Philips 55PUS7009/12 stands out as one of the most budget-friendly 4K LED TVs available on the market. It features the latest Titan OS operating system, enhancing user experience. While the PUS7009 is compatible with popular HDR formats, it does not include the Ambilight feature commonly associated with Philips products. Besides the 55-inch model, the PUS7009 series offers a variety of sizes ranging from 43 to 75 inches, catering to different room dimensions.
This variety ensures that there is an option for every living space. How does this TV measure up against its competitors in the same price bracket? Is investing in the PUS7009 a wise choice?
Design
Alongside the well-regarded Ambilight technology, consumers can enjoy a range of other essential features with this TV. It provides access to numerous streaming services, incorporates voice control capabilities, and includes a triple tuner for satellite, antenna, and cable television. Regarding its design, the Philips 55PUS7009/12 TV presents a subtle profile. With a depth of 8.4 cm, it is not as sleek as comparable models from Samsung and Sony. The legs and chassis are constructed from robust black plastic. The overall craftsmanship is commendable and meets high standards. For those interested in wall mounting, a compatible VESA 200 x 200 mount can be purchased separately, offering versatility in installation options.
Equipment
Older television models featured Android TV and Saphi operating systems. However, in 2024, the majority of new televisions will come with the advanced Titan OS operating system. The Titan OS interface closely resembles that of Google TV and other competitors. At the top, users will find a favorites list showcasing the most recently accessed streaming services.
Scrolling further reveals a variety of streaming options, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and more, along with the latest recommendations. The Channels menu enables access to numerous TV channels through Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), eliminating the need for traditional cable or satellite connections.
Overall, the operating system is designed for user-friendliness and exhibits quick responsiveness to user inputs, ensuring seamless operation. A notable advantage is the external storage of all applications, settings, and favorites in the Philips cloud, which guarantees that applications are always updated to the latest versions without requiring manual updates on the television.
The Philips 55PUS7009 features a robust triple tuner that supports all three reception types: cable (DVB-C2), satellite (DVB-S2), and terrestrial television (DVB-T2 HD). However, the channel switching time could be improved, as it currently takes up to 3 seconds.
Additionally, the USB recording function on the PUS7009 is disabled in several countries and is only available on higher-end models. The CI+ card slot located on the side allows for the reception of pay TV channels such as HD+. The television also boasts convenient channel sorting and a user-friendly program guide.
Sound quality
While flat-screen televisions have improved significantly over the years, sound quality has often been neglected. Fortunately, recent advancements have changed this trend. Modern TVs can deliver impressive audio without the need for additional sound systems. The 55-inch model, while lacking in treble and bass, offers a commendable balance in voice clarity.
The Philips 55PUS7009 features two integrated multi-range speakers that project sound from the bottom of the unit, which is advantageous for wall-mounted setups but less effective when placed on a stand. Overall, the audio performance of the Philips TV is adequate for regular viewing. However, for those seeking enhanced sound quality, an external soundbar is recommended.
Image quality
The 55PUS7009 is an impressive television within the budget category, offering vibrant colors and fluid motion. Unlike higher-end models that feature a 120Hz panel, the Philips PUS7009/12 is equipped with a 60Hz panel. Many affordable TVs struggle with fast-moving visuals, often resulting in choppy images during camera pans or sports broadcasts. However, the 55PUS7009 excels in this area, delivering surprisingly smooth performance during fast-paced action.
The color accuracy is also noteworthy; the picture quality is outstanding, with most colors being rendered accurately, contributing to a natural viewing experience. Technically, the PUS7009 supports over 1 billion colors with a 10-bit color depth (8 bits plus FRC), allowing it to fully represent an extended color gamut, including the DCI P3 color space used in film production, which encompasses more than 94%. However, this model does not achieve the deepest blacks, as it lacks QLED technology and local dimming features. It utilizes an IPS matrix, which limits its ability to display true black, rendering dark scenes in shades of gray. This limitation is not a significant drawback for everyday viewing, though it may result in slightly washed-out images in very dark scenes. On the positive side, the IPS matrix offers excellent viewing angles, making the 55PUS7009 an ideal choice for group watching. Many manufacturers today highlight HDR, HDR10, and HDR10+ technologies, but this model stands out for its overall performance in its price range.
