Philips Hue’s new 85-inch Play gradient strip light is now available in Canada for C$209.99, giving large-screen TV owners a cut-to-fit option for synchronized backlighting. The equivalent U.S. listing shows a US$149.99 price but still says “coming soon,” so availability is currently regional rather than a simultaneous North American release.
The strip is designed for televisions up to 85 inches and can display multiple colors across the wall behind a screen. It can react to movies, games and live television when paired with a compatible Hue synchronization method, or operate as ordinary ambient lighting when synchronization is turned off.
Price and availability differ by country
The official Philips Hue Canada product page lists the 85-inch Play gradient strip light as new, in stock and priced at C$209.99. Signify, the company behind Philips Hue, previously announced October 6, 2026 as the Canadian availability date.
U.S. buyers have a different situation. Philips Hue’s U.S. entertainment pages list the same 85-inch size at US$149.99, but the product remains marked “coming soon” with no confirmed order date. Those figures are in different currencies and should not be treated as a direct price cut or markup.
Availability may also vary within other markets. Buyers should use their regional Philips Hue store because power requirements, product numbers and bundled accessories can differ.
What the new strip actually does
The light strip mounts to the back of a television and washes the wall with a multicolor gradient. Philips Hue says its RGBWWIC design can produce colored and tunable white light in separate zones, while Chromasync is intended to improve color matching between multiple Hue lights.
When synchronized, colors can follow the content shown on the TV. A warm scene might produce amber light behind one side of the screen while another section displays red or purple. The purpose is to extend the visual atmosphere beyond the TV panel, not to make the television itself brighter.
The strip can also display static scenes and ambient colors through the Hue app. That means owners do not have to run synchronized lighting every time the TV is used.
You still need a way to synchronize it
The C$209.99 purchase does not by itself provide automatic screen matching. Philips Hue states that a synchronization device and the Hue app are required.
Supported approaches include:
- Hue Sync TV app: software-based syncing on supported television models.
- Philips Hue Play Screen Sync: a camera-style device that reads the image shown on the TV, including native apps and broadcasts.
- Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box: hardware that analyzes content coming from connected HDMI sources such as consoles and streaming boxes.
Signify’s official announcement says one compatible Play gradient TV strip can connect to the Play Screen Sync or the new HDMI sync box 4K over Bluetooth without a Hue Bridge. Adding a Bridge or Bridge Pro allows a larger entertainment setup with up to 10 lights.
The important limitation is that the exact setup depends on the content source. An HDMI box cannot analyze video generated by a TV’s built-in streaming apps because that picture never passes through the box. Screen Sync or a supported TV app is more suitable when native apps and broadcast television are part of the plan.
Cuttable, but not extendable
The strip measures 3,500 mm, or roughly 11.5 feet, and includes mounting brackets for attaching it to a TV. It can be cut for a better fit, which makes installation more flexible than older size-specific TV strips.
Cutting is permanent. The official specification sheet says the strip is not extendable, so buyers should measure the intended route and follow the marked cutting points before removing any material. It is designed for TVs up to 85 inches, not necessarily every possible path around an 85-inch set.
The product is 14.5 mm wide and 6 mm high, uses 14 watts, and has a 1.5-meter power cable. Philips Hue rates the integrated LEDs for a nominal 25,000-hour life and backs the product with a two-year warranty.
Indoor use only
The strip carries an IP20 rating and is specified for dry locations. It is not water-resistant and should not be installed outdoors, in a bathroom splash zone or anywhere exposed to condensation.
The operating range is listed as -20°C to 45°C, but ventilation still matters. The strip and controller should not be squeezed into a space that traps heat, and the adhesive brackets need a clean surface to remain secure.
Smart-home compatibility goes beyond TV syncing
Philips Hue lists Bluetooth and Zigbee connectivity, with support for Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT and Matter. Matter functionality requires a Hue Bridge or a compatible third-party hub.
Those integrations can handle normal smart-light tasks such as scenes, schedules and voice control. They do not replace the Hue entertainment system needed to analyze on-screen colors in real time.
Who should consider it?
The 85-inch Play gradient strip light makes the most sense for owners of large televisions who already use Hue products or have decided which synchronization method fits their viewing habits. The cuttable design is useful for cleaner installation, and bridgeless Bluetooth syncing can lower the starting cost for a single-strip setup.
It is less compelling for buyers expecting everything needed for C$209.99. A Screen Sync device, HDMI sync box or supported TV app may add substantial cost. Renters should also consider whether the adhesive mounting brackets can be removed cleanly from the back of their television.
Bottom line
Philips Hue’s new 85-inch strip offers a more flexible route into synchronized TV lighting, especially because it is cuttable and can work with multiple sync methods. Canadian buyers can order it now for C$209.99. U.S. buyers can see the confirmed US$149.99 price, but Philips Hue has not yet provided a firm U.S. sale date.
Featured image: official Philips Hue/Signify product imagery.