Buying a TV in 2026 feels like a weird game of chicken. You’re always waiting for the "next big thing" or that mythical price drop that makes a flagship affordable. If you’ve been looking at the LG C4 OLED 65, you’ve probably noticed it’s basically become the default answer for anyone asking for a "good" TV.
But is it actually good, or just well-marketed?
Honestly, the LG C4 is in a strange spot. It’s the middle child that grew up and realized it didn't need to be the flashiest to be the smartest. While the G-series (like the G4 or G5) gets the fancy Micro Lens Array (MLA) tech that makes screens bright enough to sunburn your retinas, the C4 65-inch sticks to the "Evo" panel.
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It's a workhorse. It’s the TV you buy when you want that perfect OLED ink-black contrast but don't want to spend "down payment on a car" money.
What changed with the LG C4 OLED 65?
If you put the C4 next to the older C3, you might struggle to tell them apart at first. Seriously. They look almost identical. But inside, LG swapped the brain for the alpha 9 AI Processor Gen7.
Why does that matter to you?
Mainly because of how it handles low-quality content. If you're still watching older 1080p shows or sports broadcasts that look a bit soft, this chip is significantly better at cleaning up the "noise" without making people look like they're made of wax.
The 144Hz Jump
For the gamers, this was the big headline. The LG C4 OLED 65 bumped its native refresh rate support from 120Hz to 144Hz.
- PS5/Xbox users: This doesn't matter for you. Your consoles are capped at 120Hz anyway.
- PC Gamers: This is a big deal. If you have a high-end rig, that extra headroom makes motion feel buttery smooth.
I've spent time with this panel playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty. The 0.1ms response time is the real hero here. There is zero—and I mean zero—perceivable lag. It feels like the TV is reading your mind.
Brightness: The Elephant in the Room
Let's be real: OLEDs used to be "dark room only" TVs. If you had a window, you were doomed to see your own reflection more than the movie.
The C4 has pushed past that, mostly.
In HDR, the LG C4 OLED 65 can hit peaks around 950 to 1,000 nits in a 10% window. For context, the older C3 was usually hanging out around 800. Is it a massive jump? No. But it's enough to make "specular highlights"—the sun glinting off a car or a lightsaber—actually pop.
However, if your living room is basically a greenhouse with floor-to-ceiling windows, you might still struggle. In those cases, a Mini-LED or the much pricier LG G4 with MLA tech is the better play. But for 90% of people, the C4 is plenty bright.
The "Green Tint" and Other Quirks
No tech is perfect. One thing people have noticed with the C4 series—and this is a bit of a "pro" observation—is a slight green tint when you look at the screen from a sharp side angle.
If you're sitting on a couch directly in front of it, you’ll never see it. If you’re sitting in the "forbidden chair" at the far edge of the room during a Super Bowl party, you might notice white scenes look a tiny bit off-color.
Also, webOS 24 (the software) is... fine. It’s fast. But it's also full of ads for shows you don't want to watch.
Pro Tip: Go into the settings and turn off "Home Promotion" and "Content Recommendation" immediately. Your sanity will thank you.
Comparing the Value: 2024 vs 2025 vs 2026
Price-wise, the LG C4 OLED 65 has been on a wild ride. At launch, it was hovering near $2,699. By the time 2026 rolled around, we've seen it drop as low as **$1,176** during major sales events.
That is an insane amount of TV for the price.
If you find a C3 for significantly cheaper (like $300-$400 less), honestly? Take the C3. The differences aren't world-changing for a casual viewer. But if the price is within $100, the C4’s better processing and 5-year software update guarantee (LG’s "Re:New" program) make it the smarter long-term bet.
Real-World Action Plan
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on an LG C4 OLED 65, here is exactly how to set it up for the best experience:
- Check your Stand: The 65-inch model uses a pedestal stand that is fairly narrow, which is great for small TV stands, but it sits low. If you have a chunky soundbar, it will block the bottom of the screen. Plan to wall mount or get a "riser."
- Filmmaker Mode is King: When you first turn it on, the "Vivid" mode will look cool for five minutes, then it’ll start to hurt your eyes. Switch to Filmmaker Mode for movies. It disables all the fake motion smoothing (the "soap opera effect") and gives you the colors the director actually intended.
- Gaming Setup: Ensure you're using a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI 2.1 cable. If you use an old cable from 2018, you won't get 4K/120Hz or VRR, and you'll wonder why your $1,500 TV looks like junk.
- Protect the Panel: OLED burn-in is much rarer now, but it’s still a thing. Don't leave a news channel with a static ticker running for 10 hours a day. Use the "Screen Move" and "Pixel Cleaning" features found in the OLED Care menu.
The LG C4 OLED 65 isn't a revolutionary leap, but it is the most refined version of the "C" series we've ever seen. It’s the safe, smart pick for anyone who wants a cinematic experience without the experimental price tag of the newest "M" or "G" series models.
Check your local listings at places like Costco or Best Buy; in early 2026, these are often bundled with a free 5-year warranty, which is basically peace of mind in a box.