Compare: Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5) vs SONY BRAVIA 3

Sony Bravia 5 is the continuation of the iconic X90L model, and it's clear that the manufacturer aimed to take a step forward. A greater number of backlighting zones have been implemented, which makes the contrast seem better in many scenes, with deeper blacks than its predecessor. The 120 Hz panel and MotionFlow system allow you to tailor the fluidity of the image to your own preferences – from a slight cinematic texture to crystal smooth motion in sports and games. This is a device that is unafraid of any content, because regardless of whether we're watching a match, an action film, or a concert, the image maintains clarity and character. However, the true strength of the Bravia 5 remains its XR processor. It's what makes older materials look better than they should – upscaling works like magic here, smoothing out noise, improving gradation, and providing coherence even to content of lower quality. As a result, in everyday use, the Bravia 5 can surprise, because instead of battling with signal imperfections, it extracts the maximum from them. Additionally, there's excellent colour reproduction once calibrated, as well as dynamic tone mapping with Dolby Vision mode, allowing you to enjoy details even in challenging, high-contrast scenes. However, it cannot be hidden that at several moments, the Bravia 5 has let us down significantly. Despite the greater number of zones, brightness and contrast are not always better than in the X90L – sometimes they even perform worse. This raises a sense of wasted potential, as we were hoping for a greater qualitative leap. After all, we are talking about a true MINI-LED television here. Nevertheless, the Bravia 5 remains an excellent TV for those who want to enjoy quality image above all. If you're looking for a model that can impress with smooth motion, extracts details from difficult scenes, and works wonders with older materials, the Bravia 5 will easily meet these expectations. It's a television that sometimes cannot quite match the competition in certain respects, but still defends itself with what Sony does best – cinematic imagery.

Sony Bravia 3 is a television that brings several important improvements over its predecessor while still staying true to its core. The biggest change is the design – slim bezels and sturdy metal legs make it look modern and fit much better in a living room than the X75WL. The improved colours thanks to the PFS filter and really good upscaling are also a plus. It is particularly with lower-quality content, especially in classic SDR, that the Bravia 3 can show its best side – colours look pleasant, the picture is clear, and thanks to the IPS panel, viewing angles are at a very good level. For a ‘classic’ TV, where comfort from various viewing positions in the room and decent quality of everyday content matter, it is perfectly suitable. A huge advantage remains the Google TV system. During our tests, there were times when the interface did not work as smoothly as we would have liked, and some features could freeze. However, despite these imperfections, the presence of Google TV is a huge plus – access to thousands of apps and a full streaming library compensates for minor shortcomings. Unfortunately, what was weak in the X75WL remains weak here as well. The IPS panel has very low contrast and does not offer local dimming, which means that watching movies in a dark room quickly loses its appeal – black resembles more of a grey, which effectively detracts from the enjoyment of viewing. Additionally, the option to record content to USB, which was available in the predecessor, has been removed. It is hard not to notice this and not to add it to the list of downsides.

So, who is the Bravia 3 for? Primarily for those who want to enter the world of Sony televisions at the most affordable price while valuing the Google TV system. However, it is not the most attractive option in its class – competition in this budget can offer models with Mini-LED backlighting, which outperform it significantly in terms of contrast and HDR. Therefore, the Bravia 3 is worth considering, but mainly when there is a solid discount. At regular price, it will be very difficult for it to stand out against its more cost-effective rivals.

Bravia 5 is the entry-level TV in Sony's Mini-LED series for 2025, so naturally we start with the most important thing – how it performs with blacks and contrast. After all, the term "Mini-LED" today sounds almost like a magic spell. In theory, this means thousands of tiny diodes arranged in zones that are meant to work in harmony, dimming and brightening the image so that the viewer's eye perceives more depth than with a classic LCD. In practice, in the 65-inch Bravia 5, we counted around 200 backlight zones. Is that a lot? Definitely more than its predecessor, the legendary X90L model, but when you look at Chinese manufacturers who can pack in hundreds, sometimes even thousands of zones – it comes off as rather modest.

