Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) vs Philips OLED909

Direct compare

BRAVIA 8 / XR80

OLED909

Available screen sizes: 55”65”77”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”77”

Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.9

8.1

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    7.5

    8.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    8.0

    8.6

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    8.1

    8.8

  • Gaming on console

    8.8

    9.5

  • TV as a computer monitor

    7.6

    6.4

  • Watching in bright light

    5.6

    5.7

  • Utility functions

    9.5

    7.1

  • Apps

    10.0

    10.0

  • Sound quality

    7.5

    8.1

Advantages

  • Exquisite contrast

  • Google TV – intuitive system, easy access to apps, backlit remote.

  • Very good motion smoothness – 120 Hz, advanced motion smoothing system.

  • Excellent support for Dolby Vision

  • Very good viewing angles

  • Superb built-in audio system

  • Perfect blacks - OLED

  • High brightness HDR

  • Support for advanced HDR formats – HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HGiG

  • Good motion fluidity - 144Hz

  • Great gaming compatibility – ALLM, VRR, low input lag

  • One of the best viewing angles on the market

  • Excellent colour reproduction after calibration

  • Four-sided Ambilight system

  • GoogleTV operating system – rich selection of apps, voice control, easy operation

  • Good sound quality – built-in soundbar

Disadvantages

No like
  • Poor gradation – visible transitions on dark and light colours

  • Brightness during the day – better for night-time viewing than for use in daylight

  • Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports - including one ARC.

  • Visible tonal transitions

  • Infrared remote control

  • Font display issues (PC computer)

  • Lack of recording features from built-in tuners and PIP

  • Price compared to competitors

Our verdict

Bravia 8 XR80 is the only OLED model from Sony released in 2024 that will undoubtedly catch the attention of image quality enthusiasts. The television offers excellent picture quality with the deep blacks, vibrant colours, and infinite contrast characteristic of OLED. This makes every scene incredibly realistic. Thanks to OLED technology, dark scenes look perfect, and the reproduction of blacks as well as bright elements stand out with great detail. This creates an amazing effect – a cinematic experience. While watching sport or dynamic films, we particularly appreciated the smoothness of the image. The 120 Hz panel performs excellently – no issues with motion blur, even in the most dynamic moments. This is a television that truly excels in situations where fast action and distinct details matter. The Google TV system is another strong point of the Bravia 8. The interface is simple, clear, and easy to use. We had no trouble finding all the popular applications, such as Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video. The USB-C rechargeable remote is a nice addition – it feels good in the hand, and the backlighting proved essential during evening use of the TV. Of course, not everything was perfect. The SDR brightness of 330 nits is a figure that doesn't impress, especially in well-lit rooms. This model does much better in the evenings, in more dimly lit conditions. We also noticed that the colour gradation is slightly worse than in previous Sony models – this is a very strange move considering that Japanese manufacturers were always known for their excellent digital processing. Another limitation is only having two HDMI 2.1 ports (including eARC) – with a larger number of devices, such as two consoles and a soundbar, this becomes a problem. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Bravia 8 XR80 is a great television that is suitable for both everyday use and evening viewing sessions. Excellent picture quality, smooth motion, and an intuitive Google TV system make for a combination that makes a difference. If you’re looking for a decent OLED in 2024, this model is definitely worth considering.

