Exciting Yet Subtle: The Key Upgrade for LG G5 OLED TV

LG has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 OLED TV lineup, prominently featuring the LG G5, a flagship model expected to set new standards in the 4K OLED segment. Building upon the success of the LG G4 from 2024, known as one of the best OLED TVs of its time, the G5 promises several enhancements. While many of these improvements are noteworthy, one specific upgrade has particularly piqued interest: its advancements in brightness technology.

Table of Contents

• Flashy Features and Specifications
• Brightness Technology Innovations
• Fullscreen Brightness Explained
• The G5 as the Brightest OLED Yet?
• Final Thoughts on the LG G5

Flashy Features and Specifications

The LG G5 includes several impressive features that cater to both gamers and cinema enthusiasts. One of the standout specifications is its status as the world’s first AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync certified TV at 165Hz. This refresh rate marks a significant increase over the G4’s 144Hz, opening new possibilities for gaming visuals. However, it is important to note that the G5 will not support Dolby Vision while utilizing the 165Hz feature simultaneously.

Additionally, the G5 boasts LG’s new Brightness Booster Ultimate technology, integral to enhancing the viewing experience. This development aligns with the features of the LG M5, a high-end wireless 4K OLED TV within LG’s 2025 range. According to LG, both the G5 and M5 can achieve brightness levels up to three times that of the entry-level B-series OLED models, although direct comparisons with other similar sets remain vague.

Brightness Technology Innovations

Interestingly, this year marks a notable absence of micro-lens-array (MLA) technology, which previously contributed to brightness improvements over W-OLED displays in earlier models. Despite this omission, LG asserts that the G5 will deliver the highest brightness level in the G series to date, thanks to the new Brightness Booster tech and a recently developed ‘four stack’ OLED panel. The anticipation surrounding these advancements is palpable, especially when considering the impressive peak brightness achieved by the LG G4, which was measured at 1,489 nits on a 10% HDR window.

For comparison, the LG B4 only reached 656 nits, highlighting the G4’s superiority. Many enthusiasts are hopeful that the G5 will follow suit with an extraordinary brightness boost as it aims to surpass the previous year’s benchmarks.

Fullscreen Brightness Explained

While peak brightness figures are traditionally emphasized in discussions about television capabilities, LG’s focus on fullscreen brightness stands out as particularly innovative. According to LG, the G5 will achieve up to 40% higher fullscreen brightness compared to its predecessor, the G4. This enhancement could revolutionize viewing experiences, especially for sports enthusiasts who require clarity and rich colors across the entire screen.

Understanding fullscreen brightness is crucial, particularly in brightly lit environments. Here are some key points regarding its significance:

• Clarity During Sports: Fullscreen brightness enhances visual clarity and color richness.
• Combating Reflections: Higher brightness can help mitigate reflections in well-lit rooms.
• Viewing Experience: Uniform brightness across the entire screen improves overall immersion in various types of content.

Historically, OLED TVs have struggled with fullscreen brightness, typically registering between 200-300 nits. In contrast, high-end mini-LED displays often achieve 600-800 nits. However, if LG’s claims hold true, the G5 could potentially surpass 350 nits in Filmmaker Mode, representing a substantial leap forward for OLED technology.

The G5 as the Brightest OLED Yet?

When evaluating the LG G4, it yielded a fullscreen brightness measurement of 257 nits in Filmmaker mode, which, while impressive for an OLED, still paled in comparison to competitors like the Samsung S95D, which achieved 318 nits. Additionally, other mini-LED options such as the Hisense U8N and Samsung QN90D registered brightness levels of 805 and 659 nits, respectively.

While it is unlikely for OLED models to ever reach mini-LED levels of brightness, the anticipated 40% increase in the G5’s fullscreen brightness has generated excitement. If accurate, the G5 may indeed redefine expectations, making it a more versatile option capable of performing well in brighter settings.

It’s worth mentioning that these estimates primarily stem from evaluations in Filmmaker Mode, which is usually among the dimmer presets. Brighter modes such as Standard and Cinema will likely yield even higher brightness, further enhancing the viewing experience in various environments.

Final Thoughts on the LG G5

In recent years, LG has faced tough competition in the OLED market, notably from Samsung, whose models, such as the Samsung S90C and Samsung S95D, have won accolades, including TV of the Year for two consecutive years. The key differentiator has often been brightness, with Samsung pushing OLED technology to new heights.

If LG manages to deliver on its promise of unprecedented brightness levels, particularly in fullscreen mode, there may be a possibility of reclaiming its place at the forefront of OLED innovation. Enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of the G5, eager to witness how it performs under bright conditions and whether it can genuinely elevate the OLED viewing experience. Testing the TV under various lighting conditions will be essential to gauge its capabilities fully.