Sound is what units the OLED+959 aside. Its built-in 5.1.2-channel speaker system is highly effective, immersive, and dynamic and may simply substitute for a lot of the best soundbars . Even Dolby Atmos peak results are audible! The OLED+959 simply joins the opposite best TVs for sound , with the Panasonic Z95A solely actually providing related high quality.
The OLED+959 seems like a premium TV, and whereas I’m at all times blissful to see Ambilight on a TV, the brand new Ambilight Plus system introduces motion into the combo and could also be too cluttered for some. Utilizing it, I discovered myself eager for the usual Ambilight system. It’s additionally a hefty TV with a divisive stand design, however Philips’ use of cloth materials provides it a superb look.
Given what it affords, the OLED+959 carries a premium price ticket, however when its closest rivals are roughly £1,000 cheaper, it’s robust to disregard the worth hole. Nonetheless, in case you have the funds, the OLED+959 is a unbelievable TV.
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Costs & launch dates
The Philips OLED+959 demonstrates sensible textures and element (Picture credit score: Future)
First launched: October 2024 65-inch value: £3,999
The Philips OLED+959 is the flagship OLED TV in Philips’ 2024 TV vary, sitting above the Philips OLED759, Philips OLED809 and Philips OLED909 . On its launch in November 2024, the OLED+959 value £3,999 for the 65-inch mannequin (the one measurement out there), inserting it on the very premium finish of the market.
Since its launch, costs have dropped, with the OLED+959 now retailing for round £2,999. Whereas this can be a important value lower, it nonetheless places the OLED+959 above different premium OLEDs such because the LG G4 and Samsung S95D, each of which value roughly £1,999.
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Display screen sort:
OLED
Refresh charge:
144Hz
HDR help:
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio help:
Dolby Atmos
Sensible TV:
Google TV
HDMI ports:
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Benchmark outcomes
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Options
Ambilight is a singular characteristic that units Philips TVs aside from others, however the brand new Ambilight Plus could also be just a little busy for some (Picture credit score: Future)
New Ambilight Plus 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system Philips P5 AI Twin Motion Engine
The Philips OLED+959 options the corporate’s P5 AI Twin Engine Processor and META 2.0 OLED panel with micro lens array (MLA), the identical tech discovered within the LG G4 and Panasonic Z95A OLEDs. It helps all HDR codecs, together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+, and each the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio codecs.
The OLED+959’s most unusual characteristic is Ambilight Plus expertise, an upgraded model of Ambilight that may be discovered on most Philips TVs, together with its step-down OLED809 and OLED909 fashions. Ambilight Plus not solely initiatives colors onto the wall behind and across the TV but in addition generates motion and shadows that reach the on-screen motion.
The OLED+959’s built-in 5.1.2 channel Bowers & Wilkins sound system accommodates 18 drivers powered by a strong 102W. The system has a entrance speaker array for left, proper and centre channels, two side-firing and two up-firing channels, and a rear-mounted subwoofer.
For gaming, the OLED+959 helps 4K 120Hz, VRR together with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia GSync, HGiG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming and ALLM, and it has a Sport Bar menu that enables for settings customization throughout gaming. Solely two HDMI 2.1 ports are offered.
One of many OLED+959’s extra eye-catching options is its provided stand, which sits roughly 473mm off the bottom. The OLED+959 makes use of Google TV as its sensible TV platform, nevertheless it’s value noting that it doesn’t help Freeview Play with its UK-based streaming apps, comparable to BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Image high quality
Ambilight provides the OLED+959’s daring, vibrant, and correct colors an additional layer, as proven right here on Elemental (Picture credit score: Future)
Beautiful, vibrant colors Nice element and distinction Image upscaling may very well be higher
Beginning off with brightness measurements, the Philips OLED+959 achieved 2,050 nits peak brightness (measured on a ten% white window HDR sample) in Private mode (used as Commonplace) and 1,296 nits in Filmmaker Mode. On a fullscreen HDR window sample, the OLED+959 measured 277 nits and 271 nits in Private mode and Filmmaker Mode, respectively.
