LG 65SM9800PLA - 4K Television ₨2,54,990

Here at What Hi-Fi?, a new TV from LG is always eagerly anticipated. This time, however, the hardware took us completely by surprise

The LG name has become synonymous with OLED to such an extent that it’s easy to forget the company makes other products – even non-OLED TVs such as the 65SM9800PLA here.

This is, in fact, LG’s top non-OLED television. A 65in LCD model with a direct LED backlight for better contrast and so called ‘NanoCell’ technology for better colours. It all sounds impressive; yet, in action, the most striking thing about this TV is how poor it is.

From a distance, the ‘SM9800 is a smart-looking TV with relatively thin bezels and a reasonably elegant boomerang-shaped stand. Without the stand, the TV measures 6.4cm at its thickest point – hardly super-thin but pretty standard for a mid-range LCD TV with a direct LED backlight.

The connections are to the left of the TV screen, with most (four HDMIs and two USBs) facing sideways but some (aerial, satellite, ethernet, optical and a third USB) facing backwards and therefore being a bit fiddly to access if you wall-mount the TV.

Fully certified HDMI 2.1 sockets are rare at this price, so their presence here is a bonus. It’s unlikely you’ll take advantage of all the features, but eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) is useful in that it allows you to send Dolby Atmos to a compatible soundbar or home cinema system. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), meanwhile, will appeal to hardcore gamers looking for a smoother experience.