Philips PUS8359 (VA) vs Samsung QLED Q80D

Direct compare

PUS8349 / PUS8359

Info

Q80D

Available screen sizes: 50”

Available screen sizes: 50”55”65”75”85”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Titan OS

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2024

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Overall rating

5.5

7.1

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.0

    6.7

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    5.4

    6.7

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    4.5

    6.6

  • Gaming on console

    6.4

    8.7

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.0

    7.6

  • Watching in bright light

    4.7

    6.0

  • Utility functions

    5.7

    7.7

  • Apps

    7.0

    9.3

  • Sound quality

    6.1

    6.6

Advantages

  • Colour representation after calibration

  • Dynamic tone mapping function - recovers details that are too bright for the television

  • Smooth tonal transitions

  • Very good compatibility with computers and consoles - low input lag, chroma 4:4:4

  • Great choice for gamers - lots of functionality, low input lag, 120Hz

  • High brightness of the panel - good performance during the day

  • Good blacks and contrast - VA panel with local dimming

  • Excellent tonal transitions

  • Advanced "Tizen" smart system

  • Pleasant sound from the built-in speakers

Disadvantages

No like
  • Low brightness of HDR materials

  • Missing a significant number of essential applications

  • Poor viewing angles

  • Average viewing angles

  • No recording function

  • No DTS (may hinder connection to home theatre)

Our verdict

Philips PUS8359 in 50" is a fairly simple television, yet sufficiently advanced for a large portion of consumers. Its biggest distinguishing feature (as well as the entire brand) is the Ambilight backlighting, which at this price point is definitely an added value and something that may encourage a purchase. In this price range, it's hard to find anything that will give us flawless picture quality, although we can look for units that offer something more. And in our opinion, this tested television is precisely that. In this context, we pay particular attention to the quality of tonal transitions, colour reproduction after calibration, and the television's performance when connected to a computer. Thanks to its low input lag, a casual gaming session will be quite enjoyable. However, we must also point out the unit's drawbacks. Without a doubt, these will be low luminance in HDR content and narrow coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space. Although it’s worth noting that the dynamic tone mapping feature works very effectively. We will also briefly mention the contrast and black levels, which, while not exceptional, are definitely better than in units based on IPS/ADS panels. The operating system of the television can be considered one of the better ones, although it is in development and lacks many features, which we will discuss more in a dedicated paragraph. It also does not have as wide a library of applications as its competitors, although this will likely change soon. Who is the PUS8359 for? One could say it’s for anyone looking for a balance between quality and price.

Samsung Q80D is a very versatile television. It’s definitely a piece of equipment that can easily adapt to the needs of both gamers and those looking for a device for everyday viewing. As for the former - namely gamers. Thanks to HDMI 2.1 support, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and low input lag, it makes playing on console or PC pure pleasure. Additionally, the Game Bar feature allows for quick adjustments without the need to exit the game – a small thing, but it makes a difference. It’s also worth mentioning a fantastic feature in the form of an efficient motion smoother that works well in games. It gives the impression that playing on such a television adds a few FPS, thus providing an advantage in the game. During everyday use, the Q80D performs very well too. The Tizen system offers access to popular apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, so nothing is lacking here. The high brightness of the screen ensures that the television performs very well even in well-lit rooms. A nice and interesting addition is the solar remote, which not only does not require battery replacements but also allows control of other devices (e.g. set-top boxes, consoles, soundbars). When it comes to picture quality, the Q80D has a lot to offer. Although it lacks Dolby Vision support, after calibration, the colours look fantastic, and the contrast and black level thanks to FALD technology (full array local dimming) impressed us greatly, considering the television's segment. Thanks to the VA panel enhanced with quantum dots (QLED), the colours on the Q80D can look truly excellent. Watching movies or series in the evening is a real pleasure – especially if we care about good details. However, there are little things that might be bothersome. The lack of a recording feature is a certain limitation, although it may not be a problem for everyone. Another obvious issue will be its viewing angles. These are typical results for this type of panel, so one must reckon with the fact that at the cost of great blacks, the Q80D simply performs average when looked at from the side. Nevertheless, the Samsung Q80D is a great television that performs well in every situation. It offers excellent picture quality, many useful features, and solid build quality for its price range. A few minor shortcomings, however, do not take away its charm, as overall it’s a model that will comfortably meet the expectations of most users – both those who game on consoles and those who simply enjoy evening screenings with good visuals.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Contrast and black detail

