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LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 are parts of LG’s 2017 4K HDR OLED TV lineup. OLED G7 is the successor of OLED G6, the flagship of LG’s 2016 OLED TV Lineup. But in 2017, since LG has released OLED W7 series, OLED G7 no longer becomes the flagship in 2017. Additionally, if OLED G6 still has 3D technology, OLED G7 now is not equipped with 3D technology. On other hand, LG OLED C7 is the successor of C6, the mid-end model of LG’s 2016 OLED lineup. The major difference, if OLED C6 comes with curved panel, OLED C7 now comes with flat panel. In the market, both OLED G7 and C7 are equally available with 2 screen sizes option. For G7, it is available on 65 inch (OLED65G7P) and 77 Inch (OLED77G7P), while for C7, it is available on 55 inch (OLED55C7P) and 65 Inch (OLED65C7P). Since the size that available on both is only 65 inch, this comparison certainly is as true to this size (OLED65C7P vs OLED65G7P). With the same screen size, OLED65G7P is priced thousands dollar more expensive or almost double than the price of OLED65C7P. So, what are the advantages that offered by OLED G7 and which is a better choice between them refer to the price/value?
LG OLED G7 vs OLED C7 Key Specs
Specs and Features | LG OLED C7 | LG OLED G7 |
---|---|---|
Resolution | 4K (2160 x 3840) | 4K (2160 x 3840) |
Sizes Available | 55 Inch (OLED55C7P), 65 Inch (OLED65C7P) | 65 Inch (OLED65G7P), 77 Inch (OLED77G7P) |
Picture On Glass Design | No | Yes |
Screen Type | Flat | Flat |
Panel Type | OLED | OLED |
Dimming | Pixel Dimming | Pixel Dimming |
Backlight | Self Lighting Pixel | Self Lighting Pixel |
HDR Engine | Active HDR with Dolby Vision | Active HDR with Dolby Vision |
HDR Format | HDR 10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Advanced HDR | HDR 10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Advanced HDR |
HDR Effect | Yes | Yes |
Ultra HD Premium Certification | Yes | Yes |
Color Technology | 4 Sub pixels technology (RGBW) | 4 Sub pixels technology (RGBW) |
Advanced Technology | Perfect Black Panel, Ultra Luminance, Cinematic Color, True Color Accuracy, etc | Perfect Black Panel, Ultra Luminance, Cinematic Color, True Color Accuracy, etc |
4K Up-scaling | Tru 4K Up-Scaler | Tru 4K Up-Scaler |
3D Technology | No | No |
Platform | WebOS 3.5 | WebOS 3.5 |
Features | Web Browser, VoD Service, Cloud Games, Samsung’s Apps store, etc | Web Browser, VoD Service, Cloud Games, Samsung’s Apps store, etc |
Remote | LG Magic Remote | LG Magic Remote |
HDMI | 4 (HDCP 2.2) | 4 (HDCP 2.2) |
USB | 3 | 3 |
Ethernet | 1 | 1 |
RF (Terrestrial Cable) | 1 | 1 |
Composite In (AV) | 1 | 1 |
Component In | 0 | 0 |
Wi-Fi Built In | 802.11 ac | 802.11 ac |
Built In Sound Bar | No | Yes (Foldable) |
Channel | 2.2 Channel | 4.2 Channel |
Total Audio Output | 40W (Woofer: 20W) | 65 Inch : 60W (Woofer: 20W), 77 Inch: 80 watts (Woofer: 20W), |
Price | See today’s price | See today’s price |
Technologies and Features of LG OLED C7 and OLED G7
Although LG OLED G7 are priced far more expensive than OLED C7, except built-in sound bar of G7 and their design, both of them are powered by almost the same technologies and features. They equally use OLED panel that offer infinite contrast and perfect black level which supported by the number of LG’s most advanced technologies. On brightness improvement, there is Ultra Luminance technology behind them, while on color improvement, they use 4 sub-pixels (RGBW) technology that maximized by Tru Color accuracy and support 10 bit depth of color. Like most of TVs which released in 2017, both LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 are also focused on HDR by supported Active HDR as its HDR processor and already supports most of HDR format including HDR 10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and Advanced HDR. Additionally, both of them are also equally certified by Ultra HD Premium Certification that means they are able to show HDR 10 images like what recommended by UHD Alliance. Not even just that, they also equally have a feature named “HDR effect” that can improve the brightness and color range of the picture and combined to its great performance of UHD Up-scaling Engine called “Tru 4K Up-Scaler” this allows you to enjoy any contents with the quality as close as possible to 4K HDR.
