Video summary

LG G6 OLED Review: New Firmware Changes Everything

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

LG G6 OLED (2026, 65-inch) — with a strong focus on how firmware 43.10.69 changes HDR and Dolby Vision picture behavior compared to earlier software versions used by different review units.

Key features highlighted

Firmware-driven HDR fixes (43.10.69)

Addressing multiple reported issues:

  • HDR10 over-brightness
    • Corrects PQ tracking so the TV is no longer brighter than a Sony reference in mid scenes under <200 nits.
  • HDR Filmmaker Mode color
    • Restores dynamic color boosting (HDR10 vibrance returns).
    • Can cause slight red oversaturation (including flesh tones) in low-light scenes versus Sony BVM-HX3110.
  • Dolby Vision improvements
    • Reduced near-black posterization and near-black chrominance overshoot.
    • Dolby Vision is described as “watchable.”

Hardware upgrades vs last year’s LG G5

  • Native 10-bit gradation
    • Improved via Alpha 11 Gen3 / O26 SoC.
  • Reflection Free Premium anti-reflection coating
    • Better glare suppression without the heavy “greyed-out” look often associated with QD-OLED.
  • WOLED subpixel layout rearranged to RGWB
    • Improves PC/monitor text clarity (less fringing/blurriness).
  • Near-black dithering
    • Replaced older diagonal dithering with a finer microdot pattern, less visible (though not perfect).

Brightness / HDR performance claims & measurements

  • ~2500 nits on a 10% window (D65) in HDR Filmmaker Mode
  • ~440 nits full on (small windows up to ~3%)
  • Can exceed 3400 nits for small high-nit highlights (D65)
  • Tone mapping
    • Dynamic Tone Mapping overbrightens HDR10 in general
    • Recommended to disable to preserve creator intent
  • HDR format support
    • HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
    • No HDR10+
    • No Dolby Vision 2 (no consumer content currently)

Color gamut

  • DCI-P3: 99.5% (uv)
  • Rec.2020: 84%

SDR & processing

  • SDR Filmmaker Mode brightness
    • Default OLED Pixel Brightness 80 is too bright
    • Can exceed 500 nits at 10% window
    • Recommendation: reduce to mid-20s for dim rooms
  • SDR color accuracy
    • Strong out of the box
    • Only a handful of colors exceed delta error 3 on ColorChecker SG
  • Upscaling
    • Strong detail recovery
    • Compressed low-res broadcast can show ringing/fizziness
  • Processing concerns
    • Smooth Gradation may not be fully disabled in HDR Filmmaker Mode despite “off,” causing fine detail smudging (e.g., Avatar)
    • Text/dynamic edge enhancement remains mostly active across modes, except fully disabled in Game Optimizer

Motion

  • Real Cinema (default in Filmmaker Mode)
    • Correct 24fps playback via 5:5 pulldown
    • Reduces telecine judder
  • OLED fast response can make 24p mild stutter more noticeable
    • TruMotion is optional
  • Smooth Gradation
    • Helps reduce posterization in low bitrate
    • Higher settings can look overprocessed
    • Recommended: Low

Gaming experience (major points)

HDMI 2.1

  • 4 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports (48 Gbps) + DSC 24 Gbps

Input lag

  • 13 ms @ 60fps in Game Optimizer
  • 9.2 ms with Boost Mode
  • 4.8 ms @ 120fps (positioned among the most responsive)

PC refresh support

  • Up to 165Hz via Game Optimizer “165Hz Mode”
  • Trade-offs at 165Hz Mode:
    • Native 10-bit gradation noticeably worse (black crush observed on grey ramp)
    • Chroma resolution slightly worse
    • Recommendation: prefer up to 120Hz if image fidelity matters

Dolby Vision gaming

  • LG supports 4K 120Hz Dolby Vision on Xbox Series X
  • However, Dolby Vision Game Optimizer is said to be brighter than ST.2084 reference
  • Reviewer preference:
    • Turn off Dolby Vision for gaming
    • Use HDR10 + HGiG instead

Firmware + Game Optimizer issues (as of review time)

  • After installing 43.10.69
    • HDR Game Optimizer EOTF tracking is somewhat brighter than reference
    • Required adjusting Tone Mapping Gain while maxing all three luminance sliders to hard-clip (simulate HGiG)
  • At publication time
    • Issues with HGiG tone-mapping and P3 red accuracy at 4K120+
    • LG stated a fix is coming

VRR

  • Smooth up to 4K HDR 165Hz
  • VRR flicker remains unavoidable on consumer OLEDs in some situations (especially static menus)

Sound / connectivity / smart TV notes

  • Built-in speakers: serviceable
    • Improved with AI Sound Pro (louder, wider soundstage, more convincing bass)
  • DTS audio support: absent (same as G5)
    • Attributed to limited platform adoption
  • Smart TV downside:
    • Must create/sign into an LG account to open streaming apps (Netflix/Disney+/YouTube)
    • Consent needed for data sent to LG servers outside the EEA (privacy irritation)

