Katarzyna Petru
Sony surprised the industry in quite an unusual way. Without a conference, without a post on social media, and even without a press release — a new Sony Bravia 8A OLED television quietly appeared online. The problem is, this “cheaper” variant of the older model… costs more.
What exactly is the Bravia 8A?
The Sony Bravia 8A model is not a new design, but rather a stripped-down version of last year's Bravia 8 OLED. As established by the WhatHiFi service, both televisions offer identical picture quality – the same processor, WOLED panel from LG Display, and XR OLED Contrast Pro technology.
Differences? Just two:
Bravia 8A has a standard remote, without backlighting (the Bravia 8 included a premium one).
The user only gets 5 credits and 12 months of free access to Sony Pictures Core, which is Sony's VOD platform.
In comparison – the standard Bravia 8 offers 12 credits and 24 months.
Prices and Differences Between Models
Despite its more modest equipment, the new Bravia 8A is more expensive than the Bravia 8. Sony explains this by stating that "it is a new model" – although it is hard to believe, considering the specifications are practically identical.
Size | Model | USD | EUR | GBP | AUD | PLN* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
55” | Sony Bravia 8A | $2,180 | €2,070 | £1,799 | A$3,390 | ≈9,300 zł |
55” | Sony Bravia 8 | $1,820 | €1,720 | £1,499 | A$2,820 | ≈7,800 zł |
65” | Sony Bravia 8A | $2,910 | €2,780 | £2,399 | A$4,540 | ≈12,400 zł |
65” | Sony Bravia 8 | $2,430 | €2,300 | £1,999 | A$3,780 | ≈10,400 zł |
77” | Sony Bravia 8A | $4,060 | €3,880 | £3,339 | A$6,380 | ≈17,300 zł |
77” | Sony Bravia 8 | $3,530 | €3,340 | £2,899 | A$5,540 | ≈15,000 zł |
*Converted at average exchange rates: 1 GBP = 5.18 PLN, 1 GBP = 1.21 USD, 1 GBP = 1.15 EUR, 1 GBP = 1.88 AUD.
It is difficult not to regard this launch as rather curious. The Bravia 8A offers less and costs more. Sony explains that the prices are "temporary" and will drop over time – then the 8A model could indeed be a sensible alternative. At this moment, however, there is no reason to buy the Bravia 8A instead of the Bravia 8.
Don't confuse with Bravia 8 II
It's worth noting that Bravia 8A has nothing to do with the latest model Sony Bravia 8 II OLED (2025), which uses a QD-OLED panel and XR Triluminos Max technology. This newer variant is about 50% brighter and offers a significantly wider colour gamut.
Bravia 8 II earned the title of “Best TV of 2025” in the HDTVTest test, outperforming models such as Samsung S95F, LG G5, and Panasonic Z95B.
We also invite you to watch the blind test where we compare Sony Bravia 8 II with other flagship models and see which one truly delivers the best picture without the manufacturer's logo.
Also, check out the full review of Sony Bravia 8 II, where we discuss in detail the differences between QD-OLED and WOLED panels, real brightness in HDR, and the new features of the XR 2025 processor.
Summary
Sony Bravia 8A is an interesting case — new, yet old. If the manufacturer actually lowers the prices, it could be a sensible option for those wanting a Sony OLED at a lower price. But for the moment, the original Bravia 8 remains the better choice – with a better remote, longer subscription, and lower price.
