REVIEW: LG OLED evo C2 Smart TV

Choosing a smart TV for the home can be a decision that takes a lot of time and dedication, because if you invest in a model that does not deliver a complete experience, you will literally be wasting money. For about two weeks I received the LG OLED evo C2 42 inches for testing and my experience was complete, I would easily have a model like this definitively in my house.

In addition to having a screen that delivers brighter colors and an artificial intelligence processor, the model has several special features and can even be used as a good gamer monitor.

Check out more details right below in our article or in the video on our YouTube channel!

design and installation

A LG OLED evo C2 it has a weight that, in practice, is lighter than the value reported on its official page. Extremely thin and with a thickness that delivers that more premium look, the two “feet” that allow the model to stand on a shelf are made of metal and need to be screwed to the smart TV. According to the manufacturer's website, the weight of the product with its pedestal is 18 kg.

The first experience of use was quite positive: after taking all the components out of the box, I finished the entire process of connecting to my internet point and screwing the base in about 30 minutes. It is an interesting point to highlight, because, generally, many companies make the process so complicated that it may even be necessary to ask for help from specialized technicians.

On the back, there are four HDMI 2.1 connections that support the standard EARC and 120Hz refresh rate like those of the PlayStation 5 e Xbox Series X, as well as an input for the TV signal cable and an optical audio output. There are also: three USB ports and a network port LAN (although using it via Wi-Fi ends up being more intuitive and even opted in every day of my tests).

With these details, the model manages to offer features and a complete experience without exaggeration. I have a PS4 and another TV set in my bedroom and even though it looks “too big” for a secondary room, I had the best installation and connection experience possible.

We'll talk more about connectivity soon, but through the app LG ThinQ, I managed to configure the LG OLED evo C2 soon. After that, the device was ready to deliver a visual audio and sound experience.

Fabric

Measuring 42 inches, the LG smart TV I received for testing was ideal for my everyday life. One of the details that I liked the most about the screen is the possibility of finally testing the panels with technology OLED from LG, since in my house, we only have models with LCD.

As we have already said in other Showmetech texts, the OLED technology is the best available due to having pixels that self-illuminate, without the need for an extra panel of light on the screen (when black tones become more greyish) . With this, the owners of smart TVs can see more vivid colors and without that more robotic aspect.

In addition to the best existing panel type, the LG OLED evo C2 that I could test has the pattern DolbyVisioni IQ, HDR10 Pro and HLG. Leaving theory behind, these standards will ensure that you have access to the colors that are commonly seen on movie screens, but without having to leave your home. My biggest program that I could check the difference was the MTV VMAs 2022, which counted Anitta's performance and victory as a historic moment. And the image was really amazing:

The colors came through with incredible quality in the dark, and on days when my bedroom window was open and the sunlight provided that ambient lighting, I had no problems. The difference in contrast compared to models with LCD/LED panels is striking.

Using the tested model as a working monitor, it served more than well. In addition to the 120Hz refresh rate, which already delivers a very noticeable difference to simpler models that usually have a 90Hz refresh rate. The ability to see everything on a larger screen on the dashboard OLED evo delivers that productivity that makes a difference in everyday life.

42 inch smart TV processor

Equipped with processor a9 Gen5 AI 4K, which is also present in the LG OLED-C1 tested last year, here we have a processor that you can see work in action from the first use. You can see this even more when switching modes, which in total are nine:

• Alive;
• Pattern;
• Echo;
• Movie theater;
• Sports;
• game optimizer;
• FILMMAKER MODE;
• Specialist (clear space);
• Specialist (dark space);

These modes are great, because if you're that kind of person who watches literally everything, you'll have access to a series of pre-set brightness and contrast settings that will be activated in one touch. Furthermore, the same processor can perform the Upscaling and image saturation correction for better content consumption.

Among all the options, I really liked the Sensors, which leaves everything organized and within a favorable configuration for different types of programs. The way Living works like that upgrade in brightness and darker movies and series, and I was able to have a better experience compared to non-OLED models. One more point for this smart TV from LG.

Audio

Sound matters a lot when buying a smart TV and of course you need to have speakers that will give that boost to the sound experience. THE LG OLED evo C2is equipped with a sound with 20W of power, divided into 2.0 channels.

In addition, there is support for the Dolby Atmos, which manages to perform a mapping of the space for the delivery of sound to all corners and not just to those who are close to this model. Another interesting feature is the AI ​​Sound, which manages to deliver another 7.1.1 channels in a virtual way for better sound for the buyers of the model with the OLED evo panel.

All these nice details and names can also be heard in practice and already with the volume at level 8, I was able to hear all the programs, newspapers and movies I watched on the LG smart TV. The maximum level can be interesting for parties or just when you want to hear that special song on TV.

It is important to remember that yes, the sound is loud and of good quality as expected, but you will get that improvement if you opt for a soundbar at a later date. There is support for the HDMI eARC sound standard. 

The sound feature that can be heard the most in practice is the artificial intelligence that identifies what is being emitted so that you always have access to the best possible sound. This mode is called Som IA Pro, but you can also choose to:

• Pattern;
• Movie theater;
• Clear Voice Pro;
• Sports;
• Music;
• game optimizer.

