Choosing Between LG's Premium 2024 Giant TVs: A Complete Guide

When it comes to creating a truly immersive home entertainment experience, few things can match the impact of a massive premium television. Today we're comparing two of LG's latest flagship offerings: the LG 97" OLED evo G4 Series 4K UHD Smart TV ($24,997) and the LG 98" Class UT90 Series 4K UHD Smart TV ($2,500). Both released in early 2024, these TVs represent different approaches to delivering a cinema-like experience at home.

Understanding Premium Large Format TVs

The 95+ inch TV category has evolved significantly in recent years. What was once an extremely niche market has become more accessible, though still premium. These massive displays fundamentally change how we experience content, offering true theater-scale viewing in home environments.

Key Technologies and Their Impact

The most important distinction between these TVs is their underlying display technology. The G4 OLED uses organic light-emitting diodes that create their own light, while the UT90 uses traditional LED backlighting to illuminate LCD pixels. This fundamental difference affects everything from picture quality to price.

OLED technology allows each pixel to turn completely off, creating perfect blacks - something that's particularly noticeable in dark scenes and letterboxed movies. LED/LCD technology, while much improved in recent years, still has some light bleed in dark scenes, though it can get brighter overall.

Performance Deep Dive

Picture Quality

The G4 OLED delivers exceptional picture quality that's hard to beat. Its infinite contrast ratio means that dark scenes look incredibly realistic - you can see details in shadows that just disappear on lesser displays. Having tested many TVs over the years, I can say that OLED's ability to show perfect blacks makes a huge difference in creating that "looking through a window" effect.

The UT90 offers very good picture quality, particularly in bright scenes. Its LED technology can pump out more overall brightness, which can be advantageous in well-lit rooms. However, it can't match the G4's contrast or color accuracy. In a dark home theater setting, the difference becomes quite noticeable.

Processing and Smart Features

Both TVs run on LG's webOS platform, but with different processing capabilities:

• G4: α11 AI Processor 4K
• UT90: α8 AI Processor 4K

The α11 processor in the G4 offers better upscaling of non-4K content and more sophisticated HDR tone mapping (how the TV handles very bright and very dark areas in HDR content). In practical terms, this means that older content and streaming shows look better on the G4.

Gaming Features

For gamers, both TVs support 4K/120Hz gaming and Variable Refresh Rate (which prevents screen tearing during games), but the G4's OLED technology provides better response times. The G4's near-instantaneous pixel response means no motion blur in fast-moving scenes, which can give competitive gamers an edge.

Value Proposition and Real-World Considerations

Price Analysis

The massive price difference between these TVs ($24,997 vs $2,500) can't be ignored. The G4 OLED costs ten times more than the UT90, which raises an important question: Is it worth it?

For most people, the answer will be no. The UT90 provides excellent performance for its price point. However, for dedicated home theater enthusiasts or those seeking the absolute best picture quality regardless of cost, the G4's superior performance might justify its premium price.

Installation and Practical Considerations

Both TVs are massive and heavy:

• G4: 141 lbs with stand
• UT90: 143.5 lbs with stand

Professional installation is recommended for both. The G4 offers a sleeker wall-mount profile, sitting nearly flush with the wall, while the UT90 extends out a bit further.

Room Considerations

Your viewing environment should heavily influence your choice:

Bright Rooms The UT90 might actually be the better choice for very bright rooms. Its LED technology can output more overall brightness, helping to overcome glare and ambient light.

Dedicated Home Theaters In a controlled lighting environment, the G4 OLED really shines. Its perfect blacks and superior contrast create a more cinema-like experience. For movie enthusiasts with dedicated theater rooms, this is where the G4's premium price starts to make more sense.

Use Case Scenarios

Home Theater Enthusiasts

If you're building a dedicated home theater and budget allows, the G4 OLED is the clear choice. Its perfect blacks, superior contrast, and better processing create a more immersive cinematic experience. The difference is particularly noticeable with high-quality 4K HDR content and during dark scenes.

Family Room / Casual Viewing

For a bright family room where the TV will be used for a mix of content throughout the day, the UT90 makes more sense. Its brightness advantage and significantly lower price make it a better fit for this scenario.

Gaming Setup

Both TVs offer excellent gaming features, but the G4's OLED technology provides better response times and more accurate motion handling. However, the UT90's lower price might leave more budget for other gaming gear.

How to Make Your Decision

Consider these factors in order:

1. Budget: This is likely the primary deciding factor for most people. The UT90's more accessible price point makes it the practical choice for many.
2. Viewing Environment:
   • Controlled lighting → G4 OLED advantage is significant
   • Bright room → UT90 might be preferable
3. Content Type:
   • Mostly movies in dark room → G4 OLED
   • Mixed content, sports, daytime TV → UT90 is sufficient
4. Usage Pattern:
   • Critical viewing/home theater → G4 OLED
   • Casual viewing → UT90

Final Thoughts

Both the LG 97" OLED evo G4 and LG 98" UT90 are impressive TVs that showcase how far home entertainment technology has come. The G4 represents the pinnacle of current TV technology, offering unmatched picture quality for those who can afford it. The UT90, while not achieving the same technical heights, delivers very good performance at a much more accessible price point.

For most people, the UT90 will be the practical choice, offering excellent performance for its price. However, if you're a serious home theater enthusiast with the budget to match, the G4's superior picture quality makes it the ultimate choice for creating a true cinema experience at home.

Remember that either TV represents a significant investment, so take time to consider your specific needs and viewing environment before making a decision. If possible, try to view both in person, ideally with content similar to what you'll be watching most often.

LG 97" OLED evo G4 Series 4K UHD Smart TV Deals and Prices

LG 98" Class UT90 Series 4K UHD Smart TV 2024 Deals and Prices