Philips PUS8500 Review

PUS8500 / PUS8560 / PUS8510 / PUS8600

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

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This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

7/22/2025 8:22:29 AM

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Our verdict

5.6

Overall rating

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.

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

Disadvantages

Average panel brightness
TitanOS system feels unfinished (some features do not work, gaps in applications)
Infrared remote control
Font readability issues (PC)

Movies and series in UHD quality

5.4
Classic TV, YouTube

6.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

5.2
Gaming on console

6.7
TV as a computer monitor

5.6
Watching in bright light

4.9
Utility functions

4.9
Apps

4.6
Sound quality

6.2

PHILIPS PUS8500 - TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Build quality: Average

Stand type: Legs

Kolor ramki: Graphite

Review Philips PUS8500 Appearance of the TV

Regulacja podstawy: stand-Base Adjustment
Montaż na płasko: Nie
Akcesoria: accessories-Stand

The Philips PUS8560 is a basic model from a more budget-friendly range. The design of the television is massive, and it is not one of the thinnest on the market. Additionally, the back cover is not aligned with the rest of the structure, which means that when mounted on the wall, the screen may protrude more than in other models. It is clear that the manufacturer envisioned this model mainly for placement on legs. These are made of metal and give the impression of being solid. Although it may seem that the stability of the base is a given, metal legs are a rarity today, even in more expensive models, so their presence in a cheaper variant deserves attention. The frame around the screen is relatively slim, with a distinctive black border. It is worth mentioning that the PUS8560 is the cheapest Philips model with 4K resolution that has been equipped with the Ambilight system. This solution can dramatically change the atmosphere around the television itself!

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Philips PUS8500 (paid link)

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

6.1/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review Philips PUS8500 Contrast and black detail

Result

6,000:1

Result

5,950:1

Result

6,250:1

Result

5,950:1

Result

5,750:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

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.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

PHILIPS PUS8500 - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

4.1/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 90.4%, Bt.2020: 65.8%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Philips PUS8500 Brightness measurement

Result

273 nit

Result

300 nit

Result

324 nit

Result

343 nit

Result

334 nit

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.

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

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

We tested the PUS8560 on several demanding film sequences to assess not only the dry numbers but, above all, how the television performs in practice. Overall impression? Not bad – although it could certainly be better. The biggest problem is the incorrect brightness characteristics. In the scene from the movie Mr. (the one on the left side), it is clearly visible that the television brightens the brightest parts of the image, causing details to be lost. We noticed a similar phenomenon in a less demanding sequence from Billy Lynn, where the fireworks were overexposed, and the entire image appeared washed out and lacking depth. Theoretically, the "HDR10 Effect" feature is supposed to be responsible for dynamic tone mapping and improving such scenes, but in practice – even after activating it – we did not notice a significant improvement.

HDR luminance chart:

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Although the PUS8560 does not impress with the brightness of its panel, the manufacturer equipped it with one tool that theoretically should improve the HDR content reception – support for dynamic metadata in the HDR10+ format. In practice, such a measure often allows for better adjustment of brightness and contrast of the image to a specific scene, making the viewing experience more varied and pleasant compared to standard HDR10. Unfortunately, in the case of this model, the differences between classic HDR and the version with dynamic metadata prove difficult to notice. The final effect remains almost the same – without a noticeable increase in image quality.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.3/10

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.

Review Philips PUS8500 Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6.1/10

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).

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Blur and motion smoothness

4/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz

Film motion smoothing option: No

Blur reduction option: No

BFI function 60Hz: No

BFI function 120Hz: No

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.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Console compatibility and gaming features

4.7/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 60Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: No
Correct implementation of HGIG: No
1080p@120Hz: No
1440p@120Hz: No
4K@120Hz: No
Game bar: 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.

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Input lag

10/10

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.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 13 ms	2160p60: 12 ms
2160p60: 13 ms

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Compatibility with PC

5.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Poor

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 13ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 60Hz

G-Sync: No

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.

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Viewing angles

3.3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 68%

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.

PHILIPS PUS8500 - TV efficiency during daytime

4.9/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Decent

Black levels during daytime: Good

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.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Philips PUS8500 : 331 cd/m2

PHILIPS PUS8500 - TV features

4.9/10

System: Titan OS
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): No
AirPlay: No
Voice search in native language: No
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: No
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): Infrared
Backlit remote control: Yes
Teletext: 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.

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Apps

4.6/10

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

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.

PHILIPS PUS8500 - Sound

6.2/10

Subjective sound quality

Supported codecs

(TV speakers)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

Supported codecs

(external HDMI eARC audio)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

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.