LG G1 OLED Evo TV Review: Brighter, Cheaper & Gaming Elite

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Staring at a £4,800 price tag for a 77-inch TV? You’re right to hesitate. But after analyzing the LG G1 OLED Evo, I’ve found this premium display delivers unprecedented value for flagship performance. As a 2021 upgrade over the G10, it combines a revolutionary gallery design, measurable brightness gains, and elite gaming features—all while costing 20% less than its predecessor.

Gallery Design: Flush Wall Mount Mastery

The G1’s defining feature is its included ultra-slim wall mount, enabling a seamless 0.8-inch profile against your wall. Unlike traditional TVs, no stand comes included—LG assumes you’ll wall-mount this showpiece. Practical testing reveals two caveats:

Cable management challenges: Routing connections requires precision. I’d strongly prefer a separate I/O box like LG’s higher-end Z series offers.
Stand limitations: Optional feet position at screen edges, demanding an extra-wide TV stand for larger models.

For smaller rooms, this design is transformative. Wall mounting reclaims floor space, making massive 77-inch panels feasible where traditional stands would overwhelm. The trade-off? You sacrifice flexibility for breathtaking minimalism.

OLED Evo: Measurable Brightness Gains

LG’s "Evo" branding signifies panel and processor enhancements. Real-world testing shows:

10% peak brightness increase in HDR highlights
20% full-screen brightness boost for SDR content
Identical infinite contrast and perfect blacks from self-lit pixels

Is it revolutionary? No. But combined with the new Alpha 9 Gen 4 AI processor, it delivers visibly enhanced vibrancy. The processor uses deep learning to upscale content, detect faces/objects, and auto-optimize settings. Crucially, leave AI modes enabled—they work subtly in the background without intrusive tinkering.

WebOS 6: A Step Backward?

The new full-screen dashboard replaces the beloved overlay menu. After testing, I note three pain points:

Content takes 3-5 seconds to populate
Weather/widgets occupy 30% of screen real estate
Background video playback is disabled

Pro Tip: Disable ads via Settings > General > System > Additional Settings > Home Settings > Home Promotion. While the streamlined settings menu improves, the dashboard feels like a regression. LG should offer a compact mode option.

Ultimate Gaming Performance

Here’s where the G1 dominates. Testing confirms flawless next-gen console support:

4K/120Hz on all four HDMI 2.1 ports
<1ms response time with G-Sync/FreeSync Premium
Game Optimizer mode with genre-specific presets

The dedicated Game Dashboard displays real-time VRR status and latency metrics. For FPS games, the specialized mode brightens shadows—proven to spot enemies in Call of Duty: Warzone. This remains a benchmark-setting gaming display.

Value Verdict: Premium Justified?

Compared to 2020’s £6,000 G10, the G1’s £4,800 price makes it a relative bargain. Consider:

Brighter Evo panel at 20% lower cost
Identical gallery design and mount
Enhanced processor and redesigned remote

Actionable Buyer Checklist:

Measure wall space for flush 77-inch mounting
Budget for premium sound (built-in lacks bass)
Enable Filmmaker Mode for color-accurate movies
Disable ad tracking in system settings
Test Game Optimizer presets per title

Final Analysis

The LG G1 isn’t revolutionary—it’s a refined evolution that corrects last year’s pricing misstep. You’re paying a premium for the gallery design, but get tangible upgrades: measurable brightness gains, superior processing, and gaming excellence. If wall-mounting appeals, this represents OLED’s current pinnacle.

"Which feature—wall-mount design, gaming specs, or Evo brightness—would most influence your upgrade decision? Share your setup challenges below!"