LG OLED G4 vs Philips OLED809/819

Direct compare

G45 / G42

Info

OLED809 / OLED819 / AMIBLIGHT TV

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”77”83”97”

Available screen sizes: 48”55”65”77”

Panel technology: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

Operating system: WebOS

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel technology: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

Operating system: Google TV

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

8.6

7.6

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    8.5

    7.3

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    9.1

    7.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    9.0

    8.2

  • Gaming on console

    9.5

    9.2

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    6.4

  • Watching in bright light

    6.0

    5.5

  • Utility functions

    9.5

    7.8

  • Apps

    9.7

    10.0

  • Sound quality

    8.6

    7.1

Advantages

  • Phenomenal image fidelity to the director's intent

  • Reference color reproduction after calibration

  • Very high brightness in HDR materials

  • Remarkable compatibility with console and computer

  • The panel suppresses reflections very well

  • Perfect viewing angles

  • Advanced Google TV system with good app support

  • Very good cooperation with the console

  • Good image fluidity and an advanced system for its improvement

  • Multicolored Ambilight backlighting

Disadvantages

No like
  • Visible tonal transitions

  • Sound of the built-in audio system - could be better in this class of television

  • Poor factory color reproduction (can be fixed through calibration)

  • Strongly contrasting tonal transitions

  • Average readability of fonts when connected to a computer

Our verdict

The LG G4 is a top contender for the best television of 2024, offering an exceptional viewing experience. Combining OLED black with MLA technology, it delivers a dynamic and detailed image, making it ideal even for sunny rooms. The operating system, while not as open as some competitors, offers a lot of functionality, with the standout feature being the intuitive remote control with a cursor, ensuring ease of use. Out of the box, colour reproduction is solid, but after calibration, it reaches almost reference quality, providing a truly cinematic image. Post-production studios favour this brand for its deep calibration capabilities, including 3D LUT adjustment.

The TV does have some issues with tonal transitions, but these can be largely remedied by enabling the "Smooth Gradation" feature, improving the viewing experience. The motion smoother is highly advanced, catering to sports and dynamic content with adjustable fluidity. With HDMI 2.1 ports supporting full functionality, including low input lag, the TV is perfect for gamers. Overall, the LG G4 is a versatile and high-quality television, offering superb performance both day and night.

The Philips OLED 809 is a versatile television that caters to a wide audience. Its standout feature is the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting, which enhances immersion and engagement, particularly when watching films. As expected from an OLED TV, key aspects such as contrast, black levels, and colour reproduction are excellent, providing impressive visual quality.

However, the television has some drawbacks, such as the quality of tonal transitions and the inconsistent operation of the dynamic tone mapping function, which can occasionally distract more sensitive viewers. Despite these shortcomings, the Philips OLED 809 excels in two key areas: gaming performance and motion smoothing. Gaming performance is particularly noteworthy, with each implemented feature functioning seamlessly to create a highly immersive experience.

Motion smoothness is also impressive, with two effective sliders allowing users to customise the motion settings. The inclusion of the Google TV system further enhances the user experience, offering smooth and lag-free operation during tests. Overall, the Philips OLED 809 strikes a solid balance between its strengths and minor imperfections.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
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

10/10

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 OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The LG G4, benefiting from over a decade of OLED panel development, excels in contrast, black levels, and detail reproduction, especially in the darkest scenes. Incorporating MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology further enhances this, improving brightness and handling light reflections effectively, making the TV a strong performer in sunlit rooms. OLED technology offers perfect blacks by turning off individual pixels, which results in exceptional immersion and a three-dimensional effect, surpassing even some of the best Mini LED models. This is particularly evident in challenging scenes from films like The Revenant, where even the finest details are captured with remarkable clarity.

The black levels in the LG OLED G4 are nearly flawless, amplifying the depth and realism of high-contrast scenes. The TV’s high contrast, combined with deep blacks, delivers an immersive viewing experience, making it stand out in a crowded market of competing models.

