LG OLED G6 review: Cinematic picture magic

The TV landscape is ever-changing, so while I still think the best OLED TVs retain a very strong position in 2026, the incoming larger-scale panel trend with RGB Mini-LED technology is adding pressure to this established market.

Doubtless that's part of the reason LG has gone all-out with its latest flagship, the OLED G6 on review here, in delivering its brightest-ever OLED. It features the same Primary RGB Tandem multi-layer panel as in the previous OLED G5, but a new processor means greater thermal efficiency and that brightness uptick.

Early viewings of the OLED G6 impressed – as with my first-look and my colleague's Samsung and Sony side-by-side feature – although the presence of off-axis colour cast was a prevailing issue and ultimately a side effect of amping up saturation and brightness. However, software changes have since dialled back on this early issue.

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Irrelevant of any brightness or colour volume claims, however, I've switched from Samsung S99H (S95H in the USA) to LG OLED G6 and, in a heartbeat, there's just something more cinematic and magical about the traditional LG OLED's pictures.

That OLED is ever more fleeting – there's no top-tier Panasonic model for 2026, for example, while Sony isn't expected to deliver a newer OLED model this year either – somehow makes the G6 feel all the more special. Paired with the LG Sound Suite that's even more true (and more expensive), meaning this LG could well have the most magical TV release of the year.

Price & Availability

The core LG OLED G6 model is available in 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch panels that feature the Primary RGB Tandem multi-layered OLED panel type.

There's also a smaller 48-inch model in the UK, although its brightness ceiling won't be as high. A 97-inch behemoth will be available at a later date, albeit as a special order – and lacking the multi-layer panel type entirely.

Price-wise, the OLED G6 is certainly costly – but, considered year on year, it's actually a little cheaper than its G5 predecessor in some regions, such as the UK. It's got to remain competitive in this evolving market, after all.

On review is the 55-inch model, much as I was hoping for the 65-inch. It's the stand-mount variant (the 'S' of 'G66LS' in the product code representing that – and differing from the 'G64LW' of the wall-mount option).

LG OLED G5 vs G6: What's New?

Visually speaking, the LG OLED G6 continues with the same design language of its G5 predecessor. There's not anything to note that's different about the exterior – but that's no bad thing when you've got a well-made and understated set with central stand mount.

The biggest change is what's inside, with the latest Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 Processor being the key reason for a step up in picture quality potential. It's able to handle a lot more colour volume, thanks to a 12-bit colour channel, adding greater nuance to gradation too.

This seemingly small upgrade will bring key differences for home-cinema enthusiasts who want the most cinema-like high-end results at home. But the G6 is also well equipped in other departments, offering HDMI 2.1 on all four of its ports, with up to 165Hz supported all round – so it's superb for gamers too.

The G6 also introduces a new anti-reflection layer, which might get said home-cinema enthusiasts a little nervous. But, fret not, the implementation of this is less Samsung S99H/S95H-like in implementation, retaining a glossy-like finish that curtails reflections from being so mirror-like in appearance.

Design & Setup

Assembling the OLED G6 is pretty straightforward: four screws secure the central stand-mount into position, which you can affix in either a lower or higher position, the latter best for those wanting to position a large soundbar beneath.

The stand doesn't swivel, so parking your sources into the four HDMI slots around the back means you'll need to maintain access. It's a slender set overall, with the outer edge's silver finish being millimetre present from the front-facing position (this is no showy Samsung S99H by any means!).

While the G5 went fairly big on its artificial intelligence (AI) features, the G6 thankfully doesn't double down on trying to over-enhance these too much. Staples are retained, such as Picture Wizard, which allows you to create a picture preference by selecting from visual prompts. Personally, I'd stick to the pre-set options instead – which are all well judged.

In terms of software, LG's webOS platform – which dedicates far too much of its top area to adverts – has moved away from any underlying Freeview Play/Freesat HD platform in the UK. It does, however, offer the staple catch-up apps, including iPlayer, with easy direct access. And LG's ad-supported 'LG 1' channels offer lots of web-sourced live access straight from the home screen.

Controlling everything is actioned via the wand-like remote – quite literally, as you point it at the screen for a live cursor, which can be fiddly to use – which I do wish had a simplified Sources button present. Instead there's a voice-recognition AI button positioned centrally, which, if you like to use your voice, you'll find potentially better.

LG has long been creating its own processor boards, which gives it a leg up in the TV market compared to many (as MediaTek's top hardware is the only alternative at present in handling four HDMI 2.1 sources). Here, that means 4K Dolby Vision support at up to 144Hz from any of those ports (165Hz is supported for non-DV via VRR). It's very strong in terms of spec here.

Picture Quality

When there's so much talk of next-gen TV technology, a classic such as OLED might sound as though it's reaching its limits. But the LG OLED G6 proves that's anything but true – especially for cinematic picture quality, which I've found to be breathtaking.

Recently, I've been running a 4K Blu-ray 'Cinema Club', denouncing the best streaming services in favour of disc sources for the utmost viewing quality. It's an essential for testing a TV of this calibre, of course – but as I test for weeks, using a TV as if it's my own, in my living room at home, I'm able to get a real feel for a set's output

And the LG OLED G6 has been so impeccable from the offset that it's made me amp up my 4K Blu-ray watching sessions. There's just something magical about the myriad features OLED brings to the table for cinema that makes it a preferable choice.

