Samsung QLED Q80B vs. LG OLED C3: A Comprehensive Comparison

When choosing a premium television, two standout options in the mid-to-high-end market are the Samsung QLED Q80B and the LG OLED C3. Both TVs leverage cutting-edge display technologies, but they cater to different viewing preferences and environments. This article dives into the differences in picture quality, performance, cost, and target audience to help you decide which TV is the better choice for your needs.

Understanding the Technologies: QLED vs. OLED

Before comparing the two models, let’s briefly outline the core technologies behind them:

Samsung QLED Q80B (LCD-based QLED): QLED TVs use quantum dot technology layered over an LED backlight to enhance color vibrancy and brightness. The Q80B is a high-end QLED model with a full-array local dimming (FALD) backlight, which improves contrast by dynamically adjusting light zones.
LG OLED C3 (OLED): OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diodes, where each pixel emits its own light, allowing for perfect black levels and infinite contrast. The C3 is part of LG’s acclaimed OLED lineup, known for exceptional picture quality, especially in dark environments.

These fundamental differences in display technology drive the variations in performance, cost, and suitability for different use cases.

Picture Quality Comparison

Contrast and Black Levels

LG OLED C3: OLED technology shines here, offering perfect black levels and a near-infinite contrast ratio. Each pixel can turn off completely, eliminating light bleed and delivering deep, inky blacks. This makes the C3 ideal for cinematic experiences, especially in dimly lit rooms where shadow details and contrast are critical. For movies and TV shows with dark scenes, the C3 provides an immersive, theater-like experience.
Samsung Q80B: As an LCD-based QLED, the Q80B relies on its FALD backlight to achieve contrast. While it performs well for an LED TV, with good contrast and decent black uniformity, it cannot match the C3’s perfect blacks. Blooming (light halos around bright objects on dark backgrounds) can occur, particularly in high-contrast scenes, which slightly diminishes the experience in dark rooms.

Winner: LG C3 for its superior contrast and black levels, making it the go-to for movie enthusiasts and those who watch in darker settings.

Brightness

Samsung Q80B: QLED TVs are known for their brightness, and the Q80B excels in this area, capable of reaching higher peak brightness levels than the C3 in both SDR and HDR content. This makes it better suited for bright rooms where ambient light or sunlight is present, as it can combat glare effectively.
LG OLED C3: While the C3 has improved brightness over its predecessors (thanks to LG’s advancements in OLED technology), it still falls short of the Q80B’s peak brightness, particularly in full-screen scenarios. However, its excellent reflection handling helps maintain visibility in bright rooms, though it’s not as effective as the Q80B in extremely well-lit environments.

Winner: Samsung Q80B for its superior brightness, ideal for well-lit living rooms or spaces with large windows.

Color Performance

LG OLED C3: The C3 offers excellent color accuracy out of the box and a wider color gamut, delivering vibrant and lifelike colors, especially in HDR content. Its ability to render subtle color gradients enhances the realism of movies, sports, and games.
Samsung Q80B: The Q80B also delivers vibrant colors thanks to its quantum dot technology, which enhances color reproduction for rich, saturated hues. However, its color gamut is slightly narrower than the C3’s, and it may not achieve the same level of out-of-the-box accuracy.

Winner: LG C3 for its superior color accuracy and wider gamut, though the Q80B remains highly competitive.

Viewing Angles

LG OLED C3: OLEDs are renowned for their wide viewing angles, ensuring consistent color and contrast even when viewed from off-center positions. This makes the C3 perfect for group viewing or rooms where seating is spread out.
Samsung Q80B: The Q80B’s performance depends on its panel type. Smaller sizes (e.g., 55″ and 65″) use an IPS-like panel with decent viewing angles, while larger sizes (e.g., 85″) use a VA panel with narrower viewing angles, leading to color and contrast degradation when viewed off-axis.

Winner: LG C3 for its consistently wide viewing angles across all sizes, ideal for multi-person viewing setups.

Motion Handling and Gaming

LG OLED C3: The C3’s near-instantaneous response time results in minimal motion blur, making it excellent for fast-paced sports and gaming. It supports 4K/120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and G-Sync/FreeSync, ensuring smooth gameplay. Its superior motion handling gives it a slight edge for sports and action-packed content.
Samsung Q80B: The Q80B also supports 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, making it a strong gaming TV. However, its slower response time can lead to slight motion blur in fast-moving scenes, and its reflection handling is less effective than the C3’s, which may impact visibility in bright rooms.

Winner: LG C3 for its superior motion handling and gaming performance, particularly for competitive gamers and sports viewers.

Burn-In Risk

LG OLED C3: OLEDs are susceptible to burn-in if static images (e.g., channel logos, game HUDs) are displayed for extended periods. While LG has implemented anti-burn-in features like pixel shifting and screen savers, this remains a concern for heavy gamers or those watching news channels with static tickers.
Samsung Q80B: QLEDs are immune to burn-in, making the Q80B a safer choice for users who frequently display static content, such as PC monitors or news channels.

Winner: Samsung Q80B for its burn-in immunity, appealing to users concerned about long-term reliability.

Cost Comparison

Pricing for TVs can vary based on size, retailer, and promotions, but as of general market trends in 2025, here’s how the two models compare:

Samsung Q80B (65″): Typically priced around $1,000–$1,200 for the 65-inch model. The Q80B is a 2022 model, so it’s often available at a discount compared to newer QLEDs like the Q80C. Its lower price point makes it a budget-friendly option for a high-quality QLED.
LG OLED C3 (65″): Generally retails around $1,400–$1,600 for the 65-inch model. As a 2023 OLED model, it commands a premium due to its superior picture quality and OLED technology. However, prices have dropped since its launch, making it more accessible.

Winner: Samsung Q80B for its lower cost, offering strong performance for budget-conscious buyers. However, the C3’s price reflects its premium picture quality, so the value depends on your priorities.

Additional Considerations

Smart Features and Software

LG OLED C3: Runs on LG’s webOS, a user-friendly platform with a wide range of streaming apps, voice control, and support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. It’s intuitive and regularly updated.
Samsung Q80B: Uses Samsung’s Tizen OS, which is equally polished and supports a robust app ecosystem, including Samsung TV Plus for free content. It also offers voice control and smart home integration.

Winner: Tie. Both platforms are excellent, and the choice comes down to personal preference.

Sound Quality

Both TVs feature decent built-in speakers, but neither excels in audio quality compared to a dedicated soundbar or home theater system. The C3 supports Dolby Atmos, while the Q80B uses Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound (OTS) for immersive audio. For the best experience, pair either TV with external audio.

Winner: Tie. Audio performance is comparable, and external solutions are recommended for both.

Durability and Longevity

LG OLED C3: While OLEDs offer unmatched picture quality, their organic materials may degrade over time, potentially reducing brightness after several years. Burn-in risk is a factor, though mitigated by LG’s safeguards.
Samsung Q80B: QLEDs are more durable in terms of panel longevity and are immune to burn-in, making them a safer long-term investment for heavy use.

Winner: Samsung Q80B for its durability and burn-in resistance.

Final Verdict: Which TV Wins?

The LG OLED C3 is the superior choice for picture quality, offering perfect blacks, infinite contrast, wide viewing angles, and excellent motion handling. It’s the best option for movie enthusiasts, gamers, and those who watch in darker environments or want a cinematic experience. Its slightly higher cost is justified by its premium performance, particularly for HDR content and group viewing.

The Samsung QLED Q80B excels in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness and is a safer choice for users concerned about burn-in or those who display static content (e.g., news, PC use). It’s also more budget-friendly, making it appealing for buyers seeking strong performance at a lower price.

Target Audience

LG OLED C3: Ideal for home theater enthusiasts, gamers (especially competitive players), and households with group viewing setups or darker viewing environments. If you prioritize picture quality over everything else and can afford the premium, the C3 is for you.
Samsung QLED Q80B: Best for budget-conscious buyers, those with bright living rooms, or users who frequently watch content with static elements (e.g., news, sports tickers, or PC monitors). It’s a versatile, cost-effective option for mixed-use scenarios.

The Winner

The LG OLED C3 takes the crown for its unmatched picture quality, making it the better choice for most premium TV buyers. However, the Samsung Q80B is a strong contender if brightness, cost, or burn-in concerns are your top priorities. Choose based on your viewing environment and budget to find the perfect fit.

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