Key Points
- The LG C2 is a popular OLED TV, but it has some major flaws that buyers should be aware of.
- One major complaint is the risk of burn-in, which can permanently damage the screen.
- Dead pixels are another issue that can arise in the LG C2. However, they are usually spotted immediately after purchase.
- Brightness is a common complaint with OLED TVs, as they are not as bright as LED or QLED models.
Although the LG C2 is a popular OLED TV, it is not without complaints. In fact, many buyers simply overlook some of the biggest flaws that should really give them a reason to second guess their purchase. LG is well known for its high-end TVs and electronics, but not everything they make is perfect.
Additionally, the LG C2 succumbs to many problems that plague all OLED TVs, like a risk of burn-in and low brightness. Of course, LG has other alternatives, like their QLED TVs. But even those still have complaints about the proprietary operating system and cumbersome remote. Below are just some of the biggest complaints from LG C2 owners about their TV.
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels deliver over a billion colors, high peak brightness, and deep blacks
- The α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K adapts to your content to improve picture and sound
- Supports Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos
- LG Game Optimizer mode is compatible with NVIDIA G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium
- Supports VRR for smooth gameplay
Risk of Burn-in
The first complaint is the risk of burn-in associated with OLED TVs, which can damage the screen. While few people actually complain that their LG C2 has a burned-in image, the fear of it happening is still there. Therefore, it is still something you must be cognizant of in order to avoid causing permanent damage to your TV’s display.
If you aren’t familiar, burn-in happens when an image stays on your TV for too long and is essentially stuck in the pixel. Once this occurs, it cannot be undone or fixed, and you will always see a ghosted image in your display. Therefore, it is best not to use the LG C2 or any other OLED TV as a computer monitor where some portions of the screen do not change.
Additionally, you should be careful not to leave the TV on a menu screen or any other picture that doesn’t move for a long period of time. Newer OLED TVs like the C2 do have a built-in screen saver, which turns on if you leave the TV on a static screen.
Fortunately, technological advancements have reduced the risk of burn-in, but it is always a risk with OLED TVs.
Dead Pixels
Another major complaint from LG C2 buyers is the appearance of dead pixels. This is particularly concerning because it signifies major problems with the display. It isn’t uncommon for TVs to have some complaints about dead pixels. Although they should be caught before leaving the factory, some bad panels do get through. If you buy a TV that has dead pixels, return it to the store you purchased it from as soon as possible.
Dead pixels are typically stuck on a single color. They become very noticeable on single-colored screens because the faulty pixel stands out. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to fix a dead pixel. Your best bet is to exchange the TV for a new one and ensure it doesn’t have the same problem. Dead pixels don’t necessarily pop up in the same place, so thoroughly look over the entire display.
The only good thing about dead pixels is that they typically appear when you first plug the TV in. Although it is possible to end up with a dead pixel later, most of the time, they arrive that way from the factory. It doesn’t appear that many LG C2 panels have problems with dead pixels, but you should carefully check reviews if you are considering any other TV models to see if they suffer from major display problems.
Not Very Bright
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Brightness is always a major complaint when it comes to OLED TVs. The reason is that they aren’t as bright as comparable LED or QLED models. However, most people find that OLED TVs are more than sufficient for bedrooms and other rooms where there isn’t a lot of natural lighting. If you are planning on using the TV in a brightly lit living room, then you may want to reconsider.
The problem with OLED TVs is that they are directly lit by their pixels. Meaning they do not rely on a backlight like an LCD or LED TV. These individual pixels are very bright, but they still can’t reach the brightness of a backlit display. However, they do provide excellent contrast since each pixel can turn completely off during black scenes.
What you end up with is an excellent TV for watching action movies with a lot of contrast or movies set in outer space. The LG C2 comes in between 500-600nits, with a peak brightness of around 800nits. In comparison, QLED TVs often surpass 1,000nits, with some going beyond 2,000nits. So, if you are already using a QLED TV in your room, then the C2’s brightness may feel like a downgrade.
Goes Off/Off and On
Next, we have a very concerning complaint about the LG C2, which centers around the TV randomly turning itself off or restarting. This is a problem that actually affects a lot of LG TVs and not just the C2. It also isn’t a new problem, as people have complained about the LG TVs turning off and on for many years and through a number of new models.
In some cases, the TVs are designed to turn off after a certain period of inactivity. This is critical for an OLED because staying on a static image could damage the screen. Additionally, some problems are actually connected to streaming services that automatically turn off after a certain number of hours. Also, some people even have sleep settings enabled without realizing it.
Bear in mind that those are all functions that most TVs perform. Part of the concern is when the TV turns off unexplainably. The underlying problem is almost always software related, and it can lie with either an individual app or LG’s operating system, which we will get to in a moment. Rarely is there a hardware defect or something critically wrong that would affect the TV’s longevity.
Unfortunately, these issues just pop up, so you probably won’t notice it happening right away. The one instance where you would notice it immediately is if there is a power supply problem. Otherwise, it could start after an update or a setting change. One of the most common causes is in fact the “Always Ready” function, which you can actually disable.
LG webOS
No longer can you press the power button on a TV and instantly start watching without having to mess around with different menus. TVs today have operating systems with user interfaces that allow for streaming content. Many TV manufacturers like Hisense and TCL use existing software from Roku or Google, while others, such as LG, use a proprietary operating system.
LG’s TVs, including the C2, rely on LG’s webOS platform. The TV automatically shows this interface every time it turns on. From here, you can select different inputs and streaming services. However, it is one of the biggest complaints about the LG C2. Many people do not like the interface of webOS since it is pretty clunky.
