Philips PUS8359 (IPS) vs Sharp GR8

The quality of the HDR effect on the Philips PUS8359/12 TV is also not impressive. The brightness level of 280 nits is too low, resembling standard SDR more than true HDR, which is clearly visible on the five tested test patterns. Additionally, the television does not excel in terms of colour gamut coverage – a mere 76% of DCI-P3 is a result that can be considered poor, especially compared to other models in a similar price range.

Sharp GR8 in its promotional materials boasts of "very high brightness" at a level of 500 nits. Unfortunately, our tests showed that the reality is somewhat different – the average luminance value we managed to achieve was around 360 nits. This is rather an average result, especially in the context of the manufacturer's claims. Such brightness does not allow for a full enjoyment of HDR effects. The image is a bit more defined than in standard SDR, but it is difficult to speak of true richness and depth in bright elements here. However, praise is due for the DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage at a level of 95%. This is a result of the application of an additional PFS layer, known from QLED technology. As a result, the colours are vivid and have a pleasant, natural tone, which somewhat compensates for the deficiencies in brightness.

The most faithful factory mode in terms of compliance with the source material turned out to be "Film", which was used in our tests. Nevertheless, like other factory modes, it also had its flaws. 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 noticeable in the form of yellowed whites and unnatural skin tones. The "ColourChecker" palette test showed that every colour had shifted to warmer tones, affecting colour reproduction accuracy. A key aspect of the image is also contrast and brightness, which can be assessed by analysing gamma charts and the EOTF curve. On the gamma chart, we noticed significant deviations – both excessively high values, which caused loss of detail in the shadows, and excessively low values, which led to a drastic drop in contrast. Compared to gamma, the EOTF curve performed better, only slightly brightening the image, which had a less negative impact on overall quality.

At the outset, it is worth noting that colour reproduction tests are always conducted in the best factory picture mode. In the case of Sharp GR8, this is the “Film” mode. As for white balance, which affects how we perceive colours on the screen, in SDR mode, there is an immediate noticeable dominance of blue. This results in an unnatural cooling of the image – blue elements take on a purple hue, and skin tones acquire a pinkish glow, as we can see in the comparative photo from the film STAR WARS. During the Color Checker test, it was clear that the colour samples deviated from the reference values, confirming considerable errors in colour reproduction. The gamma was also not ideal – it caused excessive brightness throughout the entire image, resulting in a lack of depth and appropriate tonal transitions in the scene.

In 4K HDR mode, the situation looks significantly better. The dominance of blue is much less noticeable, although there are minor issues with the combination of red and blue. This causes some shades to appear somewhat unnatural. The EOTF curve, responsible for the brightness of the image in 4K HDR content, revealed another problem – the television tends to excessively dim the image across the entire surface of the screen.

In summary, the “Film” mode in Sharp GR8 would require a few adjustments to fully utilise the potential of this television. Fortunately, we took care of that and proceeded with calibration.

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 straightforward as it might seem. We managed to adjust the white balance, improve the gamma, and fine-tune the EOTF curve, but despite these efforts, the deltaE errors were still at a very high level. The main causes were limited coverage of the DCI-P3 palette and low maximum brightness, which significantly affected the final result. Although the overall presentation is much better, the design features of the television did not allow us to achieve spectacular results.

Sharp GR8 is one of those televisions that truly gains a second life after proper calibration. Both in HD and 4K content, the white balance performs very well, especially when considering the price segment of this model. The image becomes much more aligned with what the director intended to show – colours look natural, and skin tones acquire the appropriate depth and warmth. The brightness characteristics also make a very positive impression. Both gamma and the EOTF curve display really solid values. While minor imperfections can be noticed, they are subtle enough that they are difficult to detect during everyday viewing. In summary, calibration allows the Sharp GR8 to showcase its best features, offering an image that is not only pleasant to the eye but also faithfully reflects the creators' intentions.

In this paragraph, we will take a look at two functionalities. Once again, we will examine the feature responsible for tonal transitions, but we will also check how the television handles image scaling. The option responsible for smooth gradation is called "Distortion Reduction". As we have established, it quite effectively smooths out irregularities. However, we must point out two things: we are unable to enable it for HDR materials, and that it blurs details in films.

The tested television cannot boast the best image scaling. The overall blurriness of the image is quite noticeable, but worse still, it blurs details. This is particularly evident on the branches and the model's hair. A characteristic white halo around the figures is also visible.

Sharp GR8 has been equipped with the "10-bit colour reproduction" feature, which theoretically should improve the smoothness of tonal transitions. In practice… well, the effect is surprising, but not in a particularly positive way. Even at the highest settings, it is difficult to notice any impact on the actual tonal transitions. Instead, the feature surprisingly smooths out what it shouldn't – walls, shirts, or other flat surfaces look almost like they have been freshly ironed. In the test, we had to note that there is simply no actual impact on tonal transitions.

As for image scaling, here Sharp GR8 performs significantly better. The television can give the image a plastic, smooth characteristic, meaning even lower resolution content looks quite good. Of course, with more demanding details, such as thin tree branches in the background, one can notice slight jaggedness, but it is not something that would significantly affect viewing comfort.

Philips PUS8359 is not the best choice for watching sport. The lack of even basic motion smoothing functionality means that the image during fast-moving scenes is not adequately clear. Despite the use of an IPS panel (43 and 55'), which theoretically should offer better sharpness than VA panel variants, there is no noticeable improvement regarding blurring. In pictures with fast movement, the figure of the alien is clearly blurry, indicating that the television struggles to maintain sharpness in dynamic shots.

This is where Sharp GR8 has the chance to stand out from the competition in its price segment. The television is equipped with a 144 Hz refresh rate panel, which is an impressive achievement, especially if we plan to use it for dynamic content such as action films, sports broadcasts, or video games. Additionally, the manufacturer has ensured the presence of motion smoothing technology, commonly referred to as a “smoothness enhancer.” The user has three levels of adjustment at their disposal, allowing them to tailor the effect to their own preferences – from subtle smoothing to a more aggressive intervention in the smoothness of the image. This is a nice addition, particularly for those who mainly watch films and care about smooth, cinematic sequences without irritating stutters or frame drops.

In terms of compatibility with consoles, Philips PUS8359 is mainly suited for occasional gamers. Although the television 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 television to low latency mode, making quicker reactions easier during gameplay, while VRR smoothly adjusts the refresh rate, eliminating screen tearing issues. The Game Bar provides quick access to game settings and real-time monitoring of parameters; however, in our opinion, it performs worse compared to the competition's solutions.

However, more demanding gamers may feel unsatisfied. 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 television's capabilities in delivering smooth and detailed experiences during fast, dynamic gameplay.

If the television has a 144 Hz panel and two full HDMI 2.1 ports, it is clear that it has been designed with gamers in mind. The Sharp GR8 offers exactly that – high refresh rates and the appropriate connections that will allow you to get the most out of modern consoles and PCs. It also features ALLM, which automatically switches the television to low latency mode, and VRR, which ensures the image does not stutter even during more demanding moments. In practice, everything works as it should, and it is hard to find fault with anything. However, there are some shortcomings. It lacks support for HGiG, which is a feature that better adjusts HDR for games, as well as Game Bar, which makes it easier to quickly adjust settings without leaving the game. Despite these drawbacks, the Sharp GR8 is truly a solid option for gamers.