Philips PUS8500 vs Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

Direct compare

PUS8500 / PUS8560 / PUS8510 / PUS8600

Info

The Frame / LS03FAU

Info

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Titan OS

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

5.6

7.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.4

    6.7

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.1

    6.5

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.2

    6.4

  • Gaming on console

    6.7

    8.3

  • TV as a computer monitor

    5.6

    8.2

  • Watching in bright light

    4.9

    6.3

  • Utility functions

    4.9

    8.0

  • Apps

    4.6

    8.3

  • Sound quality

    6.2

    6.0

Advantages

  • Ambilight System

  • High native contrast - VA panel

  • Low input lag

  • Basic gaming features: ALLM and VRR

  • Full support for audio formats: Dolby Atmos and DTS

  • Backlit remote control with numeric keypad

  • Matte display excellently reduces reflections

  • Customisation options for the screen thanks to interchangeable frames + art mode

  • Free accessories in the form of a wall mount + OneConnect module

  • High native contrast

  • Decent brightness

  • High refresh rate - 120/144Hz

  • Many features for gamers - VRR, ALLM, Gamebar, proprietary motion smoother working in games

Disadvantages

No like
  • Average panel brightness

  • The TitanOS system seems unfinished (some features do not work, missing applications)

  • Infrared remote control

  • Issues with font readability (PC)

  • Missing HGiG mode – makes precise HDR adjustments on the console difficult.

  • No DTS support – requires additional hardware for some films on Blu-ray discs.

  • Paid picture mode

Our verdict

Ambilight, as this is what we need to start with, is the biggest reason why it's worth buying the PUS8500. The three-sided backlighting of the television looks fantastic, especially in the evening. It creates an atmosphere, masks contrast shortcomings, and makes watching a film simply more enjoyable. Even if the black levels aren't perfect, the native VA panel offers decent performance at high contrast. Additionally, there’s quite a good input lag and several features for gamers such as ALLM and VRR. Although HDMI 2.1 and a 120Hz panel are absent, playing casually should be a pleasure. Especially since it feels responsive and without delays. Let’s also mention the full support for audio formats – both Dolby Atmos and DTS are included, so soundbar owners can also rejoice.

However, we won't sugarcoat it – this is still a budget television, and at times it’s clearly evident. The brightness is average – not weak enough to prevent viewing, but on an exceptionally sunny day, watching without curtains can be problematic. Nevertheless, in our opinion, the biggest disappointment of the PUS8560 is the Titan OS operating system. Despite the fact that the system debuted some time ago, certain functions simply refused to work – for instance, screen mirroring from a phone despite the manufacturer claiming that such a feature is present. There are fewer apps than in the competition, and the system itself operates rather clumsily. Generally, while it does have some features, it evidently lacks refinement.

Of course, this isn’t a television meant to compete with top models. But if someone is looking for something simple, with a great atmosphere provided by the Ambilight system, it is quite a fair proposition. You just have to know what to expect and accept the numerous compromises present here.

Samsung The Frame 2025 is a television unlike any other – and although competition has emerged for it, it still does it best. The matte panel, flush mounting with the wall, and a single thin cable thanks to the One Connect module make the device resemble a picture more than any other screen. The Art Store app continues to offer the best scans of artworks on the market (even if they are subscription-based), and with interchangeable frames, we can adapt the TV to the interior almost like a piece of furniture. As for the picture itself, since we are also talking about an ordinary television, there are no major changes, but there are also no disappointments compared to last year’s model LS03D. The Frame still offers high native contrast and solid brightness at 600 nits, which combined with the matte finish provides very comfortable daytime use. The colours are not as vibrant as in glossy screens, but against the backdrop of competitive matte constructions, they perform the best. A novelty is the 144 Hz refresh rate, although in practice, mainly PC gamers will benefit from it. Indeed, in terms of gaming features, The Frame has nearly everything: low input lag, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, automatic game mode (ALLM), Game Bar, and a unique motion smoother designed for games. Unfortunately, not everything is as perfect as it might seem. Why? Because the HGiG mode is missing, which has suddenly disappeared from the latest version of the Tizen system. Samsung really should respond to this, as for many gamers it is a key element in choosing a screen. And we fully understand that. Even though LS03F The Frame 2025 does not bring greater revolutions, it is still a unique television that, apart from its appearance, offers quite solid picture quality and extensive gaming features. It’s a pity that year after year we also receive new compromises.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz
Build quality
Average
Good
Stand type
Legs
Legs
Stand type
stand-type-Graphite
stand-type-Changeable Frame
Stand
stand-Base Adjustment
stand-Height Adjustment
FlatDesign
Nie
Yes
Accessories
accessories-Stand
accessories-Stand, accessories-Wall Bracket, accessories-OneConnect Box

