Products
Sony 42 A90K OLED
LG C4 42 OLED
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 13, 2025 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v2.1.1
Updated Nov 07, 2025 02:28 PM
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Max Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Size
42"
Pixel Type
OLED
Native Resolution
3840 x 2160
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
HDR10
Yes
Max Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Size
42"
Pixel Type
OLED
Native Resolution
3840 x 2160
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
HDR10
Yes
Our Verdict
Sony 42 A90K OLED
LG C4 42 OLED
The Sony 42 A90K OLED and the LG C4 42 OLED are both 42-inch OLED displays. The C4 is the better option for most people, as it has a slightly higher refresh rate and gets brighter. However, the Sony is still a good option if you can find it for less and don't mind the reduced brightness.
Variants
- XR-42A90K (42")
- OLED42C4PUA (42")
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42"
XR-42A90K
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42"
OLED42C4PUA
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42"
XR-42A90K
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42"
OLED42C4PUA
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42"
XR-42A90K
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42"
OLED42C4PUA
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XR-42A90K
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Design Picture
Curved
No
No
Curve Radius
Not Curved
Not Curved
Accelerated Longevity Test
Uniformity Pictures
Longevity Graph
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
Build Quality Picture
Ergonomics
2.9
0.7
Ergonomics Picture
Back Picture
Height Adjustment
2.8" (7.0 cm)
0.0" (0.0 cm)
Min Height To Top Of Panel
22.4" (57.0 cm)
Tilt Range
No Tilt
No Tilt
Rotate Portrait/Landscape
No
No
Swivel Range
No swivel
No swivel
Wall Mount
VESA 200x200
VESA 300x200
Stand
Stand Picture
Thickness Picture
Base Width
19.5" (49.6 cm)
28.3" (71.8 cm)
Base Depth
8.9" (22.6 cm)
6.7" (17.1 cm)
Thickness (With Display)
5.5" (13.9 cm)
3.9" (10.0 cm)
Weight (With Display)
34.1 lbs (15.5 kg)
21.6 lbs (9.8 kg)
Display
Display Picture
Size
42"
42"
Housing Width
36.7" (93.3 cm)
36.7" (93.2 cm)
Housing Height
21.5" (54.7 cm)
21.3" (54.0 cm)
Thickness (Without Stand)
2.2" (5.7 cm)
1.5" (3.9 cm)
Weight (Without Stand)
27.7 lbs (12.6 kg)
21.2 lbs (9.6 kg)
Borders Size (Bezels)
0.2" (0.6 cm)
0.2" (0.6 cm)
Controls
Controls Picture
In The Box
In The Box Picture
Power Supply
Internal
Internal
Picture Quality
Contrast
10
10
Checkerboard Picture
Native Contrast
Inf : 1
Inf : 1
Contrast With Local Dimming
N/A
Inf : 1
Local Dimming
10
10
Local Dimming Video
Local Dimming
No
No
Backlight
No Backlight
No Backlight
SDR Brightness
6.7
6.4
Real Scene
236 cd/m²
217 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
307 cd/m²
227 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
307 cd/m²
229 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
308 cd/m²
231 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
214 cd/m²
231 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
129 cd/m²
208 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
297 cd/m²
223 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
298 cd/m²
228 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
300 cd/m²
230 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
212 cd/m²
230 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
129 cd/m²
192 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.060
0.007
Minimum Brightness
38 cd/m²
37 cd/m²
HDR Brightness
6.5
7.2
EOTF
VESA DisplayHDR Certification
No Certification
No Certification
Real Scene
407 cd/m²
552 cd/m²
Peak 2% Window
682 cd/m²
738 cd/m²
Peak 10% Window
555 cd/m²
744 cd/m²
Peak 25% Window
392 cd/m²
445 cd/m²
Peak 50% Window
215 cd/m²
269 cd/m²
Peak 100% Window
133 cd/m²
175 cd/m²
Sustained 2% Window
633 cd/m²
726 cd/m²
Sustained 10% Window
532 cd/m²
687 cd/m²
Sustained 25% Window
384 cd/m²
408 cd/m²
Sustained 50% Window
214 cd/m²
268 cd/m²
Sustained 100% Window
132 cd/m²
141 cd/m²
Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)
0.098
0.101
Gray Uniformity
7.5
8.7
50% Uniformity Picture
50% Std. Dev.
