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LG TV model numbers: LG’s latest OLED, QNED and NanoCell TVs explained

In-Depth

Find out how to make sense of LG’s bewildering TV naming methods

Like just about every other TV manufacturer, LG has a penchant for labelling its televisions with long-winded model numbers comprised of what seem to be random numbers and letters.

The South Korean firm sells a huge range of televisions, but trying to tell them apart and work out the differences between them based on their model numbers is not a straightforward task.

Rather than proving enlightening, LG TV model numbers can be very confusing if you don’t know what to look for. That’s where we come in. This guide will help you make sense of LG’s tricky TV naming system and break down its entire lineup, from flagship OLEDs costing a small fortune to more affordable 4K LCD LED options.

With our help, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting if you decide that your next television is going to be an LG.

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What you need to know about LG’s 2023 TV lineup

LG 2023 TV lineup comprises various OLED models, a Mini LED flagship, a few edge-lit Quantum Dot NanoCell alternatives and a handful of basic LCD LED models. A full breakdown of the pricing for all available models can be found further down the page.

LG TVs 2023: What’s new?

While Sony and Samsung embraced Quantum Dot OLED technology in 2022 and incorporated it in their 2023 ranges, LG stuck to its guns and used WRGB OLED panels across its premium lineup.

Its flagship 4K OLED – the LG G3 – sees a big boost in brightness thanks to “Brightness Booster Max”, which uses Micro Lens Array technology in the panel. MLA was developed by panel supplier LG Display and uses the light-refracting properties of tiny lenses to boost light output to better compete against QD-OLED displays.

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The G3 also benefits from the latest iteration of LG’s most powerful processor, the α9 AI Processor Gen6. This is also found in the C3 and Z3 and enables a number of new picture processing technologies, including AI Super Upscaling, Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, Object Enhancer and HDR Expression Enhancer.

AI Super Upscaling optimises upscaling based on the genre and scene of content you’re watching, while Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro now maps brightness and colour to up to 20,000 blocks on the panel for far more precise mapping. Object Enhancer does what it says on the tin – boosting the sharpness of on-screen objects – with HDR Expression Enhancer allowing objects to be tone-mapped more effectively.

Those features may be exclusive to α9-powered sets, but the rest of the lineup isn’t short on improvements. Every OLED, QNED and UHD entry comes with “AI Blue Light Reduction” to deliver a more natural viewing experience, while the new webOS home screen makes new home screen for webOS groups content into easy-to-access categories to reduce the amount of time you spend scrolling.

WebOS 23 features various other updates to further strengthen its position as one of our favourite TV smart platforms. You’re now about to create up to ten user profiles, there’s a new quick settings menu for accessing key functionality, a dynamic sports alert service, the ability to display two HDMI sources on screen simultaneously and even an option letting you personalise your picture using deep learning.

Audio on LG’s flagship TVs gets an upgrade too, with the top models now able to support 9.1.2 virtual channels and a couple of handy new technologies: Auto Balance Control, which optimises audio based on how the human brain processes sonic information, and AI Clear Sound, another optimisation algorithm that takes into account ambient settings and content types.

LG TVs 2023: Breaking down the model numbers

LG’s model numbers may look daunting at first glance, but they’re actually relatively easy to decipher once you know what each of the component parts refers to.

OLEDs are handled slightly differently from the rest of LG’s range so let’s look at those first. Taking the OLED83C34LA as our example, the model number can be broken down into five parts:

OLED: This indicates that the TV uses an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) panel.

83: The two digits following the OLED panel type illustrate the TV’s screen size. In this case, we’re looking at an 83in model.

C: The first letter of an OLED’s model number indicates the series to which the TV belongs. “Z” series OLEDs are the company’s most expensive, while the “A” series are entry-level options, though there’s no A series being released in the UK in 2023.

4LA: These additional numbers and letters are the least important. They indicate the sales region, the type of broadcast tuner and the type of stand the TV uses.

QNED and NanoCell model numbers take a different form but the general gist is the same. Let’s use the 75QNED826RE as our example:

75: Here, we get the screen size before the panel type, so this is a 75in model.

QNED: Next comes the panel type, which in this case is a Quantum NanoCell Emitting Diode (QNED) panel.

82: This reflects the series the TV belongs to. The higher the number, the more advanced (and expensive) the TV is.

6RE: The last section of the model number relates to the same things as it does on an OLED model, namely sales region (or sometimes a specific retailer), tuner type and stand type.

