The Philips 65OLED986 is designed to be the ultimate TV, taking inspiration from the highly acclaimed OLED806. Enhancements include an additional picture processor, a brighter OLED panel, and an advanced B&W speaker system featuring Continuum-cone drivers and a Nautilus-tube tweeter.

This TV is a true statement piece, with a premium price to reflect its top-tier quality. If you're seeking the best and can invest in it, the Philips 65OLED986 stands as an unparalleled choice.

Price

The 65OLED986 is priced at a substantial £3999 at launch. This puts it over £2000 above the 65-inch version of the outstanding OLED806, which isn’t too surprising given that this flagship model boasts significantly higher specifications. Positioned between these models is the new OLED936, with its 65-inch version currently priced at £2499. The OLED936 shares the same panel and processing capabilities as the OLED986, but features a more compact speaker bar.

The 65OLED986 succeeds the 65OLED984, which debuted a little over two years ago. This new model is anticipated to have a similarly extended lifespan.

Design

Our latest model boasts a sleek and modern design, perfect for anyone looking to enhance their home entertainment setup. With smooth lines and a contemporary finish, it not only looks great but also fits seamlessly into any living space. We’ve focused on creating a visually stunning product without compromising on functionality.

The OLED986, much like its predecessor the OLED984, stands out with its impeccable style. Positioned as a floor-standing TV with a height of 134cm, it exudes elegance. The lower stand portion can be detached for wall-mounting, but the screen and speaker system are intertwined and dependent on each other. This integration means upgrading one component later would require replacing both. While this pairing maximizes the experience with its B&W speakers, it does limit individual upgrades.

The display unit resembles other current Philips OLED TVs, featuring a sleek black bezel around the screen. The ultra-thin panel is complemented by a slightly thicker rear enclosure housing the processing hardware, amplifiers, connections, and the advanced four-sided Ambilight technology that projects light beyond all four edges of the TV.

Below the display, the speaker bar carries a modern design, adorned with soft grey Kvadrat fabric on top. The front and sides are protected by a metal grille with numerous tiny perforations for sound dispersion. Inside, three forward-facing B&W drivers with Continuum cones provide superior audio quality. Continuum, a woven material also used in the company's top-tier 800 Diamond speakers at Abbey Road Studios, ensures premium sound.

The left and right channels in the speaker bar each have their own tweeters, plus a unique 'tweeter-on-top' positioned between the speaker bar and screen to minimize diffraction effects. This configuration mirrors the OLED984 but with noticeable enhancements: upgraded Continuum drivers, improved amplifiers, new crossovers, refined motor assemblies, and a tweeter with a Nautilus tube design to minimize rearward sound disruption.

Features

Our latest product shines with an array of outstanding features designed to enhance your experience. From top-notch performance to sleek aesthetics, it offers everything you need for a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Unmatched Performance

Equipped with the latest technology, our product delivers high-speed processing and reliability. You can trust it to meet all your daily demands efficiently.

Elegant Design

Not only does our product perform well, but it also looks great in any setting. Its modern design is both stylish and functional, making it a perfect addition to your home or office.

User-Friendly Interface

Ease of use is at the core of our product. Its intuitive interface allows you to navigate seamlessly, ensuring that you can take full advantage of all its features without any hassle.

Eco-Friendly

We are committed to sustainability. Our product is energy-efficient, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying top-tier performance.

Customer Satisfaction

Your satisfaction is our priority. Our dedicated support team is always available to assist you with any questions or concerns, ensuring you have the best experience possible.

Discover the exceptional features of our product and elevate your daily life with unmatched performance and style. Learn more about our product here.

When we reviewed the OLED984, we noted its lack of HDMI 2.1 inputs. Thankfully, that’s been addressed for the OLED986, which boasts, alongside two standard HDMIs, two 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 connections that support a whole host of features, including eARC, ALLM (auto low-latency mode) and VRR (variable refresh rates, in all current formats).

