The new 3DMark test includes new comparison tools as well as two different types of tests, the standard rapid test and the long-term stress test.
UL Benchmarks, known for its domestic roots, has released new blood for the 3DMark test family. The new 3DMark Wild Life is primarily designed to test the graphics chip on mobile devices, but is also available in an Unlimited version for Windows.
3DMark Wild Life is designed to measure the performance of a graphics chip in a demanding game-like environment. The test is said to take advantage of the latest technologies in modern mobile devices to render the test. For mobile devices, two versions of the test are available, Wild Life and Wild Life Stress Test.
Wild Life is a traditional, relatively short test. It is said to simulate mobile games where the stress is focused on short spins. The Wild Life Stress Test, on the other hand, spins longer and constantly simulates heavy games. The Stress Test not only gives a traditional result, but shows in a convenient graph how the performance of the device changes under longer stress, where the test is rotated several times in a row.
In addition to just the result, the new 3DMark provides easy-to-read graphs on mobile devices, where the result just run can be compared to the results run on the same devices, the results of the most popular devices, and all other results. The graphs also provide interesting device-specific data on how consistent results are given by different individuals. The data is collected from results submitted globally, so it covers a wide range of different usage environments that can affect the results. In addition, statistics are available on how the different operating system versions affect the result.
3DMark Wild Life is implemented with a Vulkan interface for Android and Windows and a Metal interface for Apple devices. The test requires at least Android 10 or iOS 13 operating system and is available for download for Android from the Google Play Store and for iOS devices from the Apple App Store. The Windows version, on the other hand, is available as a free upgrade to 3DMark Advanced and Professional Editions on Steam, the UL Benchmarks website, and the Green Man Gaming store
. Note:
UL Benchmarks has reported that due to Qualcomm’s Vulkan drivers, there are graphical errors in the test, such as flashing on Android 10 and Snapdragon
Although some of the changes in test results go within the margin of error, the differences are between Android 10 and 309 at worst almost 40%.
Earlier this fall, Google released the final version of the Android 11 operating system for smartphones. Android 11 became the first to be available for the company’s own Pixel phones as well as selected models from other manufacturers.
HotHardware has noticed in its own tests that the new Android 11 will slow down at least Google’s Pixel 4 series smartphones in certain tasks. The difference is most evident in the graphics performance of the Pixel 4a, but there are also differences in Pixel 4 and they are almost invariably negative for Android 11.
In 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme, GFXBench, and Geenekch, the results are invariably negative for both Pixel 4 and Pixel 4a, while both PCMark for Android – Work 2.0 results found exceptionally positive partial results from the otherwise negative development.
In 3DMark, the overall result of Pixel 4 fell by almost 9 and the graphics score by just over 5%, but in the physics test on Android 10 the jacket came as much as , 31%. With Pixel 4a, the order of magnitude of the results was reversed: in total points the new Android came over 35 and in graphics points almost 40% , when the physics points decreased by just over 2%.
In GFXBench’s T-Rex and Manhattan tests, Pixel 4’s score dropped by about 1% on Android , but Pixel 4a’s results fell more than 27 and almost 32% in Manhattan. In Geenekch, which focuses on processor performance, Pixel 4’s single and multicore scores fell by about 6 and 14% as Pixel 4a’s scores came down by just over 3%. and you need 7%.
The PCMark tests were minor, as noted, but as noted, one positive exception was found for each. Pixel 4’s Video Editing scores rose by less than 2% and Pixel 4a’s by less than half a percent, in addition to which 4a’s Photo Editing scores rose by about 1.5%. Otherwise, the figures were also negative in PCMark. Pixel 4 scores in Photo Editing, Writing, Work 2.0 and Web Browsing decreased by
Luke Hill 2 days ago Featured Tech Reviews, Gaming PC, Reviews
Nvidia’s RTX 3080 is hot on the shelves, well if you can find any shelves with it on, and PCSpecialist has updated one of their key gaming systems to include the new powerhouse graphics card. If you’re in the market for a high-end gaming pre-built, should the Core i7-10700K and RTX 3080-equipped PCSpecialist Gladius i7 be on your shopping list?
Watch via our Vimeo Channel (Below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE
Specifications:
Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K
Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-F Gaming
Memory: 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 3200MHz C16 DDR4
Graphics Card: 10GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
System Drive: 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus PCIe NVMe SSD
A Raspi NAS is sufficient for private data. Equipped with Ubuntu Server, NFS and ZFS, you design your secure network storage on your own.
(Image: Michael Plura)
Raspberry Pi 4: Build your own minimalist NAS with ZFS file management Choice of the file system Hardware shopping list Choice of the operating system Basic configuration Share ZFS dataset in the network A NAS based on a Raspberry Pi is ready for use in no time: A large MicroSD card or a plugged in U Self-service drive as data storage, plus OpenMediaVault (OMV, version 4 as an image, version 5 as an installable package) and you can meander through hundreds of menus, dialogs and options on your smartphone or browser. No question about it, OMV is well-made software and works great – as long as everything is configured correctly. However, as soon as a tool, a configuration or a function is not explicitly supported by its web interface, OMV needs manual work. So why not set up a minimalist, tailor-made Raspi NAS with the most necessary functions and a secure file system yourself?
There are several NAS distributions on an open source basis for this. They work, but offer too many superfluous functions even in the enterprise environment. A NAS for home use based on a Raspberry Pi usually requires even fewer functions. Our project is only about storing data in a central location. All that is needed is a handful of services: A secure local file system, a service for sharing in the network and preferably a reliable backup solution.
Choice of the file system Who stores data who wants to be able to read them correctly afterwards. This limits the choice of the file system to two candidates. Because only the ZFS and btrfs guarantee data integrity thanks to internal checksums. Our choice falls on ZFS, as it runs on the Rapberry Pi 4 with 2, 4 or preferably 8 GB of RAM. With less than 8 GB of RAM, ZFS may not run optimally – so you shouldn’t use deduplication.
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Sign in and read Register now and read the article immediately More information about heise + Raspberry Pi 4: Build your own minimalist NAS with ZFS file management Choice of the file system Hardware shopping list Choice of the operating system Basic configuration Share ZFS dataset in the network
Updates are available for several versions of SonicOS, which eliminate one critical and ten other security holes from “Medium” to “High”.
(Image: Artur Szczybylo / Shutterstock.com)
From
Olivia von Westernhagen The manufacturer SonicWall has secured several editions of its firewall operating system SonicOS, among other things against a buffer overflow security hole classified as critical (CVE – 2020 – 5134 , CVSS score 9.4). Further updates remove five holes with “High” and five with “Moderate” classification from SonicOS, although the affected and secured versions vary. Admins should take a look at the available advisories and import the updates promptly.
