LG is shutting down its smartphone division after struggling to make profits in the last several years. The news wasn't necessarily a shock to anyone following the smartphone market, but for people who liked phones that weren't just slabs, it's hard not to feel a little sad. LG's phones often had interesting features or form factors that other manufacturer's never tried, and that kind of innovation has fans. Fans that now are wondering where to go.
In the wake of LG's demise, any company could step up to the plate and start making weird phones, so why not Apple? Apple already has a huge part of the market share and has its own loyal fan base. Plus, it certainly has the capital and resources to fund some interesting experiments. So, what would it look like if Apple got weird?
LG's record of making weird phones is well documented
Source: Mr. Mobile
LG had a history of making cool and weird phones, even way before smartphones were widespread. My first phone ever was an LG Fusic (picture above), which was an MP3 player and had an FM Tuner and FM Transmitter inside. A whole year before the first iPhone was ever released, I was listening to my own music through my car radio with my flip phone, and there wasn't a cable or Bluetooth connection in sight. To me at the time, it really did feel like I was holding a part of the future, and the Fusic is only one phone of many LG made that did things a little different.
As you can see in Mr. Mobile's video, LG made some really cool phones in the past. Even if they weren't all blockbusters, they were willing to take risks. The most recent LG phone that turned a lot of heds was the LG Wing, which by all accounts was really cool but likely a tad expensive for what it was — an experiment. Phones like the LG Wing weren't ever really expected to sell millions of units but rather push the envelope of what a smartphone could be. Of course, it's tough to make a living in the smartphone market if all you're known for is being weird. This is where Apple comes in.
Apple should take risks and make weird phones
Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central
Since its very first iteration, Apple has always strived to make the iPhone the best iPhone it can be — Apple hasn't always been the pioneers of innovation when it comes to the iPhone lineup. This conservative approach has obviously worked out well for Apple since they keep making money hand over fist, and they likely have minimal incentive to change their ways. Wouldn't it be great if they did, though?
Apple has long been criticized for lack of innovation when it comes to the iPhone, and it often looks and mostly functions the same year after year. It doesn't have to be like this if Apple is willing to take some risks. Apple should make a new phone like something we've never seen. Whether it's a crazy form factor or some cool new innovative features, they are in the perfect position to push the smartphone market to new heights and not flame out as LG did.
Look, I'm not even saying that the iPhone should change. Apple can continue to make the iPhone every year and offer consumers — and more importantly, investors — a very reliable device that will sell well. But they can make an experimental smartphone division and really start to brew up some weird phones in that fancy lab of theirs. They have the capital (like a lot of capital) and the resources to have their cake and eat it too.
They would silence many "haters" that blame Apple for not being innovative in the smartphone industry while also appealing to weird phone enthusiasts that can't resist cool tech — they just have to be willing to take a risk.
Do you want Apple to get in the weird phone business?
What do you think? Would you love to see Apple make some cool and weird phones in the future? Let us know in the comments down below.
A big new update to Podcasts in iOS 14.5 has sent all kinds of things out of whack, with a multitude of users reporting various issues with the new update.
LG UltraGear gaming monitors deliver an immersive, lag-free gaming experience. If you're looking for a 144Hz gaming monitor under $300, today's your lucky day.
Right now, you can get the 32-inch LG UltraGear 144Hz Gaming Monitor for just $296.99 from Amazon. Traditionally, this monitor retails for $400, so that's $103 in savings. It's the deepest discount we've ever seen for this 32-inch gaming monitor. In fact, it's one of the best gaming monitor deals we've seen all month.
LG UltraGear gaming monitor deal
LG UltraGear 32" Gaming Monitor:was $400 now $297 @ Amazon Now $103 off, this LG UltraGear 32-inch Gaming Monitor (32GK650F) is at its best price yet. This 32-inch 1440p display features 144Hz refresh rate and ultrafast 1ms response time. Radeon FreeSync technology, Dynamic Action Sync, and motion blur reduction provide buttery-smooth gameplay.
The LG UltraGear 32GK650F is a 32-inch, 144Hz gaming monitor with a super-fast 1ms response time, AMD Radeon FreeSync technology, Dynamic Action Sync, and motion blur reduction provide buttery-smooth gameplay. This anti-glare LCD display features a 2560 x 1440-pixel resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Although we didn't review this monitor, feedback from owners give it an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Customers rave about the LG UltraGear gaming monitor's good contrast, bright whites, and dark blacks. Others praise how its glorious 1440p resolution with 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time elevates their PC gaming experience.
If you want the best 32-inch gaming monitor for your laptop, PS5 or Xbox X Series system, this LG UltraGear monitor fits the bill. And at $103 off, it's an exceptional value for the price.
