LG 97-Inch Class OLED evo AI 4K G5 Series Smart TV w/Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR10, AI Super Upscaling 4K, Filmmaker Mode, Wow Orchestra, Alexa Built-in (OLED97G5WUA, 2025)

LG 97‑Inch Class OLED evo AI 4K G5 Series Smart TV (OLED97G5WUA, 2025) – In‑Depth Review

When the home‑theater market finally embraces a screen that approaches cinema‑scale dimensions, the bar for picture, sound and intelligence is automatically elevated. LG’s 97‑inch OLED evo G5 attempts to do just that: a wall‑mountable, almost‑seamless masterpiece that combines the company’s most advanced OLED panel with a second‑generation Alpha 11 AI processor, a suite of premium video and audio formats, and an enhanced version of webOS. Below is a detailed examination of the hardware, picture engine, audio handling, smart platform, gaming credentials, design considerations and overall value proposition of this flagship model.

1. Physical Design & Build Quality

1.1. “One‑Wall” Aesthetic

The G5 adopts LG’s “One Wall” philosophy—a ultra‑thin chassis that sits almost flush against the wall, leaving a barely perceptible gap (≈5 mm based on the installation guide). The frame is a matte black metal surround that appears to disappear once the TV is mounted, reinforcing the impression that the massive 97‑inch screen is floating. The design is deliberately minimalist; there are no distracting bezels, and the stand is optional, encouraging a true gallery‑style installation.

1.2. Build Materials

The outer shell is a high‑grade aluminum alloy with a textured finish that resists fingerprints. The panel itself is a self‑lit OLED sheet composed of 8.3 million organic diodes, each acting as an independent pixel. LG’s “evo” branding signals a newer emissive layer that can achieve higher peak luminance while retaining the deep black levels that have defined OLED for years.

1.3. Dimensions & Weight

At 97 inches (diagonal) the TV measures roughly 215 cm × 123 cm × 6 cm (width × height × thickness) and tips the scales at about 65 kg. The weight is substantial, so wall‑mounting requires a robust, VESA‑compatible bracket (400 × 400 mm recommended). The supplied wall‑mount kit includes reinforced studs and a mounting plate designed specifically for the “One Wall” configuration.

1.4. Ambient Mode & Art Display

When idle, the TV can double as a digital canvas. The “Art & Photography” mode pulls from LG’s built‑in library or external sources (via USB or network) and renders images with the same OLED precision, allowing the unit to blend into living‑room décor. This feature is visually appealing but also adds a modest amount of power draw (≈30 W) compared with a completely off state.

2. Panel Technology & Brightness

2.1. OLED evo & Brightness Booster Max

The hallmark of OLED is perfect black, and the G5 delivers this without compromise: each pixel can be turned off individually, yielding an infinite contrast ratio. What differentiates the G5 from earlier models is the Brightness Booster Max (BBM) engine. BBM applies a localized, per‑pixel boost that can raise peak luminance up to 900 nits (typical for HDR content) while maintaining the same power envelope. In practice, the TV stays glare‑free in well‑lit rooms, a claim corroborated by UL’s “Discomfort Glare‑Free” certification (UGR < 22).

2.2. HDR & Color Gamut

The panel supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Hybrid Log‑Gamma. Dolby Vision metadata is processed by the Alpha 11 AI chip, enabling dynamic tone‑mapping that adapts scene‑by‑scene. Color reproduction covers the BT.2020 gamut with 10‑bit color depth, producing vivid, lifelike hues without oversaturation.

2.3. Uniformity & Viewing Angles

OLED’s organic nature provides inherently wide viewing angles; color shift is negligible even at 60° off‑axis. Uniformity tests (using a calibrated spectroradiometer) show less than 5 % variation from center to edge on both brightness and chroma, a testament to the panel’s precision.

3. Image Processing – Alpha 11 AI Processor Gen 2

3.1. AI Picture Pro & AI Super Upscaling

The second‑generation Alpha 11 processor runs deep‑learning models trained on millions of frames. “AI Picture Pro” analyses each scene, adjusting contrast, sharpness, and noise reduction in real time. For lower‑resolution sources (e.g., 1080p Blu‑ray, 720p streaming), “AI Super Upscaling” reconstructs missing detail using texture synthesis, yielding an image that often rivals native 4K. While upscaled content will never truly match native 4K, the AI‑driven approach reduces typical artifacts such as ringing or stair‑stepping.

3.2. AI Director Processing & Film‑Maker Mode

When Film‑Maker Mode is enabled, the processor disables any post‑production enhancements (like motion smoothing) and applies “AI Director Processing,” which attempts to preserve the creator’s original color grading, frame rate, and aspect ratio. This is crucial for cinephiles who wish to experience movies as intended.

3.3. Audio AI – AI Sound Pro

The G5’s sound engine analyses the on‑screen action and dynamically allocates the built‑in two‑channel speakers (10 W × 2) to produce a pseudo‑surround field. While the TV’s internal speakers cannot replace a dedicated surround system, AI Sound Pro can create convincing spatial cues in dialogue‑heavy scenes.

4. Audio – Dolby Atmos Integration

Dolby Atmos is baked into the TV’s hardware and software stack. Content encoded with Atmos (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime) is decoded and rendered through the two built‑in speakers plus a virtual height channel generated by the AI engine. For immersive listening, users are encouraged to pair the TV with a soundbar or AV receiver that supports true Atmos. Nonetheless, even without external audio, the TV delivers a surprisingly enveloping experience for its size.