Interface, apps and assistants

equipped with the WebOS 22, which has gained a major upgrade from the 2021 version, this smart TV's operating system is smart, but at the same time somewhat polluted. One of the features I liked the most was the possibility of registering different types of users, in the same way as we do on Netflix and Disney+, so that the use is personalized.

Still, the homepage seems to show more information than it should. Current trends are a good way to let you find a show, movie or series to watch, but I believe this could be organized into a smaller section or even off the homepage.

The video streaming options are also more than what we would use on a daily basis and everything is organized according to what LG wants. If you need to install another app that isn't listed on the WebOS 22 homepage, there's no way to arrange it the way you want.

The application ThinQ is made as a smart accessory that improves the experience and also allows sending the image that is on the smartphone to the larger 42-inch screen. I've used it quite a bit as a second remote to turn the TV on, off, and volume and have had no issues with it, so here's the good point.

A LG OLED evo C2 can also be controlled by two personal assistants: Google Assistant e Alexa in addition to support for AirPlay 2. It wasn't a feature I use a lot in my day to day, but if you have a device that controls other connected devices, this will be an interesting feature.

Smart Magic remote control

I had to open a paragraph just to talk about this item, as it drew a lot of attention. In addition to having shortcuts to streaming services such as Netflix, Globoplay, Prime Video and Disney+, you can also activate Google Assistant and Alexa through the controller.

But the best thing about Smart Magic is for sure, its mouse-like usefulness. Instead of pressing buttons to activate functions and open applications, LG used technology pointer to simulate a mouse appearing in front of the screen. This same functionality also appears in the ThinQ smartphone app, in a finger-navigable area.

The integrated microphone gave that special touch that completes the experience, so for sure, this is one of the main successes of the Korean company in its TV launches. You will forget about using traditional models in the first few days.

Special Features

A LG OLED evo C2 was also announced by LG as a good option for those who need a big screen and support for the main graphics technologies. If you can invest a little more in a screen that will be used both as a traditional smart TV and as a gaming monitor, it's worth making the investment.

In addition to support for HDMI 2.1 connections, which allow access to a 120Hz refresh rate, this screen has a response time of 0.1 ms, which is generally only seen on models specific to the gaming market.

It is worth remembering that during CES 2022, the C line of 2022 was awarded as “Best 4K TV for Gaming and Winner of the Innovation Award in the Gaming Category”. And this smart TV model also has native support for GeForce Now from NVIDIA, which allows games via streaming direct from the TV and without the need for a console or PC.

There is support for NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium and even a dedicated app from Twitch for those who like to follow live broadcasts. It is a model that can not only be used as a gamer monitor, but mainly must be purchased by those who have this purpose.

The resource Multiview is another interesting novelty: through a remote connection, it is possible to split the screen in two or view the content of the second device via PiP (Picture-in-Picture or screen on screen). The use of this can vary greatly from user to user, but having this available is the certainty that you will have functionality that you can use whenever needed.

Price and availability

Launched to the world market in January 2022 during CES of the same year, the LG OLED evo C2 can be found in three sizes: in addition to 42 inches, it is also possible to choose the 48 and 55 inch models. They all have the same connections, processor, refresh rate and other details, so their big differences are in size and price:

• LG OLED evo C2 42″: BRL 6.649,05 in cash at Magazine Luiza;
• LG OLED evo C2 48″: BRL 7.399,99 at Lojas Americanas;
• LG OLED evo C2 55″: R$ 8.399 in Americanas.

Models of 65, 77 and 83 inches were also listed on the LG do Brasil website, but these are not being officially sold in Brazil. But the company has premium options of larger sizes that can satisfy your needs.

Conclusion

I come to the end of this review with the thought that despite being sold in the general market for a price above LCD/LED models, the LG OLED evo C2 it's more than just a smart TV. It can easily be considered a true entertainment center that delivers high quality images and best of all: it still manages to improve the experience through some additions that make a total difference in everyday life.

Certainly, you will be able to use the model for years without worrying about the problem of burn-in or smeared on the screen, as in addition to a high duration, the OLED Care system installed in WebOS 22 manages to take care of the panel in an automated way so that the user makes use of it for as long as possible.

Technical specifications

Córdoba	LG OLED evo C2
screen sizes	42" 48" 55" 65" 77" 83"
panel technology	OLED
panel resolution	4K UHD - 3.840 x 2.160
Processor	α9 Gen4 AI 4K Processor
connections and inputs	4x HDMI 2.1 Input 2x RF Input bluetooth in/out 3x USB Input 1x Optical Digital Output
image resources	AI Picture Native Frequency - 120 Hz DTV HDR10 4K Upscaler AI Brightness pixel dimming DolbyVisionIQ FILMMAKER FASHION
screen frequency	120 Hz
audio resources	Dolby Atmos, 20W AI SoundPro OLED Surround AI Acoustic Tuning
speaker type	2.2 channels
Operational system	WebOS 6.0
Voice commands	Yes
Virtual Assistants	Alexa, ThinQ AI and Google Assistant
Price	LG C2 42: R $ 6.649,05  LG C2 48: BRL 7.399,99 LG C2 55: BRL 9.279,00