If you want to buy an LG TV, you have come to the right place! Whether you are a game or movie lover, LG has a lot to offer! In this article, we compare the LG C8 vs C9. These TVs are a great choice for watching movies and sports. If you are a game lover, then the C9 is a better choice. But this is a small part of our review! Find out more information in this comparison!
LG C8 vs C9 – Quick Comparison
The LG C8 and LG C9 are both 4K OLED TVs manufactured by LG. Since the LG C8 was manufactured in 2018, it is a predecessor of the LG C9 that emerged in 2019. You can find them both in three screen sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch.
According to the official LG website, both TVs are discontinued. Still, you can find them on the market. These models have a slim design and are very stable due to their sturdy stand. These beautiful TVs also provide excellent picture and sound.
| LG C8 | LG C9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Technology | OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD) | 3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD) |
| Screen sizes | 55, 65, and 77 inches | 55, 65, and 77 inches |
| Image processor | α9 Intelligent Processor | α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh rate | No | Yes |
| Smart platform | WebOS 4.0 | WebOS 4.5 |
| HDMI ports | 4 (HDMI 2.0) | 4 (HDMI 2.1) |
| USB ports | 3 | 3 |
| WiFi | Yes (802.11ac) | Yes (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (4.2) | Yes (5.0) |
| Audio output | 40 Watt | 40 Watt |
| HDR10 | Yes | Yes |
| HDR10+ | No | No |
LG C8
Pros:
- Great performance
- Lots of smart TV features
- Beautiful design
- Good viewing angles
Cons:
- Has ads on the main menu
- Brightness can vary
LG C9
Pros:
- Superb performance
- Excellent audio surround system
- HDMI 2.1 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- Great for playing games
Cons:
- Brightness is limited
- No HDR10+
Features face to face
Panel Technology
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) panels provide better black levels and great viewing angles than LCD displays. However, their peak brightness is not as good as on LED TVs.
Both of these TVs use OLED technology, which means they provide pretty much the same picture quality. However, differences can occur because of other features like peak brightness.
Winner: Draw
Image Processor
The LG C8 uses the α9 Intelligent Processor. However, the LG C9 uses the advanced version, called the α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor. The main difference between these two is the use of artificial intelligence.
The LG C8 processor uses AI, but it is limited to the Smart TV system. That is not the case with the LG C9, which uses AI to improve the sound and picture quality. It does that through several features like AI Sound, AI Sound Tuning, AI Brightness, and AI Picture.
Winner: LG C9
Motion Technology
When there is a lot of motion on the screen, TVs can experience motion blur. In order to handle the motions better, TVs make use of the refresh rates. Most modern TVs have refresh rates between 60 Hz and 120 Hz.
In this particular comparison, both TVs have the same refresh rate of 120 Hz. However, the LG C9 supports the variable refresh rate, which the C8 doesn’t.
Good pixel response is also essential for motion handling, and both models have an excellent pixel response. They also have the Black Frame Insertion (BFI), which helps with the image stuttering. Since the LG C9 supports the variable refresh rate, it is slightly better in this segment.
Winner: LG C9
Picture Quality
Contrast Ratio and Black Level
As we mentioned above, both models use OLED panel technology. OLED panels are known for having almost perfect black levels with an infinite contrast ratio. These panels have no backlight. But they have pixels that are self-lighting, meaning they can switch on and off separately.
So, a pixel is not dependent on the condition of pixels around it. The pixel dimming also provides these TVs with great black uniformity. Basically, this means that dark scenes are perfectly visible even in really dark environments.
Winner: Draw
Local Dimming
These TVs have no local dimming. But, they contain individual self-lighting pixels. In other words, each pixel is individual and can emit its own light. What this means is that you can get a crisp picture with defined lighting. So, there is no haloing or blooming when there is a bright object on the dark screen.
When we look at the final result of the Pixel Level Dimming technology, we can conclude that it has the same effect as the LED TV’s full-array local dimming.
Winner: Draw
Peak Brightness
SDR brightness is relatively good in both of these TVs. Their performance on actual content is the same, while the C9 has slightly better results with small highlights. So, they do their job to handle the glare in an averagely bright room.
The C9 has slightly brighter images overall, but the C8 is better at showing small highlights when it comes to HDR brightness. In general, both TVs have good HDR brightness for OLED TVs.
However, if you are looking for superior brightness, you might opt for a premium LCD TV. Between these two models, the LG C9 could be a better choice.