5.6/10

6.7/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 100 (10 x 10)

Contrast:

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,400:1

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,950:1

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,500:1

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,650:1

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

3,800:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

37,350:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

8,850:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

20,350:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

4,300:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

3,800:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Philips PUS8359/12 in the 50-inch version is equipped with a VA panel. We highlight this quite strongly, as the manufacturer is known for intermittently using IPS/ADS panels depending on the diagonal size. This is particularly important in the context of contrast and black levels, which are the primary criteria in assessing image quality. The panel itself uses direct LED backlighting; however, it has not been supported by any local dimming system, which is rather obvious when considering the device's price range. Nevertheless, the use of this type of screen allows for several rows of better black levels and contrast compared to the aforementioned panels that do not have advanced backlighting systems. The simple design of the television has positively affected the visibility of details in the blacks. Our first test scene from the film "Oblivion" showcased quite good blacks, but also excellent separation of lights, which is not an easy task even for much more expensive units. The second material prepared from the film Sicario 2 also presented itself decently. Although due to construction flaws, some light bleeding can be noticed, the details themselves are well visible, and it's hard to criticize them. The fact remains, the black levels could be deeper.

The Samsung Q80D television is equipped with a VA panel, which immediately affects the difference in contrast and black reproduction compared to IPS panels. VA panels offer significantly better contrast and deeper blacks, while IPS panels have better viewing angles but poorer contrast. For the 55" model, the television has 100 local dimming zones, and it should be noted that this number may vary depending on the screen size. Thanks to local dimming, blacks look good, but it's worth mentioning that the algorithm of this technology, combined with a limited number of zones, can sometimes go a bit "haywire." Bright objects can be dimmed to achieve better blacks. During testing in a scene from the film Oblivion, the lights merged into one blot, regardless of the dimming settings, showing the limitations of this technology. In the movie Sicario 2, large dimming zones were particularly noticeable, for example, with small helicopter lights, indicating how large the areas controlled by a single dimming zone are. Despite these imperfections, the local dimming technology still offers significantly better picture quality than televisions without this feature or with edge lighting. With the ability to completely turn off individual zones, the television can provide a noticeable boost in brightness in selected areas, which can give the image a cinematic effect, especially in dark rooms.

HDR effect quality

4/10

5.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 83.0%, Bt.2020: 61.0%
DCI P3: 93.0%, Bt.2020: 73.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

281 nit

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

280 nit

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

324 nit

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

290 nit

Review Philips PUS8359 (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

320 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

927 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

423 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

612 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

242 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

856 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

HDR luminance chart:

Samsung QLED Q80D

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Philips PUS8359 (VA)

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Philips PUS8359 didn't impress us with its performance in HDR materials. This model is capable of generating a maximum brightness of 320 nits, and often even less. Such results, combined with the lack of support for HDR Dolby Vision, mean that the image will be significantly darker compared to the source material. Therefore, it would be more beneficial for this television to play SDR content. This is also suggested by the quite low coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut at 83%, resulting in significant colour deficiencies. The fact remains that the television supports an HDR format based on dynamic metadata; however, HDR10+ is such a niche format that it doesn't offer any major advantages.

In the context of HDR, the Samsung Q80D television, as expected, achieves very positive brightness results in the tested movie scenes, where the frame is filled with light, reaching values from 600 to 900 nits, allowing for a great juiciness of the image. Such results enable the user to feel the difference between HDR and SDR quality. Unfortunately, problems arise in situations where small light effects occur against a dark background. In such cases (e.g., the 4th test screen from the film Sicario 2), a noticeable drop in brightness is observed, which is caused by the large size of the dimming zones used here. This limitation, combined with the dimming algorithm, affects how the television handles small bright elements on a dark background. At that point, we may experience an undesired lack of brightness, and the HDR effect resembles that of SDR.

