LG C2 vs LG 48GQ900 (2022) Which display should you buy?

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Gaming monitor vs TV? is a debate that will continue to bubble away for as long as display technology is a thing. While gaming monitors were once the only option for smooth, immersive visuals, new gaming TVs are starting to hit shelves with similar levels of response and immersion – making the decision that little bit harder.

Two of the latest displays from LG are the C2 series and the 48GQ900, sparking a C2 Vs 48GQ900 debate that is raising some interesting talking points.

One is a TV with stunning image quality and gaming features while the other is a large-screen gaming monitor – equipped with all the bells and whistles you could want for PC and console gaming. So, which is the best option for your particular needs?

We’ll be answering all the most pressing questions surrounding these two highly anticipated displays, including picture quality, specifications, features, and build quality. Additionally, we’ll be looking at price, versatility, and overall value for money – concluding with our thoughts on which is the superior display.

So, will it be the gaming TV or the large-screen gaming monitor? Let’s find out.

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LG C2 Vs 48GQ900: specifications

LG C2 OLED Series

Sizes

42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″

Screen Technology

OLED

Resolution

4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p

Refresh rate

120 Hz

Panel type

WOLED

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

Pros

Improved Evo OLED panel

Perfect blacks

Incredibly fast response time (0.001ms)

New Game Optimizer features

Alpha a9 Gen 5 processor

Excellent gaming performance

Cons

Expensive

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LG 48GQ900 OLED gaming monitor

Sizes

48″

Screen Technology

OLED

Resolution

4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p

Refresh rate

120Hz

Panel type

WOLED

HDMI standard

HDMI 2.1

Pros

LG’s first OLED gaming monitor

Perfect blacks

Incredibly fast response time (0.001ms)

VRR support for 120Hz @ 4K gameplay

HDMI 2.1 support

Cons

Unknown release date

Likely expensive

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As you can see from the specifications above, there really isn’t that much difference when you look at the core specifications of these displays side by side. Both will feature 4K OLED panels, HDMI 2.1 support, and 120Hz refresh rates. Furthermore, both feature VRR support for FreeSync and G-Sync systems.

One standout difference is the EVO OLED panel used in the LG C2 series – offering up additional peak luminance over generic OLED panels. While it’s not fully understood what panel is in the 48GQ900 just yet, it’s a pretty safe bet to assume that it won’t feature the EVO OLED panel.

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LG C2 Vs 48GQ900: price and sizes

One area where there are clear differences is in the available sizes for both displays. Of course, the LG C2 is a range of TVs, meaning it comes in a number of different sizes – offering you additional versatility that monitors rarely offer.

Furthermore, the LG 48GQ 900 is limited to 48 inches – whereas the C2 series goes up to an impressive 83 inches. As you can imagine, there’s likely to be a pretty sizeable difference in price too (especially when comparing the LG 48GQ900 to larger C2 variants).

Below we’ve listed all the latest prices for both displaying:

LG C2 Vs 48GQ900: gaming performance

Gaming performance is a hugely important specification for both displays here, even more so now next-gen consoles have the ability to push 4K gameplay @120Hz. Luckily, both LG C2 and 48GQ900 look set to deliver excellent gaming performance.

The LG C2 is widely considered one of the best gaming TVs of 2022 and for good reason. It comes to the table boasting a 120Hz OLED panel that is accompanied by VRR (Variable refresh rate) for both FreeSync and G-Sync systems – perfect for both console and PC gamers.

Thanks to the OLED technology found at the core of this TV, response times are incredibly fast – resulting in sub-1ms pixel transition times (using the GTG transition). Better yet, input lag for the LG C2 is also impressively low, meaning gameplay feels extremely responsive and accurate. The C2 also comes equipped with a new Game Optimizer menu which enables a low-latency setting that optimizes the frame rate and response time of the panel. Users can also expect game-tailored features such as ALLM (Auto low latency mode) and HGIG – an adaptive HDR feature that can adjust HDR picture quality on the fly.