DoS and RCE may be possible As from the Security Advisory on the critical gap CVE – 2020 – 5135 may be removed Attackers exploit this by means of specially prepared requests to paralyze the firewall (denial of service). In addition, any program code can potentially be executed remotely. The IT security company Tenable provides a detailed analysis in a blog entry on CVE – 2020 – 5134.
Very similar to the explanations for CVE – 2020 – 5135 read themselves SonicWall’s descriptions of the “High” security vulnerabilities that do not require authentication for abuse. In all five cases, denial-of-service attacks are possible, which can lead to crashes of the firewall operating system and / or the entire firewall.
According to the Tenable blog entry published yesterday, Thursday is not yet known for any of the eleven gaps in proof of concept code.
Security Advisories Information on vulnerable and protected SonicOS versions can be found in the security advisories, which we refer to in descending order linked by threat level.
SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5135 (Critical, CVSS 9.4) SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5133 (High, CVSS 8.2) SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5137 (High, CVS S 7.5) SonicWall advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5138 (High, CVSS 7.5) SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5139 (High, CVSS 7.5) SonicWall -Advisory to CVE – 5133 – 5140 (High, CVSS 7.5) SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5134 (Medium, CVSS 6.5) SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 2020 – 5136 (Medium, CVSS 6.5) SonicWall Advisory on CVE – 202
Best 8K TV Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best 8K TVs you can buy in 2020.
One day, 8K TVs will drive 4K TVs into extinction. It won’t be for a while yet, but with the likes of Sony, Samsung and LG already selling 8K TV sets (and others such as Panasonic and Philips set to join them in the coming months), it looks like next-generation TVs with a whole heap more pixels will one day be in living rooms across the land.
They’re expensive (at least right now), but 8K TVs offer four times the pixel density of their 4K TV siblings. That makes for a stunningly lifelike picture that represents a massive step up from 4K.
Sadly, there’s more or less no 8K content available at the moment. In the meantime, 8K TVs make themselves useful by upscaling 4K, HD and even standard-def content. That means you can expect a gloriously cinematic experience right now, even though 8K content is far from mainstream.
So what should you look for when buying an 8K TV? Good upscaling is absolutely critical – you want all of the content you watch now to look great, and that involves the TV doing lots of clever processing. It’s also worth looking for HDMI 2.1 ports, too, as they have baked-in support for higher resolutions and frame rates.
Beyond that, you’re looking for broadly the same qualities you’d seek in a 4K TV: great colours, contrast, sharpness and detail; a user-friendly and app-packed operating system; good sound and a smart design.
Jump straight to our pick of the best 8K TVs
What is 8K?
What we’re talking about here is resolution. This means the number of horizontal and vertical pixels. Pixels equal information, so more pixels should mean a better quality image. That’s the theory, at least.
In the case of 8K, this means a horizontal resolution of 7680 pixels and a vertical resolution of 4320 pixels (7680 x 4320), resulting in a display that consists of just under 33 million pixels.
By comparison, 4K video has half the number of horizontal lines and half the number of vertical lines (3840 x 2160), equating to a total pixel count of around 8.3 million.
So, yes, 8K has four times as many pixels as 4K (and 16 times the number of Full HD, for what it’s worth).
Who is making 8K content?
8K video developments to date have largely been driven by filmmakers and TV broadcasters. From a video-editing point of view, the higher resolution can be useful. While filmmakers may not ultimately deliver an 8K film, shooting in the higher resolution gives editors room to manoeuvre, allowing for cropping and zooming while still retaining a high-resolution image. That said, 6K cameras are currently far more prevalent in Hollywood.
Meanwhile in Japan, broadcasters have been experimenting with 8K TV for some time. Back in 2015 the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation, NHK, ran a series of 8K trials, and in 2016 the company announced it was successfully demoing 8K broadcasts. So successful were the trials, NHK has now launched the world’s first 8K television channel. Since 1st December 2018, it has broadcast 8K TV shows on a daily basis, 12 hours a day, and even broadcast the 2019 Rugby World Cup in 8K. Next up is the Tokyo Olympics, which is now scheduled to take place in the summer of 2021.
The Korean Broadcasting Corporation (KBS) is also researching 8K broadcasts, working with LG on content, possible broadcasts and displays – there was 8K experimentation at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. And if you were in Brazil at the time, you could have watched the 2018 World Cup in 8K.
The likes of Netflix and YouTube were, of course, quick out of the blocks when it came to 4K content, and now streaming site Vimeo has jumped aboard with 8K. A recent update adds support for HDR and 8K resolution videos. Naturally, you will need an 8K screen to take advantage, and you might be hard-pushed to find anything truly worth watching.
Rakuten TV wants to become a true global alternative to Amazon Video and Netflix, and has ambitious plans to help that become a reality. Along with a rapid expansion into new countries, it seems 8K content is also part of the strategy – the company announced plans to have 8K films on its service by the end of 2019, although all has since gone rather quiet on that front.
How do we choose the best 8K TVs?
Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year – and that includes plenty of TVs. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all of our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoiding any personal preference.
The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.
From all of our reviews, we choose the products to feature in our Best Buys. That’s why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended below, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you’re getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.
The best 8K TVs right now
(Image credit: Samsung)
1. Samsung QE75Q950TS
Makes the most compelling case for 8K TV yet.
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 75in (also available in 65in and 85in) | Type: QLED | Backlight: not applicable | Resolution: 8K | HDR formats supported: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ | Operating system: Tizen | HDMI inputs: 4 | ARC/eARC: eARC | Optical output: Yes | Dimensions (hwd, without stand): 81 x 143 x 1.5cm
Reasons to Buy
Brilliantly sharp, detailed 4K
Bright, punchy and vibrant
Near-flawless feature set
Reasons to Avoid
No Dolby Vision
Local dimming peculiarities
Only one HDMI 2.1 socket
We’ll just come out and say it: you don’t need an 8K TV. 8K content is thin on the ground, so for the most part, you’ll be paying for something you don’t use. On the other hand, if you’re happy to spend the money, an 8K set could be a sound investment – it’ll also play 4K content, after all, and if you don’t want to buy another TV when 8K takes off, paying once could be the smart option.
The Samsung QE75Q950TS is not only a wise investment for 8K, it also manages to improve on 4K content.
That’s thanks to Samsung’s Quantum Processor 8K and its 8K AI Upscaling feature, which succeed in making non-8K content look better than ever: watching a 4K Blu-ray, we can’t recall a sharper 4K picture, with nothing looking artificially enhanced or exaggerated – it simply pops from the screen more than we’ve previously seen.
Blacks are deep and insightful, while motion is handled with aplomb. Away from the picture, the TV itself is stylish, super slim, and the bezels are amazingly thin. It sounds pretty great, too. Ticks all the boxes, then.
