Philips PUS8500 vs Hisense U7Q

Direct compare

PUS8500 / PUS8560 / PUS8510 / PUS8600

Info

U7Q / U78Q

Info

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

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

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Titan OS

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: VIDAA

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

5.6

7.2

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    5.6

    6.7

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.2

    6.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.2

    6.5

  • Gaming on console

    6.7

    8.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    5.6

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    4.9

    6.2

  • Utility functions

    4.8

    8.9

  • Apps

    4.6

    7.7

  • Sound quality

    6.2

    7.2

Advantages

  • Ambilight TV System

  • High native contrast - VA panel

  • Low input lag

  • Basic features for gamers: ALLM and VRR

  • Full support for audio formats: Dolby Atmos and DTS

  • Backlit remote controler with numeric keypad

  • 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
  • Average panel brightness

  • TitanOS system feels unfinished (some features do not work, gaps in applications)

  • Infrared remote control

  • Font readability issues (PC)

  • 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

Ambilight because that's where we have to start, it's the biggest reason to buy the PUS8500. The three-sided backlighting of the TV looks great, especially in the evening. It creates an atmosphere, masks the imperfections of contrast, and makes the viewing experience simply more enjoyable. Even if the black levels aren't perfect, the native VA panel's high contrast is just fine. On top of that, there's really decent input lag and several gaming features like ALLM and VRR. Although there’s no HDMI 2.1 or 120Hz panel, casual gaming should be a pleasure. Especially since it's responsive and latency-free. Additionally, there’s full support for audio formats – both Dolby Atmos and DTS, so soundbar owners can rejoice too.

But let's not kid ourselves – this is still a budget TV, and at times it shows. Brightness is average – not weak enough to make viewing impossible, but if you hit a particularly sunny day, watching conditions without blinds can be problematic. However, in our opinion, the biggest disappointment with the PUS8560 is the operating system, Titan OS. Despite the system debuting some time ago, certain features simply wouldn't work – for example, screen mirroring from a phone despite the manufacturer's claims that such a feature is present here. There are fewer apps than with competitors, and the system itself runs a bit clumsily. Overall, it seems to have some capabilities, but clearly lacks refinement.

Of course, this is not a TV meant to compete with top models. But if someone is looking for something simple, with a nice atmosphere that the Ambilight system provides, it is a quite reasonable offer. You just need to know what to expect and accept the many compromises present here.

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
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
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
Average
BuildQuality-Good
Stand type
Legs
Central
Stand type
stand-type-Graphite
stand-type-Graphite
Stand
stand-Base Adjustment
stand-Fixed
Accessories
accessories-Stand
accessories-Stand

Contrast and black detail

6.1/10

7.5/10

Local dimming function: No

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

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 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 PUS8560 in the size we tested is equipped with a VA panel. As a result, the black levels – for an LCD television – can be considered decent. And that is exactly the case with this model. Both the blacks and the overall contrast impression in the film scenes we tested are quite good – the image does not wash out, and details are visible even in more difficult sections.

But the panel alone is not everything. Unfortunately, the PUS8500 is not equipped with local dimming (which is a given looking at the TV segment), so one has to reckon with the fact that with completely turned-off lights, the black can resemble more shades of navy than true black. On the other hand – and here’s a plus for Philips – the Ambilight system does a great job. The backlighting makes a real impact on contrast perception. Thanks to this, even if the black technically isn't perfect, the subjective viewing experience becomes much more enjoyable. For many people, that’s enough for an evening screening to be truly impressive.

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

4.8/10

4.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 90.4%, Bt.2020: 65.8%
DCI P3: 93.5%, Bt.2020: 70.5%

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 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: HDR10+

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

HDR luminance chart:

Hisense U7Q

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Philips PUS8500

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

When it comes to HDR performance on the PUS8560, one can confidently say that it is quite average. The brightness of the panel is around 350 nits, which we consider to be the absolute minimum for viewing content in this format. However, this is not a result that will impress viewers looking for the best possible image.

On the plus side, it is worth noting that the PUS8500 series – including the PUS8560/12 we tested – is marketed as a QLED television. And indeed, we can expect a wider color gamut here. This model is equipped with an additional filter (PFS), and the coverage of the DCI-P3 color space at around 90% should be sufficient for the majority of users. This filter works very similarly to quantum dots. As a result, the colors are quite well saturated. It’s not an outstanding result, but perfectly adequate for watching movies and series on streaming platforms.

