Expert review of the LG G1 OLED EVO TV
LG OLED65G1RLA
- You can place the Gallery OLED TV flat against the wall with the included wall mount.
- Thanks to the new OLED EVO screen, you can view images with deep black levels, a powerful contrast, and a high brightness.
- The smart a9 Gen4 processor improves the image of every source, so you'll always watch sharp, smooth, and colorful images.
- In the renewed webOS smart platform, you can easily find your favorite movies and series, apps, and your connected appliances in one screen.
- In bright rooms, you're sometimes bothered with reflections on the screen.
- This TV doesn't include leg stands.
First impression of the LG G1
What I notice first is the stylish design of the LG G1. The television includes a thin wall mount, so the Gallery design comes out well. That way, the thin TV can hang exceptionally close to the wall and is a real eye catcher. I also notice that the looks of the Magic Remote has changed. The remote looks more luxurious than previous versions.
Higher brightness and detailed color representation
LG renews the OLED technique with the EVO panel. This technique ensures a better temperature control for a higher peak brightness. The TV can be adjusted brighter because of this, and also display HDR images better. I notice that even in the brightly-lit room I'm watching TV in, the bright image of the TV clearly stands out. When watching HDR images, subtle color tones are clearly visible. That way, colorful images look lively.
Deep black levels and high contrast
The bright image of the EVO panel is also beneficial for the contrast of the TV. Because an OLED screen has pixels that dim and illuminate individually, the black parts of the image are really black. Thanks to the EVO panel, bright parts of the image become extra bright. This provides a strong contrast and the TV has a lot of room to display color details. When I watch a dark action movie, this contrast will come out best. Subtle color differences in shadows look clear and scenes are displayed realistically.
Great viewing angle, reflections every now and then
Because the light sources of the pixels on an OLED screen are located close to the screen surface, the viewing angle of an OLED television is very large. The image of the G1 also doesn't distort when I stand in front of the TV at an angle. Even though the G1 is brighter than most OLED TVs, the TV can't block all of the reflections on the screen. Especially with dark images, I can see my own reflection in the TV. This is mostly a problem when you're watching TV during the day and the sun is shining through the windows.
Simple, but stylish design
In contrast to the other LG OLED TVs, the G1 is equally thick everywhere. The screen is only 2.3cm thick. Thanks to this, you can hang it flat against the wall. The G1 also includes a wall mount that allows you to place the TV all the way against the wall. Do you prefer to not have your TV mounted on the wall? Leg stands are separately available, just like a stylish stand.
Good sound for normal use
The LG G1 has 4 speakers and a subwoofer. Thanks to this, the audio sounds rich and powerful. When I listen to music or watch an action movie, I hear a clear bass and even higher tones don't distort when I increase the volume. Still, you'll benefit from a soundbar with this TV. Especially when it comes to the spatiality. Luckily, LG also offers a soundbar in the Gallery style. You can also mount this one flat against the wall, underneath your stylish G1 television.
Extensive, screen-filling smart menu
The webOS smart menu of LG has gotten a great update this year. The menu is now screen-filling, in contrast to previous versions. At the top left, you still see the content that you were watching before you opened the menu. In the middle of the start screen, I see personal content from various apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. You'll also find a nice overview of connected devices. Aren't you using any of the HDMI ports? They won't appear in this menu, which keeps it organized.
Practical and stylish remote
The Magic Remote by LG focuses on the best user-friendliness for controlling the television. I point the remote at the TV and a cursor appears on the screen that I can use to easily navigate through the menus. A new addition on this version of the Magic Remote is the NFC chip below the buttons. You can use this to easily connect your smartphone to the TV. The appearance also slightly changed, so the remote is comfortable to hold and looks a little better too.
Conclusion
The G1 is a good choice for the real movie enthusiast, thanks to its impressive image quality with the powerful contrast and high brightness. But the design is what makes this TV a real eye catcher. The thin screen and useful wall mount make this Gallery OLED very suitable for a sleek and stylish interior.