4.469%
1.571%
50% DSE
0.149%
0.119%
Black Uniformity
10
10
Native Black Uniformity Picture
Native Std. Dev.
0.208%
0.161%
Black Uniformity Picture With Local Dimming
Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
N/A
N/A
Color Accuracy (Pre-Calibration)
8.1
9.3
Pre Calibration Picture
Pre Gamma Curve Picture
Pre Color Picture
Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
sRGB Gamut Area xy
102.6%
99.8%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
4.32
1.47
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,996 K
6,478 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.21
2.21
Color dE (Avg.)
2.74
1.11
Contrast Setting
90
85
RGB Settings
Gain (0, 0, 0), Bias (0, 0, 0)
Warm 50
Gamma Setting
0
2.2
Brightness Setting
50
50
Measured Brightness
213 cd/m²
132 cd/m²
Brightness Locked
No
No
Color Accuracy (Post-Calibration)
9.5
9.5
Post Calibration Picture
Post Gamma Curve Picture
Post Color Picture
Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
sRGB Gamut Area xy
98.9%
102.6%
White Balance dE (Avg.)
0.67
0.67
Color Temperature (Avg.)
6,533 K
6,524 K
Gamma (Avg.)
2.19
2.18
Color dE (Avg.)
1.21
0.78
Contrast Setting
90
85
RGB Settings
Gain (-2, 0, -5), Bias (2, 1, -3)
High (-1, 1, 1), Low (0, 1, -1)
Gamma Setting
0
2.2
Brightness Setting
10
33
Measured Brightness
101 cd/m²
100 cd/m²
SDR Color Gamut
9.4
9.6
sRGB Color Gamut Picture
sRGB Coverage xy
98.6%
100.0%
sRGB Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
Adobe RGB Color Gamut Picture
Adobe RGB Coverage xy
87.4%
88.7%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
HDR Color Gamut
9.2
9.2
Wide Color Gamut
Yes
Yes
DCI-P3 Color Gamut Picture
DCI-P3 Coverage xy
97.8%
97.9%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
Rec. 2020 Color Gamut Picture
Rec. 2020 Coverage xy
70.6%
70.4%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
HDR Color Volume
7.6
7.9
DCI-P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
1,000 cd/m² DCI-P3 Coverage ICtCp
76.9%
76.9%
DCI-P3 Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
Rec. 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
10,000 cd/m² Rec. 2020 Coverage ICtCp
65.7%
33.7%
Rec. 2020 Picture Mode
Game
Game Optimizer
Viewing Angle
8.5
8.8
Viewing Angle Video
Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Left
46°
47°
Color Washout From Right
47°
57°
Hue Graph
Color Shift From Left
28°
34°
Color Shift From Right
28°
39°
Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Left
62°
62°
Brightness Loss From Right
61°
62°
Black Level Raise From Left
70°
70°
Black Level Raise From Right
70°
70°
Gamma Shift From Left
64°
65°
Gamma Shift From Right
62°
65°
Text Clarity
7.0
7.0
ClearType On
ClearType Off
Pixel Type
OLED
OLED
Pixels
Subpixel Layout
RWBG
RWBG
Direct Reflections
5.1
Ring Light Picture
Direct Reflections Graph
Peak Direct Reflection Intensity
51.7%
Screen Finish
Semi-Gloss
Glossy
Ambient Black Level Raise
9.1
Black Level Raise Picture
Ambient Black Level Raise Graph
Black Luminance @ 0 lx
0.00 cd/m²
Black Luminance @ 1000 lx
0.34 cd/m²
Total Reflected Light
8.7
Bright Room Off Picture
Total Reflection Ring Light Picture
Total Reflected Light Intensity
8,480% ⋅ pixel
Diffraction Artifacts
No
Gradient
9.4
9.6
Gradient Picture
Color Depth
10 Bit
10 Bit
Vertical Viewing Angle
8.9
Vertical Viewing Angle Video
Vertical Chroma Graph
Color Washout From Below
53°
Color Washout From Above
51°
Vertical Hue Graph
Color Shift From Below
28°
Color Shift From Above
27°
Vertical Lightness Graph
Brightness Loss From Below
69°
Brightness Loss From Above
68°
Black Level Raise From Below
70°