Meanwhile, since OLED panel doesn’t use backlight, this makes OLED panel has extremely low pixel response time. A result, both of them offer you to watch fast paced contents like sports or fast movies with smooth and clear picture quality with almost no motion blur. Additionally, their performance when playing 24p movies is also great. No matter the frame rate of the source, you can enjoy movies clearly with judder-free on their screen. For spoiling the gamers, both LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 also equally have low input lags. And combined to its great motion handling and excellent picture quality, this makes both as a great TV for games. For connecting with other devices, LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 equally equipped with 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB ports, and other inputs/outputs, allow them to cover most of your other electronic devices at once. And that is not less interesting is about its smart TV platform. With WebOS 3.5 as their platform, they offer simple, attractive, and responsive smart TV experience with a lot of apps and smart features provided.
The differences between LG OLED C7 and OLED G7
Design
One of the aspects that make LG OLED G7 is sold much more expensive than OLED C7 is about their design. OLED G7P comes with a unique design named “picture on glass” that makes it look luxury and elegant in your room. On its main panel, the OLED panel is seat on a sheet of glass, makes it has extremely thin of thickness. Meanwhile, from the front, since the edge is transparent, makes almost all of display area is picture. Meanwhile, at the bottom, there is a built-in sound bar with radiator-style grill that can be folded. This means, where it is seat on the table, the sound bar also act as the pedestal that support that support the main panel solidly. Additionally, all electronics and inputs/outputs are put together on the box of the sound-bar, make the main panel is clean from everything. There is only a thin box at the two thirds of center of the bottom that supports the main panel to sound bar. And for allowing this TV can be mounted on the wall, the sound-bar can be folded backwards. On the other hand, although not as luxury as OLED G7P, the design of LG OLED C7P is also excellent. Except a third bottom of the screen where all electronics and inputs/output are put, from the side, this TV also looks very thin. But unlike OLED G7P where the panel is seat on a sheet of glass, the panel of OLED C7P is put on a plastic material. Overall, it is similar to OLED B6 series, but with a bit improvement on the aesthetic and a different stand.
Built-In Sound Bar
Sound Bar of OLED G7
The other main difference between them is about built-in sound bar where OLED G7P is equipped with 4.2 channels built-in sound bar with 60 watts of total sound output, while OLED C7P is not equipped with built-in sound bar. As a replacement it is equipped with 2.2 channel speaker system with 40 watts of total sound output. This certainly makes OLED G7 offer more impressive sound quality than OLED C7, particularly on low end frequency or bass. But even so, although without a built-in sound bar, the sound quality of OLED C7 is also already fairly well, particularly when compared with other TVs which equally not equipped with built-in sound-bar.
