Philips OLED809/819 vs Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Direct comparison

OLED809 / OLED819 / AMIBLIGHT TV

Info

Available screen sizes: 48”55”65”77”

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”

Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.6

5.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    7.3

    4.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    7.9

    4.1

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    8.2

    4.1

  • Gaming on console

    9.2

    5.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.4

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    5.5

    4.0

  • Utility functions

    7.9

    5.1

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    7.1

    6.0

Advantages

  • Advanced Google TV system with good app support

  • Very good cooperation with the console

  • Good image fluidity, and an advanced system for its improvement

  • Multicoloured Ambilight backlighting

  • Google TV system: a massive library of applications

  • Relatively low input lag

  • Good viewing angles: thanks to the IPS panel

  • Working with PC: exemplary font readability (Chroma 4:4:4)

  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz at Full HD resolution

  • Presence of a classic mini-jack output

  • Quite pleasant sound: clear and loud beyond the "budget" standard

Disadvantages

No like
  • Poor factory colour rendering (can be fixed through calibration)

  • Strongly contrasting tonal transitions

  • Average readability of fonts when connected to a computer

  • Very weak black and contrast

  • HDR: low brightness (250 nits) and lack of real effect

  • System fluidity: sluggish operation and "dull" remote

  • Motion: complete lack of digital smoothers in the menu

  • Image processing: visible overscan and motion artifacts

Our verdict

Philips OLED 809 is a quite versatile television that appeals to a wide range of viewers. Its greatest distinguishing feature among all the television models on the market is the multicolour Ambilight backlighting. This often allows for an even greater immersion and engagement in the world of film. What is most important in televisions, namely contrast, black levels, and colour reproduction, is at a high level, and this is something that will always impress in OLED televisions. The tested television, although it performed quite well in our test, has some shortcomings worth noting. These include the quality of tonal transitions and the abrupt operation of the dynamic tone mapping function. In some cases, these may slightly irritate sensitive eyes. However, Philips OLED 809 excels in other respects, particularly in two areas: gaming performance and motion smoothing. The former stands out particularly strongly, as each of the implemented functions operates without the slightest hesitation, allowing for an even more immersive gaming experience. As for motion fluidity, it is at a similarly high level as the gaming support. Thanks to two sliders, whose effects are noticeable at each position, every user can find the best degree of smoothing for themselves. It’s also worth mentioning the Google TV system, which operates very smoothly and during the tests there were no "stutters".

Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a textbook example of a very cheap television that has primarily two huge advantages: the Google TV system and an extremely low price. It is these two elements that make it an appealing option for many people. During testing, we also found a great alternative use for it, which is working with a computer. Thanks to the exemplary legibility of fonts and good viewing angles of the IPS matrix, Blaupunkt surprisingly performs well as an inexpensive monitor. However, one must be aware that this device is typically budget-friendly, and this cost-saving is evident in the image quality. The matrix is simply dim, making it difficult to excel in challenging lighting conditions, not to mention creating any real HDR effect. Additionally, despite good viewing angles, the black level on this model leaves much to be desired – in the evenings, it will be rather dark grey, which is a typical characteristic of the IPS technology used here. Viewed through the lens of price, this is a device that aims to compete in the market not based on image quality, but rather on the amount on the receipt. Blaupunkt UGC5500S will fit perfectly as an additional television in the home, equipment for the holiday home, or in a less important room where the image simply needs to be present, and we want to enjoy all the benefits and applications that Google TV offers.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Premium
Average
Stand type
stand-type-
Legs
Bezel color
Silver
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

10/10

2.2/10

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED809/819 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,000:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,050:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

Philips OLED 809, as the name suggests, uses an organic matrix. Like the vast majority of manufacturers, it comes from the LG Displays factory, which is not surprising, as other leading manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic also use them. The application of this type of panel allows for achieving an ideal result in the contrast and black testing procedure. Thanks to such results, the image is incredibly vivid and free of any blooming effect from bright text on a dark background, which is already an indispensable element of televisions with local dimming. This is made possible by the very construction of the panel, which is not made up of many layers of filters, but from conductive organic polymers, controlled by electrical impulses. Thus, if we want to achieve black, the pixel dims to a value of 0, rather than being obscured. The lights present in the test image are perfectly separated from each other, which is extremely difficult, and often impossible, for LCD televisions. One of the strongest advantages of Philips OLED 809 is its ability to render contrasts. The Philips OLED809 test showed that the television excels at separating bright elements, such as headlights, from dark backgrounds.

