Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 vs Hisense U7Q

Direct compare

The Xtra / PML9019 / PML9059 / PML9009 / PML9049 / AMBILIGHT TV

Info

U7Q / U78Q

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”100”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Titan OS

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: VIDAA

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

6.8

7.2

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.5

    6.7

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.3

    6.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.6

    6.5

  • Gaming on console

    8.5

    8.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    6.1

    6.2

  • Utility functions

    6.0

    8.9

  • Apps

    6.2

    7.7

  • Sound quality

    6.7

    7.2

Advantages

  • Superb tonal quality of scenes exceeding the capabilities of the television

  • Well-functioning dynamic tone mapping feature

  • Colour reproduction after calibration

  • Performance when connected to a console/PC

  • Great contrast and deep black

  • Very good smoothness of tonal transitions (close to reference level)

  • High brightness

  • Supports 4K 144 Hz and even 240 Hz in Full HD

  • VRR, ALLM, G-SYNC – a full package for gamers

  • Low input lag

  • Pleasant sound with a light bass

  • Many classic TV functions built into the VIDAA system

Disadvantages

No like
  • Significant halo/bloom effect

  • Poor viewing angles

  • TitanOs system is not as advanced as the competition

  • Average contrast and black levels

  • Lack of support for HGiG (hinders HDR setup on consoles)

  • Brightness management issues

  • Poor viewing angles – typical for VA panels

  • Closed VIDAA system – missing some applications

Our verdict

The Philips PML 9009 is the brand's flagship LCD television with Mini LED backlighting. It boasts impressive build quality, a stylish remote, and Philips' unique multicoloured Ambilight feature. In terms of picture quality, black levels and contrast could be improved—they don’t quite match the depth and vibrancy offered by similarly priced competitors. However, thanks to effective image algorithms, tonal quality remains satisfying. The screen’s relatively low brightness is well managed, and the inclusion of Dolby Vision provides a gateway to HDR content. The TV’s smooth colour transitions are noteworthy, surpassing some higher-end models. The PML 9009 truly excels in gaming performance, offering an experience that will please any gamer. Its motion-smoothing system also deserves praise, with two adjustable sliders allowing users to select their preferred smoothing level, making it a solid choice for sports viewing. Although the TitanOS operating system is still evolving and lacks a wide range of apps, the manufacturer is expected to address this over time.

The Hisense U7Q is one of the most interesting Mini-LED televisions in its price segment, clearly showing that Hisense is really starting to matter in the market not only because of the price-to-capabilities ratio but also due to its increasingly refined picture quality. Let’s start with what truly impresses: the contrast and black levels are at a level that was recently unattainable in this price range. Combined with smooth tonal transitions, solid brightness, and a fast 144 Hz panel, the U7Q becomes a television that excels in both movies and gaming. Gamers will find nearly everything they could expect here – variable refresh rate (VRR) support, auto low latency mode (ALLM), very low input lag, and even 240 Hz in Full HD. All of this means that the U7Q will perform well with both next-generation consoles and PCs. However, it is not without its weaknesses. With HDR content, one might want to say: "untapped potential" – you may ask why? The television’s algorithms dim small bright elements or overly boost them, which can spoil the viewing experience. There is also a lack of support for HGiG, which is a feature that would better synchronize the console with the television for HDR. In summary, briefly – the Hisense U7Q is a very versatile and complete television that has its imperfections but makes up for them in many key aspects. For gamers, for occasional movie watchers, for someone looking for good equipment for everyday use – it is one of the most cost-effective propositions in 2025. One just needs to know what compromises they are signing up for – and then it will be hard to be disappointed.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
BuildQuality-Good
BuildQuality-Good
Stand type
Legs
Central
Stand type
stand-type-Graphite
stand-type-Graphite
Stand
stand-Fixed
stand-Fixed
Accessories
accessories-Stand
accessories-Stand

Contrast and black detail

6.6/10

7.5/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 75 (15 x 5)

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 220 (10 x 22)

Contrast:

