LG OLED G4 vs Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059

Direct compare

G45 / G42

Info

The Xtra / PML9019 / PML9059 / PML9009 / PML9049 / AMBILIGHT TV

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”77”83”97”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”

Panel technology: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

Operating system: WebOS

Model year: 2024

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Panel technology: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

Operating system: Titan OS

Model year: 2024

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Overall rating

8.6

6.8

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    8.5

    6.4

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    9.1

    6.3

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    9.0

    6.6

  • Gaming on console

    9.5

    8.5

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    6.0

    6.1

  • Utility functions

    9.5

    6.0

  • Apps

    9.7

    7.0

  • Sound quality

    8.6

    6.7

Advantages

  • Phenomenal image fidelity to the director's intent

  • Reference colour reproduction post-calibration

  • Very high brightness in HDR content

  • Outstanding compatibility with consoles and computers

  • The panel effectively suppresses light reflections

  • Perfect viewing angles

  • Very good tonal quality of scenes exceeding the capabilities of the television

  • Well-functioning dynamic tone mapping feature

  • Colour reproduction after calibration

  • Functionality after connecting to console/PC

Disadvantages

No like
  • Visible tonal transitions

  • Sound of the built-in audio system - it could be better in this class of television

  • Significant halo/bloom effect

  • Poor viewing angles

  • The TitanOs system is not as developed as the competition

  • Average contrast and black levels

Our verdict

LG G4 is a strong contender for being the best television of 2024. Thanks to the combination of OLED black and MLA technology, we will get an incredibly dynamic and vibrant image that will surely captivate us completely. LG G4 is also proof that televisions equipped with an OLED panel supported by MLA technology are indeed suitable for viewing in bright rooms. The operating system, while not as open as the competition, allows for many possibilities. Its greatest advantage is the well-known remote with a cursor, which makes controlling the unit (in our opinion) one of the most convenient on the market. Factory colour reproduction, although not at a high level, after undergoing calibration, can be considered almost reference-quality, providing a truly cinematic image. No wonder post-production studios choose televisions from this manufacturer. They uniquely offer such a deep capability to adjust the image, thanks to 3D LUT calibration. It seems that the biggest (and perhaps only) drawback of this television is the tonal transitions, which, while far from perfect, cannot be said to detract from the viewing experience. The remedy is provided by the manufacturer themselves, and enabling the "Smooth Gradation" function will remove the vast majority of any choppiness. LG G4 also performs exceptionally well when watching all kinds of sports or other dynamic scenes. The motion smoother is incredibly advanced and allows for adjustment of smoothness to suit individual needs. Thanks to HDMI 2.1 ports with full functionality and the manufacturer's attention, the tested television will find its place in the homes of many passionate gamers. Each of the essential features works flawlessly, and the low input lag in every mode is very pleasing. In summary, LG G4 is an incredibly versatile television, allowing for entertainment in excellent quality both at night and during the day.

Philips PML 9009 is the top LCD television from the manufacturer, featuring Mini LED backlighting. The device itself boasts excellent build quality, a stylish remote, and the manufacturer's exclusive multicolour Ambilight backlighting. In terms of picture quality, one could note a slight downside regarding black levels and contrast, which, to be honest, are not among the best and do not deliver as deep and vivid an image as seen in televisions from similar price ranges. However, it is worth mentioning that thanks to good algorithms responsible for the picture, its tonal quality was quite satisfactory. Therefore, the relatively low brightness of the display is well masked here and, with the implementation of Dolby Vision technology, allows access to the world of HDR content. What definitely deserves attention is the fluidity of transitions, which were truly outstanding and better than in some significantly more expensive units. The greatest advantage of this television is its performance in gaming. One cannot say a bad word about this aspect as the television truly shines here and will surely satisfy every user. The motion smoothing system is also one of those things for which the television deserves praise. With two sliders, the effect of which is noticeable at each position, every user can find the best degree of smoothness for themselves. Therefore, it can be confidently stated that when choosing a television for sports, one can point to PML9009 Philips as an excellent candidate. Although the TitanOS operating system is currently in the development phase and lacks a significant number of applications, we do not believe that the manufacturer will do nothing in this regard.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Where to buy

