You know your ABCs, but do you know the difference between the LG A2 vs B2? As one of the world’s leading television manufacturers, LG has a number of different television models under its brand name. The LG A2 and the LG B2 are two of the most prominent. Both OLED televisions boast 4K resolutions and offer ultra-high-definition picture quality. Which of these two LG OLEDs reigns supreme? Let’s delve into their specs, features and differences to find the answer.
LG A2 vs B2: Side-By-Side Comparison
| LG A2 | LG B2 | |
|---|---|---|
| TV Branding | LG OLED | LG OLED |
| TV Type | OLED | OLED |
| TV Subtype | WOLED | WOLED |
| Available Sizes | 55″, 65″ | 55″, 65″, 77″ |
| Average Price | $1,000 – $1,400 | $1,100 – $2,500 |
| Release Date | 2022 | 2022 |
| Sound | 2.0 20W speakers with Dolby Atmos | 2.0 20W speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| HDR | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision |
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels
- The advanced α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K algorithmically adapts and adjusts picture and sound quality
- Built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV app, Disney+, HBO Max, and instant access to over 300+ free LG Channels
- Personalized recommendations
5 Must-Know Facts About LG TVs
- LG Display is the most successful OLED panel manufacturer in the world.LGD’s biggest customer is LG Electronics — that’s not their only customer, however. LGD also supplies OLED panels to Sony, Panasonic, Philips, JVC, Loewe, Hisense, and numerous other brands.
- OLED TVs tend to fall anywhere from 40 to 90 inches in today’s market. Any bigger, the resolution would exceed 8K; any smaller, and the resolution would be less than 4K.
- LG uses WOLED technology. Instead of merely reds, greens, and blues, LG OLED displays use a white filter underneath its RGB filter to optimize the OLED’s color gamut further.
- When LG acquired Kodak in 2009, they also acquired decades of research and development into OLED technology that Kodak had been curating since the 1980s. This acquisition helped LG become the first brand to offer consumer-grade OLED TVs in the late 2000s.
- LG has also recently begun experimenting with OLED, not to be confused with AMOLED. When perfected, AMOLED can be brighter and more dynamic than an OLED display.
LG A2 vs B2: Key Differences
With these primary specs laid out above, we should now take the time to elaborate on a number of key differences between the LG A2 vs B2 below. From their different sizing options to their varying price points, from their distinct connectivity options to their different refresh rates, these are the main things that set the LG A2 vs B2 apart. Let’s dive deeper into each one of these four considerations.
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Sizing
While price and picture quality matter when choosing a television, these choices come second to the fact that you first need a TV that’ll fit your space. With this in mind, how does the LG A2 vs B2 compare in size? The LG A2 currently comes in just two sizes: a 55-inch and a 65-inch model. The LG B2, comparatively, comes in three: the 55- and 65-inch models and a larger 77-inch model on the tail end of the product line. Nothing in the 40-inch range or 80-inch range for either.
Pricing
Secondly, going hand in hand with sizing, we have pricing to consider. Each jump up or step down in size will typically come with a corresponding rise or fall in price, and the LG A2 vs B2 are further proof of this. The 55-inch LG A2 retails for around $1,000, while the LG B2 goes for a slightly higher $1,400. The LG B2 is more expensive by comparison. The B2’s 55-inch model costs $1,100, while its largest model — the 77-inch 4K OLED — goes for $2,500. While the difference between prices for 55-inch models is slight, the jump from $1,400 to $2,500 is pretty significant.
Connectivity
Connectivity may not come into mind when thinking about what makes one television better than another, but as soon as you start setting up your home theater setup, it’s clear the more ports, the better. As such, the LG B2 comes out ahead of the LG A2 for one major reason: the number of ports. The A2 includes just two USB ports, while the B2 has three. Additionally, the LG A2 has three HDMI 2.0b ports, while the LG B2 has four HDMI ports — two of which are HDMI 2.1. The B2 definitely has this round in the bag.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is an integral part of the overall picture quality and frame rate of a 4K television. A higher refresh rate typically translates to better television. Accordingly, the A2 has a lower refresh rate than the B2. The A2’s refresh rate tops out at 50 Hz, whereas the B2’s is double at 100 Hz. This prevents the A2 from having VRR, or Variable Refresh Rate, which increases the speed at which a television can switch between frame rates during video games. The B2, on the other hand, does have VRR.
©History-Computer.com
The History of LG OLED
Looking beyond all the catchy model names like QNED, ULED, QLED, and the rest, OLED and LCD are the only two TV types available today. OLED technology has rapidly risen through the ranks in recent years, quickly becoming the preferred 4K TV type over LED LCDs. Additionally, LG continues to be the most innovative of all the brands available with its product lineup. (We can see this clearly in the debate between LG A2 vs B2.) Even so, LG doesn’t make it easy to tell the difference between their different 4K OLED models.
