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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Market Context
    1. Market Context
  5. Design
    1. Style
    2. Stand
    3. Back
    4. Borders
    5. Thickness
    6. Build Quality
  6. Picture Quality
    1. Contrast
    2. Local Dimming
    3. SDR Peak Brightness
    4. HDR Peak Brightness
    5. Gray Uniformity
    6. Viewing Angle
    7. Black Uniformity
    8. Reflections
    9. Pre Calibration
    10. Post Calibration
    11. 480p Input
    12. 720p Input
    13. 1080p Input
    14. 4k Input
    15. 8k Input
    16. Pixels
    17. Color Gamut
    18. Color Volume
    19. Gradient
    20. Temporary Image Retention
    21. Permanent Burn-In Risk
  7. Motion
    1. Response Time
    2. Flicker-Free
    3. Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    4. Motion Interpolation
    5. Stutter
    6. 24p Judder
    7. Variable Refresh Rate
  8. Inputs
    1. Input Lag
    2. Supported Resolutions
    3. Input Photos
    4. Total Inputs
    5. Inputs Specifications
    6. Audio Passthrough
  9. Sound Quality
    1. Frequency Response
    2. Distortion
  10. Smart Features
    1. Interface
    2. Ad-Free
    3. Apps and Features
    4. Remote
    5. TV Controls
    6. In The Box
    7. Misc
  11. Comments

LG SM9500 vs LG SM9970 8k

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

LG SM9500
LG SM9970 8k

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Feb 22, 2024 02:54 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Sep 04, 2021 04:38 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
LG SM9500 Picture
LG SM9970 8k Picture

Variants

  • 65SM9500PUA (65")
  • 75SM9970PUA (75")

Our Verdict

LG SM9500

LG SM9970 8k

The LG SM9970 is very similar to the LG SM9500. They both have an IPS panel, but the SM9500 has a better contrast ratio, much better reflection handling, and significantly better color accuracy. On the other hand, the SM9970 has much better black uniformity, as well as a significantly better motion handling, but its viewing angles aren't as good as the SM9500. Gray uniformity is much better on the SM9970, but both TVs have visible vignetting and dirty screen effect.

0 

Check Price

65"
 
75"
 

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.7
7.5
No major differences between these TVs for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Market Context

Market Context 
 

Show Text 
Design

Style  

9.5
9.0

Design Picture  

LG SM9500 Design Picture
LG SM9970 8k Design Picture

Curved  

No
No
Show Text 

Stand  

Stand Picture  

LG SM9500 Stand Picture
LG SM9970 8k Stand Picture
Show Text 

Back  

Back Picture  

LG SM9500 Back Picture
LG SM9970 8k Back Picture

Wall Mount  

VESA 300x300
VESA 600x400
Show Text 

Borders  

Borders Picture  

LG SM9500 Borders Picture
LG SM9970 8k Borders Picture

Borders  

0.47" (1.2 cm)
0.55" (1.4 cm)
Show Text 

Thickness  

Thickness Picture  

LG SM9500 Thickness Picture
LG SM9970 8k Thickness Picture

Max Thickness  

2.56" (6.5 cm)
2.80" (7.1 cm)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build quality picture  

LG SM9500 Build quality picture
LG SM9970 8k Build quality picture
Show Text 
Picture Quality

