Compare: Samsung S85D vs Philips PML8709

Samsung S85D is Samsung's entry-level OLED model for 2024, but it certainly doesn't feel "budget". From the very first contact, the TV demonstrated that OLED technology makes a difference. Deep blacks, excellent contrast, and great viewing angles make watching your favourite films and series pure pleasure, no matter where you sit. It's a screen that can truly immerse you in the action. The Tizen operating system is another strong point of Samsung S85D. It's simple, intuitive, and runs smoothly. Switching between apps like Netflix and YouTube takes a moment, and the ability to support AirPlay and Bluetooth provides plenty of options for connecting other devices. The solar remote not only doesn't need charging, but we also had no trouble using it to control the set-top box or soundbar – these are small details that make daily usage easier. Like any TV, S85D has its minor shortcomings. The lack of a recording feature can be noticeable, especially if we like to go back to our favourite shows or films. The absence of support for DTS soundtracks may require purchasing and directly connecting a Blu-ray to an external audio system. If we want to fully utilise this codec, it's worth keeping this in mind. SDR brightness, while sufficient in most cases, may not always meet expectations in brighter rooms. It's a TV that shows its best side in the evening – that's when the OLED black and contrast really impress. Despite these few drawbacks, S85D left us with very positive impressions. It’s a model that proves excellent picture quality and great technological solutions don't have to come with a high price tag. If we're looking for a TV that performs well in everyday use as well as during evening screenings without ruining our budget, then Samsung S85D OLED is a great choice. It's a device that gives the feeling that we've made a good investment, offering really a lot for a reasonable amount.

Philips PML8709 is a model that stands out in the offering of the Chinese-Dutch manufacturer due to its uniqueness. Instead of the classic Philips operating system - TitanOS, we find the well-known Google TV, which provides extensive personalisation options and access to a vast library of apps. This is a television that, on one hand, entices with very good contrast, and on the other – surprises with several unusual design decisions. In terms of picture quality, the PML8709 offers excellent contrast, which combined with wide colour gamut coverage ensures great colour reproduction – especially after calibration. Despite having a 60 Hz panel, the television performs well in occasional gaming thanks to support for features such as ALLM, VRR, and a low input lag of around 13 ms. On the flip side, Philips has deprived this model of one of the biggest advantages of its TVs – the Ambilight system. This is a surprising move that may disappoint many brand fans. Another weak point is HDR performance – despite promising contrast results, the television performs averagely in this category. Average brightness and issues with detail in brighter scenes give the impression that something has clearly gone wrong in the implementation of this feature. Philips PML8709 is a television full of contrasts. On one hand, it offers solid black quality and interesting solutions for gamers, while on the other – some limitations, such as the absence of Ambilight or average brightness, mean that it is not a model without flaws. It is a good choice for those who appreciate the versatility of Google TV and are looking for a television for everyday use.

Samsung S85D is a television that truly makes a difference when it comes to picture quality. The blacks are so deep it’s hard to believe, and the contrast makes even the most demanding scenes – like those from the film “Oblivion” – look incredibly lifelike. Thanks to OLED technology, dark areas of the screen are perfectly black, without any unwanted glow or blooming.

It’s worth highlighting that, similar to some variants of the S90D model, the Samsung S85D uses a WOLED panel supplied by LG. This panel is a key element that contributes to the amazing contrast quality, which is particularly noticeable in scenes with high dynamic lighting, making it the perfect choice for lovers of high production quality films and series.

The model name 8709 “PML” refers to Philips' mini-LED technology, but can we truly call its backlighting that? In the 65-inch version, we counted only 96 local dimming zones. For mini-LED standards, this number seems too low, raising questions about whether we are indeed dealing with a full-fledged mini-LED here. However, if we look at the black quality, the TV performs quite well. On the first two test patterns and in less demanding scenes, the picture looks very decent – blacks are deep and the contrast is satisfactory. Problems begin with more complex scenes, such as the last three test patterns, where minor light elements appear on screen. The local dimming algorithm seems to “lose track,” unable to decide whether to brighten or darken a particular area. The result is noticeable errors – reduced black quality and unevenness in the image. An example of the operation of local dimming zones can be seen in a scene from the film Sicario 2. You can see how the dimming zones attempt to replicate details, but at the same time, this leads to a slight brightening around the helicopter lights. Nevertheless, despite these shortcomings, the black level in the Philips PML8709 turns out quite well, especially considering its price range.