Contrast and black detail

6.1/10

6/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review Philips PUS8500  Contrast and black detail

Result

6,000:1

Review Philips PUS8500  Contrast and black detail

Result

5,950:1

Review Philips PUS8500  Contrast and black detail

Result

6,250:1

Review Philips PUS8500  Contrast and black detail

Result

5,950:1

Review Philips PUS8500  Contrast and black detail

Result

5,750:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,800:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,750:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

14,900:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,500:1

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,300:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The Philips PUS8560 in the size we tested is equipped with a VA panel. As a result, black levels – as far as LCD televisions go – can be deemed decent. And that is exactly the case with this model. Both black levels and the overall impression of contrast in the film scenes we tested were really quite good – the image does not bleed, and details are visible even in challenging sections.

But the panel alone is not everything. Unfortunately, the PUS8500 does not come with local dimming (which is a given considering the television segment), so one must be aware that in completely dark conditions, the black can resemble shades of navy more than true black. On the other hand – and here’s a plus for Philips – the Ambilight system does an excellent job. The backlighting genuinely affects the perception of contrast. Therefore, even if technically the black is not perfect, subjectively the viewing experience becomes much more pleasurable. For many people, this is enough to make an evening screening truly impressive.

The year 2025 promises to be quite interesting when it comes to lifestyle televisions. Why? Because Samsung has prepared two versions of the iconic model The Frame – one standard and the other with the addition of “Pro”. In this review, we take a look at the version without “Pro”, which – as we shall see shortly – is quite significant. The standard model LS03F lacks any local dimming technology, unlike its more expensive sibling. This is important because it affects not only the overall picture quality but, primarily, how this television handles black levels.

The VA panel used in The Frame 2025 has a high native contrast – and this obviously works to its advantage. In the tested film scenes, details in the dark areas of the image were well visible, nothing blended together, and there was no formation of a uniform black/white blob. For the average viewer, this will be more than sufficient. But of course, not everything is perfect. The absence of local dimming means that the black levels on this television are not perfectly deep – they resemble dark navy rather than tar. Additionally, in our tested unit, we noticed slight blooming in the right part of the screen, but this could simply be the “quirk of the specimen” rather than a rule. Theoretically, one could try to improve the perception of black by backlighting the screen – for example, with an LED strip – but in the case of The Frame, this is rather impossible, as this television is meant to sit flush against the wall like a picture. So to achieve a better black visible to our eyes, we are forced to watch the LS03F with the lights on. That’s the charm of this technology.

HDR effect quality

4.1/10

5.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 90.4%, Bt.2020: 65.8%
DCI P3: 91.5%, Bt.2020: 72.2%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips PUS8500  Brightness measurement

Result

273 nit

Review Philips PUS8500  Brightness measurement

Result

300 nit

Review Philips PUS8500  Brightness measurement

Result

324 nit

Review Philips PUS8500  Brightness measurement

Result

343 nit

Review Philips PUS8500  Brightness measurement

Result

334 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

642 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

589 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

574 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

584 nit

Review Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F) Brightness measurement

Result

631 nit

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

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

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Dynamic: HDR10+

HDR luminance chart:

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Philips PUS8500

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

When it comes to the HDR effect on the PUS8560, it can fairly confidently be stated that it is very average. The panel brightness is around 350 nits, which we consider to be the absolute minimum for watching content in this format. However, this is not a result that will astonish a viewer searching for the best possible picture.

On the plus side, it is worth noting that the PUS8500 series – including the PUS8560/12 we tested – is advertised as a QLED television. And indeed, we can expect a wider colour spectrum here. This model is equipped with an additional filter (PFS), and a DCI-P3 colour coverage of around 90% should suffice for the majority of users. This filter works very similarly to quantum dots. As a result, the colours are quite well saturated. It is not an outstanding result, but it is entirely sufficient for watching films and series from streaming platforms.