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

132,000:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

16,550:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

14,450:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

7,850:1

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Contrast and black detail

Result

6,650:1

Review Hisense U7Q Contrast and black detail

Result

278,000:1

Review Hisense U7Q Contrast and black detail

Result

28,800:1

Review Hisense U7Q Contrast and black detail

Result

11,100:1

Review Hisense U7Q Contrast and black detail

Result

10,800:1

Review Hisense U7Q Contrast and black detail

Result

6,250:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The Philips PML9009 features a high-contrast VA panel. While it doesn’t produce the same depth and dimensionality as OLED displays, it remains a solid choice for home cinema, outperforming IPS/ADS panels in this regard. The measured static contrast ratio, at 6000:1 without local dimming, is commendable and showcases the Mini LED backlighting capabilities of this model. Though the contrast and black level measurements aren’t among the highest, the television performed well in certain scenes, such as Oblivion, where it effectively separated light – an achievement not always seen in much pricier units. Testing was conducted at medium power dimming; the lowest dimming level didn’t achieve satisfactory black levels, while the highest setting led to detail loss. Unfortunately, our test with The Revenant highlighted some issues. While background details were clear, the dimming zones disrupted the overall tonal balance, resulting in a noticeable halo effect around the subtitles.

The U7Q is a television with Mini-LED backlighting – just like the PRO version. The difference? The version without the suffix simply has fewer dimming zones. In our 65-inch model with a VA panel, we counted 220 of them. And although this doesn't make as much of an impression as in the U7Q PRO, it still looks very good on paper for this price range. Alright, but how does it perform in practice? Surprisingly well. The contrast in the U7Q can reach up to 300,000:1, which provides a really solid black effect. In many scenes, it's hard to find fault – the image has depth, and the highlights are well separated. Of course, Mini-LED is not OLED – so there are certain limitations. In very challenging scenes with a lot of dark details, the television sometimes either "eats" them, leaving a nice black, or slightly brightens the background, which can cause a halo effect. This is normal in this technology and must be taken into account. Despite these minor drawbacks – the contrast in the U7Q performs really well.

HDR effect quality

6.1/10

4.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 93.0%, Bt.2020: 73.0%
DCI P3: 93.5%, Bt.2020: 70.5%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

548 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

550 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

824 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

491 nit

Review Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059 Brightness measurement

Result

582 nit

Review Hisense U7Q Brightness measurement

Result

521 nit

Review Hisense U7Q Brightness measurement

Result

160 nit

Review Hisense U7Q Brightness measurement

Result

351 nit

Review Hisense U7Q Brightness measurement

Result

98 nit

Review Hisense U7Q Brightness measurement

Result

674 nit

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

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

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

HDR luminance chart:

Hisense U7Q

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

The Philips PML9009 struggles to deliver the highest HDR performance. Scenes with effects around 550 nits don’t provide particularly impressive lighting, though the effects remain stable, an improvement over SDR materials. A notable exception is in Gemini Man, where a flashlight as the sole light source stands out. This is likely due to the absence of large dark areas and the relatively small size of the light source compared to scenes with larger, brighter elements like the sun. While the brightness results in HDR content aren’t quite strong enough to recommend this TV for productions utilising a wide colour gamut, it’s worth mentioning that the model does achieve decent coverage, reaching 93% of the DCI-P3 spectrum.

Since the algorithms responsible for blacks are performing quite well, we expected a similarly good effect when it comes to brightness and overall HDR quality. Unfortunately – here we have to disappoint you a bit.

The U7Q is quite a bright TV – in optimal conditions, it can reach around 800 nits, which indeed impresses on some screens, especially in scenes like those from the movie The Meg. Bright segments can really shine, and the HDR effect is noticeable. The problem arises when very small, bright elements appear on a dark background – for example, in Sicario 2 or in the second scene of the movie Life of Pi. In such moments, the dimming algorithms operate too aggressively. Yes, the blacks look great then, but the brightest points can almost completely fade, causing the HDR effect to disappear and details to be barely visible. That's just the nature of this technology in this price segment.

As a consolation, it's worth adding that the U7Q is advertised as a QLED TV (in practice, a PFS layer is used, which works very similarly), and it is indeed capable of displaying a wide color palette – with DCI-P3 coverage at around 94%, that's a very good result for this class.

Factory color reproduction

5.3/10

6.3/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

During testing, the Philips PML9009 performed best in the factory "Filmmaker" mode, which we evaluated across both SDR and HDR content. A key characteristic observed in this mode is the EOTF curve’s behaviour in HDR content and gamma settings in SDR, designed to enhance image accuracy. However, the PML9009 presented noticeable issues, particularly with white balance, as a pronounced red dominance created a yellow tint across the entire image. This affected skin tones and white areas, with faces and whites appearing unnaturally warm. The colour shift was confirmed through the "ColourChecker" palette, where colours leaned towards warmer shades.