(Philips claims the OLED panel within the OLED+959 is able to 3,000 nits max brightness, however the most I measured was 2,502 nits on a 2% HDR window sample in Vivid mode.)
Shifting on to reference viewing, I started by watching an HD-quality Disney Plus stream of Battle Membership . Whereas the image was principally advantageous, I’ve seen higher upscaling on different premium OLED units, notably the Samsung S95D. This was additionally the case with low-resolution broadcast TV, the place textures have been on the fuzzy aspect.
Watching a 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient stream of Elemental on Disney Plus, the OLED+959 showcased daring, dynamic and vibrant colors all through, with the orange of fireplace and blue of water popping on the display screen with a shimmery glow. A 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient stream of Star Wars : The Final Jedi
When measuring the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 HDR colour gamut protection of the OLED+959, it yielded 75.1% and 98.5%, respectively – each unbelievable outcomes and ones that validate its very good colour after I watched motion pictures. It additionally achieved a median of 1.7 for colour accuracy (we search for a median beneath 3), one other nice outcome.
The OLED+959 has very good distinction, with glorious stability between mild and darkish tones, as proven right here in The Batman. (Picture credit score: Future)
The distinction and black ranges on the OLED+959 have been refined and deep. Within the opening crime scene of The Batman , the stability between mild and darkish tones was very good, with glorious shadow element on show in clothes and objects. Even the darkest scenes precisely captured the film’s gritty tone and look. Watching Oppenheimer , the black and white scenes additionally confirmed a variety of refined gray tones.
The OLED+959 demonstrated correct, refined textures and element throughout all the films and TV reveals I watched. Within the close-up pictures in High Gun: Maverick and The Batman , facial options comparable to hair and pores and skin appeared clear and genuine.
I discovered I didn’t must make any modifications to most image settings all through my viewing. When watching HD streams of sport, together with soccer, nevertheless, I needed to make changes to movement, setting blur and judder discount to three or 4. For motion pictures, movement was typically dealt with nicely. In High Gun: Maverick , for instance, coaching missions and flight sequences appeared easy, however I felt I’d seen them look smoother on rival OLEDs such because the Samsung S95D and LG G4.
Image high quality rating: 4.5/5
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Sound high quality
The OLED+959 includes a robust-sounding 5.1.2 Bowers & Wilkins speaker system (entrance speaker array proven right here) (Picture credit score: Future)
Highly effective built-in sound Correct and immersive Probably the very best built-in TV sound I’ve heard
The OLED+959 has a built-in Bowers & Wilkins 5.1.2 channel, 102W sound system and helps Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks. It additionally has AI sound and bass enhancement in addition to EQ and Room Calibration options.
The OLED+959’s speaker array is likely one of the most spectacular built-in sound methods I’ve ever skilled on a TV, and it eliminates any want to attach a soundbar.
Watching the Penguin/Batmobile chase scene from The Batman , the rumbling bass of the Batmobile’s engine was highly effective and hefty however nicely managed. As automobile tyres screeched and autos weaved out and in of visitors, the position of sound was pinpoint correct within the entrance speaker array and well-connected to the motion on display screen. Dolby Atmos overhead results like rain have been audible and well-balanced with different components within the combine, and the soundstage was broad and immersive.
It was the same story with High Gun: Maverick , with the Mach 10 scene within the film’s opening displaying off the expressive, dynamic capabilities of the OLED+959’s audio system. Refined encompass results comparable to wind and the Darkstar jet’s creaking panels may very well be heard clearly amidst the growth of engines, and dialogue all through the films and TV reveals I watched was crystal clear.
