If you‘re considering LG‘s latest and greatest OLED TVs, you‘re likely debating between their 2022 C2 model and the 2020 CX. Both earn rave reviews as flagship displays with stunning image quality. But with a two year gap between releases, they aren‘t identical.
As an avid home theater enthusiast, I‘ve taken a deep dive into precisely how the C2 and CX compare. I‘ll analyze everything from display technology to smart features to gaming prowess. My goal is to highlight key differences and help you determine which LG OLED is the better match for your needs and budget.
Let‘s dive in!
LG C2 and CX OLEDs at a Glance
Before jumping into the details, here is a high-level overview:
LG C2 OLED
- Release year: 2022
- Display type: Latest OLED Evo panel
- Sizes: 42", 48", 55", 65", 77", 83"
- Key features: Brighter highlights, gaming optimizations
LG CX OLED
- Release year: 2020
- Display type: Standard OLED panel
- Sizes: 48", 55", 65", 77"
- Key features: More affordable, composite input
The C2 brings upgrades like a brighter display and slimmer design. But the two years since launch means you can find great CX deals. So this comparison aims to determine if those C2 enhancements justify the higher price tag for most buyers.
Design and Build Quality
As premium flagship TVs, both the LG C2 and CX boast exceptional attention to detail in their design and construction. This starts with their elegantly thin displays measuring just 1.8 inches thick without stands attached.
Wall mounting either set is therefore quite striking, appearing almost like framed artwork hanging flush to your wall. Tabletop use is also quite attractive given their minimized bezels and compact stand footprints.
That said, the newer C2 does push aesthetic boundaries even further. Its bezels slim down to just 0.1 inches, making the screen seem to disappear completely when viewing dark content.
And improvements to composite materials and engineering cut the C2‘s weight by a staggering 25-30% compared to the CX of the same screen size. As you scale up to the 77 to 83 inch models, this really makes a difference for setup and wall mounting.
Both TVs allow cable routing and tidying within their stand. But the C2‘s taller centralized stand lifts the entire display higher to accommodate larger sound bars without blocking the screen. This is an intelligent tweak based on real-world usage.
So while the CX is still extremely well designed, the C2 takes construction, materials and subtle ergonomic improvements even further. If styling and thinness are paramount, it has the edge.
Display Technology and Picture Quality
The C2‘s introduction of LG‘s new OLED Evo panel technology represents one of the more significant gaps versus the CX. Let‘s explore why this matters.
Brightness and HDR
All OLED TVs can deliver perfect blacks given each pixel produces its own light. So technically both the C2 and CX achieve infinite contrast ratios.
However, OLED panels to date have fallen short of their LED-LCD counterparts when it comes to maximum brightness. And this can mute the specular highlight details that help HDR content truly shine.
Enter the C2‘s new OLED Evo panel. By adding an extra white sub-pixel alongside standard RGB and improving light emission efficiency, C2 models achieve up to 20% higher peak brightness based on LG testing.
While a 550 to 600 nit peak may not match the best premium LCDs hovering around 1000 nits, it still allows impressive specular highlights that make HDR pop more. So the C2 better handles daytime viewing environments where blacks aren‘t quite as pitch black due to ambient light washout.
This means eye-catching glints off metal surfaces, realistic torch flames, and blazing explosions all showcase more intensely. Since our eyes perceive logarithmically, that 20% brightness jump is more impactful than the numbers might suggest.
Viewing Angles
When it comes to off-angle viewing, neither OLED disappoints. Their per pixel light emission means colors stay rich with minimal variation even when viewing well past 45 degrees off-center.
So for both TVs, you‘ll get that cinematic feel where everyone in the room enjoys an optimal experience regardless of seating position. Large gatherings to watch a big game will particularly appreciate this uniformity.
Color and Clarity
With their self-illuminating pixels, both TVs deliver outstanding color even in dark rooms given the complete absence of backlight leaks around letterbox bars that LCDs suffer from.
The newer C2 may offer some incremental color gamut improvements thanks to refinements in its RGB pixel structure. But expect outstanding, highly realistic colors from both sets.
