Published On: January 6, 2025

No MLA? No Problem: LG’s 2025 OLED TVs Are Brighter, Smarter, and Perfect for Gamers

Published On: January 6, 2025
Last Updated on: January 9, 2025
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No MLA? No Problem: LG’s 2025 OLED TVs Are Brighter, Smarter, and Perfect for Gamers

LG has officially revealed its 2025 OLED TV series, with bold claims of brighter displays and smarter AI integration.

No MLA? No Problem: LG’s 2025 OLED TVs Are Brighter, Smarter, and Perfect for Gamers

LG has unveiled its latest OLED TV lineup at CES 2025, including the premium M5 and G5 models, and there’s a lot to unpack. With improved brightness, a smarter AI-powered experience, and enhanced gaming features, the 2025 series promises to impress. The standout M5 model even earned our Best of CES award, thanks to its innovative wireless Zero Connect Box, which eliminates cable clutter while delivering 4K video and Dolby Atmos audio seamlessly. But what’s catching everyone’s attention is what’s missing—MLA technology. So, how is LG delivering these upgrades without it? Here’s what we know.

A major shift in LG’s 2025 OLED lineup is the surprising absence of Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which used to be a go-to feature for boosting brightness in their premium models. Instead, LG is rolling out its new Brightness Booster Ultimate technology, powered by “Four-Stack” OLED panels. According to LG, this update promises brightness levels that are three times higher than their standard OLED models, like the B5 series.

For context, LG’s 2024 G4 model achieved peak brightness levels of approximately 1,500 nits. The G5, with its upgraded panel technology, is expected to reach around 1,800 nits, depending on the mode you're using. What’s even more exciting is that the G5 is said to be 40% brighter when displaying full-screen images compared to its predecessor, making it more capable of handling high-brightness scenes without compromising on color accuracy.

LG M5 OLED with Zero Connect Box.

That said, these brightness boosts aren’t available across the board. The upgrades are limited to the 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch models. Unfortunately, the 48- and 97-inch versions of the G5 miss out on the new Four-Stack OLED technology, meaning they won’t hit the same brightness levels as their mid-sized counterparts.

At the heart of LG’s 2025 OLED TVs is the second-generation Alpha 11 AI processor, designed to take picture and sound quality up a notch. This processor works harder to clean up low-resolution content, fine-tune HDR with dynamic tone mapping, and deliver more accurate colors. On the audio side, it creates a virtual 11.1.2 surround sound experience, making everything from movies to games sound richer and more balanced.

Meanwhile, the C5 model gets the Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor, which is an improvement over last year’s version but doesn’t pack the same punch as the Alpha 11 found in the G5 and M5. Think of it as a solid performer, just not quite as advanced as its top-tier siblings.

LG G5 OLED TV in living room.

LG has always been a go-to brand for gamers, and the 2025 OLED lineup continues to deliver. The G5 series now supports 4K resolution at 165Hz, up from 144Hz in previous models, making it the first OLED TV certified for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium at this refresh rate. That’s great news for PC gamers with serious rigs.

That said, not all models hit the same heights. The 48- and 97-inch versions of the G5, along with the C5 and M5 models, max out at 144Hz, while the entry-level B5 sticks with a 120Hz cap. And while most gaming consoles are still capped at 120Hz, these higher refresh rates give PC gamers a competitive edge. To keep things smooth, all models come with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support and four HDMI 2.1 ports, so you’re ready for the latest gaming hardware.

LG’s 2025 OLED TVs are leaning heavily into AI, making them feel more personalized than ever. The TVs now come with AI-powered user profiles that can recognize who’s watching just by their voice. Once it knows who you are, it automatically switches to your preferred settings and even recommends content tailored to your tastes. There’s also a built-in AI Chatbot that can help troubleshoot issues or adjust settings in a natural, conversational way—no need to dig through menus or call customer support.

LG M5 OLED TV with Zero Connect Box.

The updated AI Magic Remote is slimmer and more streamlined, replacing number buttons with voice control capabilities. While the new remote retains its pointer and scroll functionality, it is not available in certain regions, including the UK and Italy.

LG’s 2025 OLED TVs introduce Ambient Light Compensation to Filmmaker Mode, a setting that preserves the original intent of content creators. This new feature adjusts the picture dynamically based on the room’s lighting conditions, providing a consistent HDR experience.

The G5 series sticks to its sleek, wall-mounted design, but if you prefer a table stand, you’ll need to buy it separately. On the other hand, the M5 series takes convenience up a notch with LG’s Zero Connect Box, which wirelessly transmits 4K video and Dolby Atmos audio to the screen—perfect for cutting down on cable clutter and keeping things tidy.

Pricing details for the 2025 OLED lineup have not yet been announced, but LG expects to release the models in spring. Visitors to CES can preview the TVs at LG’s booth in Las Vegas.

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