Philips OLED809/819

OLED809 / OLED819 / AMIBLIGHT TV

Available screen sizes: 48”55”65”77”

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Panel technology: WRGB OLED | Brand: PHILIPS | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Google TV | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

7.6

Overall rating

Philips OLED 809 is quite a versatile television that appeals to a wide range of consumers. Its standout feature among all the TV models on the market is the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting. It often allows for even greater immersion and engagement in the world of film. What is most important in televisions—contrast, black levels, and colour reproduction—are all at a high standard, which is something that will always impress in OLED TVs. The tested television, while performing quite well in our tests, does have some notable drawbacks. These include the quality of tonal transitions and the jumpy operation of the dynamic tone mapping feature. In some cases, these can be slightly irritating to sensitive eyes. However, Philips OLED 809 performs really well in other aspects, particularly in two areas: gaming performance and motion smoothing. The former stands out significantly, as each of the implemented features operates without the slightest hiccup, allowing for an even more immersive gaming experience. As for motion smoothness, it matches the high level of support for gaming. Thanks to two sliders, whose effects are noticeable at every position, every user is able to find the best level of smoothing for themselves. One cannot overlook the Google TV system, which operates very smoothly and during the tests, there were no instances of any "stuttering".

Advantages

Extensive Google TV system with good app support
Very good collaboration with the console
Good image smoothness and an extensive system for improving it
Multicoloured Ambilight backlighting

Disadvantages

Poor factory colour reproduction (can be fixed through calibration)
Strongly contrasting tonal transitions
Average legibility of fonts when connected to a computer

Movies and series in UHD quality

7.3
Classic TV, YouTube

7.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

8.2
Gaming on console

9.2
TV as a computer monitor

6.4
Watching in bright light

5.5
Utility functions

7.8
Apps

10.0
Sound quality

7.1

Competing TVs in this price range

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Philips OLED769 48”

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Samsung QLED Q80D 50”

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review Philips OLED809/819 Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

10/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

∞:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Philips OLED 809, as the name suggests, uses an organic matrix. Like the vast majority of manufacturers, it comes from the LG Displays factory, which is not surprising, as other leading manufacturers, such as Sony and Panasonic, also use them. The application of this type of panel allows for achieving an ideal result in the contrast and black tests. Thanks to such results, the image is incredibly plastic and free from any blooming effect of bright texts on a dark background, which has become an inherent feature of televisions with local dimming. This is enabled by the very construction of the panel, which is not made up of many layers of filters, but of organic conductive polymers, controlled by electrical impulses. Therefore, if we want to achieve black, the pixel turns off to a value of 0, rather than being covered up. The lights present in the test image are perfectly separated from each other, which is extremely difficult, and often impossible for LCD televisions. One of the strongest points of Philips OLED 809 is its ability to render contrasts. Philips OLED809 test showed that the television handles the separation of bright elements, such as headlights, from the dark background excellently.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.8/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

921 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

970 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

1039 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

1022 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

425 nit

Philips OLED 809 delivers a more than satisfactory HDR effect. The television is capable of generating luminance exceeding 900 nits in almost every scene, and sometimes even over 1000. This result allows for a full experience of materials with a wide tonal range. The only moment when Philips OLED 809 cannot generate higher brightness is in a scene from the film "The Meg," which features a large amount of bright white across much of the screen. However, it cannot be said that this is a weak result, as it represents a significant improvement over its predecessor. Overall, such values for OLED panels produced by LG Display, which do not have MLA technology, are very, very good. Combined with high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, they allow for an HDR experience in a remarkable dimension. Philips OLED 809 test indicated that this television supports popular HDR formats such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

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

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

Conducting the calibration process on OLED 809 was definitely one of the more fruitful experiences. The scene from "Billy Lynn," mastered to around 1100 nits, performed very well, even though it physically exceeds the capabilities of the television. The success of this situation is due to the excellent performance of the television's tone mapping and the aforementioned calibration process. The combination of these two factors allowed for an almost 1:1 reproduction of the director's intentions. Even the details in the blacks are well (but not overly) visible, allowing us to experience the full suspense of the scene. This scene is incredibly challenging not just for Mini LED televisions, but also for cheaper sets equipped with organic panels. This occurs because the screen must display not only the bursts of fireworks but also a very high contrast. These weaker constructions either raise the scene's brightness too much or darken it excessively. Looking at the second image from the film "Pan," we can see that the image is slightly dimmed compared to what the producer prepared for us. There's nothing particularly strange about this, as the luminance of the scene itself is around 2800 nits, which will only be shown by incredibly advanced constructions, practically unavailable to the retail consumer. Nevertheless, the overall tonal quality of the scene is preserved very well, and it’s hard to find anything to complain about. It's also worth mentioning the quality of the colours themselves, as they were incredibly saturated due to 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 palette.

