Philips OLED809/819 vs LG QNED80A6A (VA)

Direct comparison

OLED809 / OLED819 / AMIBLIGHT TV

Info

Available screen sizes: 48”55”65”77”

Available screen sizes: 50”55”75”

Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: WebOS

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

7.6

6.2

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    7.3

    6.3

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    7.9

    6.5

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    8.2

    5.5

  • Gaming on console

    9.2

    7.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    6.4

    5.8

  • Watching in bright light

    5.5

    4.4

  • Utility functions

    7.9

    6.8

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.1

  • 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

  • High native contrast (over 6000:1) providing deep blacks in movies

  • Excellent colour saturation (DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage above 90%) thanks to PFS technology (QNED).

  • Good detail reproduction in HDR

  • Outstanding WebOS 25 system – fast, intuitive and guaranteed updates

  • Magic remote included – cursor control

  • Effective upscaling and tone mapping smoothing function

  • Decent features for gamers (VRR, ALLM, HGiG), despite the 60Hz panel

  • Low input lag

  • Smooth tonal transitions – no visible "stepping" on colour gradients

  • Good font readability when connected to PC (sharp text).

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

  • Narrow viewing angles – the picture loses quality when viewed from the side

  • Aggressive local dimming – in difficult scenes causes noticeable blooming.

  • 60Hz panel

  • No support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Average brightness

  • Flat sound lacking bass – a soundbar is recommended

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".

Looking at the QNED80A in the VA version as a whole, we are dealing with a television that has a very specific character. It is equipment that film lovers who enjoy evening screenings will appreciate, provided they... accept certain shortcomings. We get really solid blacks and contrast here, but we pay for it with narrow viewing angles. There’s no point in hiding it: this is a television for those who have their favourite spot in the middle of the sofa. Of course, you can feel some budget cuts here – the 60Hz panel and edge dimming, which sometimes struggles in challenging scenes, are elements that remind you this is not the top tier of televisions. However, LG cleverly compensates for these hardware deficiencies with excellent software. It is quite surprising how well this television manages to extract details in HDR or upscale lower quality material from cable – the processor does a great job here, making the picture appear more expensive than it actually is. If we add to this the excellent WebOS system and gaming features, which, despite the lack of 120Hz, perform admirably, we get a very successful screen for home cinema. It requires a certain understanding, but in return, it rewards you with a truly vibrant image at an affordable price.

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
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Premium
Good
Stand type
stand-type-
Legs
Bezel color
Silver
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Flat design
No
Yes
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

10/10

6.3/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 6 (1 x 6)

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 LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

24,550:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

7,900:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

22,150:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

6,700:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,550:1

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.

The model we tested, with a 55-inch diagonal, is equipped with a VA panel. And here we have great news: this is a huge advantage over the IPS version if you care about deep blacks and a vivid picture. Our measurements showed that in typical movie scenes, the native contrast is really solid, exceeding values around 6000:1. In practice, this means that black is truly black, not grey, which works very well for occasional evening viewing and is not annoying. Interestingly, there were moments when our measurement devices indicated contrast levels of over 20,000:1. Where does such a jump come from? The LG QNED80A is equipped with a Local Dimming system. However, this is an edge-lit setup. This means that the television can dim vertical backlight strips where the image is supposed to be dark. In theory, this sounds great and indeed allows for better numbers in graphs than with a classic LCD screen. Unfortunately, practice can be brutal. The use of edge dimming is a double-edged sword that can spoil the film viewing experience in challenging scenes. An ideal example is the helicopter scene in the film Sicario 2. When there is a lot of black on the screen and small, bright points, the dimming system starts to work very aggressively and... not very precisely. You can clearly see how entire vertical strips of the screen brighten and dim, trying to keep up with the object. Instead of deep blacks, we then see a glow (blooming), which simply looks bad and detracts significant attention from the plot. Although the dimming system improves measurable contrast, in everyday use – especially with the lights off – its aggressive operation can be irritating. Often, a better solution may turn out to be... turning off this feature or setting it to minimum, to enjoy a stable, natural black of the VA panel itself.

