The catch
LG CineBeam S
The projector needs external power right from the start.
Side by side
LG CineBeam S vs Optoma Photon Go: Optoma runs on battery, but its 1.5-hour claim limits films
Quick verdict
The CineBeam S fits a small 40 to 59-inch setup, a 4K display, or a compatible laptop sending video over USB-C. The Photon Go fits a portable 60 to 100-inch setup that runs on its built-in battery. For a long movie, plan on external power, because Optoma advertises only 1.5 hours of battery. Either way, you need careful ultra-short-throw placement and controlled light.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
What USB-C does decides which cables you pack
A laptop with compatible USB-C video output can connect to LG with a direct video cable, since LG lists USB-C display input. The USB-C connection on Photon Go is for power only, so that same laptop needs a suitable HDMI output or adapter to send video.
Where this comes from
USB-C display and 20V/3.25A power input are specified for LG. Optoma explicitly labels its USB-C as power input only. Video support on the host and capability of the cable are separate requirements.
The catch
Optoma Photon Go
A full two-hour film is beyond the rating of its built-in battery.
LG CineBeam S
- Why pick it
- You want a 40 to 59-inch image or a 4K source display
- Your compatible laptop sends video over USB-C directly
- The catch
- The projector needs external power right from the start.
Optoma Photon Go
- Why pick it
- You begin a short viewing session on the built-in battery
- You want a Google TV setup at 60 to 100 inches
- The catch
- A full two-hour film is beyond the rating of its built-in battery.
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What this page compares
CineBeam S or Photon Go? See how they compare for a small wall, laptop video, native resolution and a movie night away from a wall outlet.
The CineBeam S fits a small 40 to 59-inch setup, a 4K display, or a compatible laptop sending video over USB-C. The Photon Go fits a portable 60 to 100-inch setup that runs on its built-in battery. For a long movie, plan on external power, because Optoma advertises only 1.5 hours of battery. Either way, you need careful ultra-short-throw placement and controlled light.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Aim for a 50-inch image
LG alone has that image size within its specified range.
- LG CineBeam S
- Better fit
- Optoma Photon Go
- Not suitable
Feed video straight from a compatible USB-C laptop
USB-C on the Photon Go carries power only. Wired video needs HDMI.
- LG CineBeam S
- Better fit
- Optoma Photon Go
- Not suitable
Begin a short session with no external power
Photon Go comes with a built-in battery.
- LG CineBeam S
- Not suitable
- Optoma Photon Go
- Better fit
Get through a two-hour movie on the internal battery alone
LG has no battery, and Photon Go advertises just 1.5 hours.
- LG CineBeam S
- Not suitable
- Optoma Photon Go
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
What USB-C does decides which cables you pack
A laptop with compatible USB-C video output can connect to LG with a direct video cable, since LG lists USB-C display input. The USB-C connection on Photon Go is for power only, so that same laptop needs a suitable HDMI output or adapter to send video.
How we worked this out
USB-C display and 20V/3.25A power input are specified for LG. Optoma explicitly labels its USB-C as power input only. Video support on the host and capability of the cable are separate requirements.
A two-hour film is longer than the internal battery lasts
A two-hour film outlasts Photon Go's stated 1.5-hour battery time, even before setup or pauses are counted. Pick it for shorter unplugged sessions, or budget for a compatible 100W PD 3.0 external supply if you want to watch longer.
How we worked this out
The advertised maximum of 1.5 hours falls 30 minutes short of two hours. Actual battery duration depends on settings and content, so this is a planning limit and not a runtime test.
One stated range excludes a 50-inch wall
The CineBeam S specification is 40 to 100 inches. Photon Go starts at 60 inches.
How we worked this out
This conclusion rests on manufacturer image-size ranges. Offsets for UST installation cannot be swapped for ordinary lens-to-screen measurements.
Plug in your numbers
Will either projector work in your room?
This checks hard limits only. Personal preferences are left out of the math.
LG CineBeam S
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens position is about 2.18 ft. You entered 9.50 ft. This model is documented for pictures from 40 to 100 inches.
Optoma Photon Go
Does not work with your numbersFor a 120-inch 16:9 picture, the calculated lens position is about 1.57 ft. You entered 9.50 ft. This model is documented for pictures from 60 to 100 inches. Optical estimate only: this fixed 0.18 UST lens has no optical zoom. Lens-to-screen distance is not the gap behind the cabinet. Check the installation diagram for cabinet position, screen height and ventilation. Digital correction adds no optical range.
