LG OLED TVs are getting a new processor, alongside a new budget ‘A’ series, as LG makes a hesitant foray into Mini LED.
What can we expect from the LG TV 2021 line-up? Well, having just reviewed the LG C1 OLED TV, we know it’s got a fantastic OLED in its midst – but it also should have some big changes, from expanded TV panel sizes to the introduction of Mini LED in all-new ‚ QNED ‚ TV range, all of which we can’t wait to test for ourselves. LG certainly ended last year in a strong position, with the runaway success of its popular LG CX OLED, and the TV maker is clearly taking pains to stress that it’s tackling any remaining areas for improvement, with across-the-board improvements for the LG C1 OLED, and upped brightness in the LG G1 Gallery OLED though a new ‚OLED evo‘ technology. The step-down B Series is no longer LG’s cheapest OLED TV, though. This year, that moniker goes to the entry-level A Series, which will still feature an a7 processing chip but will likely feature other cost-saving measures. We still expect to see an LG B1 OLED release a little later in the year though. There are more 8K TVs, too, with the Nano9Z and Nano9X NanoCell LCD televisions, along with a host of 4K models we go into detail on below. Not to mention a big swell of support for gaming functionality, with four HDMI 2.1 ports for each new OLED set, as well as VRR (variable refresh rate) and game streaming services Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now landing on new LG TVs too. Read on for the full lowdown on what’s coming this year, the new technologies LG is making use of, and the 2020 LG TVs that need to be improved upon. LG Z1 8K OLED (77,88-inch): LG’s only 8K OLED TV is sure to be pricey, but it’s one of very few televisions that meld 8K resolution with the benefits of an OLED panel. It’s only available in a couple of larger sizes, though a bit cheaper than in previous years. At the top-end LG OLED, though, you’re also getting top-class upscaling, Dolby Atmos audio, and the HDMI 2.1 / VRR gaming features found on the C1 and G1. We’ve only got UK pricing (below), but US figures are sure to follow shortly. Read more: Should I buy an 8K OLED TV? UK pricing and release date LG G1 4K OLED (55,65,77-inch): The Gallery Series OLED has a successor, with a slimmed-down form factor and an ‘OLED evo’ upgrade to the picture’s brightness that even the LG CX won’t be benefitting from. It’s set to be brighter than last year’s GX too, and come with the option of a paired Gallery Stand for those not wanting to drill this stunner into a wall. Featuring 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and Atmos too. Read our hands on LG G1 OLED review US pricing and release date UK pricing and release date LG C1 4K OLED (48,55,65,77,83-inch): The successor to last year’s popular CX OLED is the C1, with a new 83-inch size, an a9 Gen 4 AI processor, and support for Dolby Vision / Atmos. You’ll get the most sizing options with the C Series, going as small as 48 inches and including a new 83-inch size. In our review, we called the C1 one of the best TVs at any price. It’s missing the new OLED evo panels going into the G1 OLED, but even in their absence the C1 produces colorful, bright and rich pictures with support for most types of HDR. There might be one or two areas for improvement, but otherwise the LG C1 OLED is still the gold standard for 2021 OLED TVs. Read our full LG C1 OLED review US pricing and release date UK pricing and release date LG B1 4K OLED (55,65,77-inch): The B Series OLED isn’t the cheapest model any more, but a new iteration is still coming. It has 40W of downward-firing audio, rather than the 20W of the A1 model below, and has two HDMI 2.1 ports to recommend it as a gaming TV too. It uses the a7 Gen 4 AI processor, rather than a higher-spec a9 model, so you can expect a little more video noise than in pricier OLEDs, but still with an excellent 4K HDR picture. We now have UK pricing, but the B1 OLED won’t be coming to the US. Read more in our LG B1 OLED guide. UK pricing and release date LG A1 4K OLED (48,55,65,77-inch): This new entry-level OLED features the a7 Gen 4 AI processor, supports Dolby Vision and Atmos, and packs in 20W of audio, but doesn’t support HDMI 2.1 in its three HDMI inputs (unlike last year’s LG BX OLED). We’ll no doubt hear more soon, but for now know that this will be the cheapest LG OLED you’re getting this year. Read more in our LG A1 OLED guide US pricing and release date UK pricing and release date LG QNED99 8K TV (65,75,86-inch): The Nano9Z is this year’s highest-spec ‘QNED’ television, meaning it makes use of a Mini LED backlight to improve brightness control and contrast over standard LCD-LED displays. It’s an 8K TV too, and packs a 120Hz panel with Full Array Local Dimming, as well as supporting hands-free voice commands. LG QNED95 8K TV (65,75-inch): The QNED95 cleaves close to the QNED99, as a Mini LED 8K TV, but makes do with a 60Hz panel rather than 120Hz. It uses an 8K iteration of the a9 Gen 4 AI Processor too. LG QNED90 4K TV (65,75,86-inch): This QNED television packs in 4K resolution, a 120Hz panel, and Full Array Local Dimming through its Mini LED backlight. It uses the a7 Gen 4 AI processor rather than the a9 though. LG QNED85 4K TV (65,75-inch): This step-down QNED model is also 4K, and matches the QNED90 for specs aside from its 60Hz panel. LG Nano90 4K NanoCell (55,65,75,86-inch): We’re no longer in Mini LED / QNED territory, with these 2021 iterations on last year’s NanoCell LCD TVs. The Nano90 is a 4K set featuring Nano Color, a 120Hz panel, It’s compatible with the Gallery Stand, too. LG Nano80 4K NanoCell (50,55,65,75-inch): This step-down 4K NanoCell model drops the motion rate from 120Hz to 60Hz, with an exception for its 86-inch size (which still features 120Hz). You’re making do with a quard-core processor rather than the a7 Gen 4 AI, and you won’t get Dolby Vision either.
