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The LG UF850 is a solid performing, beautifully designed 4K flatscreen.
It actually looks more expensive than it is, with that bonded panel and copious neat design details adding class. It also benefits from the brand's excellent Smart platform.
The latest iteration of webOS is great to use, and the set's sprightly navigation and first class Magic Remote implementation make it intuitive and fun.
Picture quality is generally impressive. A deep rich colour performance, allied to crisp 2160p detail, make for an immersive big screen experience. However the uneven backlight and generally grey black levels prevent it scoring top marks.
The screen's 3D performance is infuriatingly poor, thanks to a very limited acceptable viewing area.
We Liked
From its seamless edging to the metallic ribbon stand, this LG UHD should make even the most unapologetic hovel look swanky. It's also blessed with webOS, arguably the best Smart TV platform available. WebOS is a dream to use and navigate – even the Voice Command system works well.
Overall picture performance is good, with lush colours and supreme detail from 4K sources.
We Disliked
The set is unable to deliver really convincing deep blacks, which means images can grey-out if you watch in a fully darkened room. Maintain some level of ambient light though and the picture enjoys much better subjective contrast. You'll need to work on the picture modes to combat motion artefacts. Upscaling is effective, although scaling appears more linear than creative.
You won't find a full complement of catch-up services here. 3D is a genuine headache too, owing to a very restrictive angle of viewing.
Final verdict
The LG UF850 is a prime example of just how far and fast 4K displays have come over the past 18 months.
Colour fidelity and fine detail reproduction are fabulous. This set has all the features you'll need too, from HDCP 2.2 enabled HDMI connectivity for upcoming UHD sources, through to onboard HEVC decoding from OTT services like Netflix.
It's also ingeniously designed – the Harmon Kardon audio system being a case in point.
While you can find better 4K images, any caveats need to be weighed against the pleasingly aggressive price point, typically £2500. The overall build quality and cosmetic design are first rate.
Just don't bother with the 3D.