One might expect that combining a greater number of zones with the refined dimming algorithms that Sony has accustomed us to over the years would result in a qualitative leap compared to the X90L. Meanwhile – and this is where a slight disappointment arises – tests showed that the results are surprisingly similar to last year's model. Don't take this the wrong way: the contrast, for an LCD TV with local dimming, is really solid. In most scenes, bright elements are separated from dark ones with surgical precision, and the effect can be breathtaking. But when more demanding shots appear on screen – those that mercilessly test the capabilities of the backlight – it becomes clear that the hardware has its limitations.

Therefore, one could say that in terms of blacks and contrast, the Bravia 5 doesn't so much disappoint as rather fails to meet the hopes that the initial announcements ignited. We were hoping for at least a slightly better performance than its predecessor, and we got "only" good contrast. And that “only” is the key word here – because good contrast in Sony’s rendition still means a level that most competitors would be proud of.

Bravia 3 in most variants, including the 65-inch model we tested, uses an IPS panel and unfortunately, this isn't the best news for those who value depth of image and truly velvety blacks. This technology has its advantages, offering decent viewing angles, but they come at the cost of very low contrast, which is particularly noticeable during evening viewing sessions when we expect the screen to go dark where it should. However, the list of problems doesn't end there. Our unit also showed noticeable imperfections in the blacks, which exacerbate the effect of their shallowness. For instance, in the scene with the helicopter, you can clearly see blooming in the corners of the screen and noticeable vignetting.

It's hard not to think that even a simple local dimming system could have salvaged the situation and added a bit of drama to the image, which is lacking here. Unfortunately, Sony has not opted for such a solution, and as a result, we have a repeat of last year's performance. So, Bravia 3 is not a television that will charm with cinematic depth of black. At night, instead of intense black, we are more likely to see grey pretending to be darkness, which may disappoint more discerning viewers.

Looking at similar results in terms of black levels and contrast, we expected the same stable performance as last year's model when it comes to HDR content. Unfortunately – and this must be said plainly – there has been a regression here that is hard to miss. The paradox is that the peak brightness of the Bravia 5 can be impressive: in our synthetic tests, the TV reached around 1000 nits in HDR. Sounds great, right? The problem is that this power doesn't always have a real impact on all movie scenes. When small, pinpoint elements appear on the screen, something that in Sony's case was usually fine-tuned with surgical precision, this time it clearly falters. The algorithms try to maintain deep blacks around small objects, but the side effect is that details can be dimmed to the point of becoming barely visible. One only needs to bring up the example of the movie Sicario 2 – there, in some scenes, small light sources practically vanished as if someone had covered them with dark film.

Of course, not everything looks so dramatic. In simpler, brighter scenes, where the image is filled with more light, the Bravia 5 shows that it can shine: literally and figuratively. At those times, the TV achieves values in the range of 600–800 nits, which we saw both in synthetic tests and during movie screenings. The impression is really positive; the brightness adds dynamism, and the colours look vibrant and fresh. However, there remains a certain dissonance. We feel a slight confusion because it is evident that something has gone in the wrong direction. Technological progress – more zones, more backlight power – has not been supported by the kind of refined image management that we usually associate with Sony. Fortunately, there are elements that have not been compromised and are actually at a very high level. We are talking about colour reproduction. Thanks to the use of the PFS filter, the colour palette coverage is excellent – about 97% DCI-P3 and 75% BT.2020. These values allow for a truly wide colour reproduction, giving films a natural and cinematic character.

Bravia 3 does not hide the fact that it belongs to a group of TVs that are rather modest in terms of brightness. Our measurements showed around 370 nits, which is a value balancing on the brink where any HDR effect can still be discussed. For some, this is an acceptable level, while for others it is more typical for SDR materials, where spectacular flashes or vivid contrasts are not expected. The impression is that this is not a TV for those focused on the highest image quality in demanding film content. However, this does not mean that there are no advantages to be found here. Compared to its predecessor, the X75WL, the Bravia 3 has gained an additional PFS filter, which works similarly to solutions known from QLED technology. Thanks to this, the DCI-P3 color gamut has been significantly expanded, reaching over 91 percent, which in practice results in more saturated colours and a more pleasing texture of the image. As a result, even everyday content looks a bit more vibrant, and films and series can surprise with their colourful presentation, despite limitations in brightness itself.

