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CNET
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
I'm a TV Reviewer, and This New OLED Made Gaming More Fun With One Key Feature
CNET's key takeaways The LG G5 series is the best and brightest OLED I've ever tested in the CNET Labs. At $3,400 for the 65-inch size, it's expensive compared to some of the competition. The G5's best-in-class brightness made gaming easier and more enjoyable than I expected. As a Call of Duty player, I know that quick responses can be the difference between clinching victory and languishing at the bottom of the leaderboard. But until I played Call of Duty Black Ops 6 on the new LG G5 OLED, I didn't know there was something else just as crucial. I've tested dozens of the best TVs over the years. My CoD session helped cement my opinion of the G5 as the best OLED I've ever tested. Why? One reason is this model's best-in-class brightness: It's the brightest OLED I've ever seen in the CNET TV lab. Its clarity ensured I was able to see both the bright and dark parts of the screen -- in a way the other TVs I've tested couldn't reproduce. For instance, it was harder for enemies to hide in murky doorways because the TV rendered shadows more crisply. Brightness for the win. My experience with LG G5 Evo AI OLED Carly Marsh/CNET Picture quality is so important when it comes to gaming because some of the latest advances, such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision, help to elevate the gaming experience in a meaningful way, and the G5 can take full advantage of these. Zooming around the Protocol map from Black Ops 6, I found out it was the clarity of the G5's images that really struck me. I toured the grounds of this map's old naval fort -- the sky was a brilliant blue and the buildings popped up out of the sea -- everything looked more lifelike, like in the way it would if you were actually wandering here on a fall afternoon. But in the middle of my reverie, I found that people were shooting at me. Like, a whole lot. Now Playing: LG C5 vs. LG G5: Which OLED Gives the Most for Your Money 03:03 As part of my testing, I compared the LG G5 against four other TVs, including the new Samsung S95F, the LG C5 and two LCDs, all connected to the same Xbox. (With five screens playing at once, it felt like I was starring in my own personal esports event.) I played several different games, including Doom, Ori and the Blind Forest, but Call of Duty was where I saw the biggest improvements. The thing that immediately stood out about the G5 when playing games was how bright it was. When combined with the TV's deep contrast, the G5's picture popped in a way that the competition didn't. The LG G5 is the best TV I've reviewed yet Ty Pendlebury/CNET That brightness I saw on the G5? That's thanks to LG's new four-stack panel, which literally stacks two blue OLEDS (and a red and a green) on top of each other for its dazzling light output. This is a technology that seems to be unique to the G5 for now, but it's not the only advantage it has over the slightly cheaper -- and slightly dimmer -- Samsung S95F. Unless something changes, a Samsung TV will never tick the Dolby Vision check box -- it's HDR10 only. So if you're an Xbox completionist, then the LG G5 (and others) will help you max out the Xbox 4K compatibility test. (Profile & system > Settings > General > TV & display options > 4K TV details). The specs Available screen sizes: 55-, 65-, 77-, 83- and 97-inch Screen type: OLED Native refresh rate 120Hz (165Hz variable refresh rate) HDMI ports: 4 Weight: 48.5 pounds without its stand (65-inch) CNET's buying advice YMMV Carly Marsh/CNET I can't say playing on the G5 in the CNET lab made me a better player -- there are other crucial factors, including networking, that can decrease lag -- but I had a blast revisiting old maps and new ones on this fantastic television. It's definitely a "must-see" for serious gamers. If you simply want a good TV for gaming, you don't need to spend $3,000; there are plenty of great budget TVs under a grand, and most of them will give you an enjoyable gaming experience. Even so, if you're looking for your ultimate gaming setup, then the LG G5 has everything you need.
