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Philips OLED+959 review: Two minute review
The Philips OLED+959 is a superb, premium OLED TV. It goes toe-to-toe with the best TVs, especially when it comes to built-in sound, but several things hold it back from immortality.
The Philips OLED+959’s strong contrast and black levels, realistic detail and vibrant color all rival the best OLED TVs. Combined with Philips’ Ambilight feature, the OLED+959 really does provide a unique home-viewing experience. Motion processing can require some setup and upscaling of lower-resolution SDR sources could be better (it could take a page here from other flagship OLEDs such as the Samsung S95D and LG G4), but the OLED+959’s overall picture quality is excellent.
Sound is what sets the OLED+959 apart. Its built-in 5.1.2-channel speaker system is powerful, immersive, and dynamic and can easily substitute for most of the best soundbars. Even Dolby Atmos height effects are audible! The OLED+959 easily joins the other best TVs for sound, with the Panasonic Z95A only really offering similar quality.
The OLED+959 looks like a premium TV, and while I’m always happy to see Ambilight on a TV, the new Ambilight Plus system introduces movement into the mix and may be too cluttered for some. Using it, I found myself longing for the standard Ambilight system. It’s also a hefty TV with a divisive stand design, but Philips’ use of fabric material gives it a good look.
The OLED+959 carries most features found on the best gaming TVs and has the performance to match, with 4K 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision gaming support, plus a 12.6ms input lag time. While its performance won’t beat the best LG and Samsung TVs, it’s undoubtedly a great OLED for gaming.
Google TV is a serviceable smart TV platform that rounds out the whole package. The OLED+959’s software is responsive, but the home screen feels very cluttered with a large banner ad.
Given what it offers, the OLED+959 carries a premium price tag, but when its closest rivals are roughly £1,000 cheaper, it’s tough to ignore the price gap. Still, if you have the budget, the OLED+959 is a fantastic TV.
Philips OLED+959 review: Prices & release dates
- First released: October 2024
- 65-inch price: £3,999
The Philips OLED+959 is the flagship OLED TV in Philips’ 2024 TV range, sitting above the Philips OLED759, Philips OLED809 and Philips OLED909. On its release in November 2024, the OLED+959 cost £3,999 for the 65-inch model (the only size available), placing it at the very premium end of the market.
Since its release, prices have dropped, with the OLED+959 now retailing for around £2,999. While this is a significant price cut, it still puts the OLED+959 above other premium OLEDs such as the LG G4 and Samsung S95D, both of which cost roughly £1,999.
Philips OLED+959 review: Specs
|
Screen type: |
OLED |
|
Refresh rate: |
144Hz |
|
HDR support: |
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
|
Audio support: |
Dolby Atmos |
|
Smart TV: |
Google TV |
|
HDMI ports: |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
Philips OLED+959 review: Benchmark results
Philips OLED+959 review: Features
- New Ambilight Plus
- 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker system
- Philips P5 AI Dual Action Engine
The Philips OLED+959 features the company’s P5 AI Dual Engine Processor and META 2.0 OLED panel with micro lens array (MLA), the same tech found in the LG G4 and Panasonic Z95A OLEDs. It supports all HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats.
The OLED+959’s most unique feature is Ambilight Plus technology, an upgraded version of Ambilight that can be found on most Philips TVs, including its step-down OLED809 and OLED909 models. Ambilight Plus not only projects colours onto the wall behind and around the TV but also generates movement and shadows that extend the on-screen action.
The OLED+959’s built-in 5.1.2 channel Bowers & Wilkins sound system contains 18 drivers powered by a robust 102W. The system has a front speaker array for left, right and centre channels, two side-firing and two up-firing channels, and a rear-mounted subwoofer.
For gaming, the OLED+959 supports 4K 120Hz, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia GSync, HGiG, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, and it has a Game Bar menu that allows for settings customization during gaming. Only two HDMI 2.1 ports are provided.
One of the OLED+959’s more eye-catching features is its supplied stand, which sits approximately 473mm off the ground. The OLED+959 uses Google TV as its smart TV platform, but it’s worth noting that it does not support Freeview Play with its UK-based streaming apps, such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Philips OLED+959 review: Picture quality
- Stunning, vibrant colours
- Great detail and contrast
- Picture upscaling could be better
Starting off with brightness measurements, the Philips OLED+959 achieved 2,050 nits peak brightness (measured on a 10% white window HDR pattern) in Personal mode (used as Standard) and 1,296 nits in Filmmaker Mode. On a fullscreen HDR window pattern, the OLED+959 measured 277 nits and 271 nits in Personal mode and Filmmaker Mode, respectively.
(Philips claims the OLED panel in the OLED+959 is capable of 3,000 nits max brightness, but the maximum I measured was 2,502 nits on a 2% HDR window pattern in Vivid mode.)