Remote
Both LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 might equally come with LG’s magic remote but their model is different. The remote of OLED G7P is similar to OLED E7P while the remote of OLED C7P is similar to OLED B7A. The body of G7’s remote is thinner and far longer. Additionally, most of the material is metal, makes it has appreciable weight. Meanwhile, the remote of OLED C7 is shorter but thicker with all material is plastic and with round-edges at the bottom. But even so, although they have a difference in design, but they have similar features and buttons layout.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the OLED C7 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the OLED G7 <<
Performance of LG OLED G7 and OLED C7
Picture Quality
As we have mentioned above, although LG OLED G7P is priced almost double than the price of OLED C7P, but overall, the have almost similar picture quality. Their picture quality is equally excellent. The strongest aspect of picture quality that offered by LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 is about their infinite contrast and perfect black level. As we know, each pixel of OLED panel can emit its own light and switch on/off/dim individually without affected by the condition of other pixel surrounding. Since each of its pixels can emit its own light, this makes OLED panel doesn’t need a backlight. When showing totally black, there is no pixel that emits the light, makes the screen doesn’t emit the light at all. The result, black looks perfectly dark while black uniformity is also excellent. This makes both OLED C7P and OLED G7P has excellent performance when showing dark scene, even in a dark environment where the effect of high native contrast ratio is very noticeable. Black of images can be shown perfectly, as well as the dark colors, they also can be shown fairly accurate. Meanwhile, when displaying HDR contents where deep black level is required to clearly show detail of images in dark scene, performance of OLED C7 and OLED G7 is also perfect for that. Detail of images in dark scene of HDR images displayed on their screen can be revealed excellently, result in excellent shadow details of HDR images like the intended by HDR technology itself.
While the black level of LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 is the best, their peak brightness is also excellent for OLED TV. When inputted by SDR signal, they are able to reach more than 300 nits that means it is quite bright to dampen the glare of ambient light, makes their picture quality look remain excellent in a bright room. But unfortunately, their peak brightness is not quite bright for an extremely bright room or a room with sunlight through the window likes at the outdoor or show room. This means, when used in a very bright room, both of them cannot show their best performance and the picture displayed on their screen will look a bit dim. Meanwhile, when inputted by HDR signal, both of them can reach far brighter peak brightness, even brighter than 2016 model. With more than 700 nits, this certainly is quite bright to show highlight of HDR 10 images like the intended. As we know, to show highlight of HDR 10 images like what recommended by UHD Alliance, an OLED TV must have at least 550 nits of peak brightness. But even so, if compared to premium LED TV like Sony X930E or Samsung Q99 which have more than 1000 nits of peak brightness, both LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 cannot show highlight of HDR images as bright as them. Additionally, since HDR images are usually mastered at 1000-4000 nits of peak brightness, this certainly makes both OLED C7 and G7 cannot show highlight of HDR image as bright as the native brightness where they are mastered.
In term of color performance, both of LG OLED E7 and OLED G7 also have excellent rendition of colors. Their color gamut is equally excellent and only a bit less than Samsung QLED TV as the TV with widest color gamut in 2017. In DCI P3 color space, all three primary colors red, green, blue can be shown fairly saturated, makes colors of HDR images that mastered in DCI P3 like HDR 10 videos can be shown fairly accurate. Meanwhile, in Rec.2020, their color gamut coverage might not as great as in DCI P3, but at least, its Rec.2020 color coverage is also fairly well. Like most of modern TVs, they might not be able to show green fairly saturated, but blue and green of primary colors are still able to be shown fairly saturated. As the result, overall, colors of the picture that mastered in Rec.2020 like Dolby Vision contents still can be shown fairly accurate. On the other hand, both LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 also equally have good color volume. Except colors in nearly their peak brightness, they can fairly well show their wide color gamut at their entire brightness range, even at very dark colors where LED TVs cannot do that. While at nearly their peak brightness, their color gamut a bit narrows , makes the colors at nearly their peak brightness cannot be shown as saturated as at moderately or darker colors. While color gamut of LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 is excellent and their color volume is also good, both of them also have excellent color gradient. They already support 10 bit depth of color that means they can deliver more than 1.07 billion shades of color. On the other hand, HDR images are usually mastered at least in 10 bit depth of color. The result, color gradient of HDR images displayed on their screen looks very smooth. Some little irregularities at darker color and gray scale might prevent them to make the perfection. But even so, this should not be a problem and overall, their color gradient is great.
The advantage that offered, the picture displayed on their screen looks excellent not only if viewed from the front and center, but also from the side. This means when you are watching TV from the side, the picture displayed on their screen will look as excellent as when viewed from the front and center. Since OLED panel doesn’t have backlight, this makes the side viewing coverage of OLED G7P and OLED C7P is excellent, even better than LED TV with IPS panel. So, if you often watch TV from the side or you have a plan to use the TV in a wide room with viewers watch TV from multiples angles, both of them might be a good choice for you.