LG TVs 2023: The models

OLEDs

OLEDs typically make up a significant proportion of LG’s TV lineup and that remains the case in 2023. There’s no A series in the UK in 2023, but otherwise, the lineup looks very similar to 2022.

LG Z3 OLED: The Z3 is a premium 8K OLED powered by LG’s α9 Gen6 AI Processor 8K. It’s only available in 77in and 88in screen sizes, with the smaller option benefitting from MLA technology and the larger “Signature” model coming with a TV stand. Both have 120Hz refresh rates, 4.2-channel audio systems that support Dolby Atmos and a quartet of HDMI 2.1 ports.

LG G3 OLED: LG’s flagship 4K OLED, the G3, is powered by the 4K version of the α9 Gen6 chip and comes in a wider range of sizes than the Z3. There are 55in, 65in, 77in and 83in models available, all of which sport a “Zero Gap” design optimised for wall mounting as there’s no stand included in the box. The three smaller sizes get MLA technology to help deliver much higher peak brightness than 2022’s equivalent models and also enjoy various picture processing upgrades thanks to the advanced sixth-gen chip. powering them.

Read our full LG G3 review for more details

LG C3 OLED evo: The C series OLED saw new 42in and 48in models added in 2022 and both of those make a return in 2023, along with 55in, 65in, 77in and 83in options. Those smaller sets will be particularly appealing to gamers, though gaming provision is magnificent no matter which size you go for, with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support key gaming features such as ALLM, VRR and 4K@120Hz.

LG B3: The B3 is powered by LG’s less advanced α7 Gen6 AI Processor 4K and misses out on the additional brightness that comes with the evo panels used by the C3 and G3. However, it’s a more affordable entry point into the company’s OLED range and still has four HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz refresh rate panel and support for Dolby Atmos.

Quantum Dot Mini LEDs

If you decide an OLED isn’t for you, LG has plenty of options, including a QNED (Quantum NanoCell Emitting Diodes) lineup that makes use of a trio of panel technologies: Quantum Dot, Mini LED and NanoCell.

LG QNED91 (2022): The QNED91 uses a Mini LED backlight, is powered by the α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K, has a native 100Hz refresh rate and supports all key HDMI 2.1 gaming features.

LG QNED86 (2022): Another 2022 model that’s yet to see a 2023 update, the QNED86 features a Quantum Dot Nancocell panel with Mini LEDs and is powered by the same Alpha 7 chip as the QNED91 but uses a less advanced dimming technology: Precision Dimming rather than Precision Dimming Pro.

LGQNED82: The QNED82 is the first QNED on this list to have received an α7 sixth-gen processor upgrade. It’s only available in a 75in screen size and doesn’t use Mini LEDs but does have a Quantum Dot NanoCell panel, webOS 23, AI Super Upscaling 4K and AI Picture Pro technology.

LG QNED81: The QNED81 looks very similar to the QNED82 but is available in a much wider selection of screen sizes and uses a different style of stand. Those differences asides, the specs of the two sets are practically identical.

LCD LED

The other entries in the 2023 lineup use basic LCD LED panels and are the most affordable 4K options LG offers.

LG UR91: Available in five sizes and powered by the sixth-gen α5 AI Processor 4K, the UR91 supports 4K Upscaling, HDR10 and HLG, AI Sound Pro and nine picture modes, but its 50Hz refresh rate means it’s not the best choice for next-gen gamers.

LG UR81: The UR81 has the same processor as the more expensive UR91 but is direct-lit rather than edge-lit and lacks local dimming. It also has a different stand but its technical specs are very similar.

LG UR80: The UR80 is ostensibly the same TV as the UR81 but trades a central stand for feet at either end of the panel. The other difference sees the 86in model replaced with a 70in option.

LG UR78: LG’s entry-level UHD TV in 2023, the UR78 runs web0S 23, is powered by the sixth-gen α5 AI Processor 4K and has a native refresh rate of 50Hz. It doesn’t have as robust an audio setup on board as the rest of the UR range, with AI Sound limited to virtual 5.1 up-mixing rather than 5.1.2 up-mixing.

LG TVs: The 2022 models

If you don’t mind settling for an older version of the webOS operating system, and less impressive picture and audio performance, you can save yourself a fair amount of cash by opting for an older LG TV.

We’ve listed the various model numbers still available below and included links to the retailers stocking them.

OLEDs

LG G2

Read our LG G2 review

LG C2

Read our LG C2 review

LG B2

LG A2

NanoCell and LCD LEDs

NANO76

UQ91

UQ80

UQ75

Read more

In-Depth