LGs 8K monster delivers extraordinary big-screen gaming performance, too.
But the AV world would undoubtedly be a sadder, duller place without LGs no-compromise, envelope-pushing 8K beast.
As we were in the process of writing and publishing this review, though, things changed pretty radically.
Along with 8K resolution, the LG Z3 brings all the regular picture benefits of OLED TV tech such as powerful contrast
First, the 77-inch Z3 suddenly appeared for sale in the US priced at a relatively reasonable $9,999.
Thats not to say, of course, that its suddenly a mass market proposition.
It still costs 3,500/$5,500 more than the 77-inch version of LGs current flagshipLG G44KOLED TV.
The LG Z3’s side-mounted connections include four HDMI 2.1 ports
Its also the case thatSamsungs flagship 75-inch 8K TV, theSamsung QN900D, costs 1,500 less than the OLED77Z3.
So it remains the case that going 8K costs more than sticking with 4K especially in the OLED world.
Starting, of course, with that all-important 8K (7680x4320) resolution.
The LG Z3 lets you look at nature in all its ‘unpixellated’ glory
Some may question its importance, I guess, given that genuine 8K content remains extremely hard to find.
Not all 8K TVs boast processing as potent as the LG Z3’s, of course.
But in this case, the idea that 8K TVs have no current purpose just doesnt hold up.
The LG Z3’s remote control
Ill come back to this more in the picture performance section.
These numbers are up on LGs previous Z2 8K OLED range, as Id expect with MLA in play.
Theres no obvious lag, over-enthusiastic object edge enhancement or general softness to the 8K upscale, either.
The LG Z3’s support feet are a bit spindly for an otherwise premium TV
This is not to say that the Z3s pictures arent even better with native 8K, of course.
This feels especially true in the Z3s case because of OLEDs self-emissive nature.
that I havent seen before.
The LG Z3’s webOS 23 smart interface supports multiple user profiles
There are only a couple of negative points I can muster about the LG Z3s picture.
All these audio features only add up to a mixed bag of sound performance, though.
In other words, LG is happy for its flagship TV to be admired from any angle.
the Z3 features a Gallery design that’s intended to look particularly good when hung on a wall.
Here again, you get an 8K boost without necessarily needing an 8K source.
Dropping essentially 8K/$10K on a TV is clearly not something most households will be able to do.
Even Samsungs flagship 75-inch 8K LCD TV, the excellent QN900D, only costs 6,499.
One, moreover, that results in unprecedentedly precise and immersive pictures.
Should I buy the LG Z3 OLED TV?
Sound quality
Clever processing delivers a useful soundstage expansion, and theres lots of detail to be heard.
Bass and power are both limited, though.
3.5/5
Design
Build quality is outstanding, and the screen looks cool hanging on a wall.
Its quite chunky, though, and the provided feet look a bit cheap.
But the rewards if you could snap one up are unique.
So hopefully you have plenty of high-quality HD and, better, 4K sources to feed it.
LG G4Arguably the Z3s biggest competition comes from one of its own LG siblings: the G4 OLED.
Also carrying a 77-inch screen, the G4 joins the Z3 in using MLA technology to enhance its brightness.
The 77-inch G4 is far cheaper, too.
Obviously, though, the G4 only delivers 4K resolution.
Here’s our preview of theLG G4 OLED TV.
Sony A95LSonys A95L series represents the brands current flagship OLED TVs.
Again, though, these screens are not 8K and dont offer such comprehensive gaming support.
