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 alignment of the image with the director’s intent

  • Reference colour reproduction after calibration

  • Very high brightness in HDR materials

  • Outstanding cooperation with consoles and computers

  • The panel effectively suppresses light reflections

  • Perfect viewing angles

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

  • Well-functioning dynamic tone mapping feature

  • Colour reproduction after calibration

  • Performance after connecting to a console/PC

Disadvantages

No like
  • Visible tonal transitions

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

  • Considerable halo/bloom effect

  • Poor viewing angles

  • The TitanOs system is not as advanced as the competition

  • Average contrast and black levels

Our verdict

LG G4 is a strong contender for being the best television of 2024. With the combination of OLED black and MLA technology, we obtain an incredibly dynamic and vivid image, which will certainly 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 a sunny room. The operating system, while not as open as the competition, offers many possibilities. Its greatest advantage is the well-known remote control with a pointer, which makes controlling the unit (in our opinion) one of the most convenient on the market. The factory colour reproduction, although not at a high level, after the calibration process, can be referred to as a reference screen, delivering a truly cinematic image. It is no coincidence that post-production studios choose televisions from this manufacturer. They alone offer such deep intervention possibilities in the image, thanks to 3D LUT calibration. It seems that the biggest (and perhaps only) disadvantage of this television is tonal transitions, which, although far from ideal, cannot be said to take away the pleasure of viewing. The remedy is provided by the manufacturer itself, and enabling the "Smooth Gradation" function will eliminate the vast majority of the stuttering. LG G4 also performs very well when watching various sports or other dynamic scenes. The motion smoother is extremely advanced and allows for tailoring the smoothing to one's needs. Thanks to HDMI 2.1 ports with their full functionality and the manufacturer's attention to detail, the tested television will find its place in the homes of many avid gamers. Every essential feature works flawlessly, and the low input lag in every mode is very pleasing. In summary, LG G4 is an extremely versatile television, allowing for entertainment in excellent quality both at night and during the day.

Philips PML 9009 is the manufacturer's top LCD television, using Mini LED backlighting. The device itself boasts excellent build quality, a stylish remote control, and the manufacturer's exclusive multicoloured Ambilight backlighting. In terms of picture quality, a slight drawback can be noted with the blacks and contrast, which, to be frank, are not among the best and will not deliver as deep and vibrant an image as is found in televisions in a similar price range. However, it is worth noting that due to good algorithms responsible for the picture, its tonal quality was very satisfying. Therefore, the relatively low brightness of the display is well masked here, and with the implementation of Dolby Vision technology, it allows for access to HDR materials. What definitely deserves attention is the fluidity of transitions, which were quite outstanding and better than in some significantly more expensive units. The greatest advantage of this television is its performance in gaming. No negative remarks can be made in this aspect, as the television truly shines and will certainly satisfy any user. The motion smoothing system is also one of the aspects worth praising the television for. With two sliders, whose effects are perceptible at every position, each user can find the best level of smoothing for themselves. Therefore, it can confidently be said that when choosing a television for sports, PML9009 Philips can be identified as an excellent candidate. Although the TitanOS operating system is currently in the development phase and lacks a considerable 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, thanks to its OLED panels produced for over 10 years, delivers perfect results in contrast, black levels, and detail reproduction in the darkest scenes. It is worth noting that the panel itself is equipped with MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology, which LG showcased just a year ago during the launch of its predecessor. The use of organic matrix allows not only for achieving pitch-black levels but also for an extraordinary immersion and three-dimensional effect of the image, which is hard to find even in the best Mini LED televisions. Such image quality is closely correlated with OLED matrix technology, as each pixel is controlled by an electric impulse rather than by blocking filters on the panel. Therefore, if we want to achieve true black, the pixel is not turned on at all. This is clearly visible in test images, where the spotlight provides high brightness while being perfectly separated from each other. The situation does not change in the demanding scene from "Sicario 2," where no imperfections are visible in the form of dimming zone issues that we may encounter in LCD televisions.