To put it bluntly: when it comes to blacks, it is simply very poor. Our measurements on test screens have only confirmed what we saw with the naked eye – a result around 1000:1 is disappointing nowadays, even in this price range. In cinematic conditions, this "black" simply does not exist. To be more specific, we fired up one of our favourite test scenes – a helicopter flyover in “Sicario 2” (you can see this in the video we’ve included below). Instead of a pitch-black, deep night, we got an image that is... navy blue. Everything that should be dark and mysterious on screen actually shines a dark blue. This is the price we pay for using an IPS panel. On one hand, we get fairly decent viewing angles, so if you’re watching television with the whole family from different angles, the picture doesn’t lose much saturation. On the other hand, if you plan to have evening screenings with the lights turned off, this lack of contrast will hit your eyes from the first minute.

HDR effect quality

6.9/10

3.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%
DCI P3: 81.8%, Bt.2020: 60.3%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

921 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

970 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

1039 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

1022 nit

Review Philips OLED809/819 Brightness measurement

Result

425 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

232 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

245 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

255 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

238 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

252 nit

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

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

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Static HDR10

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

HDR luminance chart:

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Philips OLED809/819

Luminance of RGB colors

Philips OLED 809 delivers a more than satisfying HDR effect. The television is capable of generating brightness exceeding 900 nits in almost every scene, and sometimes even over 1000. This result allows for a full experience of content with a wide tonal range. The only moment when Philips OLED 809 is unable to generate higher brightness is in a scene from the movie “The Meg,” which features a large amount of bright white across a significant portion of the screen. However, this cannot be regarded as a poor result, as it represents a considerable improvement over its predecessor. Generally speaking, such values for OLED panels produced by LG Display, which do not feature MLA technology, are very, very good. When combined with high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, they allow for an exceptional HDR experience. The Philips OLED 809 test showed that this television supports popular HDR formats such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Here, too, we will not mince words – if you are looking for a television strictly for cinematic experiences in HDR, you have come to the wrong place. The Blaupunkt UGC5500S is unfortunately not a machine designed for such challenges. This is primarily due to its very low brightness, which we measured during our tests. A result of around 250 nits on film scenes speaks for itself. It is simply too little to even talk about any real HDR effect. Quite frankly, everything displayed here in this format can be confidently regarded as a somewhat “enhanced” SDR mode. We expected this, as virtually every device in this price range falters in this area, but we feel obliged to warn you about it. Manufacturers love to boast about HDR compatibility with stickers on their boxes, but in reality, this format simply does not exist here – it lacks the “fuel” of brightness.

The situation is particularly difficult for Blaupunkt, as we are dealing with a panel that has a very basic coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette, reaching only about 80%. You will not find any advanced coatings to extend these capabilities (such as quantum dots), which means that scenes that should ideally burst with richly saturated colours appear simply under-saturated on this screen. Therefore, we have a specific piece of advice for you: do not force the HDR mode on this model. If you have the option in the streaming app settings – simply turn it off. By sticking to the classic SDR mode, you can be sure that the television will not attempt to “enhance” something that it cannot handle hardware-wise.

Factory color reproduction

5.1/10

4.8/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best factory mode in which we conducted all our tests was "Filmmaker", which has become rather standard in televisions from this manufacturer. However, let's check what its characteristics were before we began the calibration process. The first aspect we will examine is white balance, as despite appearing unassuming, it determines whether the image will be free from any kind of tint. The graph clearly shows that both in SDR and HDR materials, there was a dominant presence of two colours: red and green, which resulted in a strong yellow tint that was ubiquitous across the entire image. This is perfectly visible on the "ColourChecker" palette, where all hues shifted towards their warmer counterparts. The second thing we will scrutinise is, in our opinion, the two most important graphs regarding image quality assessment: gamma and the EOTF curve. Both aim to maintain adequate brightness and contrast. The first one serves to describe the brightness level in SDR materials, while the second shows the rate of luminance increase. Analyzing the first one, we can observe that it was extremely lowered compared to the reference value marked by the orange line. This situation resulted primarily in a sharp increase in brightness and a significant reduction in contrast, almost reminiscent of that in OLED televisions. The EOTF curve exhibited greater "moderation" and only slightly brightened the entire image to 50% of the maximum brightness.