The Philips OLED 809, true to its name, uses an OLED panel sourced from LG Displays, a common choice among major brands like Sony and Panasonic. This advanced panel technology enables the television to achieve outstanding results in contrast and black-level tests. The image produced is three-dimensional and entirely free of the blooming effect often seen in TVs with local dimming, where bright text on dark backgrounds can appear hazy.

This exceptional performance is due to the panel's structure, crafted from conductive organic polymers and controlled by electrical impulses. Unlike LCD TVs with layered filters, OLED technology allows individual pixels to turn off completely, creating true black levels with a value of 0. This direct control ensures the precise separation of bright and dark elements in the image.

In tests, the Philips OLED 809 showcased its ability to render contrasts with exceptional precision, such as isolating bright elements like headlights against dark backgrounds. This capability is one of the TV's strongest advantages, elevating its performance in scenarios where contrast and black levels are critical.

HDR effect quality

7.8/10

6.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 98.3%, Bt.2020: 74.7%
DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%

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 OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

921 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

970 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

1039 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

1022 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

425 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 OLED809/819

LG OLED G4

The LG G4 excels in delivering an incredibly vivid HDR experience, positioning it as one of the best models in its class. Equipped with second-generation Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, it achieves a remarkable peak brightness of 1474 nits in real-world scenes. While it may not match Mini LED-backlit LCD TVs in full-screen white scenes, the overall performance is outstanding. The fine details in HDR content shine brightly, a distinct advantage of OLED technology over non-OLED displays. With this impressive brightness and wide DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage, HDR content is brought to life with unmatched engagement and immersion.

The Philips OLED 809 delivers a highly satisfactory HDR effect. The television can reach luminance levels exceeding 900 nits in most scenes, and in some cases, even surpassing 1000 nits. This brightness ensures a rich and immersive experience for HDR content with a wide tonal range. The only exception occurs in a scene from the movie The Meg, where a large amount of bright white occupies most of the screen, preventing the TV from reaching higher brightness levels. However, this is not a significant issue, as the performance is still a considerable improvement over its predecessor.

Overall, these brightness levels, especially for an OLED panel not equipped with MLA technology, impress. Coupled with excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour spectrum, the Philips OLED 809 offers a truly spectacular HDR viewing experience.

Factory color reproduction

8.4/10

5.1/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

Before calibration, the "Filmmaker" mode on the TV had a noticeable red and green colour dominance, resulting in a warm-yellow hue across both SDR and HDR content. This warm tone, typical of modes like "Cinema" and "Filmmaker," led to a yellowish cast that was evident when switching from the "Standard" mode.

Looking at the brightness characteristics, the Gamma chart showed decent performance for mid-tones and bright whites, but it struggled with the darkest details, which tended to merge into a black blob. HDR content, as represented by the EOTF curve chart, displayed a drop in contrast due to excessive brightness, which overshadowed fine details and negatively affected the overall image quality. Additionally, the "ColourChecker" chart revealed that colours were under-saturated, contributing to a less accurate and vibrant visual experience.

This provided a good foundation to build on, but calibration was needed to bring out the full potential of the "Filmmaker" mode and address these issues.

The best factory mode in which we performed all our tests was "Filmmaker," which is quite standard in televisions from this manufacturer. However, let’s first examine its characteristics before the calibration process. The first aspect we will focus on is white balance, as it is critical to ensuring the image remains free from any colour cast. The chart clearly shows that in both SDR and HDR materials, two colours dominated significantly: red and green, resulting in a strong yellow tint that affected the entire image. This was particularly noticeable on the "ColourChecker" palette, where all colours shifted towards their warmer counterparts.

The second aspect we will assess is what we consider to be the two most important charts for evaluating picture quality: gamma and the Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) curve. Both aim to maintain appropriate brightness and contrast. The first chart, which describes the brightness levels in SDR materials, shows that the brightness was significantly lower than the reference value marked by the orange line. This resulted in a sharp increase in brightness and a notable decrease in contrast, which was inconsistent with typical OLED television behaviour. The EOTF curve, on the other hand, showed greater "moderation," subtly brightening the overall image only up to 50% of the maximum brightness.

