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If you’re looking to upgrade your living room or home theater with a high-end OLED TV, LG is one of the top brands you can choose from. with the release of new C6 OLEDThe brand continues to prove why it deserves to be number one, but is it worth spending the extra money on an annual refresh?
Also: The best OLED TVs you can buy
on the surface, C5 And the C6 doesn’t seem all that different with similar smart features and technical specifications. But the main differences lie in the better Alpha processor and support for stronger AI programs like Copilot. I’ve broken down each upgrade and hardware refresh to help you decide which one best suits your needs and your budget.
Specifications
|
lg c5 |
lg c6 |
|
|
display type |
OLED |
OLED |
|
Display Size |
42 to 83 inches |
42 to 83 inches |
|
refresh rate |
up to 144Hz |
up to 165Hz |
| hdr | dolby vision | dolby vision |
| audio | dolby atmos | dolby atmos |
| VRR support | Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium | Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium |
| voice control | Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Hey Google | Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Hey Google |
| price | Starting from $900 | Starting at $1,400 |
You should buy the LG C5 OLED TV if…
1. You love a good deal
Due to the LG C5 being a generation behind, it’s more likely to see sales and discounts than its successor, the C6. If you keep a close eye on the deals pages of your favorite retailers, you can sometimes find up to 50% off the C5 during big sales events. Saving on your new OLED TV means you’ll have extra cash to outfit your home theater with custom audio, a game console, or even lighting effects.
2. You want a high-end OLED for streaming and gaming
The LG C5 still gives you plenty of reasons to choose it if you’re looking to upgrade your home theater or gaming space. With a variety of screen sizes to choose from, you’ll be able to find a screen that fits any space, from living rooms to offices. With a base refresh rate of 120Hz, you’ll get smooth motion for sports, video games, and streaming.
Also: LG C5 OLED TV Review
And with support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, you can boost the refresh rate up to 144Hz to eliminate motion blur. You will also get Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos for better picture quality and virtual surround sound.
3. You want less AI integration
The firmware update will enable the LG C5 to support the LG AI Concierge feature. But if you’re like me and want to keep AI as far away from your home theater as possible, you can turn the features on and off. And being an older model, the LG C5 won’t have the processing power to support more robust AI programs like Copilot and Gemini.
You should buy the LG C6 OLED TV if…
1. You want a better processor
The biggest update to the LG C6 is the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 CPU. It gets a strong boost thanks to better power efficiency, faster, more accurate picture and sound rendering, and support for new AI chatbots and customization features. The new AI Picture & Sound Pro and AI Brightness Control features give you a “set and forget” TV that automatically adjusts picture and sound settings for your location.
2. You want a higher refresh rate
The improved Alpha 11 processor not only makes the LG C6 more powerful, but it also makes the TV faster. With support for VRR technologies like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, you’ll be able to boost the refresh rate up to 165Hz, making it a great choice for live sports, console and PC gaming, and streaming fast-paced movies and shows.
WATCH: LG is making OLED TV technology even better in 2026
The base refresh rate of 120Hz is rapidly becoming the standard for 4K TVs and delivers smooth, clean motion across all media.
3. You want more AI integration
All 2026 LG TVs will feature a built-in AI Concierge to provide personalized search options and media recommendations, but the LG C6 will also support Microsoft CoPilot and Google Gemini. With both AI programs, you’ll be able to do everything from adjusting picture settings to streamlining your workflow.
And you’ll be able to seamlessly integrate your new TV into your AI-based smart home network without having to recreate your preferences or readjust settings.
author’s choice
While the LG C6 is an excellent OLED TV, its predecessor, the C5, still manages to win out with less intrusive AI features and more frequent discounts. With the C5 being a generation behind, retailers are trying to clear out stock to make way for the 2026 TV lineup, meaning if you keep a close eye on sales, you might be able to get a premium-grade OLED TV at a steep discount.
