LG C3 vs C2 vs C1: How Does the Full OLED Lineup Compare?

LG has been one of the gold standards by which televisions are judged for a number of years. Their take on OLED displays has been consistently great, with crystal clear pictures and great color reproduction. The latest in the C-series, the C3, debuted at CES 2023 this year and looks to carry a set of improvements over its predecessor.

With that in mind, how do the C3, C2, and C1 stack up against each other? Is upgrading really worth the expenditure?

As with any purchase, it is important to do some proper research to determine if the cost is worth your time and money. So, let’s take a closer look at the LG C3, C2, and C1 to see whether an upgrade is in your future or not.

LG C3 vs C2 vs C1: Side-by-Side Comparison

The differences seen here are mostly marginal. What can be discerned is that this is an iterative product line, versus a case of the newest model being a massive change.

LG C3 vs C2 vs C1: What’s the Difference?

As anyone can plainly see, there aren’t huge differences between these three televisions. They’re all part of the same product line.

However, while there are numerous similarities between the three, there are some differences in overall performance. They aren’t identical, despite any misgivings the average consumer might have.

Picture Quality

The LG C3 is the apex of the product line and features some great improvements to help it stand out from the previous models. The viewing angles are greatly increased due to the anti-glare technology on the screen itself.

It’s brighter, as well, thanks to the latest implementation of the microlens array from LG. As such, this is one of the best OLED displays you can get on the market. It is a bit average when it comes to auto-dimming for lighting conditions. That isn’t a huge disservice to the television itself, however.

Advanced Features

LG C3 Series 65-Inch Class OLED evo

$2,599.99

• LG ThinQ AI voice assistant included
• Features Dolby Atmos technology
• Superb contrast
• Comes in a variety of sizes from 48 inches to 83 inches

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05/17/2023 10:07 am GMT

With the improvements of the C3 in mind, it is important to note that it isn’t that much brighter or better than the C2 or C1. The C2 was a marginal improvement over the C1, with the display itself only being around 20% brighter.

The C1 and C2 are still highly competitive displays; you might just have to be aware of your viewing angles. The most noted improvements over the C1 and C2 for the C3 are in the use of new materials for the actual construction of the screen itself.

The C3 uses microfibers and features slightly thinner bezels. You’re still getting great colors and a viewable television in any ambient light with the C1 and C2, however.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the television itself is never at the top of most movie buffs’ concerns. If you don’t have a soundbar or surround system, however, it can be a consideration. The LG C3 has the same speaker arrangement as the LG C2, so no major improvements to be had here.

Best Overall

LG C2 65-Inch Class OLED evo

$1,796.99

• Great contrast, deep blacks, and over a billion colors
• 8 million self-lit OLED pixels
• α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, exclusive to LG, intuitively adapts to what you're watching
• Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos
• LG Game Optimizer mode with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

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05/17/2023 10:07 am GMT

That said, the overall sound quality of the C2 and C3 is great; it is with the C1 that things take a fairly noticeable dive of sorts. It doesn’t have the same quality of driver as the C2, and, as such, might be prone to distortion at higher volume output. If you’re like many and have an existing soundbar or other audio solution, this isn’t a consideration.

Upscaling and Low Latency Modes

All three televisions feature the same basic tech for upscaling, as well as low latency and variable refresh rate modes. As such, there isn’t a huge difference in the more advanced features.

You will see notable improvements if you’re relying on the AI tech to help with things like color saturation and upscaling on the C3, as it features a more powerful and robust processor. The C2 still handles this sort of work just fine, however.

Reliable Choice

LG C1 65-Inch Class OLED

$1,396.99

• Self-lit OLED pixels with deep black and rich colors
• Stunning pictures and excellent sound
• Cinema HDR, Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos
• Fantastic gaming monitor

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05/17/2023 10:08 am GMT

The low latency modes present in all three TVs function effectively in an identical fashion. If you have a PlayStation 5 or just want to use something like the NVIDIA G-Sync, it is more than handled here.

At the end of the day, if the AI features of a modern television mean more to you, then the C3 is the best of the best on that front. The latest revision of the processor driving the television is more powerful than that of both the C2 and C1, and is generally better for that sort of work.

Connectivity

Overall connections are the same across all three televisions. The LG C3, C2, and C1 allow for users to connect optical, HDMI, RS-232C, and RF-based inputs. There is also the option for using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or USB connectivity.

This can be handy for streaming media from a hard drive or using AirPlay to watch a video you recorded on your phone. While the televisions all have their own differences, the actual connections present on all three are virtually identical. As such, the functionality you can expect from one of these televisions is going to be effectively identical.

LG C3 vs C2 vs C1: 6 Must-Know Facts

1. The LG C3 features a brighter screen than the C2.
2. The LG C3 has thinner bezels than the C1 and C2.
3. The LG C3 uses different materials for its overall construction.
4. The LG C2 is a marginal improvement over the C1 in terms of screen quality.
5. The LG C2 and C1 both feature AI upscaling technology for lower-resolution media.
6. All three displays suffer from issues related to glare and reflections due to the construction of the screens.

LG C3 vs C2 vs C1: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re in the market for a new television and simply want the best available on the market, you might as well go with the LG C3. It might not be a massive leap forward in terms of performance or features over the C2 and C1, but there is enough there to make it enticing.

That said, it is a fairly sizable investment, even at the smaller screen sizes. The overall improvements to the display and decent sound output make it a great standalone solution for your home theater needs.

Still, upgrading to the C3 isn’t worth it if you have a C2 or C1. Both the C1 and C2 are still highly competitive televisions with their own host of attractive features. The displays are bright, and the C2 features the same exact speaker array as the one found on the C3.

If you’re on the hunt for a bargain, the C2 and C1 can also be found cheaper than the C3, which hasn’t hit any notable sales just yet. As with any purchase, it is a matter of weighing your budget versus your wants and needs.

If you aren’t the type of person to get excited about all of the AI upscaling, brighter screens, and so on, then the C3 might be a poor fit. You could save a little extra and just purchase a C2 or C1 and place the savings aside for the purchase of a sound system or proper VESA wall mount.

In short, if you have an older TV, the C3 is a great choice. If you already have a C2 or C1, it isn’t worth the upgrade just yet.