CNET
13-05-2025
- CNET
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On: This Thin Phone Left a Deep Impression
As I hold Samsung's super-thin and light Galaxy S25 Edge, the first word that comes to mind is "airy." My next thought is: If I were the S25 Plus, I'd be worried. In my early hands-on with the S25 Edge at a preview event in New York, I was struck by how much the new phone carries over from its S25 counterparts. It maintains the 200-megapixel wide camera from the S25 Ultra, the 6.7-inch display from the S25 Plus and the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor you'll find across the other three S25 devices. But it does so within a sleek, 5.8mm titanium frame, clocking in at 163 grams. It feels like something I can throw in my bag or pocket and hardly notice. The Galaxy S25 Edge comes in black, silver and blue. Carly Marsh/CNET In fact, the S25 Edge strikes me as exactly what a middle-of-the-line flagship phone should be: a fresh, elevated take on the baseline model, which pulls in premium features to justify its $1,100 price. The exciting design, Ultra-level wide camera and spacious display actually make this an enticing option for anyone who wants something a little out of the ordinary. But that's not to say there aren't any compromises in store, the most notable being the battery; more on that later. Preorders for the Galaxy S25 Edge are open now, and the phone will arrive on May 30. It comes in three colors: silver, jet black and icy blue. Watch this: Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On: Samsung's Super-Thin Phone Is Impressive 03:33 What makes the S25 Edge stand out The biggest question leading up to the release of the S25 Edge has been: Why would someone want a thinner phone anyway? After spending a little time with the device, I began to see the appeal. While the S25 Edge's thickness may not be visually striking at first glance, getting your hands on the phone is a different story. Comparing how the S25 Edge's 5.8mm, 163g frame feels to the S25 and S25 Plus, I registered just how much thinner and lighter it really is. For reference, the baseline S25 is 7.2mm thick and weighs 162g, but has a smaller 6.2-inch screen. The S25 Plus has the same 6.7-inch display as the Edge, but is 7.3mm thick and weighs 190g. It's a noticeable difference. The moment of truth was applying some force to the phone to see if it gave at all. Impressively, it felt quite sturdy. (If not, I'd probably have gotten myself into some trouble with Samsung.) It touts a Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 display, along with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 backing. My initial impression is that you shouldn't have to worry about accidentally turning the S25 Edge into a foldable by keeping it in your back pocket, but that's certainly something I'll have to test in my review. The S25 Edge also maintains the same IP68 rating for dust and water resistance you'll find on the other S25 series phones. The Galaxy S25 Edge (left) is noticeably thinner than the S25 Plus. Carly Marsh/CNET The biggest trade-off, at least on paper, appears to be battery capacity. The Galaxy S25 Edge's 3,900 mAh battery pales in comparison to what you'll get on the baseline S25 (4,000 mAh) and the S25 Plus (4,900 mAh). Samsung isn't sharing how many hours you'll get out of the S25 Edge's battery, other than stating it'll last you all day. That's something else I look forward to testing. The S25 Edge supports 25-watt wired charging and 15-watt wireless charging. With thinner phones, camera hardware can also be scaled back. But the S25 Edge boasts three cameras: a 200-megapixel wide, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 12-megapixel selfie camera. Megapixels aren't everything, so I'm eager to see how that all translates into real-world photography. Samsung points to Galaxy AI for helping to boost camera quality and for powering photo editing features like Generative Edit. Like the S25 Plus, the S25 Edge has 12GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB storage options. It'll cost a little more than the S25 Plus, though: $1,100 for 256GB and $1,220 for 512GB. But it's still priced lower than the top-of-the-line $1,300 S25 Ultra. You'll find the same Galaxy AI features Samsung has been touting on the rest of its S25 phones, like Sketch to Image and Audio Eraser. Gemini features are also onboard, like Gemini Live and Circle to Search. Other companies could soon follow suit and release their own super-thin phones. Carly Marsh/CNET On the edge of a new trend The launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge comes amid a thin-phone phenomenon. Earlier this year, Oppo released its super-thin Find N5 foldable, which it calls the "world's thinnest book-style foldable," measuring just 8.93mm thick when closed and 4.21mm thick when opened. Apple is also rumored to be developing a thinner "Air" version of the iPhone 17. And at MWC 2025, phone maker Tecno showed off its Spark Slim phone concept, which measures 5.75mm thick and weighs just 146 grams, according to the company. Depending on how consumers respond, the S25 Edge could be the phone to help kickstart the thin phone craze. If people don't have to compromise too much when it comes to camera, storage and battery -- three of the biggest considerations when buying a phone, according to a CNET survey -- they could be inclined to pay up for a fresh form factor. After all, phones have become rather boring and predictable, apart from a handful of foldable options. The S25 Edge could be a breath of fresh air. I look forward to seeing how the S25 Edge holds up in the real world and whether it truly can maintain its edge (I had to do it).
