Philips has always been a bit of an enigma, especially when it comes to TVs. The company follows its own timeline, often releasing the first of its annual models after most other brands have their entire range in stores. Philips TVs have unique picture settings and presets, and feature LEDs on the back that project the on-screen action onto the wall with colored light.

This distinctive approach has yielded impressive results before. In 2020, a Philips OLED TV stood out for its excellence. The OLED806, which we reviewed in its 65-inch version, is the successor to that standout model, and it continues to build on its impressive legacy.

Price

The Philips 65OLED806 was initially priced at £2299. It faces stiff competition from notable models like the Sony XR-65A80J (£2199), LG OLED65C1 (£1899), Panasonic TX-65JZ1000 (£2199), and Samsung QE65QN95A (£2099).

If 65 inches isn't your ideal size, the OLED806 series also comes in 48-inch, 55-inch, and 77-inch models. While we haven't tested these sizes specifically, OLED TVs are generally known for scaling well across different sizes.

Design

Our latest product design stands out not just for its aesthetic appeal but also for its functionality. Every curve and material choice is a testament to our dedication to quality and user experience. The sleek and modern look ensures it fits perfectly into any contemporary setting, while the intuitive layout ensures ease of use.

Unlike many products on the market, our design prioritizes both form and function. The ergonomic shape provides comfort during use, and the high-quality materials guarantee durability. We’ve carefully considered every detail, from the placement of buttons to the texture of the surface, to offer a product that’s not just beautiful but also practical.

Features

• Ergonomic design for maximum comfort

• High-quality materials for durability

• Intuitive button layout for ease of use

These features make our product a standout choice for anyone looking to combine style with functionality. Whether you’re using it at home or on the go, you’ll appreciate the thoughtful design and attention to detail.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for a product that offers both beauty and performance, look no further. Our design philosophy centers on creating products that enhance your lifestyle while providing reliable service. Choose our latest offering for a blend of elegance and practicality that’s hard to beat.

The OLED806 doesn’t stray far from the design of the previous OLED805. When viewed from the front, you will see the striking black screen bordered by ultra-thin black bezels and a slimmer silver edge. There’s a small IR receiver unit breaking the bottom edge on the right side, but this is only noticeable if not wall-mounted. If you opt not to mount, the TV stands on two elegant feet, each designed with a half bright silver and half dark silver finish, allowing you to choose the visible finish by mounting them accordingly.

From a side view, the Philips OLED806 features a slim panel coupled with a thicker plastic enclosure for connections, processing hardware, and speakers. Unlike other brands, this Philips model includes a four-sided Ambilight system, whereas the OLED805 had only three sides. The additional LEDs at the rear bottom add an extra centimeter to the depth, making it 6.8cm thick. For reference, the LG C1 is 4.7cm thick, the Sony A80J is 5.3cm, and the Samsung QN95A is 2.6cm.

The remote control from last year is reused with minor tweaks like a new bright silver finish and slight changes to button placement and labeling. It’s a stylish remote with satisfying buttons. However, the buttons are quite close together, making it a bit tricky to distinguish by touch alone. Fortunately, it is backlit, which is very handy for an immersive cinematic experience.

Features

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The Philips OLED806 takes a significant step forward by addressing one of its predecessor's key limitations: the lack of HDMI 2.1 sockets. Now, with two full-bandwidth 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 sockets, the OLED806 supports 4K@120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) in all of its forms, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). This makes it an ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts. The low input lag of around 14ms and the HGiG mode, which ensures accurate tone mapping of HDR games, also contribute to an exceptional gaming experience.

One point to consider is that one of the HDMI 2.1 sockets also handles eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). If you have two HDMI 2.1 sources like an Xbox Series X and a PS5 or a high-end gaming PC, you won't be able to send sound via eARC to a soundbar or AV amplifier. Philips somewhat mitigates this by supporting standard ARC on its other three HDMI sockets, allowing you to get Atmos in the Dolby Digital+ format, though not in the lossless TrueHD Dolby Atmos.

Central to the OLED806's performance is Philips’ new 5th Gen P5 chip, which boasts advanced AI features. The chip intelligently identifies the content you're watching and adapts it to ambient lighting conditions, ensuring the best possible viewing experience without manual adjustments. Additionally, its anti-burn-in technology protects static elements like logos without affecting the overall image quality. The new Fast Motion Clarity feature, Philips' take on black frame insertion, further enhances motion handling.

In terms of HDR support, the OLED806 is a powerhouse, offering HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. HDR10+ Adaptive is also included, adjusting HDR10+ content to ambient light, while the combination of Dolby Vision and AI-powered sensors effectively mimics the functionality of Dolby Vision IQ.

The OLED806 sticks with the Android TV 10 platform, which is packed with popular apps. Enjoy full 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney+. Google Play Movies & TV offers 4K Dolby Vision, while Rakuten provides 4K HDR10. The Freeview Play platform ensures access to BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, and My5, while the integrated BT Sport app, Plex, VLC, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, and BBC Sounds cover all your entertainment needs. The notable absence is Now, though this may not be a deal-breaker for most.

Picture

Experience impeccable picture quality with our latest offerings. Our lineup boasts stunning visuals that will captivate your senses.

Dolby Vision content, by default, triggers the HDR Personal preset, which doesn't align with Dolby Vision's intent. Though this can seem unusual, you can easily fix it by switching to a more appropriate preset.

For viewing Dolby Vision content in ambient light, use the Dolby Vision Bright preset instead of the Dolby Vision Dark preset. However, Dolby Vision Bright isn't just a brighter version; it also has several other settings altered. When watching in a lit room or if you prefer a punchier Dolby Vision delivery, you'll need to adjust some settings to avoid an overly sharpened image. Reduce sharpness to a maximum of 3, turn off Ultra Resolution and noise reduction, and switch Motion Styles to Movie or Pure Cinema.

