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We've recently released Test Bench 2.0 for Monitors! Read our new VRR Flicker R&D Article and Pursuit Photo R&D Article to learn more.

LG 48 C1 OLED Monitor Review

Tested using Methodology v1.2
Reviewed Jun 25, 2021 at 10:02 am
Latest change: Retest Feb 21, 2023 at 04:01 pm
LG 48 C1 OLED Picture
8.3
Mixed Usage
7.1
Office
8.9
Gaming
9.0
Media Consumption
8.2
Media Creation
9.1
HDR
This monitor was replaced by the LG 42 C2 OLED

The LG 48 C1 OLED is a TV that we tested as a monitor, replacing the LG 48 CX OLED from 2020. As it's a TV, it has many different features than most typical monitors. It has a large 48 inch screen, but that means it has a lower pixel density and, combined with its unique WBGR subpixel layout, text clarity isn't the best. It's advertised as a gaming monitor and has features that most gamers should enjoy. It has a 120Hz panel with FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR) support and G-SYNC compatibility to reduce screen tearing. There are four HDMI 2.1 inputs, so you can play 4k games up to 120fps if you have a compatible graphics card, but it doesn't have a DisplayPort input. Its OLED panel can turn off individual pixels, resulting in a near-infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity. However, OLEDs have the risk of permanent burn-in, which could be problematic with constant exposure to the UI elements, so we suggest using a screensaver, hiding the taskbar, or watching varied content if you're going to use it purely as a monitor.

Note: We tested the 55 inch model as a TV, which you can read about here. However, the results of the two reviews aren't comparable because of the different ways we score and test TVs and monitors.

Our Verdict

8.3 Mixed Usage

The LG C1 48 is an excellent overall TV that we tested as a monitor. Since it has a ton more features than a normal monitor, it excels in a few areas. It's excellent for gaming because it has VRR support, a very quick response time, and low input lag. It's a fantastic choice for watching content in dark rooms due to its near-infinite contrast and perfect black uniformity. It's great for office use or content creators because it has a large screen, but text clarity is just decent as the WBGR subpixel layout isn't ideal.

Pros
  • Large 48 inch screen.
  • Fantastic reflection handling.
  • Very wide viewing angles.
  • 120Hz panel with FreeSync support and G-SYNC compatibility.
  • Near-infinite contrast ratio.
Cons
  • Risk of burn-in with constant exposure to static elements.
  • Gets less bright in 'Game' mode than other picture modes.
  • Lacks a DisplayPort input.
  • WBGR layout results in just decent text clarity; can be improved with scaling.
7.1 Office

The LG C1 48 is decent for office use. The large screen lets you open multiple windows, but text clarity isn't the best due to the WBGR subpixel layout. It's good to use in well-lit rooms as it has fantastic reflection handling, even though it doesn't get extremely bright in 'Game' mode. The wide viewing angles ensure the image remains accurate even when sitting close to the TV.

Pros
  • Large 48 inch screen.
  • Fantastic reflection handling.
  • Very wide viewing angles.
  • Exceptional motion handling.
Cons
  • Risk of burn-in with constant exposure to static elements.
  • WBGR layout results in just decent text clarity; can be improved with scaling.
8.9 Gaming

The LG C1 48 is excellent for gaming. It has a 120Hz panel with HDMI 2.1 inputs, allowing you to play 4k games up to 120fps from an HDMI 2.1 compatible graphics card. It has native FreeSync VRR and G-SYNC compatibility. Its response time is near-instant, and it has low input lag. It's fantastic for dark room gaming thanks to its near-infinite contrast and perfect black uniformity.

Pros
  • 120Hz panel with FreeSync support and G-SYNC compatibility.
  • Four HDMI 2.1 inputs.
  • Near-infinite contrast ratio.
  • Exceptional motion handling.
Cons
  • Risk of burn-in with constant exposure to static elements.
  • Gets less bright in 'Game' mode than other picture modes.
  • Lacks a DisplayPort input.
9.0 Media Consumption

The LG C1 48 is fantastic for consuming multimedia content. The 48 inch screen is big enough for an immersive viewing experience, and it has wide viewing angles in case you want to share the screen with someone else. It has a near-infinite contrast, so blacks look deep and inky, and there's no blooming around bright objects.