Meanwhile, for anticipating the many movies which mastered in non 4K resolution, both of them equally equipped with great performance of UHD Up-scaling engine named “Tru 4K Up-Scaler”. No matter the resolution of the source, even low resolution videos like DVD movies with 480p resolution, they will be up-converted to nearly 4k resolution sharply with details are still preserved. And of course, the higher resolution of the source like 720p movies or 1080p movies, the final images in 4K produced will look sharper with details are preserved better. Even not just that, for 2017 model, there is a new feature named “HDR effect” where when it is activated, it is able to improve the color and brightness range of the images, allows you to enjoy any contents not just in 4K resolution, but also with quality as close as possible to 4K HDR.
As we have discussion a lot above, almost all aspects of picture quality produced by LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 are strong. But this doesn’t mean they don’t have a drawback. The major drawback of them is about their images retention (burn-in) that is bad, even worse than 2016 model. The image retention usually appears when you use the TV over long time, particularly when used for playing games. But don’t worry, if some image retentions are visible after you turn on these TVs over long time, you can get rid this issue easily by turning on “Pixel Refresher” under “OLED Panel Setting”.
Motion Handling and 24p Playback
When used to play fast paced contents like fast movies or sports program, both LG OLED G7 and C7 are also able to do a perfect job. Without a backlight also makes OLED panel has extremely low pixel response time, far lower than the lowest response time can be reached by LED TV. As a result, you can enjoy your favorite fast movies, sports or others with smooth and clear picture quality with virtually no motion blur. If you are sensitive to blur, you might notice see a bit blur following fast moving object, you probably will notice a bit blur following the fast moving object, but the they are extremely short and vague. For most people with untrained eyes, they will not notice that. When used to play 24p movies, both LG OLED C7 and G7 also equally have excellent performance. No matter it is 24p videos like Blu-Ray Movies, 24p videos via 60i signal like movies from satellite TV, or even 24p videos via 60p signal like movies from streaming device, all of them will be shown clearly with judder-free. While for removing the judder without adding “soap opera effect”, for movies via 60i/60p signal, you just need to turn on the “Real Cinema” option on “on the picture setting menu. Meanwhile, for 24p movies like Blu-Ray movies, you need to set “Tru Motion” option to “User” and also set both sliders (De-Judder and De- Blur) to zero. Additionally, since both LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 have native 120 Hz refresh rate panel, this allow both of them can interpolate both 30fops and 60fps content fairly well.
Inputs/Outputs
LG OLED G7 Inputs
LG OLED C7 Side Inputs
LG OLED C7 Rear input
As their inputs/outputs, both LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 equally equipped with 4 HDMI ports as their major connectivity where all of their HDMI ports already support HDMI 2.0 full bandwidth and HDCP 2.2, while that supports ARC (Audio Return Channel) is HDMI 2. Additionally, they are also equally equipped with 3 USB ports, 1 USB 3.0 (USB 1) for high speed connecting like external hard disk and 2 USB 2.0 (USB 2 and 3) for standard USB connection. IN addition to USB and HDMI ports, they are also equally equipped with 1 Composite In (AV In), 1 RF In (Antenna In), 1 Ethernet port, 1 Digital Audio Out (Optical). They are also equally not equipped with Component In. With all of these inputs/output ports, they are certainly more than enough to cover most of your other electronic devices. Meanwhile, discussing about their input lags, they also have similar inputs lags. Overall, their inputs lags are fairly low. In PC mode and Game mode, at both 4K and 1080p source, they have less than 25 ms of input lags that means it is excellent for any games. Their inputs lags might not as low as SJ9500 or SJ8500 series, but it is still lower than 2016 model. Combined to their excellent picture quality and great motion handling, this makes both OLED G7P and C7P are as a good option for game. But as mentioned, since they have bad image retention, you might find some images retention on their screen after playing game over long time.