No links

No links

Contrast and black detail

10/10

6.6/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 75 (15 x 5)

Contrast:

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review LG OLED G4 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

132,000:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

16,550:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

14,450:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

7,850:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

6,650:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

LG G4, with its OLED panels produced for over 10 years, delivers perfect contrast, black levels, and detail reproduction in the darkest scenes. It's worth noting that the panel itself is equipped with MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology, which LG showcased just a year ago with the launch of its predecessor. The use of an organic panel not only allows for achieving pitch-black blacks but also provides extraordinary immersion and a three-dimensional effect in the image, which is hard to find even in the best Mini LED TVs. Such image quality is closely linked to OLED panel technology, as each pixel is controlled by an electrical impulse rather than shading filters on the panel. Therefore, if we want to achieve black, the pixel is simply turned off. This is very evident in test images, where the spotlight provides high brightness while being perfectly separated from each other. The situation remains unchanged in the challenging scene from "Sicario 2," where no imperfections from zone dimming can be seen, which we might encounter in LCD TVs.

Philips PML9009 is equipped with a high-contrast VA panel. While it doesn’t deliver as deep and vivid an image as OLED televisions, it is still a much better solution for home cinema compared to IPS/ADS panels. The measured static contrast (without local dimming activated) of 6000:1 is considered very good and allows the Mini LED backlighting implemented in the tested television to shine. The results of the contrast and black measurement, as you can see for yourself, are not among the highest, and the only scene where the television exhibited satisfactory results was from the movie "Oblivion," where the unit deserves praise for its light separation, which is not such an obvious thing even in much more expensive models. We should also add that all tests were conducted at medium dimming power, as the lowest option provided unsatisfactory black levels, while the highest one lost significant detail. Unfortunately, our standard testing procedure with the film "Sicario 2" did not go as well as hoped. Yes, all the details in the second and third planes are very visible, but due to the operation of local dimming, the overall tonal balance was severely disrupted, not to mention the strong halo effect around the bright elements of the helicopter.

HDR effect quality

7.8/10

6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 98.3%, Bt.2020: 74.7%
DCI P3: 93.0%, Bt.2020: 73.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1474 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1467 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1403 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

1441 nit

Review LG OLED G4 Brightness measurement

Result

850 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

548 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

550 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

824 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

491 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

582 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

HDR luminance chart:

Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059

LG OLED G4

LG G4 guarantees an incredibly vibrant HDR effect, placing the television firmly at the top of the rankings. The highest model in the manufacturer's 2024 portfolio, equipped with the second generation of microlens technology (MLA), has achieved a maximum brightness level of 1474 nits in real scenes. The only area where the product of the Korean manufacturer may fall short compared to LCD televisions with Mini LED backlighting is during a full-screen scene featuring a lot of white. If we were to disregard the latter scene, the average result would be even higher. It's also worth mentioning scenes with very fine details, where each one shone at full intensity, which is not as evident in non-OLED televisions. The combination of such brightness and wide coverage of the DCI-P3 color space ensures that HDR materials are more engaging than ever before.

Philips PML9009 doesn't really operate at the highest values in HDR materials. Most effects with brightness around 550 nits won't leave us thrilled with the lighting effects, although they are quite stable, which is a plus, and a considerable difference can be felt between SDR materials. It's worth noting that we can achieve a good result only in one scenario, that is in the film "Gemini," where the flashlight as the sole light source can really shine. Why in this scene? The answer is quite simple. The scene itself doesn't have a large amount of black, and the flashlight isn't as large an object as the sun in the first and last scenes. Overall, the brightness measurement results in HDR materials aren't a solid basis for recommending this television for viewing productions that use a wide color gamut. However, it's worth mentioning that this model can cover it in a not too bad 93% degree in the case of the DCI-P3 palette.

Factory color reproduction

8.4/10

5.3/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best factory mode in terms of colour reproduction was "Filmmaker". This is the one we used during our tests. Let's check how its characteristics looked before the calibration process. Taking a closer look at the white balance first, we can notice a significant dominance of red and green colour. As a result, the image had a warm yellow tint. This is the kind of characteristic we usually observe in "Cinema", "Filmmaker", or similarly named modes. The effect of such a colour balance was clearly visible in both SDR and HDR content, which, after switching from "Standard" mode, was distinctly yellowed. Now let's move on to two graphs that are responsible for brightness characteristics, and consequently, image contrast. The first one (Gamma), representing materials with a standard colour palette, performed decently. For most of the time, the midtones and bright whites were represented very accurately, however, it noticeably lost the darkest details which blended into a black patch. On the other hand, HDR materials, represented by the EOTF curve graph, exhibited a significant drop in contrast due to a strong boost in brightness. There was also an issue with the colours themselves as seen on the "ColorChecker" graph since they were noticeably undersaturated.

The best factory mode used during our tests was "Filmmaker". Here, we will examine both SDR and HDR content. The key differentiator is primarily the EOTF curve in the wide colour gamut materials and gamma in those recorded "the old way". Starting with SDR films and series and the most basic thing we can observe, which is white balance, we see a significant red colour dominance. This led to a yellow tint across the whole image, causing unnaturally looking faces and yellowed whites. This issue is also clearly visible on the "ColourChecker" palette, where all colours have shifted towards their warmer counterparts. Looking at an even more significant graph, the gamma responsible for the contrast of the image, we see considerable errors beginning right from the start. From the left, the value we measured, indicated by a combined ellipsis, clearly spiked upwards, causing complete merging of details in the darkest scenes. This state of affairs persisted up to 10% brightness on the screen, after which it dove below the reference orange line, leading to a deterioration in contrast, which, as we know, Philips PML9009 is already lacking. In HDR materials, white balance issues were very similar to those in SDR content. The discrepancy appears when checking the EOTF curve, which governs the rate of brightness increase and severely limited it, resulting in an unnaturally dark image. As for the colours themselves, there were more reasons for concern here, as the television's low luminance caused a huge disparity between the actual state and the correct one, which is perfectly visible on the error graph, often exceeding the scale.

Color reproduction after calibration

9.5/10

7.5/10

The manufacturer has been implementing extensive support for the calibration process in their LG televisions for many years. Therefore, we used 2- and 20-point grey scale adjustments along with an advanced CMS (Color Management System) and got to work. As you can see, thanks to the procedure carried out, each of the parameters has significantly improved. The use of tools has resulted in extremely beneficial effects, which include: studio colour reproduction, recovery of details in dark areas of the image, appropriate brightness characteristics, and proper colour saturation. Thus, we have maximised our approach to the reference image, or the one that the film director saw on the preview monitor. It is worth noting that the LG G4 televisions are the only ones that allow for even deeper intervention in image quality due to the capability to calibrate with 3D LUT matrices. However, this solution is recommended only for post-production or graphic studios.

Philips PML9009, like most leading manufacturers, has been providing advanced tools for calibration processes for years. Here we find 2-point and 20-point greyscale adjustments, as well as an advanced CMS (Color Management System). The differences resulting from calibration are evident, and even someone who doesn't pay attention to image quality (although there probably aren't many like that here) will notice the positive difference. Both SDR and HDR materials have undergone quite a transformation. The former and the latter have primarily shed the ugly yellow tint resulting from the red colour dominance in white balance. As for the SDR materials and gamma, although it is not perfectly modelled and still loses dark details, the rest of it is at more than a decent level, and minor errors will not be noticeable. The colours themselves look far better, and with low deltaE errors, they are almost reference-quality. On the other hand, HDR materials, due to the unit's low luminance, have not been optimised as we would have liked. Although the white balance has been largely normalised, a slight blue tint can still be observed here and there. Fortunately, the EOTF curve turned out to be much more accessible, allowing for practically perfect geometry. Unfortunately, due to the screen's too low brightness, the colour errors remain quite high.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.2/10