The Frame LS03F is a television that can surprise with its brightness. The maximum luminance reaches around 650 nits, which already looks impressive on paper. But as we know, laboratory tests are one thing, and real film scenes are quite another. When watching HDR materials in natural conditions, The Frame 2025 maintains very good results. In most film scenes, the peak brightness remained at around 550–650 nits. This is a sufficient value to feel the difference between standard picture quality and that of HDR – bright highlights, reflections on water, or moonlight are presented clearly and spectacularly.

It is also worth remembering that the LS03F is a QLED television, which translates into solid colour saturation. The coverage of the DCI-P3 colour space reaches about 92%, allowing for vibrant, intense colours in HDR content. This is not the level of top premium models, but for a lifestyle screen, the result truly deserves recognition.

Factory color reproduction

6.2/10

7.1/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

We tested the television with the best available factory settings, namely in Film/Filmmaker mode – this is the mode we recommend for everyday viewing. Unfortunately, it is not without its flaws. Both in HD and HDR content, the image had a noticeable tendency to a pink tint, caused by an excessive amount of red and blue in the white balance. Another issue turned out to be excessive brightness in the image, which was confirmed by both the gamma chart and the EOTF curve. This feature was responsible for loss of detail and washed-out colours in more challenging HDR scenes that we mentioned earlier. The overall result led to significant colour reproduction errors – in extreme cases, the delta E value exceeded 7, while the threshold for visible errors for the human eye is around 3. This situation can be improved with calibration, and you can read about its effects below.

When it comes to image quality straight out of the box, even in Filmmaker mode, which is supposed to be the closest to reference, there were issues. We noticed clear deviations in white balance in both HD and 4K HDR content. The image was heavily skewed towards red and blue, giving the screen a characteristic pinkish tint. This effect was most noticeable in bright scenes – for example, in shots with a lot of white, where neutral light should naturally dominate. At such moments, the screen clearly took on pink tones, which is also visible in the attached comparison photo. As for the brightness characteristics – it wasn’t as bad as one might expect with such colour inaccuracies. The analysis of the gamma curve and EOTF showed a slight brightening of the image compared to the reference, but not enough to drastically ruin the viewing experience.

Color reproduction after calibration

8.4/10

8/10

The Dutch manufacturer offers quite a sizable amount of settings in its products, so as usual, we decided to tinker with them a bit. The effects are immediately noticeable – we managed to correct the white balance, which made the image stop appearing excessively pink. The brightness characteristic has also been partially evened out, of course, within the limits set by the television itself. The image is no longer overly exaggerated, and the overall reception after calibration is definitely better than in the factory settings of the Filmmaker mode.

One could only critique the EOTF curve characteristic, which still indicates that the image has a tendency to brighten HDR materials. Despite our efforts, the darkest parts of scenes are still sometimes too bright, and the brightest ones do not always achieve their full contrast potential. However, it must be clearly stated that we are dealing with a typically budget construction – one cannot expect reference-level reproduction of HDR content from it.

Calibration has definitely helped this model – it improved the balance, toned down the aggressive colour palette, and brought the image closer to what one might expect from a well-configured movie mode. However, there are certain limitations that cannot be overcome.

After calibration, the movie mode has gained a completely new quality. The issue of the pink tint, which had been clearly visible before, especially in bright scenes, has been effectively eliminated. Colours now look much more natural, and the white balance no longer dominates the rest of the image. It is no longer the same exaggerated "box picture" – everything now has coherence and a cinematic character. Additionally, the tendency of the television to slightly brighten scenes, previously visible in the EOTF curve analysis, has been partially corrected. Of course, this is within the limits of what the design allows without local dimming – one cannot speak of perfect brightness management here. Nevertheless, the final effect was definitely closer to what one might expect from a mode called Filmmaker.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.3/10

9/10

The PUS8560 handles colour transitions into smooth gradients very well. During tests, the image appeared coherent and natural, and serious issues with tonal transitions occurred only in very dark scenes – for example, in a shot with red water, where subtle cuts between colours could be noticed. However, these are rather exceptions that do not spoil the reception of most content. It is worth mentioning another phenomenon that more significantly affects the quality of the image – the so-called dithering, which refers to a slight "tingling" visible on uniform backgrounds. This effect can be particularly noticeable in high-quality materials and can somewhat spoil the impression of image clarity. It is for this flaw that we deducted some points in our evaluation.

In terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions, the LS03F maintains a high standard – just like last year’s models. The television did not encounter any issues when testing more challenging film scenes, where noticeable transitions between shades of colour can easily occur. The colour gradation is very good here – both in the lighter and darker areas of the image. We did not observe the typical banding effect or other disturbances that could be distracting while watching films. If we were to nitpick, in the most demanding scenes – with subtle transitions and delicate gradients – minor imperfections can be detected. But only if one approaches the screen very closely and begins to analyse the image from a distance not intended by the manufacturer.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6.1/10

6.7/10

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

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Philips PUS8560 offers a function for reducing posterization, hidden under the name "distortion reduction". And although it indeed fulfills its role by smoothing out problematic tonal transitions, it works a bit too broadly. In practice, it affects not only colourful gradients but also softens faces, the textures of clothing, and the surfaces of furniture. This compromises the authenticity of the image – especially in films where natural texture is very important. However, if someone is looking for smoothing at all costs, it's best to set this option to "Low". For cinema image enthusiasts – we definitely do not recommend it.

On the positive side, the quality of upscaling older materials is noteworthy – the PUS8560 model handles them surprisingly well. The image retains its natural softness, without artificially boosted sharpness. It is also worth mentioning that the television correctly displays content with very low resolution, avoiding issues with image edge cutting (so-called overscan).

LS03F has been equipped with the NQ4 processor, which is responsible for improving image quality – particularly in lower quality materials. In practice, this works surprisingly well, especially when it comes to older content and recordings with lower resolution. Activating the "noise reduction" function yields noticeable effects. The TV effectively smooths tonal transitions and removes digital noise that can appear in darker areas of the image. Compared to previous generations, there is a clear advancement – previously, this function often smoothed everything too much, including details that it shouldn't remove. In this year's model, smoothing still occurs, but in a much more acceptable manner. Textures of materials, skin, and fabric details are no longer subdued as strongly as before – the image retains more naturalness. However, this does not change the fact that film grain is still removed by the TV, which may not appeal to everyone. On the other hand, it is no longer as aggressive an intervention as in previous models. It is also worth mentioning that the LS03F may struggle with very weak signals – for example, from VHS tape recordings or low-resolution video. In such cases, we noticed slight clipping of the image at the edges – so-called overscan. This can lead to a situation where a small part of the image (e.g., subtitles at the bottom edge) gets cut off.

Blur and motion smoothness

4/10

6.9/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
No
OK
Blur reduction option
No
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Nie
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
43%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

The Philips PUS8560 is a television equipped with a panel featuring a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which immediately limits its capabilities in terms of displaying dynamic content. Watching sports or playing on a console is not particularly enjoyable. The situation is further worsened by the lack of any option to improve the smoothness of films. In the menu, we won't find settings that would allow us to enable a motion smoother or even a slight motion smoothing for films recorded at 24 frames per second. You can imagine the effect. The image can appear jerky, especially in shots with panoramic camera movements.

The new feature in The Frame for 2025 is a display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Yes – in a television that is mainly associated with displaying works of art, you can now not only watch Van Gogh but also comfortably play on a console or follow dynamic sports events. This is a definite step towards greater versatility. In the case of Samsung films, as usual in models with a display rate of 120 Hz and above, it allows you to adjust motion smoothness according to your preferences. You can set a more cinematic reproduction while maintaining frame rate or opt for full motion smoothing. The range of options is broad, allowing you to tailor the effect to your own taste – whether the viewing experience is meant to resemble classic cinema or a show on a modern theatre screen.

*this part of the test refers to the LS03FAU model in sizes 55 and 65 inches, which is equipped with a 144Hz panel, while sizes 43 and 50 inches have 60Hz displays, and thus perform much worse in terms of motion smoothness.

Console compatibility and gaming features

4.7/10

8.1/10

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

Although the Philips PUS8560 is not designed with gamers in mind, the manufacturer has decided to equip it with a few features that may prove useful when connecting a console. On board, we find automatic switching to game mode (ALLM), as well as a simple connection status information bar – the so-called Game Bar. It does not make a particularly strong visual impression, but it serves its purpose. The presence of variable refresh rate (VRR), operating in the range of 48 to 60 Hz, may come as a surprise. While this is not a wide range, in the case of less demanding games or titles with unstable frame rates, VRR can help reduce screen tearing. However, this is the only element that could be considered beyond the minimum.

