LG just dropped the CineBeam S, its smallest 4K Ultra Short Throw projector yet, and yes — it’s another so-called “lifestyle” gadget, which increasingly seems to mean “something aspirational that costs more than your first car.” Building on the pint-sized CineBeam Q, the S model promises massive, razor-sharp 4K images (3,840 x 2,160 via pixel shifting) and Dolby Atmos audio, all from a box that looks like it belongs in a Scandinavian design magazine.
LG is pitching it as “Wonder beyond spatial limits,” which is a poetic way of saying it’ll turn your cramped apartment into a surprisingly posh home theater — provided your definition of posh involves spending big on pixels per inch.
The CineBeam S pairs ultra short throw tech with a compact, good-looking design that’s all about saving space without sacrificing screen size. It’s portable enough to move around easily, but still delivers that big-screen feel you want—perfect for anyone juggling limited square footage and lofty entertainment ambitions.
CineBeam S Design: Compact, Stylish, and Space-Saving for Modern Living
The standout feature of the CineBeam S is its unconventional design. While it borrows some cues from the CineBeam Q, the S takes on a compact cube-like shape. Unlike traditional projectors, its lens doesn’t stick out the front—instead, it’s recessed on the top, allowing it to project light upward at a steep angle. This design is key to its ultra short throw capability, letting it deliver a big image from just inches away from the screen or wall.
Positioned just 3.2 inches (8.1 cm) from the screen or projection surface, this minimalist-designed UST projector delivers bright, detailed images starting at 40 inches diagonally. Move it back to 15.5 inches (39.3 cm), and you’re looking at a generous 100-inch display—all without the bulky setup traditional projectors demand.
Unlike traditional projectors that need long throw distances and complicated mounts, the CineBeam S is a breeze to set up—perfect for tight spaces. Its compact footprint means you won’t have to shuffle furniture or redesign your room just to get the best picture.
Color Performance and Light Output: Vivid 4K Visuals with Bright, Accurate Projection
The CineBeam S uses an RGB laser light source that covers 154% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring precise, vibrant color reproduction that stays true to the creator’s vision.
With 500 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 450,000:1 contrast ratio, it delivers deep blacks and rich, lifelike colors—even in rooms with some ambient light.
Smart Features
The LG CineBeam S fits effortlessly into modern lifestyles, offering features that enhance versatility and ease of use. As a complete home cinema solution, it includes built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support for immersive, dynamic sound. Running LG’s webOS smart TV platform, it provides easy access to popular streaming services, intuitive controls, and seamless content discovery—all without needing extra devices.
Users can wirelessly stream content from their smartphone, tablet, or PC using AirPlay 2 and Screen Share, making it simple to share videos, photos, and more without any cables.
Physical Connectivity
Beyond wireless options, the CineBeam S offers physical connections with one HDMI port and two USB Type-C ports, allowing users to hook up external devices easily for a flexible home entertainment setup.
Easy Setup
The CineBeam S makes setup quick and straightforward with Auto Screen Adjustment, delivering sharp, perfectly aligned images in almost any environment. For extra precision, users can tweak visuals without moving the projector using Screen Scaling & Shifting, and adjust for non-white walls with the Wall Color Adjustment feature.
Despite packing powerful projection tech, the LG CineBeam S is ultra-compact—measuring just 4.3 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches (110 × 160 × 160 mm) and weighing 4.19 lbs (1.9 kg), comfortably fitting in one hand. It comes with a redesigned remote that’s sleeker and more intuitive than the CineBeam Q’s, plus support for the LG ThinQ app lets you control the projector right from your smartphone.
From YS Lee, head of IT Business at the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company: “The LG CineBeam S is a testament to our commitment to innovation, and to bringing a truly premium home cinema experience to a wider audience,…This isn’t just a projector; it’s a premium lifestyle solution that combines design and technology excellence to deliver unprecedented flexibility and a new kind of customer value.”