The Waikiki Beachcomber represented a $35 million modernization project under the Outrigger brand that sought to create the feel of a Hawaiian beach house in the middle of the city. And as anyone knows today, home is where the digital experience is. Starting at the Beachcomber, that package includes mobile apps for finding information and interacting with hotel staff, a digital concierge kiosk for exploring what Hawaii has to offer, and a network of smart, in-room TVs from LG Business Solutions USA designed to make guests feel at home. In the Beachcomber’s new activities lounge and concierge desk, a video wall comprising four large-screen LG digital signage displays and an LG touchscreen digital kiosk welcomes guests. When they enter the lounge, the display installation helps them discover new experiences they can explore on the island.
Each of the Beachcomber’s nearly 500 guest rooms include a 55-inch smart hotel TV (LG’s UT770H series). Designed specifically for use in hotels, these TVs feature LG’s exclusive NanoCell technology for displaying vibrant colors and sharp images with more than 8 million pixels for 4K Ultra HD resolution. The TVs are so slim - with virtually no bezel - that Shaff says many of the Beachcomber’s rooms were designed so the TVs could be mounted on the wall, some even framed, to give guests more physical space in which to enjoy themselves.
LG recently left the smartphone market, and while many in the tech community were saddened to see one of the most iconic Android OEMs go away at its worst moment, it was also a long time coming, as LG smartphones have been consistently generating losses for LG even though they’ve tried everything to turn the situation around. The phone maker that put out hits such as the Nexus 5 and the LG G2 wasn’t the same anymore, and LG’s phone division was in a permanent downhill. With LG even attempting and failing to sell off their business, closing shop was imminent. Now, we have an even bigger picture of why that is thanks to LG publishing their Q1 2021 results.
And, well, the results speak for themselves. Through the first quarter of 2021, their device sales actually managed to increase through all of their other branches, except for—you guessed it—their smartphone division (via GSMArena). Now, these numbers don’t actually reflect the moment they announced their very public drop out of the smartphone market. But LG apparently managed to sell KRW998.7 billion (~$901 million USD) worth of phones through Q1 2021, which is roughly the same amount as they sold last year. However, their losses amounted to KRW280 billion (~$252 million USD). By contrast, all other LG divisions managed to increase their revenue considerably, putting their total revenue at KRW18.8 trillion.
There are a few takeaways from these numbers, but let’s start with the most obvious one: making phones is just not worth the effort anymore for them. Through 2020, LG sought to revitalize their brand by introducing new devices and smartphone lines unlike anything else we’ve seen from them so far. Given how their Q1 2020 and Q1 2021 numbers are the exact same, it’s probably safe to say that didn’t work out. On the contrary: their other divisions actually grew in revenue, which puts the smartphone division’s numbers into even further shame.
LG is set to sunset their smartphone division completely by the end of July, redeploying all of their personnel through the corporation and liquidating their assets. Right now, they’re still selling smartphones, although it’s the models that are already on the market. We’ll probably want to keep an eye on LG’s numbers for Q2 2021, which will be the last trimester to include data from their smartphone division.
LG announced its mobile division will be closed this year since it cannot turn profitable in the current market. However, the company's report confirms all other branches have posted a yearly increase in sales, bringing the total revenue to KRW18.8 trillion - the most LG has ever recorded between January and March.
Mobile Divison Performance
Q1 2021
Q4 2020
QoQ Change
Q1 2020
YoY Change
Sales in KRW / USD
998.7B / 901M
1,385B / 1.24B
-27.9%
998.6B / 901M
0%
Profit in KRW / USD
-280B / -252M
-248B / -224M
-12%
-237B / -214M
-18%
The biggest grower was the Home Entertainment division. People staying at home resulted in recovering demand in North America and Europe - traditionally profitable markets where LG managed to expand its sales of OLED and NanoCell TVs. The upward trend is expected to continue and will be centered around premium products.
The mobile business is already performing its swan song - the final attempt to salvage what is left before operations are discontinued later this year. During Q1 2021, LG managed to sell phones worth KRW998.7 billion, which is exactly the same as Q1 2020 down to the decimal point. There were no new models launched and actions were aimed at existing models.
LG will be redeploying all personnel within the corporation, going for a liquidation of assets, compensating partners and suppliers of service support.
All sales activities of the Mobile Communications division will be terminated at the end of July, and that’s when the Q2 report will be out, disclosing the final numbers, where LG will show a breakdown between continuing and discontinued operations.
The last deals post of the day features one of the last phones in the LG G lineup. the LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen smartphone is currently getting a $100 discount over at B&H Photo Video, meaning you can get one for just $400. This device features a 6.4-inch OLED FHD display, a 6.4-inch OLED Display case, 6GB RAM, and 128GB of storage space, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. And don’t worry, even if LG killed off its smartphone business, they will continue to provide Android updates for a couple of years.