Yes, the G6 is brighter than any LG TV before it. That's a fact: a circa 2,500 nit peak brightness, with full-screen brightness at circa 450 nits, representing a 20%-or-greater increase over the G5. But this isn't the tell-all of its picture quality.

Watching Oppenheimer for the umpteenth time, the black-and-white scenes were presented with a depth that's almost hard to describe. Such is the perfection of OLED's high-contrast ability, with no blooming or haloing to worry about.

Skipping over to watching Bugonia for the first time, and while the 3:2 aspect ratio filled the screen unusually, the movie's filmic visuals were presented skilfully. No over-processing hiding the film grain, no jarring judder in motion, no banding in the various fire-lit close-up or dark basement scenes.

Sharpness is biting, too, with wonderful clarity that doesn't appear overstretched. I've even attended side-by-side comparisons with a larger 65-inch G6 next to 2025's Samsung S95F and another Sony model – and the LG was the more natural and sharp-looking of the lot.

However, the quest for greater brightness and colour can see a colour cast show up. In isolation you'll not notice. It's just worth pointing out that it can exist – but you could also call this LG's "flavour" in its tuning. No doubt you'll have read about it already – we've even written about the overt green saturation previously, in early tests – but do note it's now certainly been toned down.

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Feed the G6 generally more dour colour palettes – I've recently acquired Jason Statham's Shelter on 4K Blu-ray, for example – and the G6 will honour those brown and grey tones faithfully. The not-so-sunny Scottish Isles' scenery is presented with realism, without trying to overly jazz up the palette. That said, if you ask it to by selecting from Standard or Vivid, or pumping up various settings of your choosing, the G6 can also go all-out if you'd prefer.

That's a tool not to be overlooked. Much as I prefer Cinema Mode to Filmmaker Mode on the G6 – it's a little brighter, without overcooking things, delivering great Dolby Vision quality (there's no HDR10+ here, as a point of note) – for gaming, animations or even sports, those modes earn their place. And that's when the G6's brightness feature can be turned up a notch to unlock eye-searing and colour-saturated entertainment.

The anti-reflection coating of the G6 is great, too. Off-axis reflections are dialled down rather than completely muted, would-be daylight sources presented as softened pinkish non-distractions during daytime viewing. It's the sort of balance that cinema-lovers will appreciate in the home – more delicately handled than LG's competition.

And even with that coating in play, the G6 continues with LG's delivery of OLED picture quality as an art form. Ultimately clarity, brightness, contrast, depth-of-field and realism combine to magic effect – minor colour cast visible or not. Even writing about it makes me want to stop and go chuck another 4K movie on – as the G6 is just that good.

Sound Quality

Flagship TVs might deliver out-of-this-world picture quality, as the G6 offers. Sound quality, however, is a different hurdle to clear – because a slender frame doesn't have the sheer physical volume to deliver cinema-like audio.

I called the previous G5's sound "a little washy", and while I wouldn't say the G6 offers giant dynamics by any means, it is a more capable and AI-enhanced system that many will consider ample.

Watching Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein, for example, and the dialogue is clear, the soundtrack thrums along – with modest rather than the deepest of bass – and placement is convincing. It's a cohesive mix, nothing too strained.

I've been spoiled with LG's Sound Suite – the H7 soundbar, W7 subwoofer and four M7 surround speakers – for much of this review period, detaching those outputs for a number of days to explore the G6's solo output. The TV can't rival the best soundbars for LG TVs, of course, but it does a fair job nonetheless.

LG OLED G6 review: Verdict

Anyone thinking that OLED's days are increasingly numbered will be forced to eat humble pie when sat in front of an LG OLED G6. This flagship panel delivers bright, colourful, yet faithfully realistic images that capture the magic of cinema – but at home.

The G6 is no one-tricky pony, though, able to really lean on that enhanced brightness output for vivid gaming – it's especially good here, thanks to four HDMI 2.1 ports – sports or entertainment, too. Colour can be its weakness in the context of QD-OLED and Mini-LED competitors, mind, with sometime minor colour cast present.

On paper, and indeed in person, the OLED G6 looks mighty similar to its G5 predecessor. Its internal processor upgrade might sound like a small deal, but for those seeking the best at-home experience, it delivers big-time for what home-cinema enthusiasts will be seeking. Others might prefer a cheaper, last-gen offer, of course.

So forget about RGB Mini-LED, for OLED's strength has been bottled and condensed by the LG OLED G6. Pair it with a suitable soundbar or surround option and, while you might be close to bankrupt, at least you'll be in pure cinema heaven. Straight out of the box and this has no doubt been one of the best TVs I've tested in 2026.

Also consider

While the Samsung S99H is probably too glitzy a design prospect for many, the brand's pure OLED alternative, the S90H, is a less high-end but nonetheless accomplished alternative – that'll cost you much less.

Otherwise, find an LG G5 or C5 deal for a lot less money and you'll be close to the G6's level in classic OLED terms. Or side-step to Sony, with the Bravia 8 II being an impressive Samsung alternative that many cite as delivering greater realism, much like the LG.