LG OLEDC7P review

The LG C7 has the best image quality I've ever tested. It's an improvement on the previous champs, LG's OLED TVs from last year, the same as Sony's XBR-A1E and better than any LCD-based TVs I've seen, including Samsung's new QLED-based Q7 model.

It's also the cheapest 2017 OLED TV so far, with the exception of the B7, a nearly twin model which costs $50 less and is exclusive to club retailers like Costco and BJ's. And it has the same picture quality as more-expensive models like the E7, which I reviewed at the same time.

In other words, the C7 is the high-end TV to beat in 2017.

The only catch is that it's really expensive: as of June 12, 2017, the 55-incher costs $2,500 and the 65-incher costs $3,500. Before you dip into your retirement fund, you should know three things:

• It will get cheaper. If it follows the trajectory of last year's LG OLED TVs, the C7 will reach its lowest price point around Black Friday 2017. It's already dropped $1000 from its initial price, and more adventurous shoppers can find even lower prices at unauthorized online retailers.
• Last year's models are almost as good, and still available for a lot less. The C7 isn't that much better than 2016 models like the B6, which are still available for $1,500 $1000 less. 
• It's only available in 55- and 65-inch sizes. If you want a jumbo screen at 70 inches or more, you'll either need to pay five-figure prices for the 77-inch LG G6 or G7/W7, or opt for far cheaper LCD options.

Don't get me wrong, the C7 is still the favorite to end the year as my high-end TV pick. And if none of the issues above faze you, it's worth buying now. But it's worth even more to wait out its inevitable price drop(s), if you can. And if you can't wait till fall 2017 for the C7's price to come down, I don't think you'll regret buying a 2016 B6 now, before it completely sells out.

n the meantime, here's what I found out about the C7 in hands-on testing with the 55-inch size. As usual, I compared it side-by-side to competing models -- including LG's 65-inch E7 OLED TV, its 2016 OLED sets and a Samsung Q7 QLED TV -- in CNET's lab. This review also applies to the 65-inch C7.

Updated June 12 with new pricing information.

Editors' Note May 22: Since this review was originally published the Design score has been reduced from a 10 to a 9 due to the superior design of the recently reviewed Samsung Q7 series, bringing the overall score down from 8.8 to 8.7. The review has not otherwise been changed.

One gorgeous television:

The C7 is a beautiful study in minimalism. There's less than a half-inch of black frame around the picture itself to the top and sides, a bit more below, and -- in a momentous first among TVs I've reviewed -- no logo on the front of the TV at all.