Moving on to reference viewing, I began by watching an HD-quality Disney Plus stream of Fight Club. While the picture was mostly fine, I have seen better upscaling on other premium OLED sets, particularly the Samsung S95D. This was also the case with low-resolution broadcast TV, where textures were on the fuzzy side.
Watching a 4K Dolby Vision stream of Elemental on Disney Plus, the OLED+959 showcased bold, dynamic and vibrant colours throughout, with the orange of fire and blue of water popping on the screen with a shimmery glow. A 4K Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi also showed off the OLED+959’s accurate colour reproduction, with reds in the throne room fight scene displayed with real authenticity and punch. In both instances, Ambilight gave colours an even brighter quality.
When measuring the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 HDR color gamut coverage of the OLED+959, it yielded 75.1% and 98.5%, respectively – both fantastic results and ones that validate its superb color when I watched movies. It also achieved an average of 1.7 for color accuracy (we look for an average below 3), another great result.
The contrast and black levels on the OLED+959 were refined and deep. In the opening crime scene of The Batman, the balance between light and dark tones was superb, with excellent shadow detail on display in clothing and objects. Even the darkest scenes accurately captured the movie’s gritty tone and look. Watching Oppenheimer, the black and white scenes also showed a wide range of subtle grey tones.
The OLED+959 demonstrated accurate, refined textures and detail across all the movies and TV shows I watched. In the close-up shots in Top Gun: Maverick and The Batman, facial features such as hair and skin looked clear and authentic.
I found I didn’t need to make any changes to most picture settings throughout my viewing. When watching HD streams of sport, including soccer, however, I had to make adjustments to motion, setting blur and judder reduction to 3 or 4. For movies, motion was generally handled well. In Top Gun: Maverick, for example, training missions and flight sequences looked smooth, but I felt I’d seen them look smoother on rival OLEDs such as the Samsung S95D and LG G4.
- Picture quality score: 4.5/5
Philips OLED+959 review: Sound quality
- Powerful built-in sound
- Accurate and immersive
- Possibly the best built-in TV sound I’ve heard
The OLED+959 has a built-in Bowers & Wilkins 5.1.2 channel, 102W sound system and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks. It also has AI sound and bass enhancement as well as EQ and Room Calibration features.
The OLED+959’s speaker array is one of the most impressive built-in sound systems I’ve ever experienced on a TV, and it eliminates any need to connect a soundbar.
Watching the Penguin/Batmobile chase scene from The Batman, the rumbling bass of the Batmobile’s engine was powerful and hefty but well controlled. As car tyres screeched and vehicles weaved in and out of traffic, the placement of sound was pinpoint accurate in the front speaker array and well-connected to the action on screen. Dolby Atmos overhead effects like rain were audible and well-balanced with other elements in the mix, and the soundstage was wide and immersive.
It was a similar story with Top Gun: Maverick, with the Mach 10 scene in the movie’s opening showing off the expressive, dynamic capabilities of the OLED+959’s speakers. Subtle surround effects such as wind and the Darkstar jet’s creaking panels could be heard clearly amidst the boom of engines, and dialogue throughout the movies and TV shows I watched was crystal clear.
Philips OLED+959 review: Design
- Ambilight Plus version might be too busy for some
- Included stand
- Premium backlit remote control
The OLED+959 carries some unique features that set it apart from other TVs. First, it comes with Ambilight, which projects coloured lights around and behind the TV. I’m a fan of Ambilight, which adds another dimension to the viewing experience, making the picture feel bigger and more immersive. The OLED+959 comes with the latest Ambilight Plus system, which further extends the movement of images on screen to the coloured lights on show. While this adds an extra twist to traditional Ambilight, I felt it occasionally looked too busy and distracting and found myself longing for the standard Ambilight system.
The OLED+95’s meaty sound system necessarily makes it a thick TV by modern standards. On the positive side, the fabric around the frame and front speakers gives it a premium look and helps negate this added depth. The OLED+959 also has a trim bezel, allowing the picture to be the main feature.
The OLED+959 is supplied with a heavy-duty stand that positions the TV roughly 473mm from the floor. It’s worth noting that when connected to its stand, the OLED+959 is a weighty TV, clocking in at 44.5kg.
The OLED+959 comes with Philips’ premium TV remote, which is USB-C rechargeable and lights up when moved – useful for viewing in darker conditions. It’s made of a matte, metal material and feels reassuringly solid.
Philips OLED+959 review: Smart TV & menus
- Google TV smart TV platform
- Big home screen banner ads
- Good number of picture and sound settings
The OLED+959 uses Google TV as its smart TV platform, which supports apps such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video. However, it’s worth noting that it does not support Freeview, UK-based apps such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX. If you want access to these, you will need to add one of the best streaming devices such as an Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Google TV is a solid enough smart TV platform. The home screen provides easy access to apps, with the main ones laid out in a horizontal row. There are content recommendations from apps based on your viewing history, but this requires a sign-in to a Google account. There is no ignoring the large banner ad at the top of the home screen, which not only takes up a large portion of the screen but can also be a video, which I found annoying
There are a good number of picture and sound settings provided for those who like to adjust the picture and sound to suit their tastes. There are also advanced controls for calibration for those who really like to fine-tune things. Navigating menus is smooth enough and the TV software feels responsive.