Read the full Samsung QE75Q950TS review
(Image credit: Sony)
2. Sony KD-85ZG9
Sony’s first 8K TV is thrilling – and sets a new TV benchmark.
SPECIFICATIONS
Screen size: 85in (also available in 98in) | Type: LCD | Backlight: direct LED | Resolution: 8K | Operating system: Android TV | HDR support: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDMI inputs: 4 | USBs: 3 | Optical output: Yes | Dimensions (hwd, without stand): 114 x 191 x 12cm
Reasons to Buy
8K is utterly stunning
Punchy, vibrant and natural
Excellent motion and strong sound
Reasons to Avoid
Hugely expensive
Blacks could be deeper
This 85-inch Sony 8K TV, known as the ZG9 in the UK and Z9G in the US, offers an astonishingly-lifelike image and almost no downsides in terms of performance. Convincing blacks, superb motion control, outstanding upscaling – this TV excels in every area.
Sony’s X1 Ultimate chip and 8K X-Reality Pro tech do a superb job of upscaling, adding detail that looks completely natural, ensuring an incredibly immersive performance with HD and 4K content.
Sound is equally spectacular. Four sets of three forward-firing speakers and four woofers help deliver dramatic sound that outshines the average soundbar.
There’s plenty of support for streaming apps, including Netflix and Amazon Video (in 4K and Dolby Vision), and Google Play TV and Movies. Sony’s Android-powered user interface isn’t quite as good as Samsung’s but the ZG9 comes with Google Assistant and is ‘Works with Alexa’-certified, so it’s responsive to voice commands.
You’ll need seriously deep pockets, but for the bleeding edge of 8K TV tech, look no further than the Sony KD-85ZG9 – the finest 8K TV we’ve reviewed.
Read the full Sony KD-85ZG9 8K TV review
5G explained: the network, phones, speeds and more
Next month the OnePlus 8T will be introduced. This 5G phone gets a flat screen, an improved camera system and supports faster charging technology.
On Wednesday, October 14 OnePlus will unveil its new flagship; the OnePlus 8T. This new 5G smartphone will be offered alongside the existing OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. As an 8T Pro model seems to be lacking this year, OnePlus is likely to also pay attention to the recently introduced OnePlus Nord during the online event. Perhaps an additional model may be released in the form of a Nord Lite.
Over time, quite a few details of the OnePlus 8T 5G have already made their way to the web. Unlike the OnePlus 8, the new model seems to sport a flat display – instead of an edge display. OnePlus may have been inspired by Samsung, which has also provided the regular Galaxy Note 20 with a flat screen and the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition, which is expected later today, will also feature a flat display.
The display size and resolution of 6.55-inch 1080p Full HD+ remains the same as on the OnePlus 8. The refresh rate will be increased to 120 Hertz, instead of 90Hz. This higher refresh rate ensures smoother operation while scrolling and it also comes in handy when watching movies or playing a mobile game. Last year, OnePlus was the first manufacturer to implement a 90Hz display, in the 7 Pro.
The new OnePlus smartphone comes with a hole-punch camera that is placed in the top left corner. Presumably it is a 32 megapixel image sensor. The camera system at the rear will also undergo the necessary changes, there is talk of a quad camera system. The main camera is a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera, in addition, a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera and a 2-megapixel depth camera are integrated. Unfortunately, a telephoto camera seems to be missing.
The quad camera is placed in the top left corner, as we have seen with many top models in recent times. Personally, I prefer to see the camera system placed in the center of the housing – much less risk of accidentally holding your finger in front of the lens while photographing and/or videographing. Of course the camera system is also accompanied by an LED flash. Unlike the front, the back of the housing is beautifully rounded. A glass housing is chosen.
The first product photo of the front of the OnePlus 8T already appeared online in August. Dutch designer Jermaine Smit, aka Concept Creator, has made a concept video in collaboration with LetsGoDigital to visualize this new device. The wallpaper shown has been designed by Max J. The video animation and associated product renders shown in this publication are based on all available information.
Supposedly, the OnePlus 8T 5G will be powered by the extremely powerful Snapdragon 865+. Several memory variants will be made available, probably 8GB RAM / 128GB ROM and 12GB RAM / 256GB ROM. Immediately upon launch, the new smartphone will run on the new Android 11 operating system combined with the OxygenOS 11 interface.
The battery capacity will also be increased. OnePlus seems to equip its new T model with a 4,500 mAh battery – that’s 200mAh more than the OnePlus 8. In addition, the 8T will support extra fast charging technology. Wired charging is most likely supported up to a maximum charging power of no less than 65 Watt – comparable to the Oppo Find X2 (Pro). That is a significant upgrade compared to the 30W fast charging technology that can be found in the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are most likely not possible, for this you will have to opt for the 8 Pro.
The bottom of the device provides access to the USB-C port. The SIM card compartment and a speaker can also be found here. The microphone is placed at the top. Furthermore, one elongated button is processed on the left side and two buttons can be found on the right.
Price & availability
The official introduction will take place on October 14, 2020. The launch event will take place digitally and can be followed via a live stream. Most likely, pre-order sales will start immediately after the reveal.
Earlier this year the OnePlus 8 had a suggested retail price of € 700 (8GB / 128GB) during launch, while the Pro variant introduced at the same time was marketed for € 900 (8GB / 128GB). The OnePlus 8T will probably get a starting price of around € 740 (8GB/128GB). The version with 12GB/256GB memory will cost an additional €100.
It seems a OnePlus 8T Pro will be lacking this year. Last year, OnePlus launched a T-model of both models, the 7T and 7T Pro were both introduced in October 2019.
However, there has been talk for some time about two cheap variants of the mid-range OnePlus Nord. These new models will likely also launch in the US, where the Nord is not yet available. These new models could make their presence during the same launch event. Be patient for just a few more weeks, then all details will undoubtedly be covered.
(Pocket-lint) – Surveying the TV industry not only now but in recent years, you’d be forgiven for thinking that no one wants a television any smaller than 55 inches – from the way most lines launch, and the looking at the priority being placed by most of the big manufacturers, big screens are where the focus is for most of them.
Best 4K TV: Premium Ultra HD TVs to buy today
That doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t find some amazing, impressive displays at smaller sizes. In particular, we’ve found that for many people a 43-inch TV hits the sweet spot – it’s not small, by any means, but also isn’t so big that it becomes something you have to organise your entire room around. That’s why we’ve gathered together some of the very best models available on the market right now for you to peruse.
Our pick of the best 43-inch TVs to buy today
Samsung
Samsung QE43Q60T
Samsung has got masses of classy TVs to pick from, including multiple at this size, and take the top spot on our list because it’s still producing truly premium sets at 43 inches. That does mean that the QE43Q60T is the most expensive TV on our list, as well as the best.