Black Level Raise From Above
70°
Gamma Shift From Below
69°
Gamma Shift From Above
68°
SDR Color Volume
9.8
sRGB Color Volume ITP Picture
sRGB In ICtCp
97.6%
sRGB Picture Mode
Game
Adobe RGB Color Volume ITP Picture
Adobe RGB In ICtCp
96.2%
Adobe RGB Picture Mode
Game
Reflections
8.8
Average Room
Average Room Off Picture
Bright Room Off Picture
Screen Finish
Semi-Gloss
Glossy
Total Reflections
1.9%
Indirect Reflections
0.4%
Calculated Direct Reflections
1.6%
Motion
Refresh Rate
8.0
7.4
Native Refresh Rate
120 Hz
120 Hz
Max Refresh Rate
120 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP
N/A
N/A
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
120 Hz
144 Hz
Max Refresh Rate Over DP @ 10-bit
N/A
N/A
Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI @ 10-Bit
120 Hz
144 Hz
DSC Toggle
No
DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over DP
N/A
DSC Off Max Refresh Rate Over HDMI
N/A
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Yes
FreeSync
No
Yes
G-SYNC
Compatible (Tested)
Compatible (NVIDIA Certified)
VRR Maximum
120 Hz
144 Hz
VRR Minimum
< 20 Hz
< 20 Hz
VRR Supported Connectors
HDMI
HDMI
VRR Motion Performance
9.8
Pursuit Photo VRR
OD Mode CAD Comparison
Recommended VRR OD Setting
No OD Mode
Variable Overdrive Advertised
No
Avg. CAD
19
Best CAD
18
Worst CAD
21
Refresh Rate Compliance
9.6
Fast GTG Sequence
VRR Compliance
Compliance @ Max Hz
94%
Compliance @ 120 FPS
93%
Compliance @ 60 FPS
96%
Response Time @ 60Hz
9.4
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
No OD Mode
Rise / Fall Time
0.5 ms
0.4 ms
Total Response Time
6.5 ms
1.2 ms
Overshoot Error
1.3%
1 RGB
Worst 3 Rise / Fall Time
0.7 ms
1.7 ms
Worst 3 Total Response Time
16.6 ms
8.3 ms
Worst 3 Overshoot Error
8.4%
9 RGB
CAD @ Max Refresh Rate
9.9
Pursuit Photo At Max Refresh
CAD Heatmap At Max Refresh
OD Transition Max Refresh Rate
OD noodmode
0 to 31
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No OD Mode
Avg. CAD
18
Best 10% CAD
6
Worst 10% CAD
49
Response Time @ Max Refresh Rate
First Response Time
0.5 ms
0.3 ms
Total Response Time
2.4 ms
1.3 ms
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
No OD Mode
Motion Blur Picture
RGB Overshoot
1.1%
3 RGB
Worst 10% RGB Overshoot
7.9%
25 RGB
Worst 10% First Response Time
0.7 ms
0.5 ms
Worst 10% Total Response Time
8.3 ms
6.9 ms
Heatmap First Response
Heatmap Total Response
Heatmap RGB Overshoot
Response Time Table
CAD @ 120Hz
9.9
Pursuit Photo 120Hz
CAD Heatmap 120Hz
OD Transition 120Hz
OD noodmode
0 to 31
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No OD Mode
Avg. CAD
16
Best 10% CAD
6
Worst 10% CAD
39
Response Time @ 120Hz
Worst 10% First Response Time
0.7 ms
0.6 ms
RGB Overshoot
1.1%
1 RGB
Total Response Time
2.4 ms
1.4 ms
First Response Time
0.5 ms
0.3 ms
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
No OD Mode
Worst 10% Total Response Time
8.3 ms
8.3 ms
Worst 10% RGB Overshoot
7.9%
10 RGB
120Hz First Response Heatmap
120Hz Total Response Heatmap
120Hz Heatmap RGB Overshoot
Motion Blur Picture
Response Time Table
CAD @ 60Hz
9.9
Pursuit Photo 60Hz
CAD Heatmap 60Hz
OD Transition 60Hz
OD noodmode
0 to 31
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No OD Mode
Avg. CAD
16
Best 10% CAD
6
Worst 10% CAD
33
Response Time @ 60Hz
Recommended Overdrive Setting
No Overdrive
No OD Mode
First Response Time
0.5 ms
0.4 ms
Total Response Time
6.5 ms
1.2 ms
RGB Overshoot
1.3%
1 RGB
Worst 10% Total Response Time
16.6 ms
8.3 ms
Worst 10% First Response Time
0.7 ms
1.7 ms
Worst 10% RGB Overshoot
8.4%
9 RGB
60Hz First Response Heatmap
60Hz Total Response Heatmap
60Hz RGB Overshoot Heatmap