Sony Bravia 5 was obviously tested in the best possible mode, which is the Movie mode. Right out of the box, it delivers the most natural colours, definitely better than anything offered by the "eco" or "dynamic" modes, which are more suited for a store display than a living room. However, the Movie mode alone does not guarantee that we can always expect cinematic picture quality. In SDR content, we had no significant complaints – the slightly warmed white balance gave the scenes a golden hue, but it was nothing that was glaring. However, a problem arose with HDR materials. Here, the colour reproduction simply looked bad. The white balance was heavily skewed – with an excess of blue and a clear lack of red. At times, it resembled the store mode of "super vivid picture," where everything is blown out and artificially boosted.

This situation made brightness management seem too aggressive as well. The EOTF graph clearly showed that the television has trouble with overexposing many scenes right out of the box. And while we know what Sony televisions are usually capable of, it was hard to remain indifferent here – that’s why we quickly decided to go for calibration.

We primarily tested the Sony Bravia 3 in movie mode, which immediately turned out to be the best choice among the factory settings. It's not a perfect picture, but compared to the eco mode that the TV suggests straight out of the box, the difference is evident and definitely better. In movie mode, there is a noticeable issue: the picture seems too warm, which is due to the lack of blue colour in the white balance. Nevertheless, in SDR content, the final effect can still be considered quite decent and satisfactory for everyday viewing. Much more serious errors arise in HDR materials. The Color Checker analysis showed significant deviations, and poor brightness management, combined with limited colour gamut coverage, further exposes the shortcomings of the picture in this mode. All of this makes HDR on the Bravia 3 look unconvincing and can ruin the impression left by the otherwise quite decent SDR content settings. Fortunately, it’s not a hopeless situation. Various errors can be somewhat mitigated, and some can even be completely corrected through professional calibration. That's why we decided to check how the TV would perform after such adjustments.

After calibration, the situation changed dramatically. We managed to tune the white balance so that entire scenes began to look more natural, and the image gained coherence and elegance. In HDR, we finally got rid of that unwanted clipping effect that had previously spoiled some shots. Suddenly, it turned out that the Bravia 5 can extract much more from films than the first contact "straight out of the box" suggested. Indeed, if we look at the graphs and compare them with the standards, we can see that the beginning of the EOTF curve slightly strays beyond the reference line. However, this is not so much a calibration error as it is a natural limitation of the Mini-LED technology that cannot be bypassed. Sony, rather than clinging tightly to perfect black, prefers to prioritise the visibility of details – and in practice, it’s hard to disagree with that. We prefer to see the texture of the material on the screen rather than a pitch-black spot where all nuances disappear.

The calibration itself was really beneficial. After about an hour spent on settings, we felt that the image resembled that of the best cinema halls – of course on a home scale, but with the same sense of quality and refinement. And in such moments, we remember why we love Sony televisions: because once we fine-tune them, they reward us with a picture that captivates for long hours.

Calibration allowed us to extract significantly more from ChooseTV 3 than we could have expected at the beginning. First and foremost, it managed to address the deficiency of blue, which previously caused a noticeable warming of the image. After a slight adjustment in white balance, most errors in the Color Checker measurements for SDR content practically disappeared. The whites took on a natural tone, and brightness management in gamma stabilised to an almost ideal level, not exceeding the threshold of what the human eye can perceive. So it is safe to say that in SDR content, after a few adjustments in the settings, ChooseTV 3 performs really well. It fares much worse, although still definitely better than before calibration, when it comes to HDR content. The white balance has been brought in line, but the limitations of the IPS panel are insurmountable. The lack of local dimming means that even the smallest elements can be overexposed, which is immediately noticeable. Colour-wise, the effect has also improved, although it is far from perfect – many errors still exceed the threshold of four, and even five delta E units, remaining visible to the human eye. It was already clear earlier that ChooseTV 3 is not a television designed to impress with HDR quality. Nevertheless, it is pleasing that in SDR content, after calibration, the picture can look really great and in this category, the television pleasantly surprised us.