It’s a gorgeous set, with slim legs as its stand, and packs Samsung’s trademark QLED display to bring pinpoint clarity to bear. It’s got HDR10+, and 4K resolution, making it about as good-looking a picture as you could want for. It runs Samsung’s own Tizen OS with access to all the major apps and services you’re likely to need and does so snappily and responsively.
LG
LG 43UN81006LB
LG is right at the top of the game at the moment, making TVs that constantly make us want to upgrade even if we’ve got new models – and even more, when we don’t! The 43UN81006LB is another really impressive set, which again isn’t the cheapest, although others down this list will oblige on that front.
It’s a great smart TV with 4K onboard and a webOS operating system that’s easily navigated. It’s even got features like the filmmaker mode that you might have heard about in recent months, letting you watch content as it was intended. The picture is gorgeous, and while it might not be LG’s cheapest option at this size, it’s just about our favourite.
TCL
TCL 43EP658
TCL has grown over recent years into one of the biggest-selling TV makers, which is due in no small part to some aggressive pricing, and that’s where this model also succeeds – it’s quite simply great value. You’re not necessarily getting the absolute best picture quality on the market, but you’re nonetheless being treated to 4K at a price that would have seemed farfetched a couple of years ago.
Android OS means that it’s a really simple, easy-to-use TV, and has great app compatibility, and while it won’t win design awards, per se, it’s still perfectly nice to look at. Again, at its price, these all become even more impressive.
TCL EP658X1 4K TV review: Ultra-HD on a budget
Philips
Philips 43PUS6704
If you’re intrigued by Philips’ Ambilight technology, which throws out colour-matched backlighting to enhance your immersion in whatever content you’re playing, this is a great way to get into it without splashing much cash – it’s a welcome bonus here.
You also get lovely 4K picture quality and compatibility with both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, which is great given the price Philips has slapped on it. As it runs Philips’ own Saphi OS it doesn’t quite have the smarts of Philips’ other Google TVs, but HDR 10+ means that the overall picture package offered is really impressive.
Sony
Sony KD43XG70
Sony’s Bravia TVs might not quite be the all-conquering sellers they were in its bouncy-ball TV ad heyday, but they’re still often extremely high-quality reliable sets. That’s a great description for the KD43XG70, which boasts lovely 4K HDR quality, with beautiful colour profiles and great detail.
It’s got some nice touches included a cable-tidying system that’s genuinely helpful and a slim, non-intrusive design that blends into the background of most rooms nicely. In the UK you’ll also get Freeview Play on board as standard, which is great and ensures your on-demand needs will be immediately met.
(Pocket-lint) – Samsung’s main focus may be on 8K tellies these days, but given the current lack of content at that resolution, many are just more interested in a 4K alternative. The Q95T represents the top of the company’s QLED 4K line-up, while boasting many of the features found on the higher-end 8K models.
These features include a direct full-array backlight with local dimming, the latest AI-enhanced upscaling, an anti-reflection screen, Object Tracking Sound (OTS), gaming features, a One Connect box to keep cables out of sight, and the full Tizen OS with a comprehensive choice of streaming services.
Design, connections and control
One Connect Box
Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; AirPlay 2
Single fibre optic cable that includes power
4x HDMI inputs with eARC; 3x USB; Ethernet
The Samsung Q95T sports the company’s ‘boundless’ design, with a 2mm wide frame around the top and side edges of the chassis, and a slightly wider frame along the bottom. It’s impressively sleek, although not quite as cool as the 8K ‘infinity’ screen, where the image goes out to the edge.
Samsung
Overall the QT95 is a stunning piece of industrial design, with a brushed metal outer edge, a textured rear panel, and an anti-reflection filter on the front. The build quality is excellent, and the whole set measures only 35mm deep, despite containing a direct full array LED backlight and six speakers.
The solid stand mirrors the panel’s sleek styling, and is angled forward to create the illusion the image is elegantly floating in space. The stand is finished in carbon silver, measures 300 x 280mm, and there’s 110mm of clearance if you’re planning to use a soundbar.
If you’d rather wall-mount the Q95T, there’s the optional ‘No-Gap’ bracket, while the included One Connect box allows the screen to be connected by a single thin cable, making installation mess-free. The TV comes with a nearly-invisible 10m cable, but an optional 15m version is also available.
The One Connect box houses four HDMI inputs, one of which (HDMI 3) supports eARC (which you can read more about here). One of HDMI inputs is capable of handling 4K/120Hz, VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto low-latency mode), making this TV a great choice for gamers – unless you’re planning on buying both competing next-gen consoles.
Pocket-lint
There are also two USB 2.0 inputs, twin tuners for terrestrial and satellite broadcasts, a CI slot, an optical digital output, an ex link 3.5mm jack, and an Ethernet port. In terms of wireless connections, there’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and support for Apple AirPlay 2.
The are two remotes: a basic black version and a sleek metal zapper with an ergonomic shape that makes it comfortable to hold and easy to use with one hand. There’s a microphone for voice control, and direct access buttons for Netflix, Amazon and Rakuten TV.
Features: AI-enhanced imaging and next-gen support
High Dynamic Range (HDR) support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
Processing engine: Quantum 4K Processor with AI
100% of DCI-P3 and 1700nits of peak brightness
Anti-reflection screen and Ultra Viewing Angle
The Samsung Q95T boasts the 2020 iteration of the company’s Quantum Processor 4K. This uses AI-enhanced machine learning to deliver superior upscaling and image processing, as well as an Adaptive Picture mode to adjust the image on-the-fly – although the latter mode is best avoided in our opinion.
The Quantum Processor also analyses the audio signal and the TV’s location in the room to optimise the sonic performance. There’s Adaptive Sound+ (which Samsung describes as a real-time scene-by-scene analysis to identify sound type), along with Active Voice Amplifier for clearer dialogue, and Adaptive Volume that adjusts the volume based on content.
Samsung
For 2020 Samsung has added Object Tracking Sound (OTS), which uses six speakers and 60W of amplification for a more immersive sonic experience. Along with the left and right speakers at the bottom, there are a pair of subs and additional speakers at the top for greater immersion.
There’s support for high dynamic range, specifically HDR10 and HDR10+, with dynamic metadata designed to tailor the performance on a scene-by-scene basis. The Q95T also supports HLG (hybrid log-gamma), which is the new broadcast standard used by the BBC and others.
Samsung claims a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and 100 per cent coverage of DCI-P3 colour, but in our actual measurements the peak brightness topped out at 1,700 nits and the colour gamut reached 94 per cent of DCI-P3 – which is still really good, just not as claimed.
The Q95T includes a couple of features first introduced in 2019: an anti-reflection screen and Ultra Viewing Angle technology. The former is designed to reduce reflections from ambient light in the room, and works well, making this an effective TV for daytime viewing.