HDR luminance chart:

As it turns out, the static metadata used by the HDR10 format poses no problem for Philips OLED 809. Thanks to an efficiently functioning dynamic tone mapping feature, images filled with a lot of white are highly readable, and nearly all details can be seen, whether in the foreground, middle ground, or background. For obvious reasons, we may notice only a slight decrease in brightness, caused by the characteristics of OLED panels that do not possess MLA technology. However, what we can observe as a downside is a noticeable posterisation in tonal transitions, a slight decrease in contrast, and subtle loss of details. While the DTM function generally works very well, it has a certain flaw related to rapid scene changes. The television's algorithms struggle to keep up, and in the initial moments of a shot, details are lacking, only to be sharply regained a moment later. Thanks to the fact that OLED 809 is equipped with HDR that has dynamic metadata, namely Dolby Vision, the scene looks exemplary. Distant details, set against a significant amount of white, subtly and unobtrusively stand out, and the animals themselves have regained their proper contrast.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

2.4/10

Equally important as colours, black and contrast in the context of image quality assessment, is its purity. The quality of tonal transitions can also be included in this category. How many of you have experienced the “banding” effect on your older screens? It is extremely annoying and often effectively hinders immersion in the series or film being watched. Philips OLED 809 unfortunately has some of those issues that are better left unmentioned. However, out of editorial duty, they deserve to be examined and assessed, which will be quite simple given their lack of complexity. As you can see, practically every scene showed a lack of fluidity between colours. And just like in the movie “Kingsman,” this is still acceptable, but in other productions, you really cannot leave a dry thread on them, especially when looking at “The Green Knight.” There, the dense fog has practically been replaced by horizontal bands and indistinct geometric shapes. There are televisions that can manage tonal transitions perfectly, but unfortunately, Philips OLED 809 doesn't belong to that group. During testing, we could see the banding effect, particularly in demanding scenes, which negatively impacts the viewing experience. Philips OLED 809 test indicates that even the options for removing posterization are not sufficiently helpful, which can be considered a serious flaw.

Review Philips OLED809/819 Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Philips OLED 809 didn't perform too well in the test for the smoothness of tonal transitions. Moving on to the part of the test where we assess the behaviour of the TV's algorithms, we will again check the function responsible for removing posterisation. In fact, such a function exists in the menu and has several options available. As you can see in the photo on the left, although its presence has been confirmed by us, it is not useful. Only at the highest setting does it effectively remove disruptions, but it blurs the entire image in the process. Therefore, it is completely unusable.

Time and again, you and we find ourselves watching materials of lower quality. In this case, the quality of the image upscaling algorithms can have a salvaging effect. We must admit that those implemented in OLED 809 work quite efficiently and improve the image quality without visible artefacts. You can only notice slight edge blurring, but it is unlikely to be noticeable during normal viewing.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

The maximum refresh rate we can set on the tested television is 144 Hz. This value can be achieved by connecting it to a really powerful PC. In the case of consoles or television, everything remains the same. For those who require high movement fluidity or dislike the characteristic judder of films recorded at 24 fps, the manufacturer has prepared a fairly advanced motion smoothing system. In the dedicated tab, we will find the “Smoothness” slider responsible for eliminating judder and “Blur Reduction”, which helps increase the sharpness of dynamic elements. The function works very well and granularly, meaning each of the settings has a real impact on the perception of motion. We also mention that it works at a refresh rate of 120 Hz, as it operates on the multiples of film or television materials. Thanks to such an extensive set, every user will find their happy medium. In the photo, we present our choice, which is slight smoothing without the soap opera effect.

Motion is influenced not only by the settings on the television but also by the response time of the panel itself. OLED televisions feature the best response time on the market, which in the case of 809 is about 0.1 ms. There are no IPS/ADS or even VA panels that significantly come close to the results of organic panels.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

In the context of motion fluidity, it's worth mentioning BFI (Black Frame Insertion) technology, which inserts a black frame between film frames. Its purpose is to "reset" the retina of the eye, thus enhancing image sharpness. However, the manufacturer decided against its implementation. It's probably not a major drawback, as in most TVs on the market, this technology proves to be useless due to the heavily flickering image.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

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

The Philips OLED 809 supports all the technologies included in the HDMI 2.1 standard, and during our tests, each one activated without any problems. Therefore, we must state that this television is perfect for all gamers, both those using a console and a computer. It's worth mentioning that the manufacturer has implemented the HGIG mode, which is a great alternative to Dolby Vision, which unfortunately on the OLED809 is unplayable due to the very high input lag.

