4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160): Provides four times the resolution of Full HD, offering a sharp and clear image with a wealth of details.
Ambilight technology: The three-sided Ambilight system emits a glow that adjusts to the content displayed on the screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience.
Support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG: Support for various HDR formats ensures better contrast and more accurate color reproduction, resulting in a more realistic image.
Titan OS operating system: An intuitive and fast Smart TV system that provides access to popular streaming apps and customizes the interface.
Dolby Atmos technology: Provides spatial sound, creating an enveloping audio experience and enhancing the quality of multimedia content reception.
HDMI 2.1 ports: Three HDMI ports allow the connection of modern devices with fast data transfer and support for advanced features.
Gaming features: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support ensures smoother gameplay with less lag, which is beneficial for gamers.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity: Provides a wireless connection to the internet and other devices, enhancing the functionality of the television.
- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- 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
Complete the survey to find out the result
Panel technology: LCD IPS Brand: PHILIPS Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Titan OS Model year: 2024
Our verdict
5.1
Overall rating
Philips PUS8359 is a television that captures attention primarily due to its three-sided Ambilight system. The adaptive backlighting enhances the viewing experience, especially in the evening – the light behind the screen adds atmosphere when watching movies and makes the interior look more interesting. It’s a really nice addition, especially if we like unconventional solutions. For gamers, this model can be a good choice to start with. The low input lag of less than 10 ms ensures quick responses, and the Automatic Game Mode adjusts the settings for smooth gameplay. If we play occasionally, the television performs well, but it is not exactly equipment for those looking for top-notch experiences. As for everyday use, it’s not perfect. The Titan OS looks simple, but it lacks many popular applications, which can be frustrating. Additionally, the interface can sometimes operate slower than we’d like – switching apps or jumping between settings may occasionally require patience. If we have previously used more advanced systems like Android TV, Titan OS can be quite disappointing. And what about picture quality? This is where the problem arises. The panel offers average brightness and low contrast, so in bright rooms the image may look pale. In darker scenes, black becomes more gray, which takes away details. HDR? We shouldn’t count on great effects – the lack of Dolby Vision and limited technical capabilities mean that HDR content does not leave a significant impression. Philips PUS8359 is a television that works great for fans of Ambilight and those seeking basic functions. It performs well in gaming, and evening screenings with impressive backlighting will gain additional atmosphere. However, if we care about high picture quality or an advanced Smart TV system, it’s worth looking for other models. This television is a proposition for those who do not expect too much and want something simple with an interesting visual effect.
Advantages
Ambilight 3
Illuminated remote control
Basic functions for gamers
Low input lag
Support for all audio formats (Dolby and DTS)
Disadvantages
Poor black and contrast
Average brightness
Limited TitanOS system
Movies and series in UHD quality4.3
Classic TV, YouTube4.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)4.6
Gaming on console6.2
TV as a computer monitor6.0
Watching in bright light4.3
Utility functions5.7
Apps6.0
Sound quality6.1
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
Competing TVs in this price range
TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Contrast and black detail
1.9/10
Funkcja lokalnego wygaszania: No
Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).
Result
1,000:1
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
1,050:1
Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).
Result
900:1
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
1,050:1
Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).
Result
850:1
The Philips PUS8359/12 in 55" and 43" versions is based on an IPS matrix, which significantly affects contrast quality. Unfortunately, test results clearly show a very low level. Black, instead of resembling deep tar, appears more like silver ash, which is particularly noticeable when watching dark scenes. Such a level of contrast limits the ability to fully enjoy the image, especially for those who prefer viewing in dimly lit rooms.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
3.6/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 76.0%, Bt.2020: 55.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
240 nit
The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
225 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
285 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
236 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
280 nit
The quality of HDR effect on the Philips PUS8359/12 television is also not impressive. A brightness level of 280 nits is too low, resembling standard SDR more than true HDR, which is clearly visible on the five tested images. Additionally, the television does not impress in terms of color gamut coverage – just 76% DCI-P3 is a result that can be considered weak, especially compared to other models in a similar price range.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
The maximum brightness results in HDR materials affected the display quality in our more demanding test scenes. For example, in a scene from the movie "Billy Lynn," key advantages like the combination of high brightness and deep black were lacking. The image was noticeably dimmed, making it difficult to convey details in darker areas, creating uneven dark spots in places. Additionally, the low coverage of a wide color palette negatively affected skin tone reproduction. In contrast, in a scene from the movie "Pan," the television performed better. Despite the overall dimming caused by insufficient brightness, the overall tonal quality was much improved.
