The LG B4 is the company’s entry-level OLED TV series for 2024, and although it’s a “budget” model, it offers many features you’ll also find on the mid-range C4 series and premium LG G4 series. A key point for 2024 is an upgrade to four HDMI 2.1 ports – a feature we put on our wishlist for a future B-series model in our review of its predecessor, the LG B3.
LG’s mid-range OLED device received 4.5 stars in our LG C4 review and currently sits in our guide to the best OLED TVs. Our excitement for the C4 is no secret! But the B4 is also one of our most anticipated TVs of 2024, and now that we’ve gotten a model to test, I have some initial thoughts on it.
Before I get into those considerations, here are some pricing details for the LG B4, which is available in 48, 55, 65 and 77-inch screen sizes:
- OLED48B: $800 / N/A / N/A
- OLED55B: $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$2,199
- OLED65B: $1,599 / £2,099 / AU$2,999
- OLED77B: $2,699 / £3,099 / NA
LG B4 vs. LG C4: Image quality comparison
When I reviewed the C4, I said it “looked satisfactorily bright even with the overhead lights on.” However, the B4’s picture is less bright than the C4’s, and that was immediately apparent in well-lit environments. It’s not that the B4’s picture doesn’t look good (it has the same anti-reflective screen as the C4, so you can watch TV with the overhead lights on without dealing with annoying screen glare), it just lacks the same punch I observed in bright light with the C4.
To confirm, I used my measurements, where the B4’s peak HDR brightness was 655 nits with a white window pattern covering 10% of the screen, and full-screen brightness was 128 nits (both measured in Filmmaker mode). These results are roughly in line with our brightness measurements on last year’s B3 model.
In comparison, the LG C4 achieved 1,065 nits and 202 nits on the same brightness tests – significantly better results. LG’s mid-range model uses an improved OLED Evo panel and has a brightness booster feature enabled by the C4’s Alpha 9 AI 4K Gen7 processor. These improvements are responsible for the C4’s improved brightness compared to last year’s LG C3 and explain the C4’s more dynamic handling of HDR.
Otherwise, the B4’s image looked very good in dimmed room lighting, showing deep blacks and excellent shadow detail in dark shows like House of the Dragon to Max. Ripley on Netflix also looked fantastic, with the B4 easily reproducing the wide range of subtle greys in the show’s black and white images.
LG B4 vs LG C4: Features Comparison
Features the B4 shares with models higher up the LG OLED food chain include the webOS 24 smart TV platform with its extremely useful Quick Menu and Quick Cards, as well as Dolby Vision (including a new Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode), HDR10 and HLG High Dynamic Range support. It also features LG’s Magic Remote and works with Alexa and Hey Google for voice control, as well as Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast Built-in for wireless streaming.
The B4’s four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 120Hz, VRR (including Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync), ALLM, and 4K Dolby Vision gaming. It also features LG’s Game Bar menu, which lets you make quick gaming-related adjustments, and has the same low 9.1ms measured input lag as the C4 in Game Optimizer mode with Boost enabled.
One key C4 gaming feature not available on the B4 is Nvidia 144Hz certification. This will be important for PC gamers, while the B4’s 4K 120Hz support is a perfect fit for the Xbox Series X and PS5 consoles, both of which can be connected to the B4 at the same time along with a soundbar, as the B-Series OLED TVs have now been upgraded with four HDMI 2.1 inputs.
LG B4 vs. LG C4: design comparison
The design of the B4 and C4 is largely the same, with both TVs having a display that’s about 2 inches deep. (LG’s wall-hugging G4, on the other hand, has a 1-inch deep display and is specifically designed to be wall-mounted with input connections via an external box.) Both TVs have a similarly thin bezel around the screen, but the B4’s connections are split between side and rear panels, while the C4’s connections are all on the side.
One key design difference is that LG uses feet on the B4 and a stand on the C4. Both are made of aluminum and offer sturdy support, with the C4’s stand being the more attractive option (not available on the 42-inch C4, which also uses feet). Additionally, the B4’s built-in speakers are 2.0-channel speakers, while the C4 has 2.2-channel speakers. However, both support virtual 9.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos processing.
LG B4: an OLED TV with a best price guarantee?
My B4 review is still a work in progress, so I’m not quite ready to make a final decision on LG’s entry-level OLED TVs. Prices for LG B4 OLED TVs have dropped significantly since they were launched last spring. The 65-inch model I reviewed now costs $1,599 / £2,099 / AU$2,999. Prices for the LG C4 OLED TV have also dropped, with the 65-inch version now costing $1,999 / £2,099 / AU$3,499.
Is it worth paying more for the LG C4? From what I can tell so far, the C4 is the better option for viewing in brighter rooms and also has an edge over the B4 when it comes to reproducing bold highlights in 4K movies with HDR. Its stand gives it a more premium look and with 144Hz VRR support, it’s a better option for PC gaming.
With UK prices basically the same for the B4 and C4, I’d say the C4 is the clear choice here due to its picture quality, features and design advantages. In the US, spending $400 more on the C4 than the B4 makes sense to me, although if you regularly watch TV in a dark room and aren’t a PC gamer, the differences between the two TVs are less important. And hey, the $400 you save can be used to outfit your awesome new OLED TV with one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