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Design
Ambilight Plus model could be too busy for some Included stand Premium backlit distant management
Whereas the OLED+959’s stand design is exclusive within the TV world, some could discover it cumbersome (Picture credit score: Future)
The OLED+959 carries some distinctive options that set it aside from different TVs. First, it comes with Ambilight, which initiatives colored lights round and behind the TV. I am a fan of Ambilight, which provides one other dimension to the viewing expertise, making the image really feel larger and extra immersive. The OLED+959 comes with the most recent Ambilight Plus system, which additional extends the motion of photos on display screen to the colored lights on present. Whereas this provides an additional twist to conventional Ambilight, I felt it sometimes appeared too busy and distracting and located myself eager for the usual Ambilight system.
The OLED+95’s meaty sound system essentially makes it a thick TV by fashionable requirements. On the optimistic aspect, the material across the body and entrance audio system provides it a premium look and helps negate this added depth. The OLED+959 additionally has a trim bezel, permitting the image to be the primary characteristic.
The OLED+959 is provided with a heavy-duty stand that positions the TV roughly 473mm from the ground. It’s value noting that when related to its stand, the OLED+959 is a weighty TV, clocking in at 44.5kg.
The OLED+959 comes with Philips’ premium TV distant, which is USB-C rechargeable and lights up when moved – helpful for viewing in darker circumstances. It’s fabricated from a matte, metallic materials and feels reassuringly stable.
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Sensible TV & menus
The OLED+959 makes use of Google TV as its sensible TV platform, full with massive banner adverts. (Picture credit score: Future)
Google TV sensible TV platform Huge house display screen banner adverts Good variety of image and sound settings
The OLED+959 makes use of Google TV as its sensible TV platform, which helps apps comparable to Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that it doesn’t help Freeview, UK-based apps comparable to BBC iPlayer and ITVX. If you need entry to those, you will have so as to add probably the greatest streaming units comparable to an Amazon Fireplace TV Stick.
Google TV is a stable sufficient sensible TV platform. The house display screen gives quick access to apps, with the primary ones specified by a horizontal row. There are content material suggestions from apps based mostly in your viewing historical past, however this requires a sign-in to a Google account. There is no such thing as a ignoring the big banner advert on the prime of the house display screen, which not solely takes up a big portion of the display screen however can be a video, which I discovered annoying
There are a superb variety of image and sound settings offered for individuals who like to regulate the image and sound to go well with their tastes. There are additionally superior controls for calibration for individuals who actually wish to fine-tune issues. Navigating menus is easy sufficient and the TV software program feels responsive.
Sensible TV & menus rating: 4/5
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Gaming
The OLED+959 is full of gaming options, together with a Sport Bar proven right here with Battlefield V (Picture credit score: Future)
4K 144Hz, VRR, Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming and ALLM 12.6ms enter lag time Solely two HDMI 2.1 ports
The OLED+959 is nicely outfitted for gaming, with 4K 144Hz, VRR together with AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming and ALLM all supported. There may be additionally a Sport Mode with optimized settings and a Sport Bar menu the place settings could be additional adjusted.
Efficiency is responsive and easy, with graphically intense motion sequences and fast-paced gaming all well-handled. When taking part in Battlefield V at 120fps on Xbox Sequence X, scanning the atmosphere in chaotic battle sequences was a straightforward and judder-free expertise. The OLED+959’s enter lag measured at 12.6ms, which doesn’t beat the easiest 120Hz TVs from LG and Samsung, however continues to be beneath the 15ms most avid gamers search for.
Image high quality whereas gaming can be very sturdy, particularly with video games in Dolby Imaginative and prescient (a restricted class). The textures are correct, colors are vibrant, distinction is balanced, and the small print of the environments and weapons look intricate and true-to-life. These in search of an OLED TV for gaming will likely be happy.
