The LG C1 OLED TV was a smash hit when it debuted in 2021. With stunning OLED picture quality, future-proof HDMI 2.1 ports, and an affordable price point, it swiftly became LG‘s most popular 4K smart TV. However, going into 2023, there are compelling reasons why you should consider newer models instead of the venerable C1.
Below I dive into the 6 best reasons to avoid buying an LG C1 TV this year. From burn-in risks to missing features in newer models, these C1 downsides help explain why you may want to set your sights on alternate 2023 TVs.
What is the LG C1 OLED TV? A Look Back at its Specs
Before detailing why to avoid the LG C1 now, let‘s recap what made it so great upon launch.
The C1 represented LG‘s 2021 lineup of OLED 4K TVs. Available in screen sizes ranging from 48-inch to 83-inch diagonals, it provided the unrivaled picture quality that OLED panels are known for. Self-lit pixels with the ability to switch completely on and off allowed for infinite contrast ratios and pitch black levels that no LED/LCD TV could match.
LG packed the C1 with gaming-friendly features too:
- 4 HDMI 2.1 ports capable of 4K 120Hz
- G-Sync and FreeSync support for smooth variable refresh rates
- Fast response times under 1 millisecond
- ALLM automatic low latency mode
It leveraged LG‘s most advanced processor at the time, the α9 Gen 4 AI, to optimize picture and sound quality. Natural colors, deep blacks, and expanded brightness came courtesy of OLED evo technology in the larger screen models.
On paper, it ticked all the boxes across picture performance, smart features, and next-gen gaming capabilities. No wonder it fast became the 4K TV to beat in its price range for OLEDs.
Reason 1: Higher Risk of Permanent Burn-In
All OLED panels carry a risk of image retention and permanent burn-in due to uneven wear on organic light-emitting diodes over time. This occurs from displaying static images at high brightness for prolonged periods.
While LG has incorporated algorithms and pixel shifting techniques to minimize burn-in, the risk still exists on the C1. LG only warranties the TV against burn-in for the first 4 or 5 years. After that, you‘re on your own against a defect that renders your expensive OLED unusable.
What‘s more, newer LG OLED models like the G3 and C3 provide further enhanced anti burn-in technologies:
- LG C3 – Added ‘logo luminance adjustment‘ to automatically dim logos and static areas to reduce uneven wear
- LG G3 – Uses ‘Brightness Booster Max‘ context awareness to briefly maximize brightness for HDR before subtly lowering peak brightness in risky content
By choosing a 2023 model like these, you benefit from the latest and greatest burn-in prevention from LG. With a much lower risk of permanent image retention, you can comfortably watch varied content without babying the TV.
Reason 2: Lack of Brightness Compared to Newer OLED and QLED TVs
A successful OLED picture is about contrast – combining inky blacks with peak brightness highlights. And compared to today‘s best TVs, the LG C1 falls short on maximum brightness for truly impressive HDR pop.
On its ‘Cinema Home‘ mode for SDR and older content, the C1 hits around 180 nits. Respectable for well-lit rooms but not overly dazzling.
Switch over to HDR mode‘s ‘Cinema‘ picture profile, and small sections of the screen can briefly hit 700-750 nits when displaying highlight details. Decent but surpassed by newer OLEDs.
LG‘s product line evolution shows the rapid advances in OLED TV technology:
- LG C2 (2022): Up to ~800 nits peak brightness
- LG G3 (2023): Up to ~1000 nits with most content, over 1400 nits in Brightness Booster mode
Meanwhile, Samsung‘s QD-OLED and higher-end Mini-LED QLED TVs are hitting similar brightness levels to the LG G3. Others like the Sony A95K pass 1000 nits too.
The brightness difference may not seem extreme on paper, but your eyes perceive luminance on a logarithmic scale. So that extra few hundred nits makes a big impact for vibrant colors and details that jump off the screen.
If your TV room has lots of ambient light or you watch during daylight hours, I‘d give the dimmer C1 a pass in favor of the substantially brighter displays available now.
Reason 3: Judder and Stuttering with 24p Movies & Shows
While the LG C1 delivers exemplary motion handling for sports, video games, and other fast action content, issues can arise with slower frame rate movies shot at 24 frames per second (24p).
Film studios typically shoot in 24 fps to uphold the ‘cinematic look‘. And when streamed over services like Netflix, cable, or media apps to your TV, inconsistent handling can introduce unpleasant motion artifacts from the mismatch between playback and refresh rates.
With the LG C1, some users noticed stutter and jitteriness in 24p movies and certain TV shows. The C1‘s processor could inject black frames between the original content‘s 24 frames-per-second to match the TV‘s higher 120Hz native refresh rate. This disrupted the original pacing and fluid motion of the filmed content.
However, this shortcoming has been addressed in new LG OLEDs like the C3 and especially the G3. Combinations of better image processors with deep learning AI reduce judder and avoid artificial stuttering when upscaling 24p movies and shows. Simply put, they handle slow frame rate cinematic content more faithfully to the source material.
