Compare Sony X85L vs Philips OLED770

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will continue to be offered in 2024 by the Japanese manufacturer. Its biggest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the greatest access to applications, so we don't have to fear that any of our favorite apps will be missing. The intuitive interface and voice control feature via Google Assistant make daily use of the television convenient and modern. In terms of picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very average number of zones), black looks really decent. Additionally, its quite high brightness allows for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the television offers the ability to record programs from built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion fluidity, the X85L also does not disappoint. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system provide smooth display of dynamic scenes, pleasing both movie buffs and sports fans. The TV is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar, and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its drawbacks. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode can be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and image fluidity when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is decent equipment, particularly worth noting if it can be purchased on promotion.

The Philips OLED770 is a television that stands out primarily for its picture quality – the characteristic perfect black and infinite contrast typical of OLEDs make even a regular evening binge-watching a series feel like a small cinematic experience. After calibration, colors gain naturalness and cohesion, and details in dark scenes are separated from lights with surgical precision. It’s a screen that provides a sense of interacting with premium-class technology, even though it is officially a budget OLED in Philips' portfolio. The second pillar on which the OLED770 stands strong is gaming. Here, the manufacturer has really done its homework. VRR works up to 120 Hz, we have automatic gaming mode (ALLM), and input lag in standard HDR10 or SDR modes at 120 Hz can drop to as low as 5 ms – results that will easily satisfy even demanding gamers. And finally, the Ambilight system – for many, this is just a gadget, but during longer sessions it really makes a difference. The colorful LEDs behind the screen dynamically respond to what is happening in the game, and can immerse you even more in the virtual world. That's why one can risk saying that the OLED770 is one of the more interesting budget gaming TVs on the market.

However, not everything shines that brightly, as when we come to the Smart TV aspect… TitanOS is the biggest bottleneck for this model. Theoretically, it has everything you need: access to applications, AirPlay support, and voice commands. In practice, however, the list of applications is limited, screen mirroring often doesn’t work at all, and voice search doesn’t support the Polish language. Moreover, the remote control, despite being well-designed and backlit – operates on infrared, which sounds almost anachronistic in 2025. The system is supposedly fast, but can irritate with errors and instead of encouraging usage, at times rather motivates us to turn it off. And here we come to the crux: the OLED770 is a television that works great as a screen for movies and games, but not necessarily as a multimedia center of the home. For someone who mainly uses a console, home theater, or operator decoder – it will be a hit choice. We get fantastic picture quality, a full set of modern gaming features, and of course the proprietary AmbilightTV backlighting system! But if someone is looking for a TV that is meant to replace everything and serve as a multimedia powerhouse, it’s better to look towards the more expensive Philips models, which offer more refined system solutions like GoogleTV.

The Sony X85L TV is equipped with a VA panel, which in itself offers quite good contrast. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it includes 24 zones. Although this number is not impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the TV. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially in comparison to other TVs also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at the level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but they appear average against the competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the movie Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs quite well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has been using in its TVs for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the TV suffers from noticeable blooming, which can be seen, for example, in scenes with the helicopter from the movie Sicario 2.

In terms of black and contrast, the Philips OLED770 does not introduce any revolution – but with OLEDs, it would be hard to expect one. The organic matrix allows for complete dimming of individual pixels, which in practice gives us almost perfect black and contrast reaching infinity. Regardless of whether we are watching night scenes in movies or scenes full of small bright points, the television precisely separates details from the background. There are no halo effects or other artifacts typical of LCD TVs with local dimming. By choosing an OLED – also in the form of model 770 – you can be assured that in this category the picture will look outstanding.

The Sony X85L TV offers solid HDR performance with a brightness level of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vivid effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows one to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, such as the scene from the movie Sicario 2, the TV shows its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits make the HDR effect lose its impressive quality and resemble regular SDR instead. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively affects the overall image quality.

