© Grzegorz Czapski / Shutterstock.com
LG, the South Korean tech giant, has been in the TV game for decades and is known for producing quality TVs. Over the years, they have taken it a notch higher and are pushing boundaries when it comes to the latest smart TV technology.
This year’s excitement culminated at the 2023 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, when LG announced the release of its anticipated newest smart OLED TVs. The extravagant display showcased expected upgrades as well as new features to be expected.
In today’s article, we’re going to compare two of the company’s newest releases, the LG M3 and the LG C3 and find out what you can expect from them.
LG M3 vs. LG C3: Overview
LG has been releasing impressive display technology for over a decade, and the improvements we’ve seen since the earliest models are nothing short of amazing. While the M3 and C3 are actually some of the more tame releases we saw at CES, the company still had some fascinating tech to show off.
TVs like the LG OLED Flex wowed critics with unique designs. Winning an award for “Best of Innovation” in the gaming category, the Flex shows us what the latest technology is truly capable of. While some of the more flashy displays are designed to impress the gaming crowd, LG also created something to upgrade the average living room or home theater: the M3 and the C3.
Specs released by LG on these two TVs at CES were not very detailed. So, we can only infer the technical differences based on speculation. We’ll have to wait for their launch in the spring of this year to see how they actually perform against each other. Let’s talk about what we do know.
LG M3 vs. LG C3: Side-by-Side Comparison
| LG M3 (Signature) | LG C3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Screen Size | 77″, 83″, 97″ | 42”, 48”, 55”,65”, 77”, 83” |
| Display | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Video Processor | Alpha 9 Gen 6 | Alpha 9 Gen 6 |
| Refresh Rate | 100/120 Hz | 100/120Hz |
| Smart TV Apps | Amazon Prime, Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube | Amazon Prime, Netflix, Apple TV, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, YouTube |
| HDMI | 3 slots HDMI 2.1 (on connect box) | 4 slots, 2.1, eARC support |
| Video Formats | MPEG4/2, HEVC, VP9, AV1 | MPEG4/2, HEVC, VP9, AV1 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 – 802.11ax | – |
| Special Features | Zero Connect Wireless box, Dashboard, One Wall Design | Quick cards, Custom picture mode |
| USB Slots | 3 slots | 3 slots |
- LG ThinQ AI voice assistant included
- Features Dolby Atmos technology
- Superb contrast
- Comes in a variety of sizes from 48 inches to 83 inches
LG M3 vs. LG C3: What’s the Difference?
The LG M3, dubbed the “LG Signature,” clearly shows that technology is improving. It comes in 77”, 83”, and 97” sizes, reinforcing our observations that average TV sizes are increasing. They all come with a new feature called Brightness Booster Max, meant to increase brightness by an alleged 70 percent.
Additionally, the LG M3 includes a wireless connection with a 120Hz refresh rate and 4K capabilities. In other words, it has all the standard features you would expect on a decent smart TV.
On the flip side, the LG C3 is a remodel of the C2, and though they are similar in many ways, there are some minor differences between the two generations. The LG C3 includes additional features for LGs WebOS 23, a redesign after users complained about the 2021 updates. These new updates include a picture mode that you can customize yourself, a taste of freedom we haven’t seen from TV manufacturers in the past.
Design
The LG M3 is designed based on LG’s One Wall Design, and you can mount it on any wall without having to worry about rear-mounted connections. It also has a tripod base just in case you would prefer to place it rather than mount it.
The LC C3, on the other hand, is impressively thinner than the previous generation it replaces. Still, it sports a more conventional design than the M3. Both TVs have tastefully thin bezels and a smooth finish, making them fit in perfectly with modern, minimalist decor.
Size
LG has maintained quality when it comes to its OLED panels, making them smaller on both the LG M3 and the LG C3. However, the LG C3 does not get as big as the M3 — its anticipated biggest size will be 83”, while the M3 will become LGs biggest OLED TV at 97”.
Picture Quality
The LG C3 is expected to include AI Super Upscaling Pro, a feature that enhances its 4K content using the latest advances in artificial intelligence. This feature is also expected to reduce the C3’s noise levels.
LG did not give full picture specifications for the LG M3 but only mentioned that it will have a 4K OLED panel, an Alpha 9 processor, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos.
©Yugong Luo/Shutterstock.com
Features
One of the major features of the LG M3 is its wireless connection, which makes it a plug-and-play TV. However, it will still need a power cable to operate, and it is only the AV signal that will transmit wirelessly.
The LG C3 also received its own upgrades, including improvements to the webOS. Some of the new features include things like Quick Cards that group similar applications together and a new Custom Picture mode. This feature takes you through different images to ascertain your image preferences. You can then customize your brightness, saturation, and contrast levels, just as you would on any TV.
Audio Quality
Fitted with Dolby Audio and Dolby Digital Surround, the LG M3 is designed to produce a clear and high-fidelity sound. However, you can also connect it to speakers or soundbars if you want to really beef up your audio. In fact, LG has matching soundbars, subwoofers, and even full surround sound setups to go along with their TV lineup.
Inputs and Connections
All the LG M3 connections are found in the Zero Connect Box, which looks like a console and is similar to Samsung’s One Connect Box. The box can wirelessly send images and audio within 30 meters of the TV, meaning you don’t have to struggle to connect things to the back of a wall-mounted display anymore.
The Zero Connect Box contains all the inputs used to connect external devices. It features 3 HDMI ports, USB, and USB-C, and is compatible with voice commands, eliminating the need for a remote (even though you can still use one if you want).
Unlike the M3, the LG C3 has its ports at the back of the TV. The conventional design is a little more familiar, and it has space for four HDMI connections. However, LG announced that the LG C3 would not include an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Coupled with the lack of the Zero Connect Box, it is looking like the C3 will be the underdog of LG’s new series.
LG M3 vs. LG C3: 6 Must-Know Facts
- WebOS is LG’s Smart TV operating system, and it is Linux based.
- Both OLED TVs will come with a Quick Media Switching VRR feature that eliminates the black screen when moving between TV sources.
- The Zero Connect Box comes with an algorithm that identifies the optimal transmission path for the signal. This way, the Connect Box can minimize interference or disruption.
- Both TVs come with wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
- You can mount either TV on any compatible mount since they are both VESA certified.
- The LG M3 and C3 do not have a set release date, but we can expect them in spring of 2023.
- LG ThinQ AI voice assistant included
- Features Dolby Atmos technology
- Superb contrast
- Comes in a variety of sizes from 48 inches to 83 inches
LG M3 vs. LG C3: Which One is the Better New TV?
The LG M3 is clearly in a league of its own, and if you love neat cable management, this TV will tick that box for you. Picture and sound quality are slated to be even better than the previous generations, but the higher cost might make you a little hesitant. We’ll have to wait for the official release to see how it compares to Samsung’s high-end offerings.
On the other hand, the LG C3 doesn’t differ too much from the C1 or C2, and if you have any of these two, you may not necessarily need the upgrade. But, if you have a significantly older TV, the C3’s affordable price tag makes it a tempting buy.