Factory color reproduction

4/10

6.8/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best factory mode in terms of fidelity to the source material was "Film". This is what we used during our tests. Just like every other factory mode in televisions, it had its drawbacks. So we'll check what exactly was wrong with both SDR and HDR materials. In both cases, the white balance exhibited an excessive dominance of the green and red colour combination. This created a yellow tint spreading across the entire image, causing issues such as yellowed whites and problems with skin tones. This state of affairs was perfectly illustrated on the "ColourChecker" palette, where each of the tested samples was pushed towards its warmer counterparts. The foundation of the image is primarily contrast and black. These are represented by gamma charts and the EOTF curve. Looking at the first one, we can see a true rollercoaster, as both elevated and lowered gamma can be observed. The heavily elevated gamma caused visibility issues in black levels, whereas the lowered gamma resulted in a dramatic reduction in contrast. In this context, the EOTF curve performed significantly better, as it only slightly brightened the image.

In "Filmmaker" mode, which is the best choice right out of the box, the Samsung Q80D television shows solid colour reproduction. For SDR content, a noticeable drop at the start of the gamma curve suggests that details in dark scenes may be less clear, affecting the overall viewing experience. Regarding white balance in SDR content, while generally correct, significant drops in blue at screen coverage above 70% can result in less natural shades in both bright and dark scenes. Users may notice that some blue elements in the image may appear less vibrant, and the overall colour will have a warmer hue.

In HDR content, the EOTF curve being above the reference line for most of the time indicates that the television may struggle to accurately reproduce brightness and details in the brighter parts of the image, which can be detrimental for the viewer. It is also worth noting the significant drop at the start of this chart, indicating that the television has difficulty reproducing brightness in the darker parts of the image, as seen in the contrast and black test, where several scenes were unable to show the full capabilities of the television’s brightness. In terms of its white balance, the initially good performance on the graph is promising, but the steep decline in red, coupled with a significant increase in blue, can lead to inaccuracies in reproducing some skin tones and other key colours. This phenomenon may be noticeable to viewers in scenes where colour details are crucial.

Color reproduction after calibration

5/10

8.1/10

Philips provides a wide range of image calibration tools in both its higher-end and budget models. We utilised these tools and got to work, which wasn’t as easy as many of you might think. While we managed to model the white balance, significantly improve the gamma, and refine the EOTF curve in both cases, the deltaE errors remained exceptionally high. There are several reasons for this situation, which are directly related to the low coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and the maximum brightness of the unit in HDR material.

The movie mode after calibration looks significantly better than the one you see right out of the box. Samsung offers an advanced range of calibration tools in its televisions. Among them are 2- and 20-point greyscale adjustment and CMS (Color Management System). Both in HDR and SDR mode, white balance has improved significantly, although there are slight errors at the end of the graph for HDR content. Contrast has also been greatly improved, and the gamma curve responsible for SDR shows better results. However, when it comes to HDR, the EOTF curve on the television appears to be at an ideal level at first glance. However, when we dig a bit deeper and enable the EOTF graph while watching films, we may notice that all the lines of the curve are above the reference line. You could even say that the television is "cheating" when playing film material. Such a situation, where the EOTF curve is above the reference line, causes the screen – although it may appear brighter, which some users might find appealing – to lose detail in the darker parts of the image. In practice, this means that in scenes with a lot of shadows or dark elements, the television is unable to accurately render the details that should be visible.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.4/10

8.8/10

The fluidity of gradation in PUS8359 is at a good level. Practically every scene has preserved tonal transitions. The most difficult scene, which is the second from the film "The Green Knight", turned out not to be the proverbial "killer" and showed that the tested television, given its price range, performs excellently. The only thing we can "pick at" is the darkest scenes, where some inconsistencies can be seen here and there, but this is rather selective. Nonetheless, we rate the fluidity of tonal transitions very well. However, we must mention that this feature is not available in HDR materials.

The tonal gradation on the Samsung Q80D television is excellent and can be considered one of its strong points. Even in the most demanding scenes from the films we tested, it performs superbly. Any potential issues with smoothing transitions in colours are minimal and subtle. The average viewer is unlikely to notice them, which translates to an overall positive visual experience in everyday use.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6/10

7/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
No
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

In this paragraph, we will look at two functionalities. We will once again take a look at the feature responsible for tonal transitions, but we will also check how the television handles image scaling. The option responsible for smooth gradation is called "Distortion Reduction." As we have established, it quite effectively smooths out inconsistencies. However, we must point out two things: we cannot enable it for HDR material, and it blurs details in films.

The tested television does not boast the best image scaling. The overall blurriness of the image is quite noticeable, but what’s worse, it blurs details. This is particularly evident on the branches and hair of the model. There is also a characteristic white halo around the character.

