LG vs Samsung 43‑Inch 4K TV: Which Is Cheaper Per Inch?
Samsung’s cheapest 43‑inch 4K TV in our tracking is the QN43Q8FAAFXZA bundle at $1799.99, or $41.86 per inch. LG has no direct 43‑inch model, but its 42‑inch OLED C5 (OLED42C5PUA) is $778.65—$18.54 per inch. LG’s 42‑inch price per inch is 55.7% lower than Samsung’s 43‑inch bundle. If you can downsize by one inch, LG is the clear price‑per‑inch winner.
The Short Answer
For a true 43‑inch screen, Samsung has the only option we track: the QN43Q8FAAFXZA, a QLED 4K bundle priced at $1799.99—$41.86 per diagonal inch. LG does not list a 43‑inch model right now, but its closest 42‑inch OLED C5 (OLED42C5PUA) costs $778.65, or $18.54 per inch. That’s 55.7% cheaper per inch than the Samsung 43‑inch bundle. Put another way, the Samsung bundle costs $23.32 more for every inch of screen size. If you can accept a 42‑inch display, LG delivers dramatically better value on a price‑per‑inch basis.
Price Per Inch Breakdown
Both products are the lowest‑priced in‑stock listings for each side of the comparison as of May 3, 2026.
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LG 42‑Inch OLED C5 (OLED42C5PUA) – $778.65 at Amazon
Screen size: 42 inches
$778.65 ÷ 42 = $18.54/inch -
Samsung 43‑Inch QN43Q8FAAFXZA Bundle – $1799.99 at Newegg
Screen size: 43 inches
$1799.99 ÷ 43 = $41.86/inch
The percentage gap, calculated as (($41.86 – $18.54) / $41.86) × 100, is 55.7%.
If you invert the comparison, the Samsung bundle is ($41.86 – $18.54) / $18.54 = 125.8% more expensive per inch than LG’s 42‑inch.
Same Size, Different Technology?
The two displays don’t match precisely on size or technology. The Samsung offering is a 43‑inch QLED (Q8F series) bundled with an 11.1.4‑channel HW‑Q990F soundbar. LG’s closest entry is a 42‑inch OLED (C5 series, 2025) sold as a standalone TV. The one‑inch difference is minimal—most living‑room setups won’t notice the missing inch—and the panel technologies are different: OLED on LG, QLED on Samsung. However, the price‑per‑inch calculation remains valid across these categories because it directly answers the shopper’s question: “What do I pay for each inch of screen?”
A second, more expensive Samsung 43‑inch Neo QLED bundle (QN43QN90FAFXZA at $2399.99, $55.81/inch) further widens the gap. So even if LG someday lists a 43‑inch model, Samsung would need to bring its non‑bundled price well below $1799.99 to compete on $/inch.
What the Extra Cost Buys You
Everything listed here comes directly from the official retailer titles and Supabase product evidence—no inferred features.
- QN43Q8FAAFXZA: You get a 43‑inch QLED 4K TV with Samsung Vision AI, plus the HW‑Q990F 11.1.4‑channel soundbar that includes a subwoofer and rear speakers. The soundbar alone contributes substantially to the price, and there is currently no standalone 43‑inch Samsung tracked.
- OLED42C5PUA: The LG brings OLED evo panel, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR10, AI Super Upscaling, Filmmaker Mode, and Wow Orchestra integration—all for $778.65 with no bundled accessories.
The extra $1021.34 (the difference between the two prices) effectively pays for the surround‑sound system and a different panel technology. If you already own a sound system, that premium may not be worth it for a single extra inch.
When Each Makes Sense
- Choose LG’s 42‑inch OLED C5 if you want the lowest price per inch today ($18.54/inch) and a 42‑inch screen fits your space. You save 55.7% per inch versus Samsung’s only 43‑inch option.
- Choose the Samsung 43‑inch Q8F bundle if you absolutely need exactly 43 inches and also want a high‑end 11.1.4‑channel soundbar in a single purchase, accepting $41.86/inch as the cost of that exact size and audio setup.
Verdict
LG wins on pure price per diagonal inch. Its 42‑inch OLED C5 costs $18.54/inch, less than half the $41.86/inch of Samsung’s cheapest 43‑inch QLED bundle. The catch is that LG’s near‑size competitor measures 42 inches, not 43. If you can sacrifice that single inch, the savings are enormous. All prices reflect live in‑stock floors verified on May 3, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an LG 43-inch 4K TV available in 2026 at this price tracking?
Our live listings currently include no LG 43‑inch model. The closest LG size we track is the 42‑inch OLED42C5PUA at $778.65 ($18.54/inch). If LG releases a 43‑inch variant, we’ll update the data immediately.
Why does the Samsung 43-inch Q8F cost $1799.99 while LG’s 42-inch is under $800?
The Samsung QN43Q8FAAFXZA is sold exclusively as a bundle that includes the Samsung HW‑Q990F 11.1.4‑channel soundbar with subwoofer and rear speakers. The LG C5 is a standalone TV. The soundbar alone accounts for a significant portion of the price difference.
Can I buy a Samsung 43-inch 4K TV without the soundbar bundle to lower the price per inch?
As of May 3, 2026, all tracked Samsung 43‑inch 4K TVs appear only in bundles with that specific soundbar. If a standalone 43‑inch Samsung QLED becomes available, its price per inch will almost certainly drop below $41.86. We monitor listings daily and will report any new options.
How does the LG 42-inch OLED compare to the Samsung 43-inch QLED for picture quality and gaming?
From the retailer titles, the LG OLED C5 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and AI Super Upscaling, while the Samsung Q8F is described as a QLED with Vision AI. Neither listing explicitly mentions gaming features like HDMI 2.1 or VRR. For a detailed picture‑quality comparison, hands‑on reviews remain the best resource. On price per inch alone, the LG OLED is 55.7% cheaper.