We also took a close look at how Blaupunkt handles colours in movie mode, and here the matter is, in short, twofold. Once again, we need to clearly separate what we see in standard SDR format from what happens when HDR is turned on, as these are two entirely different worlds. Let’s start with the better side of the coin. If you plan to watch classic television, YouTube, or older films on this television, you can count on really reasonably well-tuned colours. In our test unit, the white balance in movie mode performed exceptionally well, which honestly surprised us. Of course, to avoid being overly optimistic, we did notice some shortcomings. Looking at the gamma charts, we observed that the processor struggles with appropriately dimming the image in its brightest areas. Additionally, there is quite a strong, at times excessively aggressive red saturation, which resulted in visible errors in reproducing certain shades. Nevertheless, in general terms, the image in SDR is simply solid and can be watched without a grimace on one’s face. Unfortunately, the charm disappears the moment we again enter the HDR world. Here, Blaupunkt behaves as if we suddenly switched it to shop mode, and in its worst version. The excess blue in the white balance is so significant that it is almost blinding, ruining any realism of the scene. Moreover, the television interprets brightness very loosely, which, when analysing the EOTF curve, clearly showed that for most of the time, the colours appear simply washed out and lacking in depth. This is, by the way, perfectly visible through the colour errors that become evident in this mode. Once again, we are left with the same conclusion: Blaupunkt in SDR mode looks significantly better and more natural than in HDR, which feels forced and lacking appropriate refinement.

Color reproduction after calibration

9/10

6.4/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

Philips, like most leading manufacturers, has been providing advanced tools for calibration processes for years. Here we will find both 2- and 20-point grey scale adjustments, as well as an advanced CMS (Colour Management System). As you can observe, this has brought about extremely beneficial results and profoundly changed the perceived image. Practically every one of the elements mentioned above has undergone a transformation and has been brought back to its natural state. This is particularly evident on the "ColourChecker" palette, where the measured samples are harmoniously in place. It must be said that the white balance has turned out exceptionally well, allowing us to enjoy a clean image free from any tint in both SDR and HDR materials. The biggest issue of OLED809, namely gamma, has been properly modelled and only shows minor errors here and there, which will not affect the overall picture. The EOTF curve, on the other hand, has been rid of that subtle brightening and now presents itself as reference-level.

It may sound like a joke – pulling out professional measuring equipment for a television costing around a thousand złotys / 250 dollars, but we wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t check it out. The question is: does such cheap equipment give us any room for manoeuvre when it comes to calibration? To your surprise, the answer is: yes, and very much so. In the Blaupunkt UGC5500S menu, we found surprisingly many options that allowed us to really work on the picture. These are not just empty sliders; they are specific tools that we could utilise using our measuring sensors and software. In SDR mode, the effects were visible to the naked eye. We successfully eliminated the problem we mentioned earlier – that excessive, almost artificial red saturation. We also fixed the issue of improper dimming in the brightest parts of the image. After calibration, the standard format image became significantly more balanced and simply correct. When it came to HDR, the situation was again more complicated. While we managed to 'tame' that aggressive blue tint in the white balance, it was clear that we were fighting somewhat in vain. Even after adjusting the settings, the television still tried to interfere with the image in its own way, as if the electronics knew better than us how the scene should look. Additionally, there is a hardware barrier that no slider can overcome – colours in HDR still remain under-saturated. This is simply due to the quality of the panel itself; it physically cannot produce the most vibrant colours. To sum up this topic: if any of you ask whether it is possible to calibrate a television for a 'thousand', we answer with full conviction: it is possible.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

