The allure of OLED technology in the realm of television has captivated consumers seeking the epitome of picture quality. OLED displays are renowned for delivering exceptional visuals with profound black levels, vivid colors, and striking contrast. In the OLED TV market, giants like LG, Samsung, Sony, and more present a plethora of models, each seemingly differentiated by specifications such as advanced processors, heightened brightness, gaming features, and pricing that spans a broad spectrum.
Consider premium OLED offerings like the Samsung S95C, LG G3, and Sony A95L, priced between $1,899-3,000 for a 55-inch at the time of writing. These TVs are often hailed as some of the best OLED TVs ever released, promising an unrivaled viewing experience.
The assumption, then, might be that mid-range or budget models like the LG B3 (the entry-level OLED in LG’s 2023 lineup), the LG C3, Sony A80L, and Samsung S90C – with prices ranging from $1,100-1,500 for a 55-inch – would lack the features and performance of their premium counterparts. This could include differences in processing power, picture quality, and gaming capabilities. However, the gap between these TV categories is narrowing more than one might expect.
I conducted a comparison test between the LG G3 (a premium OLED) and the LG B3 (an entry-level OLED) from LG’s 2023 lineup, examining their performance side by side. The results were intriguing.
The Brightness Factor
One prominent distinction between the LG G3 and LG B3 was their brightness levels. The LG G3 incorporates micro-lens-array (MLA) technology, claimed to enhance brightness by 150% compared to LG’s 2022 models. This difference was palpable, especially in highlighting colors and bright scenes involving daylight, where the G3 significantly outshone the B3. This contrast in brightness is not uncommon in the OLED TV landscape.
With the advent of QD-OLED (quantum dot OLED) technology introduced by Samsung in 2022, which combines OLED’s black levels and contrast with the brightness of QLED technology, the boundaries between OLED TV categories started to blur. This amalgamation reached its zenith with the release of Samsung’s S90C and S95C in 2023, showcasing remarkable brightness levels. The S95C, as the more premium model, outshone the S90C by a notable 300 nits, as one would anticipate.
However, concerning aspects like black levels, contrast, and color quality, the distinctions between premium and budget OLEDs become less pronounced. When observing demo reel footage featuring various landscapes, including city nightscapes and snowy woodlands, both the LG G3 and LG B3 exhibited impressive contrast and deep black levels. The B3, despite its budget label, held its own against the G3. While the G3 was notably brighter, the B3 offered genuine value in terms of picture quality.
In the realm of processors, the story remains intriguing. Consider the Sony A80L and Sony A95L, occupying opposite ends of the price spectrum. Surprisingly, they share the same Cognitive Processor XR. As a result, these TVs deliver strikingly similar performance, with distinctions primarily emerging in brightness and color range.
Gaming and Motion Handling
Gaming performance is an area where budget OLEDs often surprise. Testing the LG G3 and B3 with Battlefield V, a first-person shooter (FPS), revealed remarkable similarities in performance and graphics. Fast panning between targets and within the game environment appeared smooth on both screens. Measuring input lag in Boost mode in the LG Game Optimizer yielded identical results of 9.2ms for both TVs. While premium OLEDs might offer marginal gaming improvements, budget OLEDs prove to be excellent gaming displays, especially with the proliferation of comprehensive game modes and menus on all TVs.
Motion processing, an area where premium OLEDs might seem to have an edge during fast-paced scenes or sports broadcasts, largely depends on the presence of a 100Hz/120Hz panel. Both the LG B3 and G3, with their 100Hz panels, adeptly handled fast panning motions while watching movies or playing action-packed games.
The Price Dilemma
A significant point of consideration is the price discrepancy between budget and premium OLEDs, which can range from $600/£700/AU$1,600 for models like the LG B3 and LG G3, to roughly $1,300/£1,400/AU$2,300 between the Sony A75L/A80L (budget OLEDs) and the Sony A95L. The potential savings from opting for a budget OLED could be reinvested in acquiring a top-tier soundbar, compensating for the audio quality gap often seen in budget OLEDs compared to their premium counterparts.
However, there are models that bridge the gap between budget and premium, offering a blend of value and performance. The Samsung S90C, though categorized as an ‘entry-level’ OLED in Samsung’s 2023 lineup, provides a mid to high-end OLED experience akin to the LG C3 and Sony A80L. It delivers almost all the features of its higher-end counterpart, the Samsung S95C, at a lower cost. This pattern is mirrored in the two Sony models, the A80L and A95L, which share the same processor. A similar story unfolds with the LG C3 and LG G3, allowing users to experience similar performance with a few feature differences in the mid-range OLED segment compared to the premium segment.
Final Thoughts
What becomes evident is the diminishing line that once separated budget and premium OLEDs. Furthermore, the offerings in budget OLEDs are continually improving. The LG B3, for instance, is emerging as a dark horse in the OLED TV world. While it may not dazzle with extreme brightness, under the right conditions, its picture quality surpasses its price tag.
Premium OLEDs do come equipped with a comprehensive suite of features and picture quality that appeals to discerning consumers. However, when reflecting on the TVs of yesteryears, the gap between budget and premium models does not appear as vast today.
OLEDs like the Samsung S90C, LG C3, and Sony A80L provide a mid-range option that appeals to those seeking an ideal blend of performance and affordability. Even the LG B3, despite its entry-level status, makes a compelling case for your investment. As OLED technology continues to evolve, the future may hold even fewer distinctions between premium and budget OLEDs.