Samsung Q80D performs very well with low-quality materials. The noise reduction works on the principle of gentle gradation, making it very effective in smoothing out unwanted image disturbances. Unfortunately, this same effectiveness also causes it to blur elements that shouldn't be smoothed, such as film grain. For those who prioritise a plastic, smooth image, this can be seen as a significant advantage, especially with lower-quality content.

In terms of image scaling, Samsung Q80D stands out positively in this aspect, significantly enhancing the viewing comfort. The TV handles the conversion of lower-resolution materials, improving their quality and details. For example, in the attached image featuring a model, there are no visible artefacts or excessive fraying of branches, which demonstrates advanced image processing technology.

Blur and motion smoothness

3.8/10

7.3/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
120Hz
Film motion smoothing option
No
OK
Blur reduction option
No
OK
BFI function 60Hz
-
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz
-
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
69%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Philips PUS8359 will not be the best television for sports. The reason for this is the lack of implementation of even the basic motion smoothing feature, which was to be expected given the price of the device. We also note that we are dealing with a VA panel, whose sharpness does not stand at the highest level by itself. This type of panel is mainly associated with high contrast, which comes with a rather slow response time, as we can clearly read from the matrix analysis results. As you can see, from the pictures captured in fast motion, the image is blurred typically for this type of panel. While it may not be the ideal option, it can conditionally be used for watching sports; however, one must keep in mind the less-than-sharp motion. It is worth mentioning that movies will be characterised by judder since the television does not possess any, not even the simplest, motion smoother.

The Samsung Q80D television stands out very positively in terms of motion fluidity and minimizing blur, mainly due to the 120Hz panel and above-average panel response time. Users have two options for adjusting fluidity: "Motion Smoothing," which allows for adjustments in a 10-step scale, and "Blur Reduction," particularly effective at higher refresh rates, improving the sharpness of fast-moving objects. In the UFO test, there is no blurring behind the moving object, and the image is not cloned forward, indicating the absence of an overshoot effect.

Console compatibility and gaming features

4.7/10

9.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    60
    48 - 120Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

It won’t be a surprise if we say that Philips PUS8359/12 only has the most basic support for consoles. Once we connect the console, we can expect features like VRR and ALLM. This is quite pleasing for the former, as life has shown that even in more expensive units, there can be issues with this. A nice touch is the implementation of a special GameBar that allows changing settings on the "fly", so we won't have to exit the gameplay and become unnecessarily distracted. This feature also allows for adapting the gameplay to the needs of individuals with disabilities, which will certainly be extremely beneficial.

The Samsung Q80D TV is a real gem for gamers. It is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, which is a rarity, especially in this price range. This allows users to enjoy features such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and 120Hz at 4K resolution. These features ensure smoothness and responsiveness of the image, which is a key aspect during dynamic gameplay. The TV also supports HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group), enabling optimal HDR content display in games. Additionally, it comes with a Game Bar, providing quick access to gaming settings. Users with Nvidia graphics cards will also be pleased with the implementation of G-Sync. This feature eliminates stuttering and screen tearing. The only downside is the lack of support for Dolby Vision, which may be disappointing for users looking for that HDR format. It's also worth mentioning that since 2022, thanks to the collaboration with Microsoft, Samsung TVs offer the Xbox Game Pass app, allowing for cloud gaming. This is an added bonus for gamers who want to take advantage of a wide library of games without needing a console.

Input lag

10/10

9.8/10

SDR

1080p60
12 ms
18 ms
1080p120
9 ms
2160p60
12 ms
18 ms
2160p120
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
11 ms
16 ms
2160p120
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
2160p120 DV

The measured input lag when connected to the console was very good, with nothing to pick at. Both at FHD and 4K settings, we recorded delays of 12ms, and when adding the HDR format to the higher resolution, the lag dropped to 11ms. Each of these results should be considered more than satisfactory, as such a level allows for gameplay that is practically free of delays between controller, eye, and screen.

What more can I say, the input lag at this level is simply outstanding. It's hard to achieve a better result that will satisfy gamers! The television performed excellently at every tested resolution and refresh rate, both in SDR and HDR.

Compatibility with PC

6/10

7.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Average
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
11ms
9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
Max refresh rate
60Hz
120Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

Connecting the Philips PUS8359 to a computer won't create major complications in terms of gaming. The latency is at a very good level, and working at 4K HDR settings was associated with an 11 ms input lag, which is an imperceptible value on the line from eye to screen to mouse. The tested TV also supports chroma 4:4:4, making work with text files convenient. This model does not support G-Sync and offers a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which can be a significant drawback for PC gamers. Therefore, the gaming rating is lower, although the device performs excellently in everyday office tasks.