Color reproduction after calibration

9.5/10

9/10

The manufacturer has been offering extensive support for the calibration process in its LG televisions for many years. Therefore, we used 2- and 20-point grayscale adjustments along with an advanced CMS (Colour Management System) to optimise the display. As shown, the calibration procedure greatly improved each parameter. The results included studio-quality colour reproduction, enhanced detail in dark areas, corrected brightness characteristics, and accurate colour saturation. This led to a near-perfect match with the reference image—the one the film director saw on the preview monitor. It’s also worth mentioning that LG G4 televisions are unique in offering even deeper image adjustments through 3D LUT matrices, a feature primarily suited for post-production or graphics studios.

Philips, like most leading manufacturers, has been providing advanced calibration tools for years. The inclusion of 2- and 20-point grayscale adjustments, along with an advanced CMS (Color Management System), has yielded extremely beneficial results and fundamentally improved the perceived image. Nearly every element previously mentioned has undergone a transformation and has been restored to its natural state. This is particularly noticeable in the "ColourChecker" palette, where the measured colour samples align harmoniously. Notably, the white balance has been excellently calibrated, ensuring a pure image free from unwanted tint in both SDR and HDR content. The previously problematic gamma has been well addressed, with only minor errors that do not impact the overall performance. Similarly, the EOTF curve has been refined, removing the subtle brightening effect, and now offers a truly reference-quality presentation.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.2/10

2.4/10

The tonal transitions on the LG G4 are not among the best in class. Every scene played from a Blu-ray disc with 10-bit HDR showed noticeable inconsistencies in colour transitions. This was particularly evident in "The Green Knight," where posterization issues were especially noticeable. Similar problems were observed in films with moderate to high brightness, such as "The Martian" or "Kingsman," which is unusual for televisions of this calibre and was quite surprising. These results suggest that in scenes with low luminance and a lot of black, this issue may become bothersome, even for casual viewers.

Equally important as colour accuracy, black levels, and contrast in the context of image quality is its purity. This includes the quality of tonal transitions. Many viewers will be familiar with the "stepping" effect of colours on older displays—a frustrating issue that can significantly disrupt immersion in films or series. Unfortunately, the Philips OLED 809 suffers from such a problem, and while it might be tempting to overlook, it warrants examination.

In almost every tested scene, a lack of fluidity between colours was evident. While this is somewhat acceptable in certain films, such as Kingsman, it becomes far more distracting in others, particularly in The Green Knight. In this film, the thick fog was rendered as horizontal stripes and indistinct geometric shapes rather than a smooth gradient.

Though some televisions handle tonal transitions with excellence, the Philips OLED 809 does not belong in that category. Tests revealed visible stepping effects in colours, especially in demanding scenes, which detract from the viewing experience. Even options designed to mitigate posterisation failed to deliver adequate improvements, making this a significant drawback of the model.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

8.2/10

5.5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
No
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The LG G4 does not perform well with materials rich in tonal transitions, leading to a pronounced posterization effect. However, the manufacturer has included a smoothing system called "Gentle Gradation," with three levels: Low, Medium, and High. These settings are effective at smoothing bright colours, though less so for darker tones. It is recommended to use the Low setting, as the higher levels can distort the director's intentions by removing film grain.

When it comes to upscaling lower-quality material, the television's performance is quite good, delivering a sharp and clear image. However, attention should be paid to the jagged edges of fine details and the occasional halo effect around figures. This occurs due to the sharpening imposed by the LG G4, even when the lowest setting is selected (0). This is a noticeable change from the LG G3, which did not apply such strong sharpening, even at setting 0.

Philips OLED 809 struggled significantly in the smooth tonal transitions test. Focusing on the TV's algorithms, particularly the feature responsible for removing posterisation, the results were disappointing. This function, which offers several adjustable settings, proved ineffective in practice. The highest setting, while it does mitigate inconsistencies, it simultaneously blurs the entire image, rendering it virtually useless.