Once you've made these adjustments, fire up Our Planet on Netflix for a stunning experience. As David Attenborough narrates, you'll see the moon with its craters in exceptional detail and three-dimensionality. The sun's light gleams off the craggy surface, contrasting beautifully with the pitch-black space filled with millions of sparkling stars. As Earth comes into view, you can identify specific continents and notice the lovely shading of the white clouds and blue oceans. This scene showcases the OLED806's strengths – sharpness, detail, contrast, perfect blacks, and vibrant colors.

Even with real content, the Philips TV remains impressive. For instance, a scene with a raft of swimming penguins diving beneath the icy ocean is rendered with exceptional clarity and detail. Each bird stands out against the water thanks to a combination of crisp definition, elegant shading that differentiates the black-grey coloring on their backs from the blue-grey sea, and pure whites highlighting their tummies and necks. The bubbles shine almost as brightly as the stars in the episode's intro.

As a camera glides over the snowy surface of Antarctica, it’s clear that the OLED806 can't match the brightness peaks of flagship LCD TVs like the Samsung QN95A. However, for an OLED, it delivers a dazzling image. The detail within its highlights, combined with stunning contrast and supreme sharpness, makes the icy mountains pop from the screen. It’s simply stunning, amplified by the lovely Ambilight feature.

The Philips TV continues to impress while playing Interstellar in HDR10, although some picture adjustments are necessary. We recommend using the HDR Home Cinema preset while reducing Sharpness, turning off Ultra Resolution and Colour Enhancement, switching off noise reduction features, setting Light Boost to Maximum, HDR Perfect to Adaptive, and turning off the Light Sensor. Consider adjusting the Motion Styles setting, as the default Standard can sometimes look over-processed. Depending on your preference, the Movie or Pure Cinema settings may be better.

While optimizing the OLED806 might require more effort compared to other modern OLEDs, it’s worth it. As the camera pans across the family farm at the beginning of Interstellar, individual stalks of corn are clearly visible in the vast field. The greens show nuanced variety, with different shades in the field and the adjacent lawn—something less capable TVs might struggle to differentiate.

The space scenes are predictably spectacular. As the ship approaches the black hole, it’s rendered with exquisite crispness and brilliance where the light hits it. The black hole appears as a shimmering sphere against the pure black space, with distant stars shining brightly like pinpricks.

The only minor drawback with the OLED806’s presentation of Interstellar is its handling of film grain; even with noise reduction on, it doesn't suppress it as some other TVs do. However, this grain can be considered part of the film's charm and is not off-putting.

When tested with our usual motion-handling stress test, Blade Runner 2049, the OLED806 performs admirably, maintaining a solid grip on K’s car as it flies into LA, almost as well as the Sony A80J. Slower pans are smooth and sharp, with no soap opera effect and minimal digital artifacts. Throughout this challenging film, only one section— a slow, birds-eye pan over LA at the start of chapter two—shows any motion issues, delivered in a strangely juddery fashion. This issue didn't reoccur with other content, so the Movie setting remains a good choice. For those preferring less processing, the Pure Cinema setting reduces blur but eliminates that specific judder.

Switching to Django Unchained in HD and SDR, the OLED806’s settings need further adjustment, but once done, it produces an excellent picture: sharp yet subtle, vibrant yet controlled, punchy but not exaggerated. In the ambush scene, the torches of the masked riders are so bright and rich that you can almost feel the heat, dramatically contrasting against the pitch-black night sky. Crucially, shadow detail is preserved, so nothing important is lost in the deep blacks.

Even with standard-definition content from the built-in tuner, the OLED806 impresses, particularly in terms of punch and sharpness. While some rivals may offer slightly cleaner images, few can match the Philips' dynamism.

Sound

Enhancing your auditory experience is more accessible than ever. High-quality audio devices are now available to everyone, transforming the way we enjoy our favorite music and media.

Why Quality Sound Matters

Immersive sound elevates your experience, whether you're watching a movie or listening to music. It allows you to catch every detail, improving your overall enjoyment.

Choosing the Right Device

Selecting the right audio device can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to guide you:

• Consider Your Space: The size and acoustics of your room can affect sound quality.

• Type of Use: Are you looking for something for casual listening, or do you need high-fidelity equipment for professional use?

• Budget: Quality doesn't always have to come with a high price tag. Research options across various price ranges to find the best fit for you.

By following these guidelines, you can choose an audio device that perfectly suits your needs, creating an optimum listening experience.

Remember, high-quality sound is not just about technology but about enhancing every moment with clarity and depth.

For sound, the top choices are the Original and Movie modes. Original mode is ideal for regular TV content, delivering clear and faithful reproduction, though it has a touch of sibilance at the top and slight boominess at the bottom.

Original mode can feel a bit narrow when watching epic films, which is where Movie mode shines. Switching to Movie mode significantly opens up the presentation, spreading sound impressively to the sides and above the TV. While the slight boominess remains, the overall weight and heft of the sound are satisfying, offering surprising dynamic range. The drum-driven track at the start of chapter two in Blade Runner 2049 continues to build long after many similarly priced TVs have reached their limits.

Switching to Movie mode may impact the directness and projection of dialogue, and the speaker system could be crisper and cleaner during particularly chaotic moments. However, for an integrated sound solution at this level, it’s commendable. If possible, you should still consider budgeting for a soundbar or home cinema system.

Verdict

The Philips 65OLED806 is a top-tier TV that outperforms its predecessor and now includes next-gen HDMI features, ideal for serious gamers.

While it requires some effort to optimize, the results are more than worth it. At its price point, this TV is unrivaled in quality.