In this rating, I have collected the current models of LG TVs with screen sizes from 32 to 65 inches and with a price tag ranging from 22 to 180 thousand rubles. The main selection criteria were: matrix type, image processing technologies, functionality and built-in sound. Later in the review, I will talk about the characteristics, features of use, advantages and disadvantages of each model.
Top 32 inches
LG 32LM6390
Simple and functional model for 22,000 rubles. The LG 32LM6390 is equipped with a state-of-the-art ADS-matrix (modified version of the IPS-matrix), which generates a bright saturated picture with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. Active HDR technology enhances image detail and improves picture quality through frame-by-frame processing. There is a full-fledged Smart TV with webOS shell. In addition to standard applications (Netflix, IVI, etc.), the LG Channel Plus option is built into the software shell, through which you can access one hundred free streaming channels. You can play any video formats via HDMI or USB, and integrate the TV into the LG Smart ThinQ smart home system. LG's body is made of white plastic, which can be both an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the interior where the TV will stand.
Benefits:
- easy-to-use classic remote with many buttons and voice control for advanced users;
- optical audio output for connecting a home theater;
- the browser may slow down;
- omnivorous player.
Disadvantages:
- inconvenient rear panel connectors;
- thick body (85 mm);
- the Magic Remote cursor is not included in the standard package.
LG 32LM6390 is a budget multimedia processor suitable for watching streaming content and movies from external media. The image quality for a screen of this size is quite high, the matrix does not distort when changing the viewing angle. The main disadvantage is the weak built-in sound, which is suitable only for watching TV programs (2 speakers of 5 W each), but you should not expect more from a TV for 22 thousand. The problem is solved by connecting external acoustics.
Top 43 inches
LG 43UM7020
The cheapest TV in the LG lineup with support for 3840x2160 resolution. The quad-core processor suppresses noise, upscales to 4K, and produces a crisp, bright picture on screen, ideal for indoor viewing. The manufacturer has equipped the LG 43UM7020 with a modern operating system WebOS 4.5 with a double context bar, a large number of pre-installed applications and LG Channel Plus. Videos can be played from an external drive up to 2TB.
Benefits:
- cost - only 27,000 rubles;
- technology of decomposition of the sound stream Ultra Surround;
- there is a high-speed HDMI 2.0 port and miniJack 3.5 mm for wired connection of headphones;
- OS responds quickly to user commands;
- wide viewing angle (178о).
Disadvantages:
- speakers are directed backward, which impairs sound distribution and does not allow the full potential of the Ultra Surround system;
- sound standard for the middle class - 2 speakers of 10 W each - conveys speech well, but is completely devoid of bass;
- in a darkened room, black colors seem "milky";
- legs for a wide cabinet;
- Magic Remote must be ordered at an additional cost.
The matrix of this model is of the same type as that of the 32-inch LG 32LM6390 - IPS with a frequency of 60 Hz and frame-by-frame processing of Active HDR, but the image detail of the LG 43UM7020 is much higher due to support for 4K. Of course, you shouldn't expect a full HDR10 from this TV - the peak brightness does not exceed 320 cd / m2, but for its value the color quality is one of the best. In general, the TV can be recommended to any user who wants to get 4K for a modest price.
LG 43UM7450
Another 43-inch TV with an IPS matrix that supports 4K resolution and gives good viewing angles with medium black depths (due to the additional white pixels). To the standard presets, the manufacturer has added a tone mapping adjustment "Dynamic Tone Mapping", thanks to which you can choose between detailing the light and dark areas of the image. The device has the traditional for LG webOS (version 4.5) with the LG ThinQ AI speech recognition function, a responsive interface and smooth transition animation. Of the pleasant features - automatic volume control depending on the content, thanks to which the TV does not stun when switching channels.
Benefits:
- availability of all the necessary ports and functions of Smart TV;
- support for Dolby Digital and DTS;
- sounds come from all directions (DTS Virtual);
- compact C-shaped stand for any base;
- reception of Wi-Fi signal with a frequency of 5 GHz;
- input lag 8 ms.
Disadvantages:
- RUB 33,000 - 6 thousand more expensive than LG 43UM7020.
The matrix type and image processing (except for tone mapping), as well as the Smart TV functions, are identical for the LG 43UM7020 and 43UM7450 models, and the surround sound systems are equally useless with two low-power speakers (2 x 10 W). However, LG 43UM7450, unlike its brother, can boast of a well-realized game mode with interpolation up to 100 Hz and minimal delays. Therefore, users who need not only a TV for movies and TV, but a gaming monitor should pay attention to this particular model.