Contrast 
 

6.7
6.3

Checkerboard Picture  

LG SM9500 Checkerboard Picture
LG SM9970 8k Checkerboard Picture

Native Contrast 
 

1,234 : 1
898 : 1

Contrast with local dimming 
 

2,398 : 1
2,622 : 1
Show Text 

Local Dimming 
 

5.0
5.5

Local Dimming Video  

Local Dimming 
 

Yes
Yes

Backlight 
 

Full-Array
Full-Array
Show Text 

SDR Peak Brightness 
 

8.8
7.8

SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness 
 

695 cd/m²
381 cd/m²

SDR Peak 2% Window 
 

558 cd/m²
665 cd/m²

SDR Peak 10% Window 
 

624 cd/m²
757 cd/m²

SDR Peak 25% Window 
 

657 cd/m²
685 cd/m²

SDR Peak 50% Window 
 

688 cd/m²
441 cd/m²

SDR Peak 100% Window 
 

691 cd/m²
370 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

557 cd/m²
268 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

624 cd/m²
303 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

657 cd/m²
337 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

688 cd/m²
357 cd/m²

SDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

689 cd/m²
370 cd/m²

SDR ABL 
 

0.012
0.020
Show Text 

HDR Peak Brightness 
 

8.3
6.8

HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness 
 

804 cd/m²
498 cd/m²

HDR Peak 2% Window 
 

1,190 cd/m²
761 cd/m²

HDR Peak 10% Window 
 

1,587 cd/m²
941 cd/m²

HDR Peak 25% Window 
 

1,227 cd/m²
821 cd/m²

HDR Peak 50% Window 
 

970 cd/m²
543 cd/m²

HDR Peak 100% Window 
 

766 cd/m²
456 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 2% Window 
 

463 cd/m²
304 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 10% Window 
 

633 cd/m²
374 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 25% Window 
 

700 cd/m²
422 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 50% Window 
 

749 cd/m²
439 cd/m²

HDR Sustained 100% Window 
 

765 cd/m²
455 cd/m²

HDR ABL 
 

0.028
0.024
Show Text 

Gray Uniformity 
 

6.1
6.7

50% Uniformity Picture  

LG SM9500 50% Uniformity Picture
LG SM9970 8k 50% Uniformity Picture

50% Std. Dev. 
 

6.502%
4.854%

50% DSE 
 

0.234%
0.215%

5% Uniformity Picture  

LG SM9500 5% Uniformity Picture
LG SM9970 8k 5% Uniformity Picture

5% Std. Dev. 
 

0.852%
0.618%

5% DSE 
 

0.116%
0.112%
Show Text 

Viewing Angle 
 

7.6
6.9

Viewing Angle Video  

Chroma Graph  

LG SM9500 Chroma Graph
LG SM9970 8k Chroma Graph

Color Washout 
 

29°
27°

Hue Graph  

LG SM9500 Hue Graph
LG SM9970 8k Hue Graph

Color Shift 
 

64°
52°

Lightness Graph  

LG SM9500 Lightness Graph
LG SM9970 8k Lightness Graph

Brightness Loss 
 

34°
31°

Black Level Raise 
 

70°
70°

Gamma Shift 
 

43°
28°
Show Text 

Black Uniformity 
 

5.1
6.3

Native Black Uniformity Picture  

LG SM9500 Native Black Uniformity Picture
LG SM9970 8k Native Black Uniformity Picture

Native Std. Dev. 
 

2.464%
2.115%

Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming  

LG SM9500 Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming
LG SM9970 8k Black Uniformity Picture with Local Dimming

Std. Dev. w/ L.D. 
 

3.013%
0.964%
Show Text 

Reflections 
 

8.3
8.6

Reflections Picture  

LG SM9500 Reflections Picture
LG SM9970 8k Reflections Picture

Average Room Off Picture  

LG SM9500 Average Room Off Picture
LG SM9970 8k Average Room Off Picture

Bright Room Off Picture  

LG SM9500 Bright Room Off Picture
LG SM9970 8k Bright Room Off Picture

Screen Finish 
 

Semi-gloss
Semi-gloss

Total Reflections 
 

3.4%
2.8%

Indirect Reflections 
 

0.5%
0.5%

Calculated Direct Reflections 
 

2.9%
2.3%
Show Text 

Pre Calibration 
 

8.8
4.4

Pre White Balance Picture  

LG SM9500 Pre White Balance Picture
LG SM9970 8k Pre White Balance Picture

Pre Gamma Curve Picture  

LG SM9500 Pre Gamma Curve Picture
LG SM9970 8k Pre Gamma Curve Picture

Pre Color Picture  

LG SM9500 Pre Color Picture
LG SM9970 8k Pre Color Picture

White Balance dE 
 

1.54
6.52

Color dE 
 

1.85
4.59

Gamma 
 

2.11
2.06

Color Temperature 
 

6,463 K
5,695 K

Picture Mode 
 

Expert (Dark Room)
Expert (Dark Room)

