewhere in the range of 1800 nits and “maybe slightly brighter on Vivid setting”.
Have seen a document that specified up to 2100 nits which could refer to Vivid mode. The same document specified 235 nits for fullscreen brightness.
This would represent a significant upgrade over last year’s G2 that we measured to 930 nits peak brightness and 166 nits fullscreen brightness, but until we get a review sample we remain skeptical.
LG G3. PHOTO:
LGLG declined to elaborate on the technology used in G3 but according to sources it is indeed MLA (Micro Lens Array). LG Z3 (8K) should reach up to a maximum of 1350 nits (Vivid) while C3 and B3 remain largely unchanged compared to last year’s C2 and B2 in terms of brightness.
In some regions including North America, the 97-inch G2 will carry over into 2023. In other regions it will be a 97-inch G3.
There are no new sizes for any OLED ranges this year meaning that B3 will be available in 55 to 77 inches, C3 in 42 to 83 inches, G3 in 55 to 97 inches, and Z3 in 77 and 88 inches. A3 (50/60Hz panel) will not be available in North America but will be available in Europe in 48 to 77 inches.
LG C3. PHOTO: LG
HDMI 2.1 QMS, webOS 23
The 2023 OLED TVs will still feature four HDMI 2.1 ports (two in B3) with support for 4K120, HDR10, Dolby Vision (up to 4K120), Dolby Atmos, HDMI 2.1 VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync Compatible, and much more.
And for the first time HDMI 2.1 QMS (Quick Media Switching) which eliminates the “HDMI bonk” (black screen) when switching between refresh rates (24Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz etc.).
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Apple TV 4K (2022) is the first playback device to support QMS. – “The new LG OLED TV models support a wide range of functions that are compatible with HDMI 2.1a. They are also the first televisions to be certified by the HDMI organization for the recently announced Quick Media Switching VRR (QMS-VRR). QMS-VRR eliminates the short-term black screen when switching between content from different sources connected via the HDMI 2.1a-compatible ports of the TV,” said LG Germany.
Also new for 2023 is webOS 23 which introduces another redesign. Still in fullscreen, webOS 23 has a simplified look and navigation with quick cards and tabs – still heavy on ads. More on what is new in webOS 23 can be found here.
The TVs will have Matter support and gain a new ‘Quick Settings’ menu that is customizable to let the user quickly gain access to the picture/audio settings most commonly used. An upgraded Picture-by-Picture (PbP) can display two sources at the same time including two HDMI sources.
There is an accessibility feature where a Bluetooth headset can be connected and have a different volume level than the TV speakers.
The next-generation tuner ATSC 3.0 remains exclusive to G3 and Z3. LG 2023 OLED TVs, except A3 and B3, will be powered by the Alpha 9 Gen6 processor which uses “AI” for upscaling and can recognize objects to enhance sharpness or apply HDR tone-mapping individually to each object in the picture.
It also features ‘OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro’ that can dynamically adjust brightness and color in up to 20,000 blocks in the picture for each scene. It can be deactivated.
There is a new 6-step ‘AI Picture Wizard’ setup process that can create a personalized picture mode, which can be added to the picture profile menu.
New audio features of the Alpha 9 Gen6 include ‘Adaptive Sound Control’, ‘Auto Balance Control’ and up-mixing to virtual 9.1.2 channel surround sound.
In the past, LG’s “AI”-powered audio features have been no match for external speakers and no significant speaker hardware upgrades in LG’s new OLED TVs were mentioned.
LG’s ‘Wowcast Orchestra’ lets the speakers built into 2023 OLED TVs play in synergy with a compatible LG soundbar.
DTS audio formats are still not supported in LG’s 2023 TVs but the company said that the 2023 models now have the capability to pass through the DTS bitstream of a IMAX Enhanced stream to an IMAX Enhanced compatible soundbar.
It should also work with IMAX Enhanced soundbars from other brands. G3 still has LG’s slim all-in-one design – without the electronics box bump – which has been renamed to Zero Gap Design.
C3 and G3 have the light composite fiber material that was introduced last to almost halve the OLED TV’s weight. G3 and Z3 have LG’s official 5-year limited OLED panel warranty. LG’s 2023 OLED TVs will be available this spring. Pricing will be announced later
LG 2023 OLED TVs – specifications
