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Although I’m not particularly tech-savvy, I do have an eye for a good bargain. When Philips teamed up with Roku to launch a series of 4K QLED smart TVs, I couldn’t help but notice how attractive the pricing was right away.
The TVs come complete with many fancy-sounding features and I was instantly hooked by phrases like “ultimate visual experience”, so I was excited to test the 55” 7973 model from the 7900 series.
What:
Philips 55″ 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED Roku Smart TV
Cost:
$800
Where to buy:
Amazon
|
Walmart (demonstration model nearly 50% off)
If 55 inches appears tiny, there’s also
65” TV
and a
75” TV
available, too.
As indicated, I would say my tech skills are fairly basic. Currently, I make use of a television — formerly a 50″ Vizio unit coupled with an
Amazon Fire Stick
—to watch news, movies, and my favorite TV shows, which are all produced by HBO/Crave. It’s been quite some time since I last had cable, but I must confess to having signed up for numerous streaming services, including Netflix.
Apple TV+
,
Amazon Prime Video
(if you aren’t part of Prime already, you qualify for an
free trial
)
, Crave and stealing my friend’s
Disney+
My companion covers the cost of YouTube Premium.
FuboTV
For sports content—primarily Premier League soccer—we both aren’t into gaming, making us typical television viewers. Those who enjoy sports might want to read our review of these.
high end TVs
.
This
Philips Roku TV
It represents a significant improvement over our old model. The image quality is notably sharper, offering a wider spectrum of colors and deeper contrast. While there are televisions out there with slightly more defined pictures, they come at a significantly higher cost. Considering the price point, I am extremely satisfied with this television.
Specs
Screen size:
55 inches (Available also in 65 and 75 inches)
Resolution:
4K Ultra HD
TV display technology:
QLED
High Dynamic Range (HDR):
Yes
Refresh rate:
60 Hz
Motion enhancement technology:
120PMR
Panel shape:
Flat
Audio enhancement
Stereo, SAP, Dolby Audio, Dolby Atmos
Speaker configuration:
Bottom rear
Speaker output power:
2 x 10 W
Inputs:
HDMI × 4, mini AV input, coaxial cable
Outputs:
Stereo, headphone, USB
TV operating system:
Roku TV
Works with:
Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
Wall mount specification:
300 millimeters by 300 millimeters
Warranty:
One year
Favorite features — all-in-one center, seamless OS, Roku channel
Apart from the significant enhancement in picture quality, what I really appreciate is how effortlessly it allows me to uncover and enjoy content tailored to my preferences. In July 2023, Roku introduced several new features which have become frequent go-tos for me within this consolidated platform.
What to Watch:
Located on the main screen menu, you’ll find a curated selection of top movies and TV series from various streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. This list is tailored according to your watching preferences, enabling you to access content through a single interface instead of navigating multiple platforms for streaming.
Continue Watching:
Included in the “What to Watch” feature, I can locate every show or movie that I’ve begun watching across various streaming platforms.
Save List:
Additionally featured in “What to Watch,” this serves as a consolidated center for all my saved television series and movies gathered from various platforms, now conveniently located in a single place.
I similarly experience the Roku TV operating system as being more swift and fluid when compared to my former Amazon Fire Stick. Switching between applications and different platforms happens much faster for me here, with minimal loading times and reduced lag. It’s possible this improved performance stems from the OS being integrated directly within the television rather than using an external device like the Fire Stick; however, regardless of the reason, it represents quite an enhancement.
Roku’s straightforward tile-based interface simplifies the process of searching for free channels and downloading fresh applications or platforms. Being a newcomer to Roku, I appreciate being able to utilize the Roku Channel, which provides a blend of high-quality content like the classic film “Beetlejuice” alongside less appealing options such as the “Twilight” series—my apologies to those who enjoy them.
Least favorite aspect — difficult-to-access connectors
An aspect that could use enhancement is the accessibility of the input and output connections. On the Philips Roku TV, these ports are located at the rear center, which makes them difficult to access. Since we opted to mount our television on the wall and can rotate it for better reach, this isn’t much of an issue. However, without being able to pivot the TV or using the stand on furniture like a cabinet or bureau, I suspect I’d find this rather annoying.
Overall recommendation
This TV offers excellent value for money. It’s ideal for typical viewers who like watching streamed movies and series from a single location. However, if you’re an enthusiastic techie or avid gamer seeking top-notch visuals and audio, you might prefer a more feature-rich model which will come at a higher cost.
What:
Philips 55-inch 4K Ultra HD HDR QLED Roku Smart TV
Cost:
$800
Where to buy:
Amazon |
Walmart (demonstration model nearly 50% off)
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