The LG C5 OLED TV 2025 edition is positioned as a key player in LG’s 2025 premium TV lineup, building on the success of its C-series predecessors. Promising subtle enhancements to its processing, design, and smart features over the C4 model, the C5 is designed to appeal to high-end TV buyers and serious gamers who demand exceptional picture quality and a smart ecosystem.
However, in a world where QLED and miniLED backlit TVs are getting a lot of attention from the crowd, does LG’s adherence to the OLED panel make sense? LG says that the Alpha 9 processor, along with other hardware upgrades, makes the LG C5 a worthy addition to your home furniture.
Since we were eager to find out, LG sent us the C5 OLED 2025 in a 65-inch screen size, which will set you back by Rs 3,11,990. Those looking to maximise the value can consider the discounted offers from third-party e-commerce platforms like Vijay Sales, where the prices drop to Rs 2,13,900. Is this worth a bargain for premium TV buyers?
Design
The LG C5’s design continues the brand’s tradition of sleek and minimalist aesthetics. The TV features an incredibly thin panel, measuring just 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) at its thinnest point, giving it an almost unreal presence. The rear of the panel has a textured, black marble-like finish, which, while visually appealing, is rarely seen once the TV is mounted or placed on a stand. The thin panel is seamlessly attached to a thicker base that houses the internal components, circuit boards, and all the connectivity ports.
For those considering a soundbar, it’s important to note that the TV’s stand design might make it difficult to place a particularly large soundbar without it partially obstructing the screen. Hence, we recommend going for a versatile wall-mount installation to get the best experience.
Display
This is where the LG C5 truly shines. The TV’s OLED evo panel, powered by the new α9 AI Processor 4K Gen8, delivers a truly breathtaking picture experience. The self-lit pixels provide almost perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and vibrant colours that are rich and saturated, making it an ideal canvas for movies, video games, and sports. The processor’s Brightness Boosting technology and AI Picture Pro work in tandem to improve brightness and detail without sacrificing the deep black levels that OLED is famous for. At the same time, the saturation is kept in control so as not to boost the colour unnaturally.
The display is rated as “Glare-Free,” a certification that proves effective in real-world use, minimising distracting reflections in bright rooms with large windows. The C5 also supports a wide range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG – something that came in handy during our gaming sessions on the Xbox Series X. This ensured that movies and video games are displayed with the dynamic range and colour accuracy that the creators sought.
Speaking of gaming, the C5 is a top-tier choice. It boasts a native refresh rate of 120Hz, which can be boosted to a variable refresh rate of up to 144Hz. With four HDMI 2.1 inputs, NVIDIA G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium, the C5 is built to handle the most demanding gaming consoles and PCs, offering a smooth, tear-free experience with an ultra-low input lag of less than 0.1ms. Games like Forza Horizon 5 and EA F1 24 are done justice with a panel as vibrant as this. The new α9 processor also includes AI Super Upscaling to enhance picture quality from non-4K sources, ensuring that everything from older movies to live sports looks as sharp as possible. That said, the 65-inch model happened to create artifacts on 720p content even after upscaling (there’s only so much that software can do for older content).
Connectivity
The LG C5 offers a full suite of connectivity options to accommodate a modern home entertainment setup. The four HDMI 2.1 ports are a major highlight, as they support the latest gaming features and are crucial for connecting multiple high-end devices like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and a high-performance gaming PC.
In addition to the HDMI ports, the TV includes three USB 2.0 ports for connecting external storage devices or cameras, an Ethernet port for a stable wired internet connection, an optical digital audio output for connecting to older audio systems, Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3 for headphones and soundbars, and a dedicated HDMI eARC port (HDMI 2) for a soundbar or AV receiver.
Smart Features and Software
The LG C5 runs on the latest version of LG’s proprietary smart TV platform, webOS 25. The interface is known for being fast, intuitive, and user-friendly, providing easy access to all popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and HBO Max. Via the in-built app store, you can also download local streaming apps like Hotstar, Fancode, Hoichoi, Z5 and more. The platform also offers free content through LG Channels, a curated collection of live and on-demand programming.
A major focus for LG in 2025 is Affectionate Intelligence, and the C5 integrates several AI-driven features. The LG ThinQ AI suite includes a GenAI-based voice assistant that makes it a lot easier to search for content and navigate quickly to various TV functions. Compared to Google TV and Tizen, LG’s implementation of the voice assistant is by far the best in the business – I actually found myself relying on the AI assistant for searching new shows and getting related details.
Then there’s AI Concierge, which learns your viewing habits and provides personalised recommendations across various apps and content sources. The TV also features a Personalized Picture and Sound Wizard that uses AI to analyse a user’s preferences to create a customised picture and audio profile. The TV has built-in support for voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as compatibility with smart home ecosystems like Apple HomeKit and Matter, thus making it a central hub for a connected home.
On the whole, LG’s webOS interface is simply the best in business and makes a strong case for the C5.
Speakers
While the LG C5 excels in its visual performance, its built-in audio isn’t as great, which is evident considering the slim profile of the TV. The TV is equipped with a 2.2-channel speaker system rated at 40W and supports Dolby Atmos. The sound can be best described as good, with overall output lacking in low-end punch and directional clarity. While it’s sufficient for casual viewing of news or talk shows, it struggles to deliver the immersive, cinematic sound required for movies or action-packed video games.
Since LG sent us a soundbar too for a cinematic experience, we hooked it up via the HDMI ARC port and the results were dramatically better. We recommend getting a soundbar with the C5 for the best audio experiences.
Remote Controller
The C5 features a redesigned Magic Remote. It retains the signature point-and-click functionality, which allows users to navigate menus with a cursor on the screen. The new design is more comfortable to hold and less likely to slip between sofa cushions. The lack of backlighting is a miss but on the whole, the C5’s remote controller does its job well.
LG C5 OLED 65-inch review: Verdict
The LG C5 OLED TV is an outstanding OLED TV that delivers on its promise of a premium home entertainment experience. Its picture quality is second to none, with vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent brightness ensuring that every TV viewing episode is a visual treat for the eyes. For console gamers, it’s a dream come true – thanks to its high refresh rate, low input lag, and a full suite of gaming-specific features. The redesigned remote and refined AI-enriched webOS platform add to its appeal. However, the TV’s built-in speakers demand a full-fledged soundbar system to be attached, thus necessitating an additional investment.
To round it up, the LG C5 is a top-tier TV and a brilliant choice if you are seeking the absolute best picture quality from an OLED TV without paying exorbitant prices.
