Compare: Samsung Neo QLED QN95D vs Philips PUS8209

The Samsung QN95D immediately made a great impression on us. Right from the start, we felt that the Tizen system is intuitive and quick. The fast access to streaming applications such as PrimeVideo, Netflix, and MAX, as well as the ability to integrate with the SmartThings ecosystem, makes using the television simply convenient. The solar remote is a clever solution – eco-friendly and practical, as it allows control of other devices, such as a decoder (e.g. Canal+) or soundbar. While watching films and series, we quickly noticed how much of a difference the MiniLED technology makes. Thanks to the precisely functioning backlight zones, the picture gained incredible depth - which was confirmed by our contrast tests. The blacks are truly deep, and bright scenes using HDR stand out with excellent detail despite the lack of Dolby Vision. Additionally, the high brightness combined with the anti-reflective coating allows for comfortable viewing even in a sunlit room. When we played on this television, we immediately appreciated the low input lag and the fluidity of the image. The 144 Hz panel and support for HDMI 2.1 guaranteed dynamic and responsive gameplay, regardless of the game. All these features made every gaming session pure pleasure, especially in dynamic titles where precision and lack of delays matter. In terms of design - which is worth mentioning for this television - the QN95D simply looks great. The slim housing, solid central stand, and Ambient Mode function, which allows the screen to blend into the room's decor, give it an elegant touch. The included camera is an interesting addition that can be useful during video calls or when using interactive applications – like personal training through the Daily+ tab. However, for such, let’s be honest, an expensive piece of equipment, there are a few downsides. The lack of a recording function and support for sound in DTS:X format may be a problem for users seeking this feature. Nevertheless, the Samsung QN95D is a television that combines exceptional picture quality, functionality, and elegant design. The MiniLED backlighting makes a real difference here, especially if we care about deep blacks, high contrast, and excellent brightness. This is a device that will perform well during movie screenings, dynamic gaming, and everyday television watching.

The Philips PUS8209 is a model that stands out primarily for its unique Ambilight system. The three-sided wall lighting behind the television dynamically adjusts to the picture, adding an extraordinary atmosphere when watching films or playing games. This solution, for which Philips is renowned, makes a difference and could be a great choice for those looking for something more unconventional in everyday use. In terms of picture quality, the television performs quite well, especially in this price range. The VA panel provides solid contrast and decent blacks, which works particularly well in the evening in dimly lit rooms. Watching films in such conditions is genuinely enjoyable, although the screen brightness (280 nits) leaves much to be desired – in bright rooms, the image can appear washed out, and HDR content does not make a significant impression. When it comes to gaming, the PUS8209 also has some advantages. Support for VRR, ALLM, and a low input lag of 13 ms ensures that gameplay is smooth and responsive. Of course, this is not equipment for advanced gamers, but for those who occasionally pick up a controller, it should suffice. The biggest downside is the Titan OS operating system. Many popular applications are lacking, and the interface does not always function as smoothly as one would wish. The remote control, which requires aiming at the television, can be irritating, especially in situations where quick operation is expected. In summary: the Philips PUS8209 is a television that will perform well for basic applications. Ambilight adds uniqueness and enhances the atmosphere during viewing. In everyday use or occasional gaming, it manages, but its limitations – particularly in screen brightness and operating system – may be problematic for more demanding users. If one is looking for simple equipment with an unusual visual addition, this model is worth considering.

Samsung QN95D is a television that certainly attracts attention thanks to the use of a VA panel and innovative Mini LED backlighting. This model stands out with an impressive number of 1344 local dimming zones, achieving an exceptional level of contrast and black depth. It is worth noting that the number of backlighting zones may vary depending on the screen size – in larger models, these zones naturally increase, allowing for even better performance in terms of contrast and black levels. Mini LED, with smaller diodes, enables more precise control of backlighting, significantly enhancing the quality of the displayed image. The tested 55-inch model handles detail reproduction excellently, and its ability to adjust brightness in different parts of the screen results in a phenomenal visual effect. During our tests, Samsung QN95D on the test pattern from the film "Oblivion" surprised us with results that could compete with OLED televisions, offering nearly reference-level contrast. However, how does the television perform in more challenging conditions? In more demanding scenes, the local dimming algorithm may show some flaws. In some cases, on dark backgrounds, smaller bright elements may lose a lot of brightness, which we noticed during tests with the Pioneer Kuro test disc. Additionally, when we take a closer look (e.g. a scene from the film Sicario 2), some imperfections can be observed. The television sometimes struggles with brightness optimisation – in some scenes, it dims elements too much, while in others, it brightens the screen too intensely. These phenomena can be noticeable enough to capture the viewer's attention, especially in demanding night scenes. However, if we do not pay much attention to the mentioned imperfections, Samsung QN95D proves to be one of the best choices in terms of black depth among displays with MiniLED technology.

