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I spent a day in LG's Smart Cottage — is this the future of smart homes?

I spent a day in LG's Smart Cottage — is this the future of smart homes?

Tom's Guidea day ago
I may be a Homes Editor, but my home is far from smart. Stuck in the middle of a residential block in London, I'm constrained by outdated building materials, inefficient doors and windows, and the curse of a popcorn ceiling.
My sincere thanks to the former owner of my apartment for making that executive decision; your glossy, textured ceiling is the last thing I see before I go to sleep every night.
But recently, I was whisked away to South Korea by LG, and given the opportunity to see how smart homes really can be. LG's Smart Cottage is compact, streamlined, and... well, smart, from head to toe.
The Smart Cottage conjured up a vision of living off the grid, surrounded by the luxuries of LG's ThinQ-enabled appliances. They practically had to drag me out of the tiny house and back to Incheon airport.
I saw LG's Mono+, a single-story smart home measuring 10 meters wide, 3.3 meters deep and 4 meters tall. Its total size is 26.6 meters squared, and it makes the most of every inch.
LG already uses its Smart Cottage modular housing in its retreat in Gangwon Province, where employees can attend workshops and training events surrounded by LG appliances.
The cottage uses IoT devices, including smart locks, smart lights, CCTV, and motorized blinds to manage the home both remotely and on-site using the ThinQ app.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
My parents own an RV, and while it's ideal for going remote for a week at a time, it's not built for home comforts.
While the Smart Cottage isn't portable, it's ideal for setting down in a beauty spot and either renting out as a holiday space, or using as your own smart home haven.
The ThinQ app can also be used to control several LG appliances, including LG's WashTower Compact (which stacks a washer and dryer in one efficient machine) and the brand's ThinQ InstaView refrigerator.
The refrigerator allows you to knock on the door to see what's inside, and you can even change the color of the lights to match the mood of your music or decor.
We love an induction cooktop at Tom's Guide, so I was happy to see one in pride of place along the Smart Cottage's kitchen counters.
As someone who truly believes the kitchen is the heart of any home, I was impressed that the cooking space felt both space-efficient and generous without intruding too much on the living space in the cottage.
In the corner, there's a luxurious LG StandbyME television and a couch that comes with convertible cushions to also be used as a bed. And there's also a conveniently-placed air purifier next to the bed to keep your space free of the VOCs created in close proximity to the kitchen.
And while there wasn't much in the way of smart tech inside the bathroom, I did note that it was significantly nicer and larger than the one in my own apartment in London. Seriously, when can I move in?
While LG is working on plans to bring the Smart Cottage to the US and European markets (I'll be refreshing the page awaiting more information), it's currently being sold as a B2B offering in South Korea.
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LG G5 vs Samsung S95F: Which flagship OLED TV is the better pick?
LG G5 vs Samsung S95F: Which flagship OLED TV is the better pick?

Tom's Guide

time2 hours ago

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LG G5 vs Samsung S95F: Which flagship OLED TV is the better pick?

