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)

First impressions of the unit itself jump to the impressive physical stature—its sheer size and remarkably slim profile make it feel like a glimpse into the next generation of home entertainment. The mounting approach, with the “One Wall Design,” makes it feel more like art than an appliance: the fine gap between the screen and the wall blurs the boundaries between technology and décor. Being able to swap to a digital art display when it’s not actively used is a nice touch—particularly well-suited for a space-conscious, style-oriented setup.

When the screen’s powered on, it’s the extraordinary self-lit OLED pixels that steal the show—over eight million of them, all individually controlled. The perfect black levels are mesmerizing; with Brightness Booster Max amplifying each individual pixel, scenes have depth and punch even in rooms flooded with ambient light. What’s particularly notable is the verification for Discomfort Glare Free operation, something you don’t often see touted, but which makes a significant difference for marathon viewing sessions. Colors are vivid yet nuanced, resolution is impeccably sharp thanks to the Alpha 11 AI Processor Gen2, and the AI Upscaling really seems to refine even lower-resolution sources—although the difference, as expected, is more noticeable with higher-quality inputs.

Audio is another surprise. Dolby Atmos integration, supported by Wow Orchestra, enriches what could otherwise be a thin sound for the panel’s size. The acoustic virtualization really does give a sense of height and space—dialogue is clear, effects crisp, and even ambient sounds are more immersive than you’d expect from a display that prioritizes thinness. For purists, FILMMAKER MODE ensures you’re seeing content as the director intended, which is rare in many mass-market televisions.

Gaming support deserves its own mention. Multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, and rapid VRR handling combine to make this as future-proof as possible for current-gen consoles and high-performance PCs. The 0.1ms response time and 120Hz refresh rate make action feel instantaneous, and the Game Dashboard makes adjustments simple mid-game.

LG’s webOS platform is slickly executed this year, with the AI Search and Quick Cards being more than just gimmicks—they actually streamline getting to what you want quickly. The promise of 5 years of updates with Re:New is reassuring, as is the 350+ built-in channels. Built-in Alexa is a useful convenience, though not essential if you’re already invested in Google or Apple’s ecosystems.

Considering features, build, and sheer technical sophistication, the investment feels proportional. The warranty—especially the 5 years on the panel—instills confidence, considering OLED technology’s sensitivity to burn-in concerns, though LG’s protective measures are now industry-leading.

Of course, the price is significant, and the physical process of mounting something this large in a wall is non-trivial. But once installed and calibrated, the visual performance, smart capabilities, and design finesse all coalesce into something truly special. If the focus is on a theater-like home experience and you’re willing to invest for cutting-edge picture, sound, and intelligent design, this delivers in virtually every respect.