Color Temp Setting 
 

Warm 2
Warm 2

Gamma Setting 
 

2.2
2.2
Show Text 

Post Calibration 
 

9.4
9.5

Post White Balance Picture  

LG SM9500 Post White Balance Picture
LG SM9970 8k Post White Balance Picture

Post Gamma Curve Picture  

LG SM9500 Post Gamma Curve Picture
LG SM9970 8k Post Gamma Curve Picture

Post Color Picture  

LG SM9500 Post Color Picture
LG SM9970 8k Post Color Picture

White Balance dE 
 

0.16
0.40

Color dE 
 

1.49
1.01

Gamma 
 

2.20
2.19

Color Temperature 
 

6,564 K
6,680 K

White Balance Calibration 
 

22 point
22 point

Color Calibration 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Calibration Function 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

480p Input 
 

8.0
8.0

480p Picture  

LG SM9500 480p Picture
LG SM9970 8k 480p Picture
Show Text 

720p Input 
 

8.0
8.0

720p Picture  

LG SM9500 720p Picture
LG SM9970 8k 720p Picture
Show Text 

1080p Input 
 

9.0
9.0

1080p Picture  

LG SM9500 1080p Picture
LG SM9970 8k 1080p Picture
Show Text 

4k Input 
 

10
9.9

4k Picture  

LG SM9500 4k Picture
LG SM9970 8k 4k Picture
Show Text 

8k Input 
 

0.0
10

8k Picture  

LG SM9500 8k Picture
LG SM9970 8k 8k Picture
Show Text 

Pixels 
 

Pixels Picture  

LG SM9500 Pixels Picture
LG SM9970 8k Pixels Picture

Type  

LED
LED

Sub-Type 
 

IPS
IPS

Color Gamut 
 

8.0
8.0

Wide Color Gamut 
 

Yes
Yes

Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture  

LG SM9500 Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture
LG SM9970 8k Color Gamut DCI-P3 Picture

DCI P3 xy 
 

88.11%
88.14%

DCI P3 uv 
 

94.33%
94.16%

Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture  

LG SM9500 Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture
LG SM9970 8k Color Gamut Rec.2020 Picture

Rec 2020 xy 
 

65.41%
65.01%

Rec 2020 uv 
 

73.03%
71.89%

EOTF  

LG SM9500 EOTF
LG SM9970 8k EOTF
Show Text 

Color Volume 
 

7.0
6.0

P3 Color Volume ITP Picture  

LG SM9500 P3 Color Volume ITP Picture
LG SM9970 8k P3 Color Volume ITP Picture

Normalized DCI P3 Coverage ITP 
 

79.2%
66.5%

10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP 
 

48.3%
35.1%

2020 Color Volume ITP Picture  

LG SM9500 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture
LG SM9970 8k 2020 Color Volume ITP Picture

Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage ITP 
 

60.5%
53.3%

10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP 
 

36.8%
28.5%
Show Text 

Gradient 
 

9.2
8.2

Gradient Picture  

LG SM9500 Gradient Picture
LG SM9970 8k Gradient Picture

Color Depth 
 

10 Bit
10 Bit

Red (Std. Dev.) 
 

0.079
0.114

Green (Std. Dev.) 
 

0.082
0.121

Blue (Std. Dev.) 
 

0.075
0.094

Gray (Std. Dev.) 
 

0.048
0.085
Show Text 

Temporary Image Retention 
 

7.0
9.9

Image Retention Picture  

LG SM9500 Image Retention Picture
LG SM9970 8k Image Retention Picture

IR after 0 min recovery 
 

1.06%
0.04%

IR after 2 min recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR after 4 min recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR after 6 min recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR after 8 min recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%

IR after 10 min recovery 
 

0.00%
0.00%
Show Text 

Permanent Burn-In Risk 
 

10
10

Permanent Burn-In Risk 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Motion