When dealing with lower-quality content, the performance of image upscaling algorithms becomes crucial. In this regard, the algorithms implemented in the OLED 809 perform admirably. They enhance image quality effectively, with minimal visible artefacts. Although slight edge fraying can occasionally be observed, it is unlikely to be noticeable during typical viewing sessions.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
144Hz
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%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

The LG G4 offers a maximum refresh rate of 144 Hz, achievable when connected to a powerful PC. For most users, however, the TV operates at a maximum of 120 Hz, ideal for watching sports or other content with fast motion. To improve image fluidity, the television includes the "TrueMotion" motion smoothing system, which features two separate sliders: De-Blur (for the sharpness of moving images) and De-Judder (for judder reduction). These sliders allow users to adjust the level of smoothing between 0 and 10, ensuring everyone can find the ideal setting.

With a response time of 0.78 ms, the LG G4 delivers exceptionally clear images, outperforming LCD televisions, which can have much slower response times. This results in no trailing blur behind moving objects, as shown in the "UFO Test." The TV also provides precise control over motion smoothing, which is especially beneficial during fast-paced video game sequences. Thanks to OLED technology, the G4 eliminates ghosting, ensuring a crisp and clear image even during the most dynamic sports or action scenes.

The maximum refresh rate achievable on the Philips OLED 809 is 144 Hz, a feature that can be fully utilised when connected to a high-performance PC. However, when connected to consoles or used for standard television viewing, the refresh rate remains at typical values. For users seeking enhanced motion fluidity or wishing to eliminate the characteristic choppiness of films shot at 24 fps, Philips provides a sophisticated motion-smoothing system.

In the settings menu, there is a "Smoothness" slider designed to reduce choppiness, along with a "Motion Blur Reduction" option to enhance the sharpness of fast-moving elements. These features perform impressively and allow for granular adjustments, ensuring that each setting has a tangible impact on motion perception. Notably, the system operates effectively at a refresh rate of 120 Hz, taking advantage of multiples of video frame rates. With this comprehensive range of options, users can easily fine-tune the settings to suit their preferences. For example, slight smoothing without inducing the soap opera effect offers a balanced viewing experience.

Motion clarity on the OLED 809 is further bolstered by the exceptional response time of the OLED panel, measured at approximately 0.1 ms. This surpasses the performance of IPS/ADS or VA panels, making OLED technology unrivalled in this area.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

10/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    40 - 144Hz
    40 - 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 TV supports all the features encompassed by the HDMI 2.1 standard, making it a gaming powerhouse. During testing, every feature activated seamlessly, ensuring a smooth experience for both console gamers and PC users. Notably, the HGIG mode (HDR Gaming Interest Group) is implemented correctly, allowing games mastered to brightness levels higher than the TV’s maximum luminance to map tones accurately, preserving the game’s original visual integrity.

A notable highlight is the dedicated GameBar, which can be accessed at any time to quickly check or adjust game settings. More importantly, enabling VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) does not compromise contrast—a common issue in TVs with local dimming or Mini LED backlighting. This is thanks to the OLED panel’s self-emissive pixels, which maintain consistent contrast. However, a slight grey flicker may appear when VRR is enabled, though this is standard across OLEDs.

In summary, the LG G4, like most OLED TVs, is ideal for gaming and online competitions. Its HDMI 2.1 ports offer a full 48 Gbps bandwidth, supporting features such as VRR, ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), G-Sync, FreeSync, and HDR Dolby Vision gameplay, ensuring an exceptional gaming experience.

The Philips OLED 809 fully supports all technologies included in the HDMI 2.1 standard, and during testing, each activated without issue. This makes the TV an excellent choice for gamers, whether on console or PC. Notably, it features HGIG mode as a strong alternative to Dolby Vision, which is less ideal for gaming on this model due to its high input lag.

The TV also includes a dedicated GameBar for monitoring gameplay parameters and adjusting settings quickly. Features like a crosshair overlay for sniper shots, shadow enhancement for better visibility, and a colour filter for gamers with visual impairments further enhance its gaming appeal.

In summary, the OLED 809 is a fantastic choice for gaming, equipped with VRR, ALLM, G-Sync, FreeSync, and HDR Dolby Vision gaming for a deeply immersive experience. The only drawback is the artificial sharpness in game mode, which cannot be fully softened, regardless of settings.