7/10

The tonal transitions presented on LG G4 are not among the top performers. Each scene played from a BluRay disc with 10-bit HDR exhibited noticeable choppiness in the colour transitions. This was particularly evident in the case of the film "The Green Knight," where issues related to posterisation were especially pronounced. This effect could also be observed in films with moderate to high brightness, such as "The Martian" or "Kingsman," which is rarely seen in televisions (especially of this class), which took us by surprise. Such results suggest that in scenes with low luminance and a lot of black, this issue will be troublesome, even for a layman.

There’s no doubt many of you have watched a movie or series where you noticed transitions that should be a smooth blend between colours. That’s why during our tests we also pay attention to tonal transitions. Philips PML9009 performed quite well in this area with each of the scenes we prepared, and while there are certain elements here and there that could have been processed better, it’s still good overall. It’s particularly worth noting the scene from "The Green Knight," which is definitely the most challenging. For the tested television, it wasn’t a "killer" and there are no significant unwanted stutters visible in it.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

8.2/10

7.2/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The tested television did not perform well with content rich in tonal transitions, resulting in a strong posterisation effect. However, there is a partial remedy for this ailment. The manufacturer has equipped the LG G4 with a smoothing system called "Gentle Gradation," which we can apply at three levels: Low, Medium, and High. Each of these options guarantees quite high smoothing effectiveness on bright colours, though low on darker ones. We recommend primarily using the first one due to the fact that the other two interfere with directorial intentions, removing film grain.

When watching lower-quality content, the efficiency of the television during upscaling is extremely important. The image from the tested television is sharp and clear. However, attention should be paid to the jagged edges of fine details and minor issues around characters, such as the creation of a halo effect, which occurs due to the sharpening imposed by the LG G4 even when the slider is set to the lowest value, which is 0. It is worth noting that this is a change in relation to the LG G3, which did not impose such strong image sharpening, even when the appropriate slider was set to position 0.

Judging by how PML9009 Philips handled tonal transitions, the image scaling test should perform just as well. This time, we are checking the TV’s algorithms responsible for enhancing the quality of images that were recorded in lower quality. Such images can be found, for example, in various TV shows or older films. In this regard, Philips PML9009 performs quite mediocrely and drastically blurs the image. This is particularly noticeable on fine branches or the model's hair.

Let’s revisit the issue of tonal transitions, which performed remarkably well. Within the unit, we will find several levels of smoothing. Even the lowest one can effectively eliminate any jerky tonal transitions and will be suitable for the vast majority of materials. More importantly, none of the settings for this function soften the effect of film grain, which is extremely important in terms of alignment with the director's vision. However, we would like to point out that sometimes it may turn out that fine details are blurred.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

7.7/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
120Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
Nie
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
50%
0%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

The maximum refresh rate that we can set on the LG G4 is 144 Hz. Naturally, this is only possible by connecting the LG G4 to a very powerful PC. Otherwise, we will be operating at a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which is recommended if we primarily want to watch sports or content with high motion dynamics. For those who require high fluidity of image, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-level motion smoother called "TrueMotion". It has been divided into two separate sliders that adjust the sharpness of moving images (De-Blur) and judder (De-Judder). Both sliders can be set in the range from 0 to 10, with each increment affecting the degree of smoothing, so everyone can find their sweet spot.

The LG OLED G4 panel features an average response time of 0.78 ms (which directly results from our measurements), allowing for an incredibly clear image, unattainable by LCD televisions, which have response times of even several milliseconds. This is clearly visible in the "UFO Test" images, showing the absence of any trailing blur behind the object. Furthermore, the LG OLED G4 test showed that the television offers the ability to precisely adjust motion smoothing functionality, allowing users to choose the ideal level of image interpolation. We particularly appreciated this during fast-paced action in video games, where the LG G4 performed exceptionally well, minimising any blurriness. Thanks to OLED technology, this model eliminates so-called ghosting, ensuring that the image remains sharp even in the most dynamic sports or movie scenes.

