Why LG’s ugly Magic Remote is a sellout for me

Key Takeaways

• The LG Magic Remote is big, clunky, and confusing to navigate.
• The cheap look and feel, coupled with the lack of a backlight, makes it a pain to use.
• Buttons that make noise give constant trouble.

There are many considerations that go into buying a TV. From screen technology to processing power, operating system to input and resolution settings, investing in a new TV it takes time and effort . It wasn’t until recently when I was checking out LG’s flagship that I came across another part of the TV that I usually didn’t think was high on my list of priorities: the away . For all the greatness that the TV offers, the remote control was sorely lacking.

In fact, the remote control was so problematic, that despite the amazing picture, the many settings, and the optimization of all kinds of content, I couldn’t get away with using that remote control with that operating system. Here it is LG The Magic remote, and other remotes like it, need a significant upgrade, and that’s why it’s a deal breaker for me when it comes to buying one of their TVs.

The design is large and outdated

This remote is a blast from the past, and not in a good way

The first issue I have with the remote is one you’ll immediately notice when you pick it up: it’s too big. The long, bulky controller is reminiscent of a simpler time in life when, if you wanted to watch something you “wanted,” you had to pull out a tape or disc. It’s so heavy, it evokes an old remote control that’s overpowered today.

One of the reasons it’s so big is that LG decided to keep the number pad on the device, a feature most companies are savvy enough to leave out. That’s because no one needs a number pad to jump to a channel on their smart TV. Most people, like me, scroll and search for streaming services and apps. Roku, Apple, and Sony are among those that have done away with number buttons entirely. Most remote controls also have a solution for the rare times you might want to connect specific numbers. Samsung’s remote control, for example, lets you press a button to bring up a number pad on the TV. Voila! Problem solved. Remove this from the remote control.

Not attractive and cheap

Lack of expected beauty

The look and feel of the remote also reminds us of the retro days of entertainment, and not in a good way. Its plastic construction feels cheap, and doesn’t offer any sense of durability or longevity.

It certainly doesn’t have a modern touch to it, and, it distances itself from its competitors’ offerings. Compared to the impressive TV that seems to be pushing the envelope in terms of innovation for the G4 (or G3 or C3 from 2023), without the voice control feature, the remote is dated.

There is a concerted effort by TV manufacturers to create aesthetically pleasing products, i.e. TVs that blend in with decor or serve as decorative pieces in their own right. Remote control utilitarianism is obtrusive and ultimately lazy. There is a big difference when looking at the LG remote compared to the Apple TV or the upcoming Google TV Streamer remote. These look nice, modern, and small, which is what I, like many others, need from far away in 2024.

Bad layout

It just doesn’t make sense

Not only are there too many buttons, but the layout is very questionable. It’s not precise, and it leaves room for a lot of mistakes when you’re walking around. The location of the Home button is very difficult. It is among the most important buttons on the remote control: a way to return to the home page of your operating system to restart the source or skip to a specific application. It’s especially useful when you’re deep into the depths of an app, and rolling back won’t stop you.

The Home button isn’t the center button on the remote (which belongs to the mute button, for unknown reasons) where it should be, but is instead located on the left just below the volume down button. Not only is this a no-brainer, it also means it’s much easier to go to the home page when you’re trying to mute the TV.

At the bottom of the remote are buttons that jump to specific applications. While I applaud the buttons that direct me to my favorite streaming service, the six available on the Magic Remote are too many, and cramped to boot. Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime are good placements, but Sling TV and LG Channels aren’t used often enough by many people to warrant their placement.

It lacks a backlight

Lost in the darkness

The fact that there are too many buttons in total and too many grouped together becomes a big problem when you notice that there is no backlight. If you are watching TV in a dark room, you may have a problem with the remote control. And most likely, you will be watching TV in a dark place, since that is the ideal setting to enjoy a smart TV, especially an OLED that strives for cinematic fidelity.

The perfect remote control is simple and smart enough to let you navigate without looking. Buttons should be different; you should be able to determine which button does which based on the location associated with the feeling. But the LG remote doesn’t, and without a backlight, you’ll have to look closely to hear what’s going on.

Make a clicking sound

Almost

I’ve saved what I think is the worst story for last, although it may be more personal. The buttons on the remote make a loud, annoying clicking sound, and I can’t stand it. There is no satisfying feeling or feeling that comes out of pressing a button as you might with a keyboard. No, the sound from the remote control is loud, cheap, and distracting. It’s especially problematic when you’re scrolling, always pressing the right side of the pad to see what’s next in line.

There is a noticeable difference compared to a Samsung remote, for example. It is understandable that the remote can make some noise when the button is pressed, but this noise is very boring, reinforcing the cheap feeling of the device.

The best smart TV remote control should be functional, durable, and at least have some beauty. Or at least not cheap and bad. Searching through apps and titles to find the right thing to watch on TV is hard enough as it is. I don’t want a remote that makes this issue boring. I exited the LG Magic Remote.