LG 55B4: Affordable OLED TV with solid value for money

This year, all TV series from various manufacturers incorporate artificial intelligence, and all of them highlight these capabilities. Despite the tendency to rush and review each company's flagship models, in LG's case, we specifically chose to examine the more popular 55-inch B series rather than the flagship C series. So, what did we think of LG's TVs for 2024-2025?

Design and Build

The 55B4 isn’t a design icon. It lacks a separate hub for ports, a super-slim profile, or any flamboyant frame – but it won’t clash with your living room decor either. Unlike the pricier series, this model isn’t ultra-thin, with all electronics positioned at the back, adding a few extra centimeters to the depth. The legs are simple but tasteful, and from the front, the thin bezel is attractive. If wall-mounted, the thickness won’t be noticeable.

In terms of connectivity, the 55B4 is well-equipped with four HDMI inputs supporting 4K at 120Hz with eARC, two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an antenna input, and an optical audio output. Surprisingly, it only supports Wi-Fi 5, but this doesn’t hinder regular usage.

LG has kept its familiar Magic Remote, which is a bit chunky but comfortable to hold. It acts as an air mouse, which is convenient for those accustomed to using computer mice. There’s also a cross-button option for navigation, and this year, additional direct-access buttons have been added.

Picture and Sound Quality

The main cost for this TV is invested in its OLED panel (4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate), and it’s worth it – colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and brightness is good. However, the screen can reflect some light, so it’s less suited to viewing in reflective environments.

The AI component, prominent in TVs this year, shines here as well. You’ll need to use a wizard to set your preferences for saturation, color, sharpness, and more, by choosing your favorite images from a series. Personally, I prefer a clear, sharp picture – unsurprisingly, this yielded a pleasant, custom-calibrated viewing experience. Watching an epic period drama like Shogun was visually impressive on this screen.

The AI extends to sound processing, supporting various sound systems – from the TV alone, combined with a sound amplifier, Bluetooth speakers, and more, including Dolby Atmos. I tested the TV alone and paired it with a five-speaker setup and subwoofer. With some adjustments, the sound was impressive, especially in AI mode when the TV was the sole audio source.

Image processing works excellently, handling both new and older content, like Star Trek episodes broadcast in a 3:4 aspect ratio. Thanks to its impressive upscaling abilities, the 55B4 provides good quality for content not originally produced in 4K or streamed at a lower resolution, as is often the case with some services in Israel.

Apps and Operating System

While LG’s webOS isn’t my favorite among TV operating systems, I must say LG has improved it significantly, making for an overall enjoyable experience. It still has some quirks, like apps updating upon launch (why not background updates?), which requires a wait, but the range is excellent. It supports nearly all well-known Israeli and global apps, from FreeTV to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and even Twitch. LG also promises five years of software updates and four major version updates, which is a plus.

Unique apps include sports tracking for following your favorite teams with game data, and ThinQ-based smart home hub integration. Once logged into my existing LG account, even my LG washing machine connected – a nice touch. This TV can also serve as a hub for Matter-enabled devices. There’s also an option to connect various workspaces, from Windows remote desktop to Chrome browser, allowing the TV to double as a large computer monitor. Voice search in Hebrew works flawlessly as well.

Bottom Line

As LG’s more accessible series rather than a flagship, the B-series delivers solid value for money. Most of your investment here goes into the hardware – you won’t find luxuries like an ultra-thin screen or separate port hub. But the price paid for the OLED panel and this year’s AI processing truly pays off, offering an excellent viewing experience with some enjoyable extras. For those looking to upgrade to OLED without the flagship price, the 55B4 is a very fitting choice.

Estimated market price for the tested model: around NIS 5,000.