Philips PML9009 has been equipped with a panel that has a native refresh rate of 120 Hz. This is the essential minimum for watching all kinds of sports and is recommended for comfortable gaming in favourite titles on consoles or PCs. The manufacturer, for those who dislike the characteristic judder of footage recorded at 24 fps or those requiring a high degree of motion smoothness, such as when watching football matches, has prepared an effective system for improving the sharpness of moving images. In the dedicated tab, we will find a "Smoothness" slider responsible for eliminating judder and a "Motion Blur Reduction" setting that helps to increase the sharpness of dynamic elements. The function works very well and granularly, meaning each setting has a real impact on motion perception. With such a set, every user will find their sweet spot. In the picture, we present our choice, which is slight smoothing without the soap opera effect.

A matter directly related to motion is the response time of the pixels in the panel itself. The best in this regard are of course OLED panels, followed by units based on IPS and ADS screens, and lastly VA. Despite the generally good quality of the systems responsible for smoothening the image, the use of a VA panel carries consequences in the form of black smear behind fast-moving objects. Although in the tested television this should not occur frequently, it will be noticeable here and there.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

9.8/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    40 - 144Hz
    48 - 144Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

The LG G4 television supports all features that make up the HDMI 2.1 standard. During testing, each feature activated without any issues, which allows us to consider the television as designed for gaming. Its performance will certainly be appreciated by both console users and those connecting the LG G4 to a computer. It’s also worth mentioning the proper implementation of the HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) mode, which ensures that games mastered to brightness levels beyond the maximum luminance of the LG G4 will correctly map tones, keeping the game image true to the original.

A nice touch is the presence of a special GameBar that we can bring up at any moment to check game parameters, but most importantly, to change them quickly. More importantly, turning on VRR technology does not degrade contrast, which is often a problem in televisions with local dimming or Mini LED backlighting. Of course, this is thanks to the OLED panel itself, characterised by pixel self-emissiveness. As a journalistic note, we will only mention a slight grey flicker, which, however, is somewhat normal when VRR is enabled.

In summary, the LG G4, like practically all OLED televisions, is an ideal product for all kinds of gaming and online competitions. With full HDMI 2.1 ports with a complete bandwidth of 48 Gbit, features such as VRR, ALLM, G-Sync, FreeSync, or HDR Dolby Vision gameplay will bring a lot of joy.

Philips PML9009, equipped with HDMI 2.1 connections with full bandwidth, supports all functions dedicated to gamers. The most basic ones, such as VRR and ALLM, are a given, but G-Sync, FreeSync, or playing in HDR Dolby Vision with low input lag are not. These features activate without any problems, and during the tests conducted, they presented no obstacles. Such preparation of the television is certainly its strong point, and it can be said that it is a unit dedicated to gamers. For more advanced users, we also mention that the PML9009 is equipped with the HGIG mode, which will be particularly felt by gamers, as there are still relatively few games that support Dolby Vision. This mode primarily allows for the adjustment of HDR effects to the capabilities of the television on a special board, to prevent dimming and burning of the image.

The television additionally implements a special menu - GameBar. This allows for editing unit settings "on the fly," meaning without having to exit the game. In it, we will also find functions such as activating a crosshair or black level correction for better visibility of opponents in shadows.

In a brief summary of this paragraph, the Philips PML9009 is a unit that will undoubtedly attract gamers' attention. Thanks to its versatility, it will allow for playing any title in the highest quality without compromises. Especially since features such as VRR, ALLM, G-Sync, FreeSync, or gameplay in HDR Dolby Vision will provide an even greater immersion in the favourite title.