However, you can also grab a new Nokia 3.4 with half the storage space for $130 with $50 savings. You can score these savings at B&H on both its Blue and Charcoal color variants. This phone is also on sale at Amazon.com, but you will only see the $50 discount applied to the Charcoal color option, as the Blue variant is selling for $20 more.
Other deals will get you a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds + for just $100 after getting a $50 discount on any one of its four different color variants. These wireless earbuds come with a wireless charging case that will help them give you up to 22 hours of battery life and up to 11 hours of non-stop playback. And since we’re talking audio, you may want to check out the latest deal on the Samson G-Tr5ack Pro USB Microphone that’s selling for $99 with $40 savings as part of B&H’s deals of the day.
You can also score a new Hori Nintendo Switch D-Pad Controller for just $20- with $5 savings, on its Pokemon: Black & Gold Pikachu edition, which looks totally cool. Or get a new PowerA Folio Case to keep your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite safe, and it will only cost you $18.75 after a $6.24 discount.
A former bilingual teacher that left the classrooms to join the team of Pocketnow as a news editor and content creator for the Spanish audience. An artist by nature who enjoys video games, guitars, action figures, cooking, painting, drawing and good music.
LG Electronics Inc.'s net profit rose 7.6% in the first quarter, driven by solid demand for televisions and home appliances.
The South Korean consumer-electronics giant said Thursday that it expects brisk sales of TVs and electronics goods to continue in the coming quarter to support its overall earnings for 2021.
First-quarter net profit was 1.169 trillion won ($1.05 billion), compared with net profit of KRW1.087 trillion in the same quarter a year earlier, the company said.
The result was well above a FactSet-compiled consensus forecast for net profit of KRW945.03 billion.
Revenue for the period rose 28% to KRW18.810 trillion, slightly above its own earlier forecast, and operating profit jumped 39% to KRW1.516 trillion, marginally missing its earlier forecast.
Solid demand for TVs and home appliances has been supported by extended periods of staying at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, as lockdowns remain in place in many parts of the world.
The company said it expects its top-line growth to be strong this year, thanks to solid growth in its flagship TV and home-appliance units and burgeoning growth in its car-component segment.
LG Electronics is due to exit its unprofitable smartphone business in July after years of struggling to compete with industry leaders Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., as well as fast-growing Chinese rivals.
The phone business has been in the red for the past six years, with the accumulated losses exceeding $4.4 billion.
Market analysts largely view the company's pullout from its smartphone business as improving its business and financial health in the long run despite a near-term revenue setback.
LG Electronics plans to launch a joint venture with Canadian auto-parts maker Magna International Inc. in July, stepping up efforts to boost new growth drivers to fill the gap left by its phone-business exit.
For 2020, the company's earnings set records with net profit surging 11-fold and operating profit jumping 31%.
LG Electronics has announced first-quarter 2021 consolidated sales of KRW 18.81 trillion (€13.9bn) and operating profit of KRW 1.52 trillion – the highest quarterly results in the company’s history with the 8.1 per cent operating profit being a first-quarter record.
Compared with the first quarter a year ago, revenues grew by 27.7 per cent and profitability soared by 39.1 per cent, reflecting strong demand for LG home appliances and home entertainment products as consumers around the world continue to spend more time at home.
The LG Home Entertainment Company recorded sales of KRW 4.01 trillion in the first quarter, an increase of 34.9 per cent from the same period a year ago. Operating income grew 23.9 per cent year-on-year to KRW 403.80 billion, buoyed by strong sales in North America and Europe.
Premium products led by OLED and NanoCell TVs continued to experience strong demand as the pandemic effect continued in most of the world. To maintain this success in 2021, LG says it will “continue to enhance its premium product line-up, further expand online sales, optimise resources and streamline asset management.”
Millions of pounds of clothing and textiles wind up in U.S. landfills every year. See how you can make a difference on our environment by participating in the Second Life Tour, stopping in Las Vegas today.
This segment is sponsored by LG Electronics. For more information, click here.
BuyDig is now offering the 2020 LG 65-inch Class CX Series OLED 4K UHD Smart TV for $1,996.99 shipped with an included $150 Visa gift card. With the purchase of this TV, you’ll also score a FREE LG XBOOM Go PL5 Speaker (regular $90 value) by filling out this form from LG. Originally $2,800, this TV is going for more like $2,000 at Best Buy right now and the BuyDig bundle is the lowest price we can find with an effective price of $1,847 after the value of the gift card is included (it can be used just about anywhere). Amazon is charging $1,950, which is less out of pocket, but you won’t get the gift card there. This is a 65-inch 2160p 4K TV with HDR, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support, NVIDIA G-SYNC, and direct access to thousands of apps and streaming services. Alongside Google Assistant and Alexa compatibility, it has four HDMI jacks, three USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ethernet, and more. Rated 4+ stars from nearly 4,000 Amazon customers. More 4K smart TV deals below.
