Michał Stekla
Today we're once again taking a look across the ocean (thanks to the RTINGS team) to see what's new with the Japanese giant. Sony is launching the Bravia 5 – a model that officially replaces the well-received X90L. At first glance, we get everything one could expect from a mid-range "premium mid" TV: a VA panel, local dimming, 120 Hz, and a gaming package with Google TV on board.
But there’s something new as well – Mini LED backlighting, which replaces the traditional FALD zones known from the X90L. This is a change that could open the door to better contrast and dimming precision. The only question is whether Sony has truly taken a step forward... or merely changed the branding? How does the Bravia 5 compare to its predecessor – and does it have what it takes to compete with the increasingly better competition from China and Korea? Let's find out!
Appearance: Again, no surprises
“Designer déjà vu” – this is probably the best way to describe what Sony (and not just them) has given us in 2025. The Sony Bravia 5 looks almost identical to the two-year-old X90L. Slim bezels, the same minimalism, and really only the colour might be slightly different... but to be honest – as the author of this text, I must admit that the differences between “dark graphite” and “very dark grey” remain a mystery to me. That said – the effect at first glance is practically the same.
But while not much has changed on the outside, the internal design decisions are a bit more surprising. The Bravia 5 has been slightly simplified compared to the X90L – this is evident in the base. While the previous model allowed for the legs to be set wide or centrally, now we only have one option – the legs sit in the middle. Fortunately, the ability to raise them hasn’t been removed, so a classic soundbar will fit comfortably under the screen.
Construction of the 98-inch version: thicker frames, greater stability?
In conclusion – although the television isn’t record-slim and leans towards Sony’s raw style, it can still be appealing. It’s neat, without unnecessary embellishments, and the whole thing gives the impression of solid equipment built to last for years. It’s also worth mentioning that, similar to the X90L, we can't talk about "framelessness" in the largest 98-inch variant. In this size, the Japanese manufacturer decided to "stiffen" the construction by using thicker bezels. Does this translate to better rigidity of the entire body? Perhaps – but it’s good to keep this in mind when considering the largest model. Especially if someone pays attention to the appearance of the device as well.
Contrast: Mini LED – more zones, but the same quality?
According to what Sony announced in promotional materials, and as RTINGS confirms in tests – the Bravia 5 has finally received the long-awaited change in backlighting. In the 65-inch variant, nearly five times more dimming zones have been implemented compared to the X90L model, which was still based on traditional FALD backlighting (it works like MINI-LED but has far fewer zones). This is great news – especially since the biggest issue with the X90L was the noticeable blooming effect, for example, when displaying bright text on a dark background (in the gallery: comparison of X90L vs Bravia 7 with Mini LED, the image speaks for itself).
Contrast: What Went Wrong?
And everything would be beautiful if it weren't for one "but". As we've mentioned before – the specification alone is not enough for quality to come automatically. The way in which the manufacturer tunes the entire system also matters. And we're talking about Sony here – a company that has proven time and again that it can squeeze the maximum out of even weaker equipment. This time, however... something went wrong. Despite having many more zones, the Bravia 5 achieves almost the same contrast result as its predecessor. The differences? They exist, but only in specific, laboratory scenarios. In everyday use, the television looks practically the same as the X90L. And that doesn't sound like a compliment. It's a shame because the potential was really significant; after all, we're talking about a fully-fledged MINI-LED television.
Brightness and HDR – but what really happened here?
Well then – since the contrast with the new Mini LED is practically the same as in the predecessor, maybe at least the brightness has improved or is at the same level as the X90L? Let’s recall: the previous model, according to our tests, could reach around 1200 nits (HDR) in a 10% window, which was really impressive in this class, especially for movie fans.
And here… what a surprise. The Bravia 5, despite the newer backlighting technology, records a result of around 700 nits. Yes, you read that right – not only is it not better, but it is almost twice as dim as the model from 2023! What has Sony done? Why? How is this possible? It’s hard to say. Because no documentation, no presentation and no press release explains this result. Instead of evolution – a regression. Instead of a “wow” effect – an effect of “why?!” And all of this in a TV that was supposed to be an extension of the X90L concept, not a faded version of it.
