Expert review of the LG CX OLED TV
LG CX OLED TV (2020) no longer available
Unfortunately, the LG CX OLED TV from 2020 is no longer available. That's why I'll discuss the review of the successor model from 2021.
LG OLED55C16LA (2021)
- With the OLED screen, you'll see deep black levels with lifelike colors.
- Images are very detailed and colorful, thanks to the a9 Gen4 processor.
- The WebOS smart menu and the Magic Remote provide a nice user experience.
- The TV doesn't have a soundbar that provides a powerful sound.
- In bright rooms, you might see distracting reflections on the screen.
First impression of the LG CX
For this review, I'll test the 48-inch version of the LG CX. when I mount the stand to the TV and put it on a cabinet, I notice it's very stable. That's because of the weighted stand at the back of the TV. The television has 4 HDMI 2.1 connectors, so it's ahead of many other OLED models of this year. With HDMI 2.1, the TV received high-end signals, like 4K resolution with 100 fps. This way, your images are detailed and smooth.
Realistic HDR images
The image quality of the CX is very realistic, thanks to the new a9 Gen3 processor. This smart processor uses a database of images. For example, the TV recognizes what you're watching and it adjusts the image quality. The images I see look realistic and razor-sharp. Thanks to HDR support, colorful scenes look impressive. This way, I can see all the color details in close-ups of faces or brightly colored clothes.
Deep black levels and rich contrast
An OLED screen doesn't have a backlight, but it has pixels that light up or turn off individually. This way, an OLED TV always shows deep black levels and a rich contrast between light and dark areas of the image. I can also clearly see that with the LG CX. The contrast provides realistic images, so the details in dark areas of the image are still clearly visible. this allows me to watch a dark movie scene with deep black shadows and bright street lights, for example.
Excellent viewing angle, reflections in lit space
OLED televisions have an excellent viewing angle. The colors barely distorts and the contrast stays rich when I stand next to the CX. I do easily see reflections in a brightly lit space. When I view dark images, I sometimes see myself in the reflection on the screen. In a darker room, you'll get a better image quality, without distracting reflections.
Stylish design with wide stand
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The LG CX has a stylish wide stand.
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The OLED screen of the LG CX is just a few millimeters thick.
Because OLED TVs have pixels that light up individually, OLED screens are often very thin. The screen of the LG CX is not even 1cm thick. Compared to the C9 of last year, the design has barely changed. The CX has a stylish wide stand, to the TV stands close to the cabinet. At the back of the screen, you'll find a plastic casing for the hardware and connections. You can neatly hide the cables in the back of the stand.
Good sound for versatile use
The LG CX has 2 speakers and 2 subwoofers. This way, the TV has a great rang between high tones and bass tones, which sound deep. Especially when I watch action scenes or listen to music, the rich sound stands out. For a real movie theater experience, I still recommend a soundbar. This makes the sound deeper and more spacious, especially because the CX supports Dolby Atmos. This technique echoes the sound to the viewer via the ceiling, to it seems the sound comes from different directions.
Remote with cursor on screen
The included Magic Remote guaranteed a smooth and nice user experience. When I simply aim at the remote at the screen, I'll see a cursor on the screen. This way, I only have to move the remote and click once to select an option. That saves some actions compared to a traditional remote. I think the cursor sometimes responds too fast or suddenly goes into the wrong direction. Luckily, I can also use the Magic Remote as a regular remote.
Conclusion
The LG CX is an OLED TV that provides an impressive image quality and an immersive viewing experience. With the release of an 48-inch OLED TV, there's also an OLED TV for smaller rooms. For the best image quality, watch TV in the dark, because you'll see distracting reflections in a brightly lit room. The controls are smooth and you can easily and quickly navigate the menus.