The television market sees a new contender as Philips enters the premium OLED space with Roku's operating system built in. This marks the first collaboration between the two brands, potentially disrupting the high-end TV segment with a competitively priced offering that combines OLED picture quality with Roku's user-friendly interface.
A New Partnership Emerges
Philips has unveiled its first-ever Roku TV, and it's making a splash by going straight to the premium segment with an OLED panel. The Philips OLED Roku TV, officially named the Philips 65 Class 974 Series, combines Roku's popular streaming platform with OLED display technology. This partnership represents a significant shift for Philips, which has previously focused on Google TV for its smart TV offerings in the US market. The new TV is now available at Sam's Club for USD $1,299 and is expected to arrive at other retailers soon.
Behind the Branding
Interestingly, this US version of the Philips OLED isn't manufactured by the European Philips TV division that produces the Ambilight-equipped models. Instead, it comes from Skyworth, a Chinese TV manufacturer that recently secured US branding rights from Philips. This explains why the new Philips OLED Roku TV lacks the signature Ambilight feature found on European Philips OLED TVs. This distinction is important for consumers familiar with the European Philips OLED lineup, as they represent different product lines despite sharing the Philips name.
Technical Specifications
The Philips OLED Roku TV features a 65-inch 4K OLED panel with over eight million self-illuminating pixels, capable of producing the deep blacks and infinite contrast that OLED technology is known for. The panel offers a native refresh rate of 120Hz and supports AMD FreeSync Premium for smooth gaming performance. Dolby Vision IQ is also supported, which uses a built-in ambient light sensor to automatically adjust picture settings based on room lighting conditions.
For connectivity, the TV comes equipped with four HDMI ports (including one with eARC/ARC support), a LAN port, two USB ports, and a Digital Out Optical port. Audio is delivered through a 2.1 speaker system with Dolby Atmos support, which Roku claims provides room-filling sound.
Philips OLED Roku TV (65" Class 974 Series) Specifications:
- Display: 65-inch 4K OLED panel
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz native
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision IQ
- Gaming Features: AMD FreeSync Premium
- Audio: 2.1 speaker system with Dolby Atmos
- Connectivity:
- 4 HDMI ports (1 eARC/ARC)
- 2 USB ports
- LAN port
- Digital Out Optical port
- Smart Platform: Roku OS
- Remote: Roku Voice Remote included
- Price: USD $1,299
- Available at: Sam's Club (initially)
Roku Integration
The primary selling point of this new TV is the integration of Roku's operating system. Users will find the familiar Roku City backdrop and have access to thousands of streaming channels, including major services like Disney+, Netflix, Max, and many others. The TV ships with a Roku Voice Remote, allowing users to search for content and control the TV using voice commands. For those invested in Roku's smart home ecosystem, the TV also offers integration with Roku smart home products, including the ability to view smart camera feeds in fullscreen or picture-in-picture modes.
Market Positioning
At USD $1,299 for the 65-inch model, the Philips OLED Roku TV positions itself as a value alternative to established premium OLED offerings. For comparison, the LG C4 OLED currently sells for around USD $1,496 for the same size, making the Philips model approximately USD $200 cheaper. However, questions remain about which grade of OLED panel is being used. Industry experts speculate it might be using the same panel as LG's B4 series rather than the brighter panels found in the C4 or G4 models.
Competitive Pricing Comparison:
| TV Model | 65-inch Price | Smart Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Philips OLED Roku TV | USD $1,299 | Roku OS |
| LG C4 OLED | USD $1,496 | webOS |
| Samsung S90D OLED | USD $1,199 | Tizen |
| LG B4 OLED | USD $599+ (on sale) | webOS |
Limited Options
Currently, the Philips OLED Roku TV is only available in a single 65-inch size, which may limit its appeal to consumers looking for smaller or larger options. This is a notable constraint compared to competitors like LG and Samsung, which typically offer their OLED TVs in multiple size options. Additionally, each TV purchase comes with a 30-day free trial of AMC+ on the Roku Channel, adding a small bonus for new owners.
Market Context
This launch represents only the second Roku OLED to hit the US market, following Sharp's entry in late 2023. While Roku's software has been available on various mid-range TVs from manufacturers like TCL and Sharp, its presence in the premium OLED segment has been limited until now. For consumers who prefer Roku's interface but want high-end picture quality, this new offering eliminates the need to purchase a separate Roku streaming device to pair with a premium TV.
As the television market continues to evolve, this Philips OLED Roku TV represents an interesting new option for consumers seeking premium picture quality with a straightforward, content-focused interface at a competitive price point. Whether it can challenge established players like LG, Samsung, and Sony in the premium TV space remains to be seen, but it certainly offers a compelling alternative worth consideration.