Tonality transitions are nothing more than the way a television handles blending colours and shades – from light to dark, from saturated to pastel. If the device struggles with this, you see characteristic "stairs" instead of smooth transitions, and the image loses its naturalness. It's those moments when instead of getting immersed in the film, we start glancing at the screen thinking, "hey, something's off here." Fortunately, in the Sony Bravia 5, such situations are practically non-existent. This is a huge advantage because nothing distracts our attention from the plot or the excitement of sports. The television performs best in bright scenes, where the colour transitions are smooth, and the blending of colours is nearly invisible. The effect is so good that sometimes it can feel like the image was painted in one brush stroke. Of course, there have been a few minor missteps. In darker scenes, certain imperfections can be noticed – slight banding or minimal gradation issues. For that reason, the Bravia 5 received a few negative points from us. Nevertheless, in the vast majority of situations, the television performs excellently and comes through this test with flying colours.

In terms of the fluidity of tonal transitions, Bravia 3 performs really well. In brighter scenes, we didn't notice any serious errors – the screen handles colour blending almost perfectly and doesn’t create artificial contours that can spoil the viewing experience. Similarly, in darker segments, there are no major issues with colour gradation, although another problem arises here. Strong brightening and uneven backlighting of the panel in dark scenes make it difficult to definitively assess the gradation itself, because the effect is spoiled by the unevenness of the image. However, if we focus solely on colour blending, the result should be regarded as very good.

Bravia 5 carries the genes of Sony, which remain intact – and thank goodness for that, because we're talking about absolutely exceptional digital image processing. It's no coincidence that for years, it's been considered that TVs from this brand set the standard for how a screen should handle lower quality materials. If someone still watches classic television, old films, or YouTube in lower resolutions, here they get equipment that can turn such content into a surprisingly enjoyable experience. On board, we find several tools worth activating. The first of these is "digital noise reduction." Set to a medium level, it works superbly – smoothing out tonal transitions that usually cause the most trouble in low-quality materials while introducing no artificial artifacts. Importantly, it also doesn't remove the cinematic character, which is the natural grain that is intentionally present in many productions. Another advantage of the Bravia 5 is the upscaling capabilities of the XR processor. The image presented after scaling is soft, yet sharp and clear. The outlines of characters are well-defined, and backgrounds maintain their texture without excessive artificial sharpening. It's hard to find a better TV for watching lower quality materials – Bravia 5 only confirms why Sony is considered the benchmark in this area.

Bravia 3 brings something more to the Sony television family than just a shared name. It stands out primarily for its ability to enhance the quality of weaker materials thanks to the processor used. Of course, we won’t find the advanced XR chip known from more expensive models here, but nonetheless, it must be said that the image in lower resolution looked surprisingly good. The scaling worked effectively, and most areas of the screen were free from the typical excessive edge roughness found in budget constructions.

Also worthy of attention is the function that improves the smoothness of tonal transitions. In high setting, it works really well, effectively masking gradation imperfections without significant loss of detail. It does happen that the algorithm overzealously smooths elements that should remain sharp – for example, faces – however, in the overall assessment, the effect is beneficial. The best results were achieved precisely at the highest setting, and this is the option we could recommend to those watching lower-quality content.

Bravia 5 has a 120 Hz panel, which in itself sounds like an invitation to watch sports, fast matches or spectacular action films. However, the real magic begins when MotionFlow – Sony's proprietary motion smoother – comes into play. Thanks to this feature, we can adjust the character of the picture to our own preferences. The "smoothness" slider allows us to transition from a cinematic feel with a slight "judder" to a theatrical fluidity, where every ball in the match glides across the screen as if on a string. The higher the value, the smoother and more fluid it is; the lower it is, the more film-like and natural it becomes. In the options, we also find an additional setting that Sony calls "clarity". This is nothing more than the BFI function (which inserts black frames) aimed at improving motion sharpness. It sounds great in theory, but in practice, it must be used with caution. Why? Because all higher settings cause brightness drops of up to half, and in some cases, contour doubling also appears. So if we want to use it, we recommend setting it to the lowest level – "1" out of the available ten. That way, we gain a bit better motion sharpness without risking losing half the brightness of the picture.