Top 49-50 inches
LG 50UM7300
The 50-inch screen is the only one from the UM7300 line that does not use IPS, but a VA matrix, so the viewing angles are slightly worse, but the color reproduction is more contrast and the blacks are deeper. The tandem of a quad-core processor and Active HDR technology is responsible for image processing. Smart TV is based on WebOS 4.5 with AirPlay 2 support for transferring content from an iPhone and the ability to install applications through the LG Content Store.
Benefits:
- VA matrix;
- humane price tag - 37,000 rubles;
- slim design (16 mm frames on all sides);
- delay in game mode 10.7 ms;
- equipped with a remote control with a virtual pointer.
Disadvantages:
- carob legs require a wide base;
- some of the connectors are brought out to the rear panel, which complicates mounting to the wall (a disadvantage inherent in most LG TVs);
- maximum brightness - 360 cd / m2, an indicator above average, but still not reaching the nominal HDR.
LG 50UM7300 is a budget multipurpose TV, adjusted for its cost, practically devoid of disadvantages. VA panel is suitable for playing games and watching movies. But it should be borne in mind that when playing content with a frequency of 24 fps, interpolation gives jerks, so problems may arise with the old film library. The sound is traditionally mediocre (2 x 10 W), sufficient for watching TV, but absolutely not suitable for playing music or movie soundtracks.
LG 49SM9000
The 49-inch LG 49SM9000, although equipped with the same matrix as its cheaper competitor LG 50UM7300, is generally implemented at a qualitatively different level. For color rendering with a depth of 10 bits, the technology for cleaning the light flux with nanoparticles (NanoCell) is responsible here. The same technology makes blacks deeper, and reds and greens more saturated, squeezing the maximum out of the IPS matrix. The Smart TV shell is still the same - webOS 4.5.Among the new features, one can single out the "Gallery" mode, in which the TV turns into a picture with an elegant frame (images for the screensaver are automatically downloaded from the Internet), a program for coordinating the work of smart devices ("Home Dashboard") and automatic adjustment of sound settings in accordance with the genre content being played.
Benefits:
- screen refresh rate 120 Hz;
- surround sound achieved by two subwoofers and two speakers (only 4 x 10 W);
- relatively small thickness - 63 mm;
- VRR-enabled game mode;
- Magic Remote as standard.
Disadvantages:
- RUB 65,000 - almost twice as expensive as the LG 50UM7300;
- when the console is connected via HDMI 2.1, the input lag does not exceed 13.9 ms - a good indicator, but still worse than that of the cheaper LG 50UM7300;
- glare of black in a dark room;
- color distortion when changing the viewing angle.
LG 49SM9000 - a full-fledged middle-class model with the best picture by the standards of an IPS matrix. Unlike the cheaper devices in LG's lineup, this TV reproduces 4K HDR at 120Hz and upscales low-level video without jerking or blurring. Built-in subwoofers and surround sound even with native speakers LG 49SM9000 creates a powerful immersion effect.
Top 55 inches
LG 55SM8600
Another NanoCell-TV with IPS-matrix from the Korean manufacturer, this time with a 55-inch screen. Nanoparticles absorb excess light waves, resulting in more expressive colors, including deeper blacks. The shell, as on other models, webOS 4.5. The TV recognizes speech using Google Assistant and Alexa Smart Home, sorts the content viewed by the user and suggests recommendations for interests. It is also possible to record TV programs on external media with a capacity of 2 TB (NTFS).
Benefits:
- RUB 62,000 - cheaper than LG 49SM9000 with a 49-inch diagonal;
- narrow steel bezel, slim body and crescent-shaped stand;
- full set of necessary connectors, including optical audio output and 3.5 mm mini-jack;
- Supports Wi-Fi 5GHz;
- the delay in game mode does not exceed 13.8 ms;
- fast shell;
- Dolby Atmos;
- remote control with cursor.
Disadvantages:
- most of the connectors are on the rear panel;
- budget sound;
- 550 MB of free memory;
- Local Dimming needs to be adjusted, otherwise vertical highlights are visible on the screen.
Picture quality LG 55SM8600 is identical to model LG 49SM9000 - the same IPS-matrix with a frequency of 120 Hz and intelligent image processing by an Alpha 7 processor. The game mode and Smart TV functionality are also not much different for these models. At the same time, the screen of the LG 55SM8600 is 6 inches larger, and the cost is 4 thousand less. The low price tag is explained by the manufacturer's economy on the built-in sound - 2 speakers of 10 W each cannot correctly reproduce anything except dialogues. Therefore, this model can be recommended to everyone who is ready to additionally purchase external acoustics. With Dolby Atmos support, a connected Soundbar with subwoofer will satisfy the most discerning moviegoer.
