Compare: Sony X85L vs Philips PML8709

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will continue to be available in the 2024 range from the Japanese manufacturer. Its biggest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the greatest access to applications, so we don’t have to worry about missing any of our favourite apps. The intuitive interface and voice control feature using Google Assistant make daily use of the television convenient and modern. As for picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very mediocre number of zones), black levels look quite decent. Additionally, its fairly high brightness allows for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the television offers a program recording feature from built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion smoothness, X85L also does not disappoint. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system provide smooth display of dynamic scenes, which will satisfy both movie lovers and sports fans. The television is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar, and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its flaws. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode may be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and smoothness of the image when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is a decent piece of equipment that is particularly worth considering if it can be purchased on sale.

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.

The Sony X85L television is equipped with a VA panel, which offers quite decent contrast on its own. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it includes 24 zones. Although this number isn’t impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the television. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially compared to other televisions also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at a level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but they average out against the competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the movie Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs quite well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has been using in its televisions for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the television struggles with noticeable blooming, which can be seen in scenes with the helicopter from the movie Sicario 2.

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.

The Sony X85L TV offers solid HDR performance with a brightness of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vibrant effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows you to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, like the scene from the film Sicario 2, the TV reveals its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits make the HDR effect lose its impressive quality and resemble ordinary SDR. Nonetheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively impacts the overall image quality.

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 television Sony X85L has been tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, while associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image consistent with the director's intent. The main issue is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue and significant deficiencies in red. As a result, the image becomes unnaturally cool and looks artificial. Errors in colour reproduction were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed significant discrepancies – colours were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly shows that the precision of colour reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the television. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although minor errors occur, but generally it is quite good. However, the issue remains the brightness characteristic for 4K materials, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident here that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is the result of the limited number of backlight zones due to the design of the television.

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.

Thanks to the use of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, it has been possible to significantly improve the image quality. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colours look more natural and enhancing the authenticity of the image. Although it's not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic representation of colours, eliminating the earlier cool tone. The gamma, which already performed reasonably well, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively impacting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a lack of red, which can cause overly warm colours in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is fairly stable, with a slight boost in mid-bright scenes. However, in actual film material, the TV can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nonetheless, the calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in terms of colour accuracy, improving overall image quality and providing a more natural and consistent directorial vision.

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.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Sony X85L is at a good level – the colour gradation is smooth, even in more demanding areas, making the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest issues arise in shadow areas, where subtle colour joins can be visible. Despite this, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

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.

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television doesn’t offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a bit of a downside. On the other hand, the image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a touch of artificial sharpness, which can make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with visible jagged edges. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

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.

Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie enthusiasts. Movie lovers will surely appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, known as Motionflow. This system offers adjustment using smoothness and clarity sliders – smoothness is responsible for fluid motion, eliminating the stuttering effect, while clarity enhances the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

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.

Sony X85L offers a fairly solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the television has a 120 Hz panel, which translates to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full capabilities of next-generation consoles to be utilised. Additionally, Sony X85L supports VRR (variable refresh rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, ensuring a smooth experience. The television also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for screen refresh rate synchronization with GPU performance, eliminating screen tearing. It’s worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to important game-related settings, such as VRR, brightness levels, or display modes, making it convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are some limitations. The television does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimises HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, the Dolby Vision mode, although available, is not practical for gaming due to very high input lag.

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.

Generally speaking, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, particularly when using HDMI 2.1 and playing at 4K resolution at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as high as 95 ms. Such a high level of latency makes the Dolby Vision mode practically unplayable, as responses to commands are noticeably delayed.

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.

The collaboration of the television Sony X85L with a PC involves a bit of balancing between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the TV for work, where clear fonts matter, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, text looks good and doesn't strain the eyes, which is crucial if we plan to spend a longer time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the TV is intended for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must consider that the readability of the fonts noticeably decreases. The image becomes less sharp and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – Sony X85L works well for occasional connection to the computer, but if we need it daily for work and gaming, this compromise may not appeal to everyone.

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.

Viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is often the case with VA panels, are not the best. The picture looks great when you’re watching the TV head-on, but all it takes is a slight shift to the side to notice that the colours lose their vibrancy and the contrast noticeably weakens. This could be a problem if the TV is meant for watching in larger groups, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who typically watch solo or from one central spot, it won't be a major downside, but the picture quality unfortunately drops when watching from the side.

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.

The performance of the television Sony X85L during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, which means that in bright rooms there may be some glare, but it is not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortably watching TV during the day, even with natural light coming in through the windows. This ensures that colours remain vibrant and the picture is clearly visible, making the television suitable for everyday use.

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.

Sony X85L operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to apps, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing for quick switching between apps and searching for favourite content. Google TV allows for personalization of the home screen, enabling each user to tailor it to their preferences. Google Assistant further enriches the experience by offering voice control and quick changes to settings or searching for films without using the remote.

In terms of user features, Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programs, which is a great convenience for those wanting to watch their favourite content at any time. AirPlay support allows seamless streaming of content from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. In addition, with built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one drawback is the absence of the PiP (picture in picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on the screen.

The design of the Sony X85L TV, while perhaps not the slimmest, is sturdy and elegant. The metal base with adjustable legs is one of its strong points, allowing for the height and width of the television to be adjusted to fit various furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

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.

Sony X85L handles playback of most popular file formats from USB without any issues, which is a big plus for those who often access external content. However, it's worth mentioning a minor drawback – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font colour in subtitles, which may be troublesome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the extensive Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. Alternative media players can be easily installed, offering more personalisation options.

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.

The sound on the Sony X85L is good – it's clear across the entire scale, allowing enjoyment of both dialogue and music. The bass, though light, is noticeable and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasised that this is a subjective assessment – some may be satisfied with this sound profile, while others might require additional audio equipment to fully experience the stronger tones and a more spacious 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.

Sony X85L 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