2.4/10

6.4/10

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

Equally important as colours, blackness and contrast in the context of the image quality assessment process is its purity. This category can also include the quality of tonal transitions. How many of you have experienced the effect of "banding" of colours on your older receivers? It is extremely bothersome and often effectively hinders immersion in the series or film being watched. Philips OLED 809 unfortunately has one of those qualities that are better left unspoken. However, out of editorial duty, we should take a look at them and evaluate, which will be quite simple given their lack of complexity. As you can see, practically every scene demonstrated a lack of fluidity between colours. And just as in the film "Kingsman" this is still acceptable, in other productions it is really impossible to leave them with a clean conscience, especially when looking at "The Green Knight." There, the dense fog has practically been converted into horizontal stripes and vaguely defined geometric shapes. There are televisions that can manage tonal transitions perfectly, but Philips OLED 809 unfortunately does not belong to this group. During the tests, we could observe the colour banding effect, particularly in demanding scenes, which negatively impacts the reception of the film. Philips OLED 809 test indicates that even options for removing posterization do not help sufficiently, which can be considered a serious flaw.

Looking at our test photographs, it's really hard to criticise anything. Most of the colours in the attached images blend together almost perfectly, creating smooth gradients without noticeable "steps". And indeed, in most scenes where we captured these shots, it looked surprisingly good. However, the problem arises when we stop analysing still frames and simply start watching the films. In motion, the situation changes dramatically. During dynamic scenes on screen, artefacts begin to appear, which are a direct result of simply using a poor image processor here. Unfortunately, a static photo cannot convey this "jarring" of colours, but you must take our word for it: what looks clean and smooth in the picture can stand out harshly during the screening and is simply annoying. This is precisely why we have a rather low rating in this category.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

2.5/10

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

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

Philips OLED 809 did not perform particularly well in the test of tonal transition fluidity. Moving on to the part of the test where we assess the behaviour of the television's algorithms, we will once again check the function responsible for removing posterization. Indeed, such a function exists in the menu and has several available options. As you can see in the picture on the left, although its presence has been confirmed by us, it is not useful. Only at the highest setting does it effectively remove stuttering; however, it blurs the entire image in the process. Therefore, it is completely useless.

It happens more than once or twice that you and we watch lower quality materials. In this case, the quality of the image upscaling algorithms can have a beneficial effect. We must admit that those implemented in OLED 809 work quite efficiently and improve image quality without visible artifacts. You can only notice slight edge fringing; however, it is unlikely to be visible during normal viewing.

If you expect the processor in this model to magically "fix" the poor-quality signal from cable TV or old films from YouTube, we must disappoint you. The capabilities of this television end at absolutely basic upscaling, which is simply stretching the image to a higher resolution. It does this adequately in that the image is not blurry, but there's no mention of any intelligent sharpening or adding details here. Worse still, Blaupunkt is completely devoid of any features for reducing unwanted tonal transitions. If the material being watched has what is known as banding (that is, ugly "steps" instead of a smooth transition of colours, e.g., in the sky), this television will display it in all its glory. Additionally, the television has a tendency to slightly crop the edges of the image. Instead of displaying 100% of what the source sends, Blaupunkt slightly enlarges the frame, causing us to lose details at the very edges of the screen. In summary: in the category of digital "enhancing" of images, Blaupunkt simply performs poorly. We receive a raw, unprocessed signal, with all its flaws.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

3.7/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
No
Blur reduction option
OK
No
BFI function 60Hz
No
-
BFI function 120Hz
No
-
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

The maximum refresh rate we can set on the tested television is 144 Hz. This value can be achieved by connecting it to a really powerful PC. In the case of consoles or television, everything remains the same. For those who require high smoothness of motion or dislike the characteristic stuttering of films recorded at 24 fps, the manufacturer has prepared a fairly extensive motion smoothing system. In the dedicated tab, we will find a slider for “Smoothness” that is responsible for eliminating stutter, and “Motion Blur Reduction,” which helps increase the sharpness of dynamic elements. The function works very well and granularly, meaning that each setting has a real impact on the perception of motion. We also mention that it works at a refresh rate of 120 Hz, as it operates on multiples of film or television materials. With such an extensive set of options, every user will find their golden mean. In the picture, we present our choice, which is slight smoothing without the soap opera effect.

Motion is influenced not only by settings on the television but also by the response time of the panel itself. OLED televisions feature the best response time on the market, which in the case of 809 is about 0.1 ms. There are no IPS/ADS or especially VA panels that come close to the results of organic panels.