It must be made clear that the PUS8560 is not equipment for gamers looking for a responsive screen and full support for modern console features. It lacks HDMI 2.1 ports, the refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz, and the response time of the panel is not among the fastest. This model may be suitable at most for casual gamers who want to enjoy the Ambilight system.

As we mentioned earlier – although The Frame is likely to display images and works of art most of the time, Samsung recognised that a Van Gogh enthusiast could just as easily be an avid gamer. And it must be admitted that The Frame 2025 has almost everything needed to become a full-fledged gaming television.

On board, we find support for ALLM (Automatic Low Latency Mode) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) thanks to the implementation of one HDMI 2.1 port. The television handles lower resolutions at higher refresh rates effortlessly and features an advanced Game Bar – already known from other Samsung models – which allows for a quick preview and change of the most important gaming-related settings. For this, it earns extra points from us. The proprietary motion smoother Auto Motion Plus Game is also worth mentioning, which – it is worth emphasising – operates without increasing input lag. Samsung remains the only manufacturer that has managed to implement this feature in a practically invisible manner in terms of delays. The effect? Much better fluidity in games, especially those that struggle to maintain a stable 60 frames per second. This solution can realistically improve the gaming experience in more demanding titles – particularly on consoles, which do not always manage full fluidity, especially in AAA games.

As for the downsides – the lack of Dolby Vision is already considered standard in Samsung televisions, so there is not much to particularly criticise here. However, there is a different issue entirely. In the latest version of the Tizen system, the HGiG option has disappeared. Literally – it is not there. This is a significant hindrance when configuring the console for proper HDR content display in games. It is hard to understand why such a decision was made, but one thing is certain – this should be fixed as soon as possible. We are talking about a brand that has set standards for gaming on televisions for years. If HGiG returns – and we hope it will – The Frame LS03F can confidently aspire to be called a genuine gaming television. Not just as a decoration on the wall, but as equipment that truly provides joy in gaming.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
13 ms
1080p120
8 ms
2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
8 ms

HDR

2160p60
12 ms
13 ms
2160p120
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
2160p120 DV

The input lag on the PUS8560 is very good. When we previously mentioned that this screen is rather for the "casual gamer," there is nothing to be ashamed of in this regard – even when compared to screens aimed at gamers. Results around 12 ms are truly outstanding, allowing for an enjoyable responsive gameplay experience. It doesn't matter whether we are playing in Full HD or 4K – the lag remains equally low, so if you value a quick response time, the PUS8560 will definitely not disappoint in this aspect.

In terms of input lag, Samsung maintains a high level – and a very high one at that. The LS03F, like most of this year's models from the brand, achieves a score of 8 ms for 4K content, which is practically a reference value. This result allows for gaming even in the most dynamic titles without delays and with full responsiveness. Well done!

Compatibility with PC

5.6/10

8.2/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Poor
Average
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
13ms
8ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
60Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
No
Yes

When it comes to working with a PC on the PUS8560, it looks... quite strange. Chroma 4:4:4 is present in "Monitor" mode, but there is a problem with grey fonts – not all subpixels are lit, which results in the text appearing jagged. On the other hand, in "Game" mode – chroma 4:4:4 disappears, but the grey fonts look correct. In practice, we are therefore forced to juggle settings if we want to have perfectly readable text at all times. And what about gaming on the computer? Our opinion remains the same as for consoles – it is doable, but without fireworks. There is no variable refresh rate for G-SYNC graphics cards, and the refresh rate itself remains relatively low. However, we can once again highlight the very low input lag, which saves the situation in dynamic games.

The collaboration of The Frame 2025 with a computer is not a significant problem. Let's start with gaming, as this is where this model demonstrates its strengths – support for 144 Hz signal, low input lag, and compatibility with G-Sync technology (for NVIDIA cards) make it hard not to regard it as a fully-fledged gaming monitor. It is one of the more interesting "PC gaming" televisions available on the market in this category.