Input lag

10/10

9.6/10

SDR

1080p60
14 ms
16 ms
1080p120
5 ms
8 ms
2160p60
14 ms
16 ms
2160p120
5 ms
8 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
16 ms
2160p120
5 ms
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
32 ms
2160p120 DV
5 ms

The input lag of the LG G4 is impressively low in every scenario. Even the most dedicated gamers will surely appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, which is just 5 ms. It's also worth noting that the lag at the same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remains unchanged, which is not as obvious with the competition. Therefore, it deserves the highest rating and recommendation.

The results of input lag measurements in Philips PML9009 are impressive, regardless of the signal or resolution. All gamers will certainly appreciate the efforts of the manufacturer, which have led to a game running at 4K120Hz with HDR having only 8 ms of delay, which is practically undetectable even in online games. One should also not forget about the proper implementation of game mode with Dolby Vision, which can be praised for a similar response time of 16 ms.

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Very Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
5ms
8ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
Max refresh rate
144Hz
120Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

LG G4 paired with a PC performs excellently, thanks to an incredibly low latency of just 5 ms, which is practically instantaneous response between the mouse, eye, and screen. A crucial aspect while working on the screen is the readability of text, which is very good in the case of the tested television.

The RWBG pixel arrangement has no significant impact on the display of fonts or letters, which is a considerable advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED matrices. Users of both Windows-based PCs and macOS will surely be pleased with the performance on the tested LG G4 television.

Just like in games, the tested Philips PML9009 performs excellently in everyday use as well. Measured latencies of 8 ms allow for virtually instantaneous response between the mouse, screen, and eye. The correct implementation of chroma 4:4:4 enables working with text without any problems thanks to sharp fonts. The subpixel arrangement of the matrix is BGR, although this does not cause any discomfort when working on the Windows system. It may be different with other systems that may not be able to correctly convert text.

Viewing angles

9.7/10

2.6/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
9%
83%

The undisputed advantage of OLED screens equipped with MLA technology is their performance when viewing from various angles. To the naked eye, there are no noticeable changes, regardless of where we are watching from. This type of screen maintains consistent brightness, saturation, and white hue, unlike LCD matrices or OLEDs without micro-lens technology (MLA). The only matrices that can match them are those produced by Samsung Displays, using quantum dots, namely QD-OLED.

A commonly known drawback of VA panels that do not have an angle coating is their poor viewing angles. This time is no different. Even after a small shift off-axis, the image becomes washed out, and the colours undergo significant degradation.

TV efficiency during daytime

6/10

6.1/10

Matrix coating
Glare
Satin
Reflection suppression
Good
Average
Black levels during daytime
Average
Good

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059: 564 cd/m2

LG OLED G4: 482 cd/m2

The glossy coating of the display in LG G4, although it may sound like a downside, is actually quite the opposite. Thanks to it, the LG G4 television maintains very high efficiency and effectively suppresses all reflections, "holding" them only at their source. It's also worth mentioning the quality of black during the day, which in the case of WRGB displays produced by LG Displays is outstanding. OLED MLA displays, despite their many advantages, are somewhat inferior in this case, but still better in the context of competition from Samsung, whose QD-OLED displays fade under light. The combination of brightness at around 500 nits and the glossy coating allows for daytime viewing of the television, unless the user has a living room with large glazing.

As far as the brightness of the TV itself in SDR content is good (let's face it, we watch movies in the evening or in the dark), the reflection suppression is at a rather average level. This is due to the satin finish of the panel, which is quite susceptible to all light sources and neither absorbs nor disperses them. However, it's worth noting that due to the quite high brightness in SDR content, the TV will overall perform fairly well in bright rooms, and certainly better than a large portion of OLED TVs.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
Software version during testing
03.10.85
TPN248E_V248.003.025.151
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

LG OLED G4

Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059

TV features

9.5/10

6/10

  • Operating system
    WebOS
    Titan OS
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    No
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    Yes
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • AirPlay
    Yes
    No
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    No
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    Infrared
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    Yes
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes

LG uses the well-known proprietary system WebOS, which has been around for many years. The system offers virtually all the essential applications, and those that are missing can be counted on one hand, such as CDA or KODI.