When it comes to motion fluidity, Blaupunkt has nothing to defend itself with. A 60 Hz panel at this price is standard, so none of us were expecting an impeccably sharp image in fast action scenes or during a match. However, the biggest drawback of this model is that you won't find any digital motion smoothers in the menu. The manufacturer has not given us any room for manoeuvre – nothing can be smoothed out or adjusted to our personal preferences. The image is always "raw," and we receive it exactly as the source transmits it. For fans of cinematic "jumping" of the image, this might be good, but the rest of us simply have to get used to the lack of any motion enhancement.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

3.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    No
  • VRR range
    40 - 144Hz
    No
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    No

The Philips OLED 809 television supports all technologies included in the HDMI 2.1 standard, and during our testing, each one activated without any problems. Therefore, we must state that this television is perfectly suited for all gamers, whether they are using a console or a computer. It is worth mentioning that the manufacturer has opted to implement the HGIG mode, which provides a great alternative to Dolby Vision, which unfortunately in the OLED809 is unplayable due to very high input lag.

A nod to gamers is also the inclusion of a dedicated GameBar, which allows for monitoring current gameplay parameters and quick changes to settings. We will also find a function to enable a crosshair, which will be very useful when shooting with a sniper rifle, but from the so-called hip. Additionally, we can also find a shadow enhancement function for better visibility in shadows and a colour filter for gamers with visual impairments.

In summary, the OLED 809 is a very good and versatile device for gamers. Anyone who purchases this television for gaming does not need to worry about anything, as it is simply made for gaming. Especially since features such as VRR, ALLM, G-Sync, FreeSync, or HDR Dolby Vision gameplay will allow for an even greater immersion in their favourite title. Lastly, we will add that the only downside of the television in game mode is the artificial image sharpening, regardless of the settings, and it cannot be 'softened'.

When it comes to gaming on the Blaupunkt, we weren't expecting miracles, and indeed – the list of features is not very long. However, there are two interesting points worth mentioning, as they might be significant for some of you at this price. The first plus is that the TV quickly detects the connected console. Thanks to the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature, the device knows when you start gaming and automatically switches to low-latency mode. This is convenient because you don't have to fiddle with settings each time to prevent input lag from ruining the fun. The second point is a genuine surprise that caught us off guard. Although it has a 60 Hz panel, the Blaupunkt can display images at 120 Hz at Full HD resolution. Sure, you lose the details of 4K, but for those playing more dynamic, online shooters where smoothness is more important than resolution, this is a really nice and unexpected addition in such an inexpensive device. Besides these two points, you won't find anything more here. There are no advanced smoothness enhancement systems for gamers or extensive gaming menu bars. This is a simple screen for occasional gaming.

Input lag

9.5/10

8.6/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
36 ms
1080p120
5 ms
25 ms
2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
12 ms
2160p120
5 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
2160p120 DV
57 ms

The results of input lag measurements in the Philips OLED 809 are at a high level, regardless of the signal or resolution. All gamers will certainly appreciate the manufacturer's efforts, which mean that a game running at 4K120Hz with HDR has only 5 ms of lag, which is practically unnoticeable even in online games. One should not forget the proper implementation of the gaming mode with Dolby Vision, which deserves praise for a similar reaction time of 13 ms. In this case, the Philips OLED 809 receives our highest rating.

An important point for every gamer is, of course, input lag, which refers to how quickly the television responds to our movements on the controller. Here, Blaupunkt has something to brag about, although the results are quite specific. At 4K resolution, the lag is just 12 ms. That's an excellent result. With such low lag, gaming feels simply phenomenal, and the response is almost instantaneous. It is a pity, however, that the situation changes when switching to 1080p mode. Here, the input lag increases to about 30 ms. To be clear: this is still not a terrible result. For most people, it will be "more than acceptable," and during casual gaming, you probably won't even notice it. Nonetheless, it is a shame that such good parameters could not be maintained as we saw with full 4K. Nevertheless, in the overall assessment, as a budget screen for consoles, Blaupunkt performs quite admirably in this regard.

