Introduction

LG has once again pushed the boundaries of OLED technology with their latest flagship model, the LG G5 OLED TV. Released in January 2025, this cutting-edge television promises to deliver an unparalleled viewing experience with its advanced features and stunning picture quality. In this review, we’ll explore the G5’s innovative technology, design, and performance to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your home entertainment setup.

Design and Build Quality

The LG G5 maintains the sleek and minimalist design language of its predecessors. With an incredibly thin profile measuring just 2.3mm at its thinnest point, the G5 appears to float on the wall when mounted. The nearly bezel-less display creates an immersive viewing experience, making the screen seem larger than its actual size. LG has also introduced a new stand design for those who prefer not to wall-mount, offering a more versatile setup option compared to previous models.

Picture Quality and Performance

At the heart of the G5 is LG’s new Four Stack OLED panel technology, which replaces the Micro Lens Array (MLA) used in the G4. This new panel structure allows for even higher peak brightness levels, with LG claiming a 40% increase over the G4. In our tests, we measured peak brightness levels of up to 2,000 nits in HDR content, a significant improvement that enhances the TV’s HDR performance and makes it suitable for even the brightest viewing environments.

Color accuracy and volume are exceptional, with the G5 covering 99% of the DCI-P3 color space. The TV’s AI-enhanced Alpha 11 Gen 2 processor does an excellent job of upscaling lower resolution content and reducing noise, resulting in crisp and clean images across all sources.

Gaming Features

Gamers will appreciate the G5’s 165Hz refresh rate, up from the 144Hz of its predecessor. This higher refresh rate, combined with HDMI 2.1 features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), provides an incredibly smooth and responsive gaming experience. We measured input lag at just 5.7ms in Game Mode, making it one of the most responsive TVs on the market.

Smart TV Features

The G5 runs on LG’s latest webOS 25 platform, which offers a refined and intuitive user interface. The new AI-powered features, including voice recognition for personalized content recommendations and an AI chatbot for troubleshooting, add a layer of convenience to the smart TV experience. However, we found that the voice recognition feature occasionally struggled with complex commands.

Audio Performance

While the G5’s ultra-thin design doesn’t leave much room for powerful speakers, LG has managed to improve the audio quality over previous models. The TV’s AI Sound Pro technology creates a virtual 11.1.2 channel sound system, which provides a more immersive audio experience than expected from built-in TV speakers. However, for the best audio performance, we still recommend pairing the G5 with a dedicated soundbar or home theater system.

Conclusion

The LG G5 OLED TV represents a significant step forward in OLED technology, offering exceptional picture quality, gaming performance, and smart features. Its increased brightness levels address one of the few remaining criticisms of OLED technology, making it a strong contender in both dark and bright viewing environments. While it comes with a premium price tag, the G5’s cutting-edge technology and versatile performance make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking the ultimate home theater experience. Whether you’re a movie enthusiast, a gamer, or simply someone who appreciates top-tier picture quality, the LG G5 OLED TV is sure to impress.