Brightness is a key parameter in televisions, and the S85D Samsung model offers a level comparable to other OLEDs from a few years ago. Though it doesn't impress in this regard, its huge advantage is a very competitive price. A peak brightness of 600 nits provides good image quality in HDR conditions, giving users a taste of cinema-like experiences in the comfort of their home. However, as with many budget OLED models, the biggest problem is very bright, full-screen scenes – in such moments, like the final shot from the movie "The Meg," the television can lose as much as half of its brightness, which is noticeable compared to more expensive OLED models. Despite this, the television offers an impressive DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage of 99%, allowing for the display of vibrant and accurate colours.

Looking at the contrast results, we expected that the algorithms responsible for the zones in the Philips PML8709 would be at least decent. However, what we encountered during testing is difficult to explain. The average brightness we managed to achieve was just 350 nits, which is definitely too low to fully enjoy HDR effects. In practice, the TV barely stands out compared to an average SDR. The situation becomes even more surprising in test scenes, such as the second one from the movie Life of Pi or Sicario 2. Small light elements achieve just 120 nits there, making them practically imperceptible. Such a level of brightness is completely below modern HDR standards and significantly diminishes the experience of watching high-quality content. The only bright spot in this category is the very good coverage of wide color gamuts – DCI-P3 at 97% and BT.2020 at 83%. This ensures that colors are saturated and well-reproduced, which can somewhat improve the overall experience of watching HDR materials. However, the lack of adequate brightness means that even this cannot save the Philips PML8709 in this category.

The Filmmaker mode on Samsung's S85D does indeed offer the best factory settings, but it is not without flaws, particularly evident in colour reproduction. The white balance graph for HD and HDR content shows clear issues – both red and blue colours are significantly weakened, leading to a dominance of green. The result is an unnatural yellowish tint that can affect the perception of realistic scenes. The Color Checker test clearly shows that the colour samples deviate from the expected values – for HD materials, the colours tend to be overly saturated, with a marked shift towards green, which is also evident in the white balance graph. Conversely, for 4K HDR content, the colours appear too dull and lacking in depth, causing the image to lose its appeal and naturalness. This effect is particularly noticeable in delicate scenes where colour precision plays a key role, which can be disappointing for discerning viewers who expect faithful reproduction of details and colour intensity.

When it comes to brightness, the gamma graph for HD content looks quite good; however, there is a clear spike at the end, exceeding the value of 2.4. Although this is not a major issue in most scenes, in more demanding sequences it can affect the clarity of bright details. For 4K content, the EOTF curve, responsible for rendering brightness, proves to be problematic. The initial part of the graph shows a slight spike. This phenomenon can result in excessive boosting of brightness in the brightest areas of the image, leading to a loss of detail in very bright scenes.

Although Samsung S85D offers quite decent factory settings, especially in Filmmaker mode, it is worth considering manual adjustment of settings to improve some imperfections, particularly in colour reproduction.

Though theoretically the Filmmaker mode in the Philips PML8709 should provide natural colour reproduction, in reality it resembles a store mode more. In the white balance, both for HD and 4K content, there is a clear dominance of blue. This causes the image to appear washed out and cold, which is particularly noticeable in the comparative image below.

The brightness characteristics also leave much to be desired. Both gamma and the EOTF curve exhibit excessive screen brightness. As a result, there is a loss of detail in both the brighter and darker areas of the image, further diminishing its credibility and naturalness. Bright elements appear unnaturally flat and little varied.

These significant issues with white balance and brightness characteristics lead to noticeable errors in colour reproduction, which can easily be seen in films as well as the Colour Checker test. The colours are inaccurate, affecting the overall image quality and visual experience. The factory settings require significant improvement in order to fully enjoy the potential of this television.

After calibration, the Filmmaker mode on Samsung S85D really impressed. The white balance, regardless of the type of content, has improved significantly, resulting in more natural colours. The Color Checker test shows that colour reproduction errors are now minimal and rarely exceed acceptable values, which indicates precise colour reproduction. The factory colour representation left a lot to be desired, but now the situation has significantly improved – colours are natural, accurate, and look as if they have been precisely rendered according to the creators' intentions. This is a huge step forward compared to earlier generations, where colours were often distorted or too intense.

The brightness characteristics have also benefited from calibration – it's now more vivid and precise. The gamma, although reasonably good before, has become even more stable, providing a deeper, more natural image. The EOTF curve has been flattened, allowing details in dark areas to be more visible, and the contrast is better balanced. Thanks to all these improvements, the television delivers an image close to reference quality, which definitely enhances the enjoyment of watching films and HDR content.