Philips OLED909 is undoubtedly a highlight of engineering from the Dutch manufacturer for 2024. When it comes to picture quality, the television delivers what you can expect from OLED technology – deep blacks and infinite contrast. Additionally, it is equipped with META technology (MLA microlenses), which significantly enhances its brightness and further improves the already excellent viewing angles of organic matrix televisions. This makes HDR effects look phenomenal, and the television will satisfy most users looking for great picture quality in this class of devices. In terms of motion fluidity, the OLED909 does not disappoint either. The 144 Hz panel, combined with a full set of gaming features like HDMI 2.1, ALLM, and VRR, makes it a perfect choice for gaming enthusiasts. Both fast-paced shooters and spectacular racing games will look smooth and responsive. Regarding usability, the television is equipped with the Google TV operating system, just like the model OLED809. This solution is significantly better than TitanOS, which we find in the lower series OLED 769 from the Dutch manufacturer. It provides access to a massive number of applications, easy operation, and support for a voice assistant. Additionally, there's a four-sided Ambilight system that adds magic to every movie night, creating a unique atmosphere. However, it is not a device without flaws. The biggest issue regarding image quality is the average smoothness of tonal transitions – you can see the colour joins in subtle gradients, which may be bothersome to more demanding viewers. In terms of PC compatibility, while this is phenomenal equipment for gamers, it may not be the best choice for text or graphic work due to the lack of 4:4:4 chroma support. From a usability perspective, it’s worth mentioning a few disappointments. The remote control in this model really impressed us – it’s well designed, and the backlit numeric keypad is a great addition, especially when using the television in the evening. Unfortunately, it mainly operates via infrared, so we found ourselves getting irritated a few times when we had to aim precisely at the screen. This seems a bit odd, considering that in this price range we expected more modern solutions. The lack of recording functions or picture-in-picture (PiP) also surprised us – these are features that are often standard in this segment. Despite these flaws, the Philips OLED909 is a television that delights with its picture quality, gaming features, and unique additions like Ambilight. The biggest question to ask oneself is: is it worth it? It’s great equipment, but its high price raises the question of whether it is the best choice in terms of price to quality.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Where to buy

No links

No links

Contrast and black detail

10/10

10/10

Contrast:

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED909 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED909 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED909 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED909 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Philips OLED909 Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The Sony Bravia 8 television, equipped with an OLED panel, offers exceptional black and contrast quality. Thanks to OLED technology, each pixel emits its own light, providing perfect black depth and precision in light reproduction. On the tested scenes, such as those from the movie Oblivion and Sicario 2, the television achieves ideal light separation, resulting in a highly detailed and realistic image, even in challenging contrast conditions. The Sony Bravia 8 truly stands out from other models in this category.

The Philips OLED909 sets a standard in contrast and black levels, characteristic of OLED technology. Tests on five screens confirmed infinite contrast, making the TV an ideal choice for film lovers watching in dark rooms. The scene from the movie Oblivion impresses with the excellent separation of light sources, allowing for a full appreciation of the precise rendering of even the smallest details. The scene from Sicario 2 also performs well, with the bright helicopter lights perfectly separated from the dark background. However, in this same scene, a desaturation phenomenon, or loss of colour saturation, is noticeable. Although it is not directly related to the assessment of contrast and black levels, it is worth mentioning, especially if perfect colour reproduction is critical in every situation. Despite this minor flaw, the black levels generated by the Philips OLED909 remain extraordinarily deep and deserve the highest marks.

HDR effect quality

6.6/10

7.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 99.0%, Bt.2020: 74.0%
DCI P3: 95.5%, Bt.2020: 71.5%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Brightness measurement

Result

849 nit

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Brightness measurement

Result

865 nit

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Brightness measurement

Result

888 nit

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Brightness measurement

Result

880 nit

Review Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) Brightness measurement

Result

469 nit

Review Philips OLED909 Brightness measurement

Result

1394 nit

Review Philips OLED909 Brightness measurement

Result

1471 nit

Review Philips OLED909 Brightness measurement

Result

1594 nit

Review Philips OLED909 Brightness measurement

Result

1552 nit

Review Philips OLED909 Brightness measurement

Result

708 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

HDR luminance chart:

Philips OLED909

Sony Bravia 8 (XR80)

Sony Bravia 8 performs reasonably well in terms of HDR brightness. A maximum brightness level of 880 nits is satisfactory and allows for well-rendered lighting effects in most scenes. In the tested segments of the films Life of Pi and Sicario 2, the TV presents itself quite well, offering vibrant and detailed images that fully capture the atmosphere of these productions.

However, a greater challenge arises in a scene from the film The Meg, where the screen is entirely very bright. In such situations, the limitations of OLED technology become apparent, as the TV loses brightness, dropping to around 450 nits. Such a drop is less satisfying, especially when the entire scene requires intense lighting. Despite these limitations, Sony Bravia 8 remains a competitive model, offering excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and 74% coverage of the BT.2020 standard. This results in rich colours and precise details, significantly enhancing the quality of HDR content viewing and making for a pleasurable experience.

Philips OLED909 impresses with its HDR effect quality, achieving up to 1500 nits of peak brightness in tested scenes. This is an excellent result, placing this television among the best OLED models on the market. The MLA panel, also used in models like the Panasonic Z95A and LG G4, plays a crucial role here, allowing for exceptionally bright and detailed reproduction of dynamic scenes. However, it is worth noting that in the most demanding scene from the film The Meg, brightness drops to around 700 nits. This is a typical phenomenon in OLED technology, where intensely bright full-screen images cause a reduction in luminance. Nevertheless, the HDR effect still looks very good, and the television performs better than most competitors under similar conditions. The wide colour gamut coverage also deserves praise. The OLED909 offers 95% coverage of DCI-P3, ensuring that the television guarantees the ability to display vibrant and realistic colours.

Factory color reproduction

7.2/10

7.6/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best factory mode available on the Sony Bravia 8 television is IMAX Enhanced, which provides the most cinematic experience, although it is not set up perfectly. The TV tries to replicate cinema settings as faithfully as possible, however, certain shortcomings are noticeable. Starting with white balance, both for SDR materials and 4K, there is a clear dominance of blue. This makes the picture appear too cold, taking away its naturalness. Tests using Colour Checker show that colours shift towards cooler shades, which may lead to less accurate colour reproduction and makes the image less realistic.

As for brightness and contrast characteristics, gamma shows a significant drop at the end of the graph. This means that dark details may be too dim, while bright elements are too bright, causing them to lose subtlety and become less visible. As can be seen in the sky - in the comparison photo. Meanwhile, the EOTF curve is significantly above the reference value, causing the bright elements of the image to be too intense. As a result, users may perceive the image as unnatural, and bright areas may lose detail, negatively impacting the overall viewing quality.

Like other TVs, the Philips OLED909 has been tested for colour reproduction in factory modes. The best mode was found to be Filmmaker Mode; however, despite its name, it is not without faults.

The biggest problem is the white balance. In both HD and 4K HDR content, there is a noticeable dominance of green and red hues, resulting in a clear yellow tint on the screen. This effect is particularly visible in test materials, for example, in a scene with Tom Cruise in the foreground, where the difference compared to a calibrated image is very clear.

As for the brightness characteristic, in HD materials, the gamma was excessively boosted - it was below the reference value of 2.4, giving the image a “milky” filter and impacting overall clarity. For 4K HDR content, we observed the opposite phenomenon – at the beginning of the EOTF curve, there is a noticeable drop, indicating issues with reproducing the smallest details in dark scenes. Although Filmmaker mode offers acceptable quality, noticeable errors in white balance and brightness characteristics show that the TV requires additional calibration to fully realise its potential in colour reproduction.

Color reproduction after calibration

8.2/10

9/10

The calibration process of the Sony Bravia 8 television has brought significant improvements in image quality. The white balance has been distinctly enhanced, both for SDR content and 4K HDR, with minimal errors in the middle section of the graph. Gamma proved to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the calibration – it has been completely stripped of previous drops, which significantly affected brightness stability and better detail reproduction in dark parts of the image. The EOTF curve has also been levelled out, making bright elements of the image appear more natural, and the overall tonal dynamics are now more balanced.

However, the most attention should be paid to colour reproduction, where despite the calibration, there are still some issues. Sony has omitted the use of a CMS system in this model, which allows for very precise control over colours. Consequently, the Colour Checker test for 4K materials still shows significant errors in colour samples. Despite these difficulties, we recommend carrying out the calibration, as the effects are noticeable and significantly enhance image quality, especially in terms of brightness and contrast.

Philips OLED909 offers tools for image calibration, significantly improving its quality. After calibrating the Filmmaker Mode, the television displays a much more natural colour reproduction. The white balance after calibration looks very good. Although we noticed slight blue tint deviations in HD content, the errors fall within acceptable limits, and the picture is significantly better than in factory settings. The brightness characteristics, including gamma and EOTF, have also been clearly improved. The television no longer has issues with excessive brightening or dimming of the image. Both dark and light details are now rendered correctly, making the picture look very good in every scene. After calibration, Filmmaker Mode on the Philips OLED909 offers excellent picture quality that will meet the expectations of even the more demanding users. The calibration fully utilises the potential of this model.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

5/10

4.6/10

The gradation in 4K materials is simply poor and clearly disappointing. There are noticeable seams in both dark and light colours, which affects the image quality and reduces overall satisfaction when watching high-definition content. Something that has always been a strong point of Sony processors is clearly failing this time.

