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.
