Latest news with #ThomsonPhoenix
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Thomson Phoenix QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Budget brilliance with a few caveats
Thomson recently launched the 2025 iteration of Phoenix 55-inch QLED Ultra HD (4K) Smart Google TV as another addition to the increasingly crowded mid-range TV segment in India. Priced competitively and packed with features like Dolby Atmos, four in-built speakers with a 60W output, AI PQ processing, and Google TV integration, it certainly sounds promising on paper. But how does it perform in real-world use? After spending some quality time with this television, here's my honest take. Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED Smart TV manages to strike a commendable balance between performance and price. (Ayushmann Chawla) Out of the box, the Thomson Phoenix 2025 makes a striking first impression. It's slim, with narrow bezels that offer an immersive viewing experience, especially for a 55-inch panel. The brushed finish on the lower chin adds a premium touch to an otherwise minimalistic design. Wall mounting was straightforward, but even if you choose to use the included table-top stand, the TV stands confidently without looking bulky. The build quality is satisfactory for this price segment. While the rear casing is plastic (as expected), the TV doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. It's lightweight enough for a single person to manoeuvre with care, though a second pair of hands is always recommended for a panel this size. The build quality is satisfactory for this price segment. (Ayushmann Chawla) Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Display Performance Let's get straight to the highlight – the screen. The 55-inch QLED Ultra HD panel is genuinely impressive for this price point. Colours are rich and punchy, black levels are deep enough for most use cases, and the HDR10 support does enhance high-contrast scenes noticeably. Whether I was binge-watching Stranger Things, browsing YouTube in 4K, or streaming sports content, the picture quality remained consistent and lively. Viewing angles are excellent – a definite plus if you have a wide seating arrangement in your living room. There's little to no colour shift, and the brightness is ample, even during daytime viewing with ambient light. While it's not OLED-level deep in terms of blacks, it holds its own remarkably well in darker scenes.(Ayushmann Chawla) While it's not OLED-level deep in terms of blacks, it holds its own remarkably well in darker scenes. Thomson's AI PQ chipset and AI Smooth Motion Rate do seem to work in tandem to reduce motion blur and enhance upscaling, especially on HD content. Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Gaming Experience As a casual gamer, I had to connect my PlayStation 5 and give it a proper spin. I played The Last of Us Part I, and the experience was unexpectedly satisfying. Input lag was minimal, and the TV handled motion smoothly, even during fast-paced gameplay sequences. The textures looked detailed, shadows were nuanced, and the contrast felt balanced. Although this panel doesn't offer 120Hz refresh rate, the standard 60Hz still does a solid job if you're not overly competitive in your gameplay. I enjoyed playing PS 5 games on the Thomson Phoenix QLED 4K Smart TV.(Ayushmann Chawla) There's no dedicated gaming mode, but toggling between picture presets and reducing motion smoothing helped fine-tune the experience. For most console users, especially on the PS5 or Xbox Series S/X, this TV won't disappoint. Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Audio On paper, the 60-watt quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos sounds promising. In practice, however, the audio is a bit of a mixed bag. While volume levels are more than sufficient for a standard living room, and the surround effect is present to some degree, dialogue clarity is where it struggles. During dialogue-heavy shows like The Crown, I often found myself straining to catch what characters were saying, especially at lower volumes. I paired the Thomson Phoenix QLED TV with Samsung C45 soundbar. To counter this, I connected a Samsung soundbar and sub-woofer, and the difference was night and day. The soundbar brought out the dialogue clarity and provided that extra bass punch during action sequences. In short, the built-in speakers are decent for casual viewing, but an external audio setup is strongly recommended for a more immersive experience. Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Software and Interface The Google TV interface is one of the best in the smart TV world today, and Thomson has wisely integrated it into this model. The UI is responsive, clean, and intuitive. Setting up was seamless, with Google Assistant handling most voice search tasks effortlessly. All major apps like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+ Hotstar, and more are supported, and I faced no lags or crashes during my time with it. App switching is smooth, and the remote control, although basic in design, is functional with quick-access buttons for common streaming services. Thomson Phoenix QLED 4K Smart TV comes integrated with Google TV.(Ayushmann Chawla) There's built-in Chromecast as well, which made screen mirroring from my Android phone and laptop incredibly easy. Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Connectivity The Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED comes with 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, and dual-band Wi-Fi – everything you'd expect at this price. The HDMI ARC support made connecting the soundbar simple, and all peripherals like the PS5, Fire Stick, and USB drives were detected instantly. Bluetooth worked well with wireless headphones, although there was a minor latency noticeable when watching dialogue-heavy content. Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED 4K Smart TV Review: Value for Money At its current pricing on Flipkart, this TV offers tremendous value for money. You get a vibrant QLED panel, respectable smart features, capable speakers (with the caveat about dialogue), and solid connectivity – all at a price that significantly undercuts some of the more established brands. With vibrant colours, good upscaling, wide viewing angles, and responsive software, this is a TV that punches above its weight. (Ayushmann Chawla) Yes, there are compromises: the sound quality isn't stellar out of the box, the panel is limited to 60Hz, and build materials aren't exactly top-tier. But none of these are deal-breakers, especially when the core viewing experience, which is what matters most, is so enjoyable. Final Thoughts: A Solid Buy with Strong Visual Appeal The Thomson Phoenix 55-inch QLED Smart TV manages to strike a commendable balance between performance and price. Whether you're watching high-definition content, playing games on a console, or simply browsing through streaming platforms, the experience is largely satisfying. With vibrant colours, good upscaling, wide viewing angles, and responsive software, this is a TV that punches above its weight. It's not perfect, particularly in the audio department, but when paired with a soundbar, it transforms into a complete home entertainment setup. For now, I'm happy with what it offers, and would easily recommend it to anyone looking for a 55-inch 4K smart TV under ₹ 35,000. As for its durability and performance over time, I'll share more insights in the coming months after extended use.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Thomson Phoenix series QLED TVs with Google TV OS launched in India: Check features, prices and more
Thomson has expanded its range of Phoenix series QLED TVs in India by launching three new models in 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch sizes. These models complement the existing 32-inch, 43-inch, and 75-inch variants, offering more choices for consumers. In addition to these new launches, Thomson has also announced special offers on its current lineup of smart TVs on Flipkart. The new Thomson Phoenix series QLED TVs are priced starting at ₹ 26,999. The details of the prices for each model are as follows: 50QAI1015 (50-inch): Rs. 26,999 Rs. 26,999 55QAI1025 (55-inch): Rs. 30,999 Rs. 30,999 65QAI1035 (65-inch): Rs. 43,999 Also read: Best time to buy a PS5? Up to 52% discount on gaming consoles in Amazon sale- Check deals Thomson Phoenix Series QLED TVs: Key Features The new models come with 4K QLED displays, offering vibrant colors with support for one billion shades. The TVs are equipped with technologies such as HDR10 and Dolby Digital Plus to enhance viewing quality. They are powered by the ARM Cortex A55*4 processor with a Mali G312 GPU, paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Also read: Best deals on power banks in Amazon Great Summer Sale 2025- Check now Audio performance varies by model. The Thomson Phoenix 50-inch variant features a 50W two-speaker system, while the Phoenix 55-inch and Phoenix 65-inch models are equipped with a 60W four-speaker system. All three models support Dolby Atmos and DTS TruSurround sound, ensuring an immersive audio experience. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra get a huge price cut in Amazon Summer Sale The new Thomson QLED TVs run on the Android TV operating system, giving users access to over 10,000 apps and games, including popular platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV. The TVs also include support for Google Assistant, offering hands-free navigation. Additionally, users can choose from six picture modes - Standard, Vivid, Sport, Movie, Game, and User, tailored to different types of content. For connectivity, the TVs come with Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Built-in Chromecast, AirPlay support, three HDMI ports, and two USB ports, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices. First Published Date: 02 May, 17:21 IST
