I can recall so many times when I tried to set up a TV after moving, only to be frustrated by dealing with so many wires. At the time, I imagined what it would be like if we could make our TVs wireless with Bluetooth, WiFi or some other cutting-edge technology.
Thankfully, that's exactly what LG has achieved with their M3 OLED TV.
The M3 is the Korean company's brand-new offering in the high-end TV segment, succeeding the G3 series. The new M3 Model is as close to a wireless setup as existing technology allows, meaning no more cables and a convenient viewing experience.
At 77 inches wide, the M3 is the most affordable and smallest of the high-end series. The other options in the range include the 83-inch and 97-inch versions, which are also priced higher.
Now, you must have several burning questions about the M3. Is it worth the crazy price tag? How good is the gaming performance? Does it hold up against other models in the same price range? We'll address these questions in more depth in this review of M3.
What's New About the LG M3?
Many people were excited when LG decided to bring the model to the market after debuting it at CES. And we were, too. Let's look at some of these features and how they work in practice.
The LG M3 Wireless System
When I first heard of a wireless TV, I was unsure of its concept. I had many questions about the power supply, HDMI connectivity, and how the model would function.
Towards that end, the M3 leverages a Zero Connect Box. This unit has all the inputs and outputs a traditional TV would have on its body. As a result, the TV itself is extremely thin and has that premium look you'd expect from a system in the given price range.
On the back of the Zero Connect Box, you'll find three HDMI ports, two USB ports, an RS-232C line, an Optical Digital Audio Outline, an IR Blaster, a LAN port, a Cable / Antenna in, and the Power (AC) port, which you'll have to connect to a socket.
The manual suggests connecting the box to the TV in three ways: directly in front, to the side, or underneath. However, you'll have to attach the Zero Connect Box to a power socket while placing it in the TV's line of sight.
The good news is that the Zero Connect Box can communicate with the TV from 30 feet.
But it'll have to be in an uninterrupted space, meaning the connection will be lost if a person or object stands in the line of sight even for 3-5 seconds. That's the tradeoff when it comes to going wireless, and it can be a hassle if you're dealing with a tight space.
Maximum Brightness
The LG M3 OLED TV is the brightest in its range, consisting of the Evo G3, C3, Samsung S95C, and Sony Bravia XR-65A95K. The M3 does give up a bit of the color, though, compared to the G3.
But the difference is almost impossible to notice with just your eyes. So, there's not much you're missing out on, even when you opt for the wireless system over the G3.
Low Latency Gaming
The LG M3 OLED TV offers only 14.1 Ms latency when measured in the input lag, which is great for a wireless system. Although, that might be the root cause of the delay in the first place.
With the Game Optimizer feature, you can reduce the latency to 10.5 ms, just a fraction of some of the best gaming TVs on the market, which have sub-10ms latency.
The M3 comes with all the expected features from a system at its price range - 4K video at 120Hz, Auto Low Latency Mode and a Variable Refresh Rate that maximizes your gaming experience.
Specifications
Here is a quick overview of the LG M3 OLED EVO TV’s specs:
Display Features:
As mentioned earlier, the M3 is the smallest in its family, but interestingly, it has its own unique features.
The 77-inch screen is the brightest of the three versions, with Brightness Booster Max technology. The screen resolution is 4K, at 3840 x 2160 pixels, with a 100 Hz native refresh rate.
Audio Features
The M3 features 60 W, downward-firing speakers supporting Dolby Atmos. LG has mentioned the system's ability to improve the audio using AI tech, which makes it more immersive.
This is somewhat true in practice, as you can hear everything clearly. However, the clarity comes at the cost of the extremes—meaning you won't get a very deep bass boost or smoothed-out highs in the 15KHz+ range.
Pros and Cons
Now, you know about the features and the new components of the LG M3 OLED TV. But what does it mean for you? Let's analyze some of the pros and cons of the TV, which will give you a better way to evaluate the system:
Pros
- Almost no cables are involved in the setup apart from the Zero Connect Box.
- The system is extremely thin, almost allowing it to blend in with the wall, and makes for an immersive viewing experience.
- The M3 has the brightest picture among its competitors, as it leverages Brightness Booster Max technology to beat others in the same price range and offer a crystal-clear display.
- Lastly, the low-latency gaming mode allows gamers to use wireless tech, especially with a response time of 0.1ms.
Cons
- Pairing Zero Connect Box can be difficult in the beginning, as you'll have to spend time aiming the antenna at the receiver.
- For consistent playback, there must be zero disruption between the box and the TV; otherwise, the picture freezes, and the system crashes.
- The M3 ships with WebOS 23, and no updates to WebOS 24 have been planned, meaning you might miss out on the latest features and upgrades.
Conclusion: Is it Worth the Upgrade?
So, is the M3 really worth all the extra money? Here's how you can find out for yourself.
First, consider whether your living room is big enough to accommodate the entire setup, including the Zero Connect Box. Ensuring that no one interrupts the wireless signal can be a significant challenge—and an annoying one to put up with in the long run.
Of course, you could position the box at a higher level, but it might not be worth all the extra effort. While it provides a reasonably bright picture and is at par in terms of performance with its peers, the audio leaves something to be desired. If you're attentive, you can hear the treble sizzle, and the bass isn't as deep as one would expect from a $5,000 TV either.
But, if you have the space to arrange the setup, then the M3 can be a great long-term investment, with LG providing a guaranteed five-year warranty on the product.