Input lag

10/10

9.5/10

SDR

1080p60
14 ms
13 ms
1080p120
5 ms
5 ms
2160p60
14 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms
5 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms
5 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120 DV
5 ms
57 ms

The LG G4 excels in lag time performance, maintaining impressively low input lag across all scenarios. Even the most demanding gamers will appreciate its remarkably low input lag of just 5 ms at 4K 120 Hz with HDR enabled. This remains consistent even with Dolby Vision HDR activated—something that many competitors struggle to achieve. Such outstanding performance earns the LG G4 top marks and a strong recommendation for gamers seeking a responsive, lag-free experience.

The input lag measurements on the Philips OLED 809 are impressively low across all signals and resolutions. Gamers will undoubtedly value the manufacturer’s efforts, as a game running at 4K120Hz with HDR achieves a latency of just 5 ms—virtually imperceptible, even in online gaming. Additionally, the game mode with Dolby Vision deserves praise, delivering a comparable response time of 13 ms. In this regard, the Philips OLED 809 earns top marks.

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

6.4/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
No
Font clarity
Very Good
Average
Readability of dark text and shapes
Very Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
5ms
13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
RWBG
Max refresh rate
144Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The LG G4 performs exceptionally well when connected to a PC, thanks to its ultra-low 5 ms latency, ensuring near-instantaneous responsiveness between mouse input, visual perception, and on-screen action. This makes it ideal for both gaming and productivity tasks.

A standout feature is the excellent text readability, a crucial aspect for extended screen use. The RWBG pixel arrangement does not negatively impact the display of fonts or characters, a clear advantage over Samsung’s QD-OLED matrices, which can sometimes struggle with text clarity. Users of both Windows and macOS will find the LG G4’s screen performance highly satisfying, making it a versatile choice for various computing needs.

As in gaming, the Philips OLED 809 delivers excellent performance, but its capabilities falter with everyday text work. Despite its impressively low latency, the issue lies in its lack of chroma 4:4:4 support, leading to noticeable font blurriness regardless of the refresh rate. While this is not a problem during gaming, it can significantly affect text work by making fonts less readable and more straining to the eyes.

Viewing angles

9.7/10

7.4/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
9%
29%

The LG G4 OLED's MLA technology ensures consistent brightness, colour saturation, and white balance from all viewing angles, a clear advantage over standard LCD and non-MLA OLED panels. This uniformity remains intact regardless of where you're seated, offering an excellent viewing experience. Comparable performance is seen only in Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, which use quantum dot technology.

An advantage of OLED panels is their excellent performance at sharp viewing angles, with no noticeable drop in contrast or color saturation. However, a characteristic feature of panels produced by LG Display, which are not used in top models, is the appearance of a teal or cyan tint when viewed from a wide angle.

TV efficiency during daytime

6/10

5.5/10

Matrix coating
Glare
Glare
Reflection suppression
Good
Good
Black levels during daytime
Average
Very Good

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Philips OLED809/819: 322 cd/m2

LG OLED G4: 482 cd/m2

The LG G4’s glossy display coating, contrary to expectations, is a major strength. It enhances the TV’s efficiency by suppressing reflections at their source, ensuring a clear, distraction-free viewing experience. Notably, the black levels remain impressive even in daylight, a hallmark of LG Display’s WRGB panels. While OLED MLA panels are slightly less effective in this regard, they still outperform Samsung’s QD-OLED panels, which tend to appear grey in bright conditions. With a brightness of around 500 nits and a glossy coating, the TV is ideal for daytime use, except in rooms with extensive glazing.

For many years, the efficiency of OLED TVs during the day has been a topic of debate, with many still believing these screens aren't suitable for daylight use. While that may have been true for older models, current technology has advanced significantly. Today, there are no major objections to recommending an OLED TV for daytime use. Despite the glossy panel, which might seem like a drawback, the real-world results speak for themselves. One aspect to consider is contrast which remains higher during daytime use, unlike QD-OLED panels or OLEDs with MLA technology. This is due to the absence of excited quantum dots and micro-lenses.