In the gamma analysis, responsible for image contrast, we noticed considerable inaccuracies early on. Our measured values spiked above the reference, causing dark scenes to lose detail and merge visually up to about 10% screen brightness. Following this, the values dropped below the target line, further degrading contrast—an area already challenging for this model.

In HDR content, the white balance remained similarly flawed, and the EOTF curve also restricted brightness levels, resulting in a dim, muted image. Colour inaccuracies were even more pronounced here, with lower luminance levels causing large deviations from accurate colours, which were clearly visible on the error graph, often exceeding acceptable limits. While aiming for cinematic quality, this mode ultimately fell short in delivering balanced colour and contrast fidelity.

We tested the U7Q in the best possible picture mode, which is Filmmaker Mode. This mode is supposed to provide the most "filmic" experience and fidelity to the creators' intent – right out of the box. Unfortunately, even this professionally sounding name does not guarantee a perfect picture.

In our unit, the problem lay in a poorly set white balance. Both in HD and 4K content, the image had too much blue and red, giving the screen a slightly pinkish hue. It didn't look terrible, but it was noticeable – especially in bright scenes and white backgrounds. This alone could have been forgiven, but the biggest issue is the management of brightness in HDR content. The EOTF curve from the measurements confirms what we saw earlier during the scene tests: the television often dims the smallest bright elements too much, causing them to almost disappear, or conversely – excessively brightens the brightest ones, affecting the naturalness of the image.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.5/10

7.4/10

Philips has long provided sophisticated calibration tools, including 2-point and 20-point grayscale adjustments as well as an advanced CMS (Colour Management System). These allow users to make significant improvements, and even those less attentive to image quality will likely notice a positive difference post-calibration. Both SDR and HDR content benefit from this process, notably eliminating the prominent yellow tint caused by an overemphasis on red in the white balance.

For SDR content, although gamma adjustments don’t entirely resolve the loss of detail in dark areas, the overall improvements bring most content to an impressive standard, with minimal, hardly perceptible errors. Colour accuracy is notably enhanced, achieving nearly reference quality with low deltaE errors.

HDR content, however, remains somewhat limited due to the display’s lower brightness capability. While the white balance has largely been corrected, a slight blue tint can occasionally appear. The EOTF curve aligns very well, providing accurate geometry, though colour errors persist due to the limited luminance. This calibration offers a substantial improvement but may still fall short for viewers who expect high brightness levels in HDR.

Thanks to specialized tools, we managed to correct the color quality in SDR content to nearly perfection. In materials with lower dynamics, delta E errors dropped below 0.5, which can be considered an almost reference result. The image on television, YouTube, or classic Full HD looks really good after calibration. Well, but where couldn’t we improve the image so easily? Primarily, it concerns HDR quality content. While we managed to somewhat "tame" the white balance and eliminate pink hues in most scenes, unfortunately, we did not have full control over brightness management. We set the local dimming settings according to the best observations – SDR: Medium, HDR: High – but the U7Q still did everything a bit its own way. There were still cases of overly strong dimming or brightening of details that the calibration simply couldn't eliminate. And although the overall reception of the content is much better, it must be taken into account that the U7Q will always have something to say at the end "but."

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

9.9/10

In many films or series, you may have noticed instances where colour bands appear in areas that should exhibit smooth transitions. This is why we evaluate tonal transitions as part of our testing. The Philips PML9009 performed admirably in this area across all test scenes. While a few elements could benefit from finer processing, the overall result was impressive. Notably, it handled the challenging scene from The Green Knight exceptionally well, with no significant stuttering or unwanted artefacts visible, proving the TV’s capability to maintain smooth gradients even in demanding scenes.

The U7Q performs exceptionally well when it comes to tonal transitions – we can confidently say that it reaches almost reference level, which is why in this category, the TV receives one of the highest possible ratings from us. The color blends are smooth, clean, and without visible bands. In most scenes, everything looks simply perfect, and any potential minor imperfections may only appear in very specific shots – although we hardly noticed them during testing.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7.2/10

6/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Given the impressive handling of tonal transitions by the Philips PML9009, one might expect similar success in the image scaling test. However, the results were less than stellar. When upscaling lower-quality images, like those from certain TV programmes or older films, the Philips algorithm tended to blur fine details noticeably, especially in intricate elements like fine branches or a model's hair.