Reason 4: No Support for HDR10+ Content
With an LG OLED TV like the C1, you‘ll get an incredibly vibrant, color-accurate HDR picture thanks to support for industry leading formats like HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
But HDR10+ support is lacking in the C1 and LG‘s older OLED TVs. HDR10+ is an open, royalty-free competitor to Dolby Vision backed by companies like Samsung, Panasonic, Amazon Prime Video, and 20th Century Fox. It brings dynamic metadata for scene-by-scene adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color saturation when coupled with an HDR10+ mastered Blu-ray or streaming title.
For the best in content compatibility moving forward, most major 2023 TV releases now include both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. That dual support unfortunately doesn‘t extend back to LG‘s older models like the C1.
Now for most viewers, lack of HDR10+ probably won‘t be a deal breaker since Dolby Vision is supported. But film buffs wanting the most cinema-accurate at-home viewing should consider a TV set with both proprietary dynamic HDR formats covered. Especially important with the amount of movies released in HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision.
Reason 5: Weak Integrated Sound System
I always recommend pairing premium TVs with equally capable sound systems to complete the cinematic experience. Yet it‘s still disappointing when expensive new TVs lack decent built-in speakers as a stopgap audio solution before adding a soundbar.
Unfortunately, the LG C1‘s down-firing speakers are so weak, tinny and distorted that they‘re basically unusable for film and TV shows. Audiophile reviews measured their peak volume at just 84 dB, with mids and highs overly pronounced compared to nearly non-existent bass response.
Dialogue and special effects sound harsh, compressed, and vacant. Simply put, you‘ll desperately need a soundbar or other external audio system to do this beautiful OLED display justice.
Newer LG TVs haven‘t necessarily remedied their speakers to an acceptable degree either. But discerning home theater shoppers should factor audio quality into their buying decision when comparing TV models. If integrated sound matters at all before adding separate speakers, avoid LG‘s own feeble attempts.
Reason 6: Pricing No Longer Justified Against Newer 4K OLEDs
When it first launched in 2021, the LG C1 delivered a lot of OLED TV bang for the buck. But as a 2-year old model still fetching premium prices, it‘s become harder to recommend as we kick off 2023.
Supply chain issues and inflation have kept the LG C1 stubbornly pricey:
- LG C1 55-inch – MSRP $1299 (Current sale price: $1196)
- LG C1 65-inch – MSRP $1899 (Current sale price: $1496)
- LG C1 77-inch – MSRP $3299 (Current sale price: $2496)
Consider that LG‘s own brand new C3 OLED model with improved performance can be snagged today for around the same prices or less:
- LG C3 55-inch – MSRP $1299 (Current sale price: $1196)
- LG C3 65-inch – MSRP $1899 (Current sale price: $1796)
- LG C3 77-inch – MSRP $3299 (Current sale price: $2696)
And the stellar LG G3 launched at similar MSRPs to the C2 last year. Yet it brings best-in-class brightness, audio, and gaming capabilities that far surpass the LG C1.
When older generation technology costs the same or more than the latest and greatest TV innovations, it gets very tough to recommend previous models. The LG C1‘s OLED picture admittedly still looks fantastic. But why settle for older specs when improved 2023 models now sell at very attractive, discounted prices?
Top 3 LG C1 Alternatives for 2023
If I‘ve convinced you that the aging LG C1 may no longer be the best OLED TV buy, here are my top recommendations for alternatives:
Best Overall OLED Pick
- LG G3 (2023)
LG‘s latest and greatest 4K smart TV packs in all their most advanced display technologies for the ultimate home theater experience. It achieves up to 70% higher peak brightness than the C1 thanks to ‘Brightness Booster‘ mode. Dolby Atmos audio, gaming improvements, and the new a9 Gen6 AI processor provide future-proof performance.
Most Affordable Next-Gen OLED
- LG C3 (2022)
Very nearly matches the LG G3‘s performance but at lower price points for almost any budget. The LG C3 OLED evo models still achieve 30% higher peak brightness than the C1, along with burn-in reduction and perfect blacks. It‘s the best blend of value and phenomenal OLED imaging.
Brightest Premium QLED Option
- Samsung S95B (2022)
If concerned about OLED burn-in, Samsung‘s new QD-OLED TVs offer similar self-lit pixel benefits combined with quantum dot color and anti burn-in technologies. The S95B can hit 1000 nits brightness across a wide area for astonishing HDR peak luminance that beats any OLED. And it has HDR10+ support in addition to Dolby Vision with superb picture processing.
Closing Thoughts
The LG C1 OLED TV retains impressive 4K picture quality two years after launch. But compared to LG‘s own newer OLED models, or premium Mini-LED QLED competitors, the C1 shows its age with some performance and feature drawbacks.
Rather than overpay for outdated technology as TV prices inflate across the industry, investing in a current-year 2023 television makes more long-term sense. You‘ll gain access to the latest display advancements that meaningfully boost brightness, color, motion clarity, gaming, audio, and smart functionality over previous generations.
Hopefully this breakdown of the LG C1‘s limitations assists your buying decision between new TV deal hunting and paying inflated prices for aging ones. The six reasons outlined above make 2023 an opportune time to upgrade over the C1 to something that better fits your viewing needs and budget today.