Samsung Q80D performs well as a computer monitor. With support for chroma 4:4:4 (only works in "Game" mode), text on the screen is sharp and readable, which is very important for those who want to work on such a TV with text documents or spreadsheets. One of the biggest advantages of this model is its exceptionally low input lag in “PC” mode, which is only 9 ms. This is a reference-level result that ensures smoothness and responsiveness, which is crucial for both gamers and video editing professionals. The only thing we can nitpick is that there is a certain issue with font rendering on dark backgrounds. When we zoom in on the tested font image, we notice that the horizontal lines are darker compared to the vertical ones. This means that the sub-pixels in the TV do not fully illuminate in this case. This could be due to an oversight by the manufacturer regarding the optimisation of the algorithm responsible for displaying thin lines, which affects the quality of details in text rendering on dark backgrounds. Nevertheless, Samsung Q80D is a very good choice as a PC monitor.

Viewing angles

3.4/10

3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
65%
82%

The decrease in brightness at a 45-degree angle is 65%. This means that even a slight shift from the center of the screen can cause discomfort related to color degradation and image fading. This is rather a characteristic feature of the vast majority of VA panels that lack an angle coating.

Samsung Q80D, equipped with a VA panel, unfortunately doesn't perform well with viewing angles. When we watch the screen at a 45-degree angle, there is a noticeable loss of brightness. The image becomes less sharp, which can be problematic if we plan to watch TV from different spots in the room. However, the VA panel has its advantages. When we look directly at the screen, black is deep and well-saturated. Moreover, even at an angle, dark colours retain their depth, which is rare for this type of panel.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.7/10

6/10

Matrix coating
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Good
Average
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung QLED Q80D: 550 cd/m2

Philips PUS8359 (VA): 318 cd/m2

The screen Philips PUS8359/12 has a satin finish. This type of panel finish allows for quite good performance in keeping light reflections in check and provides fairly comfortable viewing of the television during the day. It’s worth mentioning that the maximum brightness of the television in SDR content is about 320 nits, which is a reasonable result, especially since the brightness is maintained even at 100% screen white fill.

The Samsung Q80D television stands out with very good brightness, averaging 550 nits, which is an impressive result, especially as it maintains this brightness across the entire surface of the screen. As a result, the picture is sharp and clearly visible even in bright rooms, which is a big plus when watching television during the day. However, despite the matte coating on the panel, the television struggles somewhat with glare suppression. In bright lighting conditions, unwanted reflections can occur, which may disrupt viewing comfort. This is particularly noticeable when there are light sources in the room that directly hit the screen.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
White LED
QLED
Software version during testing
V246.003.000.131
1106
Image processor
nie wiem ale chyba tredriper

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Philips PUS8359 (VA)

Samsung QLED Q80D

TV features

5.7/10

7.7/10

  • HDMI inputs
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    Yes
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    Yes
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    No
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    No
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    No
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Wyszukiwanie głosowe
    No
    No
  • Voice search in native language
    No
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes

It’s hard not to mention the biggest differentiator of the manufacturer’s TVs first. We’re of course talking about the colorful Ambilight backlighting, which is placed on the back of the device and displays colours customised to what’s happening on the screen, often allowing for an even greater immersive experience. The operating system responsible for the TV’s functioning is Philips' proprietary system cleverly named TitanOs. It is definitely more closed off and limited in terms of app resources than is the case with this manufacturer’s TVs based on GoogleTv. Besides the lack of significant applications, its closed nature also reveals itself in another aspect. We won’t be able to do basic things like programming recordings or recording to USB. People using Apple devices may also feel disappointed by the absence of AirPlay, which allows for easy screen streaming. Fortunately, there is an option to connect a keyboard and mouse for easier navigation through the TV’s menu. It’s worth mentioning that there is the possibility of connecting headphones, but only wired ones. If we plug them in, we can also play audio through the TV’s speakers. It’s also worth adding that controlling the TV happens via IR, not Bluetooth, which is quite inconvenient these days.

