LG C3 Series OLED77C3PUA 77"

The LG C3 is a 77-inch OLED that absolutely crushes it for gaming, landing in the 98th percentile with a 0.1ms response time and four HDMI 2.1 ports. At $2,000, it's strong value for a big-screen OLED, though picture quality scores are surprisingly average compared to newer flagships. Buy it if you game, consider mini-LED rivals if you mostly watch in bright rooms.

Let's talk gaming first, because that's where this TV absolutely shines. The 0.1ms response time is as fast as it gets, and the native 120Hz refresh rate means buttery smooth motion. You get FreeSync Premium, G-Sync, and VRR support, so screen tearing is a non-issue whether you're on a PS5, Xbox Series X, or a gaming PC. Four HDMI 2.1 ports is a big deal too. Most TVs only give you two, and one of those is usually the eARC port. Here you can plug in a console, a PC, and a soundbar without playing musical chairs.

The a9 AI Processor Gen6 does solid work with upscaling and motion handling. The Brightness Booster helps in well-lit rooms, though OLEDs still can't match the raw brightness of a good mini-LED. HDR performance lands in the 88th percentile, which is strong but not best-in-class. Dolby Vision content looks fantastic, with rich colors and that infinite contrast OLED is known for. The display and picture quality scores in our database are more middle-of-the-pack, which might surprise people who assume OLED automatically means top marks everywhere. The panel is great, but the processing and brightness don't quite keep up with the absolute best flagships.

The Samsung QN990F is the obvious rival if you want brightness. It's a Neo QLED, so it gets much brighter than the C3 and handles reflections better in sunny rooms. But you lose the perfect blacks and viewing angles of OLED, and you'll pay more for the privilege. The Sony BRAVIA 9 is another strong alternative, especially for movie lovers. Sony's processing is arguably the best in the business, and the BRAVIA 9 gets impressively bright for an LED. But again, it's pricier, and the gaming features aren't quite as comprehensive as LG's.

On the budget side, the TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 are worth a look. Both are mini-LEDs that get very bright and cost less than the C3. The TCL especially has been getting rave reviews for its price-to-performance ratio. But they're still LCDs at heart. You won't get the same inky blacks or per-pixel control. The Roku Pro Series is another option if you want a simpler smart platform, but it's not really in the same performance league. For pure gaming, the C3 beats all of these. For mixed use in a bright room, the mini-LEDs might actually be the smarter buy.

At $2,000 for a 77-inch OLED, the C3 is genuinely good value. You're getting a massive screen with perfect blacks and top-tier gaming performance for less than what many 65-inch flagship LEDs cost. The Sony BRAVIA 9 and Samsung QN990F are both excellent TVs, but they'll set you back considerably more. The TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 are cheaper and brighter, but they're mini-LEDs, so you lose that OLED contrast.

Where the value gets tricky is if you don't game much. The C3's biggest strength is gaming, and if you're mostly streaming shows and watching movies, you might find better picture quality per dollar elsewhere. The 36th percentile picture quality score is a bit of a head-scratcher for an OLED, but it reflects the processing and brightness limitations compared to newer flagships. Still, for a big-screen OLED at this price, it's hard to complain too much.

The LG C3 is one of those TVs that makes you realize what you've been missing. It's a 77-inch 4K OLED with the a9 AI Processor Gen6, and it's aimed squarely at people who want a big, beautiful screen for movies and gaming without stepping up to LG's pricier G-series. The OLED panel means perfect blacks and that almost 3D depth you just don't get from a typical LCD. At $2,000, it's not cheap, but for a 77-inch OLED it's actually pretty reasonable.

This is the 2023 model, so it's not the newest thing on the block anymore. But the C-series has been LG's sweet spot for years, and the C3 carries that torch well. It's got the Brightness Booster tech, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and all the gaming bells and whistles you'd expect. If you're coming from an older LED TV, the jump is massive. If you're coming from a newer mini-LED, the trade-offs get more interesting.

Who's this for? Gamers, mostly. Our database puts it in the 98th percentile for gaming, which is basically the top of the charts. Movie lovers will also be happy with Dolby Vision and Filmmaker Mode. But if you're mostly watching cable news in a bright room all day, there might be better fits out there.

If you mostly watch TV in a bright room with lots of windows, the C3 might frustrate you. OLED brightness has improved, but it still can't compete with a good mini-LED like the TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 in direct sunlight. Those TVs get significantly brighter and handle reflections better, and they cost less too.

Also skip this if you're not a gamer and you're picky about picture processing. The C3's picture quality score in our database is surprisingly average, and Sony's processing on the BRAVIA 9 is noticeably better for movies and upscaling lower-quality content. If you're spending $2,000 and gaming isn't a priority, you might get more satisfaction from a Sony or a high-end mini-LED.

If you're a gamer, just buy this TV. The 98th percentile gaming score isn't marketing fluff. The 0.1ms response time, 120Hz refresh rate, and four HDMI 2.1 ports make it one of the best gaming displays you can get, period. The OLED panel means games look stunning, with deep blacks and vibrant colors that make HDR content pop. At $2,000 for 77 inches, it's a sweet spot in LG's lineup.

For movie lovers, it's a bit more nuanced. Dolby Vision and Filmmaker Mode are great, and the OLED contrast is genuinely beautiful in a dark room. But if you watch a lot of content in a bright living room, or if you're picky about motion processing and upscaling, the Sony BRAVIA 9 might serve you better. The C3 is a fantastic TV, but it's not the best at everything. It's the best at gaming, and pretty darn good at everything else.