Compatibility with PC

6.4/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
No
Yes
Font clarity
Average
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
13ms
13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
RGB
Max refresh rate
144Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
Yes
No

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

Just like in games, the tested television performs excellently, but in everyday work with text, it doesn't do so well. Although its latency is very low, the problem lies elsewhere. The television does not support chroma 4:4:4, which results in unpleasant font blurring, regardless of the provided refresh rate. While this is not usually a problem in games, it can be quite bothersome during text work due to poor readability. Additionally, the pixel arrangement in WOLED panels does not make things easier for it.

If you plan to connect a computer to this television, it is absolutely crucial that you find and enable the PC compatibility option in the menu. Once you do that, magic happens – the implementation of Chroma 4:4:4 and font readability jumps to an exemplary level. The readability of text is simply excellent here. Of course, our editorial meticulousness would not allow us to pass by this equipment without taking a look "under the hood." During very specific tests with thin, dark text, we noticed that the horizontal and vertical matrix masks differ slightly in brightness levels. However, we want to reassure you: this phenomenon is so subtle that during normal use, such as writing emails or browsing the web, you would not be able to notice it with the naked eye. We maintain our opinion that as a monitor strictly for dynamic PC gaming, it is not the ideal choice (as we mentioned in the context of the 60 Hz refresh rate), but if any of you are wondering whether you can comfortably work on such a Blaupunkt – we answer: yes, it is absolutely possible.

Viewing angles

7.7/10

5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
29%
71%

A widely known advantage of OLED matrices is their performance when viewed even at sharp angles. We do not experience a drop in contrast or colour saturation. However, a characteristic feature of panels produced by LG Display, which are not used in top models, is a tint in shades of sea or cyan when viewed at large angles.

It’s really very good here. Whether we were sitting directly in front or on the edge of the sofa, the colours did not lose their saturation. This is a big plus if you plan to watch matches or films with a larger group – no one will complain that the picture looks worse for them. Although IPS panels are known for their good angles, in this particular model, when viewed from a sharp angle, the picture noticeably loses brightness. Interestingly, the colour saturation remains intact, but the screen simply becomes darker. This is not something that disqualifies this television, but it’s worth knowing.

Daytime performance

5.5/10

4/10

Panel finish
Glare
Satin
Reflection suppression
Good
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Very Good
Good

Panel brightness

Blaupunkt UGC5500S: 245 cd/m2

Philips OLED809/819: 322 cd/m2

For many years, the issue raised regarding OLED televisions has been their performance during the day. Many people still believe that these are not receivers intended for such use. They are probably right, except when it comes to screens from a few good years back. Technology advances, and currently there are no objections to recommending such a television for today. Admittedly, a glossy panel does not sound like something that would substantiate this claim; however, it is hard to stand against the images that you can see for yourselves. Another point we indicate to pay attention to is contrast during daytime use. This, unlike QD-OLED panels, and even OLEDs equipped with MLA technology, is higher. The reason for this situation is the lack of excited quantum dots and micro-lenses.

In terms of daytime performance, Blaupunkt is simply average. It all comes down to the low brightness of the panel, which – as we have mentioned, hovers around 250 nits. This is definitely too little for the screen to "break through" the strong light coming into the living room. As a result, under strong sunlight, the image loses clarity and appears somewhat washed-out. However, there is one bright spot in this category, the satin finish of the panel. Thanks to this, we do not have to deal with the mirror effect, which often means that instead of watching a film, we are seeing a reflection of our own sofa. The satin nicely diffuses reflections, which somewhat saves the situation. Nevertheless, we cannot cheat physics: while the coating bravely fights against reflections, the low brightness ultimately surrenders in the battle with sunlight. If you are planning a screening in the middle of the day in a very bright room, be prepared for the necessity of drawing the curtains.

Panel details

Backlight Type
White LED
Software version during testing
TPM231WW_R.101.0091.227.211
RTM9.241015.007
Image processor
mt5896
m7332 2GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Philips OLED809/819

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

TV features

7.9/10

5.1/10

  • HDMI inputs
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
  • 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
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    Yes
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    No
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    No
    No

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review Philips OLED809/819 TV features
Review Philips OLED809/819 TV features
Review Philips OLED809/819 TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features

Before we move on to the software that controls the television, it is impossible not to mention the manufacturer's biggest differentiator. We are, of course, talking about the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting, which placed on the back of the device displays colours adjusted to what is happening on the screen, often allowing for an even greater immersion experience. The Philips OLED 809 is powered by the Google TV system. This is an undeniable advantage compared to some other models from the manufacturer that use the proprietary TitanOS system, which is significantly more closed and limited in terms of available applications. With Google TV, we can install almost any application, both from the store and directly from online repositories via an APK file.