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

6.2/10

6.3/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

We tested the TV on the best available factory settings, which is 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 clear tendency to appear pinkish, caused by too much red and blue in the white balance. Another problem turned out to be excessive brightness of the image, which was confirmed by both the gamma chart and the EOTF curve. This characteristic was responsible for the loss of detail and washed-out colors in more challenging HDR scenes, as we mentioned earlier. Overall, this led to quite significant color reproduction errors – in extreme cases, the delta E value exceeded 7, while the threshold of visible errors for the human eye is about 3. This situation can be improved through calibration, and you can read about its effects below.

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

8.4/10

7.4/10

The Dutch manufacturer offers quite a large dose of settings in their products, so as usual, we decided to dig a little into them. The effects are immediately visible – we managed to correct the white balance, which made the image stop appearing excessively pink. The brightness characteristics were also partially balanced, of course, within the limits that the television itself allows. The image is no longer overly vibrant, and the overall reception after calibration is definitely better than in the factory settings of the Filmmaker mode.

One could only criticize the characteristics of the EOTF curve, which still indicates that the image tends to lighten materials in HDR format. Despite our efforts, the darkest parts of scenes can still be too bright, and the brightest do not always reach their full contrast potential. However, it must be clearly stated that we are dealing with a typically budget construction – you cannot expect reference-quality reproduction of HDR content from it.

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

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

6.3/10

9.9/10

The PUS8560 handles color blending into smooth gradients very well. During testing, the image appeared cohesive and natural, with more serious issues with tonal transitions occurring only in very dark scenes – for example, in a shot with red water, where subtle cuts between colors could be seen. However, these are rather exceptions that do not spoil the reception of most content. It is worth mentioning another phenomenon that has a greater impact on image quality – the so-called dithering, or slight "sparkling" visible on solid backgrounds. This effect can be particularly noticeable in high-quality materials and may slightly detract from the impression of image clarity. It is for this flaw that we deducted some points in the rating.

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

6.1/10

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

Philips PUS8560 offers a feature that reduces posterization, hidden under the name "distortion reduction." And while it indeed serves its purpose by smoothing problematic tonal transitions, it operates a bit too broadly. In practice, it affects not only colorful gradients but also softens faces, clothing textures, and furniture surfaces. This decreases the authenticity of the image—especially in films where natural texture is of great importance. However, if someone is looking for smoothing at all costs, it's best to set this option to "Low." For cinema image enthusiasts—definitely not recommended.

On the plus side, the quality of upscaling older materials should be noted—the PUS8560 model handles them surprisingly well. The image maintains a natural softness without artificially enhanced sharpness. It is also worth mentioning that the television correctly displays very low-resolution content, avoiding problems with cropping the edges of the image (so-called overscan).

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

4/10

7.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
No
OK
Blur reduction option
No
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Nie
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
-%
77%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Smużenie ():

Smużenie (1080p 240Hz):

The Philips PUS8560 is a television equipped with a 60 Hz refresh rate panel, which already limits its capabilities for displaying dynamic content. Watching sports or playing on a console is not one of the most enjoyable experiences. 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 for the activation of a motion smoother or even a slight motion smoothing in films recorded at 24 frames per second. You can imagine the effect. The picture may look jerky, especially in shots with panoramic camera movements.

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

4.7/10

8.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 60Hz
    48 - 240Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    Yes
  • 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 specifically for gamers, the manufacturer decided to equip it with several features that may prove useful when connecting a console. It includes automatic switching to game mode (ALLM), as well as a simple connection status information bar – the so-called Game Bar. While it does not make a particularly strong visual impression, it serves its purpose. The presence of variable refresh rate (VRR), operating in the range of 48 to 60 Hz, might come as a surprise. While this is not a wide range, in the case of less demanding games or titles with unstable fluidity, VRR can help reduce the stuttering effect. However, this is the only element that can be considered above the minimum.

It should be clearly stated that the PUS8560 is not hardware 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 panel's response time is not among the fastest. This model may be suitable at most for casual gamers who want to enjoy the Ambilight system.

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

10/10

9.7/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
17 ms
1080p120
9 ms
2160p60
13 ms
17 ms
2160p120
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
12 ms
17 ms
2160p120
9 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
28 ms
2160p120 DV
19 ms

The input lag on the PUS8560 is very good. When we previously wrote that this screen is more for "casual gamers," there's no shame in this regard – even compared to screens aimed at gamers. Results around 12 ms are truly exceptional, allowing for enjoyable responsive gameplay. It doesn't matter if we are playing in Full HD or 4K – the lag remains just as low, so if you care about quick reaction times, the PUS8560 will definitely not disappoint in this aspect.

