The Philips OLED909 stands out as a premier OLED television, delivering vibrant and intricate visuals complemented by integrated Ambilight technology, enhancing the overall viewing experience. It also boasts exceptional audio quality and a comprehensive suite of gaming features, all within a meticulously crafted design.
This model is equipped with Philips’ brightest display to date: the LG MLA (Micro-Lens Array) OLED panel, renowned as one of the finest in the OLED market. This positions the OLED909 alongside LG’s OLED G4 and, within the QD-OLED category, the Sony A95L and Samsung S95D. In our review of the Philips 65OLED909 4K OLED HDR, we will explore the capabilities of this latest addition and assess its value for potential buyers.
The OLED909 houses the brightest panel Philips currently offers
Design
The Philips 65OLED909 is equipped with a four-sided iteration of Philips’ Ambilight technology. If you consider the additional lighting to be unnecessary, it can easily be disabled. However, it enhances nearly every scene, particularly those featuring vivid colors. Beyond the Ambilight feature, the OLED909 boasts a sophisticated design with a slim profile.
Its nearly bezel-less display allows the visuals to dominate the viewing area. The external speakers are elegantly wrapped in gray Kvadrat fabric, contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the television. Unlike the practical central swivel stand of the OLED809, the OLED909 is supported by two robust metal feet.
The remote control included with the OLED909 is identical to that of the OLED908, setting a benchmark for remote designs. Crafted from polished black metal that reflects the premium nature of the OLED909, it can be charged through USB-C or a solar panel located on the back. Additionally, the buttons illuminate during use, making it ideal for viewing in low-light conditions.
The Philips OLED909 features a second-generation MLA OLED panel
Image quality
The Philips OLED909 is equipped with a second-generation MLA OLED panel, identical to that found in the LG G4 and the more sophisticated Philips OLED959. This technology enhances brightness levels when compared to standard WOLED models like the LG B4, as well as OLED EX models such as the LG C4 and the Philips OLED809, its smaller counterpart. A microlens array enables the OLED909 to reach a remarkable short-term brightness of 3,000 nits.
This model is compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats. It also supports IMAX Enhanced content and features a picture mode that works seamlessly with Portrait Displays’ professional Calman color calibration software. A standout characteristic of many Philips televisions is the Ambilight feature, which casts colored light onto the wall behind the TV. Users can customize it in various ways, including syncing it with video or audio content or selecting a single color to create a specific ambiance.
The second-generation MLA OLED panel achieves peak brightness levels of 1,400 nits in Standard mode and 1,265 nits in Filmmaker mode when tested in HDR with a 10% white window pattern. This represents an increase of approximately 30% in brightness compared to the simpler OLED809, which recorded 1,090 nits in Standard mode and 930 nits in Filmmaker mode. The LG G4, utilizing the same panel, reaches an even higher peak brightness of 1,490 nits in Filmmaker mode.
The OLED909 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range.
Full-screen brightness, assessed on a 100% white window in HDR, registers at 260 nits, which is only slightly below the performance of the LG G4. In comparison, the Samsung S95D, equipped with a QD-OLED panel, achieves 320 nits in the same evaluation. It is important to note that these full-screen brightness levels are significantly lower than those of top Mini-LED TVs, which can easily reach 500 nits. This limitation is attributed to the automatic brightness limiting control implemented in OLED TVs to safeguard the panel.
The upscaling of lower-resolution content shows a slight improvement over the OLED809. HD films and television programs appear cleaner and exhibit enhanced detail, although the Philips OLED 909 does not quite match the performance of other OLEDs, such as the Samsung S95D. Notably, colors maintain a natural appearance, skin textures are rendered realistically, and black levels are accurate.
The OLED909 covers 98% of the color gamut (compared to the advertised 99%) and achieves 74% of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces, which are commendable results. When evaluating the color accuracy of the OLED909, its Delta-E color error measures 1.1 in Filmmaker mode, which is exceptional (a score below 3 is considered good).
With Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode activated, the 65OLED909 provides rich contrast and deep blacks. It preserves details even in low-brightness scenes. Additionally, the OLED909 effectively manages ambient light reflections, ensuring that dark scenes are optimally displayed in low-light environments.
The OLED909 features a slim design
Motion and Game Processing
The motion handling of the OLED909 is notably impressive. Viewers will experience minimal judder or blur during sports broadcasts, such as football and rugby, even with the motion smoothing features disabled. The television effectively manages camera movements and rapid action sequences in Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode.
For gaming enthusiasts, the OLED909 offers robust capabilities, supporting refresh rates of up to 4K 144Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG, Dolby Vision, and auto low latency mode (ALLM). Additionally, it features a Game Mode complete with a Game Bar, allowing users to customize and save settings in distinct profiles for future use.
In terms of overall performance, the OLED909 delivers a responsive and fluid experience, even during demanding graphical scenes. The input lag is measured at 13ms, while LG OLEDs can achieve 9.1ms in Boost mode. The graphics processing is also noteworthy, as the OLED909 enhances the depth of environments, weapons, and facial details through its exceptional rendering capabilities.
Smart TV
The Philips OLED909 series features Google TV as its smart TV interface, providing access to popular applications such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Apple TV+. To utilize apps that are not pre-installed, users must log in with their Google account, which enhances the experience by offering tailored recommendations.
However, the prominent banner at the top of the home screen cannot be removed, occupying a considerable area of the display. For those who enjoy customization, there are numerous options available for adjusting both picture and sound settings, with a wider range of audio configurations compared to other television models. Menu navigation is straightforward, aided by a quick access menu in the corner during viewing, although it lacks the seamlessness found in LG’s webOS.
Philips OLED909 Back panel
Sound
The Philips OLED909 TV offers commendable audio quality, though it does not quite match the immersive experience provided by top-tier Dolby Atmos soundbars. Its integrated sound system, developed by Bowers & Wilkins, features a 3.1-channel configuration with a total output of 80 watts. The TV is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats and includes enhancements such as AI Sound, Dolby Bass Enhancement, Night Mode, and room calibration. It effectively delivers robust bass that complements the clear dialogue.
Sound effects are positioned accurately across the screen, contributing to an engaging listening experience. However, the OLED909 does face challenges with the height effects of Dolby Atmos. For instance, sounds like pouring rain and overhead aircraft are not as pronounced compared to superior models such as the Sony Bravia 8. Nevertheless, the audio performance of the OLED909 remains impressive for a 3.1-channel system.
Connections
The connectivity options for the Philips OLED909 are nearly the same as those found in the OLED809. It features two HDMI 2.1 ports, while the remaining two are HDMI 2.0. Additionally, it includes terrestrial and satellite antenna inputs, a digital optical output, a headphone jack, a LAN port, and a CI slot. There are two USB ports available, with one supporting USB 3.0.
A line-out for the subwoofer has been introduced as a new addition. For wireless connectivity, the OLED909 supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.
The Philips OLED909 connectivity list is almost identical to the OLED809
Conclusion
The OLED909, while pricier than the flagship Samsung S95D and LG G4 OLED TVs, offers the unique advantage of Ambilight, albeit at the cost of two HDMI 2.1 ports that are essential for gaming. Nevertheless, the OLED909 provides an exceptional viewing experience, characterized by its breathtaking picture quality, vibrant Ambilight, extensive gaming features, and immersive onboard audio, making the higher price potentially justifiable.
In comparison, models such as the TCL C855 and Hisense U8NQ are excellent mini LED TVs that deliver impressive features and performance at a lower price point. However, the OLED909 largely justifies its premium cost, even if it may be considered excessive by some consumers. Thus, it stands out as a commendable high-end option.