Samsung
The Ultra Viewing Angle tech addresses an inherent limitation in the the VA panels that Samsung uses in its QLED TVs. This innovation significantly reduces the colour and contrast drop-off experienced as you view the TV at more extreme viewing angles, and proves highly effective.
The Q95T uses a direct LED backlight with Quantum Dot filters that produce brighter and purer colours, thus expanding the colour gamut. There’s also local dimming, and while Samsung’s algorithm is highly effective, we counted 120 independent zones, which is fewer than the previous model.
Samsung has also added a Filmmaker Mode, which is designed to deliver an image that represents the content creator’s original intentions. It uses brightness and colour settings to match the industry standards, and turns off any unnecessary processing or frame interpolation.
Picture quality: An impressive all-rounder
The Samsung Q95T might not be quite as well-specified as the previous Q90R, but the performance remains impressive. The TV delivers a clean and detailed image regardless of whether you’re watching standard dynamic range or HDR content, the black level delivery is solid, highlights are suitably bright, and colours pleasingly saturated.
The AI-enhanced image processing and upscaling is highly effective, even making standard definition content watchable. There are no obvious artefacts, although the lack of sharpness and clarity is obvious once you switch to the same programme in high definition. Working with higher resolution content, the processor is able to squeeze out every last pixel of detail.
Samsung
When you feed the Q95T a 4K signal it’s able to really shine, revealing a beautiful presentation that’s bursting with fine detail, nuanced colours, and inky blacks. The local dimming is applied with remarkable skill, despite the reduced number of zones. As a result a dark show like The Haunting of Hill House remains clearly defined, and never descends into a morass of smudged greys.
Given its peak brightness this TV doesn’t need to tone map 1,000 nits content at all, but does an excellent job of mapping 4,000 nits content, ensuring there is detail in both the shadows and the highlights. The local dimming algorithm also delivers bright highlights without any noticeable blooming, which enhances the overall experience.
The use of Quantum Dots allows for a superior colour volume, even at high brightness, which allows the Q95T to take full advantage of the wider colour gamut used in HDR. A great example is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, which is a riot of saturated colours that the Samsung renders with wonderful levels of detail.
The Q95T also impresses when it comes to motion handling, and with Picture Clarity settings turned off any 24p content looks smooth, with no judder or unwanted artefacts. The motion settings apply frame interpolation, resulting in smoothing, which can be useful when viewing sports; while the LED Clear Motion setting uses black frame insertion, darkening the image, but improving the motion.
The built-in apps produce some superb 4K and HDR images, and in the case of Amazon Prime there’s the added enhancement of HDR10+. The levels of detail and contrast are equally as impressive when watching Netflix, Apple TV+ and Disney+, and given all three of these apps use Dolby Vision it’s disappointing that the Q95T doesn’t support the format.
The Q95T offers numerous features aimed at the PS5 and Xbox Series X next-gen consoles. These include VRR (variable refresh rate) for syncing the TV’s refresh rate with the console’s frame rate, thus reducing tearing, along with support for 4K at 120Hz. Samsung’s QLED TVs also support AMD Freesync, but the company is still in the process of certifying Nvidia G-Sync.
Samsung
There’s ALLM (auto low-latency mode) for automatically detecting a console and selecting the Game mode, resulting in a blink-and-you-miss-it input lag of just 9.4ms. However this can result in a degree of flicker, so the Game Motion Plus is designed to smooth out motion. This feature is effective, but in doing so it does increase the lag to 22.5ms – although that’s still a very fast response time.
Finally there’s a multi-view mode that allows you to watch two different sources simultaneously. You can adjust the size of the two picture-in-picture screens, change their relative position and choose which has audio priority. This feature isn’t necessarily game-specific, but it’s useful for gaming while watching YouTube tutorials.
Smart features: Comprehensive platform
Tizen OS
Alexa/Google Assistant/Bixby built-in
Samsung’s smart platform is based around the Tizen operating system, and remains a slick, intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. There’s a launcher bar along the bottom and a second layer that provides faster access to the video streaming services.
When it comes to streaming apps there’s a comprehensive choice, with Netflix, Amazon, Now TV, Rakuten, YouTube, and all the UK TV catch-up services. Samsung also supports Disney+ and AppleTV+, giving its platform a full house of video-related apps.
Pocket-lint
The Universal Guide helps you keep track of all this content by presenting it all via a user-friendly interface. It then uses AI machine learning to analyse your viewing habits and create a single ‘For You’ page with personalised content to suit your tastes.
New for 2020 is the Digital Butler, which allows for quick and easy connection by automatically scanning for nearby devices, detecting them and then representing all of them in an easy-to-understand graphical fashion.
The Q95T also offers the benefits of built-in smart assistants, with Samsung currently offering its own Bixby, along with Amazon Alexa. The company plans to add Google Assistant at some point, and you can even access Siri via Apple’s AirPlay 2.
The only annoying aspect of Samsung’s smart system is the requirement that you create a Samsung account when first setting-up the TV (assuming you don’t already have one). This blatant attempt to tie you into the company’s ecosystem is frustrating and time-consuming.
Sound quality: Object tracking sound
Object Tracking Sound (OTS)
Adaptive Sound+
Q Symphony
The Q95T’s integration of its six speakers is seamless, hidden behind a pattern of tiny holes in the outer edge of the TV cabinet. The sound quality is also impressive, with an open soundstage and plenty of power in the amplification.
When you first install the TV there’s a sound optimisation feature that sends out test tones and measures them using built-in microphones. This allows you to optimise the sonic performance depending on whether the TV is stand- or wall-mounted.
Samsung
Object Tracking Sound doesn’t just involve more speakers, it also analyses the audio signal and uses sophisticated processing to align sounds with the location of specific images on the screen. It really works, creating an engaging experience with improved directionality and immersion.
There’s no on-board Dolby Atmos decoding, but the Q95T can send Atmos back via ARC from its internal apps to a supporting soundbar or AV receiver. Since it also supports eARC, the Q95T can even pass lossless audio back via HDMI to a supporting soundbar or AV receiver.
If you have a 2020 Samsung soundbar, you can also benefit from Q-Symphony which provides audio synergy with the TV. This feature enables the speakers in the soundbar to work in conjunction with the top speakers on the Q95T, resulting in an increased sense of immersion.
Anything missing?
As with all of Samsung’s TVs the Q95T doesn’t support Dolby Vision – an HDR format that uses dynamic metadata to deliver a more refined experience. There is support for HDR10+, which is similar, but there’s significantly more content available in Dolby Vision.
Unlike its predecessor the Q95T uses an 8-bit (FRC) panel, and it would appear Samsung is only using native 10-bit panels on its 8K line-up in 2020. While it’s a shame that a high-end 4K model isn’t 10-bit, the reality is you almost certainly won’t notice any difference with actual viewing material.