Moreover, it’s not always clear why OLED is superior to LCD. The long and the short of it is this: OLEDs, or organic light-emitting diodes, are naturally electroluminescent. Instead of using LED bulbs like your average LCD, OLED displays illuminate all on their own when connected to a power source. This electroluminescence, combined with the lack of an LED backlight, produces better images than any traditional LED display ever could. That’s because an LCD requires an array of LEDs in a number of zones behind the display to illuminate the screen. OLED does not.
That’s not to say that OLED technology is perfect by any means. No product will ever be completely flawless in today’s day and age, and LG’s OLEDs are no exception. While most professionals consider OLED far superior to LCD, this specific TV technology has some setbacks. Burn-in — where pixels are permanently etched into the display due to overexposure to heat — is one example. The limited lifespan of OLED’s organic materials is another. However, LG is working hard to correct these issues with each new generation.
The Latest OLEDs from LG
Because OLED TVs are relatively new, OLED must be a brand-new invention. Though OLED TVs have only recently started to blossom in the TV market, the reality is that OLED research and development have been going on since the 1980s, at least. Kodak started it all in 1987, serving as the world’s most preeminent developer of OLED displays for more than 35 years. The company was known for high-quality photography, so why not invent displays that make photos look even better?
Kodak worked with a lesser-known brand – Sanyo – for much of the last dozen years of the 20th century. Their goal was to perfect a working OLED display that could eventually be scaled to the consumer electronics market in due time. Although it was far from usable at this point, they were able to unveil a tiny, functional 2.4-inch OLED display before the end of 1999. Though it wasn’t going to be used for televisions for another decade, it was still a huge step in the right direction for Kodak and Sanyo.
LG acquired Kodak in 2009. Obtaining all of Kodak’s research since the 1980s allowed LG to skyrocket to the top of the burgeoning OLED market. While their earliest OLED models hit shelves alongside other popular brands, LG had no problem topping sales charts — even pushing some brands out of the competition completely. Today, LG’s OLED product lineup consists of G Series, C Series, A Series, B Series, and beyond. The newest models — among them the LG C3 and LG G3 — are equipped with better processors, superior sound, more intelligent algorithms, and more.
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels for vivid viewing experience
- Advance α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K algorithmically adapts and adjusts picture and sound quality
- 120Hz refresh rate for fast-paced games
- LG Game Optimizer mode with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
LG A2 vs B2: Pros and Cons
| Pros of LG A2 | Cons of LG A2 |
|---|---|
| Little to no glare on the screen | Limited refresh rate compared to other OLEDs |
| Great viewing angles | HDMI ports are lacking |
| Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support | Less bright than current LG OLED models |
| Not nearly as expensive as some OLEDs | Needs more sizing options |
| Pros of LG B2 | Cons of LG B2 |
|---|---|
| Breathtaking 4K OLED display | Risk of burn-in over the years |
| Innovative processor with brightness booster | Needs more USB and HDMI ports |
| Support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos | Soon to be eclipsed by the LG B3 |
| Affordable sizing options | Gaming support leaves much to be desired |
LG A2 vs B2: Which Is Best?
So: Which is the better OLED television between LG A2 vs B2? Let’s think about what we’ve discussed so far. The LG B2 has more sizing options, but the LG A2 is more affordable. The LG B2 has more connectivity options and a higher refresh rate, but the LG A2 has the same speaker and HDR support. From above, it looks like a pretty close call. But, upon closer scrutiny, it’s obvious LG B2 is superior to the LG A2. Refresh rate and connectivity are hugely important, and though the A2 is cheaper, the B2 deserves to win for its overall superior audiovisual capabilities and connectivity.
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels for vivid viewing experience
- Advance α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K algorithmically adapts and adjusts picture and sound quality
- 120Hz refresh rate for fast-paced games
- LG Game Optimizer mode with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Recent Technology Updates for the LG A2 and B2
Since February 2023, there have been technological advances for the LG A2 and B2, including:
- Image Quality: Both the LG A2 and LG B2 saw updates to image quality improvements.
- Voice Assistant: With the software update in June, the LG A2 saw the addition of a new voice assistant.
- Gaming Mode: The LG B2 added a new gaming mode in July that helps the screen optimize the display while a video game console is turned on.
Possible Technology Advances for LG A2 and B2
While planned technology advances have not been announced for the LG A2 and B2, it is likely you may see some or all of the following in next six to 18 months:
- OLED Evo Panels: OLEDO evo panels offer better brightness and contrast which would improve the picture quality especially in bright rooms and with HDR content.
- AI Upscaling: AI upscaling uses artificial intelligence to improve the picture quality of lower-resolution content. This would improve the viewing experience for lower-resolution content such as DVDs and even streaming services.
- Smart TV Features: Some smart features could be added including built-in streaming apps and voice control.