Measure distance from the lens to the screen. The math assumes a 16:9 picture and uses the verified throw range for each exact model.
With an ultra-short-throw model, the gap behind the cabinet is a separate measurement. Check the installation diagram for cabinet position, screen height and ventilation.
Option A
LG, PU615U
CineBeam S
With webOS, this tiny 4K triple-laser UST turns shallow furniture into an 80 to 100-inch smart display.
- Best for
- You want a 40 to 59-inch image or a 4K source display
Facts we checked
- Resolution of display: 4K UHD
- Image size as specified: 40 to 100 inches
- What USB-C does: Display input, plus a specified 20V/3.25A power input
- Power during a session: A supplied 65W USB-C adapter, with no built-in battery
Option B
Optoma, ML1080UST
Photon Go
Battery-powered USTs are rare, and this model has triple-laser color, Google TV and two 10W speakers for a small dark-room setup.
- Best for
- You begin a short viewing session on the built-in battery
Facts we checked
- Resolution of display: Native 1080p, accepting 4K HDMI input
- Image size as specified: 60 to 100 inches
- What USB-C does: Power in only
- Power during a session: Built-in battery rated up to 1.5 hours, plus 100W PD external power
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | LG CineBeam S | Optoma Photon Go | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 4K UHD | Native 1080p with accepted 4K HDMI input | Photon Go does not display 4K pixels just because it accepts a 4K signal. |
| Specified image size | 40 to 100 inches | 60 to 100 inches | LG's is the only range that includes a 50-inch image. |
| USB-C role | Display input and specified 20V/3.25A power input | Power input only | LG can use a USB-C video cable only if both the laptop and the cable support video. |
| Power for a session | Supplied 65W USB-C adapter, no built-in battery | Built-in battery rated up to 1.5 hours, 100W PD external power | The internal battery in Photon Go can get a short session going, yet long films still call for a power plan. |
| Built-in platform | webOS | Google TV | Look at which streaming apps and subscriptions the household really uses. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With LG CineBeam S
- Connecting a laptop by USB-C still takes compatible video output and a suitable cable.
With Optoma Photon Go
- USB-C does not carry video, and a 4K input is displayed at native 1080p.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
I plan a 50-inch image, or I need USB-C video
Go with LG CineBeam S. LG covers that smaller image range and has documented USB-C display input.
The main use is a short session without a plug
Go with Optoma Photon Go. A battery comes with Photon Go, within its stated runtime limits.
Decision guide
How to decide
The CineBeam S is the pick for a small 40 to 59-inch setup, a 4K display or the USB-C video connection of a compatible laptop.
What USB-C does decides which cables you pack
LG lists a USB-C display input, which means a laptop with compatible USB-C video output can connect with one video cable. On the Photon Go, USB-C is only for power, so the same laptop would need a suitable HDMI output or adapter to send video. If skipping the HDMI adapter matters for repeated desk-to-wall use, choose LG. Plan the projector's power separately, because video over USB-C does not mean the laptop can supply the power the projector needs.
A two-hour film is longer than the internal battery lasts
At a stated 1.5 hours, the Photon Go's battery falls short of a two-hour film before you even count setup or pauses. It suits shorter unplugged sessions, and for longer viewing you should budget for a compatible 100W PD 3.0 external supply. The LG runs from its supplied 65W adapter and needs external power from the start. If that is already available and the 4K display or smaller image range matters more to you, choose the LG.
One stated range excludes a 50-inch wall
The CineBeam S is specified for 40 to 100 inches, whereas the Photon Go starts at 60 inches. For a planned 50-inch installation, choose the LG, and use the exact body-to-wall and image-height diagram instead of a generic throw-ratio calculation for a UST chassis.
What this page can’t tell you
- We did not run a head-to-head measurement of daylight contrast or noise. Battery time is the most the manufacturer states. It is no guarantee.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the home projectors we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG CineBeam S |
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| Optoma Photon Go |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
LG CineBeam S
You want a 40 to 59-inch image or a 4K source display
See price & reviews on AmazonOptoma Photon Go
You begin a short viewing session on the built-in battery
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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