Philips made a splash at its 2026 European conference by unveiling the flagship of its Philips The Xtra range, the MLED981. This 85-inch (216 cm) behemoth introduced RGB Mini LED technology to the manufacturer, paired with the P5 Gen 10 processor.
While Philips remains heavily involved in OLED technology, the brand hasn't forgotten those who prefer very large screens and high brightness. With the Philips The Xtra 85MLED981 series, the manufacturer makes a strong statement by integrating RGB Mini LED backlighting. The Philips The Xtra 85MLED981 TV: 3,840 zones and 2,500 nits. The heart of this television lies in its light management. The RGB Mini LED system is based on an ultra-fine mesh of 11,520 Local Dimming zones. In fact, this figure counts the RGB sub-pixels, so it must be divided by three to know the actual number of zones, i.e. 3,840. This precision allows a peak brightness of 2,500 nits to be reached while drastically minimizing blooming effects (bright halo around light objects on a black background). The 165Hz panel covers 97% of the DCI-P3 color space. The Philips Xtra 85MLED981 TV: P5 AI Gen 10 processor and Dolby Vision 2 Max. At the helm is the brand new P5 AI Gen 10 processor supported by the MediaTek Pentonic 800 chipset. This processing power enables the implementation of the Dolby Vision 2 Max standard (see our IFA 25 news > HDR Dolby Vision 2, everything you need to know about this new quality standard!), which adapts the image in real time according to ambient lighting thanks to Content Intelligence features. Video processing also focuses on fluidity with the Authentic Motion process, ensuring a natural rendering even on the fastest-paced sports content. The Philips Xtra 85MLED981 TV: 3-sided Ambilight and AmbiScape function. The Philips DNA is clearly present with three-sided Ambilight, now enhanced with the AmbiScape feature. As a reminder, this process allows you to synchronize the TV with up to four third-party light sources in the room (smart lamps from different brands) to extend the visual ambiance far beyond the screen (see our Philips AmbiScape news: switch to Ambilight for total immersion). The Philips The Xtra 85MLED981 TV: Gaming Specifications and DLG 330Hz! The Philips The Xtra 85MLED981 is a benchmark for gamers. Its four HDMI 2.1 inputs support extended bandwidth. In addition to 165Hz compatibility, the TV incorporates DLG (Dual Line Gate) technology, enabling a phenomenal refresh rate of 330Hz. HDR10+ Gaming, FreeSync Premium Pro, and G-Sync compatibility complete the package for a tear-free experience. The Philips Xtra 85MLED981 TV: 4.1 sound system and Titan OS. On the audio front, Philips offers an integrated 4.1 system: two downward-firing speakers, two side-firing speakers for a wider soundstage, and a rear subwoofer for a more immersive experience, delivering a total power output of 70 watts. All of this is controlled by the Titan OS interface (version 2026), which provides quick access to streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, etc.; Apple TV is expected this spring). Note that AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, and Works with Alexa compatibility are included for seamless Smart Home integration. The Philips The Xtra 85MLED981 TV boasts a refined aesthetic with an ultra-thin metal frame highlighted by a brushed band below the screen. The entire unit rests on arched metal feet with a satin chrome finish. Availability: Suggested retail price not yet known. Key features of the Philips 85MLED981 TV: • 10-bit panel • Ultra HD 4K panel • 165 Hz panel • P5 AI Gen 10 processor • P5 Perfect Sharpness Ultra Resolution • P5 Perfect Contrast • P5 Perfect Color (WCG, Wide Color Gamut) • Ambilight + Hue • Amazon Alexa • Perfect Natural Reality • AmbiScape • HDR10 and HDR HLG compatibility • Bluetooth compatibility [abc]HDR10+[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]HEVC[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]DTS:X[/abc]
• Compatibility [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] ac
• Compatibility [abc]HDCP[/abc] 2.3
• Motion Booster compatibility 330 Hz
• [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] compatibility[/abc] 2
• Outputs: 1 [abc]optical[/abc]
• Inputs: 4 [abc]HDMI[/abc] 2.1 1 [abc]YUV[/abc], 2 ports [abc]USB[/abc], 1 port [abc]Ethernet[/abc], 1 CI+ port; • Amazon Alexa multimedia; • Titan OS multimedia; • MEMC motion compensation; • Mini LED RGB backlighting system; • Number of zones: 11,520 (3,840 actual zones); • DVB-T2 tuner; • DVB-C tuner; • DVB-S2 tuner; • 4.1 sound system; • Power: 70 W