Pocket-lint
While we’re on the subject of Dolby, the Q95T also doesn’t include on-board Atmos object-based audio decoding. It’s a shame because with all those extra speakers for Object Tracking Sound, the results would be impressive. At least the Q95T can pass lossless Atmos back via eARC.
Samsung’s smart platform is undeniably comprehensive, but it doesn’t include Freeview Play. This isn’t really an issue because all the UK TV catch-up services are present and correct, but it does mean these aren’t integrated within the EPG (electronic programme guide).
Verdict
The Samsung Q95T proves to be an excellent all-round 4K performer, offering the benefits of QLED brightness and colour and many of the features found in the higher-end 8K models. This TV delivers a fantastic picture with both standard dynamic range and HDR, and thanks to a host of gaming features and an incredibly low input lag, it’s also ideal for hard-core gamers.
The inclusion of six speakers and Object Tracking Sound results in a TV that sounds really good, making for a nice change, while there are also useful features like eARC. In addition the smart platform is slick and responsive, plus it boasts every app you’ll ever likely need. In fact the only real complaint is Samsung’s continued refusal to embrace Dolby Vision.
The QT95 is a cost-effective choice for those not yet convinced by 8K. It is a downgrade on 2019’s 4K flagship, but it still offers many of the features found in the higher-end 8K range, while delivering cracking pictures and including support for the next-gen of consoles – making it a great choice for gamers.
Also consider
LG
LG CX
This 4K OLED is similarly priced and offers an equally slick smart platform and comprehensive choice of apps. The picture quality is impressive, with effective AI upscaling, and while not as bright with HDR, the black levels are superior. The LG is also a gamer’s dream, and while there’s no HDR10+ support there is Dolby Vision, which is preferable.
Elitegroup Computer Systems, known to most of us as ECS, was formed in 1987. From their humble beginnings, they have become an industry-leading OEM that manufactures a large number of products for themselves and other vendors. ECS currently offers mini-PCs, laptops, motherboards, tablets, and other IoT devices under their various brands and has expanded into many markets. Even if you have never directly bought an ECS-branded product, it is still highly likely that you have used or owned one they manufactured. With each passing year, ECS continues to grow, offering a larger and more diverse portfolio of consumer products.
In today’s review, I take a look at the ECS LIVA Z3 Plus. Compared to previous releases, ECS has bumped the specification up, leaving the older Pentium Silver series behind in favor of mobile CPUs, including the Intel Comet Lake-U Core i7-10710U SoC, i7-10510U SoC, i5-10210U SoC, and i3-10110U SoC. Our review sample comes equipped with the i5-10210U. Overall, it remains extremely compact and retains the ability to be mounted to a monitor or television with its VESA mount. Thanks to its HDMI 2.0 port, it is capable of 4K @ 60 Hz. While the company has moved away from eMMC in favor of an M.2 SSD, it sadly still stubbornly continues to offer only 4 GB of single-channel memory. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look at what ECS is offering with the latest generation of its LIVA Z mini-PCs.
128 GB SATA M.2 SSD (Supports both M.2 SATA & PCIE NVMe drives)
Optical Drive:
None
Audio:
Kaby Lake HDMI Realtek ALC256 High Definition Audio Controller
Connectivity:
1x HDMI 2.0 1x Mini DisplayPort 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C Port 3x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A Ports 2x USB 2.0 Ports 1x Audio Combo Jack 4x Digital Mic (Support A4PC) 1x Realtek RTL8168/8111 Gigabit LAN 1x Intel I219-LM Gigabit LAN
Communications:
Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2×2 802.11ax Bluetooth 5.1 1x Intel I219-LM Gigabit LAN 1x Realtek Gigabit LAN RTL8168/8111
(Pocket-lint) – What a difference a year makes. The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro follows on from the year-old Mi 9T Pro – which we thought was excellent for its asking price – with the newer device bringing an even higher specification and more flagship aspirations.
It’s a step-change for the series really, with a bigger asking price in tow, adding a certain amount of pressure to expectation. The price is justifiable given the variety of features – the super-fast refresh rate screen, the ultra-resolute camera, and more – but does this jump from one tier to the next actually make sense?
Finishes available: Cosmic Black, Lunar Silver, Aurora Blue
Dimensions: 165.1 x 76.4 x 9.3mm / Weight: 218g
Aluminium frame with Gorilla Glass front/rear
Side-positioned fingerprint scanner
No 3.5mm headphone jack
With the Mi 9T Pro the focus was on the screen: it featured no notch, thanks to a fancy pop-up selfie camera, and was an AMOLED panel too. The Mi 10T is a total change from that: it does feature a punch-hole cut-out for the front camera, so no mechanised pop-up to be seen here, while the panel could be seen as a ‘downgrade’ as it’s LCD this time around.
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However, that LCD panel crams in some headline-grabbing features, most prominent being the 144Hz refresh rate. That’s on par with current gaming phones, meaning a refresh of up to 144 times per second, compared to the typical 60 times per second of most phones (although other flagships are pushing 90Hz and 120Hz as big selling points too).
Does 144Hz really matter? Well, it’s a yes and no answer, really. Yes, in the right circumstances, there’s an added degree of smoothness, so scrolling is less taxing on the eyes. Some games, too, will be able to tap into the phone’s raw power and get more out of this kind of refresh – or an aspect of it, at perhaps 90/120Hz instead of the full 144Hz – for a better play experience.
But, no, it doesn’t always matter – because certain sections of software won’t comprehend this faster refresh. Our banking app, as one example, stutters more on the Mi 10T than it does on a ‘standard’ device from the year before. Plus there’s an argument as to when you can really, truly see and feel the benefit of higher refresh – it’s not always obvious, making it a nice-to-have rather than absolute essential.
Pocket-lint
Some people’s thinking is also that an OLED panel with lower refresh rate would be preferable to LCD with higher refresh rate. Having lived with this device for a week, however, we really don’t think many people will turn their noses up at this LCD. It’s sharp, it’s bright, it’s colourful without overdoing things, and it’s a flat panel too – meaning no accidental touches and no contrast drop-off towards the edges, as you might find on a curved screen.
All in all, then, the Mi 10T Pro has a great screen. Just don’t read into the 144Hz and the LCD parts too much. It’s the experience that matters. Shame there’s a punch-hole notch – which we’ve sometimes seen ‘leaking’ beyond the main black-out top bar – but that’s now very much the norm for 2020 and hardly a massive distraction that you’ll worry about it. It’s more that the Mi 9T Pro was without such a notch interruption that makes it stand out more here.
