Philips OLED 909's Review Unveils a Sonic and Visual Wonderland
The Philips OLED 909 is a top-tier TV that stands out with its second-generation MLA-type OLED panel, considered one of the best among OLED TVs. This panel delivers a stunning contrast and colour pop, offering a dream-like viewing experience.
The Philips OLED 909 boasts improved brightness and colour when gaming, particularly with PlayStation 5 titles. Its built-in 3.1 system, in collaboration with Bowers & Wilkins, delivers exceptional audio, with a material-covered soundbar-like strip for audio output and a built-in woofer and rear speakers for additional heft.
The TV's design is sleek and modern, with a new two-feet stand design that is spaced equidistantly from the set's center, and does not have a center swivel stand. The Philips OLED 909's floating-like appearance is further enhanced by the four-sided Ambilight feature, which projects light from the TV onto the surrounding walls, extending the image beyond the screen.
The Philips OLED 909 runs Google TV, offering a user-friendly interface. However, certain button presses on the remote may result in a "Feature is not available in current mode" message, and Philips' own menus sometimes clash with Google's.
When it comes to HDR compatibility, the Philips OLED 909 supports a wider range of formats compared to its sibling, the Philips OLED 809. The Philips 65OLED909 supports HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision HDR, while the 65OLED809 only supports Dolby Vision HDR. Both models offer comparable OLED picture quality and Ambilight features, with the Philips OLED 909 being slightly lighter in weight.
The Philips OLED 909 is priced lower than its predecessor, the OLED 908, and is less expensive than similar models like the Panasonic MZ2000 and Sony A95L. However, it does not have integrated UK catch-up apps, which is a shame for a TV that's not even retailed internationally.
The Philips OLED 909 offers various customisable settings for motion, contrast, sharpness, and balance. Its Dark Detail Optimisation setting can enhance grain visibility, particularly in Full HD quality like in The Bear on Disney. The HDR Optimisation feature overrules high dynamic range settings to adapt to bright ambient light conditions, allowing peak highlights to be even brighter.
The Philips OLED 909 is available in three sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch, with prices ranging from £1,999 to £4,449. The TV is compatible with all the main HDR formats - HDR, HDR 10+ (and Adaptive), Dolby Vision, and HLG.
In summary, the Philips OLED 909 is a high-end TV with a four-sided Ambilight feature that offers stunning picture quality, exceptional audio, and a sleek design. While it has some limitations, such as the absence of integrated UK catch-up apps and certain compatibility issues with Google TV, its strengths make it a compelling choice for those seeking an immersive viewing experience.
The Philips OLED 909, aside from its superior picture quality and audio, is also a great fit for home-and-garden enthusiasts, as its sleek design adds a touch of technology to any living space. The TV's low cost compared to similar models like the Panasonic MZ2000 and Sony A95L, and its compatibility with various HDR formats like HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision HDR, makes it an excellent addition to any home-theater setup. In the realm of entertainment, the Philips OLED 909's Dark Detail Optimisation setting and HDR Optimisation feature offer a more immersive viewing experience for movies-and-tv shows, such as The Bear on Disney. Thus, the Philips OLED 909 is not just a TV, but a lifestyle upgrade that blends seamlessly into one's home-and-garden and entertainment preferences.
