Philips PUS8359 (IPS)

PUS8359 / PUS8349

Available screen sizes: 43”55”65”

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Panel technology: LCD IPS | Brand: PHILIPS | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Titan OS | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

5.2

Overall rating

Philips PUS8359 is a television that catches the eye mainly thanks to its three-sided Ambilight system. The backlighting that adapts to the image is impressive, especially in the evening – the light behind the screen adds atmosphere while watching films and makes the interior look more interesting. It's a really nice addition, especially if we enjoy unconventional solutions. For gamers, this model can be a good choice to start with. The low input lag, which is less than 10 ms, ensures quick reactions, and the Automatic Game Mode adjusts the settings to ensure smooth gameplay. If we play occasionally, the television performs well, but it is rather not equipment for those who seek top-notch experiences. In terms of everyday use, it is not perfect. The Titan OS looks simple, but it lacks many popular applications, which can be frustrating. Additionally, the interface can operate slower than we would like – switching applications or navigating between settings can sometimes require patience. If we have previously used more advanced systems like Android TV, Titan OS may disappoint us significantly. And what about picture quality? Here lies the problem. The panel offers average brightness and low contrast, so in bright rooms, the image can look washed out. In darker scenes, black becomes more grey, which diminishes details. HDR? One should not expect great effects – the lack of Dolby Vision and limited technical capabilities mean that HDR content does not make much of an impression. Philips PUS8359 is a television that will serve well for Ambilight fans and those looking for basic features. It performs well in games, and evening viewings with the impressive backlighting will gain an added atmosphere. However, if we care about high image quality or an advanced Smart TV system, it is 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 levels and contrast
Average brightness
Limited TitanOS system

Movies and series in UHD quality

4.3
Classic TV, YouTube

4.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

4.6
Gaming on console

6.2
TV as a computer monitor

6.0
Watching in bright light

4.3
Utility functions

5.7
Apps

7.0
Sound quality

6.1

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

Review Philips PUS8359 (IPS) Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

1.9/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review Philips PUS8359 (IPS) Contrast and black detail

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

Visibility of details in the lights:

Philips PUS8359/12 in the 55" and 43" versions is based on an IPS panel, which significantly affects the quality of contrast. Unfortunately, test results clearly show a very low level. The blacks, instead of resembling deep tar, appear more like silver ash, which is particularly noticeable when watching dark scenes. Such a level of contrast limits the ability to fully enjoy the picture, especially for those who prefer viewing in darkened rooms.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

3.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 76.0%, Bt.2020: 55.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips PUS8359 (IPS) Brightness measurement

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 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.

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

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

The results of maximum brightness in HDR materials affected display quality in our more demanding test scenes. For example, in a scene from the film "Billy Lynn," key advantages such as 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 patches in places. Moreover, low coverage of a wide colour palette negatively impacted skin tone reproduction. In contrast, in a scene from the film "Pan," the television performed better. Despite overall dimming caused by insufficient brightness, the overall tonal quality was significantly better.

HDR luminance chart:

The television Philips PUS8359/12 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, details are completely invisible, and bright elements merge into one large blur. The situation is saved by the dynamic HDR10+ metadata, which significantly improves detail. This is evident in the details of the meadow and the forest in the background, which become more visible and sharp. Unfortunately, the lack of Dolby Vision support, a more popular HDR format, is a significant limitation and could help on many platforms.

Note: The images have been incorrectly placed and will soon be replaced. We apologise for the mistake.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Smoothness of tonal transitions

8.4/10

The gradation of tonal transitions in the Philips PUS8359/12 television is at a good level, without any obvious issues that could negatively impact the quality of viewing content. Upon closer observation, one can notice slight imperfections in bright, colourful transitions, however, they are subtle enough that most users are unlikely to notice them or consider them a problem.

Review Philips PUS8359 (IPS) Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

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.

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 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.

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, 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.

Input lag

10/10

Philips PUS8359 offers an exceptionally low input lag of below 10 ms, which is an excellent result. This makes the television perfect for dynamic games, providing quick responses and smooth gameplay, something that both casual and more demanding gamers will certainly appreciate.