A nod to gamers is also the inclusion of a dedicated GameBar, which allows monitoring of current gameplay parameters and quick adjustments of settings. There is also a function to activate a crosshair, which will be very useful when shooting from a sniper rifle, but from the so-called hip. Additionally, we can also find a shadow enhancement function for better visibility in shadows and a colour filter for gamers with visual impairments.

In summary, the OLED 809 is a very good and versatile device for gamers. Anyone who purchases this television for gaming does not need to worry about anything, as it is simply designed for gaming. Especially since features such as VRR, ALLM, G-Sync, FreeSync, and HDR Dolby Vision gameplay will allow for an even deeper immersion in their favourite title. Lastly, we should note that the only downside of the television in game mode is the artificial sharpening of the image, regardless of the settings, and it cannot be 'softened.'

Input lag

9.5/10

The results of the input lag measurements on the Philips OLED 809 are at a high level, regardless of the signal or resolution. All gamers will surely appreciate the manufacturer's efforts, thanks to which a game running at 4K120Hz with HDR has only 5 ms of lag, which is practically unnoticeable even in online games. One should not forget about the proper implementation of the game mode with Dolby Vision, which can be praised for a similar response time of 13 ms. In this case, the Philips OLED 809 receives our highest score.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 13 ms	2160p60: 13 ms	2160p60 DV: 13 ms
1080p120: 5 ms	2160p120: 5 ms	2160p120 DV: 57 ms
2160p60: 13 ms
2160p120: 5 ms

Compatibility with PC

6.4/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): No

Font clarity: Average

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 13ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: RWBG

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Just like in games, the tested television performs excellently, but when it comes to everyday text work, it doesn't quite measure up. Its latency is very low; however, the issue lies elsewhere. The television does not support chroma 4:4:4, which results in unpleasant font blurriness, regardless of the given refresh rate. While this is not usually a problem in games, it can be quite annoying during text work due to poor readability. Additionally, the pixel layout in WOLED matrices doesn't make things easier for it.

Viewing angles

7.4/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 29%

A widely known advantage of OLED panels is their efficiency when viewed even at sharp angles. There is no noticeable drop in contrast or colour saturation. However, a characteristic feature of panels produced by LG Display, which are not used in top models, is a tint in marine or cyan shades when viewed from a wide angle.

TV efficiency during daytime

5.5/10

Matrix coating: Glare

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Very Good

For many years, the issue of the performance of OLED TVs during the day has been raised. Many people still believe that these are not receivers intended for such use. They probably have a point, particularly when it comes to screens from several years ago. Technology has advanced, and currently, there are no objections to recommending such a TV for today. Admittedly, a glossy screen doesn't sound like something that would support this claim, however, it's hard to argue against the pictures that you can see for yourself. Another point we would like to highlight is the contrast during daytime use. This, in contrast to QD-OLED panels, and even OLEDs equipped with MLA technology, is higher. This is due to the absence of excited quantum dots and micro-lenses.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Philips OLED809/819: 322 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: TPM231WW_R.101.0091.227.211

Image processor: mt5896

Subpixel Structure:

TV features

7.8/10

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

Before we dive into the software that controls the television, it’s impossible not to mention the biggest distinguishing feature of the manufacturer's televisions. This is, of course, the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting, which is located on the back of the device and displays colours tailored to what's happening on the screen, often allowing for an even greater immersive experience. The Philips OLED 809 is powered by the Google TV system. This is an undeniable advantage compared to some other models from the manufacturer, which use the proprietary TitanOS system, significantly more closed off and limited in terms of available applications. With Google TV, we can install practically any application, both from the store and directly from online repositories via an APK file.

The Google TV system also offers many conveniences related to control. We can easily connect a keyboard with a touchpad, which greatly simplifies typing queries and navigation. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google, we can issue voice commands using the remote, which are quickly and accurately interpreted by the system.

In summary: Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. Thanks to a powerful CPU, it runs very smoothly and stably, without freezing or stuttering during testing. This is definitely the best option for those who want to get the most out of their television's capabilities and appreciate the openness and versatility of the system.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.5/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The default file player on the Philips OLED 809 is quite impressive, although it does have some drawbacks. It handles a wide range of video file formats exceptionally well, except for two less common ones. It deserves high praise for its inclusion of all the checkboxes confirming playback of various subtitle formats. The TV can manage any photo resolution, making it an excellent screen for viewing family albums or studio photos. The rest, including supported photo and audio formats, is satisfactory, and those formats the TV cannot play are either uncommon or obsolete. Moreover, it's not a problem, as we can download an app from the app store that will solve these issues.

Apps

10/10

Sound

7.1/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

At the outset of this paragraph, it should be noted that sound quality is always subjective. In our opinion, the audio system that the manufacturer has equipped the Philips OLED 809 is at quite a high level. The bass is well-defined, but at the same time, it does not overshadow the mid and high tones. Looking at it from another perspective, when choosing a TV in this price range, we are more likely to already have an additional audio system. In this context, the tested television will definitely not disappoint, as it supports practically every important standard, including Dolby Atmos and, more importantly, DTS-HD Master Audio.

OLED 4K Panel: Delivers deep blacks, high contrast, and a wide color range, resulting in a realistic and detailed image.
P5 AI Perfect Picture Gen 8 Processor: An advanced processor that analyses and optimises the image in real-time, enhancing contrast, sharpness, colors, and motion.
3-Sided Ambilight: Technology that emits light from three sides of the TV, adapting it to the displayed content, which increases immersion and reduces eye strain.
Google TV: An intuitive operating system providing access to a wide range of apps and streaming services, with built-in Google Assistant and compatibility with Amazon Alexa.
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos: Support for advanced HDR formats and surround sound, offering cinema-like experiences in the comfort of your home.
Filmmaker Mode: Allows you to watch movies as the creators intended, turning off additional image processing for an authentic experience.
HDMI 2.1 with 4K/120Hz and VRR support: Provides smooth and responsive gaming experiences with support for variable refresh rates and low latency.

Philips OLED 809 – A TV that captivates every scene

Philips 809 OLED is an exceptional TV that will satisfy even the most demanding users. With OLED technology and Ambilight, it offers unmatched image quality and incredible colour depth. The Ambilight system makes watching movies and playing games even more intense and immersive. Philips OLED 809 is the ideal choice for those who value elegance and advanced functionality in one device.

High image quality and contrast in the Philips OLED 809

One of the most important advantages of Philips OLED 809 is its contrast and incredible black quality. In this technology, every detail of the image is clear, and the colours are reproduced in a natural and realistic manner. Our test of the Philips OLED 809 showed that this TV performs excellently in various lighting conditions. Although minor imperfections are noticeable, such as the quality of tonal transitions and the performance of dynamic tone mapping, Philips OLED 809 still remains one of the best choices in its class.

Gaming performance – Philips 809 OLED at its best

Philips 809 OLED also stands out from the competition in terms of gaming performance. Each of the implemented features works smoothly, providing an incredible gaming experience. Whether you prefer dynamic action games or quieter titles, OLED 819 guarantees maximum performance. The Ambilight system additionally enhances the game's atmosphere, immersing you in a whole new dimension of fun. Philips OLED 809 will certainly meet the expectations of any gamer.

Smooth image and Google TV in the Philips OLED 809

In the Philips OLED 809, there is also noticeable exceptional image smoothness. Thanks to two sliders that control the degree of image smoothing, every user can adjust the TV to their needs. The Philips OLED 809 has shown that transitions between scenes are incredibly smooth, allowing for pleasant viewing even of the most dynamic movies and programs. Moreover, the Google TV system operates very smoothly, significantly enhancing the comfort of using the device.

Philips OLED 809 – The perfect choice for demanding users

In summary, Philips OLED 809 is a TV that combines all the features expected of a modern device – excellent contrast, great color reproduction, extraordinary gaming performance, as well as image smoothness. Thanks to Ambilight, every scene gains an additional dimension. Philips OLED 809 is a product that dazzles in every aspect, providing unparalleled viewing quality.

Philips 819 – exceptional image and sound quality

The PHILIPS 819 test shows that this model offers exceptional image quality that will satisfy any film aficionado. The PHILIPS OLED 819 test reveals that the OLED screen guarantees deep blacks and amazing color reproduction, resulting from the use of OLED 819 technology. The test noted the excellent sound quality, which perfectly complements the image by providing true audiovisual experiences.

Philips OLED 809 – innovative smart TV features

The PHILIPS OLED 809 test indicates that this model is a true revolution in the world of televisions. It provides excellent image quality and quick access to a wide range of apps thanks to the Android TV system, making using this TV exceptionally comfortable. PHILIPS 819 offers the ambilight feature, which enhances the visual experience with external lighting, creating an amazing atmosphere in any room. Check out other TV tests on our site to make the best purchase.

Philips OLED809/819

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Philips OLED 809 – A TV that captivates every scene

High image quality and contrast in the Philips OLED 809

Gaming performance – Philips 809 OLED at its best

Smooth image and Google TV in the Philips OLED 809

Philips OLED 809 – The perfect choice for demanding users

Philips 819 – exceptional image and sound quality

Philips OLED 809 – innovative smart TV features