Not looking to spend thousands on your TV? No worries. You can still grab 65-inches worth of 4K panel at Amazon for just $550 with this INSIGNIA Smart UHD TV. Carrying stellar ratings from over 11,000 Amazon customers and proving g direct access to your favorite streaming services, this is great budget-friendly option to consider.
Watch your favorite movies or programs on this 65-inch LG CX 4K smart TV. The a9 Gen 3 AI processor 4K delivers crisp, detailed visuals for an immersive entertainment experience, while NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync compatibility minimize stuttering and tearing while gaming. This LG CX 4K smart TV has a pair of 20W front-firing speakers for producing quality, room-filling sound.
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SEOUL, April 28 (Reuters) - South Korea’s LG Display Co Ltd on Wednesday swung to a profit for the January-March quarter, its third consecutive quarterly profit, helped by rising panel prices driven by TV and laptop demand as people stayed at home.
However, but a shortage of semiconductors threatens production for the months ahead, analysts said.
The display maker that supplies Apple Inc reported an operating profit of 523 billion won ($469.76 million) for the first quarter compared with an operating loss of 362 billion won in the same period a year earlier.
That topped the 443 billion won expected by analysts, Refinitiv SmartEstimate data showed.
Revenue rose 46% to 6.9 trillion won, LG Display said in a regulatory filing.
“The demand for large-size displays such as TVs and IT products remained strong in the first quarter thanks in large part to the recent stay-at-home trend, although the first quarter typically tends to be a slow season,” LG said in a statement.
LG added that panels for IT devices accounted for 40% of its revenue in the first quarter, panels for TVs accounted for 31%, and mobile and other devices for 29%.
Prices of LG Display’s mainstay, 55-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for TV sets, jumped nearly 80% from a year earlier, according to data from WitsView, part of research provider TrendForce.
While panel prices are expected to stay strong backed by robust demand, analysts said a shortage of semiconductor parts, especially display driver integrated circuits (DDI) used for LG’s plastic organic light emitting diode (POLED) panels supplied for Apple’s iPhones, had been affected in the first quarter.
The shortage of DDIs is likely to continue in the second quarter, they said. ($1 = 1,113.3300 won) (Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Joyce Lee, editing by Louise Heavens and Jason Neely)
SEOUL (Reuters) -LG Chem Ltd reported a more than six-fold jump in quarterly operating profit on Wednesday as demand for surgical gloves and consumer electronics driven by the COVID-19 pandemic boosted sales of raw materials such as chemicals.
The South Korean chemical and battery maker, whose wholly-owned battery subsidiary LG Energy Solution supplies Tesla Inc and General Motors Co, posted operating profit of 1.4 trillion won ($1.26 billion) for the January-March period, versus 206 billion won in the same period a year earlier.
That compared with the 1 trillion won forecast of analysts in the Refinitiv SmartEstimate.
Revenue rose 43% on year to 9.7 trillion won, LG Chem said in a regulatory filing.
Analysts said a continued rise in demand for materials stemming from the prolonged coronavirus pandemic contributed to LG's record quarterly operating profit, as chemical materials used for home appliances and medical gear such as surgical gloves were in high demand.
The company also saw solid demand for its electric car batteries in the first quarter, backed by increased supplies of its cylindrical batteries for Tesla.
Earlier this month, the U.S. electric carmaker posted record deliveries for the first quarter even as a global chip shortage hurt its auto sector rivals.
"Besides the United States, we plan to secure a new worksite in other places including Europe," LG said during its earnings conference call.
Earlier this month, LG Energy Solution and General Motor said they will build a second U.S. battery cell manufacturing plant, revealing plans for a $2.3 billion factory in the U.S. state of Tennessee.
In March, LG Energy Solution said it plans to invest more than $4.5 billion in its U.S. battery production over the next four years.
($1 = 1,112.7100 won)
(Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Joyce Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kim Coghill)
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's LG Display on Wednesday swung to a profit for the January-March quarter, its third consecutive quarterly profit, helped by rising panel prices driven by TV and laptop demand as people stayed at home.
However, a shortage of semiconductors threatens production for the months ahead, analysts said.
The display maker that supplies Apple reported an operating profit of 523 billion won ($469.76 million) for the first quarter compared with an operating loss of 362 billion won in the same period a year earlier.
That topped the 443 billion won expected by analysts, Refinitiv SmartEstimate data showed.
Revenue rose 46% to 6.9 trillion won, LG Display said in a regulatory filing.