Pros
  • Large 48 inch screen.
  • Fantastic reflection handling.
  • Very wide viewing angles.
  • Near-infinite contrast ratio.
Cons
  • Risk of burn-in with constant exposure to static elements.
8.2 Media Creation

The LG C1 48 is great for content creators. It has a big enough screen that you can open multiple windows, and you can view your entire video timeline without scrolling too much. It displays perfect blacks if you tend to use it in a dark room, and it has fantastic reflection handling for a well-lit room. Although its Adobe RGB color space coverage is good, there are better monitors for it, and text clarity isn't the best.

Pros
  • Large 48 inch screen.
  • Fantastic reflection handling.
  • Very wide viewing angles.
  • Exceptional motion handling.
Cons
  • Risk of burn-in with constant exposure to static elements.
  • WBGR layout results in just decent text clarity; can be improved with scaling.
9.1 HDR

The LG C1 48 delivers a fantastic HDR experience. The near-infinite contrast ratio delivers deep, inky blacks with perfect black uniformity. There's no blooming around bright objects in dark scenes, either, which is great. It also has a great wide color gamut, with excellent coverage of the most-common DCI-P3 color space. On the other hand, it can't get very bright in HDR, so although small highlights stand out well, large bright scenes are dimmed considerably by the TV's automatic brightness limiter.

Pros
  • Near-infinite contrast ratio.
  • Displays wide color gamut.
  • No blooming around bright objects in dark scenes.
Cons
  • Risk of burn-in with constant exposure to static elements.
  • Limited brightness for HDR content.
  • 8.3 Mixed Usage
  • 7.1 Office
  • 8.9 Gaming
  • 9.0 Media Consumption
  • 8.2 Media Creation
  • 9.1 HDR
  1. Updated Feb 21, 2023: Confirmed that 1440p works with the PS5 and fixed the 1440p @ 60Hz result in Xbox Series X|S Compatibility because it works using the HDMI override setting.
  2. Updated Oct 06, 2022: We bought and tested the Sony 42 A90K OLED, and added a few relevant comparisons to the review.
  3. Updated May 02, 2022: We tested this TV with the PS5's new variable refresh rate feature and confirmed that it's working properly.
  4. Updated Apr 08, 2022: Updated to Test Bench 1.2, resulting in changes to the results and scores with the Response Time and Input Lag. Added tests for Console Compatibility and macOS compatibility and made minor changes to other tests, which you can see in our Changelog.
  5. Updated Jan 07, 2022: Checked to see if there's pixel fringing.
  6. Updated Jul 08, 2021: Updated the text to better reflect how we expect most people to use the TV.
  7. Updated Jun 25, 2021: Review published.
  8. Updated Jun 21, 2021: Early access published.
  9. Updated Jun 15, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
  10. Updated Jun 14, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  11. Updated May 18, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the LG C1 48 inch (OLED48C1PUB) as a monitor. Although our results in this review should be valid for the other sizes, we tested the 55 inch (OLED55C1PUB) as a TV, and our results for that are more representative of how people will use the larger sizes as a TV and not a monitor.

Size North America Model   EU Model
48" OLED48C1PUB OLED48C14LB
55" OLED55C1PUB OLED55C14LB
65" OLED65C1PUB OLED65C14LB
77" OLED77C1PUB OLED77C14LB
83" OLED83C1PUA OLED83C14LB

If you come across a different type of panel or your LG C1 doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we'll update the review. Keep in mind that our results between the monitor and TV reviews aren't comparable because of the way that we test each. Some tests, like gray uniformity, may vary between units.

Our unit was manufactured in May 2021, and you can see the label here.

Compared To Other Monitors

The LG C1 48 delivers fantastic picture quality thanks to its OLED panel, and it has much more features than most monitors. The HDMI 2.1 inputs are also good to have if you want high frame rate 4k gaming, as HDMI 2.1 inputs are only starting to come out with monitors. However, the LG is costly and, considering its risk of burn-in, it may be worth getting a standard monitor instead. If you're going to use the display for PC gaming and streaming content on the side, the burn-in risk shouldn't cause too much of a problem.