Uniformity and motion clarity also set both OLED models apart from even the best LCD efforts. With infinitely fast response times and no concerns over backlight variation, fast action stays crisp and consistent across the screen.
So while the C2‘s new Evo panel pushes peak brightness notably higher, even the CX delivers world class contrast and rich, accurate color that pushes OLED closer to flawless realism than ever before.
Gaming Performance
Given their exceptional picture quality and ever improving gaming feature sets, LG‘s recent OLEDs have become gold standards for console and PC gamers. This holds true for both the C2 and to a slightly lesser extent the CX.
Key aspects that translate to superb gaming include:
- Fast response for crisp motion clarity
- Deep blacks for added visual pop
- Low input lag for precision control
- HDMI 2.1 for 4K/120Hz support
Let‘s explore the similarities and differences as we compare gaming prowess.
Refresh Rates
Ready for the blazing fast frame rates promised by the PS5 and Xbox Series X? So are the CX and C2 with native 120Hz panel refresh rates enabling 4K gaming up to 120 FPS.
Better yet, their HDMI 2.1 support opens the door for dynamic VRR to ensure synced frame delivery for ultra-smooth, tear-free visuals that PC gamers expect. Whether you game on console or an RTX 4090-powered rig, buttery smooth clarity applies.
Input Lag and Features
Both TVs deliver impressively low input lag measuring under 15ms according to LG. In real world game testing, control response feels precise and lag-free. So no concerns here.
Gaming features have expanded rapidly in LG‘s recent generations. Both the CX and C2 give you one-touch access to a gaming dashboard with genre-specific picture modes. Want FPS mode‘s boosted shadows while playing Call of Duty? Just tap the controller button and switch modes to tailor the image.
You also get niceties like cross-platform VRR support and auto low latency modes. This all combines to make these TVs feel like they were built for gaming first.
That said, the C2 does push things slightly further. LG quotes its input lag at a blisteringly fast 5.3ms in 2022 testing compared to 2020‘s 13ms for the CX. So competitive players may notice some minor further advantage here.
Which Is the Better Gaming TV?
When it comes to gaming, both OLEDs clearly impress. Features tailored specifically to gamers were already excellent in 2020‘s CX. And 2022‘s C2 only continues perfecting the formula.
But the C2‘s faster response and upgraded peak brightness do give it a slight edge. Those looking for the absolute best gaming TV with latest standards like HDMI 2.1 will be happier in the long run with the C2. But I‘d never call the CX a bad gaming TV by any means.
Audio Quality
While picture quality steals the spotlight for high-end sets like these, audio remains important for rounding out the experience. Let‘s examine how the CX and C2 sound.
Given their ultrathin form factors, neither can deliver robust bass or high stereo separation from their built-in speakers alone. Plan to budget for a quality sound bar at minimum to unlock their cinematic potential.
That said, both TVs include smart audio tuning. With an included microphone, they can listen to your room conditions and tailor frequency response and levels to compensate for dense furnishings or bare walls. It‘s surprising how decent they can sound after this one-time setup.
If you do splurge on a premium Dolby Atmos sound system, both sets support decoding and passing the 3D object-based format. This unlocks the 360-degree audio mix to achieve pinpoint sound placement synchronized perfectly with onscreen effects.
While basic tuning options help the C2 and CX perform admirably alone, I‘d still recommend factoring in a sound bar or speaker upgrade. Their stunning visuals deserve an equally impressive audio partner.
Smart TV Features and Apps
LG‘s webOS platform remains one of the more intuitive and responsive smart TV systems. Both the C2 and last generation CX offer a robust app selection and excellent voice control functionality.
That said, LG has updated from webOS 5.0 on the CX to 6.0 for the C2. This brings some incremental improvements to navigation and content discovery.
For example, contextual menus now float transparently over home screen rows to avoid losing your place. New personal profiles allow family members to easily store their own watchlists, apps, and recommendations rather than mixing everything together.
And hands-free voice control now works directly with Alexa and Google Assistant devices thanks the addition of far field microphones. Just speak naturally across the room without hunting for LG‘s included Magic Remote.