- Smart TV & menus score: 4/5
Philips OLED+959 review: Gaming
- 4K 144Hz, VRR, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM
- 12.6ms input lag time
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
The OLED+959 is well equipped for gaming, with 4K 144Hz, VRR including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM all supported. There is also a Game Mode with optimized settings and a Game Bar menu where settings can be further adjusted.
Performance is responsive and smooth, with graphically intense action sequences and fast-paced gaming all well-handled. When playing Battlefield V at 120fps on Xbox Series X, scanning the environment in chaotic battle sequences was an easy and judder-free experience. The OLED+959’s input lag measured at 12.6ms, which doesn’t beat the very best 120Hz TVs from LG and Samsung, but is still below the 15ms most gamers look for.
Picture quality while gaming is also very strong, especially with games in Dolby Vision (a limited category). The textures are accurate, colours are vibrant, contrast is balanced, and the details of the environments and weapons look intricate and true-to-life. Those looking for an OLED TV for gaming will be pleased.
Philips OLED+959 review: Value
- Pricier than rival flagship OLEDs
- Premium design and performance
- Step-down Philips OLED909 has similar picture quality
Overall, the OLED+959 is a fantastic but expensive TV that’s noticeably pricier than rival flagship OLEDs. It’s currently priced at £2,999 for a 65-inch screen(a £1,000 discount since its launch in October 2024), while the Samsung S95D and LG G4 65-inch models are available for roughly £1,999. While the OLED+959 has the bonus of a significantly better built-in sound system than its rivals, it’s tough to ignore that £1,000 price difference, which can easily net you one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, such as the Samsung HW-Q990D.
The OLED+959 is a premium TV with premium performance and features, so a premium price tag is expected. While it does tick all the boxes, Philips fans could also look to the step-down Philips OLED909, which delivers the same gaming features and performance and similar overall picture quality to the OLED+959 (and arguably better Ambilight) for £2,199 – an £800 saving.
Should I buy the Philips OLED+959?
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Attributes |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Features |
META 2.0,MLA OLED panel, 5.1.2-channel sound system, good stock of gaming features and Ambilight Plus |
4.5/5 |
|
Picture quality |
Superb color, contrast, black levels and details, but upscaling could be better |
4.5/5 |
|
Sound quality |
Powerful, immersive and dynamic system that rivals soundbars |
5/5 |
|
Design |
Premium appearance with unique stand, but some may find it cumbersome. New Ambilight Plus a divisive feature |
4/5 |
|
Smart TV and menus |
Google TV is serviceable with plenty of settings, but home screen is obscured by large banner ad |
4/5 |
|
Gaming |
Fantastic suite of gaming features, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports |
4/5 |
|
Value |
Premium price expected for performance and features, but significantly pricier than rivals |
3.5/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also Consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Philips OLED+959 |
Samsung S95D |
LG G4 |
Panasonic Z95A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Price (65-inch) |
£3,999 |
$3,399 / £3,399 |
$3,399 / £3,299 |
$3,100 / £3,899 |
|
Screen type |
OLED (MLA) |
OLED |
OLED |
OLED |
|
Refresh rate |
144Hz |
144Hz |
144Hz |
144Hz |
|
HDR support |
Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG |
|
Smart TV |
Google TV |
Tizen |
webOS 24 |
Fire TV |
|
HDMI ports |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
4 x HDMI 2.1 |
4 x HDMI 2.1 |
4 (2x HDMI 2.1) |
How I tested the Philips OLED+959
Image 1 of 2
- Tested in lab in various lighting conditions
- Tested using both SDR and HDR sources
- Measurements were taken using specialized equipment and Portrait Displays’ Calman Color calibration software
After some casual viewing to determine the most accurate picture mode (Filmmaker Mode in this case), I began critical testing of the Philips OLED+959 using SDR (broadcast TV and HD streaming) and HDR (4K streaming and 4K Blu-ray) sources.
I used reference scenes to test the picture quality, analysing colour, contrast, detail, upscaling, motion and black levels. I also used these scenes to test the OLED+959’s built-in speakers and sound quality.
For 4K Blu-ray testing, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, and to test gaming features and performance, I used an Xbox Series X.
I next took measurements using a colourimeter, test pattern generator and Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software to record the measurements.
I tested the OLED+959’s brightness using both SDR and HDR white window patterns ranging in size from 1-100% screen coverage. I tested these in both Standard (in this case Personal) and Filmmaker Mode picture modes.
I also tested the OLED+959’s colour and greyscale accuracy, looking for an average Delta E value (the margin for error between the test pattern and what’s shown on screen) lower than 3 for both tests.
I also tested the OLED+959’s HDR colour gamut coverage, measuring the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 colour spaces.
Input lag was tested using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester.