See our picks for the best 4k monitors, the best multimedia monitors, the best gaming monitors, and the best TVs to use as a PC monitor.

LG 42 C2 OLED

The LG 48 C1 OLED and the LG 42 C2 OLED are very similar, with the main difference being that the C2 is smaller. The smaller size increases pixel density, resulting in slightly better text clarity. The C2 also has a different stand that makes it easier to route your keyboard and mouse cables through. However, if you care about HDR or want to use the monitor in a bright room, the C1 gets brighter.

Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED

The LG 48 C1 OLED is slightly better than the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED. Both of them use very similar, if not identical panels but the LG is brighter in HDR, and it has a more versatile black frame insertion feature. The LG also has a built-in smart interface and more advanced image processing options. The Gigabyte has better connectivity, though, as it has a DisplayPort connection and a built-in USB hub with a keyboard, video, and mouse switch.

Sony 42 A90K OLED

The Sony 42 A90K OLED is a bit better than the LG 48 C1 OLED overall, but the LG is better for gaming. The Sony gets a bit brighter, so it looks better in a room with lots of natural light and has a slightly more versatile stand. The LG, on the other hand, has a wider range of gaming features, including FreeSync support, and all four of its HDMI ports support 4k @ 120Hz gaming. The LG also supports 1440p @ 120Hz gaming, which is great for console gamers looking to get the best performance possible from their games.

Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB

The LG 48 C1 OLED is better than the Philips Momentum 436M6VBPAB, but they use different panel types. The LG has an OLED panel with a near-infinite contrast ratio and much wider viewing angles, while the Philips has an LED panel that gets significantly brighter and doesn't have the risk of permanent burn-in. The LG is much better for gaming because it has a 120Hz panel with HDMI 2.1 inputs, and it has a much quicker response time and lower input lag. Since the LG is a TV, it also has more features like a built-in webOS, so you can stream content directly from the TV. 

LG 48 CX OLED

LG 48 C1 OLED is the replacement to the LG 48 CX OLED, and both are very similar in performance. The C1 has lower input lag at 60Hz because of a new 'Prevent Input Delay' setting. The built-in webOS is updated, and it comes with a new Magic Remote. The CX scores higher for SDR peak brightness, but that's because we tested it with a different Picture Mode, and the C1 has about the same brightness in that Picture Mode.

Dell Alienware AW3423DW

The LG 48 C1 OLED and the Dell Alienware AW3423DW are different types of OLED displays. The LG is a small TV with a traditional OLED panel, while the Dell is an ultrawide gaming monitor that uses the new QD-OLED technology. While they each display perfect blacks in dark rooms, the LG is better in bright rooms because it has a polarizing layer that makes blacks look deep and inky even when there's a bright light on it, while the black levels are raised on the Dell. However, thanks to the quantum dot layer, the Dell displays a wider range of colors, and small highlights get brighter, resulting in a higher color volume.

Dell S3221QS

The Dell S3221QS and the LG 48 C1 OLED are different types of 4k displays. The LG is a TV that we tested as a monitor, so it has a ton more features like a built-in OS and processing features. Its OLED panel can turn off individual pixels, resulting in a near-infinite contrast. However, the Dell has an LED panel that gets brighter and doesn't have the risk of permanent burn-in like OLEDs. The LG has more gaming features such as HDMI 2.1 inputs and VRR support, and it has a near-instant response time for smooth motion.

Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx

The Acer Nitro XV282K KVbmiipruzx and the LG 48 C1 OLED are different types of displays. While the LG is a TV that we tested as a monitor, the Acer is a typical monitor that comes with an ergonomic stand. The LG is larger, but that means the Acer has higher pixel density for clearer text. The LG has an OLED panel with a much higher contrast because it can turn on individual pixels, but the LED panel on the Acer doesn't have the risk of permanent burn-in. They each have HDMI 2.1 inputs, but the Acer has a higher 144Hz refresh rate, and it has a DisplayPort connection, which the LG doesn't.

Gigabyte AORUS FV43U

The LG 48 C1 OLED and the Gigabyte AORUS FV43U use different panel technologies, each with strengths and weaknesses, but overall, the LG is a better choice for most people. It's technically a TV, but the LG is an amazing display for use as a monitor, with perfect inky blacks, wide viewing angles, and a nearly-instantaneous response time. Sadly, the LG also has a chance of permanent burn-in, so if that concerns you, the Gigabyte is a safer choice.

LG 48GQ900-B

The LG 48 C1 OLED and the LG 48GQ900-B perform nearly identically, but they have different inputs and different extra features. The 48 C1 OLED is a TV that we've tested as a monitor, meaning it has features you'd typically find on a TV, including advanced image and motion processing options, a fully-featured smart interface, and a tuner. The 48GQ900-B, on the other hand, is designed to be used as a monitor, so it lacks a smart interface and advanced picture processing options. However, it has inputs more typically found on a monitor, including a DisplayPort input and a USB hub.

+ Show more

Video

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Curved
No
Curve Radius
Not Curved

The LG C1 48 is a premium TV with a nice design. Since it's a TV, it looks different than any monitor as it comes with a metal center stand that raises the screen off the table a bit. It has thin bezels all around and should look good in any setup.

9.0
Design
Build Quality

The LG C1 48 feels extremely well-built. It's made out of metal and solid plastic and feels premium throughout. There's no noticeable flex, and the screen is very stable on the stand.

0
Design
Ergonomics
Height Adjustment
0.0" (0.0 cm)
Tilt Range
No Tilt
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
No
Swivel Range
No swivel
Wall Mount
VESA 300x200

As is the case with most TVs, the stand of the LG C1 48 doesn't offer any ergonomic adjustments. The back of the TV is made of metal on top, and the part where the inputs are is plastic. Luckily, you can run your cables through the stand to keep your setup clean.

Design
Stand
Base Width
31.9" (81.0 cm)
Base Depth
11.1" (28.3 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
8.2" (20.8 cm)
Weight (With Display)
42.3 lbs (19.2 kg)

The LG C1 48's stand is wide and supports the screen well. It has a very wide footprint, bigger than most monitors, so you need a large table to place it on. It raises the screen enough that you can put a keyboard or mouse in front without getting in the way of the screen. The replacement to this TV, the LG 42 C2 OLED, has a different stand with wide-set feet, so it's easy to route the cables from your mouse and keyboard underneath.

Design
Display
Size
48"
Housing Width
42.2" (107.1 cm)
Housing Height
24.2" (61.4 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
1.9" (4.7 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
34.2 lbs (15.5 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.4" (0.9 cm)
Design
Controls
Design
In The Box
Power Supply
Internal

  • Remote (with 2x AA batteries)
  • Cable tie
  • User guides

Picture Quality
10
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
Inf : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A

OLEDs like the LG C1 48 can turn off individual pixels, resulting in a near-infinite contrast ratio. Blacks look deep and inky when viewed in the dark.

10
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
No Backlight

Since the LG C1 48 can turn off each pixel and doesn't have a backlight, it doesn't have a local dimming feature. It produces perfect blacks with no visible blooming; the video above is provided for reference.

6.2
Picture Quality
SDR Brightness
Real Scene
210 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
225 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
225 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
226 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
226 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
164 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
213 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
215 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
216 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
217 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
116 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.023
Minimum Brightness
36 cd/m²

The LG C1 48 has mediocre SDR peak brightness. This is somewhat normal for an OLED, and even though it's an improvement over the LG 48 CX OLED, it's not as bright as newer OLED TVs like the Sony 42 A90K OLED. It's not bright enough to fight glare in really well-lit rooms. We tested the brightness after calibration in the 'Game Optimizer' Picture Mode with the input labeled as 'PC'. The Peak Brightness setting is disabled with either of these settings enabled.

We also measured the real scene brightness using other settings:

Picture Mode Calibrated PC Label Peak Brightness Real Scene Brightness
Game Calibrated Yes N/A 210 cd/m²
Game Calibrated No N/A 211 cd/m²
Game Uncalibrated Yes N/A 205 cd/m²
Expert (dark space, night) Uncalibrated Yes N/A 270 cd/m²
Expert (dark space, night) Uncalibrated No High 283 cd/m²

So overall, using the 'Game Optimizer' Picture Mode and labeling the input as 'PC' results in a dimmer image, and the Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL) is a bit more aggressive than outside of 'Game' mode. In other picture modes, you can get a brighter screen at the cost of input lag, but for most people, it's more important to have low input lag when using it as a monitor.

7.6
Picture Quality
HDR Brightness
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
No Certification
Real Scene
714 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
790 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
791 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
432 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
256 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
128 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
736 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
735 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
407 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
242 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
122 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.113

The LG C1 48 has good HDR peak brightness. It gets extremely bright with small highlights, but it gets dimmer with larger areas of bright colors due to the aggressive Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL). The brightness tracks the EOTF very well, as almost all scenes are displayed at the correct brightness level. There's a very sharp cut-off at the peak brightness, causing a loss of fine details in bright scenes.

These measurements are in the 'Game Optimizer' HDR Picture Mode with Peak Brightness set to 'High'.

9.1
Picture Quality
Horizontal Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Left
54°
Color Washout From Right
58°
Color Shift From Left
36°
Color Shift From Right
37°
Brightness Loss From Left
67°
Brightness Loss From Right
70°
Black Level Raise From Left
70°
Black Level Raise From Right
70°
Gamma Shift From Left
69°
Gamma Shift From Right
70°

The LG C1 48 has fantastic horizontal viewing angles. The image remains accurate if you view it from the side, or if you sit too close

Note: These results vary from the TV review because of the different ways we test monitors and TVs.

9.4
Picture Quality
Vertical Viewing Angle
Color Washout From Below
68°
Color Washout From Above
66°
Color Shift From Below
37°
Color Shift From Above
36°
Brightness Loss From Below
70°
Brightness Loss From Above
70°
Black Level Raise From Below
70°
Black Level Raise From Above
70°
Gamma Shift From Below
70°
Gamma Shift From Above
70°

Once again, the LG C1 48 has very wide vertical viewing angles. The top and bottom edges remain accurate if you sit close.

Note: These results vary from the TV review because of the different ways we test monitors and TVs.

8.9
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
1.139%
50% DSE
0.116%

The gray uniformity of the LG C1 48 is fantastic. Solid colors look uniform across the screen, and there's hardly any dirty screen effect in the center.

10
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
0.121%
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A

As the LG C1 48 can turn off individual pixels, black uniformity is perfect and there's no blooming around bright objects.

8.2
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
Picture Mode
Game Optimizer
sRGB Gamut Area xy
100.0%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
2.41
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,786 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.24
Color dE (Avg.)
4.88
Contrast Setting
85
RGB Settings
0-0-0
Gamma Setting
2.2
Brightness Setting
28
Measured Brightness
88 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No

The LG C1 48 has great accuracy out-of-the-box. Colors are noticeably off, but setting the Color Gamut to 'Auto' effectively locks colors to the sRGB color space, so they don't appear oversaturated. White balance is a bit off, but not noticeably so, and the color temperature is just slightly on the cold side. Gamma doesn't follow the sRGB target curve very well, as dark scenes are darker than intended, and bright scenes are a bit too bright.

9.7
Picture Quality
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
Picture Mode
Game Optimizer
sRGB Gamut Area xy
99.1%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.58
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,421 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.19
Color dE (Avg.)
0.76
Contrast Setting
85
RGB Settings
High (5-0-(-7)), Low (0-0-0)
Gamma Setting
2.2
Brightness Setting
35
Measured Brightness
100 cd/m²
ICC Profile
Download

The LG 48 C1 OLED has exceptional accuracy after calibration. Any remaining white balance and color inaccuracies can't be spotted by the human eye, and color temperature is extremely close to our 6500K target. Gamma improved, but it's still not perfect.

9.1
Picture Quality
SDR Color Gamut
sRGB Coverage xy
98.8%
sRGB Picture Mode
Game Optimizer
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
75.1%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Game Optimizer

The LG C1 48's SDR color gamut is excellent. It has near-perfect coverage of the commonly-used sRGB color space, and it has good coverage of the Adobe RGB color space, which is used in photo editing.

9.6
Picture Quality
SDR Color Volume
sRGB In ICtCp
99.2%
sRGB Picture Mode
Game Optimizer
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
83.0%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Game Optimizer

The LG C1 48 has fantastic SDR color volume. It displays dark colors well, thanks to its near-infinite contrast. Despite its less-than-ideal peak brightness, it displays bright colors well.

9.1
Picture Quality
HDR Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
97.4%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Game Optimizer
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
70.2%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Game Optimizer

The LG C1 48 has a great HDR color gamut. It covers both the DCI P3 and Rec. 2020 color spaces well, but tone mapping is off, so colors don't look as accurate as they're supposed to.

7.7
Picture Quality
HDR Color Volume
DCI-P3 In ICtCp
78.9%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Game Optimizer
Rec. 2020 In ICtCp
57.8%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Game Optimizer

The LG C1 48 has good HDR color volume. It displays dark colors well thanks to the high contrast but struggles with brighter colors.

9.1
Picture Quality
Reflections
Screen Finish
Glossy
Total Reflections
1.4%
Indirect Reflections
0.1%
Calculated Direct Reflections
1.3%

The LG 48 C1 OLED has fantastic reflection handling. Thanks to the glossy finish, light is absorbed really well, and even glare from strong light sources shouldn't be too distracting. The final score is different from the TV review because total reflections are counted in the scoring for TVs, but the individual results are similar between each.

7.0
Picture Quality
Text Clarity
Pixel Type
OLED
Subpixel Layout
WBGR

Update 01/07/2022: We received a report from a user that there's color fringing when displaying yellow and green objects. We checked with a solid yellow square and noticed red fringing to the left and green fringing on the right. The same thing happened with non-primary green. This is due to the subpixel layout, and although you won't notice it with real content, it may become more noticeable during desktop use. We saw the same thing with the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED, and you can see an example of the color fringing on that monitor here.

The LG 48 C1 has decent text clarity. Using a TV is different from a typical monitor because pixel density is lower, and there are different scaling options. Also, the WBGR subpixel layout isn't used by most programs. Windows suggests 300% scaling, which is just too large for most people, so the photos above are with 100% scaling. Enabling ClearType (top photo) helps improve the boldness of the letters, but it's still not ideal.

We took a photo of the text clarity at different scaling options, which you can see below.

Scaling ClearType On ClearType Off
125% ClearType On ClearType Off
150% ClearType On ClearType Off
175% ClearType On ClearType Off

The pixel photo above is with the blue, white, and, red subpixels turned on. It uses a WBGR sub-pixel layout, and all four pixels are never on at the same time. We took photos of the other pixel combinations:

9.1
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The gradient handling is fantastic. Banding is minimal throughout, but it's a bit more noticeable in the darker shades. The LG 48 C1 has a Smooth Gradation setting, but we didn't test it.

Note: These results vary from the TV review because of the different ways we test monitors and TVs.

Motion
8.0
Motion
Refresh Rate
Native Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
N/A
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
N/A
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
120 Hz

The fast refresh rate is great for gaming, but it's lower than most high-end gaming monitors. Unlike most monitors, it doesn't have any DisplayPort inputs, but this is normal, as this is a TV, and TVs don't usually have DP inputs. If you want a QD-OLED monitor that has a higher refresh rate and a DisplayPort input, then look into the Dell Alienware AW3423DW.

Motion
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
FreeSync
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)
VRR Maximum
120 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
HDMI
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes

The LG 48 C1 natively supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC Compatible variable refresh rates to reduce screen tearing.

9.9
Motion
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
Rise / Fall Time
0.3 ms
Total Response Time
1.7 ms
Overshoot Error
0.6%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
0.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
8.3 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
4.1%

Overdrive Setting Response Time Chart Response Time Tables Motion Blur Photo
No Overdrive Chart Table Photo

The LG 48 C1 OLED has a near-instant response time at its max refresh rate of 120Hz, resulting in smooth motion. There's only a bit of overshoot in dark transitions, but it's hardly noticeable. Unlike most monitors, there aren't any overdrive settings.

9.9
Motion
Response Time @ 120Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
Rise / Fall Time
0.3 ms
Total Response Time
1.7 ms
Overshoot Error
0.6%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
0.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
8.3 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
4.1%

Overdrive SettingResponse Time ChartResponse Time TablesMotion Blur Photo
No OverdriveChartTablePhoto

Since this TV's max refresh rate is 120Hz, the results are the same as the response time at max refresh rate.