On the other hand, the tonal transition performance remains noteworthy, with the TV offering several levels of smoothing. Even at the lowest setting, it effectively addresses non-smooth transitions in most materials, and crucially, it preserves the film grain effect, maintaining fidelity to the director's vision. However, it’s worth noting that some fine details may still appear slightly softened.

There are situations where we would like to smooth out tonal transitions a bit, especially in older materials – those that have limited source quality. The U7Q is equipped with a feature called “Smooth and Gradient Image,” but unfortunately… it works very poorly. In the “Low” option, the effects are practically unnoticeable, and other settings smooth out details but do not improve tonal transitions. The only plus is that the feature does not interfere with film grain, so it does not ruin the natural structure of the image.

Fortunately, content scaling performs quite well. The image is not overly sharpened, there is no artificial clarity – and although it is known that this is not the level of high-end televisions, the U7Q handles displaying really old content in a completely acceptable manner without any problem.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.7/10

7.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
120Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Nie
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
0%
77%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Smużenie ():

Smużenie (1080p 240Hz):

The Philips PML9009 has a 120 Hz native refresh rate, a baseline standard for watching sports and an ideal setting for gaming on consoles or PCs. Philips includes an effective motion-enhancement system for users who want to reduce the stutter of 24 fps content or need fluid motion for fast-paced scenes, like in football matches. The dedicated "Smoothness" slider effectively mitigates stuttering, while "Motion Blur Reduction" enhances the sharpness of dynamic content. Each setting produces a noticeable difference, so users can tailor the motion effects to their preferences. Our recommended setup achieves a moderate smoothing effect, avoiding the exaggerated “soap opera” appearance.

Regarding pixel response time, VA panels like this generally fall short compared to OLED or even IPS panels, which can lead to a slight "black halo" trailing behind fast-moving objects. Although not a frequent issue with this TV, the effect can be seen in certain scenes.

U7Q is truly a fast television, similar to its more powerful version "PRO". At a resolution of 4K, it supports up to 144 Hz refresh rate, and if someone wants even more – in Full HD you can achieve up to 240 Hz! This will mainly benefit PC gamers, but it’s worth appreciating – this is a rare feature in this price segment. Right from the start, it’s clear that U7Q was created with dynamic content in mind, such as games or sports. In films, we are not left "out in the cold" either – U7Q offers the "Ultra Motion Smoothness" feature, where using two sliders you can adjust whether you want a smoother, theatrical image, or something closer to a cinematic style with a visible frame. It’s good that, like with most manufacturers, we have a choice here and can adjust it to our own preferences.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.8/10

8.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 144Hz
    48 - 240Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

The Philips PML9009, with HDMI 2.1 ports supporting full bandwidth, is thoroughly equipped with gamer-focused features. Core functions like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) are included, as well as the additional perks of G-Sync and FreeSync compatibility and low-lag HDR Dolby Vision support. All these gaming features activate seamlessly, proving this model’s suitability for gaming. The TV’s HGIG mode, particularly beneficial for gaming, adjusts HDR effects to the television’s capabilities to avoid image dimming and blooming, an advantage given the still limited number of games supporting Dolby Vision.

For added convenience, the PML9009 has a GameBar menu, allowing in-game setting adjustments without needing to exit. This menu includes features like a crosshair option and black level correction, which can enhance the visibility of shadowed areas—ideal for competitive play.

Overall, the Philips PML9009 offers a comprehensive setup for gamers, supporting VRR, ALLM, G-Sync, FreeSync, and HDR Dolby Vision to deliver immersive, high-quality gaming experiences across a wide range of titles.

The Hisense U7Q is a TV designed for gamers – and you can see that right away based on its gaming capabilities. It has practically everything you could wish for: variable refresh rate (VRR) – check, automatic game mode (ALLM) – also check, and high refresh rates of up to 240 Hz in Full HD, as well as support for various resolutions, not just 4K. It's truly a great set of features that makes the U7Q excel in both fast-paced shooters on consoles and more demanding titles on PC. Of course – like in most Hisense models – it lacks a proper implementation of the HGiG function. That's a shame because HGiG allows you to adjust the brightness of the console to the specific TV, which in practice makes displaying HDR games according to the creators' intentions much easier. Without this, you simply have to reckon with certain limitations in the final HDR image in games.