"The demand for large-size displays such as TVs and IT products remained strong in the first quarter thanks in large part to the recent stay-at-home trend, although the first quarter typically tends to be a slow season," LG said in a statement.
LG added that panels for IT devices accounted for 40% of its revenue in the first quarter, panels for TVs accounted for 31%, and mobile and other devices for 29%.
Prices of LG Display's mainstay, 55-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for TV sets, jumped nearly 80% from a year earlier, according to data from WitsView, part of research provider TrendForce.
While panel prices are expected to stay strong backed by robust demand, analysts said a shortage of semiconductor parts, especially display driver integrated circuits (DDI) used for LG's plastic organic light emitting diode (POLED) panels supplied for Apple's iPhones, had been affected in the first quarter.
The shortage of DDIs is likely to continue in the second quarter, they said.
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LG’s C-series model has been the go-to pick of its OLED range for several years. It has always been the most affordable model with the company’s best panel and picture processing wizardry. Spending more would get you a fancier design and potentially better sound, but the picture would be no different.
That’s not the case in 2021. LG has introduced a new, brighter and sharper ‘OLED Evo’ panel, and the C1 doesn’t have it.
With so much of the focus on the upgraded G1, it’s perhaps predictable that the C1 isn’t a huge step up over its predecessor. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, as its predecessor was one of the best TVs of 2020, and the C1 benefits from a few subtle performance nips and tucks as well as a lower launch price.
Pricing
The OLED65C1 price at launch is £2499 ($2500). That’s £300 ($300) lower than the price at which last year’s 65-inch CX model launched. It’s also £500 ($500) cheaper than the 65-inch G1, which has the new OLED Evo panel and is designed specifically to be wall-mounted (you don’t even get a pedestal or feet in the box, although you can buy these separately).
If you’re after a smaller OLED, the C1 is also available in 48-inch and 55-inch sizes, and if you want to go bigger, there are 77-inch and even 83-inch versions available.
The full model number includes three alphanumerics after ‘C1’. These refer to the region in which the set is being sold and potentially the colour of its pedestal, bezels and rear panel, with some versions exclusive to particular retailers. The performance should be identical.
Build
(Image credit: Future)
Our review sample is the OLED65C16LA, which has a pedestal stand that’s a lighter shade of silver than the ‘4LB’ and ‘PUB’ version. It also has a rather unusual white rear panel that could make it slightly easier to find the connection you’re looking for.
Otherwise, this 6LA is identical in design to the other C1 models – and last year’s CX, which was practically identical to the C9 of 2019. Attractive though it is, sticking with the same design for three generations seems a little unambitious, particularly as there are things that we would change. For example, while the pedestal stand looks elegant, it's also very heavy, gives the TV a rather wide footprint of about 92cm (36 inches) and sits the TV quite low, which could be an issue for those who want to add a soundbar.
LG OLED65C1 tech specs
(Image credit: Future / Them, Amazon Prime)
Screen type OLED
Resolution 4K
Operating system webOS 6.0
HDR formats HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDMI x4 (all HDMI 2.1)
4K@120Hz Yes
VRR Yes
ALLM Yes
ARC/eARC eARC
Optical out Yes
With the stand removed for wall-mounting, the C1 looks much like any other OLED TV when viewed straight on: a large screen with a thin, flush bezel and no branding. There’s a small protrusion at the centre of the bottom edge that houses the IR sensor and standby light, but that’s about it. Viewed from the side, the set has that typical combination of a thin panel section (about 3mm) and a thicker plastic section that houses the electronics, connections and speakers. This gives the C1 an overall depth measurement of 4.7cm (1.8 inches), which makes it much thicker than the G1 (2cm / 0.8 inches) and even the backlit Samsung QN95A (2.6cm / 1 inch).
Like the G1, the C1 comes with the new version of LG’s Magic Remote. The new model arguably looks less interesting than its predecessor, but it’s slightly thinner and feels even better in the hand. The buttons also feel nicer and are better spaced and there are more shortcut buttons to take you directly to specific streaming services. And the much-loved pointer functionality remains.
Features
(Image credit: Future)
The C1’s design is identical to that of the CX and so is the selection and layout of its connections. There are both aerial and satellite sockets (Freesat support for the UK), an ethernet port, optical and headphone outputs, three USBs and four HDMIs. All four of those HDMIs are 2.1-spec, rated to 40gbps. One of these supports eARC, and all four support 4K@120Hz, VRR (in all current formats) and ALLM. Add a low input lag of under 13ms and there’s no better-specified TV for gaming right now.
After their year apart in 2020, LG and Freeview Play have reunited for 2021, which means UK buyers of the C1 and its siblings get access to the full suite of core catch-up apps, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5. These weren’t live when we tested our early sample of the G1, but they are present on the C1.