The Philips OLED770 does not attempt to compete with the brightest OLEDs on the market, and it would actually be hard to expect that, as it is the lowest model in Philips's series for 2025. In our measurements, it achieved a maximum brightness of about 700 nits, which allows for enjoyment of HDR effects in scenes where light appears point-wise – for example, in the flash of headlights or a starry sky. In such moments, the picture can truly impress. However, it is different when there are more bright elements on the screen. The television, like many cheaper OLEDs, limits brightness in those cases, and the entire picture noticeably dims. This was best seen in a scene from the movie The Meg, where the sun rises behind an oil rig – at that point, the brightness dropped to about 250 nits, nearly three times less. The HDR effect remains visually pleasing, but it is worth being aware that this model performs best in scenes with less intense light. Fortunately, the OLED770 has an ace up its sleeve – the coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette is as high as 99%, so colors in movies and games are saturated and very close to what the creator intended to convey.

The Sony X85L television was tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, although associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image that aligns with the director's vision. The main issue is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue color and significant lack of red. As a result, the image becomes unnaturally cool and appears artificial. The color reproduction errors were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed significant discrepancies – colors were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly shows that the precision of color reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the TV. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although there are minor errors, but generally, it is quite good. However, the brightness characteristics for 4K materials remain an issue, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is a result of the limited number of dimming zones due to the design of the television.

The first measurements already show that the factory settings of the Philips OLED770 have a lot to improve even in Filmmaker mode. The white balance chart clearly shows a lack of blue, which gives the image a slightly yellowish tint. In practice, the white is not snow-white, but leans towards warmer hues – which some may even like, but from the accuracy perspective, this is a deviation from the norm. The gamma, on the other hand, tends to be on the darker side – the average value is about 2.6 instead of the reference 2.4. In the mid-tones, the image appears muted and more saturated, which may look too "filmic," but takes away some naturalness. However, the biggest issues can be seen in color reproduction. The average error is relatively high, and some colors – especially shades of gray – clearly deviate from what should be seen. In everyday viewing, this means that sometimes colors may look less natural than we would wish.

Thanks to the use of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, the image quality has been significantly improved. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colors look more natural and the image gains authenticity. Although it is not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic representation of colors, eliminating the earlier cool tone. The gamma, which already performed decently, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively affecting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a deficiency of red, which can result in overly warm colors in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is quite stable, with a slight boost in mid-bright scenes. However, in real film materials, the TV can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nonetheless, calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in color accuracy, improving overall image quality and providing a more natural and cohesive directorial vision.

Philips OLED770 has shown signs from the beginning that it houses significant potential, but it was difficult to fully see this in the factory settings. The image was sometimes too warm, and some colors seemed to have lost their naturalness along the way. However, calibration revealed that it is a television very receptive to adjustments – it reacted to every correction and almost immediately unveiled another layer of its capabilities. The white balance was successfully set both in SDR and HDR, eliminating the yellowish glow and presenting a neutral, clear white. Gamma stabilized closer to perfection, allowing midtones to regain their naturalness, and shadows no longer appeared artificially darkened, possibly even with a slight brightening effect. The effect was obvious... Movies are watched with greater ease; the image has cinematic depth, but without the feeling that something is exaggeratedly darkened. However, the most interesting part was the work on colors. Out of the box, the errors were not dramatic but slightly noticeable – skin tones were sometimes too warm, and gray didn’t always have the shade we expected. After calibration, the error values dropped to around 2, and in many cases even below 1. This is a level significantly lower than the threshold of perception for the human eye. In other words, after correction, the colors finally “clicked” into place. Looking at the screen, we had the impression that the television had begun to speak with a full voice. Like an instrument that has finally been well-tuned.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Sony X85L is at a good level – the color gradation is smooth, even in more demanding areas, which makes the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest problems occur in the shadow areas, where subtle color blends may be visible. Nevertheless, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

In this category, there is a noticeable improvement compared to last year's Philips models. The OLED770 handles color gradation significantly better, and strongly visible transitions or artificial bands appear less frequently than before. Interestingly, we achieved the best results in dark scenes – where most televisions, especially those with WOLED panels, have the most difficulties. A good example is a shot with an actor floating in red water – the transition from intense red to black looks almost perfect here, without the typical "steps." The situation is somewhat worse in the case of bright parts of the image. With extremely bright gradients, especially near white, the television has trouble maintaining smoothness. This can be noticed, for example, in a scene from the movie Kingsman, where subtle sunrise bands appear in the background of the bright sky with the sun instead of a smooth blur. Fortunately, these situations are relatively rare, and in everyday viewing, the OLED770 presents itself very solidly and does not break immersion as it did in last year's models.