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing
Backlight Type
03.10.85
TPM231WW_R.101.0091.227.211
Image processor
mt5896

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

LG OLED G4

Philips OLED809/819

TV features

9.5/10

7.8/10

  • Operating system
    WebOS
    Google TV
  • 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
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • 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
    No
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    Yes
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes

LG’s long-standing proprietary WebOS system offers nearly all key applications, with only a few notable omissions like CDA and KODI. A standout feature is the motion-sensitive cursor, which appears when moving the remote, making tasks such as entering queries or passwords much easier. WebOS also supports screen mirroring, AirPlay, Polish voice search, and Bluetooth headphone connections. Uniquely, it allows simultaneous use of headphones and the TV speaker, a valuable feature for those with hearing impairments.

Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the match alert function, ensuring they never miss a game, while the home panel enables control of smart devices within the network—such as receiving laundry cycle completion notifications.

Overall, though WebOS may not be as widely recognised or versatile as Android TV, it delivers fast, stable performance and covers most essential functions, making it a reliable choice for users seeking a straightforward, effective TV operating system.

Before we dive into the software that controls the TV, it’s important to highlight one of the standout features of Philips OLED 809 is the multicoloured Ambilight. This unique system, positioned on the back of the device, adjusts its colours according to what's happening on the screen, enhancing immersion and overall viewing experience.

The Philips OLED 809 runs on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage over some of the manufacturer's other models that use the proprietary TitanOS, a more closed system with fewer available apps. With Google TV, users can install virtually any application, from the store or via APK files directly from online repositories.

Additionally, Google TV offers convenient control options, such as easy integration with keyboards and touchpads for smoother typing and navigation. Voice commands can also be issued using the remote, with quick and accurate interpretation by the system.

In summary, Google TV is one of the most popular systems available today. Powered by a robust CPU, it operates smoothly and stably, without freezes or stutters. For those who want to make the most of their TV’s capabilities, Google TV offers the openness and versatility needed to enhance the overall experience.

Playing files from USB

8.5/10

9.5/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
No
Yes
WebP
No
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
No
Yes
SVG
No
Yes

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
No
Yes
24 Mpix
No
Yes
28 Mpix
No
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The default file player on the LG G4 handles most photo formats well, though it's surprising that a few popular ones are missing. Video playback is excellent, supporting nearly all common formats, including Dolby Vision, with the only exception being the H.266 VVC codec—currently rarely used. However, photo format support is limited to just JPEG and PNG, which may disappoint Apple users due to the lack of HEIC compatibility, the default format for iPhone photos. Fortunately, this can be bypassed using the built-in AirPlay feature. It's also worth noting that the player does not support TXT subtitles, which could be an inconvenience for some users.

The default media player on the Philips OLED 809 is of a high standard but has shortcomings. It excels in playing a wide variety of video files, with the exception of two less commonly used formats. A key advantage is the inclusion of options to confirm playback for various subtitle formats. The TV handles images of any resolution effortlessly, making it a great choice for browsing family albums or studio photos. In terms of supported photo and audio formats, the performance is satisfactory, with only a few outdated or rare formats being unsupported. However, this isn't a significant issue, as users can easily download an app from the store to handle those formats.

Apps

9.7/10

10/10

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
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
OK
Kodi

Sound

8.6/10

7.1/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    8.6/10
    7.1/10
  • 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

Audio quality is always subjective, but the LG G4 deserves recognition for its sound clarity. The primary drawback is its limited bass range, though this is less of an issue for those who plan to pair the TV with a home theatre system. Crucially, the LG G4 offers extensive support for audio codecs, including DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of high-quality audio setups.

At the outset, it's important to note that sound quality is always subjective. In our opinion, the audio system in the Philips OLED 809 is of high quality. The bass is well-defined without overpowering the mid and high tones. From another perspective, considering the price range of this TV, most users will likely have an additional audio system. In this context, the television will not disappoint, as it supports nearly all major standards, including Dolby Atmos and, notably, DTS-HD Master Audio.