They complete a strong overall app selection that includes Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV, all with full support for 4K, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos; Rakuten is available in HDR10 and Dolby Atmos; Google Play Movies & TV is present (for now) with HDR10 and 5.1; Now TV (or ‘Now’, as it has been recently rebranded) gives you contract- and dish-free access to Sky content; and Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Deezer and BBC Sounds make for a thorough music offering. The only disappointments are that BT Sport, Apple Music and TuneIn are missing, all of which feature on Samsung sets.
This year’s LGs come with webOS 6.0 installed, and this new version of the company’s operating system is a major departure. Most notably, pressing the Home button no longer brings up a row of apps that overlays whatever you are watching, but instead takes you to a fullscreen Home menu dominated by content recommendations from various streaming services. The idea is that it’s less about hovering over or clicking on a specific app to find something to watch, and more about the content being front and centre.
Unfortunately, Netflix is missing from this aggregation, as it is from many similar systems, and that rather hampers its usefulness. The intelligence of the recommendations is somewhat questionable, too, with shows for kids often being promoted long after most children will be in bed, for example. Of course, a set can only learn so much over our review period and you might find that the quality of the recommendations improves over time.
We rather like the new home menu overall, although we’re a little disappointed to see that LG has deemed it necessary to include adverts for its soundbars in the windows at the top of the screen.
(Image credit: Future)
On the plus side, LG has also finally overhauled its settings menus. The rather ugly and convoluted menus have been replaced by a system with larger fonts, a less severe white-on-grey colour scheme and a far more logical layout, all without sacrificing opportunities for tweaking performance.
For most people, though, little tweaking will be necessary. Dolby Vision content will by default activate the Dolby Vision Cinema Home preset and AI Brightness Setting, and that equates to a Dolby Vision IQ performance. It’s worth leaving these settings as they are, as the performance is in line with our expectations of Dolby Vision, and the IQ element improves dark detail when viewing in a well-lit room without tampering with the performance under ideal conditions.
We leave the set’s AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro settings (which you're encouraged to enable during initial set-up) on when viewing all non-Dolby Vision content. These features have been improved by the new AI Processor Gen4.
The AI Upscaling, Clearer Text and Auto Genre Selection features are unchanged, but Object Enhancement has been upgraded. There’s also a brand new Scene Detection feature. The Gen4 processor also brings with it improvements to de-contouring, which should result in less banding of colours, and to the dynamic tone mapping algorithm, which LG says results in better contrast and less haloing around bright objects.
In terms of sound, AI Sound Enhancement now has height virtualisation. The new Auto Volume Levelling feature is designed to reduce jarring volume differences as you switch between different apps and sources.
Ultimately, AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro do a lot of the hard work and while some will still feel the need to tweak, the out-of-the-box performance should suit most people. As with the G1, for HDR10 content we opt for the Standard preset and only feel the need to switch the Auto Dynamic Contrast setting from Low to High. For SDR, we stick with Standard and marginally reduce Contrast, Screen Brightness and Sharpness. Make sure you also turn off the Energy Saving feature, which you'll find in the Support menu. You’ll also want to experiment with the TruMotion settings, more on which below.
Picture
(Image credit: Future / Them, Amazon Prime)
Starting with Rogue One in Dolby Vision from the Disney+ app, it becomes clear that little has changed from the CX. With both sets side-by-side, it’s hard to spot any differences – the C1 is just a little richer in its reds and purer in its whites, but that could just as easily be down to panel variation as to a change in TV model.
The CX’s performance with Dolby Vision content was superb, and so is the C1’s. It’s a beautifully vibrant and solid image with lots of detail and excellent contrast. The scenes in outer space predictably play to its strengths, with perfect, pure blacks combining with bright, white stars to dazzling effect. The G1 produces an even sharper and brighter picture, but not to a degree that will have C1 owners feeling too left out.
Switching to Blade Runner 2049 in HDR10, the similarities between the C1 and its predecessor continue. It’s a fabulously punchy and detailed picture with a colour balance that never looks anything other than entirely correct despite the many challenges that the film creates, such as the yellow-lit rooms of the Wallace Corporation and the lush forest of Dr Stelline’s fabricated memory.
This film shows that LG has made some slight improvements to its motion processing, specifically to its most subtle TruMotion option, called Cinematic Movement. This replaces last year’s Cinema Clear and is designed to reduce stutter without adding shimmer to tricky motion. Though not perfect, it is a clear upgrade, maintaining a much better grip on K’s car as it flies past the skyscrapers on his way into LA, and again as it crashes to the ground in a later scene. Some may prefer to turn TruMotion off entirely, but Cinematic Movement is as close to a spot-on setting as LG has produced.