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television does not offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a downside. On the other hand, image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a bit of artificial sharpness, which can make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with noticeable jaggedness. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

The problem of the previously mentioned color connections can largely be mitigated by the "distortion reduction" feature, which is an algorithm for smoothing tonal transitions in Philips TVs. It works best at a low setting—effectively eliminating unwanted color bands while not introducing strange artifacts or losing image detail. It's one of those features that is truly worth keeping switched on.

The issue with upscaling is somewhat less favorable. The image from a lower resolution can be too soft, while at the same time, distinctive "jaggies" appear in certain areas. The impression is that the algorithm is trying to reconcile two contradictory directions—smoothing and sharpening—and ultimately hasn't found the golden mean. As a consolation, it's worth noting that the television has no issues with overscan, meaning it doesn't cut off the edges of the image, which sometimes happens with other competing models.

The Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie buffs. Movie enthusiasts will surely appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, Motionflow. This system offers adjustment via smoothness and clarity sliders – smoothness is responsible for motion fluidity, eliminating stutter, while clarity enhances the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

The issue of the panel in the Philips OLED770 is not entirely straightforward. The manufacturer claims a 120 Hz panel, but our measurements showed that the screen can accept a 4K signal even at 144 Hz. This sounds like great news – because who wouldn't want an extra mode for PC gaming at this price? However, the reality turned out to be more complex. With 120 Hz materials, the television behaves like most OLEDs – the picture is absolutely clear, with no trace of ghosting or blurring, making it ideal for both fast-paced games and sports broadcasts. The problem arises only at 144 Hz. Unlike models with official support for that frequency, here we observe the phenomenon of so-called frame skipping. This means that the television is unable to display all frames – some of them are skipped, causing the motion to lose fluidity, and double outlines appear on the screen. The effect resembles the operation of the BFI function, which Philips does not offer in this model anyway.

Sony X85L offers quite a solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the TV has a 120 Hz panel, translating to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full utilization of next-gen console capabilities. Additionally, the Sony X85L supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, providing a fluid experience. The TV also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for screen refresh rate synchronization with GPU performance, eliminating the tearing effect. It is worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to essential gaming-related settings such as VRR, brightness levels, and display modes, making it convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are certain limitations. The TV does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimizes HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, while Dolby Vision mode is available, it is not practical for gaming due to very high input lag.

If someone is looking for a gaming TV, the Philips OLED770 is a candidate that's hard to ignore. The mere fact that we have an OLED here provides a great starting point – perfect blacks and infinite contrast make evening sessions in atmospheric games look like they’ve been pulled straight from the cinema. On top of that, there’s the Ambilight system, which features LEDs on the back of the TV that extend the image onto the wall behind the screen. The effect is such that even regular gameplay in FIFA can look like a small spectacle, and in horror games, the atmosphere becomes really intense. On the technical side, it’s pretty good as well. The Philips OLED770 supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz, has an automatic low latency mode for gamers (ALLM), and if someone is using an Xbox Series X, they can also count on Dolby Vision support in games. You just need to know that in this mode, input lag is slightly higher than standard, although still at an acceptable level. As a bonus, we get the “Game Bar” panel, which is a special tool strip for gamers. It's not the most conveniently designed solution, but it allows you to check key parameters without leaving the game. In total, this presents a picture of a TV that on one hand has all the most important gaming features, and on the other can add something unique – Ambilight. And it’s this mix of technology and visual effect that makes the OLED770 one of the better screens for gaming in a home environment.

In general, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, especially when using HDMI 2.1 and playing in 4K resolution at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as much as 95 ms. Such a high level of latency makes the Dolby Vision mode practically unplayable, as reactions to commands are noticeably delayed.

