Philips 55OLED705 - Ambilight (2021)
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According to our television expert
Screen size | 55 inches | |
Image quality | Very good | |
Smart platform | Android | |
Refresh rate | 100 Hz | |
Screen type | OLED | |
Sharpness | 4K (UHD) |
5 stars
90
4 stars
52
3 stars
3
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Sound quality
Image quality
Design
After previous good experiences with the Philips 55OLED804 from 2019, I can say that this model is also downright great! In fact, the only reason why this device was put in the Philips 700 line is probably because it had to make way for the 805 with expensive-sounding AI technology. I doubt whether the image could be much better, what a sensation! Razor-sharp lines, smooth transitions, high contrast, perfect colors and everything can be set to your own taste. The sound is fine in my opinion. Not tinny and can be adjusted to your own taste with the equalizer in the menu. I don't agree with reviews that say there's too little bass in it. The ratio between low and high is well balanced. If you want a cinema experience with bass that you feel in your stomach, then a separate amplifier is recommended (or a cinema ticket).
Initially I had gone for a cheaper Philips 43PUS8835 LED TV, but it soon became clear to me that LED TV, at least at Philips, is an afterthought. Poor viewing angles and dark spots in the corners, moderate contrast; simply disappointing and for me the confirmation that LED is mainly marketed as 'the cheap alternative'. That unit was returned the next day. Even with the competing brands, I didn't see anything striking, unless you spent 2-3x as much money for QLED or NanoCell or Full Array. But why should I pay 800-1200 euros for an LED TV when I can buy an OLED for EUR 999? Ultimately a no-brainer for me that I don't regret for a second.
Because this device should have been released in 2020, it may not have the very latest Android version or HDMI and Bluetooth standards, but I think you buy a lot of value for money. And oh well, even those very latest standards will be obsolete next year. Are you still in doubt between LED or OLED? Then spend a little more money and choose OLED, even if it is not specifically this device. If you're even a little critical of image and sound, you won't regret it.
Hendrik
30 June 2021
Automatically translated from Dutch
Prior to I've had the TV for 2 days now, so I can only give my first impressions. In addition, I have little comparison material and I cannot really substantiate the whole technically. So this is not a good review if you want to know what the peak brightness, color deviation and input lag is.
unboxing I bought the TV as a second chance at coolblue. There may have been things missing without my noticing. The TV comes in a gigantic box, until you realize that the TV is just big (I had a 42" TV). Next to the TV there is a manual and remote control in the box. No cables or other accessories.
design The design can be described as minimalist. The bezels are quite thin and the TV stands on 2 thin metal feet. I was afraid beforehand that the TV would not be very stable, but this turns out to be no problem and the TV is firmly in place.
There are 2 drawbacks here. If the TV is on its feet, there is no room to place a soundbar. I can barely stick my fingers under the TV. You can solve this by hanging the TV on the wall, but you will notice that the TV has no ambilight at the bottom.
Connections This is one of the areas where more expensive TVs stand out and this TV is not completely up to date. For example, the HDMI ports are only version 2.0b and you have to do without 4k@120Hz. For the (console) gamer a considerable disadvantage and for others a great place to economize.
I think the amount of connections is fine: Including 4 HDMI, 3 USB, a network port and a slot for your CI+ module. On the side are 3 HDMI, 2 USB and 1 headphone port. At the bottom is 1 HDMI, 1 USB, 1 COAX, 1 SAT, 1 Optical out and 1 network port. It may be that the power plug is on the other side and points backwards. If you place the TV on a piece of furniture, this will not be a problem, but when you hang it up, this creates extra space between the wall and TV.
to install As soon as you turn on the TV for the first time, a short installation wizard starts. The whole thing runs on Android TV and is, at least for me as an Android user, easy and user-friendly. It's 2021 so things like setting up the network connection go smoothly. Because I have a CI+ module in combination with. Ziggo use, the channels also had to be picked up. Click next 2x and 10 seconds later all channels were set. It can't get much easier.
Image What's the first thing you do after your new TV is plugged in? Correct! Set up a nature documentary and admire the image quality. For this I started Our Planet (4K and Dolby Vision/HDR) in Netflix. By default, the colors were set rather 'neon': green was exaggerated green, blue exaggerated blue and gray quickly turned black. I myself prefer more natural colors and luckily that can all be set in dozens of settings
There are sometimes some artifacts in the image, probably due to the smoothing I set to medium. Of course, just like other video and audio 'optimisations', this can be turned off.