LG OLED55C9P
LG's flagship model with OLED panel, two built-in subwoofers and the corresponding price (139,000 rubles). Powered by the new generation Alpha 9 chip, the screen delivers realistic images and true blacks, compared to which black on the IPS-matrix appears gray. Among the innovations, the Dolby Vision HDR system should be highlighted, which adjusts the brightness of the image to the changing lighting in the room. The TV is equipped with the traditional LG operating system WebOS 4.5 with compact application icons, the ability to add your favorite YouTube channel to quick access and with recommended content drop-down in the context menu, which significantly speeds up navigation through streaming services. It also provides advanced voice control, with which you can not only search for content on the Internet, but also tune the TV.
Benefits:
- OLED screen;
- high-quality embedded audio (4 x 10 W) with support for Dolby Atmos;
- stable rectangular stand with built-in cable organizer;
- slim body (47 mm);
- HDMI 2.1 for viewing 4K content from external media;
- image delays when connected to a game console do not exceed 13.4 ms.
Disadvantages:
- 2.5x more expensive than 55-inch LG 55SM8600.
The price of the LG OLED55C9P is explained by the OLED matrix - at the moment, this is the best image transfer technology, not comparable to IPS or VA. The screen produces an honest 10-bit color palette and supports full HDR (peak brightness at least 900 cd / m2) at 120 Hz. Also available is the AI Sound audio system, consisting of 4 speakers and adjusting the sound to the acoustics of the room (if necessary, you can connect a soundbar or home theater). The game mode is also made with the highest quality. Therefore, everyone who is interested in the 55th diagonal and has sufficient financial resources can safely recommend this particular model.
Top 65 inches
LG 65SM8200
Another model from the NanoCell series with an IPS-matrix. Intelligent content processing will delight you with well-detailed 4K images without obvious side-light defects. On board webOS 4.5 with all its inherent advantages: a manual widget editor, dual context menus and voice control via the Magic Remote. In the presence of a control system for "smart" gadgets, the ability to record video on a USB SSD and a 1 TB hard drive.
Benefits:
- humane price tag - 85,000 rubles;
- the presence of a cavity for wires in the stand;
- 4 GB of internal memory;
- latency in game mode is about 12 ms - at the level of 50-inch models;
- fast browser and channel switching;
- Dolby Atmos.
Disadvantages:
- compact but not very stable C-shaped stand;
- ports on the back of the panel interfere with wall mounting;
- no HDMI 2.1;
- sound 2 x 10 W;
- sweep frequency - 60 Hz;
- "Float" (True Motion) works with jerks.
LG 65SM8200 is a budget model with all the functionality a smart TV needs. The peak brightness, as is typical for IPS, is not the most convincing (300 cd / m2), but quite sufficient for viewing in a lit room. The built-in speakers are good for watching terrestrial channels, but for live or cinematic sound you will need a separate soundbar or audio system. The main advantage of the LG 65SM8200 is the ratio of the diagonal and the price tag. Buyers who are not ready to pay more than 100 thousand rubles for a 65-inch TV will be pleasantly surprised.
LG OLED65B9P
LG OLED65B9P is a modern OLED TV with a solid price tag (RUB 180,000) and a wide range of features. The luminous pixel screen delivers rich, deep blacks no matter the ambient light, and supports all HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HLG, so you can enjoy 4K content from streaming platforms. WebOS 4.5 comes with a standard set of features, including a home control panel, LG Channels and technologies for transferring video from a smartphone - LG TV Plus and AirPlay2. Game mode with variable refresh rate (VRR) support will delight gamers. The TV is controlled by a mouse with a scroll wheel and optical pointer (Magic Remote), as well as an application for the LG ThinQ smartphone.
Benefits:
- OLED screen with high image quality and wide viewing angles;
- rectangular stand designed for a small base;
- acoustic system of two speakers and two subwoofers (total power - 40 W);
- screen refresh rate - 120 Hz.
Disadvantages:
- no HDMI 2.1;
- the thin panel can be broken during installation.
The main advantage of this model is the OLED screen, which is second only to the C9 series in terms of image quality. The peak brightness of 600 cd / m2 is not enough for nominal HDR compliance, but thanks to the automatic adjustment to the room lighting, which is the Alfa 7 gen 2 processor, it is almost impossible to notice the difference in brightness compared to more expensive TVs. The built-in audio system is at the highest level for a manufacturer, but Dolby Atmos support is provided for arranging a home theater.
