LG C-Series OLED Owners Hesitate on 2025 Upgrade

Returning home after testing LG’s latest 48-inch C5 OLED felt like swapping a sleek new sports car for a trusted sedan – and realizing the familiar ride still delivers everything I need. As part of the review team that awarded LG’s newest model five stars, I witnessed its strengths firsthand: perfect blacks, flawless gaming specs, and vibrant colors. Yet powering up my three-year-old LG C2 that evening, watching Severance on Apple TV+, a truth crystallized: this upgrade feels incremental, not essential.

LG C5 OLED: A Worthy Successor?

LG’s C5 OLED upholds the brand’s legacy in the competitive 48-inch TV space. Our testing confirmed its strengths, including exceptional contrast, reliable app support, and gaming-ready features like 120Hz refresh rates – making it ideal for console or PC enthusiasts. Compared to rivals like the Samsung S90F and Panasonic Z90B, it remains a top contender. According to our team’s assessment published in What Hi-Fi? this month, the C5 is “a brilliant small-ish TV” and a “solid option” for OLED newcomers.

However, its advancements over predecessors like the C2 are subtle. While the C5 achieves marginally higher brightness and richer color saturation, these gains don’t redefine the viewing experience. Our review noted: “The 48-inch LG C5 retains the Korean giant’s legacy… but largely because it sticks very closely to the blueprint that made past C-series sets great.” With Samsung and Panasonic closing the gap, the C5 isn’t the automatic upgrade it once might have been.

Why the LG C2 Remains a Stellar Performer

In real-world home settings, the LG C2 continues to excel. Watching Netflix’s Tour de France: Unchained or Channel 4’s First Dates, I never felt the C2’s performance lagged. Its Filmmaker Mode delivers accurate, immersive imagery that simply lets content shine – free of distractions or technical shortcomings. Side-by-side testing reveals differences, but isolation viewing highlights the C2’s enduring competence.

Economic realities further underscore the case against upgrading. With global inflation impacting consumer spending, paying over £1,000 for modest improvements is hard to justify. As noted by Consumer Reports (2023), TV technology advances have slowed, extending the relevance of recent models. For C2 owners, that grand could fund a transformative soundbar upgrade or simply stay saved.

OLED technology has matured to a point where even models like the three-year-old LG C2 deliver reference-quality visuals that satisfy most viewers. Unless you crave the absolute latest specs, your C2 remains a powerhouse. Consider reallocating funds to enhance your audio setup or enjoy the savings.

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Must Know

Is the LG C5 OLED worth buying over the LG C2?
The C5 is excellent, particularly for first-time OLED buyers. But for existing C2 owners, the upgrades are subtle – brighter highlights and slightly richer colors. Unless these differences are critical for your viewing, the C2 remains highly capable.

What are the key strengths of LG’s C-series OLED TVs?
Both models offer perfect black levels, low input lag for gaming, extensive app support (Netflix, Apple TV+, etc.), and accurate color reproduction. The C5 refines these traits but doesn’t reinvent them, making older models like the C2 enduringly relevant.

How significant is the brightness difference between the C2 and C5?
The C5 is brighter, but not dramatically so. In typical living room lighting, the C2’s performance remains satisfying. Only in brightly lit rooms or during HDR highlights might the C5’s advantage become noticeable.

Should I upgrade from an LG C2 to the C5 for gaming?
Likely not. Both support HDMI 2.1, 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. The C5 adds minor processing tweaks, but the C2 already delivers a top-tier gaming experience. Gamers should prioritize other upgrades, like our recommended soundbars.

How long do LG OLED TVs typically remain viable?
With proper care, LG OLEDs often last 6–7 years before noticeable degradation. RTINGS longevity testing (2023) shows minimal brightness loss in the first five years. Thus, a well-maintained C2 has years of life left.