Motion smoothness has never been a strong point of televisions equipped with 60 Hz panels, and the Bravia 3 is no exception. Nevertheless, Sony has included something that may appeal to those more sensitive to the way images are displayed. I'm talking about the proprietary motion smoother, Motion Flow, which gives the user plenty of adjustment options. With it, one can make the image smoother, almost theatrical, or stick to a more cinematic style with characteristic judder that many people simply associate with a filmic atmosphere. These functions work with content at lower frame rates, such as films and series recorded at 24 or 30 frames per second, which is the material we deal with on a daily basis. This is precisely where the motion smoother proves to be one of the most important features in everyday TV usage, and here, the Bravia 3 performs really decently.

In the Bravia 5, there is a significant improvement compared to the X90L model from two years ago. The television offers literally everything its predecessor had, but this time the issues that could frustrate gamers have been addressed. Problems with setting the variable refresh rate (VRR) have disappeared, and there are no longer issues with configuring HDR content in HGiG mode. In short: we get a device that simply works as it should, without any hassles. So, the Bravia 5 has everything you can expect from a modern gaming TV – and it can be confidently advertised with the slogan "ready for PS5." That's something we couldn't say about the X90L model. Well done, Sony!

It's just a shame that this relatively high-priced model lacks a full set of four HDMI 2.1 ports. In everyday use, this won’t be an issue for most people, but if someone has a console, soundbar, and additional equipment connected via HDMI, at some point they'll have to choose or juggle cables.

Bravia 3 is not gear for e-sports enthusiasts or fans of late-night marathons with a controller in hand. The lack of 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports shuts down the conversation before it even gets started. This is a TV for casual gamers who, after work, will fire up FIFA or racing games, not for someone who measures every frame in a spreadsheet. Nonetheless, Sony has thrown in a few nice additions so it’s not completely sparse. ALLM works as it should, automatically switching the TV to game mode (low latency). We even find a simple Game Bar here, which is clear and intuitive. However, the biggest curiosity here is the PlayStation Portal app. Thanks to this, you can launch PS5 games wirelessly and see them right on the TV screen. It sounds great, but it only takes a few minutes to feel significant lag. In our opinion, it's more of a showcase of capabilities than something that can be used day-to-day. If someone really wants to game, it's better to plug the console in with an HDMI cable and forget about wireless issues.

When it comes to input lag, the Bravia 5 deserves a round of applause. Results of around 7 ms at 120 Hz content are nothing short of phenomenal – it's hard to imagine a gamer complaining about such responsiveness. Even at 60 Hz, where the lag increases to around 15 ms, we're still talking about values that absolutely don't spoil the fun and are practically unnoticeable. Moreover, Sony has finally tamed the Dolby Vision mode. In the X90L, it was practically unplayable – the delays rose to levels of even 150 ms. Meanwhile, the input lag on the Bravia 5 remains at the same low level as with other content. This is a huge improvement and further proof that this television can truly be called "gamer-friendly."

Here, the Bravia 3 shows its best side. Latency drops below 12 milliseconds in almost every resolution and mode, so the response to controller movements is instantaneous and there’s no sense of delay. It feels like the console and the television are speaking the same language, without unnecessary pauses and hesitations. The Dolby Vision Gaming mode deserves special attention. In its predecessor, the X75WL model, using this feature was simply a nightmare – input lag could reach over 100 milliseconds, which effectively ruined the enjoyment of gaming. In the Bravia 3, this issue has been completely eliminated.

In this category, the Bravia 5 deserves an exemplary rating. The ideal readability of fonts thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support makes working on this TV a pure pleasure. Whether we are opening Excel, browsing documents, or simply surfing the web – the text is sharp, clear, and free from that characteristic “haze” which can effectively take away the joy of use in many TVs. The letters look as they should: distinct, sharp, and readable even up close.

We also have good news for PC gamers. The Bravia 5 has no problems at all with handling 120 Hz, working with both Nvidia and AMD cards, supporting G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro technologies. The result is that the image is not only smooth but also free from tears or micro-cuts that can ruin the experience even in the best-optimised games. You can easily connect a powerful PC and enjoy gaming on the big screen – without compromises, without frustration, and with full comfort. The only thing we could complain about is the lack of additional modes for gamers with higher refresh rates.

