Michał Wołoszyn
If you are following the television market, you definitely remember the moment a few years ago when Philips (TP Vision) suddenly "parted ways" with the Ambilight+Hue feature. For many fans of the brand, it was a shock – a feature that allowed colors from behind the television to extend throughout the living room using smart bulbs suddenly disappeared from new models. Meanwhile, Samsung and LG struck deals with Signify (the manufacturer of Philips Hue) and introduced paid applications for light synchronization. Philips lagged behind, but the year 2026 brings a long-awaited response. The feature returns under a new name, AmbiScape, and, most importantly, it is no longer limited to just one, expensive lighting brand.
The new AmbiScape system is largely thanks to the development of the proprietary TitanOS. Philips needed some time to transition to its own software and recreate what worked on Android a few years ago. Instead of locking itself into a single ecosystem, AmbiScape will initially support bulbs from Wiz, NanoLeaf, Ikea (Trådfri), and of course Philips Hue. This is great news, as it allows the creation of an immersive home theater without spending a fortune on the most expensive bulbs on the market.
How does it work?
The biggest headache for light synchronization systems has always been the delay. Philips claims that in the AmbiScape system, the delay between what we see on the screen and the reaction of external bulbs is around 0.5 seconds. This means that the glow on the wall and the light in the lamp next to the sofa should respond almost simultaneously. The system will allow for the connection of four additional light points.
The configuration process is to be maximally simplified. A QR code is displayed on the television screen, we scan it with our phone, and using a simple wizard, we indicate where in the room a particular lamp is located. We can also choose the mode of operation: classic video tracking, music mode (reacting to sound), or set one solid color for the entire room. Interestingly, this feature will be available not only for televisions but also for monitors from the Philips Evnia series.
Who will get AmbiScape and when?
In 2026, the AmbiScape feature will be a standard in almost the entire manufacturer's offering. The system will be found in all OLED models from the 2026 lineup, the new flagship Mini-LED 981 (the one with the RGB panel), and in all televisions from the 8000 series and above. If you own a model from the end of 2025, you may have already seen a test version of this feature, as the manufacturer has quietly been testing it.
AmbiScape is a clear signal that Philips has regained its confidence in the fight against Samsung and LG. Instead of forcing users to purchase the expensive Hue Sync application or (heavens forbid!) the Hue adapter, they offer a free tool that will "synchronize" with the most popular and cheapest bulbs on the market. It's a return to the roots of Ambilight, but in an open version. And honestly? This is exactly the decision we were waiting for from the engineers at TP Vision.
