LG OLED65B3PJA 65"

A stunning OLED screen with a frustratingly mediocre brain. Hunt for a deep discount and plan on using an Apple TV 4K.

What surprised us most is how a TV with a display this good can stumble so hard on HDR. The panel itself is in the 92nd percentile, which is fantastic, but the HDR processing lands in the bottom 14th percentile. That means bright highlights in movies and games just don't pop the way they should on a premium OLED. It's a real head-scratcher. On the flip side, the virtual 5.1.2ch audio is a pleasant surprise, sitting well above average and creating a soundstage that's wider than you'd expect from built-in speakers.

The Sony BRAVIA XR A95L is the obvious step-up if you want no-compromise picture quality and class-leading HDR, but you'll pay a serious premium for it. The Samsung Neo QLED QN990F is a better choice if you're a hardcore gamer who wants top-tier brightness and gaming features, trading OLED's perfect blacks for a brighter, punchier image. If you're just looking for a massive screen on a budget, the TCL QM7K or Hisense U8 Series will give you a lot more inches for your dollar, though you'll sacrifice that OLED magic.

Pricing on this set is all over the map, with a spread of over $47,000 across vendors. That's not a typo. At the low end around $4,239, you're getting a solid deal on a big, beautiful OLED panel, but you have to accept its smart and HDR flaws. If you're seeing a price anywhere near that $52,068 high end, run, don't walk, to a different store. For the best value, you'll need to hunt down the lowest price from a reputable seller.

The LG OLED65B3PJA is a bit of a mixed bag, and that's the one thing you need to know. It's got a gorgeous 65-inch OLED panel that delivers those perfect blacks and vibrant colors you expect from the tech, and the display quality is a real standout. But LG made some odd choices here. The smart platform feels sluggish, HDR performance is a letdown, and the gaming features, while present, don't push the envelope. It's a beautiful screen held back by its brains.

If you're a cinephile who cares deeply about HDR performance, this isn't your TV. The HDR implementation is one of the weakest we've seen in this class. Go get a Sony A95L instead. If you're a hardcore gamer who wants the best possible specs, skip this and look at a Samsung Neo QLED.

The LG OLED65B3PJA is a tough recommendation. The core OLED panel is beautiful, and the audio is a nice bonus, but the weak HDR and sluggish smart platform are hard to ignore at this price. Only buy it if you find a killer deal near the low end of its price range and you're willing to plug in a dedicated streaming stick on day one. For most people, saving up for a Sony A95L or looking at a high-end Samsung QLED will be more satisfying.