HDR effect quality

6.9/10

4.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%
DCI P3: 93.4%, Bt.2020: 73.1%

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 LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

354 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

335 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

354 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

301 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

271 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:

LG QNED80A6A (VA)

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+.

Let's now talk about how this television shines. If you are expecting dazzling light effects, we need to temper your enthusiasm. The LG QNED80A is a moderately bright television. Our measurements in most movie scenes indicated values around 350-400 nits. This is not enough to speak of a full, cinematic HDR experience and the sense of that famous "high dynamism" offered by flagship products. However, brightness is not everything. Although the QNED80A is not a "light monster," it makes up for it in another crucial category: colours. This is where PFS technology comes into play, which LG marketers disguise under the name QNED/NanoCell. Thanks to this approach, the television offers a much wider colour palette than classic LCD designs. In our tests, coverage of the cinematic DCI-P3 palette reached a solid 93-94%. What does this mean for you? That even with lower brightness, when watching movies in HDR, colours will be vivid, deep, and appropriately saturated. The image is not washed out but rather juicy, which is a significant advantage in this price range.

Factory color reproduction

5.1/10

4.4/10

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.

It might seem that since the QNED80A is one model, regardless of the version, it should offer the same picture. However, practice shows something completely different. Analyzing the variant with a VA panel in the best factory setting – that is, in Filmmaker Mode – we noticed a specific characteristic. This television, “out of the box,” serves us a picture with a clear dominance of red and a deficiency of blue. Overall, it is very warm, even hot. Many users may describe this as a picture that is “too cinematic,” leaning towards sepia. Additionally, there is the issue of the gamma curve – the television has a tendency to slightly artificially brighten scenes (gamma is too low), causing the picture to lose some depth. The good news is that these are not panel errors, but merely software issues. As always in our tests, we conducted professional calibration, which completely eliminated these shortcomings, restoring the natural white balance and correct saturation.

Color reproduction after calibration

9/10

7.5/10

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.

Was it worth spending time on calibration? Definitely yes. We managed to tame the initial, too warm white balance and, most importantly, correct the gamma curve. The television stopped artificially brightening scenes, which gave the image depth. The greatest improvement is noticeable in SDR content, that is, while watching regular television, YouTube, or playing games without HDR. Here the QNED80A shows its class – colour reproduction errors (DeltaE) have dropped below a value of 2. In technical terms, this means that the errors are virtually unnoticeable to the human eye. The image in everyday use has simply become very attractive, natural, and correct. The difficulties begin with HDR content. Although we managed to improve the white balance, the EOTF curve graph (responsible for brightness at various levels) shows that the television still "interprets" the image in its own way. This stems from the nature of the edge-lit backlight with local dimming and the fact that LG gives the calibrator very little control over this parameter. In short: the television struggles to hide its hardware shortcomings, sometimes ignoring our commands. Nevertheless, the final image is significantly more accurate and pleasant to behold than with factory settings, even if it falls a bit short of studio perfection.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

2.4/10

9.2/10

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.

We also have excellent news for those sensitive to digital artifacts. Regardless of which version of the panel you encounter, the LG QNED80A excels at gradation, meaning smooth colour transitions. In this price range, it is often the case that instead of a smooth transition (e.g., from light sky blue to navy), we see ugly, separated bands. Here, this problem is practically non-existent. In our tests, both in very bright areas of the image (like sunsets) and in challenging dark grey shades, the picture remained uniform and natural. We did not notice the irritating effect of "banding" or distinct lines connecting colours.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

5.5/10

7/10

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

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.

In this category, the QNED80A proves to be a true "dark horse." It is an excellent, affordable television for those who frequently watch lower-quality content – for example, traditional cable TV. The processor used here handles upscaling, that is, enhancing low resolution to native 4K, exceptionally well. The image after processing is natural, smooth, and, most importantly, not overly jagged or artificially sharpened. In the menu, we also find a dedicated option for smoothing tonal transitions in low-quality content. This feature works really effectively, eliminating annoying "banding" of colours under heavy video compression. However, we must remain vigilant. Remember that we are not dealing with a top-tier processor known from flagship OLED models. In more challenging scenes, the system may struggle and introduce minor artefacts or distortions. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth giving this feature a chance, as in most cases the quality improvement is visibly apparent.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

4.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
No
BFI function 60Hz
No
No
BFI function 120Hz
No
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.