4K at 120Hz is supported as well, though resolution with such signals is halved. Interestingly, the OLED806 can display 4K at 120Hz content in full resolution, so why can’t the OLED986? It’s apparently all down to the move to a two-chip processing engine that, Philips says, is a step up in terms of overall picture quality but lacks the ability to handle native 4K/120Hz signals. The company is essentially saying that it’s prioritized movie performance over hardcore gaming and, given the target market for the TV, that’s probably a wise decision – assuming the movie performance is all it’s cracked up to be, of course.

It certainly should be, given the raw materials in play here. The OLED806 was already a stunner in picture terms, particularly where sharpness, colors and punch are concerned, and the dual-chip version of the 5th Gen P5 processor is said to take things even further. The upgraded OLED panel is claimed to be 20 percent brighter, too, though it’s worth noting that this is LG’s 2021 flagship panel rather than the 2022 EX OLED panel that will be hitting shops in a number of TVs, including some of Philips’, in the coming weeks and months.

Philips continues its dedication to supporting all HDR formats, with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision both on board alongside the more common HDR10 and HLG. While Dolby Vision IQ isn’t officially supported, HDR10+ Adaptive is, and the AI-powered light sensor can adapt any and all signals to the ambient light in the room. There’s a Dolby Vision Game mode, too, which will be appreciated by Xbox Series X users, plus an HGiG setting that makes it easier to get an accurate HDR performance from many next-gen games.

While Philips TVs don’t feature the latest Google TV operating system, the version of Android TV they do use has had a number of Google TV-like elements added that make navigation more enjoyable and get you watching the specific content you’re after much quicker than before. Recommendations are much improved, too.

The app selection is substantial. Netflix and Apple are on board with support for 4K, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos on appropriate content. The Amazon Prime Video app supports the same formats and adds HDR10+, which is its preferred format of dynamic HDR. The Disney Plus app currently doesn’t play back in Dolby Atmos (this has been an on/off issue with Android TVs for a long while now) but 4K, Dolby Vision and the IMAX picture ratio are all supported. Google Play Movies and YouTube both work in 4K HDR. All of the main catch-up services are on board as both dedicated apps and as part of the Freeview Play platform, while BT Sport gives you access to plenty of football, among other things. All of the major music streaming apps are included, too, with the exception of Apple Music. Ultimately, you’re left wanting for very little in terms of content.

Picture

Enhancing your visual experience has never been easier. Our latest range of products delivers stunning clarity and vibrant colors that bring your favorite shows and movies to life. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated cinephile, you'll appreciate the attention to detail and the lifelike visuals that make every scene pop.

With our advanced processing technology, you get smooth and sharp motion, even in fast-paced action sequences. Say goodbye to blurred images and hello to a new level of immersion. Dive into the details with crisp, clear pictures that make you feel like you're part of the action.

Experience unprecedented realism with deeper blacks, brighter whites, and an expanded color palette. Your screen will transform into a window that captures the essence of what the creators intended, ensuring every visual is as impactful as possible.

Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your viewing pleasure. Explore our latest offerings and find the perfect addition to your home entertainment setup.

Philips TVs often need some tweaking out of the box, and while they’re getting better, there’s still room for improvement.

The HDR Home Cinema preset, default for HDR10 content, is a mixed bag. It looks impressive but feels over-processed. The main issue is the Ultra Resolution feature, which we recommend turning off. Also, reduce the Sharpness by a couple of notches. Turning off the Colour Enhancement helps, but setting Light Boost to Maximum utilizes the panel's brightness. Switch HDR Perfect to Adaptive to enhance contrast without losing detail. It's usually best to keep the Light Sensor off, but you might want to experiment if you prefer automatic adjustments based on ambient light.

It’s a bit of effort, but the reward is a stunning picture. Take, for example, Blade Runner 2049. When K enters Sapper’s farm, the light through the windows appears brighter without losing detail, revealing the grime on the glass missed by other TVs.