HDR luminance chart:
The Philips PUS8359/12 TV supports both static HDR10 and dynamic HDR10+. Unfortunately, in the case of static HDR, the image quality is poor – for example, in the scene with horses, the details are completely invisible, and bright elements blend into one large blur. The situation is saved by dynamic HDR10+ metadata, which clearly improves detail. This can be seen in the details of the meadow and forest in the background, which become more visible and clear. Unfortunately, the lack of Dolby Vision support, a more popular HDR format, is a significant limitation and could be beneficial on many platforms.
Note: The photos have been incorrectly placed and will soon be replaced. We apologize for the error.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
Factory color reproduction
4/10
The "Film" mode turned out to be the most faithful in terms of compliance with the source material used in our tests. However, like other factory modes, it also had its drawbacks. In both SDR and HDR materials, we noticed issues with white balance, where the dominance of green and red resulted in a yellowish tint. This effect was particularly visible in the form of yellowed whites and unnatural skin tones. The "ColourChecker" palette test showed that every color was shifted towards warmer tones, which affected color accuracy. A key aspect of the image is also contrast and brightness, which can be evaluated by analyzing gamma charts and the EOTF curve. On the gamma chart, we observed significant deviations – both too high values causing loss of detail in the shadows and too low values leading to a drastic decrease in contrast. Compared to gamma, the EOTF curve performed better, only slightly brightening the image, which had a less negative impact on overall quality.
Color reproduction after calibration
5/10
Philips, both in its cheaper and more expensive models, offers a wide range of tools for image calibration. We used them to improve the quality of the displayed image, although it was not as simple as it might seem. We managed to adjust the white balance, improve the gamma, and tune the EOTF curve; however, despite these actions, the deltaE errors were still at a very high level. The main causes are limited coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette and low maximum brightness, which significantly affected the final result. Although the overall presentation looks much better, the design features of the TV did not allow us to achieve spectacular results.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.4/10
The gradient of tonal transitions in the Philips PUS8359/12 television is at a good level, without obvious issues that could negatively affect the quality of content viewing. Upon closer inspection, one can notice minor imperfections in bright, colorful transitions, but they are subtle enough that most users should not notice them or consider them a problem.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
6/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
In this paragraph, we will look at two functionalities. We will once again take a look at the function responsible for tonal transitions, but we will also check how the television handles image scaling. The option responsible for smooth gradation is the one called "Distortion Reduction." As we established, it quite effectively smooths out the choppiness. However, we must point out two things: we cannot enable it for HDR materials and that it blurs details in films. The tested television cannot boast the best image scaling. There is a noticeable overall blurriness of the image, but, worse, it blurs details. This is particularly visible on the branches and the hair of the model. A characteristic white halo around the character is also noticeable.
Blur and motion smoothness
4/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz
Film motion smoothing option: No
Blur reduction option: No
Philips PUS8359 is not the best choice for watching sports. The lack of even basic motion enhancement features means that the picture in dynamic scenes is not suitably clear. Despite using an IPS panel (43 and 55'), which theoretically should offer better sharpness than VA panel variants, there is no noticeable improvement in terms of motion blur. In fast-moving images, it is clear that the UFO character is distinctly blurred, which indicates that the television does not cope well with maintaining sharpness in dynamic shots.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Console compatibility and gaming features
4.7/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 60Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
No
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
No
- 1080p@120Hz:
No
- 1440p@120Hz:
No
- 4K@120Hz:
No
- Game bar:
Yes
In terms of compatibility with consoles, the Philips PUS8359 is mainly suitable for casual gamers. Although the TV is equipped with an HDMI 2.0 port, it offers features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Game Bar. ALLM automatically switches the TV to low latency mode, facilitating quicker reactions during gameplay, while VRR smoothly adjusts the refresh rate, eliminating the issue of screen tearing. Game Bar provides quick access to game settings and real-time monitoring of parameters; however, in our opinion, it performs worse compared to competitors' solutions.