Philips PUS8209 pleasantly surprised us in terms of contrast, which is truly solid for its price range. Thanks to the use of a VA panel, a contrast level of 8000:1 has been achieved, which is considered an excellent result in this price category. In tests using scenes from the film Oblivion, the television performed well, providing visible light separation. Three independent light sources in the test scene were portrayed without significant issues. Similarly, in the case of the film Sicario 2, where the blacks, although not perfect, appear decent enough to allow for the distinction of details in the darker parts of the image. The lack of local dimming technology is noticeable, however, the manufacturer has implemented a "global dimming" function. This mechanism enables the television to automatically darken or brighten the entire screen depending on the content, which somewhat improves the perception of contrast. Philips PUS8209 offers solid contrast and decent results in tests. Although it lacks the precision of local dimming, its capabilities at this price are satisfactory and will meet the needs of most users.

Samsung QN95D handles HDR exceptionally well, achieving a peak brightness of around 2000 nits. In the tested movie scenes, where the screen is fully lit, the television provides intense and realistic representation of HDR content, significantly enhancing the visual experience. Nevertheless, similar to contrast, the dimming algorithm may sometimes show limitations. Despite the considerable number of Mini LED zones, the television does not surprise the user with incredible brightness. For instance, in scenes from the film "Life of Pi," where a bright moon appears against a dark background, and in excerpts from "Sicario 2," where a strong light effect occurs on a dark background, the television displays very poor results. At such moments, the television attempts to reduce the halo effect by darkening the image to a level reminiscent of SDR quality. As a result, blacks appear deep and uniform, but this comes at the cost of losing some detail in bright areas. It is a compromise aimed at maintaining the best possible quality of black, although it simultaneously causes the image to lose a bit of its dynamism. Despite certain flaws in the operation of the local dimming algorithm, this television deserves praise for its wide coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. This is made possible by the use of a quantum dot coating, also known as QLED technology, which allows for vibrant and rich colours.

Unfortunately, this is where the problems begin. A maximum brightness of 280 nits is definitely too low to feel the true effect of HDR. In practice, the image resembles standard SDR more, so it’s hard to speak of deeper visual experiences. On the positive side, the colour gamut coverage is commendable – 91.4% DCI-P3 is a score that will be sufficient for most films. It must also be said that the image is stable and there are no issues with sudden changes in brightness or colours. Overall, HDR on this television is more of a formality than an actual added value. If we are looking for genuine HDR thrills, this model may not meet expectations.

In the category of factory colour reproduction, the television Samsung QN95D was tested in Filmmaker mode, which offers the best settings from the manufacturer. Nevertheless, it is not entirely free from flaws. In the case of HD content, there is a noticeable colour deviation, particularly in white balance, where the red colour clearly dominates the graph. The situation improves with 4K HDR content; however, there are still significant drops in blue colour reproduction. These effects can be observed in a scene from the film "Star Wars," where the protagonist is depicted in overly warm tones.

As for contrast, we can observe an initial large jump on the gamma graph, indicating that the television effectively highlights the brighter parts of the image. However, at the end of the graph, we notice a distinct drop, which may mean that in darker tones, details can be lost. Such a shape of the gamma curve can affect the way users perceive dark scenes, where some details may become too blurred or too dark, causing the image to lose clarity. It is also worth noting the curve responsible for brightness (EOTF), which is quite correct, except for the initial drop.

Although Samsung QN95D boasts impressive parameters and advanced technologies to deserve the title of one of the best televisions on the market, it requires certain adjustments in colour reproduction and contrast to fully utilise its potential.

Philips PUS8209 offers many picture modes, but the best of them, without a doubt, is the Filmmaker mode. Despite its proud name, it has its clear problems. In the case of HD content, the white balance is characterised by a strong dominance of red, which causes the picture to be significantly warmer than it should be in reality. The brightness characteristic (gamma), although correct in the mid-tones, has serious issues at the beginning and end of the curve. Drops in the shadows cause a loss of detail in the dark areas, and blowouts in the bright areas make some elements look unnatural.