Overall though, webOS provides a polished experience on both that makes navigating plentiful built-in apps intuitive even for novices. All your expected streaming video apps come pre-loaded in crisp 4K. LG Channels pulls in a wealth of internet TV content as well.
Given both start with an excellent smart platform, differences amount to nice incremental upgrades rather than game changing shifts. But the C2 does nudge things slightly closer toward idea usability.
Ports and Connectivity
Future-proof ports ready for the latest AV gear help set premium sets apart. Both the LG CX and C2 fit that bill with abundant HDMI 2.1 hookups and Wi-Fi 6 wireless connectivity.
Key inputs and wireless formats include:
- HDMI 2.1 (x4 including eARC)
- USB 2.0 / 3.0 ports (x3)
- Ethernet (LAN) port
- WiFi 6 wireless networking
- Bluetooth 5.0 audio
So whichever TV you choose, you can count on high bandwidth HDMI for uncompressed 4K video sources, fast data syncing to thumb drives, and support for speedy future wireless gear. An onboard LAN port ensures lag-free streaming if Wi-Fi falls short.
The CX does add a composite video input that the C2 omits. So folks connecting older standard definition sources may prefer last generation‘s model.
But aside from legacy composite gear, all modern high speed A/V gadgets can tap into these TV‘s exceptional connectivity. Ports are no concern.
Price and Value Comparison
All this brings us to the final and perhaps most critical consideration for many shoppers – pricing and overall value. Does the C2 bring enough new to the experience to justify paying a premium over discounted CX models two years into their lifecycle?
Let‘s break down what to expect for both TVs at popular screen sizes. Prices compare MSRP at launch to current February 2023 figures.
55-Inch Models
- LG C2 MSRP: $1,799 / Now: $1,596.99
- LG CX MSRP: $1,799 / Now: $1,296.99
Given the discounting that kicks in over time, the CX provides a $300 value advantage at this popular screen size.
65-Inch Models
- LG C2 MSRP: $2,499 / Now $1,796.99
- LG CX MSRP: $2,499 / Now $1,296.99
The 65-inch savings gap widens slightly further to $500 in the CX‘s favor.
Which Is the Better Value?
There‘s no denying you can score significant savings by opting for 2020‘s LG CX models rather than the latest C2 editions – even with the CX‘s initial identical pricing. Discounts of $300 to $500 are enticing.
However, also remember that the newer C2 delivers a noticeably brighter display, gaming improvements, and subtle but welcome design upgrades. Picture quality in particar takes an appreciable step forward.
So while the CX undoubtedly presents an excellent value given deep discounts, buyers who expect to keep their TV over 5+ years may find paying a bit more for the C2‘s refined experience worthwhile. Think of it as some future-proofing insurance.
On the flip side, those hoping to stay closer to a $1,000 budget would still be thrilled with a discounted CX. Its picture, features and connectivity hold up wonderfully two years later. Just don‘t expect much price movement beyond periodic sales.
So weigh prices against your budget ceiling, timeframe and desire for the latest refinements. There‘s logic behind choosing either stellar OLED – you really can‘t go wrong.
The Bottom Line
When comparing LG‘s impressive C2 and CX OLED TVs, subtle but meaningful differences emerge:
- C2 advantages: Brighter display, slimmer bezels, lighter weight, gaming tweaks
- CX advantages: Heavily discounted, composite input included
- Neutral differences: webOS smart platforms, connectivity, streaming apps
The C2 builds notably on the CX foundation without introducing radical changes. You get an appreciably punchier OLED Evo display, perfect gaming readiness and stunning aesthetic appeal. Sound also takes a step forward.
But two years post-launch, the CX sees steep price cuts making it extremely compelling for buyers less concerned with future-proofing. And you still get LG‘s outstanding smart features and beautiful OLED picture.
So while the C2 is the technically superior television if price is no limitation, bargain hunting CX buyers can rest easy enjoying near top tier quality for hundreds less. Weigh prices and timelines to pick the right model for your needs.
I‘m happy to dig deeper into anything covered here or chat through decision factors. Let me know in the comments which LG model seems the better fit given your priorities and I‘ll provide personal advice!
