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

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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.