Philips 9800 series UHD TV revealed, powered by Android

Philips and TP Vision have officially revealed the 9800 series TV range, headlined by the 4K 65PUS9809, which is set to arrive in the UK with a smart TV system powered by Google’s Android OS and four-sided Ambilight ambient lighting for a seriously immersive viewing experience.

With Android built into the TV and fully certified by Google, the 65in 65PUS9809 will be able to access the Google Play Store (as well as the existing Philips Smart TV portal) to download apps and services. We’ve often felt that the Philips Smart TV system has lagged behind the competition in terms of available services, so using Android is a sure fire way to boost the amount of content available to viewers. Even so, this isn’t the brand new Android TV interface we were promised at Google I/O – that won’t be arriving until at least next year.

Philips’ trademark Ambilight lighting system, which puts rows of colour-changing LEDs around the sides of the TV’s back edge, gives the impression of the picture “bleeding out” into the environment. It has worked brilliantly with sports and films when we’ve tested previous Philips TVs, but the 9800 series is among the first to receive full four-sided Ambilight – previously exclusive to the company’s limited run Desgin Line models.

The 9800 series will include the Perfect Pixel Ultra HD picture quality engine and upscale non-4K content to UHD resolutions using the company’s Ultra Resolution technology. Philips also promises the combination can deliver “razor sharp, detailed pictures with great depth and contrast.”

According to  9800 series will also be compatible with a Philips wireless subwoofer, for boosting bass but keeping out of sight from the TV itself.

The 65PUS9809 is expected to go on sale with the rest of the 9800 range from Q3 onwards here in the UK, although neither Philips nor TP Vision has confirmed official pricing. We expect to get our first real look at the set in the run up to this year’s IFA show in Berlin, so be sure to keep an eye out for our first impressions if you’re in the market for a 4K TV.