LG’s 2019 OLED TVs won’t add FreeSync gaming feature, report says

By Nick Woodard Published April 25, 2023

Attention all 2019 LG OLED TV owners who are hoping to get their hands on the upcoming Xbox Series X: You may want to think about upgrading your display.

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LG has confirmed that its 2019 line of OLED TVs will not gain support for the AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate system, as first reported by Forbes. The technology, which is meant to eliminate the “tearing” effect that happens when a monitor won’t refresh as quickly as a game’s framerate, will be enabled on the yet-to-be-released Xbox Series X consoles.

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LG confirmed this report with Digital Trends, but noted that 2019 models still support HDMI VRR, which is present in both the Xbox One S/X and the upcoming Xbox Series X. Simply put, the older lineup is still solid for gameplay – they just don’t support everything that LG’s newest TVs do.

LG’s 2020 roster of OLED TVs added support for FreeSync VRR thanks to a firmware update, meaning those new displays will be able to take full advantage of the technology. You just won’t be able to save a few bucks on an older display to pair with your brand-new Xbox console.

That’s not to say these slightly older LG TVs won’t do a great job as far as gaming is concerned. In fact, the LG C9 is still ranked as our best TV for gaming. That’s not just because of the mix of vivid colors and incredible black levels that come with the picture quality of a premium OLED TV, as it has plenty of other features to make that display work well for gaming.

In addition to a 120Hz screen that makes for incredibly quick responses, the C9 added a new Adaptive Refresh Technology called G-Sync via a software update. G-Sync is another technology meant to solve problems with image smoothness, though it does have its differences compared to FreeSync. So, even without FreeSync VRR, it’s not like these displays are useless when it comes to video games. They’re still incredibly capable machines, just without one of the latest pieces of software that happens to be enabled in one of the most anticipated new gaming consoles.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

As an A/V Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Nick Woodard covers topics that include 4K HDR TVs, headphones…

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The best TVs for gaming

LG 2020 TV promo shot

The PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are fast arriving, but if you’re like us, you’re having trouble waiting for the big, yet-to-be-officially-announced releases. Luckily, there are several things you can do before the unveiling of the next big gaming consoles. Like, for instance, investing in a TV that takes full advantage of these next-gen consoles' advanced capabilities.

For our money, the best new TV for these upcoming game consoles is the LG CX 65-inch 4K OLED TV, thanks to its impeccable picture and several gaming-centric features. However, it’s not the only screen capable of getting the job done when it comes to gaming -- far from it, in fact.

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LG will show off an OLED 4K TV that rolls down from the ceiling at CES 2020

LG Rollable OLED 2019

LG stole the show at CES 2019 with an incredible OLED TV concept that retracted into a piece of furniture when it wasn't in use. The LG Signature Series OLED TV R wasn't just retreating into a larger cubbyhole that housed it; instead, the 65-inch screen rolled into a structure the height of a Doberman. But even that was too space-consuming for LG. Its solution? A (concept) roll-down OLED TV that unfurls from the ceiling -- and it is set to be showcased at CES 2020.

The announcement, made in a press release from the LG Display division, is intended as a teaser of what's to come. The manufacturer hasn't shared any specifics about how it works, in other words, other than this sentence: "The 65-inch UHD roll-down OLED TV, which can be installed naturally as part of the space and can only be used down when needed, is expected to increase the level of smart home interior by increasing space utilization." One thing is for certain: LG definitely had its work cut out. There's a minefield of problems to overcome in order to achieve what LG says it has. For starters, it would first need to think of a functional approach that caters to ceilings of all heights. You want the screen to be eye-level for the most comfortable viewing experience, and there's no universal measurement for that -- it's relative to each home and viewer.
But wait, there's more ...
The drop-down OLED is just the tip of the iceberg. LG has plenty of other intriguing hardware in store for CES 2020, like an 88-inch 8K Cinematic Sound TV with a built-in 11.2-channel home theater setup, and a wafer-thin 77-inch 4K Wallpaper OLED variant. It has also been working on equipment for aircraft, headlined by a 55-inch Full HD transparent OLED that acts as an aisle partition and a 65-inch 4K bendable OLED that's flexible at both ends for first class. It is even bringing along plastic OLEDs, designed for use in cars.

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The LG OLED T hits the U.S. and can be yours — for $60,000

The LG Signature OLED T, with its contrast screen not quite halfway unfurled.

It was a wow moment when we all saw the transparent LG Signature OLED T in a suite at CES 2024, and then the following day as it was rolled on to the stage during LG's press conference. Now you can wake up to that wonder every morning, as the OLED T is now available from select retailers including Best Buy, Video & Audio Center, and LG.com -- for a cool $60,000.

Sure, at that price it isn't something most of us will ever have in our home, but that doesn't take away from how stunning and technologically innovative the OLED T is. In transparent mode, the 77-inch TV can be an Always-On-Display -- a feature LG calls T-Objet -- and act as a transparent digital canvas to show artwork or photos. The effect makes it look as though what's on screen is floating in air.