Instead of showing a list of apps or streaming channels like Roku, it first displays a number of shows you can watch. Some of these shows are likely for streaming services you don’t have. Additionally, the number of apps is limited, and you may find that your favorite streaming service isn’t available. But worst of all, LG’s webOS often has glitches that can make using it very annoying.
Limited Inputs
This next complaint won’t affect everyone, but if you have a lot of input devices, then you will want to read through it carefully. The main input type that the majority of people use today is HDMI, and that is a good thing because the LG C2 has 4 HDMI ports. Each of those inputs supports 4K at 120Hz, and one of them supports eARC/ARC.
The C2 also includes three USB-A inputs that you can use to connect media devices, like flash drives and portable hard drives for easy viewing. There is also an antenna/cable coaxial connector that you can use with the built-in TV tuner. Lastly, there is an optical audio output for connecting to a sound system and an ethernet port for connecting to the internet.
The number of inputs is actually pretty good, but the variety is a bit lacking if you have other connection types like RCA or component cables. Additionally, there are no analog audio outputs like 3.5mm or RCA. Many other high-end TVs on the market also have limited inputs. This may not be a problem for you, but if it is, and you are set on an LG C2, you can always get an HDMI converter.
- AV RCA input is converted to HDMI input
- Requires 5V 1A power cable (included)
- Supported formats: PAL/N, PAL/M, SECAM, NTSC4.43, NTSC3.58, PAL
- Does not work in reverse (won't convert HDMI to RCA)
Remote
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Lastly, a lot of LG C2 owners absolutely hate the included remote. This remote is not made specifically for the C2, so you will find it with many other LG TVs. The functionality of the remote is pretty good. It does have a microphone so you can tell the TV what you want to watch. In addition, it can also serve as a pointing device. While not perfect, it allows you to point the remote at the screen to move a cursor rather than using directional arrows.
Most of the complaints about the remote pertain to its size and bulkiness. In all honesty, it does resemble a remote that would have come with a tube TV back in the early 2000s. But it manages to pack in a lot of features inside. Part of the reason is that it uses 2 AA batteries instead of smaller AAA ones used in other remotes like Roku’s. It thus has a full number pad, so you can go directly to a channel instead of using the up and down arrows. However, you really shouldn’t make a TV purchase decision solely based on the type of remote it comes with.
It Is Expensive
OLED TVs, in general, are very expensive, and the LG C2 certainly isn’t a budget-friendly option. Depending on the size you want, an LG C2 will cost over $1,000 and potentially over $2,000. That is a significant investment for a TV that you may only keep for a few years. Therefore, you should carefully consider how much a new TV is worth to you.
Keep in mind that you don’t need a high-end TV in every room and that you don’t need the biggest one available. You should definitely get a high-end TV for the room where you spend the most time. This is usually the living room, and it makes sense to have a good TV there. But bedrooms are often not worth the extra cost unless you watch a lot of movies or play video games.
Balancing the costs and benefits of a TV can be a tricky decision. But you can get a high-end model in a more affordable brand like TCL, Visio, or Hisense. In addition, you can consider getting a lower-end LG, Samsung, or Sony TV. If you have concerns about the price tag of the LG C2, then you should look at the more affordable QLED TVs that offer similar performance at a fraction of the price.
LG C2 Alternatives
If you aren’t sure whether the LG C2 is the right choice for you, then you may want to consider some of these popular alternatives. There are much cheaper options available if you don’t mind going with a standard LED TV rather than an OLED. In addition, you should also look at QLED TVs and competitors to see what best meets your needs.
Samsung QN90B
- Samsung’s ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs
- Quantum HDR 32X
- Neo Quantum Processor 4K uses AI-based deep learning to analyze content and optimize it to full 4K
- Anti-glare
- Ultra viewing angle
Samsung is well-known for its high-end TVs, and the QN90B is no exception. It is a QLED TV that comes pretty close to the LG C2. While it won’t be quite as good as an actual OLED, the QN90B still has excellent contrast. The price is also very close to the C2’s, and both deliver similar picture quality. However, the QN90B would be a great choice for bright rooms, like a living room.
Sony A95K OLED
- Quantum Dot color with QD-OLED panel and XR Triluminos Max
- XR OLED Contrast Pro technology
- Great for PlayStation 5
- HDMI 2.1 120Hz refresh rate
Sony is another manufacturer of high-end TVs, and their OLEDs are some of the most impressive on the market. The A95K is easily one of the best, and it scores well above the LG C2. If you want a better OLED than the C2, then the A95K is a great choice. Although it has a very high price tag, it does not have many of the complaints that the LG C2 does.
Hisense U8H
- Exclusive ULED technologies
- Quantum dot wide color gamut
- Up to 1500 nits peak brightness
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound
- Native 120Hz refresh rate
The Hisense U8H comes in significantly cheaper than the LG C2 while still delivering an exceptional picture. The biggest difference is that the U8H is not an OLED, nor is it a QLED. Instead, it is sold as a ULED, which is inferior to both those technologies, so you won’t get a stark contrast between lights and blacks. However, you will still get an excellent picture for under $1,000.
Should You Still Buy an LG C2?
Whether you should purchase the LG C2 will come down to how willing you are to overlook the complaints mentioned above. Obviously, some of the major problems, like panel problems, should not be ignored. However, you can easily remedy them by exchanging the TV in the unlikely event that you do get a bad one. But you may not consider some of the other complaints to be a big deal.
For instance, the limited inputs, bulky remote, and clunky operating system probably aren’t deal breakers. However, others like brightness and risk of burn-in should be carefully considered before purchasing any OLED TV. In fact, before purchasing a new TV, it is best to determine which features are most important and what your budget is to ensure you pick the right one.
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