Philips offers advanced image calibration tools in its televisions, which we decided to fully utilise. The results? Although we managed to improve many aspects, it wasn't without difficulties. White balance was one of the biggest challenges – despite our efforts, it could be called fighting against windmills. We were able to significantly correct it, so the picture now looks much better than in the factory settings, but it is still far from perfect. Especially in some scenes, a subtle dominance of blue is visible, although not as intense as before. We achieved a significant improvement in brightness characteristics – gamma now appears much more stable. The EOTF curve looks correct at first glance, however, when analysing movie content, it is evident that the television has trouble maintaining the proper characteristics. The algorithms are "struggling", trying to adjust brightness, which may be due to the limited number of dimming zones that do not always handle more complex scenes well. Overall, the picture after calibration looks much more pleasing to the eye – colors are more natural, and colour reproduction errors have been minimised. Although it is still not perfect, the Philips PML8709 now presents itself much better than in the factory settings.

Samsung OLED S85D handles tonal transitions very well. There are no major issues, and transitions between different colour levels are smooth and natural. The only minor drawback is slight problems around the reds, where in some scenes, you can notice a bit of interference. Nevertheless, the overall effect is very positive – the television performs excellently with most material.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Philips PML8709 is at a very high level. The colour gradation is incredibly smooth, and the transitions between shades look natural and detailed. Even in more demanding scenes, the television performs excellently. Minor issues may arise with bright elements, where the gradation can be slightly less precise. However, these are such subtle differences that only the most demanding purists will notice them. For most users, the effects will be fully satisfying, and the image will maintain its impressive quality.

Samsung S85D does a great job of scaling images and smoothing tonal transitions. Like other Samsung models, the television offers three noise reduction modes: off, standard, and high. While it improves gradation well, it unfortunately also removes film grain, which many viewers desire to give the image a cinematic character. This grain often adds authenticity and a certain rawness to films that is lost once it is smoothed out. Removing the grain can make the image appear too sterile and smooth, which takes away some of the charm of the original film material. When it comes to image scaling, the Samsung S85D excels at displaying lower resolution content – the model in the photo and the branches in the background were shown correctly, without major issues with jagged edges. The only noticeable downside is the presence of overscan, which can sometimes cut off parts of the image, which may not appeal to everyone.

The distortion reduction feature in the Philips PML8709 smooths tonal transitions, but its effectiveness leaves much to be desired. We recommend setting this option to "Medium" - at this level, the effect is noticeable but not excessive. Unfortunately, compared to other Philips models, the smoothing effect is less effective, meaning that certain tonal transitions may still appear somewhat uneven. An additional drawback is that this feature also smooths other details, such as the textures of materials like shirts, which can affect image sharpness.

As for image scaling, the television performs very well. The image appears smooth and free of noticeable "jaggies". This effect may appeal to many users, although some might prefer a more vivid look. Fortunately, the television allows for adjustment of the sharpness parameter, enabling us to tailor the image to individual preferences.

As befits an OLED television, Samsung S85D offers excellent motion fluidity. Equipped with a 120 Hz panel and a fast response time, the TV delivers very smooth playback of dynamic scenes without visible blurring. For movie enthusiasts, there is a feature called "Picture Clarity Settings," which allows for adjusting the image smoothness to individual preferences on a 10-point scale. Motion blur reduction enhances the sharpness of fast-moving objects, while motion smoothing eliminates the "judder" effect for a smoother motion. This way, every user can set the appropriate level of clarity that best suits their taste, from a more cinematic effect to clearer, smoother movements.

Philips PML8709 is one of the few models with mini-LED technology on the market, offering a refresh rate of 60 Hz. While it’s not a panel for the most demanding gamers, it should satisfy those who mainly watch movies. The TV is equipped with a “Motion Style” feature, which is a motion smoother that allows you to adjust the fluidity of motion according to your preferences – from a more “plastic” look to a cinematic aesthetic with clearly visible frames.

Samsung S85D OLED is an excellent choice for gamers thanks to its many modern features that make gameplay easier and more enjoyable. The TV has four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to connect the latest consoles without worrying about limitations in image quality or frame rates. This means support for 4K resolution at 120 Hz, which is ideal for modern titles. Additionally, the Samsung S85D has an ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature that automatically activates low latency mode when it detects a gaming device. This means you don’t have to manually switch settings – the TV takes care of ensuring fast response times, which is crucial in games where every second counts.

The VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) feature and G-Sync support are additional elements that make gameplay smoother. VRR adjusts the refresh rate to match the frame rate generated by the console or computer, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering. This is especially useful in fast-paced games where the frame rate can fluctuate. Auto Motion Plus Game is a feature that Samsung introduced with gamers in mind, and it’s worth appreciating. It makes the picture in games smoother – 30 frames per second looks like 45, and 60 Hz gains in smoothness, giving an effect close to 90 Hz. At the same time, there’s no significant increase in input lag, which remains below 25 ms, making this feature stand out compared to others available on the market. Gamers can enjoy smoother visuals without worrying about reduced responsiveness.

Samsung has also thought of something extra – the TV has a built-in Xbox Game Pass app, which means you can game in the cloud without needing a console. It’s a great solution for those who want to enjoy gaming without investing in additional hardware. All you need is an internet connection, and you have a massive library of games at your fingertips. This makes Samsung S85D an excellent choice for both casual and more advanced gamers.

Philips PML8709 is a television aimed more at casual gamers, mainly due to the 60 Hz panel, which won’t meet the expectations of the most demanding users. However, for those who appreciate gaming at a more moderate pace, this model may prove sufficient.

The television offers several gamer-friendly features, such as ALLM (automatic switching to game mode) and VRR (variable refresh rate), which help in providing smoother image display without annoying stutters. Furthermore, in terms of HDR, we find the implementation of HGiG, which adjusts the HDR effect to the specifics of games, ensuring a more natural image in appropriately optimised titles. Unfortunately, there is no support for Dolby Vision mode, which may be noticeable in games that utilise this format.

A nice addition is the presence of a basic "Game Bar," which allows for quick previewing and modification of the most important settings related to gaming. It’s a simple but useful touch, especially for those who frequently change their configuration between different types of gameplay. Despite some limitations, the Philips PML8709 offers a solid set of features for less demanding gamers.

Samsung S85D achieves excellent results in terms of input lag, regardless of refresh rate or resolution. This means that the screen responses are nearly instantaneous, which is particularly important in fast-paced, dynamic games. Gamers can rely on the TV's lightning-fast response to controller movements, providing an edge in competition and greater satisfaction in gameplay. Low input lag is a definite advantage of this model, making the Samsung S85D OLED an ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts.

The Philips PML8709 performs very well in terms of input lag. With supported resolutions, results around 13 ms are more than sufficient to ensure a comfortable gaming experience. Such a reaction time means that even more dynamic games do not cause annoying delays. As a result, gamers can enjoy smooth gameplay without unnecessary stress.

Samsung S85D performs very well as a computer monitor. With clear visibility of text, regardless of the background type, using it is convenient and comfortable. Chroma 4:4:4 support ensures precise reproduction of text and graphics, which is essential for office work, browsing the internet, or editing documents. Samsung S85D is a versatile television that easily serves as a monitor for everyday use. We deducted 0.4 points for the WRGB layout, as is common with every television with such a sub-pixel arrangement.

Philips PML8709 offers a dedicated mode for PC, however, its capabilities are significantly limited. The TV does not support chroma 4:4:4, which greatly affects the readability of fonts – text appears blurry and is difficult to read, which disqualifies this model for those planning to use it as a monitor for work or document viewing. Additionally, even though in G-Sync tests the TV showed compatibility, the picture when using this feature is very unstable, with frequent stutters. Such unpredictability eliminates the benefits that should come with support for adaptive sync.

The only positive aspect in the context of PC collaboration is the low input lag, which may be an advantage for those using the TV mainly for gaming. Nevertheless, the limitations in chroma support and issues with G-Sync mean that PML8709 is not the best choice for PC users.

The viewing angles on the Samsung S85D are excellent, as expected from OLED. The picture remains crisp and doesn't lose quality even when watched at a wide angle, making the TV perfect for larger rooms and shared viewing with family or friends. The only TVs that offer better viewing angles are those with QD-OLED organic matrices or MLA OLED.

Philips PML8709, equipped with a VA panel, offers average viewing angles typical of this type of panel. The image deteriorates in quality when viewed from a greater angle – colours wash out and contrast noticeably decreases. This is a characteristic feature of VA panels and is worth keeping in mind, especially if we plan to watch the TV from different spots in the room. For viewers sitting directly in front, however, the image remains clear and well-reproduced.

Samsung S85D performs quite well with reflections thanks to the matte screen's satin finish, which effectively dampens them. Unfortunately, the SDR brightness of 310 nits is rather average, meaning the TV's effectiveness may be limited in very bright rooms. It’s not an impressive result, so this model will definitely perform better during evening viewing when such brightness will be sufficient. During the day, to achieve better comfort, it may be necessary to draw the blinds or curtains.