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

5.6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Poor
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
13ms
9ms
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 gray fonts – not all subpixels light up, which makes the text appear pixelated. On the other hand, in "Game" mode, chroma 4:4:4 disappears, but the gray fonts look correct. In practice, we are therefore forced to juggle settings if we want to have perfectly readable text all the time. And what about gaming on the computer? Our opinion remains the same as regarding consoles – it's doable, but without any fireworks. There is no variable refresh rate for G-SYNC graphics cards, and the refresh rate itself remains relatively low. On the plus side, we can again highlight the very low input lag, which saves the day in fast-paced games.

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

3.3/10

3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
68%
74%

The viewing angles on the PUS8560 are exactly what you would expect from a VA panel - they don't perform the best. The image loses quality even with a slight shift off-axis – colors become washed out, and the black starts to resemble a dark navy. This is, of course, the price paid for the better contrast that VA offers directly. In the case of our 55-inch unit, it is still acceptable, especially if the TV is perfectly positioned in front of the couch. But with larger screen sizes or a less central placement in the living room – it could be a problem for comfortable viewing.

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

4.9/10

6.2/10

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

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Hisense U7Q: 519 cd/m2

Philips PUS8500 : 331 cd/m2

PUS8560 performs moderately during the day. The satin finish of the panel effectively reduces reflections, so light from the window or lamp doesn't interfere too much. The black also looks decent for a VA panel – even in daylight, there are no significant losses in contrast. But 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 brightly lit room. In such conditions, the PUS8560 simply needs to be supported by curtains – otherwise, the picture starts to look quite pale.

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
PFS LED
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
TPN256E_V056.002.127.051
V0000.09.01T.P0523
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Philips PUS8500

Hisense U7Q

TV features

4.8/10

8.9/10

  • HDMI inputs
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    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
    No
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    No
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    No
    Yes
  • Wyszukiwanie głosowe
    Yes
    Yes
  • 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 TV that "works" in the basic sense – the PUS8560 will serve that purpose. In terms of classic features, we have a rather minimalist set. On the plus side, it includes an electronic program guide (EPG), teletext, a backlit remote control with a classic numeric keypad, and a headphone jack. It sounds a bit like a dream set for seniors – and there is some truth to that. However, it must be said clearly: this is a TV with very limited capabilities. We won't find features for recording from DVB tuners to USB, nor is there a PiP mode or other conveniences known from more expensive models.

Smart TV:

How does SmartTV fare on the PUS8560? Well, this is where it gets a bit tricky. The PUS8560 runs on the Titan OS, which in this particular implementation caused significant problems. Some features, while present "on paper," simply did not work. For example: Wireless screen mirroring features like Chromecast or Miracast – we tried to activate them with 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 apps or home screens was simply slow. A significant portion of the features in the menu feels heavily hidden in the depths of a poorly organized system. To make matters worse, the library of available applications is quite limited. While the situation with apps is better than last year, it is still far from ideal. The situation is somewhat saved by the modern remote – slim, elegant, and superbly made with a really great backlight. Unfortunately, it operates on classic infrared, so you have to point it at the screen. The only exception is the voice control, which works via Bluetooth… it's just a shame that it doesn't support Polish.

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

8/10

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

PUS8560 handles playback of most popular video and audio formats from USB memory without any major issues, so there's no point in detailing the compatibilities individually. In daily use, it should just work – and it does. The only thing worth noting is the way it handles photos. Although the television easily recognizes common file extensions, with very high resolution graphic files, some photos may simply not display. This is not a huge problem, but it's good to keep it in mind, especially if we want to view photographs directly from the camera. Aside from that, PUS8560 shouldn't have any major problems with playback of files from USB.

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

4.6/10

7.7/10

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
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

6.2/10

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

The TV sounds quite pleasant and it can confidently be stated that the sound level will be fully sufficient for most users – both for watching everyday programs and for an evening session with a series. Moreover, a nice surprise is that even in such an affordable series, Philips has decided to acquire licenses for full audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS. This is great news for home theater and soundbar owners, as it means full compatibility and no need to "fiddle around" with connecting external devices.

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