We move on to a matter that may be decisive for many. Unfortunately, here we must point out the biggest "Achilles' heel" of the QNED80A model. This television is equipped with a panel featuring a native refresh rate of 60Hz. There is no denying it – at this price, we expected more as we know that Chinese manufacturers can offer 120Hz screens for a similar price. Due to this parameter, dynamic scenes in sports or fast-paced games are not the strongest aspect of this display. Fortunately, LG has equipped the television with a proven motion smoothing system called TruMotion. It works quite effectively with film material (24 frames). We suggest playing around with the De-Judder slider – from our experience, setting it in the range of 2-4 provides the best compromise: the motion becomes smoother, yet still looks natural, without the artificial "television theatre" effect.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

6/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    40 - 144Hz
    48 - 60Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

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'.

Now that we have established that the QNED80A is a television with a 60Hz panel, we must say it plainly: we will not be playing here at 120 frames per second at any resolution. Does this disqualify the equipment in the eyes of gamers? Not necessarily, especially those "casual" ones. LG has decided to sweeten this technical limitation by packing quite a few useful functions inside. We have support for VRR (variable refresh rate) in the range of 48-60Hz and automatic game mode ALLM, which instantly reduces input lag upon detection of a console. All of this is managed from a very convenient, purple Game Optimizer menu, which has already become LG's hallmark. A big plus goes to the manufacturer for consistency regarding HDR. Although the television does not support Dolby Vision in games on Xbox consoles, LG adds a well-implemented HGiG standard. Thanks to this, even on a moderately bright screen, playing in HDR is clear, and the details in shadows and highlights are accurately reproduced, rather than "cut off".

Input lag

9.5/10

9.8/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
15 ms
1080p120
5 ms
2160p60
13 ms
15 ms
2160p120
5 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
14 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.

At the end of the gaming section, let's take a look at how quickly the television responds to our commands. The input lag we measured in the QNED80A model is around 15 ms (at a 60Hz signal). While these may not be values that will revolutionise the market or impress professional e-sports players fighting for every millisecond, they are perfectly sufficient for the average console gamer. During tests in games, we did not notice any irritating "screen tearing" of the crosshair or delay between pressing a button on the controller and the response on the screen. The entertainment is smooth and comfortable, which is the most important thing in home gaming.

Compatibility with PC

6.4/10

5.8/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
No
Yes
Font clarity
Average
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
13ms
15ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
BGR
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.

Is the QNED80A suitable for connecting to a computer? In the case of the version with a VA panel, the answer is: absolutely. If you plan to use this television as a massive monitor for work, you will not be disappointed. The readability of the fonts is at a very high level – the text is sharp, clear and does not strain the eyes, which is not always a given with large screens. Additionally, there is the low input lag we mentioned earlier. This makes mouse work precise and you do not feel the characteristic "floating" of the cursor. Of course, due to the 60Hz refresh rate, it is not the ideal equipment for e-sports players gaming on PC, but for working with text, browsing the web, or occasional strategy gaming, it will perform excellently.

Viewing angles

7.7/10

3.2/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
29%
76%

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.

By opting for the VA panel version, you must be aware of a certain compromise. You get something for something – we enjoy great blacks and contrast, but we pay for it with narrow viewing angles. This is a typical feature of this technology, and the QNED80A is no exception. If you sit perfectly in front of the screen – the picture will be razor sharp. However, it is enough to shift to the side of the sofa or step away to the kitchenette to notice a degradation in the image. Colours begin to lose saturation, becoming washed out, and the deep black that we praised starts to grey. Therefore, this variant of the television is best suited for individuals who have their favourite spot in the middle of the sofa and rarely watch TV in a large gathering spread across the entire living room.

Daytime performance

5.5/10

4.4/10

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

Panel brightness

LG QNED80A6A (VA): 280 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.

