Philips Ambilight PUS8500 55-inch QLED (55PUS8500) review
Best for: Ambilight mood lighting · Budget
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Pros
- Ambilight makes the screen feel bigger and is easier on the eyes
- Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Very light at under 10 kg
Cons
- Titan OS has fewer apps than Google TV
- No HDMI 2.1 or 120Hz gaming
- Small VESA pattern limits bracket choice
Full review
Ambilight is the reason to buy a Philips. LEDs on the back of the TV throw coloured light onto the wall that matches what is on screen, which makes the picture feel larger and more immersive, and can reduce eye strain in a dark room. The PUS8500 has it on three sides, which is unusual at this price.
It is a quantum dot LED TV with support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so it will make the most of HDR shows whichever format they use. Its place in Philips' range makes it one of the more affordable ways to get Ambilight, so check today's price with the buttons.
The compromises are in gaming and software. The panel is a standard 50/60Hz type with HDMI 2.0, so consoles are limited to 60Hz. Philips now uses Titan OS on its budget models; it covers Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+, but has a smaller app store than Google TV, so check your must-have apps first. Sound is a basic 20W.
If you mostly watch TV and films in the evening, the Ambilight effect is something no other brand here offers.
Full specifications
| Screen size | 55 inch |
|---|---|
| Panel / backlight | QLED (quantum dot LED) |
| Native refresh rate | 50/60 Hz |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| HDMI ports | HDMI 2.0 (no HDMI 2.1) |
| Gaming features | Game mode; VRR not listed |
| Built-in sound | 20W 2.0ch |
| Smart platform | Titan OS |
| Voice assistants | Not published |
| eARC | Not published |
| Picture processor | Not published |
| Resolution | 4K (3840 x 2160) |
| Size without stand (W x H x D) | 1226 x 705 x 88 mm |
| Weight without stand | 9.9 kg |
| VESA wall mount | 200 x 100 |
| Model year | 2025 |
| Ambilight | 3-sided (top, left, right) |
Spec check note: We could not open Philips' own spec page. Coolblue lists a 50Hz native refresh and one HDMI 2.0 version; it does not give an HDMI port count, eARC or voice details, so we mark those as not published. The 88 mm depth may include the rear bulge.
Specifications checked against: Coolblue NL PUS8500 55-inch (2025) listing, Currys 55PUS8500/05 listing
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Philips Ambilight PUS8500 55-inch QLED (55PUS8500) | TCL C6K 55-inch QD-Mini LED (55C6K) | Samsung Q7F 55-inch QLED (QE55Q7F) | LG QNED82 55-inch (55QNED82A6B) | Sony Bravia 2 II 43-inch (K-43S25M2) | Hisense U6KQ 55-inch Mini LED (55U6KQ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Ambilight mood lighting | Best picture for the money | Samsung fans and casual viewing | LG webOS and Apple users | Bedrooms and small living rooms | Lowest-cost Mini LED |
| Price band | Budget | Budget | Budget | Budget | Budget | Budget |
| Screen size | 55 inch | 55 inch | 55 inch | 55 inch | 43 inch | 55 inch |
| Panel / backlight | QLED (quantum dot LED) | QD-Mini LED, up to 512 dimming zones (HVA panel) | QLED (quantum dot LED) | QNED (quantum dot + NanoCell), edge LED with local dimming | LED (direct-lit LCD) | Mini LED, 120 dimming zones, quantum dot |
| Native refresh rate | 50/60 Hz | 144 Hz | 50/60 Hz | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | 50/60 Hz |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (no Dolby Vision) | HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| HDMI ports | HDMI 2.0 (no HDMI 2.1) | 4 (2 are HDMI 2.1) | 3 (HDMI 2.0, 4K 60Hz) | 3 (HDMI 2.1 listed) | 4 (HDMI 2.0) | 3 (HDMI 2.0) |
| Gaming features | Game mode; VRR not listed | VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro, up to 144Hz | ALLM (Auto Game Mode); no 120Hz | VRR, ALLM, HGiG, Game Optimizer | ALLM, game mode | ALLM, VRR (60Hz), under 13 ms input lag |
Prices in every region
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