42 ”LG OLED Flex LX3: the curvature is variable, the quality remains that of the C2

LG OLED Flex LX3: do not call it a monitor, because it is in all respects a TV that winks at the most passionate gamers thanks to the variable curvature of the display. We could also define it a 42-inch C2 with variable curvature (and basically it is so), but by analyzing it carefully one realizes the lots of attention and goodies designed just for gamers.

At the moment no definitive specimens are yet available to be tested, so LG invited us to its showroom and allowed us to test for a few hours a pre-series specimen (of the ones we had already had the opportunity to see during the ‘IFA 2022 in Berlin).

Let’s start by saying that in a flat position and from a front view, the new LX3 might look like a normal OLED TV. Moving instead, from the side you realize how much the size is different: not so much for the panel itself, which maintains its classic reduced thickness, as for the motorized arms that allow the “folding” of the display, the tilting anchor head to adjust any downward inclination (up to 10 ° ) or up (up to 5 °) of the screen and finally the voluminous rear column bracket which allows you to adjust the height of the screen (up to 140mm) and includes electronics, power supply, connections and even the RGB LED lighting strips arranged in a sort of X.

Speaking of these rear LEDs, you can set your favorite color and even make them “pulsate” in sync with the audio-visual reproduction. Are available 5 operating presetsbut it should be noted that the involvement and experience are not comparable to those of the excellent Philips “Ambilights” (also because the arrangement is totally different).

On the connections front we find all the inputs and outputs already present on the 42-inch C2: 4 HDMI 2.1 ports at full bandwidth of 48 Gbps and therefore compatible 4K Ultra HD up to 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate even in proprietary versions AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, Auto Low Latency Mode, eARC on port 2 and, of course, full HDR support in the various versions HDR10, HLG (for TV channels), HGIG (for gaming) e Dolby Vision also in the versions IQ, Precision Detail and up to 120Hz refresh rate.

There is also a digital audio output, a headphone output and terrestrial and satellite antenna connectors with tuners DVB-T2 and DVB-S2 with all the latest relevant certifications and also interactive services HbbTV and the CI + CAM slot. For network connections we have the port Ethernet LAN (up to 100 Mbps), but also Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 and of course Miracast, Apple AirPlay 2, HomeKit, WiSA wireless audio transmission and Google and Amazon Alexa voice assistants are also supported.

With regard to the USB ports, here something changes with respect to the C2. To begin with we find 4 doors and the solution is meant to work like a real hub which allows you to connect peripherals (such as mouse, keyboard or headphones) and decide whether to use them paired with the TV itself or instead with the PC or console. All can be recalled from a side button and can be easily modified from the OSD interface “Switching Hub”. Interestingly, even the microphone integrated into the TV can also be associated with the PC or the connected console.

Already from all these features, you will have understood that the processor also remains the same present on the C2 and G2 series. That is the very latest SoC Alpha9 Gen5 that we have already had the opportunity to appreciate on the occasion of the review of the 42-inch C2.

Coming to the panel, curvature aside, the characteristics remain exactly those of the C2. This is therefore a OLED WRGB 4K Ultra HD 10 bit of the latest generation, always devoid of Brightness Booster (due to the higher pixel density of the smaller diagonal, which does not allow this generation of panels to let more light through). Also in this case there is no dissipation platewhile to further facilitate gaming sessions, this panel is equipped with an anti-reflective coating which promises to contain 25% of environmental reflections compared to LG’s “classic” OLED TVs.

Turning to use, the new OLED Flex is fully controllable via the usual “Magic Remote” remote control with screen pointer. Remote control substantially identical to that of real TVs, were it not for the button dedicated to the curvature control. Curvature that can be set through presets (up to a maximum of 3) or finely adjusted from 0 (flat) up to 900 R (maximum curvature) in 5% steps.

In short, it is really possible to optimize the curvature according to your tastes and the servo-controlled mechanism is the result always extremely smooth and silent in reaching the chosen setting. Always dedicated exclusively to the LX3, in the “Game Optimizer” pop-up menu there is the item “Screen Size” that allows you to simulate a 32-inch or 27-inch screen for ultra close and hyper competitive play sessions.

But how is the quality of vision compared to the “brother” C2 of the same diagonal? Do you give up something in curve mode? Honestly no. The performances (excellent!) Are absolutely comparable and it is really impossible to feel differences both when watching movies or TV series through the integrated apps (also the webOS smart TV is identical to that of actual TVs) and this both in SDR, both in HDR10 / Dolby Vision / HLG, and during gaming sessions. From this point of view we are, in all respects, facing a 42-inch C2.

Being a pre-production specimen, the managers of LG Italia asked us not to make any measurements (also because the specimen had also been “mistreated” during the IFA, so we perfectly understand the fears), but we still managed to rip a quick grayscale and luminance peak measurement in HDR. Well, if the premises are these, we can rest assured: the rigor and performance are instrumentally those found with the C2 under test and this despite the anti-reflection coating (which we feared could affect the luminance peak).

In the end, another aspect in favor of the LX3 is certainly the audio sector, which can count on more full-bodied speakers with a declared power of 40W and processing that allows you to simulate a 7.1.2 channel audio configuration (Virtual Surround). It is highly likely that those who want to play will wear gaming headphones, but knowing that to watch a movie or a TV series you can also rely on an audio system with an above average performance (for a 42-inch), it will certainly please.

The arrival of the new on the Italian market 42-inch LG OLED Flex LX3 is expected shortly before the Christmas period at a list price of 2,999 Euros, which is about 3 times the figure currently required for a 42-inch C2. Is the difference totally justified? If I had to answer rationally, I would feel like saying no.

However, we are faced with an absolute novelty, currently exclusive, which is still produced in limited quantities and any technological “early adopter” knows well how much all these factors have a price! One thing is certain: it is not a rip off, it works very well and guarantees high performance.