Shadow details are equally impressive. The OLED986 handles pure blacks and near-black shades well, making intricate details in Sapper’s room, like musical notation on a piano, more visible.

As K flies towards downtown LA, the OLED986 flexes its contrast abilities. The neon signs and advertisements are vibrant and punchy, more so than the OLED806, while maintaining dark areas' integrity. This subtle shading between light and dark brings depth and clarity, making it easy to identify buildings in the cityscape.

The OLED986 also outshines in sharpness and detail. In the opening scene, Sapper's facial details are exceptionally clear without seeming exaggerated. The colours are authentic and vibrant, such as the red of his gloves.

However, motion processing is a weak spot. There's more blur and judder in Off, Pure Cinema, and Movie modes compared to the OLED806. Movie mode is particularly problematic, while Off and Pure Cinema have only slight differences.

With standard HDR and SDR signals, some tweaking is expected. For Dolby Vision content, you should simply choose between Dolby Vision Dark or Bright based on lighting and preference. Unfortunately, Dolby Vision Bright mode also over-sharpens the image. Turning off Ultra Resolution and reducing Sharpness help, but it shouldn’t be necessary.

Both Dolby Vision modes show slight shadow detail deficits compared to HDR10 and Dolby Vision on the OLED806. Increasing Brightness can help, but finding the perfect balance is tricky.

Despite these issues, Dolby Vision performance is strong, with superb contrast and sharpness creating an impactful image. Colors are vibrant and subtle as needed.

The OLED986 handles SDR content well, too. Some adjustment to flashy settings reveals a bright, punchy, yet authentic and nuanced image. It’s a confident upscaler, even with standard-def content, maintaining detailed and smooth delivery compared to rivals.

Sound

Experience unmatched sound quality with our latest offerings. Our audio devices are designed to deliver crystal clear audio, ensuring an immersive listening experience for everyone. Whether you're tuning in to your favorite podcast or streaming a new album, our products offer superior sound performance that elevates your audio enjoyment. Discover the difference with us and let every note resonate perfectly.

Philips and B&W envision the OLED986 as more than just a TV—it's a complete system that can also serve as a hi-fi. The speaker system, featuring advanced materials and engineering, maintains a relatively straightforward configuration. It boasts three mid/bass drivers and three tweeters, all forward-facing, ensuring a far more authentic and natural sound than most dedicated soundbars.

Listening to music on the OLED986 is a delight, unlike any other TV experience. Playing SBTRKT’s Trials Of The Past, the clarity and rhythm are immediately striking. The track demands real pace and precision, both of which the OLED986 delivers effortlessly. There’s an abundance of detail and dynamic flexibility that outshines other TVs and even many soundbars.

While it may not outright replace a hi-fi system, the OLED986 stands out as the most musical TV since its predecessor.

Equally impressive is its performance with movie soundtracks, where its authentic and natural sound shines. While other systems may offer a more enveloping audio experience by firing sound in all directions, none can match the OLED986 in terms of true, balanced audio. Thanks to Dolby Atmos decoding, which its predecessor lacked, the sound extends well to the sides and towards the ceiling, albeit not completely surrounding the listener like a soundbar such as the Sonos Arc. This is a small trade-off for the OLED986’s musicality and direct sound.

Verdict

Our latest verdict brings you the most comprehensive insights. The newest updates reflect our brand's commitment to quality and reliability. Stay tuned for more information, and trust us for your next purchase decision!

The 65OLED986 stands in a league of its own. While many TVs boast enhanced sound, very few can even consider replacing your home audio system.

We wouldn't recommend ditching your current hi-fi setup in favor of the OLED986, as a dedicated system will typically offer superior performance at a lower cost. However, if you're set on having a sleek, all-in-one solution for your television, movie, and music pleasures, there's nothing quite like it right now.