Discerning videophiles love OLED TVs for their pure black levels and richly saturated colors. But watching an OLED TV in a brightly lit room can be a bit of a challenge as OLED TVs typically can’t reach the high peak brightness levels of LED/LCD TVs. LG’s answer to that dilemma in 2025 is a new “quad stack” OLED panel that can hit peak brightness levels above and beyond what was previously possible.
LG’s new quad stack OLED panel aka the “Primary RGB Tandem” panel features red, green and two blue OLED elements in order to maximize both white and color brightness. It also expands the color gamut which leads to more accurate color reproduction. The new quad stack panel is included in the G5 and M5 OLED TVs from LG in 2025. Combining LG’s new Primary RGB Tandem Evo OLED panel with the latest version of LG’s brightness boosting technology, appropriately named “Brightness Booster Ultimate,” these new OLED TVs reach significantly higher peak brightness levels compared to competitive OLED and QD-OLED panels from 2024, including LG’s own G4 OLED TV from last year.
LG OLED TV Models By Year
Quick Links:
- 77-inch LG G5 – $4,496.99 at Amazon
- 65-inch LG C5 – $2,696.99 at Amazon
At a workshop event at LG’s U.S. headquarters in NJ, we got a chance to check out and even measure the new G5 panel’s brightness and compare it to an LG G4, a Samsung S95D (2024 QD-OLED flagship TV) and a Sony A95L (2023/2024 flagship QD-OLED TV). On a 10% white window, with each TV set to its “Vivid” or “Dynamic” mode, the G5 managed to hit a full 2500 nits of peak brightness. The G4 maxed out closer to 1700 nits and the 2024 models from Samsung and Sony were in that same ballpark. Of course, the 2025 QD-OLED model (S95F) from Samsung will undoubtedly improve compared to their 2024 model, and whatever Sony has planned for this year (not yet announced) will likely also be impressive, but it’s great to see such a big improvement over LG’s own previous flagship TV.
What’s Missing?
The only notable things lacking from the 2025 LG OLED TVs are a NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) tuner as well as DTS surround sound decoding, both of which are included on some competitors’ TVs. The NextGen tuner issue is easy to solve with the addition of a third party ATSC 3.0 tuner/DVR like the excellent ZapperBox M1. As for DTS support, you’ll need to bypass the TV for that, plugging your DTS-capable streaming stick or Blu-ray player directly into your soundbar or A/V receiver. Fortunately (or unfortunately), DTS surround sound is not widely available in streaming services or other content so the lack of support in LG TVs will probably not be a show-stopper for most buyers. The company’s 2024 flagship soundbar, the S95TR, which I reviewed last fall does support DTS decoding (including DTS:X). LG’s 2025 TV lineup continues to support both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.
Real Content, Not Just Test Patterns
We hooked up our Kaleidescape Strato V to the G5 to hit it with some challenging 4K/HDR content and the TV performed well both in bright and dark viewing conditions. On the movie “Alpha” (which was mastered for 4,000 nits peak brightness), the G5 showed off its HDR tone mapping capabilities, displaying the bright sun in the closing scene accurately with the orb shape fully intact and excellent specular highlights. And on “Blade Runner: The Final Cut,” the opening scene with white text scrolling on a black background showed off the G5’s outstanding contrast and black levels with crisp lines and no sign of blooming or haloing which plaques even the best MiniLED/LCD TVs.
Prospective buyers of the G5 OLED should know that the TV now comes with the company’s flush wall mount in the box instead of a table or floor stand. A floor/table stand is available for the G5 TVs as an option. LG says feedback from their customers has revealed that the majority of buyers of their high-end OLED TVs actually wall mount their TVs so this move is meant to provide most buyers with what they need right in the box.
The G5 also supports Filmmaker Mode with Ambient Light Compensation, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, AI Sound Pro for immersive audio, as well as gaming features including 4K 165Hz VRR, NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium. The LG G5 OLED is backed with a 5-year panel warranty.
Also, while the 97-inch version of the G5 OLED does get the latest processor, it does not get the new quad stack OLED panel. The largest size G5 to get the new OLED panel is the 83-inch model.
LG G5 OLED Features:
- Upgraded Alpha 11, Gen 2 Processor improves picture performance and adds advanced AI features.