Firing up Thor: Ragnarok, also in HDR10, we’re able to appreciate the improvements to de-contouring, with the banding in the red portion of the Marvel logo being significantly reduced on the C1, compared with the CX.
With SDR content, the C1 skews slightly brighter than the CX and digs up a touch more dark detail. As Joe recites French phrases in the pre-dawn gloom at the opening of the Looper Blu-ray, the edge of his collar and the texture of his jacket are visible on the C1 but missing on the CX. As he drives along the dirt road towards the incinerator, there’s less noise to the image, though the CX was already a clean performer. LG’s OLEDs have long been appreciated for their upscaling abilities, and the C1 makes slight improvements here without introducing any flaws.
Even with standard-def, the image is as clean and controlled as one could hope from a large TV that is essentially having to make up a lot of the picture, and the bright whites and colours of the Pointless studio pop slightly more on the C1 than they do on the CX.
Sound
(Image credit: Future)
While the speaker system of the C1 is apparently the same as that of the CX, the processing has changed and so has the presentation. That’s generally a good thing. For starters, the horrible flapping that Blade Runner 2049’s soundtrack produced from the CX’s speakers is not present here, at least when the Dolby Atmos mode is activated.
The sound is more open and spacious, too, giving everything a slightly more cinematic feel, and there’s a cleanliness and smoothness to proceedings that the CX lacked. But on the other hand, the sound is less punchy and dynamic, and the presentation less exciting overall. It’s not dull to the same degree as the G1, and many would prioritise smoothness over excitement, but it should be possible to have both.
You can get some punch back by switching off the Dolby Atmos processing (which also limits maximum volume), but that makes for a far narrower soundstage and brings back the woofer-flap, so isn’t an ideal solution.
Ultimately, you should budget for a separate sound system to accompany your new TV. A Sonos Beam would be a huge improvement on the C1’s speakers, but an Arc is a more deserving partner if you aren't in a position to go for a full home cinema system.
Verdict
The C1 isn’t much of an improvement on its predecessor, but there wasn’t much that needed improving. The picture performance and feature set were already exemplary, and LG has slightly improved the former with its new Cinematic Movement motion processing and enhanced de-contouring feature, and slightly improved the latter with a better menu system and a more complete app selection.
Of course, you can get a better LG OLED in the form of the G1, but most people will struggle to justify the extra £500 ($500), particularly when the niche design and weaker sound are taken into account.
Some will still be disappointed that LG hasn’t gone further with the new C1, and not having done so could prove costly when we compare all of the 2021 TVs for our Awards later in the year. However, right now, it’s one of the best TVs you can buy.
New LG QuadWash®with TrueSteam® dishwashers certified to sanitize*, and leave fewer water spots behind
TORONTO, April 27, 2021 /CNW/ - LG Electronics Canada (LG), a leading innovator in home appliances, is rolling out new and updated models of its popular LG QuadWash® dishwashers with TrueSteam®. Packed with advanced cleaning technologies, the updated line of Wifi-enabled, smart dishwashers help eliminate water spots and drying by hand, and are certified by experts to sanitize dishes, glasses and more.1 Plus, LG TrueSteam® is the only technology in the industry to deliver two separate blasts of real steam from powerful steam jets for better cleaning and drying that eliminates water spots by up to 60 percent.2
LG EXPANDS DISHWASHER LINE WITH TRUESTEAM® FOR POWERFUL YET GENTLE CLEANING (CNW Group/LG Electronics Canada)
"With Canadians spending more time at home, discovering their inner chef or taking-on exciting and creative food challenges, piles of dirty dishes and pans are a reality," said Ashley Audisho, Senior Marketing Manager, LG Home Appliance. "We put forward our innovative technologies to create a kitchen solution to handle the dirty work. Without the need to pre-wash, even your sauced up dishes and lipstick-stained stemware come out spotless. And with the added feature to sanitize, you can have peace-of-mind, to enjoy more of life's moments."
A Spotless Clean the First Time With four powerful spray arms instead of the standard two, LG's exclusive QuadWash technology uses Multi-Motion arms that rotate back and forth while spinning to power-clean dishes from multiple angles. TrueSteam includes four power steam nozzles centrally located on the door's interior to allow steam to circulate throughout the dishwasher. And, with a second blast of real steam in the drying cycle, TrueSteam delivers up to 60 per cent fewer water spots on dishware.3 LG's Dual Zone Wash enables users to vary the spray intensity in the upper and lower racks for optimal cleaning performance. Gently clean delicate dishes on the upper rack, while power-washing heavy-duty pots and pans on the lower rack in the same wash cycle.
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1 LG TrueSteam® dishwashers certified by NSF achieve a minimum 99.999 percent reduction of bacteria when operated on the Steam cycle.