The Google TV system also offers many conveniences related to control. We can easily connect a keyboard with a touchpad, which significantly facilitates typing queries and navigation. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google, we can issue voice commands using the remote, which are quickly and accurately interpreted by the system.

In summary: Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. Thanks to the use of a powerful CPU, it operates very smoothly and stably, without freezing or experiencing lags during tests. It is definitely the best option for those who want to make the most of their television's capabilities and appreciate the openness and versatility of the system.

In terms of Smart TV functionality, the Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a classic example of a device where the system is both its greatest asset and its biggest flaw. On one hand, we have full Google TV here, which is a huge plus at this price point. We get access to a massive library of applications and basically all the functionality we know from brands that use this software. Nothing has been cut out forcibly, which is truly refreshing in such an inexpensive television. Unfortunately, we must honestly admit that in Blaupunkt's execution, this system simply works clumsily. This is a typical ailment of budget televisions with Google TV – the processor barely keeps up with the software. Navigation through the menu is not as smooth as we would like, and the remote can respond with a noticeable delay, giving the impression of being "dull." Of course, once you launch a specific application and start playing a movie, everything works stably, but just sifting through the interface requires a bit of patience.

As for traditional television features, Blaupunkt doesn't offer anything extraordinary. It is a simple device for basic tasks. The remote control deserves a plus, as it features a classic numeric keypad, which is simply convenient for flipping through cable channels. We also have Bluetooth, so you can easily connect wireless headphones or a speaker. The television also has a physical mini-jack headphone output. At a time when manufacturers are mass removing this connection, the presence of a "jack" is a nod towards those with older audio equipment or simply those who prefer classic wired headphones. It's a little thing, but it’s appreciated.

Apps

9.6/10

9.6/10

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
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
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
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

9.5/10

9.3/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
Yes
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
Yes
WebP
Yes
Yes
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
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The default media player in Philips OLED 809 is of a fairly high standard, although it is not without its flaws. It performs excellently in playing various types of video files, except for two less popular ones. The presence of all checkboxes confirming playback of different subtitle formats deserves a big plus. The television handles every resolution of images, making it an excellent screen for viewing family albums or studio photos. The rest, including supported photo and audio formats, is satisfactory, and those that the television cannot play are either uncommon or becoming obsolete. Anyway, this is not a problem, as we can download a program from the app store that will resolve these issues.

In terms of playing files from USB, Blaupunkt performs quite well. We checked several of the most popular formats, and basically everything important worked fine on the factory player. Therefore, you're not forced to immediately download additional software right after taking the television out of the box, as the equipment is simply self-sufficient from the start. Nevertheless, taking advantage of the charms of Google TV, we still recommend that you install something external, like VLC or Kodi. The factory player is adequate, but it is in these external applications that you will find the most configuration options, better subtitle support, or simply a more convenient interface. Since the system gives you such freedom, it is worth taking advantage of it to get as much as possible from your multimedia.

Sound

7.1/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    85dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    Yes
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    No

At the outset of this paragraph, it should be noted that sound quality is always subjective. In our opinion, the audio system that the manufacturer has equipped the Philips OLED 809 with is of a fairly high standard. The bass is well-defined, but at the same time, it does not overshadow the mid and high tones. Looking at it from another angle, when opting for a television at this price point, we will likely already have a separate audio system. In this context, the tested television will certainly not disappoint, as it supports virtually every important standard, including Dolby Atmos and, more importantly, DTS-HD Master Audio.

In terms of audio, Blaupunkt performs really well, especially considering that this is a typical budget television. It’s evident, or rather audible, that the brand has not forgotten its roots, and for such an inexpensive model, the sound is exceptionally good. Of course, there is a noticeable lack of bass, but the overall output is loud, and surprisingly clear. Most importantly for us – even at higher volumes, the sound is not heavily distorted, which is a rarity and a pleasant surprise at this price point.

Sound Quality Test

No sound test video

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

85dBC (Max)

75dBC