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 television with an IPS panel offers quite good font readability thanks to its support for 4:4:4 chroma, making it suitable for office work and everyday computer use. Although its low input lag makes it friendly for gamers in terms of response time, the lack of G-Sync support and its 60 Hz panel may not meet the expectations of more demanding users. For those looking for a television for gaming, this might be a compromise – quick response is present, but the lack of higher refresh rate and adaptive image synchronisation affects its assessment 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 television are quite good, thanks to the IPS panel used (43" and 55"). The picture remains readable and clear even when viewing from a greater angle, which is beneficial when watching content with a larger group or in rooms with an unconventional layout.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.3/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Good

In terms of performance during the day, Philips PUS8359 performs average. The satin finish of the panel moderately reduces reflections, which may 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

Software version during testing: V246.004.012.161

Subpixel Structure:

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

Review Philips PUS8359 (IPS) TV features

Philips has decided to change its approach to the operating system this year, replacing the previous open system GoogleTV with its proprietary TitanOS. As is often the case with new solutions, TitanOS faces 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 programmes. Additionally, the lack of support for AirPlay features and the inability to record to USB represent further limitations that could affect the overall user experience.

An interesting feature of the models with TitanOS is the new remote control, which is very convenient to use thanks to its backlighting. Unfortunately, its wireless functionality is not entirely consistent. The hybrid design means that sometimes you need to aim at the television, and other times you don’t—this depends on the buttons being used. It is simply frustrating.

The most important feature of the Philips PUS8359 television is the three-sided Ambilight system, which significantly enhances the viewing experience. The LED lighting placed on the sides and top of the television creates an immersive effect, extending the image beyond the screen and matching the colours to the displayed content. For many users, this is a key element that makes viewing more engaging and sets the television apart from the competition.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8/10

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 media player integrated into Philips PUS8359 offers quite a wide range of capabilities, but it also has its limitations. It can play almost all video formats, with the obvious exception of Dolby Vision and the less obvious .asf, which is not commonly found. However, the problem lies in the absence of the H.265 HEVC codec with high bitrate. When it comes to photos, the player performs adequately, but it lacks support for some popular resolutions and formats, such as HEIC, used on Apple devices. The player performs best with audio, where it cannot be faulted. Unfortunately, due to system limitations, there is no way to expand its features, which means we have to make do with what the manufacturer has provided.

Apps

7/10

Sound

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 is a standard configuration of 2x10 W speakers, which is unlikely to impress high-quality audio enthusiasts. At moderate volumes (up to 50% of the maximum level), the sound remains bearable and does not cause major distortions. For better audio experiences, we definitely recommend connecting even a simpler soundbar. With support for Dolby Atmos and DTS, the television works well with external audio systems.

4K Ultra HD Resolution (3840 x 2160): Provides four times the resolution of Full HD, delivering a sharp and clear image with a wealth of detail.
Ambilight Technology: The three-sided Ambilight system emits a glow tailored to the content displayed on the screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience.
HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG Support: Support for various HDR formats ensures better contrast and more accurate colour reproduction, resulting in a more realistic image.
Titan OS Operating System: An intuitive and fast Smart TV system allowing access to popular streaming apps and personalisation of the interface.
Dolby Atmos Technology: Provides spatial sound, creating an impression of surround audio and enhancing the quality of multimedia content reception.
HDMI 2.1 Ports: Three HDMI ports enable connection of modern devices with fast data transfer and support for advanced features.
Features for Gamers: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support ensures smoother gameplay with lower latency, which is beneficial for gamers.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity: Provides wireless connection to the internet and other devices, increasing the functionality of the television.

Philips 55PUS8359 – Advanced Features for Gamers

The test of the Philips 55PUS8359 model reveals that this television offers a range of features dedicated to gamers that can significantly improve gaming comfort. The low input lag, under 10 ms, ensures quick responses to commands, which is crucial in dynamic games. In television tests, the compatibility with next-generation consoles was highlighted, making the Philips PUS8359 an attractive choice for video game enthusiasts.

Philips PUS8359 – Limitations of the Titan OS

Tests of the Philips PUS8359 television indicate some limitations related to the Titan OS operating system. Although the interface is easy to use, it lacks many popular applications, which can be frustrating for users accustomed to more comprehensive Smart TV platforms. The PUS8359 test pointed out the slower performance of the system, manifested in delays when switching between applications or settings. For those who value a fast and responsive interface, the Philips 55PUS8359 may not meet expectations.

Philips PUS8359 (IPS)

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 55PUS8359 – Advanced Features for Gamers

Philips PUS8359 – Limitations of the Titan OS