Smart TV
Both LG OLED C7 and OLED G7 also have similar smart TV platform that is WebOS 3.5. As we know, Web OS is one of the best smart TV platform that offers simple, attractive, and responsive smart TV experience. In this features, it is powered by a new chip that makes its performance is more responsive and faster. Additionally, it also comes with some new features like 360-degrees videos, speed dials, and more that makes it is more comfortable and attractive. Nevertheless, in term of “User Interface”, there are not many changes and it is still simple. At the bottom across the screen of “Home Menu”, there is still a “Strip Bar” contains the number of tiles as the quick access to setting menu, apps, and inputs. It is customizable that means you rearrange the “tiles” by bringing your favorites or most used apps up-front, while the apps are rarely used can be relegated to the back. This certainly allows you to launch your favorite app or make a setting easier and faster. Meanwhile, for spoiling you when enjoying smart TV experience, apps provided by WebOS are very complete and diverse. There are VoD service like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Videos, and others, Live TV, Web Browser, Games, and many more. Additionally, there is also LG’s apps store provided tons of downloadable apps, games, and contents where you can directly download from your TV. Apps provided by LG’s apps store might not as many as Google Play Store by Android TV or Samsung apps store, but this precisely makes it more focused on what the people want.
As we have discussed above, LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 might comes with different remote, but their button layout and smart features offered are similar. In addition number buttons and some quick access button, there are also Amazon and Netflix dedicated button, allows you to launch them without entering home screen. Additionally, there is also a clickable “scroll wheel” for scrolling the highlighted menu and opening menu or apps. There is also standard direction pad to redirect the highlight to the menu you want to select. The excellent feature that offered, you can move the pointer on the screen with remote’s movement, allow you to select the menu faster and easier. This is like a feature that offered by WII Nintendo. Not only that, both of these remote are also equipped with built-in microphone, allow you to search and control some TV functions and features with your voice.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the OLED C7 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the OLED G7 <<
Summary
Performance | LG OLED C7 (C7P) | LG OLED G7 (G7P) |
---|---|---|
Design | (4.8/5) | (4.8/5) |
Picture Quality | (4.3/5) | (4.3/5) |
HDR | (4.5/5) | (4.4/5) |
Motion Handling | (4.6/5) | (4.8/5) |
Inputs | (4.6/5) | (4.6/5) |
Sound Quality | (3.6/5) | (3.9/5) |
Smart TV | (4.1/5) | (4.1/5) |
Conclusion
As we have discussion a lot above, the excepting of design and built-in sound bar, LG OLED G7 and OLED C7 offer similar features and performance. Their picture quality is equally amazing, as well as the features which offered, their performance is also equally great like input lags, side viewing angle, input lags, and smart TV. Additionally, both of them are also equipped with the same inputs/outputs. Their drawbacks are also similar, that is without 3D technology and their image retention is bad. Coming with HDR technology, both of them also offer similar great HDR performance and equally certified by Ultra HD Premium Certification that means they are able to show HDR 10 images like what recommended by UHD Alliance. The other drawback but this cannot be said their real drawback, their peak luminance is still below 1000 nits that means it can show highlight of HDR images at 1000-4000 nits of brightness range where HDR images are usually mastered. Their performance in peak brightness might not as great as premium LED TV like Sony X930E or Samsung Q9F, but they are superior on contrast, black level and some other features. If you are searching serious HDR TV that offer great HDR performance, both of them might be a good option for you.
So, which is a better choice between them? As we have mentioned, in the market, LG OLED G7 are sold almost double than the price of LG OLED C7. While the major advantages that offered by OLED G7P is about their design and built-in sound bar. Now the decision comes back to you according to your preferences and budget. If you just focus on picture quality and HDR performance, OLED C7P might be a better choice for you. In addition to it has similar picture quality to OLED G7,P it is also priced much cheaper. On the other hand, if you have extra budget and don’t mind to spend more thousands dollar to get the luxury offered by OLED G7, what offered is comparable to the money you will spend.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the LG OLED C7 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the LG OLED G7 <<
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