At the time of writing this, there isn’t a great deal of information available regarding the gaming features of the LG 48GQ900. That said, users can expect the same OLED features as the LG C2, including; perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratio, rapid response times, and stunning image quality.

According to early reports, the LG 48GQ900 will also support VRR technology, meaning it will most likely feature native FreeSync support and G-Sync compatibility. LG says the panel will also feature an AGLR (anti-glare low reflection) coating, delivering a more forgiving visual experience during daylight hours.

Better still, while no information is available at this early stage, the LG 48GQ900 will likely feature a whole host of additional game-tailored features within its OSD that allow the fine-tuning of response time, picture quality, and colors.

LG C2 Vs 48GQ900: picture quality and peak luminance

The picture quality of the LG C2 and 48GQ900 should be fairly similar as they both sport OLED panels. However, the LG C2 will feature the new EVO OLED panel, meaning it will be able to produce much higher levels of peak luminance. Additionally, the LG C2 processor (Alpha 9 Gen 5) will offer up far better image processing features, including AI upscaling and more advanced image handling, two features the LG 48GQ900 will likely not offer.

The Evo OLED panel at the heart of the LG C2 is said to be around 20% brighter than its predecessor, offering up much better daytime viewing and detail when using the HDR feature. Both panels feature a 4K screen resolution, meaning image quality will be of the highest caliber.

It is unknown at this early stage what luminance levels the LG 48GQ900 will offer, however, if other OLED panels are anything to go by, we’d expect somewhere in the region of 300 nits. Unfortunately, due to the delicate nature of the OLED panel technology, manufacturers struggle to reach higher levels of brightness. Furthermore, if higher brightness is achieved, the chances of permanent burn-in are often increased. Fortunately, the new Evo OLED panel will feature a new heat-dissipation layer that aids in the reduction of internal temps when luminance is maximized.

Another key feature of the LG C2 TV will be its new Dynamic tone mapping pro Algorithm that allows the TV to better differentiate between foreground and background images. The feature will increase the focus of foreground images while slightly blurring the background, increasing the three-dimensional feeling of the TV.

LG C2 Vs 48GQ900: design and materials

LG has designed the C2 with more efficient materials this time around, offering up a lighter, slimmer design when compared to its predecessor. LG says that the new design should aid in the unboxing of this panel, also making the wall-mounting process that little bit easier as well.

The stand for the C2 is almost entire metal in design, offering up excellent stability but very little functionality. Of course, the C2 utilizes the same ultra-thin design that we saw on the C1, offering up similarly slim bezels for a truly immersive all-round visual experience.

By contrast, the LG 48GQ900 also looks to offer a stylish design that is characterized by thin bezels and a slim side profile. The stand features the age-old ‘V’ shape that we’ve become accustomed to, however, functionality and adjustments are yet to be known. Unlike the C2, the LG 48GQ900 will not feature the same glossy coating – instead opting for an AGLR panel that is similar to more generic gaming monitors of today.

Some RGB can be seen on the marketing shots for the LG 48GQ900, with an LG logo illuminated in the centre at the rear of the panel. Additional RGB can be found down the sides of the monitor, finishing the look of this panel nicely.

LG C2 Vs 48GQ900: which should you buy?

So, LG C2 vs 48GQ900? Which should you choose? Well, that really all comes down to what you need from your next display.

Of course, the LG C2 offers up a much better visual experience when it comes to entertainment consumption – especially TV shows and films. That said, while it is unknown at this early stage, the chances are, the gaming monitor will offer better gaming-tailored features which will result in a better gaming experience.

Ultimately, if you want an all out gaming monitor and you don’t really care for entertainment, the LG 48GQ900 is probably the one to go for. However, if you’re looking for a new display that offers excellent versatility for both gaming and content consumption, it’s hard to beat the LG C2 series.