The LG G5 delivers an incredible picture with highlight brightness that rivals the Samsung S95F. Unlike the S95F, the G5 supports Dolby Vision. Keep in mind that the G5's stand is sold separately. With incredible QD-OLED performance and ample features, the Samsung S95F is one of the year's best TVs. Its most significant missing feature is Dolby Vision support. If you're ready to splash out on a flagship OLED TV, two heavy-hitters should be at the top of your list of candidates: the Samsung S95F and the LG G5. Each of these flagship models showcases the benefits of OLED technology: perfect black levels, ultra-wide viewing angles and razor-sharp detail. Not only that, they represent the best of what each brand offers in the OLED class. It's not easy choosing between two of the best OLED TVs money can buy, but I've got years of experience in this space, and I'm here to help. Here's how these sets stack up. LG G5 Samsung S95F Sizes 55", 65", 77", 83", 97" 55", 65", 77", 83" Ports 4x HDMI 2.1 4x HDMI 2.1 Resolution 3,840 x 2,160p 3,840 x 2,160p Refresh rate 165Hz 165Hz HDR Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Smart TV software webOS Tizen OS ATSC 3.0 support? No No Processor a11 AI Processor 4K Gen2 NQ4 AI Gen3 When their specs are lined up side by side, it's easy to clock just how similar these two TVs are. Both the G5 and the S95F come in 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch models. I don't imagine too many folks are reading this who are considering something bigger than 83 inches. But if you are, make note of the fact that only the G5 is available in a gargantuan 97-inch model. If you take gaming seriously, you'll be pleased to learn that each model offers a full suite of four high-bandwidth, HDMI 2.1-compatible ports. This is one of the advantages LG and Samsung flagships have over Sony flagships. One of the biggest differences between these sets has to do with enhanced HDR formats. Like all Samsung TVs currently on the market, the S95F does not support Dolby Vision. Instead, Samsung offers HDR10+, a royalty-free version of the format that works in a similar way. You'll still be able to watch Dolby Vision-mastered streaming titles and Blu-ray discs on the S95F, but the picture will fall back to standard HDR10. Simply put, the S95F won't be taking full advantage of Dolby Vision's efforts to replicate the creator's intent. Like all LG OLED TVs, the G5 supports Dolby Vision but leaves off HDR10+. For most viewers, this will be a better fit, as Dolby Vision is still the most popular of the two formats. To learn more about Dolby Vision, check out our guide to whether or not you need Dolby Vision at all. While they share many of the same specs, the design of these TVs couldn't be further apart. 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It still features the motion-activated controls that folks either love or hate, but LG ditched the remote's dedicated input button, which is a bummer. Samsung's Solar Cell remote also doesn't feature an input button, so regardless of which TV you go with, you'll be pulling up its menu to switch inputs on the fly. Each of these TVs will look great on the wall or on top of a credenza, but on the whole, the S95F is a better-designed TV due to its versatility. There's no denying that the G5 looks more elegant on the wall, but I imagine that more people will be expecting a stand with their next TV. Winner: Samsung S95F Before we dive into which of these TVs delivers better overall performance, let's take a look at how their test results stack up in a side-by-side comparison. LG G5 Samsung S95F SDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 465 267 Delta-E (lower is better) 1.9 1.2 HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 2,296 2,138 UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage 99.79% 99.97% Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage 82.42% 90.26% Input latency (milliseconds) 9.2 9.2 When comparing two TVs, one model is often far better than the other when it comes to picture quality. I won't lie to you: That isn't the case with the G5 and the S95F. Both sets benefit from OLED's pixel-level dimming in ways we've come to expect. And, since both TVs use souped-up OLED panels, they each deliver dazzling HDR highlights that eclipse the 2,000-nit mark. But the manner in which they hit this benchmark is different. The G5 uses LG Display's 4th-generation OLED panel, whose marvelous four-stack construction allows for better brightness than any LG Display-engineered OLED to date. The S95F harnesses the newest iteration of Samsung Display's quantum dot-enhanced OLED display. QD-OLEDs benefit not only from a brighter presentation than garden-variety WOLED panels, they offer brighter, purer colors, too. You can see evidence of this in their coverage of the Rec. 2020 color space, and rest assured, you'd see evidence of the color-based advantages in real life, too. When it comes to picture quality, the G5 and S95F are among the best TVs money can buy. On the other hand. while watching SDR content (like basic cable and most streaming content), the G5 offers a brighter overall picture. This might matter to you if you find yourself watching TV more often during the day. Both TVs arrive with incredible out-of-the-box accuracy in their respective Filmmaker modes, and both are super-responsive with input latency measurements that fall below 10ms. This category isn't as cut and dry as you might expect. When it comes to picture quality, the G5 and S95F are among the best TVs money can buy. You can make an argument for each as to which is the better performer. Winner: Draw Neither LG's webOS or Samsung's Tizen OS are my smart platform of choice (that honor is split between Roku and Google TV), but they're fine enough to use as daily drivers. Their app support is relatively robust, and each TV has enough processing power under the hood for the experience to be a snappy one. If you'd rather not splurge on one of the best streaming devices for your living room, these software suites will get the job done. The G5 and the S95F are among the strongest gaming machines on the market. As mentioned, each TV offers four HDMI 2.1 inputs, and both support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), G-Sync compatibility and a variation of AMD's FreeSync. Both TVs easily hit the 4K/120Hz cap of current-generation consoles like the Xbox Series X and the PS5 Pro, and if you want to link up a proper gaming rig, they'll each support 4K games at up to 165Hz. The most noteworthy missing feature on the S95F is Dolby Vision. Most people shopping in this price bracket have probably made peace with this, but it's a frequent sticking point among A/V enthusiasts. Without Dolby Vision in tow, the S95F is just a step behind the G5 when it comes to extra features. Winner: LG G5 LG G5 Samsung S95F Specs (25) 24 24 Design (25) 21 23 Performance (25) 25 25 Features (25) 25 23 Total Score (100) 95 95 It's a photo finish. If you're already committed to spending flagship-level prices, this decision ultimately comes down to two things: TV design and Dolby Vision support. The G5 looks better on a wall than the S95F thanks to its gap-free design. However, its screen won't handle direct glare nearly as well, and if you want to set it up on a credenza, you'll have to settle for a separately sold stand. The S95F comes with a stand, but although it diffuses glare better than most TVs, it does so at the expense of deeper black levels in dim to well-lit rooms. You might find that the richer black levels and glossy finish of the G5 is more suited to your taste. Setting aside these differences, if Dolby Vision support is non-negotiable, you're going to have to go with LG's flagship. And then there's pricing. The 65-inch LG G5 is $2,949 at Amazon, while the 65-inch Samsung S95F is currently $3,297. These TVs will always be pricey, but if you're looking to stretch your dollar as much as possible, I recommend keeping an eye on stock during major sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday.

Best Prime Day TV Deals: Enjoy New Experiences With Big Discounts on TVs From Samsung, TCL, LG and More
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Details Save $120 $340 at Amazon Close Samsung 98-inch Crystal UHD DU9000 TV: $1,850 This massive 98-inch Samsung TV is 54% off at Woot, dropping the cost to $1,850. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, object tracking sound lite, 4K upscaling and even a game bar to enhance the TV while you're gaming. Details Save $2,148 $1,850 at Woot Close Hisense 75-inch QD7 QLED Fire TV: $600 Knock 20% off this 75-inch 2025 TV with HDR10 Plus, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, a 144Hz refresh rate and the Fire TV platform. It also has Game Mode Pro for the gamers and comes with Alexa built in, as well as a voice remote for easy searching. With a screen this size and so many features, it's a solid choice for your entertainment hub. Details Save $200 $600 at Amazon Close More Prime Day TV deals Should I wait until Prime Day for deals on TVs? 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You Asked: Large OLED vs. Huge QLED? Biggest QD-OLED TVs?
You Asked: Large OLED vs. Huge QLED? Biggest QD-OLED TVs?

Digital Trends

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You Asked: Large OLED vs. Huge QLED? Biggest QD-OLED TVs?

On today's episode of You Asked: Is there ever a reason to not get the best OLED panel available? How much of an upgrade is the LG G5 over the G2? And is a 77-inch OLED enough, or do you need to go even bigger? Always buy the best OLED panel tech? @Kami84 says: You'd be a fool to buy anything other than QD-OLED or the new Tandem RGB OLED from LG due to the superior colors. Why buy old W-OLED technology when there's way better tech available, unless it's really cheap? Hey, I hear you loud and clear. As someone who's into cameras, I debate the same things. Why not go for what's future proof? But there are a number of reasons when it comes to TVs. One — and you touched on this — is price. At 65 inches, a lot of QD-OLED panels cost more than some people want to spend, especially if you're looking at the latest and greatest from Sony, LG, and Samsung. The Sony Bravia 8 Mark 2: $4,000 The Samsung S95F: $3,300 LG's G5: $3,400. Obviously, they can be a little less than that if they're on sale, but the point is, that's quite a bit of money for a lot of people. Even Sony's 2023 model, the Sony A95L, which has been on sale for a while, is still $2,900. Then there's size, which, believe it or not, gets overlooked. Once you go up from 55 or 65 inches, things get really expensive — easily north of four grand. Also, a number of TVs' best panels aren't offered in every size. Sony's QD-OLEDs are only sold up to a certain size. You can't get the Bravia 8 Mark 2 above 65 inches. The A95L only goes up to 77 inches. The same goes for Samsung. Their S95F and S90F only have the QD-OLED panels at 55, 65, or 77 inches. So if you wanted anything larger than that, guess what? W-OLED is the only option you've got — unless you go to LG. You can get their G5 at 83 inches with its Tandem RGB OLED panel for $6,500. See where I'm going here? If the 'lesser' OLED models weren't selling, they wouldn't be manufactured. There's clearly a market for them. LG's done really well in this department, offering the more budget-friendly B-series, the brighter but still mostly affordable C-series, and the high-end G-series with their best tech. Plus, if you're not looking at a W-OLED TV side-by-side with one of the better panels you mentioned, I'd argue that 99 percent of people — probably anyone but TV reviewers and hardcore enthusiasts — would say, 'That's a great looking TV.' I'd love to sit here and tell you that I'm filming this in 8K on a $6,500 Sony A1 flagship camera, but I'm not. It's 4K on an A7IV that costs about a third of the price. And we're doing OK. LG G2 vs G5: Is It a Big Upgrade? @luisd7636 asks: I have an LG G2. I wonder how much of an improvement the LG G5 would be. I haven't seen it on display yet. Luis, the difference between the G2 from 2022 and the LG G5 is significant. To start, LG's upscaling and processing has come a long way. Even with our review of the G4, we noted how close it was to catching up to Sony in that department. The G5 and its new Tandem RGB OLED panel mentioned in the last question raise it to another level in terms of brightness and color vibrance. Usually, you don't see a huge difference from one year to the next, but it is visible when you put the G4 next to the G5. And considering how much brighter that G4 is compared to its predecessors, I think you'd see the upgrade right away. All that to say, the G5 is a big step up. If you're interested, it's worth going to check one out locally if you can. Size Limitations of QD-OLED Panels @balajiraokj asks: My mind is set for Sony, but still debating others. Let me know what is best for an 85-inch QD-OLED TV. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but if you were paying attention earlier, the largest QD-OLED TV available right now is 77 inches. You have a few options between Sony and Samsung. If you're leaning toward Sony, check out the A95L. If you want to go with an OLED bigger than 77 inches, you could go with LG's 83-inch G5, which has their new Tandem RGB panel. That's some of the best OLED color goodness you'll get at that size, and it'll cost you $6,500 at full price. For a little less, if you don't mind W-OLED, the 83-inch LG C5 will save you about $1,000, maybe more. So ask yourself what means more: a few more inches in size, or having the brightest, most colorful panel. For what it's worth, I think most OLEDs, especially the ones mentioned in this segment, are going to look outstanding in an 83-inch size, even if they're not QD-OLED. 77″ OLED vs 100″ Hisense Mini LED @Echoed_Empires asks: 77-inch LG OLED C5 or 100-inch Hisense? To be honest, I'm fine with the QLED quality of the 100-inch since it gives me that cinema experience. Yeah, the LG kills it, and it's fantastic. But guys, how good do you want the picture to be? It's ridiculous — a normal Hisense in 4K is awesome, and at 100 inches, the same price. I'm really thinking about it, but can't decide. What's your pick? That is a tough one, and there's a lot to consider. One of the themes of this episode, and one of my favorite questions last week, has kind of been: when is good good enough? OLED is special in terms of picture quality and contrast. At 77 inches, everything you watch on it is going to be gorgeous. But 100 inches is also special. Everything you watch on that is going to feel larger than life. For movies and shows, you'll get the theater experience every time, especially if you pair it with a nice audio system. Plus, the 100-inch U8 isn't just your run-of-the-mill big 4K TV. It's a Mini LED TV with full array local dimming. So it's no slouch, even compared to OLED. That said, here are my reservations. Having dealt with a few massive TVs last year, TCL's 115-inch QM891G and Hisense's 110-inch UX, you really need a plan and space for where you're going to put it. It's probably best in a dedicated theater room because it's going to dominate whatever wall you place it on. Moving them isn't simple. Second, there is the difference in picture quality. You will get a cleaner look with more contrast from the C5. While the U8 is great, things like highlight blooming that come off as minimal on a 65-inch TV will be more noticeable on a significantly larger unit. Anything and everything gets magnified on TVs that big. But if it's size you're after and that massive picture gives you the most enjoyment, go for it. Also, I think the Hisense would be brighter. Weigh that into your decision as well. If you're in a room that gets a lot of sun or has a lot of ambient light, consider the Mini LED option. Personally, my pick would be the 77-inch C5. I want that OLED image quality, and 77 inches is plenty. Any smaller than that, and I'd be tempted to go with the extra-large Hisense instead. Either way, I think you're in for a good time.

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