For high-quality 4K HDR content, the situation reverses. In this case, blue dominates, leading to an artificial enhancement effect, reminiscent of unnatural retail settings. Such an image looks unattractive and inconsistent with the creators' intentions. An additional problem is the EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in HDR materials. It deviates significantly from the reference chart, causing the image to appear too dark, robbing the depth and detail of HDR content.

Against this backdrop, errors in the Color Checker test and deviations in colour palette reproduction are exceptionally large, which further negatively impacts the overall image quality. The Filmmaker mode, although the best among the available options, requires substantial corrections to fully convey the director's vision.

After calibration, the picture on the Samsung QN95D television achieves truly impressive results. The white balance is perfectly aligned, and error readings rarely exceed 2, which means that colours are displayed very accurately. Most samples from the Color Checker test fall within an acceptable error range, confirming that the television reproduces hues excellently. The contrast has also improved significantly, and the gamma curve is more stable, resulting in better visibility of details in both dark and bright scenes. However, it is worth noting the EOTF (Electro-Optical Transfer Function) curve, which shows some discrepancies in film tests. Although the television performs well in most scenes, details in the blacks can still be lost in more extreme cases – this is due to an aggressive dimming algorithm.

Nevertheless, these minor imperfections do not detract from the overall picture quality. After calibration, the Samsung QN95D impresses with its visual quality, offering an exceptional experience that will certainly satisfy anyone looking for a top-tier television.

After calibration, the white balance for HD and 4K content has significantly improved. Although we have not achieved a perfectly flat characteristic, the effect is definitely better than before. The picture on the television no longer appears artificially warm or excessively cold, which significantly enhances the naturalness of the displayed content. The brightness characteristic (gamma) has also been adjusted – the biggest issues at the beginning and end of the graph have been mitigated. The EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in 4K HDR material, has been stabilised, eliminating problems with excessive dimming of the image. In the colour palette test, some imperfections can still be noticed due to average coverage of the wide colour gamut, which is a limitation of the equipment itself. Nevertheless, the final effect is clearly better than before calibration – the image looks more natural and approaches the expectations of the Filmmaker mode.

The fluidity of tonal transitions is one of the strongest points of the Samsung QN95D television, which received a very high rating in this category. Such results are rarely seen in televisions that offer such high brightness. Thanks to the precise operation of the panel, tonal transitions are exceptionally smooth and natural. The only noticeable shortcomings might be slight errors around the blacks, but they are subtle enough that most users are unlikely to notice them. This makes the Samsung QN95D an excellent choice for those who value image quality and detail, especially in scenes with complex lighting.

The Philips PUS8209 presents a decent gradient in bright scenes, where tonal transitions are smooth enough not to be noticeable. Unfortunately, in darker scenes, such as red water, the television clearly struggles. Issues with blending shades and a lack of precision in reproducing subtle colour differences are very apparent here.

The Samsung QN95D television handles tonal transitions even in lower quality materials, thanks to the noise reduction feature employed, which functions like a gentle gradation. This feature is extremely effective, smoothing out the image and eliminating unwanted noise while significantly improving the quality of the displayed material. However, as is often the case, too much effectiveness can lead to unintended side effects. In some materials, this feature may also blur elements that should remain sharp, such as film grain.

Despite this, the television performs well in the context of image scaling, eliminating larger jagged edges. In a scene where branches are visible, they are not excessively artificially sharpened, allowing for a natural appearance, and the model does not have an artificial outline. Overall, this means that even in more challenging conditions, the film material presents itself satisfactorily on the Samsung QN95D. The only downside when watching HD/SD content (such as regular terrestrial television) is the fact that we have a slightly cropped image – this is caused by the so-called overscan, which cannot be turned off.

The television offers a "Distortion Reduction" feature that effectively improves the gradation of tonal transitions, especially when set to the minimum level. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost – the feature simultaneously smooths out details such as the texture of materials. On the positive side, it is worth noting that the operation of this option does not negatively affect film grain, which remains intact.

As for image scaling (upscaling), the television generates a plastic, soft image that generally looks pleasant. However, in the background, one can sometimes notice issues with aliasing on certain elements, such as branches or fine details, which can lower the quality of reception. Despite these minor imperfections, the overall experience of scaling is satisfactory.

The panel in Samsung QN95 performs very well in terms of motion blur and smoothness of movement. With a refresh rate of 120 Hz and features for reducing blur and judder, the picture settings can be customised to personal preferences, whether for watching films or for dynamic sports broadcasts. The user has the option to adjust the smoothness of the image on a 10-point scale – from a more frame-like appearance reminiscent of traditional film to a smooth, almost theatrical effect, which works particularly well for sports transmissions.

