Philips 55PUT8115/94: Is This Premium Ultra-HD Android TV Really Worth the Investment?

Today, it’s possible to find a 55-inch Ultra-HD TV for less than Rs. 40,000, but expanding your budget typically provides access to enhanced features and improved performance. A larger budget also opens up a wider array of reputable brands, which can contribute to a higher level of confidence in quality and performance. One brand that stands out is Philips, which has established itself above the entry-level market.

With an official price tag of Rs. 89,990 (commonly available for Rs. 69,990), the Philips 55PUT8115/94 TV competes in a similar arena to the now-unavailable Philips 8200-series TV. Its specifications highlight Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, alongside smart functionality via Android TV and a sound output of 20W, which seem quite promising. Could this be the go-to TV for around Rs. 70,000? Let’s explore in this review.

Philips aims to distinguish itself from competitors like Xiaomi and Hisense, targeting consumer segments that typically consider Samsung and Sony

Design and Specifications of the Philips 55PUT8115/94 Ultra-HD LED Android TV

The Philips 55PUT8115/94 Ultra-HD TV is marketed alongside premium brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony. Moreover, Philips must contend with advanced quantum dot LED models from budget-friendly brands, such as the Hisense 55U6G, priced under Rs. 60,000.

The design of the Philips 55PUT8115/94 TV is uncomplicated and efficient. Its primary focus is to ensure the screen captures the viewer’s attention, and it accomplishes this with sleek, black bezels surrounding the LCD panel and a subtle Philips logo positioned in the lower left corner.

The TV isn’t ultra-slim but maintains a balanced profile when mounted on a wall or placed on a stand. On the left side, you’ll find one HDMI port (with ARC support), a USB Type-A port, a 3.5mm headphone input, and the antenna connection. The remaining ports are located on the bottom, including three HDMI ports, one USB Type-A port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, and an Optical Audio Out (Toslink) connection.

Unfortunately, the power socket is positioned on the back, which can lead to a plug bending when the TV is mounted low, which is concerning. The bottom-facing ports become tricky to access after wall installation, and even the side-facing ports can be somewhat challenging to reach. A wall mount kit is not included, so you’ll need to check with your retailer if installation includes free or paid mounting services.

Make sure to attach all necessary connections before wall-mounting the TV; however, this is less of an issue if you decide to place it on a table, as its weight of 11.5kg (11.8kg with the stands) allows for some maneuverability. The TV’s stands are packaged with the unit and attach near the corners, thus requiring a sufficiently large table space for support.

The variant I reviewed is the 55-inch model, featuring an Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) LED screen. It supports HDR up to Dolby Vision and HDR10+, has a refresh rate of 60Hz, and offers connectivity options including Bluetooth 5, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. Additionally, HDMI ARC is supported, along with a bottom-firing speaker system rated at 20W and compatible with Dolby Atmos. The TV comes with 4GB of storage for applications and related data.

Philips 55PUT8115/94 Ultra-HD LED Android TV Remote and Features

While contemporary trends favor minimalist remotes with fewer buttons and compact sizes, I have a preference for traditional remotes that offer more flexibility and control. The Philips 55PUT8115/94 remote is sizeable, featuring a numeric keypad, playback controls, shortcuts for select streaming platforms, and a large, tactile D-pad for easy navigation, even in reduced light. It also incorporates options for accessing Google Assistant, selecting sources, and more.

The full-sized remote for the Philips 55PUT8115/94 includes hotkeys for Netflix, Google Play, and YouTube

The remote, powered by two AAA batteries (included), is lightweight and user-friendly. It operates through both infrared and Bluetooth, although the latter is only applicable for Google Assistant voice commands. While infrared needs a direct line of sight for function, I found the remote responsive even when not aimed directly at the TV. This helps conserve battery life, as Bluetooth can drain batteries more rapidly.

The Philips 55PUT8115/94, like other Android TV-based televisions, is equipped with complete Google Assistant functionality and integrated Chromecast support, in addition to HDMI ARC and HDMI CEC compatibility.

Software and Interface of the Philips 55PUT8115/94 Ultra-HD LED Android TV

Android TV is a popular operating system choice for many manufacturers due to its quality and user-friendliness. The Philips 55PUT8115/94 operates on Android TV 10, featuring an updated Google-TV-like user interface. This software is very established and reliable, making it likely that most potential buyers are familiar with it in some context. Over 5,000 applications are accessible through the Google Play store for Android TV.

Overall, my experience with the TV’s software was positive. Applications and content loaded quickly, with no buffering problems on a high-speed Internet connection. Navigating the user interface was seamless, and core operations like switching input sources or activating Google Assistant worked without a hitch.