In terms of other features, that step change from Mi 9T Pro to Mi 10T Pro is apparent: the 3.5mm headphone jack of the older device is absent in the newer model; the under-screen fingerprint scanner has upped and moved itself to the side on the power button; and the overall size of the design – largely down to the rear protruding cameras unit and increased battery capacity – is much larger in the Mi 10T than its predecessor.
Pocket-lint
Many of those points could be seen as downgrades, really, but we’ve found the fingerprint scanner perfectly responsive and well positioned, and the absence of that headphone jack hasn’t been something we’ve missed at all – Bluetooth is king these days, after all.
Performance & Battery
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, 8GB RAM configuration
Google Android 10 OS; Xiaomi MIUI 12 software
5,000mAh battery; 33W USB-C fast-charging
In terms of power, the Mi 10T Pro is a powerhouse, thanks to the top-spec Qualcomm SD865 processor and a decent 8GB RAM. Just as we’ve said of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and plenty of other devices of late, this chipset brings a lot of positives to gaming and app experiences – and it’s no different in the Mi 10T Pro.
Pocket-lint
That Qualcomm platform is more demanding on battery life, though, which we suspect is why Xiaomi has opted to ramp up the battery capacity in this device – at 5,000mAh it’s a good 15-20 per cent more capacious than many flagships on the market – and given enough thickness within the design for everything to breathe and avoid overheating.
Our use over a week has shown the battery to be pretty astonishing too. With the 144Hz screen active at all times – you can adjust this in settings if you wish – we’ve only been cutting though 45 per cent or so in around 15 hours of use. That’s included an hour of Strava tracking and an hour of gaming, too, so it’s not as though we’ve been crossing our fingers for it to last – you could easily stretch to two full days from this battery, even with that top-end chipset on board. That’s impressive.
What’s a little more conflicting, however, is the software. Here it’s Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 over the top of Google’s Android 10 operating system. There’s full access to Google Play Services and the Play Store for apps, but Xiaomi does also have its own store for its own apps. And it has rather a few of its own apps take precedence – even if you’re transferring from another phone and don’t want that to be the case.
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This has been a bit of an issue with some simple things such as the Google Clock not being allowed to sound an audible alarm to override DND or Silent mode. Only the Xiaomi Clock app can do that. The variety of noise/vibration/haptic alerts/feedback and what happens when can be very perplexing in the menu setups too, and will take a lot of tweaking to get how you want it to be – by default ‘Silent’ will buzz and vibrate at just about anything otherwise.
But that’s not all. Xiaomi’s MIUI, nice as it looks, just has rough edges here and there. Close an app and watch the shortcut transform from rounded-off square to circle. Swipe right for the Google dashboard and YouTube will alert to tell you it’s crashed after just a few seconds – and often on repeat. Load up a folder of apps and you’ll have promoted ads in what it wants you to download. We also had trouble with Android Auto not being accepted – “device not supported” – on a test drive, which was frustrating (note: in a second vehicle it wasn’t a problem, so perhaps that’s down to the car’s OS instead).
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All these small issues add up to a more irksome whole. It’s not end of days stuff by any means, it’s just less refined than it ought to be – especially when MIUI looks neat and tidy and allows for a lot of control over your layout, settings, apps, themes and so forth. Spend time with it and it can be crafted into the form you’ll want, but there are hurdles to get there.
8K video at 30fps, 4K at 60/30fps, 1080p at 120fps
Selfie camera (27mm): 20MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm
The last major component of this device is the triple rear camera setup. The main difference between the standard Mi 10T and this Pro model is the ultra-resolute camera in the latter. At 108-megapixels it’s certainly not mucking around when it comes to grabbing those headline specs.
Pocket-lint
Although, really, you don’t need a camera this resolute – and it uses four pixels in one to produce 27MP results as standard anyway. The 64MP unit in the standard Mi 10T model would be fine enough. But we get it, it’s all a bit of a game, with the big boys playing off against one another in which brand can offer ‘most’ – Samsung is at it too, with the S20 Ultra.
Dirt 5 on next-gen, Nest Audio review and more – Pocket-lint Podcast 74
By throwing so much into that main camera unit, however, the other two optics that make up part of the trio – there’s not five, despite it looking like there is! – don’t get quite the same treatment.
There’s an ultra-wide, which is a fun camera to use to cram extra into a scene – although it’s not the sharpest by any means – and is fairly standard on many multi-camera devices these days. And then there’s a macro camera, which is low resolution, used for close-up shooting, and – just as we’ve said of other phones with this extra – is a largely pointless venture.
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The clear omission is any kind of true zoom or telephoto lens. Where’s the 2x or 3x optic to really sell the ‘Pro’ name of this device? It’s been foregone for the sake of that expensive main sensor, we feel. That said, as there’s so much resolution available, a 2x, 5x, 10x, 30x digital zoom is available through the app – which is a nice idea, but the camera app is poor at focusing on anything specific when in this digital zoom. A true optical zoom resolves more detail and with more creative control over focus, so it’s a shame that Xiaomi hasn’t pushed that angle here.
But what about the images? It’s not the first time we’ve seen this 108-megapixel sensor at work – the Mi Note 10 (CC9) was the first Xiaomi phone with it inside. In the newer Mi 10T we think Xiaomi has made better on its actual camera app, which feels quicker and slicker in MIUI 12, while the actual results are generally decent too.
The main sensor delivers shots with plenty of detail and colour (not that there’s much colour in the rain-soaked UK as it enters autumn). So when there’s light available the Mi 10T is able to deliver strong results. Its low-light performance isn’t amazing though, which is a tell-tale sign of this sensor being so high resolution.
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Overall, we feel the Mi 10T’s 108-megapixel is strong – but a bit of an oversell. The standard handset has a lower resolution camera, but we don’t feel you’d be missing much by having that. What’s really absent here is any true optical zoom lens. Can’t have it all, though, eh? And at least the camera app is nice and responsive with lots of features and modes this time around.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro is a game of two halves. There are lots of positives at first – the battery longevity, 144Hz fast refresh screen, and heaps of power being the obvious points – but then some of the less positive aspects – the software irks, the absence of a true zoom camera, the bulk of the rear camera unit – begin to creep in.
Take on board, too, that the Mi 10T Pro is a step up in price compared to the Mi 9T Pro and it needs to be considered in a slightly different way. It’s €599 asking price is astonishingly good value for all that’s on offer – keenly undercutting the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition – but by adding that ultra-resolute camera this device is no longer under than critical €400-500 point.
If you’re looking for a flagship that dares to be a bit different, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro has plenty of accolades under its spec-heavy belt. It’ll give the OnePlus 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE some sleepless nights, that’s for sure.
Also consider
Pocket-lint
OnePlus 8 Pro
If you really want that AMOLED display, a better software experience, and a more versatile camera setup – albeit without the massive resolution – then OnePlus has a whole lot to offer here.