WebOS also provides the highly valued ability to perform operations using a cursor that appears when the remote control is moved. The convenience of such a feature is invaluable when entering queries or passwords for portals. WebOS, like most systems, also supports functions such as screen mirroring, AirPlay, voice search in Polish, and the ability to connect headphones via Bluetooth. On a more practical note, WebOS allows us to use both headphones and the TV speaker LG G4 simultaneously, which will certainly be a significant advantage for those with hearing disabilities. Among the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the option to enable an alert for upcoming matches, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel also deserves praise, allowing for control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the end of a laundry cycle will be signalled by a notification in the top right corner.

In summary, the WebOS system, although less known and with some limitations compared to Android TV, offers stable and fast operation and supports most features that users might need. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in a television.

Before we dive into the software that controls the television, it's impossible not to mention the biggest standout feature of the manufacturer's TVs. We're talking, of course, about the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting, which is placed on the back of the device and displays colours that adapt to what's happening on the screen, often allowing for an even greater immersion experience. The operating system responsible for the TV's functioning is Philips' proprietary system, charmingly named TitanOs. It is definitely more closed off and limited in terms of application resources compared to other TVs from the manufacturer that use GoogleTV. Besides the lack of essential applications, its closed nature also reveals itself in another way. We won't be able to perform such basic tasks as programming recordings or recording to USB. People using Apple devices may also feel disappointed by the lack of the AirPlay function, which allows for easy screen streaming. Fortunately, there is the option to connect a keyboard and mouse for more efficient navigation through the TV's menu. It's also worth mentioning that while the remote pairs via BT, it only works for voice selection in English. The rest operates via IR...

In summary: TitanOs has quite a few "buts," especially for those of us who are aware users needing and using multiple streaming platforms. It's more of an option for those limiting themselves to the so-called holy trinity: Netflix, YouTube, and CDA.

Playing files from USB

8.5/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
No
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
No
Yes
WebP
No
No
TIFF
No
No
BMP
No
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
No
12 Mpix
Yes
No
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
No
No
24 Mpix
No
No
28 Mpix
No
No
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The default file player on the LG G4 performs quite well with most photos, although it's surprising to find a lack of several equally popular ones. It can successfully play videos recorded in virtually all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that the G4 cannot play is H.266 VVC, although this is currently quite rarely used. However, it's important to note the supported photo formats, of which there are only two: JPEG and PNG. Users of Apple phones may feel disappointed by the lack of support for the HEIC format, which is the default format when taking photos. The remedy for this is to use the built-in AirPlay feature. Lastly, we should also mention the lack of support for TXT subtitles.

The default media player built into Philips PML9009 offers quite a wide range of capabilities but also has its limitations. It plays virtually all video formats except for .asf, which is not commonly encountered. However, there are issues with the lack of support for the H.265 HEVC codec at high bitrates and .sub files, which are quite popular. When it comes to photos, the player performs adequately, but it lacks support for some popular resolutions and formats, such as HEIC, which is used on Apple devices. The player handles audio the best, where it has no complaints. Unfortunately, due to system limitations, there is no possibility of function expansion, meaning we are left with what the manufacturer has prepared.

Apps

9.7/10

7/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
No
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
No
Apple_TV_Plus
No
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
No
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
No
Kodi

Sound

8.6/10

6.7/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    8.6/10
    6.7/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    Yes
    Yes

The assessment of sound quality is always subjective. However, we must give credit to LG G4 for maintaining a fairly good level of sound clarity. The biggest drawback of the built-in audio system in the television is the low bass range. However, it’s important to look at this from a different perspective — anyone opting for this television will likely have a home theatre system. The key in this case will be broad support for audio codecs, including DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos.

To begin with, it is worth noting that sound quality is a subjective matter. The built-in audio system in Philips PML9009 stands out with clear high tones, but the bass is quite flat and significantly worse than in competing models in the same price range.