Philips debuts META 2.0, Ambilight Plus and more as it unveils its 2024 TV range

Philips has unveiled its 2024 television range at TP Vision Live in Barcelona.

The brand showed off three new OLED models, all of which run Google TV, along with updates to its Mini LED and DLED options, “The Xtra” and “The One”.

Heading up the new range is the flagship Philips OLED+959. It will only be available in one screen size – 65in – and is designed to be floor-standing on a non-height-adjustable stand, though it can be mounted.

Like the company’s recent range-toppers, it features an integrated sound system designed by renowned British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins. The 5.1.2-channel system uses 18 drivers powered by 102W and includes front-firing, left, centre and right speakers, and Atmos height channels.

It has an advanced OLED panel and processor to match its impressive audio chops. It’s powered by the company’s eighth-generation version P5 AI Dual Engine chip, unlocking improvements to a handful of AI-enabled enhancement technologies.

Ambient Intelligence V3 can now optimise HDR performance based on the level of ambient light, while AI Machine Sharpness V2 uses new algorithms to deliver more detail in images than its predecessor. Smart Bit Enhancement V3 handles upscaling, extending 8-bit video to something akin to 14-bit rendering to reduce banding on lower-resolution content without affecting detail.

Software and AI upgrades are accompanied by a META 2.0 panel. This uses an improved version of the Micro Lens Array technology found on several OLEDs released last year.

“MLA Plus” uses lenses that have had their angles and curvature optimised and this, combined with a new META Multi Booster algorithm, allows the panel to hit a whopping 3,000 nits (on a 3% window) according to the manufacturer.

The panel will support 144Hz VRR, Dolby Vision Gaming and a new Game Bar designed to allow users to access and tweak key gaming settings more effectively.

Philips TVs are probably best known for their Ambilight functionality and the OLED+959 gets a new version of this in the form of Ambilight Plus. By adding multiple lenses to each of the LEDs mounted on the rear of the panel, the Ambilight Plus can create a larger halo projection in greater resolution and can project up to four halos at different depths, resulting in a more immersive two-dimensional effect.

Philips says the OLED+959 will be available at some point during the third quarter of this year but is yet to discuss pricing.

Sitting below the OLED+959 in the range is the OLED+909, which has very similar specs but a less impressive audio system. It uses a META 2.0 panel, has a four-sided Ambilight and eighth-gen P5 AI processor but makes do with a front-firing 3.1-channel Bowers sound setup with a total power rating of 81W.

Unlike the OLED+959, which has an elevated stand, the OLED+909 stands on two central feet and will be available in 55in and 77in screen sizes in addition to a 65in option. It will be released slightly earlier than the OLED+959, with sets due to arrive in June.

The final OLED revealed was the OLED809, the follow-up to one of our favourite TVs of 2023, the Philips OLED808. Available in 42in, 48in, 55in, 65in and 77in screen sizes, it uses an OLED EX panel with a stated peak brightness of 1,300 nits, P5 AI processor and a three-sided Ambilight. Sound comes courtesy of a 2.1-channel setup with 70W of power (50W on the 42in option).

On the Mini LED front, Philips unveiled the 2024 iteration of “The Xtra” it launched at last year’s TP Vision Live event in Amsterdam. The PML9009 – to give it its official model number – has a three-sided Ambilight, 144Hz panel and will be released alongside the OLED+909 in four sizes: 55in, 65in, 75 and 83in.

Meanwhile, the company’s direct-lit LED option, the PUS8909 – also known as “The One” – will be available in 43in, 50in, 55in, 65in and 75in screen sizes and also has a three-sided Ambilight and 144Hz panel.

Both the PML9009 and PUS8909 will run a brand new operating system – Titan OS. Little is known about the operating system at this point, but app support has been confirmed to include Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Pluto TV and more.

We got the chance to see all five sets first-hand in Barcelona and will be bringing you further coverage of the event in the coming days, so be sure to check back soon to get the lowdown on Philips’ latest 4K TVs.