The brightness is good enough for me (have it set to 70%) but it's not terribly bright. My living room is quite bright and as soon as the sun shines on the TV you see that it reflects enormously. If you have something like curtains or blinds (most will have this), that shouldn't be a problem. However, do not expect to be blinded by the TV, but because of the good contrast you do not have to stare at the TV in dark scenes. Just fine.
Sound With my previous TV I used a 5.1 set with 1.5 meter high columns. As expected, the sound can't match that and especially the low tones are missing. It also sounds fine and clear. Separate speakers are recommended if you like to watch action movies. The built-in speakers are fine for documentaries or for bridging purposes.
Ambilight Besides the price, ambilight is the main reason for me to buy this TV. The TV stands in front of a dark green wall and in the evening the contrast between the wall and the TV is therefore extra large. The ambilight lighting is fairly subtle, not a "Gamer RGB disco", but it does make it easier on the eyes. If you already have a well-lit wall, I don't think it adds much.
Speed I don't mind the speed with which you navigate between channels and apps. Previously I used a Xiaomi Mi Box from 2016 and this TV is about as fast. Not fast compared to a new phone, but not so slow as to be frustrating. I use a CI+ module from Ziggo and zapping between channels is also fine.
Conclusion For €999 a very good TV. Do you want to hang up the TV, place a soundbar in front of it or play games with 120FPS? Then this is not the best choice. Do you want a good and affordable OLED TV to watch series and movies? Then I would definitely consider this TV.
Maarten
28 May 2021
Automatically translated from Dutch
Beautiful picture and good sound
jan de groot
8 May 2021
Automatically translated from Dutch
Product number | 879934 |
Manufacturer code | 55OLED705/12 |
Brand | Philips |
Warranty | 2 years |
Processing of your defect | On-site service |
Image quality | Very good | |
Screen type | OLED | |
Screen size | 55 inches | |
Sharpness | 4K (UHD) | |
Refresh rate | 100 Hz | |
Color depth | 1 billion colors (10-bit) | |
Recommended for television use | Optimal gaming, Stream series and movies, Watch sports optimally |
Quality viewing angle | Excellent | |
Pixel structure | WRGB | |
Local dimming | ||
Type local dimming | Self-emitting | |
HDR support | ||
Type of HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | |
Input lag | 15 ms | |
Neo QLED | No |
Smart TV | ||
Smart platform type | Extensive | |
Smart platform | Android | |
Guaranteed support with updates | 24 months after release date | |
Built-in WiFi | ||
Bluetooth | ||
DLNA | ||
AirPlay | ||
Chromecast built in | ||
Media player |
Built-in soundbar | ||
Number of speakers | 3 | |
Continuous/nominal total output capacity (RMS) | 50 W | |
Subwoofer | ||
Dolby Atmos support |
Sleep timer | ||
Light sensor | ||
Pivotable stand | ||
Ambilight | ||
Ambilight type | 3-sided Ambilight XL |
Controls via app | ||
Controlled via Android app | ||
Controlled via Apple app | ||
Voice control |
CI/CI+ slot | ||
Digital tuner | ||
Digital video signal | Cable (DVB-C), Digitenne (DVB-T), Digitenne (DVB-T2), Satellite (DVB-S), Satellite (DVB-S2) | |
DVB-T Twin tuner | ||
DVB-S Twin tuner |
Antenna connector | ||
Female HDMI Type A port version | 2.0b | |
HDMI eARC | ||
Digital optical connector | ||
Headphone jack | ||
USB port | ||
Component video connector | ||
Composite connector | ||
Network connector | ||
RCA connector | ||
VGA connector |
VESA mount option | ||
VESA mount | 300x300mm | |
Including TV mount |
Energy label | G | |
Energy consumption per 1000h | 103 kWh | |
Energy consumption HDR per 1000h | 86 kWh |
Color | Silver | |
Height | 70,56 cm | |
Width | 122,78 cm | |
Depth | 4,93 cm | |
Weight | 21,2 kg | |
Height including stand | 71,66 cm | |
Width including stand | 122,78 cm | |
Depth with stand | 23 cm | |
TV stand type | 2 stands | |
Leg stands adjustable in height | ||
Leg stands adjustable in width | ||
Stand height | 1 cm | |
Space between leg stands | 78,9 cm | |
Total weight including stand | 21,5 kg | |
Year introduced | 2021 |
