Introduction
LG and Sony continue to be at the forefront of OLED TV technology, offering consumers ever-improving visual experiences in their living rooms. LG‘s newest flagship, the G3, promises best-in-class picture quality enabled by the company‘s Brightness Booster Max technology paired with their latest generation Alpha 9 AI Processor.
Sony brings their own processing prowess in the form of the Cognitive Processor XR, found in their premium Bravia XR line, including the cutting-edge QD-OLED powered A95K and the more affordable A80K OLED model.
But when it comes to choosing between these industry-leading TVs, which provides the best overall package? This comprehensive guide will compare critical aspects like design, display technology, smart features, gaming performance and more to crown the superior OLED.
LG G3 vs Sony Bravia OLEDs: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Feature | LG G3 | Sony A95K | Sony A80K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year Released | 2023 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Screen Sizes | 55", 65", 77", 83" | 55", 65" | 55", 65", 77" |
| Display Type | OLED with Brightness Booster | QD-OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 4K (3840 x 2160) | 4K (3840 x 2160) | 4K (3840 x 2160) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Design
The LG G3 sports an ultra-modern profile with slim bezels surrounding the display that practically vanish when viewing content. Composite fiber materials help shed weight compared to last year‘s G2 series while maintaining stability.
Sony‘s A95K QD-OLED TV is almost bezel-less as well, opting for a minimalist aesthetic for a floating screen look. The stand offered allows for flexible placement while cable management in the rear keeps things clean.
Alternatively, the mid-range A80K OLED TV delivers a simplified one slate design achieved by paring down borders around the panel, crafting a distraction-free viewing environment.
Overall, LG pulls ahead in terms of contemporary style while Sony clearly aimed for functional simplicity. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Screen Size Options
LG gives consumers the most flexibility when it comes to screen size range. The G3 OLED TV can be configured as:
- 55-inch
- 65-inch
- 77-inch
- 83-inch
Meanwhile, due to some limitations in the fledgling QD-OLED production capability, Sony only offers the A95K in two variants:
- 55-inch
- 65-inch
However, those seeking larger OLED panels beyond 65 inches can turn to the Sony A80K, which adds a third 77-inch model to choose from.
So when it comes to sheer size diversity, LG is the clear winner, serving up the most big-screen real estate for movie buffs and sports spectators.
Dimensions
While the LG G3 and Sony A80K come in more sizes, it’s important to measure how much physical space these large TVs will occupy in your viewing environment. Here is a dimension comparison of the 55-inch and 65-inch models:
LG G3 55-inch
- Width: 48.1 inches
- Height: 27.5 inches
- Depth: 1.1 inches
LG G3 65-inch
- Width: 56.7 inches
- Height: 32.3 inches
- Depth: 1.0 inches
Sony A95K 55-inch
- Width: 48.25 inches
- Height: 28.13 inches
- Depth: 1.75 inches
Sony A95K 65-inch
- Width: 56.88 inches
- Height: 33 inches
- Depth: 1.75 inches
As we can observe, LG‘s G3 manages a slimmer profile on both sample sizes compared to Sony‘s A95K QD-OLED display. This allows the G3 to fit into tighter spaces.
The A80K is chunkier than either of them though, so keep that in mind if you opt for the larger 77-inch model.
Weight
When mounting these TVs or moving them around, weight becomes an important consideration. Here is how they compare:
LG G3 55-inch: 37.7 lbs
LG G3 65-inch: 50.3 lbs
Sony A95K 55-inch: 46.7 lbs
Sony A95K 65-inch: 59.5 lbs
Once again, LG demonstrates an engineering advantage, cutting down mass substantially through the utilization of composite fiber materials on the G3. This gives LG another win concerning ease of placement and wall mounting.
Operating System
The smart platform powering these TVs also impacts features and usability. LG‘s newest webOS interface aims for simplicity with the introduction of Quick Cards – a way to automatically group streaming apps and inputs by type. One card houses all entertainment options, another gaming sources, while a third contains lifestyle elements. This makes jumping to your favorite activities straightforward.
Sony sticks with the Android TV platform which brings robust Google integration through things like Chromecast built-in, Google Assistant voice controls and easy account syncing for accessing personal Google Photos albums or video subscriptions. The downside to Android is the interface exhibits more clutter compared to LG‘s cleaned up approach.