As we mentioned earlier, the only anomaly that was detected during testing is the Dolby Vision Gaming mode. In this setting, the latency can reach up to 30 ms. This is not a particularly impressive result, and more demanding players may turn up their noses at it, but in practice – during casual sessions – the difference will not be significantly noticeable. On the other hand, the standard HDR10 and SDR modes perform much better. With a 120 Hz signal, the input lag drops to a minimal 5 ms, which is an outstanding result and places the OLED770 among the top TVs suitable for dynamic gaming. In other words, if someone is not insistent on Dolby Vision on the Xbox, the gaming experience will be fast, smooth, and without unnecessary delays!

The cooperation of the Sony X85L television with a PC is a bit of a balance between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the television for work, where clear text is important, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, text looks good and does not strain the eyes, which is crucial if we plan to spend a long time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the television is to be used for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must take into account that the readability of fonts decreases significantly. The image becomes less sharp and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – the Sony X85L will work well for occasional connection to a computer, but if we need it daily for work and gaming, this compromise may not be to everyone's liking.

Philips has learned from previous models and finally improved the implementation of chroma 4:4:4. This is important news for those planning to connect their TV to a computer, as it means no issues with sharpness and font readability. The text appears clear and legible, so the OLED770 can easily be called an excellent screen for office work or browsing the internet. Of course, very demanding users may notice some imperfections resulting from the WRGB pixel layout typical of WOLED panels, but in practice, this does not significantly affect comfort. The TV also performs well in games launched from PC. The panel allows for real refresh rates up to 120 Hz, and with low input lag, it provides a very smooth image without visible stutters. The only things missing are support for G-Sync and – as we mentioned earlier – a proper 144 Hz mode, but despite this, the overall performance is really solid. For those looking for a universal screen for both computer and console use, the OLED770 is a choice that is hard to overlook.

The viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is typical with VA panels, are not the best. The image looks great when viewed straight on, but just shifting to the side reveals that colors lose their intensity and contrast noticeably weakens. This can be a problem if the TV is intended for watching with a larger group, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who usually watch solo or from one central spot, this won't be a big downside, but when viewing from the side, the picture quality unfortunately decreases.

In terms of viewing angles, the Philips OLED770 presents a very high level typical of OLEDs. The image remains clear and saturated even when we look at the screen from the side – there is virtually no drop in contrast or color fading. In this category, it is only outperformed by QD-OLED panels, which can be found either in very expensive premium models or in one exceptional case – the 55-inch Samsung S85F. In everyday use, however, the differences are hard to notice, and the OLED770 performs almost perfectly. Only at truly extreme angles can a slight degradation in colors be observed.

The performance of the Sony X85L TV during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, meaning that in bright rooms, there may be reflections, but they are not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortable TV watching during the day, even with natural light coming through the windows. This ensures that colors remain vivid and the image is clearly visible, making the TV effective for everyday use.

OLED770 is not one of the brightest TVs, so it is hard to recommend it for very sunny living rooms. In a bright room, its limitations quickly become apparent – the screen reflects light and acts more like a slightly dimmed mirror. Reflection handling is average, and in direct light, the screen performs poorly. Fortunately, the panel coating does not distort colors, so even during the day, hues remain natural, and blacks do not dramatically lose their depth. Nevertheless, it’s hard to say that the OLED770 is a TV made for bright spaces – it would definitely perform better in a dimly lit living room or a bedroom, where its strengths can fully resonate.

The Sony X85L operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to applications, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing for quick switching between apps and searching for favorite content. Google TV allows for personalization of the home screen, enabling each user to customize it according to their preferences. Google Assistant further enhances the experience by offering voice control and quick adjustments of settings or movie searches without the need for a remote.

In terms of user functionality, the Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programs, which is a significant convenience for those who want to watch their favorite content at any time. AirPlay support allows for seamless streaming of content from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. Additionally, thanks to built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one drawback is the lack of a PiP (picture-in-picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on the screen.