User experience / overall impression

  • Review outcomes are strongly affected by firmware variability
    • Earlier firmware differences led to inconsistent results across regions and retailers
  • With firmware 43.10.69, the reviewer frames the G6 as:
    • much more consistent and improved in HDR10, Dolby Vision near-black handling, and color management

Comparisons made

Against Sony mastering monitor

  • Comparisons against Sony BVM-HX3110
  • Main wins after 43.10.69
    • Correct PQ tracking
    • Less near-black artifacting
  • Remaining gaps
    • Dolby Vision still not as strong as HDR10 in dark gradation
    • Some diagonal scan-line-like artifacts persist

Against Samsung (same model year competitors)

  • Samsung S99H / S95H are said to deliver better overall picture quality currently due to:
    • cleaner near-black handling
    • less off-axis color tinting
    • more impactful HDR
  • Samsung trade-offs:
    • Polarizing design
    • Matte coating causing greyer blacks in bright rooms
    • No Dolby Vision support

Against LG G5

  • Reviewer rejects the claim that G5 is “better” overall:
    • G5 benefited from a year of firmware refinements
    • But G6 has fundamentally superior hardware
    • Newer firmware lets G6 catch up and then improve significantly

Pros (unique points mentioned)

  • 43.10.69 fixes HDR10 overbrightness and improves HDR10 accuracy vs reference
  • HDR Filmmaker Mode regains dynamic color boosting for HDR10 vibrance
  • Dolby Vision near-black artifacts greatly improved; now “genuinely watchable”
  • Hardware improvements over G5:
    • native 10-bit gradation
    • improved reflection suppression without QD-OLED-like greyed-out look
    • RGWB subpixel layout improves PC/text rendering
    • near-black dithering now less visible (microdot pattern)
  • Bright-room strength:
    • ~440 nits full on, ~2500 nits (10% window)
    • up to 3400+ for small highlights
  • Strong SDR color accuracy in Filmmaker Mode
  • Excellent gaming responsiveness:
    • as low as 4.8 ms @ 120fps
    • 4 full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports
  • VRR works well up to 4K HDR 165Hz
  • Good screen uniformity on sample (no banding/DSE on grey slides)
  • Strong upscaling

Cons (unique points mentioned)

  • Firmware-era inconsistency:
    • earlier units reportedly had different software versions, making results “all over the place”
  • Even with 43.10.69:
    • HDR Filmmaker Mode can show red oversaturation in low light vs Sony reference
    • Dolby Vision limitations remain:
      • native 10-bit gradation slightly worse than HDR10
      • persistent very-dark scene artifacts
      • faint black glow
    • Near-black dithering can fail on lower bitrate sources (flashing/macroblocking/luminance jumps)
  • HDR processing concerns:
    • Smooth Gradation may be effectively always-on in HDR Filmmaker Mode despite “off,” smudging fine details
  • SDR brightness default too high (manual reduction needed)
  • Gaming caveats:
    • 165Hz Mode reduces 10-bit gradation quality and chroma resolution; possible black crush
    • Dolby Vision gaming too bright vs reference; preferred HDR10 + HGiG approach
    • Game Optimizer issues (HGiG and P3 reds at 4K120+) as of publication
  • DTS missing
  • Smart TV requires an LG account to start streaming; involves privacy/data consent outside the EEA

Numerical highlights (as stated)

  • Firmware: 43.10.69
  • Brightness:
    • ~2500 nits (10% window, D65, HDR Filmmaker)
    • ~440 nits full-screen (up to ~3% windows discussed)
    • >3400 nits (small highlights, D65)
  • Input lag:
    • 13 ms @ 60fps
    • 9.2 ms (Boost Mode)
    • 4.8 ms @ 120fps
  • HDMI bandwidth:
    • 48 Gbps (4K120)
    • 24 Gbps DSC
  • PC refresh: up to 165Hz
  • Color:
    • DCI-P3 99.5% (uv)
    • Rec.2020 84%
    • SDR color error threshold: delta error 3
  • SDR brightness example:
    • >500 nits at 10% window with default OLED Pixel Brightness 80
  • Near-black tuning:
    • needed Near Black Detail = -1 to match Sony reference

Overall verdict / recommendation (as concluded)

  • Highly Recommended award for the LG G6 OLED, largely because:
    • firmware 43.10.69 meaningfully fixes major HDR and Dolby Vision issues
    • strong hardware upgrades (brightness, reflection handling, near-black improvements, RGWB layout)
    • excellent gaming responsiveness
  • However, the reviewer still places Samsung S99H / S95H slightly ahead overall picture quality in the current competitive landscape, due to:
    • cleaner near-black performance
    • less tinting off-axis
    • stronger HDR impact while noting Samsung’s drawbacks (design/matte blacks in bright rooms and no Dolby Vision).

Speaker / list of views

  • Single primary speaker/reviewer presenting all findings:
    • Firmware deep-dive (HDR10 / Dolby Vision / Filmmaker Mode behavior)
    • Hardware comparison vs G5
    • Measured testing vs Sony BVM-HX3110
    • Competition comparison vs Samsung S99H / S95H
    • Gaming and smart TV commentary

Original video