Read our review
Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Yes, it costs more, but it also has a better software experience and a zoom camera thrown into the mix. The screen isn’t as fast on the refresh and the battery less capacious, though, which gives Xiaomi a strong platform to work from.
Best smartphones 2020: The top mobile phones available to buy today
(Pocket-lint) – Boasting a next-generation P5 image processor with AI enhancement, changes to Ambilight – the LED lights on the back of the TV which help expand the image beyond the frame – and the adoption of DTS Play-Fi multiroom audio, there’s more to Philips 805 OLED TV than a mere numerical increment over its predecessor.
We hauled the 55-inch version on the test bench to take a closer look. For those hankering for a few more inches, there’s also a 65-inch model available – and whichever of the two sizes you choose, both make everything look good, but there is a catch…
Design
4x HDMI, 2x USB
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Philips has really got its design game on point. A minimalist frame and dark chrome feet make the 805 a designer statement.
Philips
It’s beautifully finished, with a gun metal grey bezel and a pair of matching edge-placed feet. The screen sits virtually flush with these boots, but you can use a riser if you want to park a soundbar beneath.
Around the back you’ll find four HDMI sockets, all of which support 4K up to 60fps, as well as two USB ports, an AV minijack for legacy hardware, digital optical audio output, and Ethernet.
It’s worth noting that none of the HDMI ports here support 4K120p, which will be one of the output options on the PlayStation 5 and XBox Series X games consoles – although it’s not clear yet just how significant this shortfall will be. This is that ‘catch’ we alluded to up top, if it affects you.
Pocket-lint
For that high-end finishing touch, the 805 ships with a new backlit remote control, wrapped in muirhead leather.
Smart OS
Android 9.0 smart platform
Google Assistant
Freeview Play
DTS Play-Fi
Google’s Android operating system comes with Freeview Play as a smart double act, plus there’s DTS Play-Fi too.
Philips
Philips’ smart portal of choice, for its higher-end OLED sets at least, remains Android (here at version 9.0), with tuner support from Freeview Play.
It’s a strong combo – and far better than earlier versions of Android. The latest iteration for Freeview ensures all the main catch-up TV services – namely BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5, All 4 – are on hand, while the Android OS offers a plethora of streaming apps, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and YouTube.
Additional smart niceties include Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, plus Chromecast streaming.
As you’d expect from Philips, the 805 features a three-sided implementation of the Ambilight mood lighting system – but there are some changes in its implementation. An Ambisleep mode, designed to send you off with a warm glow, has joined the options, while the Ambilight Follow Colour mode, which throws a solid hue up against any surrounding wall, has been renamed the rather more evocative Lounge Light.
Pocket-lint
The 805 is also compatible with DTS Play-Fi, a high-res streaming alternative to Denon Heos, Sonos and similar. This means the 805 can work with other Play-Fi components in a multi-room ecosystem. DTS Play-Fi is slowly being adopted by a variety of Hi-Fi and AV brands, including Arcam, Acer, Klipsch, Pioneer and Onkyo.
Picture performance
AI enhanced P5 picture processor
HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG HDR
Pure Cinema mode
The feature-rich AI powered image processing engine here finds detail in the shadows that makes for superb picture performance.
Philips
Cards on the table: we’re fans of Philips’ approach to image processing. It’s never been afraid to push panel technology, celebrating colour and contrast in ways few brands can pull off.
And its predilection for crowd-pleasing vibrancy gets a boost here, in the shape of a fourth-generation P5 picture engine – which now employs AI processing. Artificial intelligence adds extra edge to HD standard dynaming range upscaling, and manages to extract even more detail from native 4K content.
AI is managed in the Picture Styles menu, adjustable from within the set’s Advanced AI settings. For best results, we preferred Colour and Sharpness set to Medium. Ingeniously, you can see the set’s AI image processor working in real time, courtesy of an onscreen demo screen.
Pocket-lint
Peak brightness was measured at 900 nits when using the Vivid preset. Measured in Standard mode, HDR peaks drop to a still impressive 850 nits – which is decent for an OLED panel. In addition to bright specular highlights, near black detail is outstanding too. It’s like 3D without the specs.
Helpfully, the 805 offers universal high dynamic range support, with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ featured, alongside standard HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma).
The all-new Filmmaker Mode standard, from the UHD Alliance, is also included… after a fashion. There’s no dedicated FMM button on the remote control – instead, it can be triggered by an FMM metadata flag in content. That’s not actually been implemented as yet, so Philips points users to the Movie mode instead.
Animation, blockbusters and TV studio fare all look superb. The slightly over-wrought colour spotted on the earlier 804 has been reined in. But there’s no shortage of colour pop.
Pocket-lint
In addition to AI image handling, Philips has made some welcome tweaks to its motion processing. There’s a great new Pure Cinema mode, while Sport has been absorbed within a reworked Movie setting.
Where the OLED805 stumbles is gaming performance. We measured input lag at 33.2ms (1080/60p) using the dedicated Game mode, which puts it near the back of the OLED pack when it comes to fragging.
Sound performance
Dolby Atmos support
50W power output
Upgraded drivers
When it comes to sonic performance, the 805 offers a modest step up from last year’s 804, courtesy of a revamped speaker design to take better advantage of its 50W power plant.
Philips
Both the mid-range woofers and tweeters have been enlarged, and there’s some additional passive radiators, resulting in greater clarity and more pronounced bass. These modified speakers deliver plenty of welly.
While Dolby Atmos support is supported, you’ll want to bitstream it out over HDMI ARC to a compatible soundbar or home cinema system to make the most of the immersive sound format.
Verdict
The Philips OLED 805 is a superb 4K screen that combines an ambitious specification with room-filling Ambilight and spectacular image quality. Philips has even managed to make motion interpolation look good, which is quite the feat.
But there are caveats. The lack of high frame-rate 4K support for next-gen game consoles could be a reason to hold fire, and we would have liked to have seen Dolby Vision IQ on board too, for more accommodating high dynamic range viewing.
But in terms of design, performance and value, this Philips should be conidered a brilliant buy.
Also consider
Samsung
Samsung Q80T
A strong alternative which has the edge if next-gen gaming is high on your wish list – as it offers 4K 120fps support. It’s capable of a similarly bright peak HDR, but lacks Dolby Vision. Compensation comes via an inventive OTS sound system.
Read our review
Panasonic
Panasonic HZ1500
If you want to stick with OLED, but favour a more authentic cinematic presentation, Panasonic is the brand to consider. Tuned from the ground up for home cinema fans, the HZ1500 offers universal HDR support, including Dolby Vision IQ, along with the brand’s excellent HCX image processor. It doesn’t use AI, but it does benefit from genuine Hollywood colour tuning and superior built-in speakers.
Read our review
Writing by Steve May. Editing by Mike Lowe.
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