However, I began to notice a recurring problem around two days after the TV was rebooted. Subtitles took a long time to load, audio would unexpectedly drop out, and eventually apps (usually Netflix, but sometimes Disney+ Hotstar) would crash, reverting me to the Android TV home screen.

The Philips 55PUT8115/94 TV features Android TV 10 and the standard user interface, with access to the Google Play Store for apps and games

A full reboot of the TV—essentially turning it off and back on—would temporarily resolve this issue, until it manifested again a few days later. I experienced this problem consistently during the entire review period, and while the workaround was simple, it was somewhat tedious having to repeat the process frequently. There were no software updates provided while I was using the TV, but I hope Philips will soon offer a patch for this issue.

Performance of the Philips 55PUT8115/94 Ultra-HD LED Android TV

Philips positions itself within a niche in the large-screen TV market based on pricing; it sits above offerings from brands like Xiaomi and Hisense while being slightly cheaper than similarly featured models from manufacturers such as Sony and Samsung, such as the Samsung 55AU8000 TV.

In both theory and practice, the Philips 55PUT8115/94 provides considerable value at its market price of approximately Rs. 70,000. However, it doesn’t quite measure up to the now-discontinued Philips 55PUT8215/94, and it falls short when stacked against decent QLED TVs in certain aspects like brightness. While this TV does excel in picture and sound quality, I sensed that its performance didn’t fully align with its price point.

I viewed a diverse array of content across various resolutions and HDR formats, including The Bubble, No Time To Die, Community, Kim’s Convenience, and Severance. I also streamed live sports (Formula One) as well as standard definition videos from YouTube, covering an extensive range of genres and viewing habits.

The picture quality is sharp, but the brightness levels on the Philips 55PUT8115/94 leave something to be desired

Ultra-HD content in Dolby Vision was noticeably superior to other formats on the Philips 55PUT8115/94, though some types of programming matched better with the TV’s picture profile and muted aesthetic. While this TV may not reach the brightness levels of some contenders, it still manages to provide ample detail, especially in media with softer color schemes, such as Severance and The Bubble.

For optimal viewing, I found it necessary to darken the room extensively; any bright indoor lighting or sunlight negatively affected the visual experience. Despite the enhanced brightness associated with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content, the Philips TV struggled to compete with a good quantum-dot LED television in this price range.

On a positive note, the picture was indeed sharp and rich in detail, and the Philips 55PUT8115/94 TV handled motion smoothly for Ultra-HD content. The outdoor winter scenes and windowless office interiors in Severance appeared crisp and properly conveyed the intended atmosphere. Subtle nuances in the characters’ facial expressions were reliably rendered by the television. Motion performances were comfortable, allowing for prolonged viewing periods without strain.

In contrast, sitcoms like Community and Kim’s Convenience felt vibrant due to their bright content and subtler filming techniques, yet still seemed somewhat lackluster when compared to offerings from competitors. However, I rarely noticed motion artifacts or issues with picture quality; the TV executed its functions efficiently, minimizing distractions and letting me concentrate on my viewing.

I watched a full-HD broadcast of No Time To Die on Amazon Prime Video, and found only minor distinctions in sharpness when compared to other Ultra-HD content I had recently viewed across different platforms. While Dolby Vision and HDR10+ media exhibited a slightly brighter picture, standard dynamic range content didn’t feel like a major downgrade considering the Philips 55PUT8115/94’s relatively subdued brightness.

SDR and low-resolution content seemed manageable, given the TV’s brightness limitations with HDR material

When streaming live Formula One with Disney+ Hotstar, as well as other standard definition content, some clarity and upscaling issues were evident. However, with instances such as the Australian Grand Prix, the quality was acceptable and aligned reasonably well with what can be expected from a 55-inch screen.

Sound performance from the Philips 55PUT8115/94 was adequate, yet it didn’t reach the same volume level nor had the richness I’ve experienced on similarly priced competitors, like the Mi QLED TV 4K. Even though the audio was clear, I frequently found myself raising the volume for dialogue-heavy scenes during The Bubble, only to quickly lower it again during action sequences or musical numbers.

While these fluctuations in volume were not excessively drastic, they did impact the overall audio experience, leading me to consider acquiring a basic soundbar to enhance the TV’s audio output. Dolby Atmos did seem to offer a wider and more immersive soundfield with compatible content, but this effect was only really apparent at higher volume settings.

Conclusion

In my view, this TV may be priced about Rs. 10,000 above its ideal value, as better options for value exist among competing brands. Both Xiaomi and Hisense offer quantum-dot LED televisions for a similar or even lower price. However, if picture quality is your primary concern, this Philips model might suit you well. It is also recommended to look into the Philips 55PUT8215/94 TV, which, although officially discontinued, may still be found at some retailers, offering enhanced overall performance.

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