The design of the Sony X85L television, while it may not be the thinnest, is solid and elegant. The metal base with adjustable legs is one of its strong points, allowing for height and width adjustments of the television to fit different furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

User Functions

Let's start with the basics, that is, the classic functions of a television. The Philips OLED770 doesn't turn the table over; we have a standard EPG interface, the ability to connect devices via Bluetooth, and a few simple configuration options including teletext. An interesting feature is the presence of a jack input, which is now becoming rare. However, it will be appreciated by owners of older receivers or wired headphones. The remote control gives a good impression – it is ergonomic and has a backlit numeric keypad – but here too, there is a sense of a step back. It operates on infrared, so you have to aim at the TV, and by 2025, we would expect full wireless support. The exception is voice commands, which use Bluetooth, but there's no reason for euphoria here either.

SmartTV Features – TitanOS

Speaking of voice – let's move on to the Smart TV system, which is an element that today largely defines the daily comfort of using a television. Here, the OLED770 clearly falls behind the competition. TitanOS works fast enough that it’s hard to call it a tragedy, but daily use can be frustrating due to minor errors and shortcomings. Theoretically, we get support for AirPlay, but on the other hand, screen mirroring didn’t work at all in practice. Voice search? Yes, but only through Amazon Alexa and without support for the Polish language. In other words, the features are there, but when we try to use them, we find their usefulness is severely limited, even downright useless. And it is Smart TV that becomes the biggest bottleneck for the OLED770. The picture can impress, gaming is great, Ambilight provides a unique atmosphere – but when we move to the daily use of apps and services, we feel a lack.

Ambilight – Philips OLED770

Although in terms of smart functionality, the Philips OLED770 performs rather average, it has something in store that the competition sincerely envies. We are, of course, talking about the three-sided Ambilight system, which has been a trademark of this brand's televisions for years. LED lights placed on the back of the casing dynamically illuminate the wall in colors matched to what is currently happening on the screen. The effect is simple but very suggestive – the image seems to extend beyond the edges of the TV, giving us the impression that the screen has suddenly grown by a few extra inches. During a movie screening, it can create an atmosphere, in games it increases immersion, and during everyday TV viewing, it simply pleases the eye. It is this addition that makes, despite the limitations of TitanOS, the OLED770 have something that can attract attention and give it character.

Sony X85L has no problem playing most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who often reach for external content. However, it is worth mentioning a small downside – the built-in player does not allow changing the font color in subtitles, which can be bothersome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the advanced Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. It is easy to install alternative media players that offer more customization options.

The built-in media player in the Philips OLED770 works quite well, especially when it comes to subtitles – practically every format we threw at it was handled correctly, which will certainly please those watching movies from their own library. However, certain reservations arise with photo support. Not all resolutions are recognized, which may catch users off guard who are used to browsing photographs from classic cameras or older memory cards. Other than that, everything works properly – it's just worth making sure that the television can handle the files we actually want to play on it.

The sound on the Sony X85L is good – it is clear across the entire scale, allowing you to enjoy both dialogues and music. The bass, although light, is perceptible and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasized that this is a subjective assessment – some will be satisfied with such a sound profile, while others may need additional audio equipment to fully feel the stronger tones and more spacious sound.

When it comes to sound, the Philips OLED770 performs quite well, although you can't expect strong bass. For regular TV watching, streaming services, or series, its capabilities are more than sufficient – dialogues are clear, and the overall tonal balance is at a decent level. However, when we want to feel the true impact in cinematic productions or games, it quickly becomes apparent that there’s a lack of solid low-end frequencies. In such situations, a natural complement is an additional soundbar or audio system that will allow taking advantage of the excellent picture quality.

On the positive side, versatility in format handling should be noted. The OLED770 works with virtually all popular codecs, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Dolby TrueHD. This means that by connecting external audio equipment, one can count on a full sound experience, even if the built-in speakers in the television do not make a spectacular impression.

Sony X85L vs Philips OLED770

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

Classic features:

Smart features:

User Functions

SmartTV Features – TitanOS

Ambilight – Philips OLED770

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Acoustic Measurements