CNET
13-05-2025
- CNET
Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On: This Thin Phone Left a Deep Impression
As I hold Samsung's super-thin and light Galaxy S25 Edge, the first word that comes to mind is "airy." My next thought is: If I were the S25 Plus, I'd be worried. In my early hands-on with the S25 Edge at a preview event in New York, I was struck by how much the new phone carries over from its S25 counterparts. It maintains the 200-megapixel wide camera from the S25 Ultra, the 6.7-inch display from the S25 Plus and the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor you'll find across the other three S25 devices. But it does so within a sleek, 5.8mm titanium frame, clocking in at 163 grams. It feels like something I can throw in my bag or pocket and hardly notice. Watch this: Galaxy S25 Edge Hands-On: Samsung's Super-Thin Phone Is Impressive 03:33 In fact, the S25 Edge strikes me as exactly what a middle-of-the-line flagship phone should be: a fresh, elevated take on the baseline model, which pulls in premium features to justify its $1,100 price. The exciting design, Ultra-level wide camera and spacious display actually make this an enticing option for anyone who wants something a little out of the ordinary. But that's not to say there aren't any compromises in store, the most notable being the battery; more on that later. Preorders for the Galaxy S25 Edge are open now, and the phone will arrive on May 30. It comes in three colors: silver, jet black and icy blue. The Galaxy S25 Edge comes in black, silver and blue. Carly Marsh/CNET What makes the S25 Edge stand out The biggest question leading up to the release of the S25 Edge has been: Why would someone want a thinner phone anyway? After spending a little time with the device, I began to see the appeal. While the S25 Edge's thickness may not be visually striking at first glance, getting your hands on the phone is a different story. Comparing how the S25 Edge's 5.8mm, 163g frame feels to the S25 and S25 Plus, I registered just how much thinner and lighter it really is. For reference, the baseline S25 is 7.2mm thick and weighs 162g, but has a smaller 6.2-inch screen. The S25 Plus has the same 6.7-inch display as the Edge, but is 7.3mm thick and weighs 190g. It's a noticeable difference. The moment of truth was applying some force to the phone to see if it gave at all. Impressively, it felt quite sturdy. (If not, I'd probably have gotten myself into some trouble with Samsung.) It touts a Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 display, along with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 backing. My initial impression is that you shouldn't have to worry about accidentally turning the S25 Edge into a foldable by keeping it in your back pocket, but that's certainly something I'll have to test in my review. The S25 Edge also maintains the same IP68 rating for dust and water resistance you'll find on the other S25 series phones. The Galaxy S25 Edge (left) is noticeably thinner than the S25 Plus. Carly Marsh/CNET The biggest trade-off, at least on paper, appears to be battery capacity. The Galaxy S25 Edge's 3,900 mAh battery pales in comparison to what you'll get on the baseline S25 (4,000 mAh) and the S25 Plus (4,900 mAh). Samsung isn't sharing how many hours you'll get out of the S25 Edge's battery, other than stating it'll last you all day. That's something else I look forward to testing. The S25 Edge supports 25-watt wired charging and 15-watt wireless charging. With thinner phones, camera hardware can also be scaled back. But the S25 Edge boasts three cameras: a 200-megapixel wide, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 12-megapixel selfie camera. Megapixels aren't everything, so I'm eager to see how that all translates into real-world photography. Samsung points to Galaxy AI for helping to boost camera quality and for powering photo editing features like Generative Edit. Like the S25 Plus, the S25 Edge has 12GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB storage options. It'll cost a little more than the S25 Plus, though: $1,100 for 256GB and $1,220 for 512GB. But it's still priced lower than the top-of-the-line $1,300 S25 Ultra. You'll find the same Galaxy AI features Samsung has been touting on the rest of its S25 phones, like Sketch to Image and Audio Eraser. Gemini features are also onboard, like Gemini Live and Circle to Search. Other companies could soon follow suit and release their own super-thin phones. Carly Marsh/CNET On the edge of a new trend The launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge comes amid a thin-phone phenomenon. Earlier this year, Oppo released its super-thin Find N5 foldable, which it calls the "world's thinnest book-style foldable," measuring just 8.93mm thick when closed and 4.21mm thick when opened. Apple is also rumored to be developing a thinner "Air" version of the iPhone 17. And at MWC 2025, phone maker Tecno showed off its Spark Slim phone concept, which measures 5.75mm thick and weighs just 146 grams, according to the company. Depending on how consumers respond, the S25 Edge could be the phone to help kickstart the thin phone craze. If people don't have to compromise too much when it comes to camera, storage and battery -- three of the biggest considerations when buying a phone, according to a CNET survey -- they could be inclined to pay up for a fresh form factor. After all, phones have become rather boring and predictable, apart from a handful of foldable options. The S25 Edge could be a breath of fresh air. I look forward to seeing how the S25 Edge holds up in the real world and whether it truly can maintain its edge (I had to do it).
