LG C3 vs. Sony A80K: Which TV is Better?

Both LG and Sony are among the market leaders in the TV industry. The LG C3 and the Sony A80K are two very similar TV models, which is why they’re often compared. With very few differences, it is hard to choose one over the other. Both TVs have high-quality displays, smart functions, and advanced features. But which TV is the better choice for your needs? Read on, because in this comparison review you’ll discover the differences and can easily decide which TV better suits your needs.

LG C3 vs. Sony A80K: Side by Side Comparison

Bright Colors

Sony OLED 65-Inch BRAVIA XR A80K

$1,698.00

• Features XR Cognitive Processor developed by Sony
• Triluminos Pro enhances the already outstanding picture
• Dolby Vision HDR and Auto HDR tone mapping for PS5
• 8.5ms input lag
• 4K at 120Hz

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05/03/2023 11:16 pm GMT

LG C3 vs. Sony A80K: What’s the Difference

Even though the C3 and A80K TVs are very similar, there are several differences that can affect the viewing experience. Below you’ll find the comparison between these two TVs that will help you decide which TV offers the better value for money.

Display and Brightness

LG C3 comes in 6 different sizes, so you can choose between 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches. The Sony A80K, in contrast, only comes in 3 sizes, so you can only choose between 55, 65, and 77 inches. Both TVs have an OLED display, indicative of their high quality and which can produce a 4K resolution.

The fundamental difference is the type of panel these TVs make use of to deliver the viewing experience. The LG C3 uses the latest OLED Evo display panel and from the start, the LG C3 TV is much thinner and lighter than the Sony A80K. Therefore, the LG C3 can produce perfect black levels so that you’ll have an immersive viewing experience, thanks to the depth and clarity of the screen. The Sony A80K is just as good at delivering great black levels and also offers an excellent viewing experience from wide angles.

The difference between these two models, however, is the brightness. The LG C3 is much brighter and can deliver specular highlights, so everything looks much brighter on the C3 than it does on the A80K. Although both TVs are very similar, have a similar price, and use similar technology, the improved OLED Evo panel on the LG C3 is most noticeable for its better brightness, making the LG C3 the better choice in the Display and Brightness category.

Performance and Gaming

If you like to game and want to use an OLED TV for gaming, there’s good news, as both TVs are ideal for gaming and support gamers with several built-in features. LG equipped the C3 with a 6th generation Alpha A9 chip combined with four 2.1 HDMI ports. With a variable refresh rate, you can experience gaming at 120Hz. The LG C3 also has additional features for gamers, such as low-latency mode and G-Sync compatibility. There’s also VRR functionality that automatically adjusts the refresh rate between sources which can be useful when switching between gaming devices. LG also equipped the C3 with one of the best processors from LG, so you can expect responsive performance combined with the latest webOS from LG, which lets you download games directly to your TV without having to connect a PC or a gaming console.

The Sony A80K, in contrast, offers G-Sync compatibility but lacks some other gaming features. It also only has two 2.1 HDMI ports and doesn’t offer as much support as the LG C3. Therefore, LG C3 is the better choice if you plan to play games. Finally, you also benefit from the aforementioned OLED Evo panel that outputs better brightness so that you can focus on the game.

Interface and Smart Features

While the webOS from LG is pretty decent and easy to use, the Sony A80K has a slightly sleeker interface that is more responsive and easier to navigate. Please note that Sony relies on Google’s TV platform for the user interface, navigation, and use of the TV’s best features. The LG C3 relies on the well-known standard webOS, so the user interface is just a matter of preference. If you’re new to both interfaces, you may have to get used to how they work, but both platforms are fast and efficient.

Concerning smart features, the LG C3 integrates with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Apple AirPlay, and Google Assistant. There are also many other third-party extensions and features that you can download and use on your TV to suit your needs. Of the streaming services, you can use Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Disney+, AppleTV, Paramount+, YouTube, Spotify, and many others. The Sony A80K has just as many smart features built-in, but you can also download and use streaming services. Thus, making both TVs equally smart and efficient.

Audio and Compatibility

The Sony A80K integrates Dolby Atmos, DTS, and the Vertical Surround Engine. Sony also supports Acoustic Surface Audio+, IMAX Enhanced, and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode. With these audio features, the A80K offers crisp and clean sound with a decent amount of bass to support games or feature films. The LG C3 has 7.1.2 surround sound and supports DTS, DTS:X, and IMAX Enhanced codecs. So, both TVs offer a very good sound experience, but the LG C3 has slightly superior audio thanks to the surround sound system.

The LG C3 has four 4.1 HDMI ports, which are ideal for gaming with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, while the Sony A80K only has two 4.1 HDMI ports. Of the other connections, both TVs have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB ports.

Additional Features and Pricing

The LG C3 doesn’t contain many new features compared to its predecessor. So you can expect the Brightness Booster to be combined with the OLED EX. In addition, LG also introduces its Game Optimizer dashboard and a newer Bluetooth 5.0 version. It’s also worth mentioning that the LG C3 supports more DTS formats than the Sony A80K.

The Sony A80K has the calibrated Bravia Core mode, built-in PS5 features, and Ambient Optimization Pro. These are all great additional features, but although the LG C3 has fewer additional optimization features, the C3 has much better picture quality with better brightness. Other important additional features are the OS updates that the A80K receives, while the LG C3 doesn’t receive updates for its OS. Also, the Sony A80K has Chromecast built into the TV. This may not be necessary for all users, but some who rely on Chromecast will love this feature. The LG C3 doesn’t have Chromecast integration.

Pricing for the LG C3 is not yet known, as it was just unveiled at CES 2023, but Sony priced the A80K between $1,300 and $2,700 depending on the chosen size.

LG C3 vs. Sony A80K: Must-Known Facts

• LG C3 is available in more sizes than Sony A80K
• LG C3 has a better OLED Evo panel that delivers better picture quality and brightness
• Both TVs have OLED screens and offer 4K resolution
• The LG C3 has more gaming features that provide a better experience
• LG C3 has a VRR feature that automatically adjusts the refresh rate when switching between sources, eliminating black screen
• Sony A80K uses Google OS, while LG C3 uses webOS
• Sony A80K has more integrated video functions

LG C3 vs. Sony A80K: Which One is Better?

The C3 is the better TV and offers better value because it integrates a newer panel and the best LG processor. This combination provides better picture quality, higher brightness, and a better viewing experience for all content. It also offers features that support gamers who want to take advantage of the LG C3s technology.

In this context, it’s also worth noting that the C3 is a much newer TV that LG has just announced, while the Sony A80K is an older generation TV. With that said, the Sony A80K can still hold its own well with a newer TV like the C3. So if you’re on a budget or don’t need the latest and greatest viewing experience that the C3 offers, the Sony A80K is still a great value for its price.