What do these terms really mean, and what advantages does HDR provide? HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a technology aimed at delivering superior color and contrast reproduction. However, the effectiveness of HDR is significantly influenced by the technical specifications of the television. To optimally display HDR content, a peak brightness of at least 540 nits is necessary. Many modern high-end televisions can achieve peak brightness levels exceeding 4,000 nits, while more affordable entry-level models typically max out around 250 nits. Although many of these budget TVs support the HDR format, the visual benefits may not be substantial. For instance, the Philips 55PUS7009/12 TV, with a maximum peak brightness of only 300 nits, offers limited advantages in image quality. In fact, enabling HDR can sometimes result in a noticeably darker image, which can be particularly frustrating in well-lit environments.
The Philips 55PUS7009 is designed for budget-conscious consumers rather than serious home theater aficionados. It delivers an impressively sharp picture, providing excellent quality for DVD, Blu-Ray, and streaming content. Even in bright rooms and during daylight, the visuals remain vibrant and bright. It is advisable to focus on HD channels, as the picture quality of older SD channels often appears blurry.
Connections
The Philips PUS7009 features three HDMI ports located on both the side and rear of the television. It supports Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and eARC, although it does not offer 4K playback at 120Hz. With an impressive input lag of only 6ms, this Philips model is well-suited for gaming.
In addition to the HDMI ports, the TV is equipped with two USB ports, an optical digital output, antenna connectors, a CI+ slot for accessing pay TV services, and a port for wired internet connectivity. Furthermore, the Philips PUS7009 includes a wireless Wi-Fi 5 connection, but it lacks Bluetooth functionality.
Conclusion
Philips PUS7009 delivers vibrant colors, satisfactory contrast, and consistent viewing angles, providing a compelling picture quality for a television within its price category. However, there are slight concerns regarding black levels. In terms of features and user experience, the 55-inch variant, equipped with voice control, a triple tuner, and a wide array of streaming options, competes well with higher-end models.
Specifications:
| Brand | Philips |
| Series | PUS7009 |
| Line/variants | Philips 43PUS7009/12, Philips 50PUS7009/12, Philips 55PUS7009/12, Philips 65PUS7009/12, Philips 75PUS7009/12 |
| Image | |
| Standard | Ultra HD (UHD) / 4K / 2160p |
| Matrix type | IPS |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Permission | 3840 x 2160 |
| Matrix bit depth | 10 bit (8 bit + FRC) |
| Brightness | 300 nits* (no more) |
| Contrast | 1050 : 1 |
| Refresh rate | 50/60 Hz |
| Delay / input lag | 9 ms* |
| HDR standards | HDR10, HLG |
| 3D/Up-Scaling | No / Yes |
| Video | |
| Standard TV tuner (analog) | NTSC, PAL, SECAM |
| Standard TV tuner (digital) | DVB-T/T2, C, S/S2 |
| Video codecs | AV1, H.264, HEVC, MOTION JPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, RV30, RV40, VC1, VP8, VP9, XVID |
| Connections | |
| HDMI | 3 x HDMI v2.0 |
| Reception of TV signals | 1 x RF (terrestrial antenna), 1 x F-Type (satellite antenna) |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Audio output | 1 x TosLink Optical (Audio) |
| USB | 2 x USB 2.0 |
| Additionally | DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, CI+ 1.4 slot |
| Sound | |
| Power | 20 W |
| System | 2.0 |
| Support | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Bass Enhancement, AI Audio, Dolby Volume Leveler |
| Smart TV | |
| OS | Titan OS Smart TV |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Alexa |
| CPU | SoC 4-core, Pixel Precise Ultra HD |
| Built-in memory | 8 GB |
| Remote controller | Remote control |
| Additionally | color: black |
| Other | |
| VESA mount 200 x 200 mm (55″) |