Response Time 
 

7.7
8.5

Motion Blur Picture  

LG SM9500 Motion Blur Picture
LG SM9970 8k Motion Blur Picture

Response Time Chart  

LG SM9500 Response Time Chart
LG SM9970 8k Response Time Chart

80% Response Time 
 

5.4 ms
2.8 ms

100% Response Time 
 

13.4 ms
11.8 ms
Show Text 

Flicker-Free 
 

4.0
6.0

Backlight chart 
 

LG SM9500 Backlight chart
LG SM9970 8k Backlight chart

Flicker-Free 
 

No
No

PWM Dimming Frequency 
 

120 Hz
240 Hz
Show Text 

Black Frame Insertion (BFI) 
 

10
10

BFI Picture  

LG SM9500 BFI Picture
LG SM9970 8k BFI Picture

BFI Frequency Picture  

LG SM9500 BFI Frequency Picture
LG SM9970 8k BFI Frequency Picture

Optional BFI 
 

Yes
Yes

Min Flicker for 60 fps 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz

60 Hz for 60 fps 
 

Yes
Yes

120 Hz for 120 fps 
 

Yes
Yes

Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode 
 

60 Hz
60 Hz
Show Text 

Motion Interpolation 
 

Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture  

LG SM9500 Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture
LG SM9970 8k Motion Interpolation (30 fps) Picture

Motion Interpolation (30 fps) 
 

Yes
Yes

Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture  

LG SM9500 Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture
LG SM9970 8k Motion Interpolation (60 fps) Picture

Motion Interpolation (60 fps) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Stutter 
 

7.4
7.2

Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps 
 

28.3 ms
29.9 ms

Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps 
 

3.3 ms
4.9 ms
Show Text 

24p Judder 
 

10
10

Judder-Free 24p 
 

Yes
Yes

Judder-Free 24p via 60p 
 

Yes
Yes

Judder-Free 24p via 60i 
 

Yes
Yes

Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

8.2
0.0

Native Refresh Rate 
 

120 Hz
120 Hz

Variable Refresh Rate 
 

Yes
No

HDMI Forum VRR 
 

Yes
No

FreeSync 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Compatible 
 

Yes
No

4k VRR Maximum 
 

60 Hz
N/A

4k VRR Minimum 
 

48 Hz
No VRR support

1080p VRR Maximum 
 

120 Hz
N/A

1080p VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
No VRR support

1440p VRR Maximum 
 

120 Hz
N/A

1440p VRR Minimum 
 

< 20 Hz
No VRR support

VRR Supported Connectors 
 

HDMI
No VRR support
Show Text 
Inputs

Input Lag 
 

8.8
8.2

1080p @ 60 Hz 
 

13.7 ms
18.5 ms

1080p @ 60 Hz Outside Game Mode 
 

84.4 ms
135.0 ms

1440p @ 60 Hz 
 

14.2 ms
18.6 ms

4k @ 60 Hz 
 

13.7 ms
18.5 ms

4k @ 60 Hz + 10 bit HDR 
 

13.7 ms
20.6 ms

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 
 

13.7 ms
18.3 ms

4k @ 60 Hz Outside Game Mode 
 

84.3 ms
135.0 ms

4k @ 60 Hz With Interpolation 
 

84.3 ms
139.1 ms

8k @ 60 Hz 
 

N/A
22.4 ms

1080p @ 120 Hz 
 

7.0 ms
7.7 ms

1440p @ 120 Hz 
 

7.1 ms
7.7 ms

4k @ 120 Hz 
 

N/A
7.9 ms

1080p with Variable Refresh Rate 
 

6.1 ms
N/A

1440p with VRR 
 

6.5 ms
N/A

4k with VRR 
 

15.6 ms
N/A

8k with VRR 
 

N/A
N/A

Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Supported Resolutions 
 

9.6
10

Resolution  

4k
8k

1080p @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 
 

Yes
Yes

1080p @ 120 Hz 
 

Yes (native support)
Yes (native support)

1440p @ 60 Hz 
 

Yes (forced resolution required)
Yes (forced resolution required)

1440p @ 120 Hz 
 

Yes (native support)
Yes (forced resolution required)

4k @ 60 Hz 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 120 Hz 
 

Yes (native support)
Yes (native support)