When it comes to everyday work, the situation looks equally good. The Frame handles chroma 4:4:4 without any issues, resulting in good font readability and overall user comfort. We only noticed minor problems with dimming very thin lines and dark details on a light background – this effect may occur especially when working with small interface elements. However, in practice, with a 55-inch diagonal screen and standard office working distance, it will be difficult to realistically notice this problem. Nonetheless, it is worth keeping this in mind if the television is to serve as a monitor not only for entertainment but also for precise work with graphics or text.

Viewing angles

3.3/10

3.5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
68%
70%

The viewing angles on the PUS8560 are precisely what one would expect from a VA panel - it's not the best. The image loses quality even with a slight shift off-axis – colours become washed out and black begins to resemble a dark navy. This is, of course, the price paid for the better contrast that VA offers when viewed directly. In the case of our 55-inch model, this is still acceptable, especially if the television is positioned perfectly opposite the sofa. However, with larger screen sizes or a less central placement in the living room – it could become a problem for comfortable viewing.

As could be expected from a VA panel, the viewing angles on The Frame 2025 are at best mediocre. The image loses saturation and contrast when moved off-axis. It's a pity because we are talking about a model that displays digital artworks in standby mode – and it is precisely in such moments that wide viewing angles would make the most sense, enhancing the experience of engaging with a real image rather than just its screen imitation.

Perhaps in the future, manufacturers will decide to introduce special coatings or modified versions of VA panels that improve this aspect – because for lifestyle televisions, it would have real significance not only in terms of functionality but also aesthetics.

TV efficiency during daytime

4.9/10

6.3/10

Matrix coating
Satin
Matte
Reflection suppression
Decent
Very Good
Black levels during daytime
Good
Poor

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F): 596 cd/m2

Philips PUS8500 : 331 cd/m2

The PUS8560 performs moderately during the day. The satin matrix coating quite effectively dampens reflections, which means that light from windows or lamps does not interfere too much. The blacks also look decent for a VA panel – even in daylight, there are no significant losses in contrast. However, all the charm fades when it gets really bright. The panel's brightness is around 300 nits, which is definitely too little to speak of full comfort in a heavily lit room. In such conditions, the PUS8560 simply needs to be aided by blinds – otherwise, the image begins to look rather pale.

One of the most characteristic elements of The Frame is its matte display – and it must be said that Samsung has really refined this aspect. From our experience, it is one of the best solutions for suppressing light reflections, especially direct ones. If screen reflections can be irritating, it will be difficult to find a better display in this budget than the matte panel used in Samsung TVs. Of course, this comes with a certain compromise. In very bright sunlight, colours may appear slightly washed out, and the image loses a bit of depth. However, it is something we consciously accept when choosing a matte screen – something for something. In practice, the colours and contrast on Samsung's matte screen are still better than on Chinese designs such as the TCL NXT Vision or Hisense Canvas TV. If effective suppression of reflections and the desire to use the television also as a "digital picture" in bright rooms is a priority, then there is hardly a better choice.

The Frame achieves around 600 nits of brightness, which combined with the matte finish allows the television to perform well in brightly lit daytime conditions. It may not be at the level of flagship models, but in everyday use – in a living room with plenty of light – it handles it without any problems.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
PFS LED
QLED
Software version during testing
TPN256E_V056.002.127.051
T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.7, E2500007, BT-S
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Philips PUS8500

Samsung The Frame 2025 (LS03F)

TV features

4.9/10

8/10

  • HDMI inputs
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1 40Gbps
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz
  • 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 at the screen)
    Infrared
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    Yes
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    No
    Yes

Smart features:

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

Classic TV Features:

If you are looking for a television that "works" in the most basic sense – the PUS8560 will fulfil that role. In terms of classic features, we have a rather minimalist set. On the plus side, there is an electronic programme guide (EPG), teletext, a backlit remote control with a classic numeric keypad, and a headphone jack input. It sounds a bit like a dream set for seniors – and there is some truth to that. However, it must be stated clearly: this is a television with very limited capabilities. We will not find recording functions from DVB tuners to USB here, nor is there a PiP mode or other conveniences known from more expensive models.