2 Percent in water spot reduction compared to comparable LG non-steam dishwasher on delicate wash cycle. Results may vary by models. Results based on 2018 testing with LG LDF7774ST.
3 Percent in water spot reduction compared to comparable LG non-steam dishwasher on delicate wash cycle. Results may vary by models. Results based on 2018 testing with LG LDF7774ST.
Little Conveniences You'll Use Everyday The newly enhanced EasyRack™ Plus system provides flexibility and convenience for just about any load of dishes - like oddly shaped dishes, to help ensure optimal cleaning performance. Hold more items to save time and wash fewer loads with the height adjustable 3rd Rack – ideal for flatware, long-handled utensils, and hard-to-fit items.
Quiet Operation LG's LoDecibel™ Operation is as quiet as 44 decibels – among the quietest in its class. Freely run the dishwasher without worrying about noise disruption. LG's innovative Inverter Direct Drive™ Motor and three-stage filtration system are designed for quiet performance, meaning it won't interrupt post-dinner conversations, virtual learning or naptime.
Resist Smudges to Enhance Shine LG's 2021 line of energy-efficient dishwashers are offered in more styles and finishes – including Smudge Resistant Stainless Steel, Black Stainless Steel and Matte Black Stainless Steel. These finishes resist fingerprints and smudges to keep them looking their best without special cleaners. They can be cleaned easily with just a soft, dry cloth.
Certified to Sanitize* With sanitization a priority, LG dishwashers enable users to clean and sanitize with confidence. All 2021 models are certified by the National Sanitization Foundation (NSF) to reduce bacteria on dishes by 99.99 per cent and reach a final rinse temperature greater than 85°C/185°F when operated on the steam cycle of TrueSteam models or the High Temp Cycle of other LG dishwashers.4
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4 LG TrueSteam® dishwashers certified by NSF achieve a minimum 99.999 percent reduction of bacteria when operated on the Steam cycle.
ENERGY STAR® Certified The LG QuadWash with TrueSteam is ENERGY STAR® certified from ENERGY STAR Canada, earning it international recognition as a high-efficiency product. Helping consumers save money while helping the planet, ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use 25 per cent less energy and 33 per cent less water than traditional models. LG was named Canada's Energy Star Appliance Manufacturer of the Year in 2020.5
With new ways to control your home, and a future-ready open platform, ThinQ®, LG's innovative line of connected home appliances includes the assortment of LG QuadWash Dishwashers with TrueSteam. Using the ThinQ app will help get things done more quickly than ever before -- receive notifications when a cycle is complete and operate the dishwasher with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The 2021 line of smart, ThinQ-enabled LG QuadWash Dishwashers with TrueSteam technology include:
Top Control with Towel Bar Handle, LSDT9908SS (STUDIO) Smudge Resistant Stainless MSRP $1,999.99
Top Control with Towel Bar Handle, LDT7808BD Smudge Resistant Black Stainless MSRP $1,899.99
Top Control with Towel Bar Handle, LDT7808SS Smudge Resistant Stainless MSRP $1,799.99
Top Control with Pocket Door Handle, LDP6810BM Matte Black MSRP $1,699.99
Top Control with Pocket Door Handle, LDP6810SS Smudge Resistant Stainless MSRP $1,599.99
LG QuadWash Dishwashers with TrueSteam are available at Canadian retailers nationwide. For more about the entire line, visit http://www.lg.com/ca_en/quadwash.
About LG Electronics Canada Inc.
The LG brand was established in 1995. The company is a global leader in electronics, information and communications products, with more than 117 operations around the world, and annual worldwide revenues of more than US $54 billion. LG Electronics Canada Inc. is comprised of five business units - Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Home Entertainment, Business Solutions and Commercial Air Conditioning. The company has offices in Toronto and Vancouver. LG Electronics Canada Inc. is focused on delivering award-winning products known for blending style and technology. These innovative products include cell phones, flat screen TVs, laptop computers and home appliances. For more information, please visit http://www.lg.com/ca_en.
About LG Electronics Home Appliances The LG Electronics is a global leader in home appliances. The company is creating total solutions for the home with its industry leading core technologies. LG is committed to making life better for consumers around the world by providing thoughtfully designed products, including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cooking appliances, vacuum cleaners and built-in appliances. Collectively, these products deliver enhanced convenience, superb performance, great savings and compelling health benefits. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.
Source: Joseph Keller / iMore
Source: Mr. Mobile
Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central
LG Electronics has announced first-quarter 2021 consolidated sales of KRW 18.81 trillion (€13.9bn) and operating profit of KRW 1.52 trillion – the highest quarterly results in the company’s history with the 8.1 per cent operating profit being a first-quarter record.