Scaling and image processing – this is where Sony still excels
Fortunately, there are things that Sony hasn't ruined. In fact, it continues to do them probably the best in the world. We're of course talking about image processing. The Bravia 5, like its predecessor, uses the same tried-and-true "XR" image processor – and the results are almost identical. Which means? Excellent.
Content in lower quality, such as classic television, YouTube, or Full HD materials, looks better than one might expect. The upscaling works smoothly, cleanly, and without any artifacts. This isn't any magic, of course – the TV won't conjure a reference-quality 4K image from an HD signal – but it does it well enough that you can forget just how low quality the original was.
In this regard, the Bravia 5 still performs exceptionally well – and it remains a reason to consider a Sony TV in this segment. Especially if someone watches a lot of internet content or classic TV channels.
GoogleTV and eco remote
Just like its predecessor, the Bravia 5 runs on the Google TV system. That's good news; we have access to the largest number of apps on the market, so neither the hardware nor the manufacturer limits the user. Netflix, YouTube, HBO Max, Disney+, niche VODs, podcasts, and even TV stations – all available from one platform. Moreover, as is usually the case with Sony, we can expect Google TV to run particularly smoothly here. At least at the start – in the past, it was the TVs of this brand that handled the "growing pains" of the new system best, which could plague other models with Android.
In the package, we also find a new (or rather... familiar) remote. Made from recycled materials, in line with the manufacturer's "eco-friendly philosophy", and devoid of traditional numeric buttons. This is almost standard in new TVs – minimalism, which was initiated by Samsung a few years ago, is now the norm. Is this a good direction? Hard to say. Some prefer simplicity as they only use the "up, down" arrows anyway, while others miss the classic layout with a full set of buttons.
Is it really "perfect for PS5"?
Sony has been promoting its televisions as "perfect for PS5" for several years – and of course, the Bravia 5 is no exception. On paper, everything looks familiar and quite good: we have an ALLM mode (which means automatic switching to low-latency mode), VRR technology, and two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 120 Hz. The panel itself also operates at 120 Hz – similarly to its predecessor, thankfully nothing has been worsened here 😉.
Additionally, Sony adds something extra – the PS Remote Play app, available only on their televisions. It allows you to connect to the PS5 console without physically plugging it into the television – for example, from another room.
Unfortunately, not everything fares equally well. As noted by the Rtings editorial team, the mode designed for gamers in the Bravia 5 features a fairly strong ghosting and blurring effect. This is not something we would like to see on a television advertised as "gamer-friendly". We hope that Sony will respond and improve this aspect in updates...
Sony Bravia 5: the successor that forgot... to be better?
Bravia 5 is a television that was theoretically supposed to be a natural evolution of the popular X90L. Sony added Mini LED, increased the number of dimming zones, kept the good processor, Google TV system, and all the features for gamers. Everything pointed to it being better. However... it’s not.
Contrast? Almost identical to its predecessor with a much smaller number of dimming zones. HDR brightness? A drop of nearly 40%. Gaming mode? Ghosting and blurring of the image that shouldn't occur. And while the Bravia 5 looks solid hardware-wise, it feels like Sony opted for minimal changes and hoped no one would notice. Fortunately, there are elements that still do a great job – image processing, scaling, interface fluidity, and Google TV applications remain strong points of this brand. But in the context of the entire market offering – and the growing competition from TCL, Hisense, and Samsung – it’s hard not to feel that the Bravia 5 is somewhat of a missed opportunity.
So, if you’re considering buying a Sony television, it’s worth checking out the sales of last year's model, the X90L. According to the Rtings editorial team, it performs better than the Bravia 5 in practically most categories. An alternative could be a better model – Bravia 7, which at the time of writing this text costs almost the same as the Bravia 5, and in terms of picture quality, it surpasses not only it but also the X90L in many aspects.
(You will find a link to the best Sony televisions comparison below.)
Source: own study, rtings.com