Philips PML9009 is equipped with a high-contrast VA panel. Although it does not deliver as deep and three-dimensional 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), which stands at 6000:1, can be considered very good and allows for the full potential of the Mini LED backlighting that has been implemented in the tested television. The results of the contrast and black measurements, as you can see for yourselves, are not among the highest, and the only scene where the television demonstrated satisfactory results was that from the film "Oblivion," where the unit can be commended for its light separation, which is not so obvious even in much more expensive units. We should also mention that all tests were conducted at medium dimming power, as the lowest option produced unsatisfactory black levels, while the highest lost a significant amount of detail. Unfortunately, our standard testing procedure with the film "Sicario 2" did not go very well. Yes, all the details in the background are very well visible, but due to the operation of the dimming zones, the overall tone was significantly thrown off, 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 vivid HDR effect, placing the television among the very best. The equipment of the highest model in the producer's 2024 portfolio with the second generation of micro-lens technology (MLA) has achieved a maximum brightness level of 1474 nits in real scenes. The only area where the product from the Korean manufacturer may lag behind LCD televisions with Mini LED backlighting is during the full-screen scenes featuring a lot of white. If we disregard the latter type of scene, the average result would be even higher. It is also worth mentioning scenes with very fine details, where each one shines at full intensity, which is not as evident in non-OLED televisions. The combination of such brightness and wide coverage of the DCI-P3 palette makes HDR materials more engaging than ever before.

Philips PML9009 does not really operate at the highest values in HDR content. Most effects with brightness at around 550 nits will not leave us thrilled with the lighting effects, although they are quite stable, which is a plus and will make a considerable difference compared to SDR content. It is worth noting that we can only achieve a good result in one scenario, namely in the film "Gemini", where the flashlight as the only light source can shine. Why in that scene specifically? The answer is quite simple. The scene itself does not contain a large amount of black, and the flashlight is not as large an object as the sun in the first and last scenes. Overall, the brightness measurement results in HDR content do not provide a basis for recommending this television for viewing productions that utilise a wide colour spectrum. Although it is worth noting that this model can cover it to a decent extent of 93% 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 was the one we used during our tests. Let's check how its characteristics looked before the calibration process. Looking closely at the white balance first, we can notice a significant dominance of red and green. As a result, the image had a warm yellowish hue. Such characteristics are typically observed in "Cinema", "Filmmaker" or similarly named modes. The effect of this colour balance was clearly visible in both SDR and HDR content, which after switching from "Standard" mode appeared distinctly yellow. Now, let's move on to two graphs that are responsible for the brightness characteristics and consequently the contrast of the image. The first one (Gamma), representing materials with a standard colour palette, performed decently. For most of the time, midtones and bright whites were reproduced very accurately; however, it noticeably lost the darkest details, which merged into a black blob. Conversely, HDR materials, represented by the EOTF curve graph, exhibited a significant drop in contrast due to a strong boost in brightness. The colours themselves also posed a problem, as can be seen on the "ColorChecker" graph, since they were noticeably under-saturated.

The best factory mode used during our tests was "Filmmaker". Here, we will look at both SDR and HDR content. The element that distinguishes them is primarily the EOTF curve in materials with a wide colour gamut and the 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 dominance of red colour. This led to a yellow tint across the entire image, causing unnaturally looking faces and yellowed whites. This flaw is also evident on the "ColourChecker" palette, where all colours have shifted towards their warmer counterparts. Looking at a more significant graph, that of the gamma responsible for image contrast, we see considerable errors starting from the very beginning. From the left, the value we measured, marked by a connected ellipsis, clearly spiked upwards, causing complete merging of details in the darkest scenes. This state of affairs remained until 10% screen brightness, after which it dipped below the reference orange line, leading to a deterioration in contrast, which, as we know, the Philips PML9009 already lacks. In HDR materials, the white balance issues were very similar to those in SDR content. The discrepancy arises when checking the EOTF curve, which controls the rate of brightness increase and severely limited it, causing the image to appear unnaturally dark. As for the colours themselves, there were more reasons for concern here, as the television's too low luminance caused a huge discrepancy 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 implemented extensive support for the calibration process in its LG televisions for many years. We therefore used 2- and 20-point greyscale adjustments, as well as an advanced CMS (Colour Management System), and got to work. As you can see, thanks to the procedure carried out, each parameter has significantly improved. The use of tools allowed for the achievement of extremely beneficial effects, which include: studio colour reproduction, recovery of details in dark areas of the image, appropriate brightness characteristics, and suitable colour saturation. This brings us as close as possible to the reference image, which is what the film director saw on the preview monitor. It is worth noting that the LG G4 televisions alone allow for even deeper intervention in image quality thanks to the ability to calibrate with 3D LUTs. However, this is a solution recommended only for post-production or graphic studios.

