The first Micro Lens Array-equipped OLED is a shining star
65in OLED TV | £3500 | whf.cm/LG_G3
The arrival of a new G-series OLED is always cause for excitement, but the G3 is an even bigger deal than its forebears. That’s because it is the first OLED TV that features Micro Lens Array (MLA). This new technology is said to increase brightness (long considered by some to be a weakness of OLED) to levels previously achievable only by backlit TVs.
It is worth noting from the off that the 2000+ nit brightness figures that have been bandied around will only be seen by those brave enough to gaze upon the G3’s garish and aggressively processed Vivid mode. Still, the set’s extra capabilities are still pretty plain to see in the more cinematically accurate presets.
In other words, if you pick up a G3 expecting retina-searing images, you could be disappointed. Those of us with more authentic and, dare we say it, discerning tastes, will find that the G3 is very much like the G2, only even better. Although there are a couple of caveats…
In a surprise to almost no-one, the LG G3 is more expensive than the G2 it replaces. The 65in G3 on test here is priced at £3500, whereas the equivalent G2 launched at £3300.
While the price increase is undeniably disappointing, it’s notable that the 65in G3 undercuts its most likely rival this year, the Samsung S95C, by £99.
If it ain’t broke…
If you are familiar with the design of the G2 you can probably go right ahead and skip to the next section, because the G3 looks more or less identical to its predecessor. The stepped design to the edges that was introduced last year returns, so there is a slight gap between the set’s edges and the wall even when using the so-called Zero Gap wall mount; but otherwise the set has a uniform thickness of just 2.4cm.
Said wall mount is included in the box but, as before, a tabletop stand is not. This remains as frustrating as ever, particularly as the official pedestal stand (seen in our photos) will almost certainly cost in the region of £100, although you could pick up a more affordable third-party stand that attaches to the set’s standard VESA mounting points.
The one difference that is visible when you have the G3 and G2 side by side is that the G3’s screen, when off, has a slight bronze tint. That’s because it has a new and significantly more effective anti-reflective coating. With the set switched off, you can of course see some reflections on the screen, but they are significantly less pronounced than those on the