The IPS panel combined with properly functioning 4:4:4 chroma support means that the readability of fonts is at an excellent level. Letters appear sharp regardless of the background colour or content, so working with documents or browsing websites doesn't strain the eyes. In this role, the TV easily deserves a very good, if not excellent, rating, as few models in this price range perform as well. However, if we look at the Bravia 3 from a PC gamer’s perspective, the picture isn’t as rosy. We won't find G-SYNC or Free Sync frame syncing with graphics cards or high refresh rates, so the TV isn’t the best choice for dynamic computer games. However, as a monitor for work, whether in a home office or a student room, it performs excellently, and in that respect, it's really hard to criticize.

Bravia 5 uses a classic VA panel, and that means one thing – the viewing angles are not one of its strong points. For those with smaller screen sizes, this won’t be a problem, as sitting directly in front, the picture looks fantastic. However, with larger sizes, especially 85 inches, the situation becomes less comfortable. It’s enough to sit slightly off-centre on the couch to notice minor imperfections: the image begins to lose saturation, contrast weakens, and black takes on unwanted greys. It’s a shame that Sony did not opt for additional coatings, which in the case of VA panels can bring their capabilities closer to IPS levels. Such solutions exist, and some competitors make use of them. Here, they are missing, so one has to reckon with the fact that Bravia 5 best showcases its strengths when viewed head-on.

Thanks to the IPS matrix used, colours do not lose intensity as quickly as with screens based on VA panels. Even when watching television in larger groups, when some people sit at an angle, the image remains clear and does not appear washed out. Of course, it isn't at the level offered by OLED organic matrices, where the image looks nearly the same from almost any position, but for an LCD television, the viewing angles in the Bravia 3 are among the best. This provides a sense of comfort and freedom, especially in larger living rooms or during family screenings, where it's difficult for everyone to sit directly in front of the screen.

Bravia 5 is a piece of equipment that really performs well in challenging lighting conditions. Its high brightness ensures that even in the middle of the day, with the blinds wide open and sunlight streaming through the windows, the picture remains clear and sharp. There’s no feeling that we're watching a "washed-out" screen. The satin finish of the panel also plays a significant role in effectively reducing light reflections. Yes, some reflections do appear, but they are not strong enough to interfere with viewing. They are more like subtle glows that can be noticed when we consciously look for them, rather than a real problem day-to-day. Because of this, the Bravia 5 works well not just in the evening in a dimmed room, but also in bright living areas, where other TVs can falter. One could say that it's a "universally bright" model – suitable for both evening screenings and for watching news or sports in full sunlight.

Bravia 3 performs quite well in daylight. The satin coating on the panel effectively reduces reflections, and the colours do not lose their vibrancy when stronger external light hits the screen. As a result, under typical home conditions, with blinds open or in a living room with a larger window, the picture maintains its clarity. However, it's important to remember that this is not a high-brightness TV. The Bravia 3 cannot compete with brighter models, so in very sunny rooms, there are moments when the screen simply doesn't stand out against the intense light. In normal conditions, it handles things without any issues, but in more challenging scenarios, don't expect miracles.

GoogleTV and SmartTV features

Sony Bravia 5 runs on Google TV, and it must be said that this is one of the best-optimised systems in this brand's offering. The interface works smoothly, with no annoying bugs or bizarre translations, and navigating the menu doesn’t feel like walking through a minefield. Admittedly, there are moments when the whole system catches a slight breath – as if it has its “weaker moments” – but these are rare enough not to spoil the overall impression. We have full AirPlay support, voice search with Google AI assistance, and the ability to download practically any app that comes to mind. The only drawback in tests turned out to be the screen mirroring function, which theoretically should work with laptops and phones, but in practice proved almost useless – there was no stable image on Windows and Android.

User features

From the perspective of classic functionality, the Bravia 5 performs solidly and practically. A big plus is the presence of two remotes – one is a slim, modern smart remote, while the other, although operating via infrared, has a classic numeric keypad. This way, we can always choose which one suits the situation better. The EPG, or electronic programme guide, is clear and allows you to programme recordings to a USB drive – a seemingly simple solution, but incredibly useful. Additionally, the TV supports connecting a variety of devices: from an amplifier or soundbar via HDMI eARC, to headphones and other wireless accessories via Bluetooth. This is a set that makes the TV not just a screen, but a well-thought-out home entertainment centre.

