LG UT70 Series 65.1" 2024 Review
The LG UT70 offers a lot of screen for not a lot of cash, but you're making clear compromises on picture quality, sound, and gaming features to get it.
The 30-Second Version
The LG UT70 is a big, basic 4K TV. Its picture and sound are just okay, and it's not for gamers. But for around $600, you get a huge webOS screen for casual watching. It's a value pick for size, not performance.
Overview
The LG UT70 is a 65-inch 4K UHD TV that's trying to be your everything screen. It's got LG's webOS smart platform, a few gaming features, and promises of AI-enhanced picture and sound. But let's be real, at this price point, you're getting a basic big-screen experience, not a home theater powerhouse.
It's built for casual streaming and everyday TV watching. The specs tell a straightforward story: it's a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer that won't blow your mind but also won't break the bank. Think of it as a reliable workhorse for the living room.
Performance
Performance is exactly what you'd expect from a TV in this bracket. Picture quality is about average, sitting in the 43rd percentile, which means it's fine for most shows and movies but won't deliver the deep blacks or eye-popping HDR of higher-end models. The audio is a weak spot, landing in the bottom third, so you'll definitely want a soundbar. For gaming, the 60Hz refresh rate and 25th percentile ranking mean it's not built for serious gamers; it's fine for casual play, but competitive players should look elsewhere.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
- Below average social proof (20th percentile) 20th
- Below average gaming (24th percentile) 24th
- Below average audio (27th percentile) 27th
- Below average display (28th percentile) 28th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 65.1" |
| Panel Type | LED |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR 10 |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
Smart TV
| Platform | webOS |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 3 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
Value & Pricing
At around $600 for a 65-inch screen, the value proposition is simple: you're paying for size and the LG smart ecosystem, not top-tier performance. It's a budget-friendly way to get a big 4K TV into your living room. If your main criteria are 'big' and 'cheap,' it's worth considering. But if you care more about picture quality, sound, or gaming, that $600 could be spent more effectively on a smaller, better TV.
Price History
vs Competition
Stacked up against the competition, the UT70 shows its limits. The Hisense U6 Series MiniLED and Roku Pro Series, often around the same price, offer superior Mini-LED picture quality and better brightness, making the LG's average picture look a bit dull. The Samsung QN800D and LG's own C5 OLED are in a different league entirely, but also a different price bracket. The most direct trade-off is with the Sony BRAVIA 5, which typically costs more but delivers significantly better processing and motion handling. Here, you're choosing between LG's software and a potentially better picture from a competitor.
| Spec | LG UT70 Series 65.1" | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 5 65" 4K HDR Smart Mini-LED TV | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K TCL - 85" Class QM6K Series 4K UHD HDR QD Mini LED | Samsung Neo QLED Samsung - 55” Class QN90F Series Neo QLED Mini LED | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 65" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 65.0999984741211 | 65 | 75 | 85 | 55 | 65 |
| Resolution | - | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 4K (2160p) | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | LED | MiniLED | MiniLED | MiniLED | Neo QLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | 60 | 120 | 144 | 144 | 120 | 120 |
| Hdr | HDR 10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | HDR 10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | webOS | Google TV | Fire TV | Google TV | Tizen | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | - | true | true | true | false | true |
| Dolby Atmos | - | false | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG UT70 Series 65.1" | 50.8 | 27.4 | 54.4 | 24.1 | 27.7 | 53.3 | 19.6 | 43 |
| Sony Bravia 5 65" Compare | 97.6 | 67.6 | 91.6 | 94.9 | 62.4 | 99 | 94.3 | 97.1 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.5 | 69.1 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K 85" Class QM6K Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 98.6 | 98.4 | 37.3 | 96 | 94.3 | 86.1 |
| Samsung Neo QLED 55” Class Series Neo Compare | 50.8 | 90.4 | 91.6 | 96.9 | 76.4 | 98.2 | 99.5 | 86.1 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.4 | 62.4 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the picture quality good for sports and movies?
It's decent for casual viewing, but motion handling and HDR impact are average. For fast-paced sports or cinematic movies, you'll notice the limitations compared to TVs with better processors or Mini-LED backlights.
Q: Do I need a soundbar with this TV?
Almost certainly. The audio scores in the bottom third of our database, meaning the built-in speakers are a weak point. A basic soundbar will make a huge difference.
Q: Is this a good TV for PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Not really. With a 60Hz refresh rate and no HDMI 2.1 features like VRR, it misses all the next-gen gaming specs. It's fine for older consoles or casual games, but serious gamers should skip it.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this TV if you're a gamer, an audiophile, or a movie buff who values picture quality. The 60Hz panel and lackluster audio make it a poor choice for next-gen consoles or immersive home theater. If you're spending most of your time streaming in a bright room, competitors like Hisense's Mini-LED TVs offer much better brightness and contrast for similar money.
Verdict
Buy this TV if you want the largest possible 4K screen for your budget and you're committed to LG's excellent webOS platform for streaming. It's a decent pick for a secondary room, a guest bedroom, or a family room where the TV is on for background noise more than critical viewing. Just plan to buy a soundbar on day one.