Philips OLED+959 assessment: Worth
The OLED+959’s provided distant met our expectations for a premium TV distant (Picture credit score: Future)
Pricier than rival flagship OLEDs Premium design and efficiency Step-down Philips OLED909 has related image high quality
Total, the OLED+959 is a unbelievable however costly TV that is noticeably pricier than rival flagship OLEDs. It’s at the moment priced at £2,999 for a 65-inch display screen(a £1,000 low cost since its launch in October 2024), whereas the Samsung S95D and LG G4 65-inch fashions can be found for roughly £1,999. Whereas the OLED+959 has the bonus of a considerably higher built-in sound system than its rivals, it’s robust to disregard that £1,000 value distinction, which might simply web you probably the greatest Dolby Atmos soundbars, such because the Samsung HW-Q990D.
The OLED+959 is a premium TV with premium efficiency and options, so a premium price ticket is anticipated. Whereas it does tick all of the bins, Philips followers might additionally look to the step-down Philips OLED909, which delivers the identical gaming options and efficiency and related general image high quality to the OLED+959 (and arguably higher Ambilight) for £2,199 – an £800 saving.
Ought to I purchase the Philips OLED+959?
(Picture credit score: Future)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Philips OLED+959
Attributes
Notes
Score
Options
META 2.0,MLA OLED panel, 5.1.2-channel sound system, good inventory of gaming options and Ambilight Plus
4.5/5
Image high quality
Excellent colour, distinction, black ranges and particulars, however upscaling may very well be higher
4.5/5
Sound high quality
Highly effective, immersive and dynamic system that rivals soundbars
5/5
Design
Premium look with distinctive stand, however some could discover it cumbersome. New Ambilight Plus a divisive characteristic
4/5
Sensible TV and menus
Google TV is serviceable with loads of settings, however house display screen is obscured by massive banner advert
4/5
Gaming
Improbable suite of gaming options, however solely two HDMI 2.1 ports
4/5
Worth
Premium value anticipated for efficiency and options, however considerably pricier than rivals
3.5/5
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally Contemplate
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Philips OLED+959
Samsung S95D
LG G4
Panasonic Z95A
Value (65-inch)
£3,999
$3,399 / £3,399
$3,399 / £3,299
$3,100 / £3,899
Display screen sort
OLED (MLA)
OLED
OLED
OLED
Refresh charge
144Hz
144Hz
144Hz
144Hz
HDR help
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Imaginative and prescient/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Dolby Imaginative and prescient/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Sensible TV
Google TV
Tizen
webOS 24
Fireplace TV
HDMI ports
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
4 x HDMI 2.1
4 x HDMI 2.1
4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
How I examined the Philips OLED+959
Picture 1 of 2
(Picture credit score: Future)
These photographs have been taken in brighter circumstances for photographic functions – measurements are usually taken in pitch black circumstances.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Examined in lab in varied lighting circumstances Examined utilizing each SDR and HDR sources Measurements have been taken utilizing specialised gear and Portrait Shows’ Calman Colour calibration software program
After some informal viewing to find out probably the most correct image mode (Filmmaker Mode on this case), I started crucial testing of the Philips OLED+959 utilizing SDR (broadcast TV and HD streaming) and HDR (4K streaming and 4K Blu-ray) sources.
I used reference scenes to check the image high quality, analysing color, distinction, element, upscaling, movement and black ranges. I additionally used these scenes to check the OLED+959’s built-in audio system and sound high quality.
For 4K Blu-ray testing, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, and to check gaming options and efficiency, I used an Xbox Series X .
I subsequent took measurements utilizing a colourimeter, take a look at sample generator and Portrait Shows Calman color calibration software to document the measurements.
I examined the OLED+959’s brightness utilizing each SDR and HDR white window patterns ranging in measurement from 1-100% display screen protection. I examined these in each Commonplace (on this case Private) and Filmmaker Mode image modes.
I additionally examined the OLED+959’s color and greyscale accuracy, in search of a median Delta E worth (the margin for error between the take a look at sample and what’s proven on display screen) decrease than 3 for each assessments.
I additionally examined the OLED+959’s HDR color gamut protection, measuring the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color areas.
Enter lag was examined utilizing a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI enter lag tester.