Smart TV Features

The biggest advantage of the Bravia 3 in everyday use is the presence of the Google TV system. Thanks to this, we have access to one of the largest libraries of apps and streaming services, so no matter if someone mainly uses Netflix, Disney+ or smaller platforms, everything is at their fingertips. The Google voice assistant also worked very well, able to respond to our commands quite "smartly". The Google TV system should, in theory, operate very smoothly, as Sony has been implementing it better than many cheaper competitors for years. Unfortunately, in the case of the Bravia 3, it isn't as nice as we would have hoped. During testing, we noticed some slight stutters in the interface, and some features, such as screen mirroring, simply refused to cooperate. One could get the impression that the processor in this model sometimes struggles to manage the demanding system, and not everything works as smoothly as we would expect.

Classic Features

Sony, even in its cheapest series, manages to remind us of its experience with various users. The set comes with two remotes. The first is modern and minimalist, with a small number of buttons, which works great when using apps and Google TV features. The second is a classic remote with a richer set of buttons and a numeric keypad, which will be appreciated especially by older individuals used to traditional solutions. This is a nice nod towards different user groups, and it must be said that Sony has solved it very practically. It’s a shame, however, that compared to the X75WL model, the ability to record content from TV tuners to USB memory has disappeared. The manufacturer has completely abandoned this feature, so if someone was attached to it, they unfortunately won't find it in the Bravia 3.

Bravia 5 handles multimedia playback from USB quite efficiently. In practice, nearly everything works – movies, music, photos – although of course we encountered some minor issues. Some subtitles can be troublesome, as can exotic photo formats, which were not always correctly recognised. However, this is standard in the world of televisions, and it's hard to take it too seriously. A significant advantage, though, is that thanks to Android, we are not limited to the system player. It's enough to install an external app, like VLC, and all restrictions disappear. This is the strength of this system – the manufacturer does not confine us to their ecosystem, but rather gives us the freedom of choice.

Here Sony has really done an excellent job. The built-in player works quickly and doesn't "fuss" when starting different formats. We didn't need to reach for external applications like VLC, as the TV handled even files that can cause a lot of problems on other models – such as HEIC photos from Apple devices. It's a small detail, but one that shows the manufacturer wanted the user to have a sense of complete convenience. By inserting a movie on a USB stick or photos from a holiday onto an external drive, you can simply plug them in and start watching on the big screen straight away. No fussing, no installing extra software, no searching for workarounds. This is really rare in televisions, and it's fair to say that in this respect, the Bravia 3 truly surprised us pleasantly.

Bravia 5 positively surprises in terms of audio. The sound is pleasant, with a slightly noticeable bass thanks to the proprietary Bass Reflex speakers. Overall, it plays loudly, clearly, and definitely above average for a television – 40 W power in a 2.2 setup is an impressive result in this class. The placement of the speakers on the sides of the casing also plays a significant role, as it allows the sound to fill the room and creates a sense of space. However, one should not get carried away with optimism. This is still not the level of even the simplest soundbar. The Bravia 5 performs excellently in everyday use, but for those who enjoy strong sound and a cinematic effect, additional audio equipment will be a must – as is the case with nine out of ten televisions available today on the market.

Bravia 3 plays in a rather flat manner, but makes up for it with loudness. It will work flawlessly for watching classic television because the dialogues are clear, and the mid-tones are easily audible. This type of characteristic will be particularly appreciated by older users, who primarily care about speech intelligibility. However, if someone expects something more from the sound, like stronger bass or a wider soundstage, it’s worth reaching for a soundbar despite everything. The TV supports modern codecs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so an external sound system will easily leverage their potential. This ensures that with a relatively modest expense, one can achieve a much fuller and more engaging sound.

Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5) vs SONY BRAVIA 3

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

Daytime performance

Panel details

TV features

Classic features:

Smart features:

GoogleTV and SmartTV features

User features

Smart TV Features

Classic Features

Apps

Playing files from USB

Sound

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements