When you stand in front of the wall of televisions at your local electronics store, can you tell which TV looks the best of the bunch? It’s not an easy feat, especially when all you have to go off of is your eyes. This one, that one, this brand, that brand… Eventually, your eyes start to glaze over.
The best way to tell which TV is better? By putting their exact specifications head to head. Let’s do exactly that with the LG C3 and B2: a new OLED offering from LG and a trusted model from the previous generation.
How do the two really compare? Let’s find out.
LG C3 vs. B2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| LG C3 | LG B2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Q1 2023 | March 2022 |
| TV Type | OLED | OLED |
| Subtype | WOLED | WOLED |
| Available Sizes | 42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | 55″, 65″, 77″ |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDR | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG |
| Ports | 4 HDMI, 3 USB | 4 HDMI, 2 USB |
| Operating System | webOS | webOS |
| Processor | α9 AI Processor Gen6 | α7 AI Processor Gen5 |
- 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 C3 vs. B2: Key Differences
With the primary specs of LG C3 and B2 outlined above, it’s worth taking an even closer look at these two LG OLED options. Let’s examine the key differences between the two, determining which one comes out on top in a number of important considerations.
Brightness
Though the B2 is certainly bright enough, with its OLED screen and HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG support, the LG C3 is undoubtedly brighter.
This isn’t a subjective ruling, either. The LG C3 comes equipped with superior algorithms and an updated processor (more on that later). These factors make the LG C3 significantly brighter than the B2, even if many of their picture specs are exactly the same.
Both use OLED, both utilize white light to boost the brightness of the OLEDs (a method labeled WOLED), but the LG C3 is ultimately brighter.
Sound
These days, one of the top quality standards for a TV’s sound is the Dolby Atmos label. If the TV is enabled with Dolby Atmos support, it’s typically considered to be of high overall quality.
Luckily, both the LG C3 and B2 come with Dolby Atmos support. However, the LG C3 once again edges ahead of the B2 overall. That’s because the C3 has a new built-in virtual 9.1.2 surround sound feature. While you can certainly use a sound bar or wired sound system to boost sound quality of the B2, the LG C3 has the better sound quality out of the box.
Available Sizes
What good is it to make all these comparisons if the TV you’re leaning toward doesn’t come in a convenient size for your particular space?
With this in mind, the LG C3 comes in six available sizes: 42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, and 83″. Comparatively, the B2 has just three: 55″, 65″, and 77″. If you like the B2 but want something a little smaller or a little bigger than 55 to 77 inches, you’re out of luck. Only the C3 has a range that goes beyond this.
Available Ports
It might not sound like a major consideration to some, but the number of available ports matters quite a bit for those looking to plug in a gaming system, a sound system, a Blu-ray player, and so on.
The LG C3 boasts four HDMI ports and three USB ports. The B2, by contrast, has four HDMI ports but just two USB ports. This gives the LG C3 yet another slight advantage over its competitor, the LG B2. It’s not much, but the one additional USB port makes all the difference here.
Processor
A TV’s processor powers all sorts of essential functions, from the smart operating system to the picture-enhancing features to the overall user experience and beyond. The LG B2 relies on the α7 AI Processor Gen5. (The same one can be found in LG’s A2, QNED91, QNED85, and QNED80 models).
The LG C3, on the other hand, relies on the α9 AI Processor Gen6. This is the latest and greatest processor in LG’s entire lineup, OLED and LCD alike. This once again puts the C3 at an advantage over the B2.
©Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock.com
Special Features
While special features pale in comparison to things like picture quality, sound, and size, it’s nonetheless worth our time to analyze this key difference.
Two of the most prominent features of the B2 are its Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The C3, on the other hand, has the new Quick Media Switching VRR and HGiG mode for improved HDR quality. The differences are slight, but the C3 wins out once again.
5 Must-Know Facts About LG OLEDs
- While both the LG C3 and LG B2 are 4K OLED TVs, LG also has a line of 8K OLED televisions. They’re one of few brands currently producing 8K TVs for the consumer market today. However, many TV experts suggest holding off on 8K TVs for now, as television, video gaming, and home video have not yet reached 8K quality in 2023.
- LG’s OLED TVs are capable of achieving perfect blacks. This means that, when a scene calls for darkness, the LG OLEDs are capable of going almost completely dark. LED LCD TVs aren’t capable of delivering such darkness, as the backlight will always show at least a little brightness.
- When it comes to picture response time, LG OLEDs are significantly faster than LG’s LED LCD panels. LG puts the number somewhere in the range of 1,000 times faster overall. This is just one part of what goes into delivering the best 4K picture quality possible.
- LG has worked tirelessly to overcome one of the most pressing issues with OLED: the overall lifespan of the organic material used. In 2013, LG estimated their OLED TVs would last 36,000 hours before noticeable loss of quality. By 2016, they had increased that number to 100,000 hours.
- For a time, LG was the only TV manufacturer supplying OLED panels. This meant that, no matter the brand name on the box, the internal OLED panel was an LG product. However, this all changed when Samsung re-entered the OLED market in 2022. Previously, Samsung had tried and failed to get an OLED line off the ground in 2013.
The History of OLED
You probably know by now just how coveted OLED technology is within the 4K TV industry. You can also likely tell that LG is one of the pioneers of the technology today, with continued innovation and advancement coming to their line of OLEDs annually — the LG C3 versus B2 debate is proof of this.
However, we haven’t quite explained what exactly OLED is — or what makes it so special over other 4K TV types. (Namely LCDs, which are more affordable and, by extension, the more popular 4K TV type).
Organic OLEDs, commonly abbreviated as OLEDs, utilize electroluminescence over the traditional LED backlight found inside LCD televisions. Instead of relying on an array of LEDs or mini LEDs, OLEDs are powered by a bright layer of electroluminescent diodes that light up individually when put in contact with a current of electricity. This differs from LEDs, which aren’t capable of illuminating individually and must do so in groups. Not only does this lack of an LED backlight result in a brighter, more realistic picture, it also makes OLED TVs much thinner than your traditional LCD.
While OLED is widely considered to be the best possible TV type in the industry, there are nevertheless some drawbacks to the technology worth noting. The most pressing of these issues is one you’ll find in other TV types, as well: burn-in. If left on the same channel or paused on the same picture for too long, you might notice certain elements leaving a shadow even after changing the channel or unpausing. This is not something anyone watching casually will need to worry about, however. With luck, the TV’s screensaver will work to prevent burn-in.
LG’s 2023 OLED TVs
Typically, today’s major tech companies save their major announcements for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). However, this year, LG dropped the details about their new line of OLED TVs in the days directly preceding CES 2023. They call them the LG C3 and the LG G3.
Both OLED TVs rely on a brand new α9 AI Processor Gen6, which helps ensure superior upscaling capabilities and enhanced dynamic range. The LG C3 and the LG G3 both come with built-in virtual 9.1.2 surround sound as well.
The G3 specifically comes equipped with a new feature LG’s calling “Brightness Booster Max.” It combines a new algorithm with a new lighting structure to create a picture that’s 70% more bright than the LG G2 that came before it. The G3 also comes with a no-gap wall-mount on the back, allowing for the TV to mount practically flush with the wall. Taking advantage of the power of OLED, the Brightness Booster Max algorithm maps and controls the TV’s brightness pixel by pixel. This delivers some of the sharpest, most realistic-looking pictures in the TV industry.
The G3’s not the only one that gets to have all the fun — the new LG C3 levels up plenty of what’s already great about the previous generation C2. For instance, the C3 boasts the new Quick Media Switching VRR: a new component of the α9 AI Processor Gen6 that gets rid of that temporary black screen you get when switching from input to input or source to source.
All in all, the LG G3 and LG C3 continue the trend set forth by the G2 and C2, exceptional OLED picture quality with remarkable algorithms and features to better optimize it.