8k @ 30 Hz or 24 Hz 
 

No
Yes

8k @ 60 Hz 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Input Photos  

Side Inputs Picture  

LG SM9500 Side Inputs Picture
LG SM9970 8k Side Inputs Picture

Rear Inputs Picture  

LG SM9500 Rear Inputs Picture
LG SM9970 8k Rear Inputs Picture

Total Inputs  

HDMI  

4
4

USB  

3
3

Digital Optical Audio Out  

1
1

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm  

0
0

Analog Audio Out RCA  

0
0

Component In  

0
0

Composite In  

1 (incl. adapter)
1 (incl. adapter)

Tuner (Cable/Ant)  

1
1

Ethernet  

1
1

DisplayPort  

0
0

IR In  

0
0

SD/SDHC  

0
0

Inputs Specifications  

HDR10 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision 
 

Yes
Yes

HLG 
 

Yes
Yes

3D 
 

No
No

HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth 
 

Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)

HDMI 2.1 
 

Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)

CEC  

Yes
Yes

HDCP 2.2  

Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)
Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)

USB 3.0 
 

No
No

Variable Analog Audio Out  

No
No

Wi-Fi Support  

Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)
Show Text 

Audio Passthrough 
 

ARC 
 

Yes (HDMI 2)
Yes (HDMI 2)

eARC support 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Atmos via TrueHD via eARC 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS:X via DTS-HD MA via eARC 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 Dolby Digital via ARC 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 DTS via ARC 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 Dolby Digital via Optical 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 DTS via Optical 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Sound Quality

Frequency Response 
 

6.8
7.3

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

71.27 Hz
67.27 Hz

Std. Dev. @ 70 
 

3.38 dB
2.82 dB

Std. Dev. @ 80 
 

3.84 dB
3.31 dB

Std. Dev. @ Max 
 

6.40 dB
6.32 dB

Max 
 

87.9 dB SPL
89.9 dB SPL

Dynamic Range Compression 
 

5.74 dB
4.44 dB
Show Text 

Distortion 
 

6.8
7.2

Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80 
 

0.118
0.066

Weighted THD @ Max 
 

0.610
0.481

IMD @ 80 
 

8.60%
2.45%

IMD @ Max 
 

6.22%
6.45%
Show Text 
Smart Features

Interface 
 

8.5
8.5

Smart TV Picture  

LG SM9500 Smart TV Picture
LG SM9970 8k Smart TV Picture

Smart OS  

WebOS
WebOS

Version  

4.6
4.7

Ease of Use 
 

Easy
Easy

Smoothness 
 

Average
Average

Time Taken to Select YouTube 
 

2 s
2 s

Time Taken to Change Backlight 
 

6 s
5 s

Advanced Options 
 

Many
Many
Show Text 

Ad-Free 
 

0.0
0.0

Ads Picture  

LG SM9500 Ads Picture
LG SM9970 8k Ads Picture

Ads 
 

Yes
Yes

Opt-out 
 

No
No

Suggested Content in Home 
 

Yes
Yes

Opt-out of Suggested Content 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Apps and Features 
 

8.0
8.0

Apps Picture  

LG SM9500 Apps Picture
LG SM9970 8k Apps Picture

App Selection 
 

Great
Great

App Smoothness 
 

Average
Average

Cast Capable 
 

Yes
Yes

USB Drive Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

USB Drive HDR Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR in Netflix 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR in YouTube 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Remote 
 

9.0
9.0

Remote Picture  

LG SM9500 Remote Picture
LG SM9970 8k Remote Picture

Size 
 

Large
Large

Voice Control 
 

Many Features
Many Features

CEC Menu Control 
 

Yes
Yes

Other Smart Features 
 

Yes
Yes

Remote App  

LG TV Plus
LG TV Plus
Show Text 

TV Controls  

Controls Picture  

LG SM9500 Controls Picture
LG SM9970 8k Controls Picture
Show Text 

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

LG SM9500 In The Box Picture
LG SM9970 8k In The Box Picture
Show Text 

Misc  

Power Consumption  

53 W
162 W

Power Consumption (Max)  

212 W
305 W

Firmware  

03.60.02
04.70.08

Check Price

65"
 
75"
 

LG SM9500

LG SM9970 8k

Comments

  1. Comparison

LG SM9500 vs LG SM9970 8k: Main Discussion

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