LG B5 It’s a cute TV you probably shouldn’t buy, at least not yet. As usual, the B Series is one of the cheapest ways to get LG OLED and its perfect black levels, rich contrast and natural colors that enhance everything you watch. Also as usual, this is the Accelerated C Series that usually provides the best overall value for your OLED dollar.
These include last year’s C4 (9/10, wired recommendation), and if you’re in the right time, an upgraded C5. Actually, when I write this review, you can get a 65-inch C5 for $100 more than the B5, which grants you LG’s “EVO” panel technology for better brightness and color, a sleeker, a stronger design, and other performance benefits. Additionally, last year’s B4 and C4 are currently priced very close, and for most people, it makes more sense to move to the mid-sized Manger.
None of these are the outstanding performances of B5. It offers amazingly precise colors for colors to watch in a variety of environments, impressive contrast and shadow details, and the best gaming features of flagship TVs. In short, this is a good TV, although not all You need to know that if you value performance, this is a great starting point. Once the price of the B5 really drops, it will once again be the most affordable way to land some of the best TV technology you can buy.
(Don’t) Bend like Beckham
Photo: Ryan Waniata
The design of the B5 feels like an explosion of OLED’s past. Most modern OLEDs are thicker than pencil sheets a few years ago, probably due to a desire to improve brightness and improve durability with a hybrid of new panel technologies. The B5 is old-fashioned, and the four-year-old LG C1 sticks out one or two hairs than my bedroom. So I wasn’t shocked to see my well-used 65-inch comment model slightly bent on one side.
To my relief, this photo is good – the benefits of OLED launch design – but it’s a reminder that you are gentle and thorough when unboxing. In most acceleration models, the A-type feet of the B5 make it easier to set up than the base frame, but they look more peculiar. If you are on a wall-mounted mount, the low-wet Vesa holes on the bottom panel and the HDMI ports on the two backs may require you to adjust (or reconsider) the mount.
With your phone or remote control, the software is easy to set up. LG’s Webos is not as simple as Roku, nor does it wrap the features like Google TV, but it can be found with built-in voice search via Amazon Alexa. Videos and apps load smoothly, even if not immediately like the flagship G5 (9/10, Wired recommends). My main complaint is the lack of global ongoing viewing capabilities, but at least the new Magic Remote’s quick key is most useful.
Photo: Ryan Waniata
