Philips unveiled a new generation of televisions at its Berlin showcase, with a strong focus on OLED technology. However, the company also highlighted advancements in its LCD lineup, introducing the MLED981 featuring RGB MiniLED technology, alongside The One 100″ PQS9001, its largest screen to date.
Philips 85MLED981: New Flagship with RGB MiniLED
The MLED981 marks Philips’ first television to utilize RGB MiniLED backlighting. The company positions this model to deliver performance exceeding its QLED sets, yet remaining just below its flagship OLED 811 and 911 series. This indicates Philips believes RGB MiniLED technology occupies a distinct position within its television hierarchy.
The prototype showcased boasted impressive specifications, with 11,520 dimming zones – representing the RGB sub-pixels, equating to 3,840 actual zones – and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. The goal is improved control over blooming effects and more accurate motion rendering, a key area of innovation in display technology.
The 85-inch panel supports a 165Hz refresh rate and covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space. It also features Ambilight illumination (three-sided in this configuration) and compatibility with the new Dolby Vision 2 Max standard. Powering the experience is a 10th-generation P5 AI processor, supported by the MediaTek Pentonic 800 chipset, which enhances HDR tone mapping and contrast.
For gamers, the MLED981 offers HDR10+ Gaming and FreeSync Premium Pro. A DLG function can boost the refresh rate up to 330 Hz, albeit with a slightly reduced vertical resolution. The television also includes four HDMI 2.1 inputs with high bandwidth (up to 48-330 Hz).
Audio is also a focus, with a 70W 4.1 system incorporating side-firing and downward-facing speakers, as well as a rear-mounted subwoofer, designed to deliver immersive sound without the need for an external soundbar.
The MLED981 is slated for release in October, initially available in an 85-inch screen size.
Philips “The One”: QLED TV in XXL Format
The One series has long been aimed at consumers seeking a well-rounded television experience without the premium price tag. The latest generation, the PQS9001, will be available in a wide range of screen sizes, from 43 inches up to a massive 100 inches. The PQS9001 combines a 7th-generation P5 processor with a 144Hz QLED panel and support for Dolby Vision 2, alongside three-sided Ambilight with AmbiScape support and Philips’ TitanOS smart platform.
This model also features four high-bandwidth HDMI inputs (48-240 Hz). Gaming features include HDR10+ Gaming and FreeSync Premium, while DLG can increase the refresh rate to 240 Hz (excluding the 43-inch model).
During Philips’ exhibition, a quick look at the 100-inch model revealed a physically impressive display, likely to appeal to those seeking a home theater experience with Ambilight.
Like all Philips 2026 models, the new The One series will utilize Titan OS as its user interface, moving away from Google TV. The series will launch in June in sizes from 43 to 75 inches, with the 85- and 100-inch variants arriving in October.
Swedish pricing has not yet been announced.
Ljud & Bild specifies that travel costs for this report were paid for by the manufacturer.
(f. 1981): Journalist. Audun anställdes som journalist på Ljud & Bild 2004 och har spelat en aktiv roll i utvecklingen av L&B som tidning och webbplats. Audun är extremt kvalitetsmedveten och känd för sina kräsna öron och skarpa ögon. Han ansvarar för Ljud & Bilds TV-tester.