However, more demanding gamers may feel underwhelmed. The Philips PUS8359 does not support advanced HDR formats in games or higher refresh rates, which is due to the use of a 60 Hz panel. These shortcomings limit the TV's capabilities in delivering smooth and detailed experiences during fast-paced, dynamic gameplay.
Input lag
10/10
Philips PUS8359 offers an exceptionally low input lag of below 10 ms, which is an excellent result. This makes the TV ideal for fast-paced games, ensuring quick reactions and smooth gameplay, which will surely be appreciated by both casual and more demanding gamers.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 10 ms | 2160p60: 10 ms | |
| 2160p60: 10 ms |
Compatibility with PC
6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 10ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 60Hz
G-Sync: No
The Philips PUS8359/12 TV with an IPS panel offers quite good font readability thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4, making it suitable for office work and everyday computer use. Although the low input lag makes it gamer-friendly in terms of response time, the lack of support for G-Sync and the 60 Hz panel may not meet the expectations of more demanding users. For those looking for a TV for gaming, this can be a compromise – fast response is present, but the lack of higher refresh rate and adaptive sync affects its rating in the gaming category.
Viewing angles
6.3/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 60%
The viewing angles on the Philips PUS8359 TV are quite good, thanks to the use of an IPS panel (43' and 55'). The image remains readable and clear even when viewed from a greater angle, which is beneficial when watching content in a larger group or in rooms with non-standard layouts.
TV efficiency during daytime
4.3/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Average
Black levels during daytime: Good
In terms of daytime performance, the Philips PUS8359 performs average. The satin coating of the panel moderately dampens reflections, which can be noticeable in bright rooms. A brightness level of 300 cd/m² is acceptable in this price range, but one should not expect exceptional results in more challenging lighting conditions.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Philips PUS8359 (IPS): 305 cd/m2
Details about the matrix
Backlight Type: White LED
TV features
5.7/10
System operacyjny: Titan OS
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:
No
- Voice search in native language:
No
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse:
Yes
- Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV:
No
- 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
Philips has decided this year to change its approach to the operating system, replacing the previous open GoogleTV system with its proprietary TitanOS. As is often the case with new solutions, TitanOS is struggling with typical growing pains. Currently, it only offers basic applications, and the app store leaves much to be desired, which may disappoint users expecting a rich selection of programs. Additionally, the lack of support for AirPlay features and the inability to record to USB are further limitations that could affect the overall user experience.
An interesting feature in models with TitanOS is the new remote control, which is very convenient to use thanks to its backlighting. Unfortunately, its wireless operation is not entirely consistent. The hybrid design means that sometimes you have to aim at the TV, and other times you don't – it depends on the buttons being used. It's just annoying.
The most important feature of the Philips PUS8359 TV is the three-sided Ambilight system, which significantly enhances the viewing experience. The LED lighting placed on the sides and top of the TV creates an immersive effect, extending the image beyond the screen and matching the colors to the displayed content. For many users, this is a key element that makes viewing sessions more engaging and sets the TV apart from competitors.
Playing files from USB
8/10
| 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 media player built into the Philips PUS8359 offers quite a wide range of capabilities but also has its limitations. It plays practically all video formats, with the obvious exception of Dolby Vision and the less obvious .asf, which is not commonly encountered. However, there are issues with the lack of the H.265 HEVC codec at high bitrate. 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 performs best with audio, where it has no faults. Unfortunately, due to system limitations, there is no possibility to expand its functionalities, which means we are left with what the manufacturer has prepared.
Apps
6/10
Sound
6.1/10
6.1/10
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
The audio system in the Philips PUS8359 features a standard speaker setup of 2x10 W, which is unlikely to surprise enthusiasts of high-quality sound. At moderate volume levels (up to 50% of the maximum level), the sound remains tolerable and does not cause significant distortions. For better audio experiences, we definitely recommend connecting even a simpler soundbar. With support for Dolby Atmos and DTS, the TV works well with external audio systems.