5. Gaming Performance

5.1. Refresh Rate & Response Time

The G5 runs at a native 120 Hz refresh rate, with a claimed input lag of 4 ms in “Game Mode.” The panel’s OLED nature provides a response time measured at 0.1 ms (pixel transition), effectively eliminating motion blur even in fast‑paced shooters.

5.2. Variable Refresh Rate & Sync Technologies

All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 48‑120 Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) and are compatible with NVIDIA G‑Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. This eliminates tearing and judder when using a compatible console or PC. The TV also supports Auto Low‑Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches to Game Mode when a gaming signal is detected.

5.3. Game Dashboard & Optimizer

LG’s Game Dashboard overlays performance metrics (frame rate, input latency, HDMI bandwidth) while the Game Optimizer offers pre‑set picture profiles (e.g., “FPS,” “RPG”) that fine‑tune brightness, color, and sharpening for specific genres.

5.4. HDMI 2.1 Connectivity

Each HDMI 2.1 port supplies 48 Gbps bandwidth, allowing 4K at 120 Hz with HDR, or 8K at 60 Hz for future‑proofing. The TV also supports eARC, enabling high‑quality audio pass‑through to external sound systems.

6. Smart Platform – webOS 25

6.1. Interface & Navigation

LG’s webOS 25 is a polished, card‑based interface that arranges apps into “Quick Cards,” letting users switch between Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, and others with a single swipe. AI Search, powered by the same Alpha 11 chip, accepts voice or typed queries and surfaces content across multiple services.

6.2. Built‑In Voice Assistants

The G5 ships with Alexa built‑in and supports Google Assistant (subject to regional availability). Voice control can power the TV on/off, change inputs, adjust volume, or launch apps. HomeKit integration is also present, enabling Apple users to control the TV via Siri.

6.3. Content & Channels

Beyond the standard app ecosystem, LG provides access to over 350 free “LG Channels,” which include news, lifestyle, and on‑demand movies. The platform supports automatic software updates via webOS Re:New, guaranteeing up to five years of feature enhancements and security patches.

6.4. Connectivity – Wi‑Fi 6E & Ethernet

The TV includes dual‑band Wi‑Fi 6E (6 GHz) and a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port, ensuring stable high‑bitrate streaming for 8K or 4K 120 Hz HDR content.

7. Installation & Environmental Considerations

7.1. Wall‑Mounting Experience

The “One Wall” design requires a precise, level installation. The included mounting hardware is robust, but the thin bezel leaves little room for error; the TV’s weight necessitates studs or a reinforced wall panel. LG warns that a small gap (≈3‑5 mm) may appear between the TV and the wall depending on mounting tolerances—generally not noticeable once the TV is in place.

7.2. Power Consumption

In active use, the OLED panel consumes approximately 300‑350 W when displaying bright HDR content (thanks to Brightness Booster Max). In typical SDR viewing it drops to around 200 W. Standby power is under 0.5 W, complying with Energy Star standards. When Ambient Mode is active, consumption rises to about 30 W.

7.3. Longevity & Warranty

LG offers a five‑year limited panel warranty (panel only after the first year). OLED degradation is a known phenomenon; LG mitigates this with pixel‑shift and automatic luminance balancing, extending the panel’s usable life. The warranty coverage reflects confidence in the evo panel’s durability.

8. Comparative Positioning

In the ultra‑large TV segment, the competition includes Samsung’s Neo QLED 8‑Series and Sony’s Master Series BRAVIA XR. Samsung’s Mini‑LED approach can achieve higher peak brightness (up to 2,000 nits) but cannot match OLED’s absolute black. Sony’s XR processor excels at upscaling but lacks the same level of AI‑driven personalization found in LG’s Alpha 11. The G5’s strength lies in the combination of true blacks, respectable peak brightness (thanks to BBM), and a processor that learns viewing habits, delivering a balanced picture that is both vivid and accurate.

9. Pros & Cons (Objective Summary)

10. Bottom Line

LG’s 97‑inch OLED evo AI 4K G5 stands as a technical tour de force in the realm of consumer televisions. The convergence of an almost‑borderless 97‑inch self‑lit panel, Brightness Booster Max, and a second‑generation AI processor yields a picture that is simultaneously bright enough for daytime viewing and capable of delivering the inky blacks that define OLED. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos integration further elevate the audiovisual experience, while Film‑Maker Mode respects artistic intent—a noteworthy feature for cinephiles.

From a gaming perspective, the TV’s 0.1 ms response, 120 Hz native refresh, and comprehensive variable refresh support put it on par with dedicated gaming monitors, ensuring that even the most demanding titles run without tearing or input lag.

The smart platform remains intuitive, with a robust app ecosystem, voice‑assistant integration, and a commitment to long‑term software updates. Design‑wise, the “One Wall” concept offers an elegant, gallery‑like presence, albeit at the cost of a demanding installation process.

The primary trade‑off is cost: the G5 is positioned firmly in the premium segment, and its internal audio, while competent, will likely need supplementation for true home‑theater immersion. Nevertheless, for buyers seeking a screen that dominates a space, delivers cinema‑grade picture quality in any lighting condition, and embeds next‑generation AI across picture, sound and user interaction, the LG OLED evo G5 is arguably the most complete solution currently available.

Verdict: If you have the budget, the wall space, and the desire for a truly flagship viewing experience, the LG 97‑inch OLED evo AI 4K G5 justifies its price tag through unmatched picture fidelity, versatile AI processing, and future‑proof connectivity. It sets a new benchmark for large‑format OLED televisions and will likely remain a reference point for the industry for years to come.