Smart TV:

How does the SmartTV perform on the PUS8560? Well, this is where it gets a bit more complicated. The PUS8560 runs on the Titan OS, which in this particular implementation posed significant problems. Some features, although present "on paper," simply did not work. For example: Wireless screen mirroring functions, such as Chromecast or Miracast – we tried to activate them from several different phones and laptops… without success. Perhaps this will be fixed in the future, but at the time of testing – it did not work. Additionally, the system's speed left much to be desired – switching between applications or home screens was simply slow. A considerable portion of the menu functions seems to be well hidden in the depths of a poorly organised system. To make matters worse, the library of available applications is quite limited. Even though the situation with applications is better than last year, it is still far from ideal. The situation tries to be salvaged by a modern remote – slim, elegant, backlit, and really well made. Unfortunately, it operates on classic infrared, so you have to aim it at the screen. The only exception is voice control, which works via Bluetooth… it’s just a pity that it doesn’t support Polish.

Classic Television Features

In terms of classic features, The Frame does not stand out particularly from the competition. There are no options for recording to USB or PiP (picture-in-picture) functionality, which may be disappointing for some users. On the other hand, the television allows for simultaneous use of speakers and headphones, which can be useful – especially for older users. The EPG, or electronic programme guide, is quite readable, and despite the lack of conventional buttons on the remote, we were able to access teletext. In everyday use, the basic functions operate smoothly and without significant complaints.

Smart System – Tizen and Applications

The Frame 2025 runs on the Tizen system, which has long been regarded as one of the most refined Smart TV solutions on the market. This system is designed with the idea that devices are more than just a television – and it has been constructed with that spirit in mind. Tizen offers full integration with external devices – supporting both Apple AirPlay and Miracast. With the SmartThings app, it is possible to control not only the television but also other devices within the smart home framework. Since last year, Samsung has also been developing its own voice assistant with support for the Polish language, which significantly facilitates operation. However, the greatest strength of the Smart system in The Frame remains the Art Gallery application. Although access to it is paid (in the form of a subscription), it offers the best scans of works of art available on the market – referring to scans, not ordinary photographs. As a result, the effect of a digital painting hanging on the wall is markedly better than in any other lifestyle television.

Playing files from USB

8/10

8.5/10

Supported photo formats:

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

Maximum photo resolution:

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

The PUS8560 handles the playback of most popular video and audio formats from a USB memory stick without any major issues, so there’s no point in detailing the compatibilities one by one. In everyday use, it should simply work – and it does. The only thing worth noting is the handling of images. Although the television easily recognises popular file extensions, there are instances when some images simply do not display when the graphic files have very high resolutions. This may not be a huge problem, but it’s good to keep it in mind, especially if we want to view photographs straight from the camera. Apart from that, the PUS8560 shouldn’t pose any significant issues with playing files from USB.

During testing, we did not notice any major issues with playing files from a USB memory stick. The television handled both video materials and photos well. Of course, there are some exceptions – for example, a lack of support for the HEIC format (used by Apple devices) – but it is difficult to consider this surprising. One positive aspect is the full support for high-resolution photos – the television displays files with a high number of megapixels without any problems, which may be particularly significant for those looking to treat The Frame as a digital frame as well. However, during testing, we noticed a limitation regarding subtitles – the television only correctly handled files in .txt format. It is worth keeping this in mind and ensuring that the downloaded subtitles for films are saved in this format; otherwise, they may simply not display.

Apps

4.6/10

8.3/10

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

Sound

6.2/10

6/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    6.2/10
    6/10
  • 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

The television sounds quite pleasant and can confidently be regarded as having sufficient sound levels for most users – both for watching everyday programmes and for an evening viewing of a series. Moreover, a pleasant surprise is that even in this budget-friendly series, Philips has chosen to acquire licenses for full audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS. This is great news for owners of home cinemas and soundbars, as it means full compatibility and no need to "fiddle around" with connecting external devices.

For such a slim television, the sound is quite good. It is full, sufficient for everyday viewing, but without much excitement – typical for flat constructions. There is little bass, although at times it can be heard. The speakers in a 2.0.2 arrangement have a total power of 40 W (in the 55+ inch version). Unfortunately, the television does not support the DTS format, so for films with that sound, one has to rely on external equipment, such as a home cinema. A soundbar can be connected, and thanks to the Q-Symphony feature, the television plays along with it. Samsung also offers visually matched models for The Frame like S700D or S800D, but they are sold separately. (This shouldn’t surprise anyone😉).