Review: LG OLED C5 Pro (OLED65C5ELB)

The LG OLED C5 Pro is a TV model that many of us had not heard of until recently. The reason this model has flown under the radar is that it has not been promoted and marketed like the other B5, C5 and G5 models in LG’s range – until now.

The Pro model, or ‘C5E’ as it is also known, is a special edition that is only available in a few places. It sits between the standard C5 model and the more expensive top-of-the-range G5 in the hierarchy. For just a little more, you reportedly get higher brightness than the standard version. But how much more do you actually get for your money – and does that mean you can get one step closer to the spectacular image quality of the high-end G5?

Design and build quality

From the outside, the OLED C5 Pro looks very similar to the regular C5. It has the same slim design and the same centre-mounted stand. The only difference is that the Pro model has a brown colour on the stand and chassis (LG calls it ‘Umber Brown’), while the regular C5 is silver. The C5 Pro also comes in the same screen sizes as the C5, with one exception, as the largest 83-inch model is missing.

Usability and features

When we unpacked our test model of the LG OLED C5 Pro, we got a little surprise: the Pro model comes with the classic Magic Remote and not the latest type used by the regular C5 and many other LG models this year. It seems like a slightly strange choice for a model that markets itself as ‘more professional’?

However, LG has informed L&B Tech Reviews that they are in the process of resolving this remote control issue. Those who purchase an OLED C5 Pro will therefore receive the new remote control, and those who have already purchased a C5 Pro are asked to contact the store or LG’s customer service to have a new remote control sent to them.

For the record, we can mention that both remote controls have been updated with the new AI assist button in the middle, so the functionality is roughly the same.

When it comes to the actual user experience, we are also in familiar territory here: the WebOS 25 operating system is the same as on the other 2025 models, with the option of user profiles and support for all major streaming services.

On the connectivity side, you get four HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K/120 Hz, lightning-fast game mode and all types of VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) – making the TV extremely suitable for gaming. LG’s Game Optimiser menu has plenty of useful settings for gamers.

The TV also supports Dolby Vision (including Filmmaker Mode) and Dolby Atmos, but as usual, HDR10+ and DTS audio are conspicuous by their absence.

Picture quality

So, to the main point: How does the OLED C5 Pro compare to both the C5 and G5? Firstly, in terms of hardware, the Pro uses exactly the same display panel as the C5. It is not an advanced hybrid model, nor has LG chosen to use the MLA panel from last year’s G4 on this one. So it’s no surprise that the image quality is very close to the standard version of the C5.

LG itself says that the brightness should be slightly higher than a standard C5, but is somewhat cryptic in the way it is stated. While the C5 should deliver approximately 150 per cent higher brightness than a standard B5 OLED, the C5 Pro delivers 165 per cent.

And the C5 Pro does indeed deliver a slight boost in brightness – we measured around 200 nits more than the standard C5 (around 1,400 nits versus 1,200 nits in a 10 per cent window). This makes a noticeable difference in high-brightness HDR effects, such as explosions, sunlight and reflections, where our eyes are immediately drawn to the C5 Pro.

The C5 Pro also has marginally higher brightness in SDR mode. But the difference is far from dramatic, and in most scenes the image looks almost identical to the standard C5, just a little brighter. But it’s worth keeping in mind if you watch a lot of TV in daylight.

The G5 is still a class above

When we compare it to the OLED G5, however, the difference becomes much more apparent. The flagship model uses the latest and most advanced RGB Tandem Layer panel, which provides significantly higher brightness in both white and colours – and a more nuanced and contrast-rich image in both HDR and SDR. Here, the G5 really pulls ahead compared to the C5 Pro.

The colour reproduction is excellent, and both screens have a very accurate and nuanced colour palette. It is primarily on HDR material that the G5 makes a noticeable difference with increased dynamics and breadth in colour nuances. But the G5 can also benefit from slightly higher brightness in regular SDR material with a lot of white, such as black-and-white films and winter sports.

The colour reproduction on the C5 Pro is still impressive with rich and nuanced tones and perfect black levels thanks to OLED technology. However, the C5 Pro cannot match the extra punch that the G5 shows in demanding HDR scenes.

Sound

The sound system is identical to the regular C5: 2.2 channels with 40 watts of output power. The sound is clearly above average, but it doesn’t quite match its big brother, the G5, which has an even stronger, more dynamic sound and, in particular, deeper bass. However, neither of these can compare to the sound experience you can get from a separate soundbar, which should be a given if you want the sound quality to match the good picture.

Conclusion

The LG OLED C5 Pro offers a small but measurable improvement in brightness compared to the C5. For a little extra, you can enjoy the same sparkling picture quality, only with a little more light on HDR content, and in sunny living rooms you can actually benefit from the extra brightness. However, the difference is not night and day, nor is it something existing C5 owners need to worry about.

For us, it was a slight minus that the C5 Pro only comes with the ‘old’ remote control, but since LG has now taken steps to supply a new remote control, you are free to choose. Since the C5 is already one of our absolute favourites, we can confidently recommend the Pro version as well! All in all, this is a brilliant OLED TV. But if you want the very best LG has to offer, the OLED G5 is still a step up.