LG C3 vs. B2: Pros and Cons
LG C3
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easily integrates with LG’s line of home theater system products | Not many upgrades over the previous generation LG C2 |
| Plenty of different TV sizes to choose from | Lacks some of the key features of the LG G3 |
| New and improved α9 AI Processor Gen6 | Expensive |
| Built-in virtual 9.1.2 surround sound | Still many unknowns surrounding the finer details |
LG B2
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great 4K OLED picture quality | Risk of burn-in, as with any OLED |
| More affordable than the LG C3 | Fewer USB ports than the LG C3 |
| Same HDR support as the C3 | Weaker processor than the C3 |
| Equipped with smart webOS | Less variety in sizing |
- 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 C3 vs. B2: Which is Better?
It’s barely a contest: both the LG C3 and B2 are great 4K OLED televisions in their own right, but the LG C3 is the superior of the two.
Not only is it the winner because it’s the newer model, it also just has much more advanced picture and sound quality. Plus, it has more sizing options to choose from overall. While it might be the more expensive of the two (not to mention the less impressive of the 2023 LG OLED models), the LG C3 is nevertheless the better LG OLED model when pitted against the LG B2.
LG C3 and B2: Technology Updates
There have been noteworthy technological advancements introduced for the LG C3 and B2 TVs recently. Here’s an overview of the key updates:
- Enhanced OLED Panels: Both the LG C3 and B2 TVs have undergone a substantial transformation with the incorporation of new OLED panels that boast improved brightness and contrast. This upgrade represents a significant leap from their predecessors, culminating in a heightened picture quality across various lighting conditions, be it bright or dark scenes.
- HDMI 2.1a Standard Compatibility: A pivotal enhancement is the integration of the new HDMI 2.1a standard, a feature shared by both TVs. This implementation facilitates accelerated data transfer speeds and extends support for essential attributes like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Gamers stand to gain from these functionalities, as they work in tandem to alleviate screen tearing and minimize lag during gameplay.
- Augmented AI Upscaling via New Processors: Both the LG C3 and B2 TVs have embraced upgraded processors, thereby elevating their AI upscaling capabilities. This advanced technology leverages artificial intelligence to enrich the quality of content with lower resolutions, effectively enhancing the visual experience by transforming standard and high definition content into a higher resolution format.
- Gamer-Centric Features: Tailoring to the gaming community, both TVs have integrated new features designed to enhance the gaming experience. Support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync is now available, offering solutions to combat screen tearing and lag. This enhancement caters directly to the needs of gamers, ensuring a smoother and more immersive gameplay environment.
In addition to these major updates, the LG C3 and B2 TVs have received minor refinements, including a fresh design aesthetic and an updated remote control. Collectively, these advancements position the LG C3 and B2 TVs at the forefront of technological innovation, promising an enriched viewing and gaming experience for users.
LG C3 and B2: Looking Forward
Anticipated on the horizon for the LG C3 and B2 TVs are several prospective technological updates that promise to redefine the viewing experience:
- MicroLED Brilliance: A cutting-edge evolution looms in the form of MicroLED panels. Distinguishing themselves from OLED counterparts, MicroLED panels are poised to deliver superior picture quality, heightened brightness, and enhanced durability. While the precise timing of LG’s potential foray into MicroLED TVs remains uncertain, the allure of these advanced panels may shape the future landscape of television displays.
- Ascending to 8K: The trajectory towards 8K resolution represents a substantial leap from the existing 4K standard. Unveiling a staggering fourfold increase in pixel density, this advancement results in a significantly sharper and more detailed visual output. While the exact timing remains ambiguous, LG’s prospective venture into the realm of 8K TVs holds the promise of elevating visual clarity to unprecedented levels.
- Illuminating with Dolby Vision IQ: An impending prospect lies in the integration of Dolby Vision IQ technology. Powered by artificial intelligence, this innovation fine-tunes the picture quality of Dolby Vision content in response to ambient light conditions, engendering a consistently immersive viewing encounter. The potential integration of Dolby Vision IQ into LG TVs underscores a commitment to enhancing the harmony between content and environment.
- Syncing with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Pioneering technology on the horizon includes Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which harmonizes the TV’s refresh rate with the source device’s frame rate. This synchronization mitigates screen tearing and stuttering, thus accentuating the gaming experience by delivering smoother visuals. While the timeline for its incorporation into LG TVs remains uncertain, the potential arrival of VRR signals a dedication to optimizing gaming performance.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock.com.