- Quad Stack “Primary RGB Tandem” OLED Panel Technology with Brightness Booster Ultimate improves white and color brightness (in all models but the 97-inch)
- Voice recognition changes TV settings and profiles to match each family member
- Screen Sizes: 48 inches up to 97 inches
- 144 Hz Refresh Rate (48-inch and 97-inch)
- 165 Hz Refresh Rate (55, 65, 77 and 83 inch)
- Ultra Anti-Reflection Screen Improves Bright Room Viewing without washing out black levels
- Screen sizes from 48 inches to 97 inches
MSRP of LG G5 OLED TVs for 2025:
- 48” LG G5 (No pricing/availability details yet)
- 55″ LG G5 (OLED55G5WUA) – $2,499 – Amazon | Crutchfield
- 65″ LG G5 (OLED65G5WUA) – $3,399 – Amazon | Crutchfield
- 77″ LG G5 (OLED77G5WUA) – $4,499 – Amazon | Crutchfield
- 83″ LG G5 (OLED83G5WUA) – $6,499 – Amazon | Crutchfield
- 97″ LG G5 (OLED97G5WUA) – $24,999 – Amazon
C5 – The Sweet Spot for Value and Performance?
The G5 and M5 OLEDs are LG’s only 2025 model year TVs that feature the company’s new Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, but this is not to say that LG’s other OLED TVs have not seen their share of improvements. The C5 series OLED TV boasts the same “Perfect Black” and “Perfect Color” Certifications of the G5, along with a version of LG’s Brightness Booster technology, powered by the Alpha 9 AI Processor Gen 8. At the TV workshop, LG told us that the C5 is capable of hitting peak brightness of over 1,000 nits which is almost as bright as last year’s G4 flagship model.
The C5 series also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, utilizing AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro to refine visuals and create a virtual “11.1.2 channel” audio experience. Like the G5, the C5 also gets LG’s new AI Picture/Sound Wizard, which customizes audio and video settings based on individual user preferences. It can even do this automatically using LG’s new voice identification feature. Just use your voice to request content and the TV will automatically shift audio and video settings – and even streaming profiles – to your specific preferences. This feature requires a brief training period where the TV learns the specific voice characteristics of each family member who wishes to participate.
Gamers will appreciate the C5 for features including 4K resolution at 144Hz, minimal input lag, VRR support and VESA’s ClearMR 9000 certification for smooth visuals. The G5 does include a faster refresh rate (165 Hz) but 144 Hz is still plenty fast to support large screen console and PC gaming with no tearing or motion blur. LG’s C5 OLED packs all this within a slim chassis design that seamlessly integrates into any space. The LG OLED evo C5 TV is available in a smaller screen size than the G5 (42 inches) for a total of six screen sizes (42/48/55/65/77/83-inch). The MSRP starts at $1,399. Expect street prices to be a bit lower than that
MSRP Pricing of LG C5 OLED TVs for 2025:
- 42″ LG C5 (OLED42C5PUA) – $1,399 – Amazon
- 48″ LG C5 (OLED48C5PUA) – $1,599
- 55″ LG C5 (OLED55C5PUA) – $1,999 – Amazon
- 65″ LG C5 (OLED65C5PUA) – $2,699 – Amazon
- 77″ LG C5 (OLED77C5PUA) – $3,699 – Amazon
- 83″ LG C5 (OLED83C5PUA) – $5,399
B5 – The New Entry Level OLED TV from LG
The B5 OLED provides those deep blacks we love about OLED at a much more affordable price point. We were able to see the B5 at the workshop up against the C5 and G5 and, while it is noticeably less bright on certain content, it still offers those killer OLED black levels at a more reasonable price point. The B5 inherits the AI features of its more expensive brethren and still features a 120 Hz panel refresh rate as well as LG’s advanced gaming dashboard.
Exact pricing and availability of the B5 has not yet been announced. But it should be a strong contender in the budget-priced premium display segment. It is expected to sell in sizes from 48 inches to 83 inches. A pre-order link for the 83-inch B5 with a free soundbar bundled in is currently listed on Amazon with a late April delivery date:
- LG 83-inch B5 OLED TV with Soundbar Bundle – $4,249.36 at Amazon
What About the M5?
LG’s M5 OLED TVs will include the same quad stack Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel featured in the G5 so we expect similar performance. The M5 will include the company’s latest wireless “Zero Connect” box so you won’t need to run an HDMI cable to the TV, only a power cord. The Zero Connect box can be stored in a cabinet or closet so you can keep your sources like your cable box, UHD Blu-ray Player, Kaleidescape player or game console in a separate part of the room.
Pricing and availability of the M5 has not yet been announced but we expect them to begin shipping in the second half of 2025.
The Bottom Line
With peak brightness to rival the best QD-OLEDs and even LED/LCD TVs, is LG’s Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel the “holy grail” of OLED TV? The new panel maintains OLED’s black level superiority while also making great strides in white and color brightness as well as expanded color gamut. How the G5 TV compares directly to upcoming flagship OLED TVs from Samsung, Panasonic and (possibly) Sony OLED TVs remains to be seen. But it is certainly poised to be a very strong contender for best TV of 2025. Whether the improvements to the company’s more affordable B and C series TVs in 2025 are going to be enough to maintain LG’s leadership role in the OLED TV market is also a question that will soon be answered.
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