Input lag

9.6/10

9.7/10

SDR

1080p60
16 ms
17 ms
1080p120
8 ms
9 ms
2160p60
16 ms
17 ms
2160p120
8 ms
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
16 ms
17 ms
2160p120
8 ms
9 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
32 ms
28 ms
2160p120 DV
19 ms

The Philips PML9009 excels in input lag measurements, showcasing impressive performance across various signals and resolutions. Gamers will appreciate the manufacturer’s optimisation, with an exceptionally low input lag of 8 ms when playing at 4K120Hz with HDR—virtually imperceptible even in fast-paced online games. Furthermore, the game mode with Dolby Vision also maintains a commendable response time of 16 ms, ensuring that players experience minimal delay during gameplay. This combination of low input lag and effective game mode implementation solidifies the PML9009 as an excellent choice for competitive gamers seeking a responsive, immersive experience.

Input lag on the U7Q is really impressive. With 120 Hz content, we recorded around 9 ms, and with 60 Hz – around 17 ms. These are outstanding results that make the TV perform excellently even in dynamic games that require quick reactions. There is hardly anything to criticize here. Of course, as is often the case, the Dolby Vision mode in games seems a bit slower compared to classic SDR or HDR. This will mainly be noticeable for Xbox Series X/S console users, which are the only ones that support Dolby Vision Gaming. Fortunately, input lag still remains below 30 ms, so in practice, this is still an acceptable level even for more demanding gamers.

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
8ms
9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
Max refresh rate
120Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The Philips PML9009 also excels in everyday tasks, with measured delays of just 8 ms providing nearly instantaneous reactions in the mouse-screen-eye connection. Its proper implementation of chroma 4:4:4 ensures crisp, sharp fonts, making it ideal for text work. While the subpixel layout of the matrix is BGR, this doesn't create any issues when using the Windows operating system. However, users on other systems may encounter challenges with text rendering, as those platforms may struggle to convert text accurately. Overall, the PML9009 is a versatile display suitable for gaming and daily productivity tasks.

The U7Q communicates excellently with the computer. For gamers, this is great news – we have high refresh rates, low input lag, and G-SYNC support, so gaming from the PC is pure pleasure. But the U7Q also performs well in everyday tasks. If someone uses a computer for text, browsing the internet, or office work – there’s nothing to complain about. The television correctly handles chroma 4:4:4, so fonts look sharp and clear, without blurriness or strange contours. Both lowercase and uppercase letters are simply readable – just as they should be.

Viewing angles

2.6/10

3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
83%
74%

A commonly known drawback of VA panels that do not have an angle coating is their poor viewing angles. This is no different this time. Even after a slight shift off-axis, the image becomes washed out, and the colours undergo significant degradation.

The viewing angles on the U7Q are rather weak – this is simply a typical characteristic of VA panels. Straight on, everything looks very good: blacks are deep, colors are saturated, and the contrast is high. But just shifting slightly to the side causes the image to start losing quality – colors become washed out, and blacks begin to resemble dark gray. Compared to TVs with IPS panels, the U7Q performs worse, although on the other hand, it makes up for it with better contrast and deeper blacks.

TV efficiency during daytime

6.1/10

6.2/10

Matrix coating
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Average
Good
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Hisense U7Q: 519 cd/m2

Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059: 564 cd/m2

While the Philips PML9009 offers good brightness levels for SDR materials—making it suitable for evening or dark-room viewing—the reflection suppression is only average. This can be attributed to the satin finish of the panel, which is prone to reflections from various light sources, as it neither absorbs nor diffuses them effectively. However, the relatively high brightness in SDR mode enables the television to perform adequately in brighter rooms, often outperforming many OLED models in this regard. This makes it a viable option for users who might watch content in well-lit environments.