9.7
Motion
Response Time @ 60Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
Rise / Fall Time
0.3 ms
Total Response Time
3.1 ms
Overshoot Error
0.8%
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
0.4 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
16.6 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
6.1%

Overdrive Setting Response Time Chart Response Time Tables Motion Blur Photo
No Overdrive Chart Table Photo

Once again, the response time of the LG 48 C1 at 60Hz is near-instant. Some darker transitions are slightly slower, but motion looks excellent overall.

Motion
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Yes
Maximum Frequency
120 Hz
Minimum Frequency
60 Hz
Longest Pulse Width Brightness
202 cd/m²
Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
112 cd/m²
Pulse Width Control
Limited
Pulse Phase Control
No
Pulse Amplitude Control
Yes
VRR At The Same Time
No

Refresh RateBFI SettingMotion Blur Photo
120HzLowPhoto
MediumPhoto
HighPhoto
60HzLowPhoto
MediumPhoto
HighPhoto

The LG C1 48 has a black frame insertion feature to try to reduce persistence blur caused by the nearly-instantaneous response time.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
Flicker-Free
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz

The LG 48 C1 doesn't use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). There's a slight dip in brightness every 8ms, which coincides with the 120Hz refresh rate, and it's not noticeable either.

Inputs
8.6
Inputs
Input Lag
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
5.3 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
5.3 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
10.1 ms
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
13.8 ms

The LG C1 48 has low input lag as long as it's in the 'Game Optimizer' Picture Mode with the input label set to 'PC'. We also measured the 4k @ 120Hz input lag in the 'Expert (dark space, night)' Picture Mode because this results in a brighter image, but we kept the input label set to 'PC' and the Game Optimizer setting enabled (different from the Picture Mode). We measured 13.7ms with these settings, so you can get a brighter image at the cost of a bit of input lag, which is still good for gaming.

LG has a Prevent Input Delay setting, which is new to their 2021 TVs. It aims to reduce the 60Hz input lag, which explains why it's an improvement from the LG 48 CX OLED.

8.6
Inputs
Resolution And Size
Native Resolution
3840 x 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Megapixels
8.3 MP
Pixel Density
92 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
48.0"
Screen Area
984 in²

The LG C1 48 has a large screen, and the 4k resolution helps deliver crisp images. However, when using it as a PC monitor, you need to set the input label you're using to 'PC' so you can get proper chroma 4:4:4, which helps with text clarity. You can read about it in our TV review.

10
Inputs
PS5 Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes

The LG C1 48 supports all formats that are currently supported by the PS5, including VRR.

10
Inputs
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes

This TV supports all of the formats supported by the Xbox Series S|X. 1440p @ 60Hz only works if you use the HDMI override setting, which disables VRR. However, VRR still works with 1440p @ 120Hz.

Inputs
Inputs Photos
Inputs
Video And Audio Ports
DisplayPort
No
Mini DisplayPort
No
HDMI
4 (HDMI 2.1)
HDMI 2.1 Rated Speed
40Gbps (FRL 10x4)
DVI
No
VGA
No
Daisy Chaining
No
3.5mm Audio Out
1
HDR10
Yes
3.5mm Audio In
No
3.5mm Microphone In
No

Unlike most monitors, the LG C1 48 doesn't have a DisplayPort input. HDMI 2 acts as the eARC output, which you can read about in the TV review. If you're looking for something similar with more traditional monitor inputs like DisplayPort, then check out the Gigabyte AORUS FO48U OLED.

Inputs
USB
USB-A Ports
3
USB-A Rated Speed
480Mbps (USB 2.0)
USB-B Upstream Port
No
USB-C Ports
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
Inputs
macOS Compatibility

The LG 48 C1 works well with recent Macs, but the variable refresh rate feature doesn't work.

Features
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
Yes
RGB Illumination
No
Multiple Input Display
No
KVM Switch
No

Since the LG C1 48 is a TV, you get a ton more features than most monitors. There's the LG webOS built-in, which has a ton of apps available to download, and the LG Magic Remote offers voice control. There are other image processing features, like upscaling, motion interpolation, judder-free, etc., which you can read about in the TV review.

Features
On-Screen Display (OSD)

See the settings page for the TV here.