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Backlight Strobing Picture
Backlight Strobing Frequency Picture
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
Yes
Yes
Maximum Frequency
60 Hz
60 Hz
Minimum Frequency
60 Hz
60 Hz
Longest Pulse Width Brightness
107 cd/m²
117 cd/m²
Shortest Pulse Width Brightness
107 cd/m²
117 cd/m²
Pulse Width Control
No
No
Pulse Phase Control
No
No
Pulse Amplitude Control
Yes
Yes
VRR At The Same Time
No
No
VRR Flicker
6.2
VRR Flicker Video
VRR Flicker Graph
Dark Gray Flicker
3.3 RGB
Middle Gray Flicker
1.4 RGB
Light Gray Flicker
1.2 RGB
Image Flicker
10
10
Backlight Picture
Flicker-Free
No
No
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
0 Hz
Inputs
Input Lag
7.8
8.5
Native Resolution @ Max Hz
9.2 ms
4.4 ms
Native Resolution @ 120Hz
9.2 ms
5.1 ms
Native Resolution @ 60Hz
17.6 ms
9.6 ms
Backlight Strobing (BFI)
34.2 ms
29.9 ms
Resolution
8.8
7.8
Native Resolution
3840 x 2160
3840 x 2160
Aspect Ratio
16:9
16:9
Megapixels
8.3 MP
8.3 MP
Pixel Density
106 PPI
105 PPI
Measured Screen Diagonal
41.6"
Screen Area
739 in²
PS5 Compatibility
10
10
PS5 Compatibility Photo
PS5 Compatibility Table
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
No
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
No
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes
Xbox Series X|S Compatibility
8.3
9.7
XSX Compatibility Photo
XSX Compatibility Table
4k @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
1440p @ 120Hz
No
Yes
1440p @ 60Hz
No
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
Yes
1080p @ 60Hz
Yes
Yes
HDR
Yes
VRR
Yes
Inputs Photos
Inputs 1
Inputs 2
Inputs
Inputs 1
Inputs 2
DisplayPort
No
No
DisplayPort Transmission Bandwidth
No DisplayPort 2.1
Mini DisplayPort
No
No
DVI
No
HDMI
2 (HDMI 2.1), 2 HDMI (2.0)
4 (HDMI 2.1)
VGA
No
HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth
48Gbps (FRL 12x4)
48Gbps (FRL 12x4)
Daisy Chaining
No
No
3.5mm Audio Out
No
Yes
3.5mm Audio In
No
3.5mm Microphone In
No
Ethernet
Yes
HDR10
Yes
Yes
Dolby Vision
Yes
USB
USB-A Ports
2
3
USB-A Rated Speed
480Mbps (USB 2.0)
480Mbps (USB 2.0)
USB-B Upstream Port
No
No
USB-C Ports
0
0
USB-C Upstream
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Rated Speed
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
USB-C Power Delivery
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode
No USB-C Ports
No USB-C Ports
Thunderbolt
No
No
macOS Compatibility
macOS Screenshot
Features
Additional Features
Speakers
Yes
Yes
RGB Illumination
No
No
Multiple Input Display
No
PBP
KVM Switch
No
No
Smart OS
Yes
On-Screen Display (OSD)
OSD Picture
Check Price
42"
XR-42A90K
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
42"
OLED42C4PUA
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
42"
XR-42A90K
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
42"
OLED42C4PUA
SEE PRICE
LG.com
42"
XR-42A90K
SEE PRICE
B&H
42"
OLED42C4PUA
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
42"
XR-42A90K
SEARCH
Walmart.com
42"
OLED42C4PUA
SEARCH
B&H
42"
OLED42C4PUA
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Sony 42 A90K OLED
LG C4 42 OLED
Comments
Sony 42 A90K OLED vs LG C4 42 OLED: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
Hi, the A90K was tested using our 1.2 testing methodology, while the C4 was tested using our 2.0 methodology, and we changed the scoring with 2.0 in a few places. The C4 has a higher refresh rate (144Hz) than the A90K (120Hz).
Quick question, you guys say in description c4 has higher refresh rate but the a90k in your test shows a higher score than c4 for refresh rate category, is this a mistake?