The 60 Hz panel in the Philips PUS8209 is mainly suitable for watching films, but there is still a sense of something missing. The television does not offer any motion smoother that would allow users to adjust the fluidity of the picture to their individual preferences, which can be disappointing for some users.

Samsung QN95D offers quite a few features that gamers will appreciate. First and foremost, the television supports variable refresh rate (VRR), which allows for smoother gameplay, eliminating issues with tearing, especially during dynamic scenes. We also find the auto low latency mode (ALLM) feature, which automatically switches the television to low latency mode when it detects a connected console or computer, ensuring more responsive controls.

Furthermore, the QN95D Samsung has a game mode that reduces input lag to a very low level, which is crucial in games where reflexes play an important role. With a high refresh rate of 120 Hz, the picture is exceptionally smooth, significantly enhancing the experience of fast-paced action games and sports productions. The television also supports G-Sync and FreeSync technologies, which further enhance gameplay smoothness and improve user comfort. An interesting addition is the 'Game Bar' – a special menu that provides quick access to all game-related settings, allowing easy adjustments of picture and parameters to suit user preferences without the need to interrupt gameplay.

Although the Samsung QN95D does not support Dolby Vision – which is quite obvious for Samsung televisions – it does offer the HGiG feature, which ensures appropriate picture quality in HDR games, in line with the creators' vision.

The Philips PUS8209 offers basic features useful for gamers, such as variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic low latency mode (ALLM), and a Game Bar that makes managing settings easier.

Unfortunately, due to the 60 Hz panel, the television will not meet the expectations of more demanding gamers who are counting on higher smoothness and image precision. Additionally, this model does not support any HDR mode dedicated to gaming, such as HGiG or Dolby Vision, which further limits its capabilities in this regard.

QN95D Samsung stands out with excellent input lag performance, achieving values below 15 ms. This is an impressive result that is not dependent on resolution or refresh rate. With such low latency, gamers can enjoy the TV's instant response to their commands, which is crucial in dynamic games. Whether we are playing 4K titles at 120 Hz or lower resolution games, the QN95D ensures exceptional gameplay smoothness and precise motion rendering. Such a level of responsiveness makes the TV an ideal choice for any avid gamer.

The input lag in the Philips PUS8209 is one of its strongest points. With a value of around 13 ms, the television provides a very quick response time, which should please most gamers, both casual and more advanced. This result allows for comfortable gameplay even in dynamic games.

In the category of collaboration with a PC, the Samsung QN95D television stands out with its high performance, offering support for 4:4:4 chroma and impressively low input lag. Thanks to these features, users can enjoy fluidity and responsiveness, making it an ideal choice for office work or everyday applications. However, one noticeable issue is the poor visibility of horizontal lines on a dark background. In the test image on the right, it is evident that the letters resemble vertical lines, which can be somewhat frustrating. Nonetheless, the television generally offers good compatibility with a computer, and users can expect comfortable operation in their daily tasks.

On paper, cooperation with a PC seems promising, especially thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4, which should ensure good font readability and detail reproduction. In practice, however, the television has significant issues with displaying text, particularly on dark backgrounds, where the so-called pixelation is clearly visible, negatively affecting work comfort.

Additionally, the lack of support for technologies such as G-Sync means that the smoothness of gameplay when connected to a PC leaves much to be desired, making this model less attractive for users looking for a television for gaming on a computer.

In the case of TVs with VA panels, one can usually expect limited viewing angles; however, QN95D Samsung surprises in this category. Thanks to the applied coating that widens viewing angles, the TV offers really good performance, which is rarely seen in devices with this type of panel. Although VA panels are usually not the best in this regard, in this model, the picture remains clear and vivid even when viewed from the side, making it an excellent choice for larger rooms and group watching.

The viewing angles on the Philips PUS8209 are poor, which is typical for a VA panel. When viewing at an angle, the brightness of the image drops significantly, and the colours lose their depth, which can greatly affect viewing comfort, especially in larger groups or in an unusual setting of the television in relation to the viewer.

In the daytime performance category, QN95D Samsung, despite using a glossy panel, may struggle with highly visible reflections on the screen. As seen in the photo on the right, the lamp disperses to the left and right, which is a result of the anti-reflective coating used. However, overall this coating performs very well when the television displays any colours other than black, where reflections become more noticeable. It is worth noting that the television achieves very high brightness for SDR content, exceeding 650 nits, which provides comfortable viewing even in bright rooms.