Both operating systems have merits and weaknesses. But LG webOS 23 fast tracks popular features while Sony packs in more smart home device control, albeit hidden behind menus. So LG gets a slight advantage here for cord cutters while Google loyalists may still prefer Android TV.
Picture Processing
A television lives and dies by the quality of its picture. Here LG brings their Alpha 9 Gen 6 AI Processor to power the G3, leveraging machine learning to optimize every scene along with upgraded upscaling capabilities. The new Brightness Booster Max tech pushes OLED luminance up to 70% higher levels for better HDR pop.
On the Sony side, the Cognitive Processor XR also employs AI to enhance color, contrast and clarity. The A95K then takes things further through QD-OLED panel improvements allowing over 200% increased brightness compared to standard OLED TVs for richer, more vibrant images. The more affordable A80K still gets XR processing but lacks the superior QD-OLED backlight control.
Both manufacturers provide best-in-class processors, but the combination of LG’s Brightness Booster Max and Sony’s quantum dot infusion give them clear wins among 4K OLED offerings. Consider those processors a tie with Sony’s QD-OLED eking ahead for consumers focused predominantly on picture accuracy.
Gaming Features
For identifying the best gaming TV, refresh rate and latency are critical, and both the LG G3 and Sony A95K/A80K sets offer a 120 Hz refresh rate along with HDMI 2.1 inputs. This allows up to 4K 120 fps gaming and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to combat screen tearing.
Latency does differ slightly, with LG rating their G3 at 0.1 ms response time while Sony’s sets hit between 8-9ms. However, during real world usage, that difference is negligible. Where LG pulls ahead is through specific enhancements catering to PC gamers like G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support. So while both manufacturers excel at next-gen console gaming, the LG G3 better caters to serious PC players.
Audio Capabilities
Immersive sound transforms movies and games just as critically as the visual experience. Here Sony includes dedicated actuators and subwoofers on its flagship A95K for intense acoustic energy along with Dolby Atmos decoding and 3D audio upscaling.
The A80K scales things back but retains Dolby tech while employing acoustic auto calibration to optimize settings for your room’s dimensions.
The LG G3 fights back with AI Sound Pro for virtual 9.1.2 channel surround processing and Dolby Atmos support as well. However, LG trails Sony in the speaker hardware department which is critical for truly cinematic soundscapes. This gives Sony the audio crown.
Pricing
As flagship models featuring cutting-edge display tech on top of robust smart platforms and sleek designs, neither the LG G3 nor Sony Bravia XR TVs come cheap. Here is how they are positioned:
LG G3 55-inch: $2,199
LG G3 65-inch: $3,199
Sony A95K 55-inch: $2,999
Sony A95K 65-inch: $3,999
Sony A90J 55-inch: $2,000
Sony A90J 65-inch: $2,300
Sony A90J 77-inch: $3,300
The sets align fairly closely for the 55-inch and 65-inch models. However, beyond 65-inches, the A80J becomes clearly more affordable over the higher-end A95K. Keep costs in mind when deciding which screen size suits your budget.
LG G3 vs Sony Bravia OLEDs: Which Should You Buy?
When we tally up the wins between these flagship OLED TVs, LG grabs the advantage for gaming performance and features while adding sleeker industrial design and more sizing options.
However, Sony counters with a spectacular visual showcase thanks to their Cognitive Processor XR paired with the QD-OLED backlighting advancements exhibited on the A95K. The A95K also outputs significantly better sound courtesy of more capable speaker hardware.
Meanwhile, the mid-range Sony A80K gives buyers a more wallet-friendly path to enjoy the rich colors, deep blacks and crisp clarity that OLED panels provide.
So in the end, choosing between the LG G3 and Sony Bravia OLED TVs comes down to user priorities:
- For gamers: LG G3
- For home cinemas: Sony A95K
- Best value: Sony A80K
Any of these televisions will satisfy the most discerning viewers. But identifying those key use cases helps narrow down the right OLED TV to match viewing habits and room dynamics.
Over their lifespans, all of these models will receive periodic updates enhancing functionality over time as well. Stay tuned for more technical breakdowns and hands-on impressions when LG releases their G3 flagship to the public later this year.