Philips PML9009, like most leading manufacturers, has been offering advanced tools for the calibration process for years. Thus, we find 2- and 20-point greyscale adjustment as well as an advanced CMS (Colour Management System). The differences resulting from calibration are evident, and even someone not paying attention to picture quality (although there probably aren't many such here) will notice a positive difference. Both SDR and HDR materials have undergone a significant transformation. The former, as well as the latter, have primarily rid themselves of the unpleasant yellow tint resulting from a red colour dominance in white balance. As for the SDR materials and gamma, although it is not 'lined up' perfectly and still loses dark details, the rest of it is on a more than decent level, and minor errors will not be noticeable. The colours themselves look infinitely better, and thanks to low deltaE errors, they are nearly reference-quality. On the other hand, the HDR materials, due to the low luminance of the unit, were not blended as we would have liked. Although the white balance has been largely normalised, here and there one can notice a slight blue tint. Fortunately, the EOTF curve turned out to be much more accessible and allowed for practically ideal geometry. Unfortunately, due to the screen's insufficient brightness, colour errors are still quite high.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.2/10

7/10

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

Undoubtedly, many of you have watched a film or series in which there were bands that should have been a smooth transition between colours. Therefore, during our tests, we also pay attention to tonal transitions. Philips PML9009 handled this matter quite correctly with each of the scenes we prepared, and although there are signs here and there of elements that could have been processed better, it is still good. It is particularly worth noting the one from "The Green Knight", which is definitely the most challenging. For the tested television, it did not prove to be a "killer" and there are no significant undesirable 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 particularly well with materials rich in tonal transitions, as a result of which we could observe a strong posterisation effect. However, there is a partial remedy for this issue. 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 a high effectiveness of smoothing on light colours, although it is low on darker ones. We recommend primarily using the first one, as the other two interfere with the director's intentions by removing film grain.

When watching lower-quality materials, the efficiency of the television during upscaling is extremely important. The image from the tested television is sharp and clear. However, one should pay attention to the jagged edges of fine details and minor issues around characters, such as the creation of halo effects, which occurs due to the sharpening imposed by LG G4 even when the lowest value on the slider, that is 0, is set. It is worth noting that this represents a certain change compared 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 equally well. This time we are examining the television's algorithms responsible for enhancing the quality of images that have been recorded in lower quality. Such images can be found in various television programmes or older films. In this regard, Philips PML9009 performs quite mediocrely and significantly blurs the image. This is particularly evident in fine branches or the model's hair.

We will take another look at the tonal transitions, which performed remarkably. Within the unit, we find several levels of smoothing. Even the lowest setting can effectively eliminate any non-fluid tonal transition and will work well with the vast majority of content. More importantly, none of the settings for this function softens the effect of film grain, which is extremely important in terms of alignment with the director's vision. However, we note that sometimes it may turn out that fine details will be 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 when the LG G4 is connected to a very powerful PC. Otherwise, we will operate 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 requiring high image fluidity, the manufacturer has implemented a multi-level motion smoother called "TrueMotion". This 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 level affecting the degree of smoothness, allowing everyone to find their golden mean.

The LG OLED G4 panel features an average response time of 0.78 ms (as directly derived from our measurements), enabling an incredibly clear image, unattainable by LCD televisions, which can have response times of several milliseconds. This is perfectly illustrated by the images from the "UFO Test", which show no trailing blur behind the object. Moreover, the LG OLED G4 test revealed that the television offers the ability to precisely adjust the motion smoothing function, allowing users to select the ideal level of image interpolation. We particularly appreciated this during fast-paced actions in video games, where the LG G4 performed exceptionally well, minimising any blurring. Thanks to OLED technology, this model eliminates so-called ghosting, ensuring that the image remains sharp even in the most dynamic sporting or cinematic scenes.

