LG’s newest midrange OLED television, the Evo C6, has arrived with a feature that will catch the eye of Windows PC gamers: a variable refresh rate ceiling of 165Hz, a first for the company’s popular C-series. Priced at $1,999.99 for the 65-inch model tested by PCMag, the C6 promises a brighter panel, excellent color accuracy, and the same four HDMI 2.1 ports that have made its predecessors favorites among multi-platform households. However, an odd downgrade to Wi-Fi 5 and the omission of ATSC 3.0 tuner may give network-conscious buyers pause.

What Actually Changed

The Evo C6 replaces the C5 as LG’s mainstream OLED offering for 2026. While the chassis, remote, and core webOS platform remain largely unchanged, several key specifications have shifted.

A Brighter Panel

Peak HDR brightness sees a meaningful jump. In testing, the C6 hit 1,552 nits in a 10% white window and 1,015 nits across an 18% white field—up from roughly 1,269 nits and 944 nits on the outgoing C5, respectively. This means specular highlights in games and films will appear more intense, and daytime viewing becomes less compromised by ambient light.

Higher Refresh Rate for PCs

The most significant upgrade for Windows users is the new 165Hz maximum variable refresh rate. While the native panel refresh remains 120Hz, the C6 can now sync with a compatible PC graphics card up to 165 frames per second. This is a notable improvement over the C5’s top VRR limit, making the C6 more appealing for competitive PC gaming at 4K or lower resolutions.

Gaming Features Carry Over

All four HDMI ports continue to support 4K/120Hz, VRR, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility are included out of the box, ensuring tearing-free gameplay across both major GPU brands. Input lag measurements are excellent: 12.8ms at 4K/60Hz and just 4.6ms at 1080p/120Hz.

Connectivity Downgrades

Strangely, LG has stepped back from Wi-Fi 6E—present on some previous models—to Wi-Fi 5. The older standard lacks access to the 6GHz band, which can alleviate congestion in dense wireless environments. The TV also lacks an ATSC 3.0 tuner, meaning over-the-air viewers in the U.S. cannot access NextGen TV broadcasts without an external box. The wired Ethernet port remains for stable streaming, but it is not a multigigabit interface.

What It Means for You

For Windows PC Gamers

The 165Hz ceiling is the headline feature. Connecting a powerful graphics card via a certified HDMI 2.1 cable now allows 4K gaming at up to 165 frames per second—a boon for titles where high frame rates matter. With G-Sync and FreeSync support, screen tearing is virtually eliminated, and OLED’s near-instant pixel response time preserves motion clarity better than any LCD panel.

However, achieving 165Hz requires a GPU capable of pushing that frame rate at the chosen resolution. At 4K, many recent AAA games will struggle to maintain triple-digit frame rates without sacrificing settings. Competitive esports titles and older games will benefit most. Casual PC gamers who stick to 60Hz or 120Hz may not see a dramatic difference, but the headroom is there for future hardware upgrades.

Setup is straightforward:
- Connect your GPU to any of the four HDMI ports using a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Enable ‘HDMI Deep Color’ or the equivalent enhanced format for that input in the TV’s settings.
- In Windows, select the native 4K resolution and then choose 165Hz from the refresh rate dropdown.
- Turn on HDR in Windows and calibrate using the HDR calibration tool.
- Activate G-Sync or FreeSync in the GPU control panel.

For Console and Multi-Device Households

Current-generation consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X) top out at 120Hz, so the 165Hz boost is academic for them. However, the C6’s four full-bandwidth HDMI ports remain a standout feature. You can connect a soundbar via eARC, an Xbox, a PlayStation, and a PC without needing an HDMI switch—a configuration few competitors can match. Dolby Vision support for gaming at up to 120Hz is present on Xbox, and ALLM ensures minimal latency.

For Home Theater Enthusiasts

The brighter panel and near-perfect black levels produce a stunning picture. Dolby Vision content looks particularly rich, with dynamic metadata optimizing scenes on the fly. Filmmaker Mode remains the best preset for accurate cinema viewing, while Cinema Home adds punch for brighter rooms. The television is not as bright as flagship OLEDs like the LG G6 or Samsung S95H, but at nearly half the price, the C6 delivers an experience that will satisfy all but the most demanding viewers.

Wi-Fi 5 and Streaming

For most streaming services, Wi-Fi 5’s theoretical maximum far exceeds what 4K HDR demands. In a typical home with a well-placed router, buffering should be rare. However, in apartments or areas with heavy wireless congestion, the lack of 6GHz support could lead to intermittent issues. The simplest workaround is a wired Ethernet connection, which also benefits game streaming and offline media playback. Alternatively, a dedicated streaming device (Apple TV, Shield TV, or a gaming console) can offload Wi-Fi duties to its own adapter.

How We Got Here

LG’s C-series has long been the Goldilocks of the OLED market: better performance than budget models, but without the nosebleed pricing of Gallery-series flagships. Each annual refresh has brought modest brightness gains, refined processing, and incremental gaming upgrades. The C6 continues this pattern, but adds a notable gaming-centric feature in response to a market where PC connectivity is increasingly valued.

Samsung’s 2025-2026 OLEDs pushed VRR limits to 165Hz and beyond, forcing LG’s hand. The C5 offered 144Hz in some configurations, but the C6 goes higher. Meanwhile, the persistent inclusion of four HDMI 2.1 ports remains a differentiator; Samsung’s OLEDs often limit full-bandwidth support to fewer ports. The C6’s Wi-Fi regression is harder to explain—likely a cost-cutting measure that has frustrated reviewers and users alike.

What to Do Now

If You’re in the Market for a New TV

The C6 is an outstanding value at its current street price of $1,999.99 for 65 inches. It handily outperforms any LCD in contrast and motion clarity, and matches or beats most mini-LED TVs in all but peak full-screen brightness. If you primarily watch in a light-controlled room and game on multiple platforms, it’s an easy recommendation.

Wait for a discount if the price climbs toward the original $2,699 launch MSRP—at that level, last year’s flagship G5 or a discounted Samsung S90D may become competitive.

If You Already Own a C5

The C6 is a better television, but the improvements are not drastic enough to justify an upgrade after only one year. Your C5 already delivers perfect blacks, Dolby Vision, and 120Hz/144Hz VRR. Put the money toward a sound system or a next-generation console instead.

If You’re Using a Windows PC as a Media Hub

Take advantage of the 165Hz mode, but protect your panel. OLEDs are susceptible to burn-in from static elements like taskbars and HUDs. Enable auto-hide for the Windows taskbar, use dark mode wherever possible, and let the TV run its regular pixel-refresh cycles. Avoid leaving the desktop idle for hours at a time. Modern OLEDs are far more resilient than early models, but cautious habits extend panel life.

Outlook

The C6 solidifies LG’s hold on the midrange OLED segment. Future firmware updates will likely refine tone mapping, voice assistant integration, and game-mode settings. The Wi-Fi 5 limitation is permanent, but as streaming services optimize codecs, its real-world impact may remain small. Price erosion throughout 2026 will make the C6 even more attractive, especially against upcoming mini-LED rivals that struggle to match OLED’s per-pixel lighting.

For Windows users, the C6 represents the most affordable path to a big-screen OLED with high-refresh gaming. It is not the brightest, nor the most future-proof in connectivity, but it hits a sweet spot that few televisions can challenge.