Philips has introduced its latest line of OLED televisions, the 8-series. The OLED809 model boasts Ambilight NextGen technology, 4K resolution, an enhanced Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Google TV, along with the addition of Apple AirPlay for the first time. It is available in sizes ranging from 42 to 77 inches, positioning the OLED809 to compete directly with models such as the LG C4.
The Philips OLED809 shares characteristics with many other OLED televisions, featuring a remarkably slim panel with the electronics housed beneath it. While the screen is suitable for wall mounting, it also includes a central swivel stand, except for the 77-inch version, which is equipped with two height-adjustable feet.
Design
The Philips 65OLED809 TV features a sleek design with a slim inner frame integrated into the OLED panel and a narrow outer frame crafted from matte-finished metal. The sturdy metal stand provides a reliable support base for the television, despite its central support design. In contrast to the OLED808 model, this stand has a trapezoidal shape.
On the rear panel, you will find the bass drivers along with all input and output ports, strategically positioned to face either sideways or downwards, enhancing its suitability for wall mounting. The Ambilight LEDs are also positioned on the back, utilizing a three-sided “Next Gen” lighting system that debuted in 2023. The Ambilight Plus feature is exclusive to the premium OLED959 model.
Control of the Philips OLED809 TV is facilitated by an upgraded remote, which boasts a metal construction and a streamlined button layout, although it still retains more buttons than ideal. The remote is equipped with a rechargeable battery that can be charged via USB-C. Additionally, a practical feature allows the “123” button to illuminate the 1-9 keypad above it, aiding in the input of numeric codes.
Image quality
The 65OLED809 utilizes a WOLED panel from LG Display, lacking MLA microlenses. Consequently, it achieves impressive color gamut coverage, with 98% for DCI-P3 and 70% for Rec.2020. The display can reach a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, slightly exceeding 1,100 nits, which is advantageous for both movie enthusiasts and gamers. Our review unit of the OLED809 demonstrated excellent color and brightness uniformity, and OLED technology ensures optimal viewing angles.
Additionally, the full-screen brightness of the OLED809 now surpasses 200 nits, enhancing the overall picture quality. This improvement benefits HDR content and bright living environments, similar to the advancements seen in the LG C4 series. These enhancements appear to stem from upgrades to LG Display’s 2024 WOLED panel, likely in response to competition from QD-OLED technology.
However, the brightness levels still fall short compared to the newer and pricier MLA OLED models (OLED909 and OLED959) and QD-OLED televisions. While brightness is no longer a significant drawback for OLED TVs, reflections on the glossy panel can be distracting, particularly with windows in the background. The most effective solution remains the use of curtains.
The Philips P5 video processor offers dynamic image adjustments, but for the most accurate color reproduction, it is advisable to disable these features. Notably, Philips TVs from 2024 can automatically switch to Filmmaker Mode when a compatible film is detected, and they now support Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode for the first time.
Movement and games
The interplay between the content’s low frame rate and the OLED809’s remarkably swift pixel response time can lead to occasional judder. If this effect becomes too noticeable, consider enabling Philips’ “Movie” setting found under Motion -> Motion Styles. This adjustment helps to smooth out frame transitions while minimizing the “soap opera” effect.
The Pentonic 1000 chip in Philips televisions supports Dolby Vision at up to 4K 120Hz when used with the Xbox Series X. This capability complements HDR10 and HDR10+, which are already compatible with 120Hz. Additionally, you can achieve 144Hz with a PC by manually enabling this option. This functionality is part of the extensive features provided by the HDMI 2.1 standard, including VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (automatic low latency mode). The output lag is approximately 13ms.
Philips has introduced a new gaming menu that allows for quick access to essential gaming features. Within this menu, users can activate a fixed crosshair in the center of the screen and view information about the video signal. Furthermore, Philips enhances the gaming experience with additional features such as HDR10+ and Ambilight.
Smart TV
Philips has opted to replace Google TV with Titan OS on its LCD models and the 7-series OLED models, while the 8- and 9-series OLEDs continue to be equipped with Google TV. The Philips OLED809 operates on Android 12. In addition, Sony is utilizing the Pentonic 1000 chip in its 2024 Google TVs, as well as in last year’s A95L, although there are notable distinctions between the offerings from Philips and Sony.
Philips integrates the chip with 3GB of RAM, whereas Sony provides 6GB. Additionally, Philips has less available storage, with users having access to 6.5GB out of a total of 16GB, compared to Sony’s 14GB. Users can expand app storage through an external USB hard drive. The Philips OLED809 series features the same Mali G57 GPU.
It is true that Google and its partners have not yet established the hardware necessary for console gaming and other graphically demanding applications on Google TV. Regarding the Google TV interface, there are no major updates. The Pentonic chip ensures smooth performance, but the overall experience of Google TV remains consistent across different manufacturers.
The operating system provides access to nearly all applications and includes built-in Chromecast functionality. Features such as 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos are supported in most high-quality applications, including Netflix, Disney+, Max, and Apple TV+. A new addition is that the Disney+ app now streams audio in DTS:X format.
A new Philips tab has been introduced at the top of the home screen, although it currently features limited content—primarily an introduction to Ambilight and a section dedicated to an “NFT Collection.” Compared to systems like Tizen and webOS, Google TV offers greater flexibility and versatility. Additionally, Android software typically receives updates post-purchase, while Google TV can sometimes access new features directly from Google’s servers.
One of the primary criticisms of Google TV is the abundance of advertisements on the home screen. Many of the “recommendations” presented are essentially advertisements that streaming services can pay for or acquire rights to display, although they can still be relevant and helpful for discovering new content.
For the first time, the Philips OLED 809 (and higher) models come with Apple Home and AirPlay 2 integration. This allows users to control certain TV functions via their iPhone or iPad and wirelessly stream media files to the larger screen. While AV1 video decoding is functioning properly, support for VVC (H.266), the successor to HEVC (H.265), is not yet available.
Sound
The Philips OLED809 is compatible with both Dolby and DTS audio formats, and for the first time, it includes support for DTS:X profile 2, which is part of the IMAX Enhanced certification aimed at streaming content. The television features a 2.1-channel audio system that also accommodates Dolby Atmos; however, it is important to note that the full potential of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X cannot be achieved through the built-in speakers alone. Nevertheless, users can access these soundtracks and utilize pass-through functionality.
Regarding the audio performance of the Philips OLED809, it surpasses the typical quality found in slim televisions. Each of the left and right channels is equipped with 2 x 10W speakers, complemented by a rear-firing subwoofer that delivers 30W of power. The sound output provides a satisfactory level of bass, and the mid-range frequencies, including vocal clarity, are notably well-defined.
Connections
The OLED 809 series is equipped with four HDMI ports, of which only two support HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz. The Ethernet port is capped at 100 Mbps. HDMI 2 offers eARC functionality. Additionally, there are two USB ports, an optical audio output, a headphone jack, and antenna connections. The television also features WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, allowing for seamless connections with headphones and gaming controllers.
Conclusion
Philips OLED809 stands out as the leading mainstream OLED TV and poses a formidable challenge to the LG C4 across movies, television series, and gaming. Key distinctions include Philips’ innovative Ambilight technology, which is continually advancing, and the Google TV platform, offering greater versatility and flexibility compared to LG’s webOS and Samsung’s Tizen. In summary, the Philips OLED809 ranks among the top OLED TVs of 2024, particularly in terms of value for money, and comes highly recommended.