In summary: TitanOs has quite a few “buts,” especially when we are aware users needing and using various streaming platforms. It’s rather an option for those limiting themselves to the so-called holy trinity, which is Netflix, YouTube, and CDA.

The Samsung Q80D television offers a range of features that significantly enhance user comfort. The Tizen system is an advanced platform that provides users with an intuitive and smooth experience. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, navigating through apps and settings is quick and easy. Tizen supports a rich set of applications, including popular streaming services, allowing access to a wide range of entertainment content without the need for additional devices, and a new feature for 2024 is support for the Polish language. It's also worth mentioning the solar remote control, which is not only eco-friendly but also convenient for everyday use. The solar cell remote can easily control other devices such as home theatres, set-top boxes (e.g., Canal+), or gaming consoles, which is quite a challenge for other manufacturers. Returning to the console, Samsung Q80D offers several features that gamers may appreciate. Firstly, the television supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which enables smoother game display, eliminating issues like tearing and stuttering. Additionally, with low input lag, reactions in games are quick and precise. The Samsung Q80D is also equipped with a Game Bar feature, which allows quick access to key gaming settings without the need to exit the game. From this interface, we can check and adjust parameters like VRR, input lag, frames per second (FPS), as well as screen ratios and sound settings. This means gamers can continuously optimise their experience by adjusting settings according to their current gaming needs. The television supports AirPlay, allowing easy content sharing from Apple devices, and enables connection to various Bluetooth devices such as mice or headphones, increasing its versatility. The only downside is the lack of USB recording support and the fact that the Q80D unfortunately does not support the DTS sound format. This means that if we have content encoded in this format, the device will not be able to properly play back the audio track. This could pose a problem for those using Blu-ray discs or media files that often utilise DTS to provide high-quality surround sound. To achieve complete audio experiences, it may be necessary to use an external player or soundbar that supports this format.

Playing files from USB

8/10

9.1/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
No
PNG
Yes
No
GIF
Yes
No
WebP
No
No
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
No
Yes
12 Mpix
No
Yes
16 Mpix
No
Yes
20 Mpix
No
Yes
24 Mpix
No
Yes
28 Mpix
No
Yes
32 Mpix
No
Yes

The default media player built into Philips PUS8359/12 offers quite a wide range of capabilities, but it also has its limitations. It plays virtually all video formats, with the obvious exception of Dolby Vision and the less obvious .asf, which is not commonly encountered. However, the issue lies in the lack of the H.265 HEVC codec at high bitrate. When it comes to photos, the player performs adequately, but it lacks support for some popular resolutions and formats, such as HEIC, used on Apple devices. The player performs best with audio, where it can be praised. Unfortunately, due to system limitations, there is no possibility to expand its features, which means we are left with what the manufacturer has provided.

The built-in player in the Samsung Q80D television is definitely one of its strong points. It handles almost all video and audio files that we tested exceptionally well. The only exceptions are the Dolby Vision format, which is not surprising, and less common codecs. On the plus side, it supports Polish characters and offers the ability to customise font colours. On the downside, the TV struggles a bit with photo formats, as it only supports JPEG among the popular ones, while lacking support for formats like PNG or Apple HEIC.

Apps

7/10

9.3/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
No
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
No
Apple_TV_Plus
No
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
No
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
No
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
No
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
No
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
No
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
No
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
No
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link

Sound

6.1/10

6.6/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    6.1/10
    6.6/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    Yes
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    Yes
    No

The built-in audio system in the Philips PUS8359 consists of a basic connection of speakers 2x 10 W each. As you can probably guess, you can't expect too much from such a configuration. Nevertheless, if we don't exceed 50% of the maximum volume, it won't give us any negative thoughts. We definitely recommend connecting even cheaper soundbars. These, due to a range of codecs prepared by the manufacturer, will certainly work very well. It's worth noting the implementation of Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio.

The Samsung Q80D television is equipped with a decent audio system with a power of 40W in a 2.2 configuration, providing quite good sound experiences. This system supports all popular Dolby codecs, allowing for the use of advanced audio formats during movie watching or gaming. However, it is worth noting one drawback: the television does not support DTS functionality. Nonetheless, the lack of this feature can be bypassed by connecting an external audio system, which can significantly improve sound quality and provide a more immersive audio experience. Additionally, Samsung offers a wide portfolio of soundbars that can be integrated with the television, as well as the Q-Symphony system, which allows for sound synchronization between the television and soundbar.