Comparison
| LG Model | Cinebeam S (PU615U) 2025 | Cinebeam Q (HU710PB) 2024 | CineBeam HF85LA (2019) |
| Product Type | Mini UST Projector | Mini Lifestyle Standard Throw Projector | Compact UST Projector |
| Price | $1,299 | $1,299 | $1,699 (Discontinued) |
| Light Source | 3Ch Laser (R, G, B) | 3Ch Laser (R, G, B) | Laser + Phosphor Wheel |
| Light Source Life | 20,000 Hrs | 20,000 Hrs | 20,000 Hrs |
| DLP Imaging Chip | .47 inch | .47 inch | Not Indicated |
| Brightness | 500 ANSI Lumens | 500 ANSI Lumens | 1500 ANSI Lumens |
| Contrast Ratio | 450,000:1 | 450,000:1 | 150,000:1 |
| Color Space | DCI-P3 154% | DCI-P3 154% | Not Indicated |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG HDR Tone Mapping: (Auto, Dynamic/frame by frame) | HDR10, HLG | – |
| HGIG Mode | Yes | Yes | – |
| HID Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9/Original/Full Wide/4:3/Vertical Zoom | 16:9/Original/Full Wide/4:3/Vertical Zoom | 16:9/Original/4:3/Vertical Zoom/ All-Direction Zoom |
| Resolution | 4K UHD via pixel shifting | 4K UHD via pixel shifting | FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz, 50Hz, 24Hz | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Focus | Motorized, Auto | Motorized, Auto | Manual |
| Zoom | Fixed | Digital Zoom | Fixed Lens |
| Projector Offset | 122.5% | 100% | Not Indicated |
| Filmmaker Mode | Yes | Yes | – |
| MEMC | Yes | Yes (Trumotion) | Yes (Trumotion) |
| Throw Ratio | 0.25 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| Horizontal / Vertical Image Flip | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Projection Screen Size | 40 – 100 inches | 50 – 120 inches | – |
| Easy Setup Features | Auto Keystone Edge Adjustment (4/9/15 Point Warping) | Auto Screen Adjustment Edge Adjustment(4/9/15 Point Warping) | Manual 4 Corner Keystone |
| HDMI | Up to 4K (4096×2160) | Up to 4K (4096×2160) | Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) |
| HDMI ARC | Yes | Yes | Not Indicated |
| HDMI CEC (Simplink) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB | 2 x USB-C | 1 x USB 2.0 | 2 x USB 2.0 |
| HDCP | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| Audio Output Power | 4W x 2 | 3W x 1 | 3W x 2 |
| Surround Sound | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos | – |
| LG Sound Sync (with Sound Bar) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart TV Platform | WebOS 24 | webOS 6.0 | webOS |
| App Store | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Service Support | Netflix, Disney+, HBO MAX, Hulu, Prime Video, SHOWTIME, YouTube, Apple TV+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, HBO MAX, Hulu, Prime Video, SHOWTIME, YouTube, Apple TV+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, HBO MAX, Hulu, Prime Video, SHOWTIME, YouTube, Apple TV+, and more |
| Internet Browser | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airplay 2 | iOS/Mac Video Casting, Mirroring, Audio Streaming | iOS/Mac Video Casting, Mirroring, Audio Streaming | – |
| Fan Noise Energy Savings Max (Eco) | 25 dB(A) | 25 dB(A) | 26 dB(A) |
| Fan Noise Energy Savings Med | 27 dB(A) | 27 dB(A | 28 dB(A) |
| Fan Noise Energy Savings Min (Bright) | 29 dB(A) | 29 dB(A) | 30dB(A) |
| Max Power | 73W | 65W | 140W |
| Console Dimensions (WHD) | 110 x 160 x 160mm 4.3 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches | 135 x 135 x 80 mm 5.3 x 5.3 x 3.14 inches | 119.4 x 190.5 x 353.1 mm 4.7 x 7.5 x 13.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.9 kg (4.19 lbs) | 1.49 kg (3.28 lbs) | 2.99 kg (6.6 lbs) |
| Included Accessories | Manual (Simple Book) Quick User Guide Remote Control – Normal Remote Control Batteries Warranty Card | Manual (Simple Book) Remote Control – Normal Remote Control Batteries Warranty Card | Manual (Simple Book) LG Magic Remote Batteries Warranty Card |
The Bottom Line
LG’s CineBeam S continues the brand’s tradition of pushing boundaries with compact, innovative projectors that combine style and substance. Known mainly for its OLED and QNED TVs, LG also holds a solid spot in the projector market with the CineBeam lineup. The CineBeam S offers pixel-shift 4K UHD resolution, an RGB laser light source, and smart features ready to stream your favorite content out of the box—all in an ultra-short throw design that lets you park it inches from the wall for a big-screen experience.
That said, with just 500 ANSI lumens, the CineBeam S needs a dark room to shine, and HDR impact is limited compared to brighter projectors or TVs. Its modest 2 x 4-watt speakers don’t quite deliver a full Dolby Atmos punch either. But when stacked against competitors like Hisense, Dangbei, XGIMI, Anker, and TCL, LG’s CineBeam S stands out as the only ultra-short throw model compact enough to fit the lifestyle projector niche without sacrificing key features.
If you want a sleek, space-saving UST projector that blends smart tech and solid 4K visuals—and you can control your lighting—it’s a strong contender in an increasingly crowded field.
Price & Availability
LG CineBeam S (model PU615U) is priced at $1,299 at Amazon and LG.
Related Reading
- Optoma GT4000UHD Ultra Short Throw Projector Delivers Big-Screen 4K for Home Theater and Gaming
- Epson’s QS100 4K Laser UST Projector Shines Like the Sun with 4,500 Lumens
- Optoma’s Photon Go UST Projector is Only $999, But There’s a Catch
- Hisense PL2 4K Laser UST Projector Does Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision Up to 150 Inches
