Test of the Philips OLED804: ”A black and flat gem”

The discreet and seamless Philips OLED804 is perfect for those who crave the picture quality offered by an OLED panel with Ambilight backlight.

Text: Thomas Ytterberg and Joni Nikkola Photos: Manufacturer and Thomas Ytterberg

Philips has always been able to package its televisions into something larger than just display panels equipped with speakers. A good example from the coming years is the Ambilight backlight, which sets Philips apart from its competitors and also offers what many consider to be a significant improvement in the viewing experience.

In recent years, the Philips brand has been under the management of Hong Kong-based TP Vision. During that time, instead of focusing on major innovations, the company has instead focused on targeting consumers who are looking for sufficient features, do not need extreme precision, and also do not want to pay too much.

There are basically two types of televisions available – those with an OLED and those with an LCD panel. The expensive full-service models have put emphasis on design and sound quality. However, this time we tested the Philips OLED804, which falls into the more modest, simpler and also more affordable category of OLED TVs.

Better processor

The OLED804 was introduced as a successor to the 902 and 803 models from last year – the 2019 Philips TVs are identified by the number in the last digit of the model number. This model is available in 55 and 65 inch sizes, of which the smaller model was used for our test. The TV is quite inconspicuous externally, as the thin bezel doesn’t even have a logo on it. However, the OLED panel offers just as good image quality as one would expect.

And of course, one of the features is the Philips brand, the Amblight backlight. Its color glow on the wall matches the color palette of the screen. The slim legs are located below, but there is also an OLED854 variant available, which is practically the same TV, but has a tabletop base located in the center of the TV.

The two-sided remote control is very good, and there is no risk of accidental presses. The buttons are often a more convenient way to control the TV than voice control, for example when you need to enter a password or something requiring more precision.

The Oled panel in the 804 model is technically identical to the 803 series from last year, but the technology has been updated. Now the third-generation P5 processor runs inside the panels, which Philips promises will significantly improve image reproduction. The panel’s reflective filter, however, remains as well-regarded as before.

Better management features

Besides the good picture and Ambilight, the TV doesn’t offer many other goodies. The built-in sound system isn’t very enjoyable. It certainly produces sound, but it doesn’t offer enough punch and detail for movie or music use. Usually, however, such a TV is connected to a separate audio system anyway, or at least a soundbar.