Winner: LG C9
Color
Color is yet another segment in which both of these TVs are the same. The color gamut is pretty much outstanding in both TVs. They have vibrant colors and provide a great HDR experience.
But, we can’t say the same about the color volume. As we mentioned, OLED TV panels produce near-perfect black levels. It means they have excellent dark saturated colors. They can also produce bright white, but the quality drops when it comes to very bright saturated colors.
However, both models come with great features like 4K Upscaler, Ultra Luminance Pro, True Color Accuracy Pro, Billion Rich Colors, Intense Color, and Noise Reduction.
Besides the color gamut, these TVs also have a great color gradient. You may notice some banding on some scenes, but it is hardly noticeable. When playing low-quality content, you might notice a lot of banding. You can solve this by using MPEG Noise Reduction on the C8 or Smooth Gradation feature on the C9 TV.
Winner: Draw
Viewing Angle
As expected, viewing angles are excellent on both of these OLED TVs. Compared to LED technology, the LG C8 and C9 cover wider viewing angles. If you want light and dark colors to be consistent at wide viewing angles, you won’t make a mistake if you buy either one of these TVs.
Winner: Draw
Reflections
With good SDR peak brightness, these TVs are great at handling reflections in bright rooms. Their screens have an anti-reflective coating which reduces the reflection. So, you will have no problems with reflections in relatively bright rooms if you invest in either the LG C8 or LG C9 TV.
Winner: Draw
Sound Quality
Both models feature a 2.2 channel speaker system. The output power is 40W and 20W woofer. However, the LG C9 has an improved AI Sound system. This feature optimizes the sound according to the content, and it can provide a virtual surround sound.
Winner: LG C9
Smart TV Platform (Operating System)
The LG C8 runs on WebOS 4.0 and the LG C9 runs on WebOS 4.5. Both of these operating systems run smoothly and offer various services like Netflix, Amazon Video, or YouTube.
The interface is pretty much the same, with a few minor differences. On WebOS 4.5, there are no ads on the side, the menu is slightly smaller, and there are previews when you mark an app. Also, there are additional smart features such as Home Dashboard.
Winner: LG C9
Connectivity
Inputs
Modern TVs come with HDMI and USB ports. The LG C8 and LG C9 are no different. Both have four HDMI ports and three USB ports. The only difference is that the C8 model supports HDMI 2.0, and the C9 supports HDMI 2.1. The USB ports are all 2.0.
They also have an Ethernet port, RF In, and Composite In. Both have an HDR input but no HDR+ input.
Winner: LG C9
Voice Assistants
The Magic Remote is included with both of these TVs. The C8 comes with the 2018 version, and the C9 comes with the 2019 version of the remote. These remotes have dedicated buttons for Amazon Prime and Netflix services.
The navigation is relatively easy since both remotes have a scroll wheel in the middle. And both support voice navigation through the built-in microphone.
Since they have LG ThinQ AI, you can easily use many features through voice commands, like changing the settings or searching through the apps. In addition to the voice recognition feature, they support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Google Home.
Winner: Draw
Wireless technologies
In addition to HDMI and USB ports, both TVs support WiFi and Bluetooth. There is no difference in WiFi connectivity since both support the Wi-Fi 802.11ac standard (2.4GHz and 5GHz). But the C8 supports Bluetooth 4.2, and the C9 supports Bluetooth 5.0. So, the C9 prevails here since it supports a more advanced Bluetooth connection.
Winner: LG C9
Conclusion
We hope that this LG C8 vs C9 comparison helps you decide which TV is better for you. One thing is for sure, you have all the relevant information to decide which model can fulfill your needs.
The LG C9 is a slightly improved version of the LG C8 TV. Since both of these TVs are OLED, the picture quality is pretty much the same. However, there are some differences in artificial intelligence, which is found in the LG C9.
If you are looking for a TV for watching movies or sports, you won’t go wrong if you choose any of these two. They have perfect black levels, pixel dimming features, and great motion handling. However, if you are a fan of playing games, the C9 is a slightly better choice.
Choose the LG C8 if you:
- Like watching movies and sports
- Want to have a slim, beautiful TV
- Watch TV in a dark environment
- Look for a TV with the excellent picture quality
Choose the LG C9 if you:
- Want to play games
- Plan to watch TV with your friends and family
- Are looking for an exquisite sound surround system
- Like artificial intelligence features
