Philips Ambilight 55 inches OLED811 (2026)

After much deliberation, we got rid of our old TV for this Philips OLED811. The main reason was the switch to a more modern OLED panel and, of course, the Ambilight lighting, which we already appreciated so much on our previous unit.

The casing is nice and slim and has virtually no wide bezels, making the transition from 43 to 55 inches in the living room a very pleasant experience. The glossy screen looks very sleek, although it does reflect a bit when the afternoon sun shines directly on the wall. Unpacking and setting it up is a delicate task; due to the weight and fragility of the OLED panel, you really shouldn't do this on your own.

Upon the first startup, it was noticeable that a physical manual is missing, which makes the beginning a bit of a fumble in the dark. The installation steps are fairly self-explanatory, but setting up IPTV and streaming services properly requires some patience. The QR code to connect the TV to your phone disappears from the screen so quickly that I had to grab my phone to film it. Philips could really design that to be more user-friendly. The operating system is Titan OS. That takes some getting used to, and unfortunately, we immediately noticed that apps like Ziggo and SkyShowTime are missing because there is no real app store. So, our old Android box had to be on standby temporarily. Fortunately, streaming available services via a wired UTP connection (Wi-Fi is just a bit too unreliable for stable 4K) is a breeze.

In terms of HDMI equipment and gaming, this TV is a beast. HDMI 2.1 works fantastically with the PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, although the Switch in the dock sometimes required manual selection of the HDMI channel to get a signal. Gaming at 165Hz with VRR and ALLM is buttery smooth and completely free of input lag.

Watching movies is also a revelation. The sharpness is enormous – you truly see every detail – and the contrast with truly deep blacks is unparalleled. The sound from the TV itself is mediocre, but our Dolby Atmos system switches along immediately via HDMI ARC. However, the volume button on the remote responds agonizingly slowly when using the external set; you really have to press tap by tap. Finally, casting from your phone only works after you have manually enabled 'Air Server mode' on the TV.

I am enthusiastic about this Philips 55OLED811. The picture, in particular, is impressive. The OLED technology ensures deep blacks, and the colors look incredibly beautiful and vibrant. Watching movies and series is a real treat because of this.

For me, the greatest added value remains, of course, Ambilight. The light behind the TV follows what is happening on the screen beautifully and immediately gives the room a different atmosphere. However, I do find it a pity that this model does not have 4-sided Ambilight when wall-mounted. That would have made the effect completely perfect for me.

Fortunately, the controls are nice and simple. The menu is well-organized, and I find the remote control very pleasant to use. The special buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube, among others, are handy, and the backlighting on the remote is a nice addition, especially in the evening. It is a shame, though, that it doesn't have Google TV for easier casting from my Android phone to the TV.

The sound is also fine for daily TV viewing. Nevertheless, I ultimately connected my soundbar with a separate subwoofer, because that simply sounds a lot fuller for movies and music. Conclusion: a stunning OLED TV with a fantastic picture and the well-known Ambilight effect that makes watching TV just that little bit more fun. The price is steep, but in my opinion, you get a very beautiful and complete TV in return.

I am very satisfied with the picture; it is very sharp, even on YouTube or streaming. I am also satisfied with the sound; I use it without a soundbar.