The Philips PML8709 is equipped with a satin matrix, which average handles glare reduction. In moderately lit rooms, reflections won't be too bothersome, however, in strongly sunlit conditions, the situation may become problematic. An additional challenge is the relatively low screen brightness, at around 330 cd/m². This level may prove insufficient for comfortable viewing in bright rooms, where the image may appear too dark and unclear. The television will perform better in controlled lighting conditions, but for those looking for a model that handles daytime viewing well, this could be a significant limitation.

Samsung S85D runs on the Tizen operating system, which is intuitive and provides easy access to many apps and streaming services. The system offers smooth and quick navigation, significantly improving the comfort of using the television. The TV is equipped with a solar-powered remote control, which allows for the control of other devices, such as set-top boxes or home theatre systems, enabling the operation of all home equipment with one device. In terms of connectivity, the Samsung S85D supports AirPlay, making it easier to stream content from Apple devices, and it has a built-in Bluetooth module that enables the connection of peripheral devices, such as keyboards, headphones or speakers.

When it comes to everyday use of the television for regular TV shows, the S85D model offers several useful features but also has some drawbacks. One of its advantages is the PIP (Picture-in-Picture) function, which allows for simultaneous viewing of two contents – for example, a match in a small window while the rest of the screen shows a favourite series. This is a convenient solution for those who want to stay up-to-date with various programs. However, it is disappointing that there is no recording capability from the built-in tuners. This limitation makes it impossible to save favourite programs or movies for later, which can be a problem for those who want to flexibly adjust their TV watching to their schedule - however, we believe that the absence of this feature is becoming less of a burden, as users now have wide access to various content online, making the need for recording less significant.

The design of the OLED Samsung S85D stands out with its distinctive, rounded shape at the back, setting it apart from most OLED televisions that typically have a flat back. This unusual design gives it a unique look and attracts attention, making the television appear modern and elegant. The package includes a remote control, a CI+ module, a stand in the form of two feet, and a power cable, allowing for a quick and convenient start to using the television without the need to purchase additional accessories.

Philips PML8709 runs on the Google TV operating system. This is quite a surprising choice, considering it isn’t the flagship model of the brand. Fortunately, it has avoided the implementation of the less popular TitanOS, which can be seen as a plus. Google TV offers a well-known, clear interface and wide capabilities in terms of app installation, making the television more versatile.

In terms of user features, the television performs solidly. Daily use of the device is enjoyable thanks to support for voice search in Polish. The ability to connect peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, or headphones via Bluetooth enhances its functionality. Unfortunately, the PML8709 does not offer more advanced options, such as USB recording or the PiP (picture-in-picture) feature, which may disappoint more demanding users.

An interesting fact, and quite a surprise, is the absence of the Ambilight system, for which Philips is commonly known. The decision to omit this technology in the PML8709 model seems puzzling, especially since Ambilight is often cited as one of the greatest strengths of televisions from this brand.

Playing multimedia files on Samsung S85D will satisfy most users. The television offers wide compatibility with popular video, audio, and image file formats, providing smooth playback from both USB media and local networks. The built-in media player operates efficiently and is easy to use, although there may be issues with some less common formats.

Philips PML8709 handles playing multimedia files from USB well. The television shouldn't have issues supporting most popular video, audio, and photo formats, making it a versatile tool for home entertainment. Files are read smoothly, and the interface of the built-in player is simple and intuitive.

However, a significant downside is the lack of support for Polish diacritics in subtitles, due to the incomplete implementation of the UTF-8 standard. Subtitles with Polish characters are displayed incorrectly, which can be frustrating for those watching films in their native language. This shortcoming means that users seeking full compatibility with subtitles may have to resort to using external media players.

Samsung S85D OLED offers quite decent sound, even though the built-in speaker system is not particularly impressive (2x10W). The television supports Dolby Atmos technology, which provides spatial sound, however, it does not support the DTS format. The sound is clear and sufficient for everyday use, although for more demanding users it may be advisable to connect an external audio system for a fuller and more dynamic sound.

The sound quality in the Philips PML8709 is average and standard for a television equipped with speakers rated at 2 x 10 W. The audio is sufficient for everyday viewing, but it's hard to expect deep bass or clear details in more demanding scenes. On the positive side, it does support Dolby Atmos and DTS.

Samsung S85D vs Philips PML8709

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound