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The LG C2 OLED has been a solid choice for movie enthusiasts for quite some time. The display itself is getting a little long in the tooth at this point. This is especially true in the wake of recent announcements at CES 2023.
With all this in mind, what are your best options? A high-end television is quite an investment. So, it’s worth going in armed with knowledge about any suitable alternatives.
You shouldn’t make a decision you regret when it comes to spending potentially thousands of dollars on a new television. Let’s take a look at the eight best alternatives for the LG C2 available on today’s market. There are numerous displays that might prove to be a better fit for your home theater needs than the venerable C2.
LG C2 Overview
- Great contrast, deep blacks, and over a billion colors
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels
- Alpha 9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, exclusive to LG, intuitively adapts to what you're watching
- LG Game Optimizer mode
The LG C2 was launched to critical acclaim in 2022. LG has been one of the leading names in OLED televisions. The C2 only reaffirmed this notion, with vibrant colors at a reasonable price.
It certainly isn’t the cheapest display on the market, but it has its niche. There are some complaints about the C2, however. Many critics and customers alike noted a lack of overall improvements in the picture quality compared to the C1.
LG launched the C2 in a variety of screen sizes. Displays ranging from 42 inches all the way up to 83 inches were available at a myriad of price points. It is one of the better buys on the market, especially with the latest line of LG televisions hitting store shelves.
There are some very suitable alternatives available, however. The 8 models selected for today’s guide are as follows:
- LG G3
- Sony A90K
- Sony A95K
- Samsung S95B
- LG C3
- LG Z2
- Samsung QN90B
- Vizio M-Series Quantum X
1. LG G3 OLED
- a9 AI Processor Gen6
- Brightness Booster Max adjusts the picture for up to 70% brighter images
- Comes with Dolby Vision
- LG's Filmmaker Mode
The LG G3 gives users a vibrant display with LG’s patented OLED technology driving it. It also comes in a variety of screen sizes, as you might expect.
The smallest on offer is a 55-inch display, but it goes all way to up an 83-inch one. A 120Hz refresh rate keeps things smooth and lively while LG’s proprietary AI tech helps upscale any older media.
The G3 comes out of the box with native support for Dolby Atmos and all the streaming providers you’d ever want, including Hulu and Netflix. It is a media powerhouse that is built for gaming, films, and everything else in between.
The price tag is a little on the high side, but you’re absolutely paying for quality here. All in all, this is a rock solid 4K display to rival the C2.
2. Sony A90K OLED
- Cognitive Processor XR
- Auto HDR Tone Mapping & Auto Genre Picture Switch
- Stream movies in alluring 4K HD quality
- Impressive picture quality and wide color range
- Features Google TV and Google Assistant
The Sony Bravia A90K is more of a mid-range television, but don’t let the price fool you. Display sizes range from 42 inches to 48 inches, so there are not a lot of options for making a massive media center.
That said, it is packed with some wonderful features that might sway your decision to purchase it. It is an OLED display and comes with proprietary AI assistance to help enhance the detail on its 4K display.
Gamers will be delighted to know the A90K comes out of the box with native support for the PlayStation 5. If you’re looking for a lower latency display that won’t break the bank, this is the way to go. You won’t need a Roku or Apple TV with this television either, as the built-in smart TV functions have enough media channels to keep any film buff sated.
3. Sony A95K OLED
- Cognitive Processor XR
- Quantum Dot color with QD-OLED panel and XR Triluminos Max
- XR OLED Contrast Pro technology
- Great for PlayStation 5
- HDMI 2. features
The A90K’s bigger sibling, the Sony A95K brings those stellar features into an even larger display. If you’re looking for an affordable 4K display with a 65-inch screen size, look no further. Much of what can be said about the A90K is applicable here.
It comes out of the box with streaming channels preloaded on the device and it uses the same proprietary AI tech to enhance the details seen on the 4K display. The price tag is a bit on the higher side but is comparable to flagship televisions from the likes of LG and Samsung.
PlayStation 5 support is natively provided out of the box. So, if you value having the lowest latency while having a crystal clear picture, this is the way to go. The A95K is a quality television, as you might expect given Sony’s history in electronics.
4. Samsung S95B OLED
- Contains about 8.3 million self-illuminating pixels
- Built-in Dolby Atmos object sound tracking
- Smart TV hub to help find movies, shows, and games you want to play
- Xbox Game Pass built-in, no console necessary
Samsung has always been a winner when it comes to its televisions. The S95B is no different and couples some massive screen sizes with a rather affordable price tag. Users have the option between a 55-inch and 65-inch display size.
As seen with its competitors, there is AI onboard to upscale the picture and enhance details and colors as needed. Color reproduction on the S95B is stellar, but not quite as good as its peers’ in the LG line.
That said, the price tag is far lower than that of its competitors. Low latency modes for PlayStation and Xbox gamers are provided out of the box, and you have plenty of streaming options built into the television’s operating system.
5. LG C3 OLED
- LG ThinQ AI voice assistant included
- Features Dolby Atmos technology
- Superb contrast
- Comes in a variety of sizes from 48 inches to 83 inches
What better choice to replace the C2 than its successor, the LG C3? CES 2023 saw the LG C3’s debut and it looks to be an improvement over the C2. LG’s latest OLED display looks to continue the same successes seen in the C2.
You get access to a stellar OLED display with great color reproduction. The C3 also comes in a variety of screen sizes, ranging from 42 inches all the way up to 83 inches. Pricing isn’t too terrible, either, with the smaller entries in the C3 line being fairly average across the board.
Much of what can be said about the C2 can also be said about the C3. The display itself is marginally better, but it is an improvement, nonetheless. LG has been at the forefront of stellar OLED displays for a number of years. If there was ever an entry to beat the C2, it would come from LG itself.
6. LG Z2 OLED
- 8K resolution (the sharpest, most vivid resolution ever in an OLED)
- Self-lit OLED pixels
- 8K AI upscaling (transforms 4K content)
- a9 GEN 5 AI Processor 8K
Why settle for 4K? LG naturally agrees with this statement, as the LG Z2 will attest. It’s an 8K display that comes in at a massive 77 to 88 inches in screen size. This is the cream of the crop when it comes to televisions on the market, and the eye-watering high price tag will testify to that.
Still, if you’re after the best of the best, and can afford it, it’s a great choice. The Z2 comes packed with the same unique features found in other LG TVs. You get access to proprietary AI processors for upscaling older media, as well as the same vibrant OLED technology driving the display.
This is not a light investment by any means, however. For the truly serious film buffs who don’t mind owning a TV that costs as much as a decent used car, however, it is a solid choice. You won’t find a better 8K display for the money, which is to be expected from LG.
7. Samsung QN90B QLED
- Samsung’s ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs
- Quantum HDR 32X
- Neo Quantum Processor 4K uses AI-based deep learning to analyze content and optimize it to full 4K
- Anti-glare
- Ultra viewing angle
The Samsung QN90B is one of the rare QLED displays on this list. Despite not being an OLED television, the QN90B has plenty to offer. If killer sound quality is what you’re after, look no further.
The QN90B has a set of great speakers in it, so it might not even require a soundbar or sound system to back it up. The display itself is vibrant, with great color reproduction.
The colors themselves may not be up to par with the OLED displays on this list, but only those with keen eyes might care about that. You get a lot of TV with the QN90B, and it comes in a variety of sizes. You can get an affordable 4K display at 43 inches or shoot for the stars with the massive 98-inch display on offer.
8. Vizio M-Series Quantum X LED
- 400 nits of brightness
- Dolby Vision HDR
- 16 local dimming zones
- Full Array backlight
The Vizio M-Series Quantum X isn’t quite as good as the LG C2, but if you’re on a budget, it makes for a great choice. The picture quality of this television is stellar and is more than up to the task of handling most media needs.
Critical reception surrounding this particular Vizio has been lauded as punching well above its weight, especially considering its sub-$1,000 price tag.
Color reproduction on the Vizio M-Series Quantum X is average, but it is certainly bright enough to watch during the middle of the day. If you’re after a budget choice for your home theater needs, this is a solid choice with some great bells and whistles to make the savings even sweeter.
Wrapping It All Up
There are numerous options on the market if a C2 isn’t quite your speed. Users looking at purchasing a new television are spoiled for choice across the board, considering all the features of today’s modern displays. Whatever choice you make, make sure it’s the best one for your home theater.
