LG C6 vs LG G5: Which OLED TV is the better buy?

It's a tale as old as the TV industry: New models come out, older models drop in price. That's what's happening right now, as LG — makers of some of the best OLED TVs you can buy — is rolling out its 2026 TV lineup.

Recently, the all-new, mid-range LG C6 OLED made its debut. This year, the C6 sits below LG's flagship OLED, the G6. However, the brand's last flagship OLED, the LG G5, is seeing some steep discounts as new models appear on shelves.

As a result, anyone in the market for an LG OLED in 2026 will have to choose between a new, updated model (like the C6), or an older, on-sale model (like the G5). This raises a crucial question: Is the newer, mid-range OLED worth buying over the year-old flagship?

LG C6 vs LG G5: specs compared

First, let's talk about size availability. In a sense, the C6 is available in 77- and 83-inch versions, but these sizes are technically classified as an altogether different model: the LG C6H. We haven't tested the C6H yet, but LG promises better performance on these sets than what you'll see on the smaller-sized C6 screens.

If you want a 77- or 83-inch C6, you'll technically have to buy the C6H. The smallest-sized G5 is 55 inches, so if you want something smaller, the G5 won't get you there.

Everything else is more or less a wash. Dolby Vision support is available on both of these TVs, though not HDR10+. Neither offers ATSC 3.0 support — which allows over-the-air broadcasts to be piped-in at native 4K resolution — and the absence is a bit of a bummer.

With a PC linked up to either OLED, 4K games can be pushed up to 165Hz. They're each running LG's proprietary smart platform, webOS, but the C6 is rocking a newer version of it (at least until the G5 receives a major software update).

LG C6 vs LG G5: design

Let's discuss one of the biggest differences between the C6 and the G5: stand availability. In previous years, LG included a stand with 55- and 65-inch versions of its G Series OLED. The G5, however, doesn't come with a stand at any size point.

LG assumes that most people shopping the G Series plan on taking advantage of the TV's gap-free, wall-mounted design. If you're not one of these people, you'll have to buy its stand separately.

You can check out the G5's separately sold stand in the photo above. It's a heavy, pedestal-style stand that screws into the back of the G5's panel snugly.

When the G5 is mounted on a wall, few TVs look better. When it's sitting on its stand, the G5 is still elegant looking, but much of the TV's intended appeal is dampened. (The LG G Series was originally designed to resemble a framed portrait, after all.)

The C6 (seen above) follows the design approach of its predecessor, but as the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Its downward-slanting slab of a stand keeps the C6's screen relatively close to whatever surface is underneath it. And, while most people will rarely see it, I appreciate the marble-like finish on the back of the panel.

If you're hoping to wall-mount the C6, take note: The TV's internals are housed in a boxy chassis that sticks out of the C6's midsection. This means that its smartphone-thin screen won't be flush against the wall.

The fact that you have to shell out for the G5's separately sold stand is unquestionably a pain point. That said, it plays the role of a wall-mounted TV better than the C6, so I'm comfortable calling this category a draw.

Winner: Draw

LG C6 vs LG G5: performance

Before we dive into which of these TVs is the better performer, let's compare their test results. (Both TVs were in their respective Filmmaker picture mode when these tests were taken.)

Both of these sets are capable of delivering the key features that OLED TVs are known for: perfect black levels with pixel-level contrast control.

As a result of these advantages, pretty much everything looks superb on the C6 and G5, especially cinematic, HDR content. Pound for pound, the G5 is the better-looking TV, though, and it all comes down to brightness.

Thanks to its 4th-generation OLED panel from LG Display, the G5 is one of the brightest OLEDs we've ever tested. Its full-screen brightness is only marginally higher than that of the C6, but it soars above the C6 when it comes to highlight brightness.

Small, intense pools of light are much, much brighter on the G5, and that added shimmer imbues the G5's picture with an even greater sense of depth.

Make no mistake: The C6 isn't a slouch. It's one of the best-looking TVs of the year, despite its mid-range status. With highlight brightness well above 1,000 nits, HDR content pops in a mightily impressive way thanks to the C6's perfect black levels.

Colors are well-saturated and accurately dialed-in on both of these TVs' most-accurate picture mode. That said, the G5's higher-end OLED panel delivers better HDR color than the C6 (though you'd be hard-pressed to notice unless the sets were sitting side by side).

Both of these TVs offer an eye-poppingly good picture, but the G5's added brightness is the difference-maker. If you're after the best possible performance, the answer is obvious.

Winner: LG G5

LG C6 vs LG G5: smart platform and features

The C6 arrives with the newest version of LG's webOS right out of the box. It's a similar experience to last-year's version of webOS, but LG has also folded in some new, AI-based features that my colleague Dylan Haas referred to as "meaningless" if you don't already incorporate AI into your daily life.

As far as built-in smart platform software goes, webOS isn't one of my top picks. I find its layout to be visually confusing and navigation to be somewhat sluggish. However, it's easy enough to pick up and use that most folks will see no problem using it as their daily driver.

As far as gaming features go, the C6 and G5 are almost identical. Each offers HDMI 2.1-compatibility across all four inputs, which means you don't have to spend time thinking about which port any given device should use.

The C6 and G6 can make the most out of 4K titles on current-generation consoles, as they each support 4K gaming at 120Hz. Both OLEDs also arrive with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and AMD FreeSync Premium for smooth, tear-free gameplay. With VRR enabled and a gaming PC hooked up, both sets can push 4K games up to 165Hz.

For the vast majority of people, these sets are basically the same when it comes to features. This is especially true of their gaming-related enhancements.

Winner: Draw

LG C6 vs LG G5: outlook

The way I see it, there are two reasons why someone might prefer the C6 over the G5 right now. The first reason is that they appreciate the C6's design with its included stand. The second reason is that they'd rather spend on a newer model.

In every other way, the G5 is the better pick. It leverages a higher-end panel for some of the brightest images I've ever seen on an OLED TV. It comes with just about every feature under the sun, and nearly every feature you'll get on the newer C6.

Best of all, the G5 is cheaper than the C6 right now, simply because it's been available to buy for a year. Today, you can spring for a 65-inch C6 for $2,699 directly from LG, or you could buy a 65-inch G5 for $2,499 at Best Buy.

At the 55-inch size point, the LG C6 is hitting shelves at $1,999. Alternatively, the 55-inch LG G5 is $1,896 at Amazon.

Trust me: I understand the appeal of getting the newest version of something, especially when it's a big-time purchase like a TV. If you truly have your heart set on a 2026 model but the C6's current price is too high for your taste, I suggest waiting a few months. The C6 will go on sale eventually.

More from Tom's Guide

• LG C6 OLED review
• LG G5 OLED TV review
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