How does the QNED80A perform when we don't have the curtains drawn? Let's put it bluntly: it is not the brightest television on the market, so if your living room resembles a glass greenhouse at noon, this screen may struggle to cut through the intense sunlight. For extremely challenging lighting conditions, we would suggest looking for something with higher brightness (e.g. Mini LED). However, the television defends itself with something else – the type of coating applied to the panel. The manufacturer opted for a satin finish (semi-matte) here. This is a great decision. Unlike glossy coatings that act like mirrors, this coating effectively suppresses and diffuses reflections of light. As a result, in typical, moderate lighting conditions, a standing lamp next to it or a window to the side will not be distracting, and the viewing experience will remain pleasant.

Panel details

Backlight Type
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
TPM231WW_R.101.0091.227.211
33.21.62
Image processor
mt5896

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Philips OLED809/819

LG QNED80A6A (VA)

TV features

7.9/10

6.8/10

  • HDMI inputs
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    Yes
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    No
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • 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 LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) 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.

Smart TV System and WebOS

A significant advantage of LG televisions – even those in the lower or mid-price range – is that the manufacturer does not neglect them in terms of software. The QNED80A operates under the latest version of the WebOS system, which performed excellently during our tests. The interface was smooth, reacted quickly to commands, and most importantly – was very intuitive. Much of the credit goes to the famous Magic Remote controller, which functions like a computer mouse – we control the on-screen cursor with wrist movements. However, here you will encounter a surprise. In the 2025 model year, the controller underwent quite a drastic transformation. It has been minimised and slimmed down. Modern users will likely appreciate this change, as the remote fits well in the hand and looks more "premium". However, traditionalists may feel disappointed – the miniaturisation has come at a cost, including the removal of the classic numerical keypad, which may make it difficult to quickly switch channels.

Classic Functions and Multimedia

When it comes to so-called classic functions, the QNED80A does not strive to be a revolutionary device. It is simply a solid piece of equipment that does what it was designed for. There are no hidden "gimmicks" here, but we also did not find anything lacking. The traditional Teletext works flawlessly, and the wireless connectivity modules (such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) are stable and pair quickly with external devices, such as headphones or a soundbar. In this regard, the television simply does not throw any obstacles in the way – it works as we expect, not standing out in any particular way against the competition, but also not giving us any reasons to complain.

Apps

9.6/10

9.1/10

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

Playing files from USB

9.5/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

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

Maximum photo resolution:

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

How does the QNED80A perform as a home multimedia centre? After connecting an external drive or USB stick, the television easily recognises and plays the vast majority of popular video and audio formats. One can confidently say that in daily use, you will rarely encounter a file that refuses to cooperate. However, we must draw attention to a certain catch arising from the software architecture. WebOS is a closed system. What does this mean for you? That if the built-in player struggles with an exotic format, we do not have a "lifeline". We cannot go to the store and download an external application like VLC that "plays everything", as is the case with Android or Google TV. The specific shortcomings we managed to catch mainly pertain to graphic files. The television does not support the HEIC format, which is standard on Apple devices (iPhone/iPad). Photographs with very high resolution (in the range of 20-28 Mpix) also proved problematic – when attempting to open them, the system often capitulated. It is worth keeping this in mind if you plan to view holiday photos directly from the drive.

Sound

7.1/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    81dB
  • 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, the LG QNED80A does not try to enchant us. It simply sounds like... a typical flat TV. The installed speaker system with a total power of 20W may not be the strongest point of this design. If you expect a cinematic punch or depth, known from more expensive models equipped with subwoofers, you will feel a sense of disappointment. There is simply a lack of bass here, and the sound is rather flat. However, we must give this model credit in one aspect: the clarity of the transmission. When scenes based on conversations appear on the screen, the QNED80A performs quite adequately. The dialogues are clear, separated, and – importantly – undistorted. There is no crackling effect at higher volumes. It is sufficient for everyday television, but for movies, we definitely recommend purchasing at least a basic soundbar.

Sound Quality Test

No sound test video

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

81dBC (Max)

75dBC