As a tech enthusiast and home theater buff, I‘ve closely followed LG‘s C1 OLED TV since its release in 2021. By many accounts, it represents one of the best value 4K TVs on the market, with best-in-class picture quality thanks to LG‘s self-emissive OLED technology. However, no TV is perfect, and even with overwhelmingly positive reviews, the C1 has drawn some complaints that prospective buyers should factor into their decision.
In this blog post, I‘ll break down the 7 most common complaints about the LG C1 based on aggregated customer feedback, expert reviews, and firsthand usage. For context, I‘ll also highlight where the C1 excels to paint a complete picture of its value proposition. As with any purchase, it‘s about managing expectations and making an informed choice that aligns with your needs and budget.
1. Risk of Burn-In with Static Images Over Time
All OLED TVs, including the LG C1, have an inherent risk of image retention and burn-in with cumulative exposure to static content over thousands of hours. This could include on-screen logos, persistent HUDs in games, or leaving a pause screen on for extended periods. While LG has introduced new preventative measures like Pixel Refresher, image retention remains a possibility down the line.
However, burn-in is largely overblown as a concern for regular mixed/varied TV usage. LG officially covers screen burn-in under warranty for the first 4 years and rates the C1 for over 30,000 hours of viewing before noticeable degradation. Proactive measures like manually triggering Pixel Refresher further mitigate long-term issues. Ultimately, burn-in shouldn‘t deter most shoppers given LG‘s protective measures and robust testing.
2. Lacks Brighter EVO Panel Available in Other LG OLEDs
While the C1 can hit upwards of 800 nits peak brightness, LG‘s newest "EVO" OLED panel configuration with added heating elements achieves closer to 1000 nits on newer models like the G2 and C2. For extremely bright viewing environments, the lack of an EVO panel and associated brightness headroom is a shortcoming.
That said, I‘ve found the C1‘s brightness plenty acceptable for most comfortably lit living rooms and home theater spaces. Only in challenging rooms with tons of daylight would the EVO panel‘s headroom provide a notably improved HDR experience. Given its lower price point, skipping the EVO panel is an acceptable trade-off for superior black levels and contrast that outmatch any LED/LCD TV technology today.
3. Clunky webOS Smart TV Interface
LG‘s webOS platform consistently ranks among the weaker smart TV interfaces from a usability standpoint. The latest 6.0 version on the C1 introduces ads, pushes recommendations excessively, and buries certain settings. Many users lament the decline from earlier webOS iterations.
As a counterpoint, LG has made strides by embracing third-party voice assistants, adding personalized profiles, and surfacing more streaming service content quickly. At the end of the day, webOS gets the basics right, and the stunning OLED picture quality remains the main attraction over smart features. For consumers who prioritize streaming and apps, I would recommend pairing the C1 with an external streaming device.
4. Large Stand Size Takes Up Significant Space
One downside of the premium, thin-bezel C1 design is its wide arched stand to provide stability for such a large display. This large footprint becomes problematic for AV cabinets or other tight TV stands. Wall mounting the C1 neatly circumvents this issue altogether.
Alternatively, an aftermarket stand or center support legs can reduce the footprint. While the wide stand is necessary to prevent tipping given OLED‘s panel weight distribution, it compromises compatibility with some TV furniture. Shoppers must double check their cabinet/stand space or be willing to wall mount.
5. Reflective Screen in Bright Rooms
The LG C1’s display uses an all-glass substrate common among OLED panels. As such, it exhibits more intense screen reflections than matte LCD displays under bright room lighting or sunlight. Those prone to placement next to windows will experience occasional distracting glare interfering with contrast and shadow details.
There is no perfect display type across all viewing conditions – while OLED wins on contrast and viewing angles, antireflective LCDs fare better in untreated bright rooms. Thus, I recommend considering room lighting angles, window placements, and whether the C1 will primarily be an evening/night-time viewing display before purchase. Reflections are the tradeoff for the C1‘s outstanding picture purity from straight on.
6. Colors Can Appear Slightly Off Out of the Box
LG has received some complaints around color accuracy on the C1 before calibration – particularly reds appearing slightly oversaturated. As always, picture settings must be fine-tuned per content and viewing environment. LG also issues periodic firmware updates to refine color decoding.
No television offers pixel-perfect color out of the box, despite what marketing claims. With some mild calibration tweaks to color gamut and temperature, the C1 produces extremely natural and cinematic colors. This initial setup effort pays major dividends through the TV’s lifespan. I encourage C1 owners to take the time to dial in settings for their room lighting using calibration patterns.
7. Higher Input Lag in Certain Gaming Scenarios
While the LG C1 features genre-leading gaming capabilities like 4K/120Hz VRR support, there is a notable catch for competitive gamers. Enabling the special “Boost” low latency setting disables fine-tuning options for gaming at higher frame rate/bandwidth thresholds. Specifically, Boost cannot be activated simultaneously with 4K/120Hz or VRR, marginally increasing input lag by around 3 milliseconds in these cases.
For all but the most competitive shooters, this is a non-issue that most gamers will never notice. Response times stay extremely fast across resolutions and frame rates. I chalk this up to a minor gaming setting quirk rather than a disqualifying flaw given the C1‘s superb next-gen console and PC performance for the price. Casual and story-based games shine beautifully on this TV.
Should These Complaints Stop You From Buying the C1 OLED?
Taken in totality, the biggest complaints around the LG C1 fall into two buckets – minor-but-acceptable tradeoffs given the entry cost into OLED, or fringe use cases most mainstream consumers won‘t experience. When balanced against its luscious contrast, color vibrancy, and feature-rich gaming chops, the C1 remains a formidable bang-for-buck recommendation.
In my experience as an ISF technician and display calibration professional, entry-level OLEDs face inevitable compromises. The cheaper C1 gives up some brightness and color controls that videophiles covet. However, its complete picture eclipses any LED/LCD rival – you simply can‘t match perfect blacks and 4K/120Hz gaming in one future-proof package.
No television models are created equal and each must be judged against expectations set by their price tag. The C1 delivers tremendous forward-looking quality for under $1500, albeit with some inherited OLED drawbacks around burn-in, brightness, and viewing conditions. For film buffs, gamers, and entertainment enthusiasts seeking good home theater in one gorgeous design, the C1 warrants a top recommendation in spite of its minor faults when context is applied.