The Philips PUS8209 is equipped with a satin matrix coating, which only moderately reduces reflections, which may be insufficient in brightly lit rooms. However, the biggest problem is the low brightness level of 280 nits. In practice, this means that watching content during the day, especially in strong sunlight, can be a challenge, as the picture appears too dark to ensure comfortable use.

The Tizen system in Samsung televisions is characterised by simplicity and speed of operation. The central point of the interface is the "Smart Hub," which allows for quick access to the most important applications and recommended content, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video. Tizen also supports the Multi View function, allowing for simultaneous viewing of several image sources. Integration with AirPlay enables easy content sharing from Apple devices, and there is voice control in Polish. Users can control the television, search for content, and perform other operations using voice commands, which significantly facilitates the daily use of the device. One of the most distinctive elements of Samsung QN95D is the included Slim Fit camera, which offers functionality that goes beyond the standards of other models currently on the market. Thanks to the applied "POGO" connector, the camera can be easily connected directly to the television. It allows for video calls and personal training functions using the camera. This innovative approach opens up new possibilities for users in terms of interaction with the television.

It is also worth mentioning the solar remote control, which is an eco-friendly solution—it does not require battery replacement as it charges using solar energy. This remote is also universal, allowing control of other devices, such as the Canal+ decoder, without the need for additional remotes. This is a significant convenience that enhances user comfort. Features dedicated to users of traditional television include picture-in-picture (PIP), allowing for the simultaneous viewing of two programmes. However, the lack of recording functionality may be a disappointment, as this could be a drawback for some users.

The Philips PUS8209 uses the Titan OS operating system, which, while simple to use, remains limited in terms of functionality. The number of available applications is small compared to more developed ecosystems such as Google TV, which can be disappointing for users accustomed to broader capabilities. Additionally, the lack of support for AirPlay restricts compatibility with Apple devices, reducing the flexibility of the television for content streaming. Although the remote control is interesting, it requires aiming at the screen, which may not appeal to everyone.

The absence of more advanced features, such as PiP (Picture-in-Picture) or programme recording, further limits the device's capabilities in everyday use.

The Philips PUS8209 is a television that draws attention with its interesting solution in the form of a three-sided Ambilight system, which is a dynamic backlighting of the wall behind the television that adapts its colours and intensity to the content displayed on the screen. This effect creates an impression of greater depth of image and enhances immersion, especially in dimly lit rooms. Unfortunately, its potential is limited by the Titan OS operating system, which leaves much to be desired. The limited number of applications and lack of support for popular features such as AirPlay can be a significant drawback for more demanding users. Although Ambilight distinguishes this model from the competition, shortcomings in the operating system greatly affect the overall functionality of the television.

The built-in player in the Samsung QN95D television is undoubtedly one of its stronger points. It handles almost all video and audio file formats that we tested exceptionally well. The exception is the lack of support for Dolby Vision, which aligns with Samsung's policy, and less popular codecs. A significant advantage is the support for Polish characters in subtitles and the ability to customise font colours, which greatly improves the comfort of watching content with subtitles. A downside may be the limited support for photo formats – the television mainly supports JPEG, and there is a lack of support for more advanced formats such as PNG or Apple HEIC.

The built-in media player in the Philips PUS8209 performs well in everyday use. It handles Polish characters in subtitles without any issues and allows for the adjustment of colour and font size, which significantly enhances the comfort of using this feature. More demanding users may notice some shortcomings in the supported file formats; however, for most applications in daily use, this player should be completely sufficient.

The sound in Samsung QN95D is at a very good level thanks to the 4.2.2 system with a power of 70W. It provides clear, crisp audio, and the bass is well-balanced, which works well both for watching films and gaming. The support for Dolby Atmos adds a spatial effect, allowing for a fuller audio experience. However, there is a lack of support for DTS, which is a typical feature for Samsung TVs, but it may be a downside for those attached to that format. Overall, the sound performs very well and should meet the needs of most users.

The sound in the Philips PUS8209 can be described as average, typical for televisions in this price range. The speakers with a power of 2x10 W do not offer exceptional quality or depth; however, they are sufficient for everyday television viewing. On the positive side, it is worth noting the wide range of supported audio codecs, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS, which can significantly enhance audio quality when combined with external sound systems, such as soundbars or home cinema sets.

Samsung Neo QLED QN95D vs Philips PUS8209

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound