Philips launches Screeneo UL5 Smart, a budget Ultra-short Throw Smart Projector for under $800

Imagine we’ve come so far that we can fit an entire movie theater into a device that’s essentially the same size as a brick. After launching the Screeneo U5 in the end of 2022, Philips is back with its smallest, most advanced UST projector yet. Dubbed the Screeneo UL5 Smart, it builds on the success of Philips’ past projectors, while focusing on being a budget-friendly gadget to help people convert from TVs to something a little more immersive. Measuring just over 8 inches long, 3.7 inches wide, and 3.4 inches tall, the Screeneo UL5 Smart outputs an impressive 100-inch screen when kept just 20 inches away from a wall. The tiny device produces a display that’s rich in color, has a 550 ANSI lumen brightness, and has a Full HD resolution of 1080p. Sure, it’s no 4K projector… but at a sub-$1000 price tag, it’s probably the best ultra-short throw projector you can get your hands on. Oh, it also comes bundled with its own OS that let you run popular streaming services, pitching it well into smart projector territory.

Designer: Philips Projection

Click Here to Buy Now: $789 $1406 (43% off) Hurry! Only 7 days left. Raised over $900,000 USD.

While the UL5 Smart departs from the 4K resolution of its predecessor, the U5 model, it maintains a respectable Full HD 1080p resolution – ideal for enjoying movies, shows, and games in crisp detail. The projector utilizes a DLP chip alongside a triple-laser light source, separating red, blue, and green colors for an exceptionally rich and vibrant visual experience. The impressive 0:23:1 ultra-short throw ratio means you don’t need to keep the device multiple feet away from the projection surface, the way most traditional projectors need to be kept. A simple 20 inches away from a wall or screen gives you a staggering projection that measures 100 inches diagonally. Adjust the distance to adjust the size of the projection – the UL5 Smart can pull off 120 inches with absolutely no discernible drop in brightness or clarity. It also automatically keystones and focuses itself, so you spend less time setting up and more time enjoying content.

The compact form factor allows the Screeneo UL5 Smart to be used as more than just a movie-watching device. Sure, projectors and movies are practically synonymous – and the Screeneo UL5 Smart does come with Philips’ LuminOS, which lets you natively run Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, and a whole slew of other apps – but an abundance of ports lets you use your Screeneo UL5 Smart to do things like extend your laptop/desktop/tablet screen, or directly hook your gaming console to the projector for larger-than-life gameplay.

Rest the UL5 Smart on its back the way it’s designed to be placed and you’ve got a projected image on the wall. Flip the UL5 Smart over and stand it vertically, and it projects a bright 35-inch display onto the floor or a table, letting you watch content on the tabletop like recipe videos, the game, or even project drawings onto a piece of paper and allow you to sketch directly. AI-driven auto-focus and keystone kicks in immediately, fixing the image to make it perfectly focused and rectangular.

Spec-nerds will have little to complain about what the UL5 Smart offers. With a peak of 550 ANSI lumens, the projector is ideally suited for dimly lit or dark environments. However, this is balanced by exceptional color reproduction. The UL5 Smart boasts coverage exceeding 200% of the Rec.709 color gamut, 108% of Rec.2020, and a remarkable 150% of the DCI-P3 color space. Additionally, it supports HDR10, ensuring vibrant visuals with deeper blacks and brighter whites for compatible content.

Running on an Android-based operating system, the UL5 Smart comes pre-loaded with popular streaming apps like Netflix and Youtube, eliminating the need for external devices. Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allow for seamless streaming and connection to external speakers for an even more powerful audio experience. For wired connections, the UL5 Smart offers an HDMI port, a USB Type-A power port, and two USB-C ports for data and video. The projector also features integrated 3-watt Dolby speakers, providing a decent audio solution for casual viewing.

At a price of $789, the Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart is quite the bargain. It’s compact, smart, outputs screen sizes up to 120-inches, and builds on Philips Projection’s UST capabilities. You’ve got an abundance of ports, along with a built-in OS for a whole lot of variety – and the projector even ships with its own remote control, letting you easily browse through content and enjoy movies, sports, and games larger than life. The Screeneo UL5 Smart begins shipping September 2024 for backers on Indiegogo.

Click Here to Buy Now: $789 $1406 (43% off) Hurry! Only 7 days left. Raised over $900,000 USD.

1.2K Shares