The U7Q performs quite well in a sunlit room. The brightness in SDR mode averages around 520 nits, which in practice means that even on sunny days, it's comfortable to watch television—without the feeling that everything is drowning in our reflections. Additionally, thanks to the satin coating on the panel, the television does a good job of reducing reflections.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
TPN248E_V248.003.025.151
V0000.09.01T.P0523
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Philips PML9009 / 9019 / 9059

Hisense U7Q

TV features

6/10

8.9/10

  • HDMI inputs
    0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    Yes
  • Recording programming
    No
    Yes
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    No
    Yes
  • 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
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

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

Before delving into the software that powers the Philips PML9009, it’s essential to highlight one of the standout features of the manufacturer’s TVs: the multicoloured Ambilight backlighting. This unique feature enhances the viewing experience by projecting colours from the back of the TV that correspond to the on-screen action, creating a more immersive atmosphere.

The operating system used in the PML9009 is Philips' proprietary TitanOs. While it offers some benefits, it is notably more closed and limited when compared to other models that use the Google TV system. One significant drawback is the absence of essential applications such as Apple TV, MAX, Canal+, and Player. Additionally, TitanOs restricts users from performing basic tasks like scheduling recordings or recording to USB. Apple device users may also be disappointed by the lack of AirPlay functionality, which allows for easy screen sharing.

On a positive note, the TV supports connecting a keyboard and mouse, which can simplify navigation through the menu. However, it's worth noting that while the remote pairs via Bluetooth for voice selection in English, all other functions rely on infrared (IR) connectivity.

In summary, TitanOs has its limitations, especially for users who frequently utilize a variety of streaming platforms. It seems better suited for those who primarily engage with a few key services—what one might refer to as the "holy trinity" of streaming: Netflix, YouTube, and CDA.

Classic Features of U7Q

Hisense U7Q has a lot to offer when it comes to classic TV features. You can record programs to USB, easily connect external devices via Bluetooth, and the interface – such as EPG – is clear and readable. It may sound like something mainly appreciated by seniors, but the truth is that the U7Q has practically everything needed for watching traditional television. The only thing missing here is the PiP (picture-in-picture) feature.

Smart TV U7Q: Vidaa

When it comes to Smart features, the U7Q runs on the proprietary VIDAA system. And I must admit – it works really smoothly. Voice search in Polish? No issues. AirPlay and screen mirroring? They work without any problems as well. Of course, one must be aware that VIDAA is a closed system, so – as is often the case – some popular apps, especially those related to music, are missing. Therefore, before purchasing, it’s worth checking if all the apps you use daily are available.

Playing files from USB

8.2/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

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

Maximum photo resolution:

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

The default media player integrated into the Philips PML9009 provides a fairly comprehensive set of features but does have certain limitations. It supports nearly all common video formats except for the relatively rare .asf format. However, users may encounter issues due to the absence of the H.265 HEVC codec for high-bitrate content and a lack of support for .sub subtitle files, which are popular among many users.

With photo playback, the media player performs adequately, though it does not support some widely used resolutions and formats, such as HEIC, commonly found on Apple devices. The player excels in audio playback and leaves little room for criticism.

Unfortunately, the system's limitations prevent users from extending the player’s functionalities, meaning users are confined to the capabilities the manufacturer has included. This can be a drawback for those who rely on specific formats or additional features not provided by the built-in player.

The built-in player in the U7Q fully meets the needs of most future users. The television seamlessly supports Polish characters and most popular video, audio, and photo formats. If we had to nitpick, it would be only about the limited support for certain photo resolutions – there are occasions when files from the camera are not displayed correctly. It's worth keeping this in mind if you plan to present photos directly from a DSLR or phone.

Apps

6.2/10

7.7/10

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

Sound

6.7/10

7.2/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    82dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    Yes
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    Yes

At the outset, it is worth noting that sound quality is a subjective matter. The built-in audio system in the Philips PML9009 is characterised by clear high tones, but the bass is quite flat and significantly worse than in competing models in the same price range.

Sound is one of the major advantages of the U7Q. The TV sounds really pleasant – there is a slightly noticeable bass, good tone balance, and it is definitely something more than just for "everyday news watching." You can easily play music on it and just enjoy the sound – of course in an entertaining way, not an audiophile one 😉. It also deserves high praise for full support for the most important audio codecs, which worked flawlessly. A small exception is Dolby Atmos in TrueHD version, which did not fully play when connected to a home theater, so if someone uses this format – it's worth keeping in mind – it may be a software bug.

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

82dBC (Max)

75dBC