Philips PML9009 is 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 has prepared an effective system for improving the sharpness of moving images for those who do not like the characteristic stuttering of footage recorded at 24 fps or require a high level of motion fluidity, for example, when watching football matches. In the dedicated tab, we find the "Fluidity" slider, which helps eliminate stuttering, and "Motion Blur Reduction," which aids in increasing the sharpness of dynamic elements. This function works very well and granularly, meaning each setting has a real impact on the perception of motion. With such a set, every user will find their sweet spot. In the picture, we present our choice, which is a slight fluidity enhancement without the soap opera effect.

A matter directly related to motion is the pixel response time of the panel itself. The best in this regard are, of course, OLED panels, followed by IPS and ADS-based units, and finally, VA. Despite the overall good quality of the systems responsible for smoothing the image, the use of a VA panel carries consequences in the form of a black halo behind fast-moving objects. While this will not occur frequently in the tested television, it will be visible 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 the features that make up the HDMI 2.1 standard. During testing, each of them activated without the slightest problem, which allows us to consider the television as designed for gaming. Their functionality will surely be appreciated by both console users and those connecting the LG G4 to a computer. It is also worth mentioning the correct implementation of the HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) mode, which ensures that games mastered to brightness levels exceeding the maximum luminance of the LG G4 will correctly map tones, and the game's visuals will remain true to the original.

A nice touch is the existence of a special GameBar, which we can call up at any moment to check game parameters, but most importantly, to change them quickly. More importantly, enabling VRR technology does not degrade contrast, which is very common in televisions that feature local dimming or Mini LED backlighting. Of course, this is thanks to the OLED panel itself, characterised by pixel self-emission. As a matter of editorial obligation, we will only mention a slight grey flicker, which is somewhat normal after enabling VRR.

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

Philips PML9009, equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports at full bandwidth, supports all features dedicated to gamers. The most basic ones, such as VRR and ALLM, are a given, but G-Sync, FreeSync, and gaming in HDR Dolby Vision with low input lag are not. These features activate without any issues and during the tests conducted, they did not present any problems. Such preparation of the television is certainly a strong point and one can say that it is a unit dedicated to gamers. For more advanced users, we also mention that the PML9009 is equipped with an HGIG mode, which will be particularly felt by gamers, as there are still relatively few games supporting Dolby Vision. This mode primarily allows for the adjustment of HDR effects to the capabilities of the television on a special board, in order to avoid dimming or burning out the image.

The television additionally features a special menu - GameBar. This allows for editing the unit's settings "on the fly", without the need to exit the game. We will also find features such as enabling a crosshair or adjusting black levels for better visibility of opponents in shadows.

In a brief summary of this paragraph, the Philips PML9009 is a unit that will certainly capture the attention of gamers. Thanks to its versatility, it will allow 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 enhance the 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 at an incredibly low level in every scenario. Even the most passionate gamers will undoubtedly appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, measuring just 5 ms. It is also worth noting that the lag at the same settings but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled remains unchanged, which is not as obvious in the competition. Therefore, it deserves the highest score and recommendation.

The results of input lag measurements in Philips PML9009 are at a high level, regardless of the signal or resolution. All gamers will surely appreciate the manufacturer's efforts, as a game running at 4K120Hz with HDR has only 8 ms of latency, which is virtually unnoticeable even in online games. It is also worth mentioning the proper implementation of the gaming mode with Dolby Vision, which can be praised for a similar response time at 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 combined with a PC performs excellently, thanks to its very low latency of just 5 ms, which is practically an instantaneous response between the mouse, the eye, and the screen. A crucial aspect when working on a screen is the readability of text, which in the case of the tested television is very good.

The RWBG pixel layout does not significantly impact the display of fonts or letters, which is a significant advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED panels. Users of both Windows and macOS equipped computers will certainly be pleased with the performance on the tested television LG G4.

Just like in games, the tested Philips PML9009 performs excellently in daily tasks as well. Measured latency of 8 ms allows for virtually instantaneous response on the mouse-screen-eye line. The correct implementation of chroma 4:4:4 enables work with text without any issues thanks to sharp fonts. The subpixel arrangement of the matrix is BGR; however, this does not cause any discomfort when working on the Windows system. It may be different with other systems that might not be able to correctly convert the text.

Viewing angles

9.7/10

2.6/10

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

The undeniable advantage of OLED screens equipped with MLA technology is their efficiency when viewed from different angles. There are no noticeable changes to the eye, regardless of where we are viewing from. This type of screen maintains consistent brightness, saturation, and white tone, in contrast to LCD matrices or OLEDs without micro-lens array (MLA) technology. The only matrices that can rival them are those produced by Samsung Displays, using quantum dot technology, namely QD-OLED.

The commonly known drawback of VA panels that do not have an angle coating is their poor viewing angles. This is no different this time. Even with a slight deviation from the 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 panel in LG G4, although it sounds like a negative, is in fact 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 is also worth mentioning the quality of black during the day, which in the case of WRGB panels produced by LG Displays is outstanding. OLED MLA panels, despite a large number of advantages, are somewhat worse in this case, but still better in the context of competition from Samsung, whose QD-OLED panels grey out when triggered by light. The combination of brightness at around 500 nits and a glossy coating allows for daytime use of the television, unless the user has a living room with large glazing.

As far as the brightness of the television itself in SDR material is good (let's face it, we watch films in the evening or in the dark), the suppression of reflections 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 is worth noting that thanks to the fairly high brightness in SDR material, the television performs fairly well in bright rooms overall, and certainly better than a large number of OLED televisions.

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 WebOS system, which has been around for many years. The system itself offers practically all the most important applications, and those that are missing can be counted on one hand, such as CDA and KODI.

WebOS also boasts a highly regarded feature that allows users to perform operations using a cursor that appears when the remote is moved. The convenience provided by this function is invaluable when typing 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 LG G4 television speaker simultaneously, which will certainly be a great convenience for those with hearing impairments. Among the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the ability to set an alert for upcoming matches, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel also deserves praise, allowing control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the end of a washing cycle will be signalled by a notification in the top right corner.

In summary, the WebOS system, although less known and having certain limitations compared to Android TV, offers stable and fast performance and supports most functions that may be needed by users. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in their television.

Before we move on to the software that controls the television, it is impossible not to mention the biggest distinguishing feature of the manufacturer's televisions. This is, of course, the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting, which is placed on the back of the device and displays colours tailored to what is happening on the screen, often allowing for an even greater sense of immersion. The operating system responsible for the television's functionality is Philips' proprietary system charmingly named TitanOs. It is definitely more closed and limited in terms of app resources compared to other televisions from the manufacturer that use the GoogleTV system. In addition to a lack of significant applications, its closed nature is also evident in another respect. We will not be able to perform such basic tasks as programming recordings or recording to USB. Those using Apple devices may also feel disappointed by the lack of AirPlay functionality, which allows for easy screen streaming. Fortunately, there is the option to connect a keyboard and mouse for easier navigation through the television 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 if we are aware users needing and using many streaming platforms. It is rather an option for those limiting themselves to the so-called holy trinity, which is 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 media player on the LG G4 performs well with most image types, although the absence of a few equally popular ones is surprising. It successfully plays videos recorded in practically all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that the G4 cannot play is H.266 VVC, although this is currently rather unused. However, attention should be paid to the supported image formats, of which there are only two: JPEG and PNG. Users of Apple devices may feel disappointed by the lack of support for the HEIC format, which is the default format for photos taken. A remedy for this is to use the built-in AirPlay feature. We will 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 it also has its limitations. It plays practically all video formats, except for .asf, which is rather uncommon. However, the issues are the lack of the H.265 HEVC codec at high bitrate and support for .sub files, which are quite popular. When it comes to photos, the player performs adequately, but it lacks support for some common resolutions and formats, such as HEIC, which is used on Apple devices. The player performs best with audio, where it can be faulted in no way. Unfortunately, due to system limitations, there is no possibility to expand its functions, which means 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 remains always subjective. However, we must give LG G4 credit 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, this must be viewed from a different perspective — anyone choosing this television will likely have a home cinema system. In this case, broad support for audio codecs, including DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos, will prove crucial.

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