The Philips OLED909 performs averagely in the category of fluidity of tonal transitions. The WOLED panel used in this model is not known for handling tonal transitions perfectly, and in the case of the OLED909, it appears to be slightly worse than competing models with similar panels. Subtle transitions and colour blends can be noticed in both bright and dark areas of the image, which may be particularly evident in more demanding scenes with subtle gradients. This effect may influence the perception of content, especially for users who pay attention to such details.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6.1/10

6.9/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
No
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The fluidity of tonal transitions in low-quality materials on the ChooseTV 8 is lacking. Unfortunately, the gentle gradation feature (which was available in previous models) is missing, which is a significant downside. The digital noise reduction function can improve tonal transitions quite well, but it also tends to remove some details, such as clouds in scenes from the film The Martian, which may not appeal to everyone. When it comes to digital processing, the Sony XR80 TV performs quite well. The model in the test scenes is displayed without noticeable errors, and the branches in the background are not overly jagged. This shows that ChooseTV 8 is capable of processing complex image details at low resolution well.

Philips OLED909 offers a distortion reduction feature designed to smooth tonal transitions. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this feature leaves much to be desired. Setting it to "Medium" achieves some effects, but it comes with the risk of blurring important details in the image. For this reason, we do not recommend using this option unless you are looking to soften visible artifacts at the expense of detail.

As for image scaling, the TV presents a very pliable image, which may appeal to viewers who prefer a softer picture. Those expecting sharper clarity will also find a solution, as image scaling can be adjusted to individual preferences in the settings.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
120Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
Nie
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
48%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Sony Bravia 8 offers a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, which lays the groundwork for smooth viewing of dynamic content such as sports and games. As a result, movements are sharp and fluid. For more demanding users, the Sony XR80 television is equipped with an advanced motion smoothing system, which is divided into three segments: Smoothness (Film), Smoothness (Camera), and Clarity. The first two are responsible for adjusting the level of blur and smoothing of the image. The third option, concerning clarity, will be described in more detail below. Each of the parameters can be tailored to personal preferences, allowing users to find the optimal setting suited to their individual needs.

The Philips OLED909 with a 144 Hz panel offers excellent image fluidity, which should satisfy both movie lovers and gamers. Additionally, the TV is equipped with a motion smoothing feature called "Motion Style," which allows for precise adjustment of image fluidity according to personal preferences. In the settings, we find two sliders: "Fluidity," which adjusts the smoothness of motion in films, and "Motion Blur Reduction," which helps eliminate minor artifacts and distortions in dynamic scenes. This feature works well, ensuring that even quick movements on the screen are clear and readable.

Console compatibility and gaming features

8.1/10

10/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 120Hz
    40 - 144Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

Sony Bravia 8 has significantly improved its compatibility with consoles compared to earlier models. The TV supports variable refresh rate (VRR), which eliminates screen tearing, and is compatible with graphics cards, ensuring smooth visuals. The auto low latency mode (ALLM) reduces input lag, which is crucial in fast-paced games. Dolby Vision with low latency additionally provides impressive HDR effects that look fantastic during gameplay.

The Sony XR80 TV also features a Game Bar, which allows quick access to settings and monitoring parameters while gaming. An interesting option is the ability to enable a virtual crosshair on the screen, which can provide a slight advantage in shooter games.

A downside is the lack of support for 1440p@120hz resolution, which could make gaming easier for users with less powerful graphics cards. Additionally, the Sony XR80 only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is typically used to connect an audio system via eARC, limiting the number of available ports for connecting next-gen consoles.

Philips OLED909 is a TV that meets practically all the requirements of gamers. Equipped with ALLM (automatic low latency mode), VRR (variable refresh rate), and support for Dolby Vision, it guarantees an excellent gaming experience. Additionally, the TV offers very low input lag, ensuring that the response to player movements is instantaneous, which fans of dynamic games will particularly appreciate.

The TV effortlessly supports any resolution at 120 Hz, and even higher refresh rates. The HGiG function, responsible for correctly displaying HDR content in games, works as it should, making the picture in game mode balanced and aligned with console manufacturers' guidelines.

The OLED909 is also equipped with a Game Bar feature, which allows for quick preview and adjustment of gaming settings. Although the interface of this solution seems less visually appealing than that of competitors, it serves its purpose by offering all the essential options in one place.

Input lag

10/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
13 ms
13 ms
1080p120
5 ms
5 ms
2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms
5 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms
5 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
14 ms
13 ms
2160p120 DV
5 ms
6 ms

Low input lag in Sony Bravia 8 is definitely an advantage – results at 13 ms are outstanding and provide excellent responsiveness. The Dolby Vision mode is also noteworthy, as it performs brilliantly in this model. In many cases with other manufacturers, this mode looks much worse, but here you can enjoy its full potential, especially in games.

Philips OLED909 achieves outstanding results in the input lag category. Values of 13 ms at 60 Hz and 5 ms at 120 Hz are among the best results available on the market. This low input lag ensures immediate response, which is crucial for gamers expecting maximum precision in dynamic games. The performance in Dolby Vision mode deserves special praise, as it also maintains a low input lag. This allows gamers to enjoy not only smooth gameplay but also fully leverage the visual potential of HDR games without any compromises. In this regard, the Philips OLED909 is one of the best choices for gaming enthusiasts.

Compatibility with PC

7.6/10

6.4/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
No
Font clarity
Very Good
Average
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
5ms
5ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
RWBG
Max refresh rate
120Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The cooperation of Sony Bravia 8 with computers is very good, just like with most TVs featuring a WOLED panel. The readability of fonts is at a high level, making work with documents or browsing websites comfortable. The low input lag of 5 ms is impressive and provides excellent responsiveness during gameplay. The only downside is that fonts displayed on a dark background are slightly muted.

The Philips OLED909 is a good choice for gaming on the computer. The TV supports G-SYNC, provides very low input lag, and offers a refresh rate of 144 Hz in PC mode, making it an ideal solution for gamers who value smooth and responsive gameplay. However, when it comes to everyday work with text or graphics, the situation is a bit less favourable. While font readability is at an acceptable level, up close one can notice that they appear somewhat blurred. This is due to the lack of full implementation of chroma 4:4:4, which is responsible for perfect sharpness and clarity of fonts.

The OLED909 will work perfectly in gaming applications, but for those planning to use the TV mainly for text work, it may be less suitable. In such cases, it’s worth considering a device with full support for chroma 4:4:4.

Viewing angles

7.3/10

9.7/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
28%
5%

The viewing angles on the Sony Bravia 8 are very good, as one would expect from a TV with an OLED panel. This means that the image retains its colours and contrast even when viewed from a large angle. The only televisions that will be better in this category are models equipped with MLA (Meta-Lens Array) technology and QD-OLED, offering even wider viewing angles and better image quality at extreme angles.

Philips OLED909 offers some of the best viewing angles available on the market. OLEDs are renowned for their excellent picture quality at various angles, but the use of micro-lens technology further enhances this capability. As a result, the television maintains outstanding colours, contrast, and brightness even when viewing the image at a significant angle. In practice, the OLED909 performs so well that it can compete even with televisions equipped with QD-OLED technology, which also provides wide viewing angles. This makes the television perfect for large rooms and group viewing from different positions, without the worry of losing picture quality.

TV efficiency during daytime

5.6/10

5.7/10

Matrix coating
Glare
Glare
Reflection suppression
Good
Good
Black levels during daytime
Very Good
Average

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Philips OLED909: 427 cd/m2

Sony Bravia 8 (XR80): 335 cd/m2

The glossy screen on the Sony Bravia 8 does a great job of reducing reflections, which take on a slight navy hue. Unfortunately, the brightness level of 330 nits isn't particularly impressive, making this TV better suited for evening viewing. During the day, to ensure optimal picture quality, it's a good idea to help out by closing the curtains, which will limit the impact of external light.

Philips OLED909, despite the glossy surface of the panel, handles the suppression of reflections from direct light hitting the screen quite well. This is particularly useful in brighter rooms where reflections can interfere with viewing. However, the use of microlens technology has its limitations – the blacks during the day take on a slightly pinkish hue. A similar, albeit more noticeable phenomenon can be observed in QD-OLED panels.

When it comes to brightness, the OLED909 achieves an average brightness in SDR of 430 cd/m². This is sufficient for comfortable use of the television even in moderately challenging lighting conditions. Nevertheless, it's worth remembering that the brightness levels of OLEDs still fall behind televisions with mini-LED technology, which can be several times brighter.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
Software version during testing
112.624.140.1EUA
TPM231WW_R.101.002.038.221
Image processor
mt5897 6gb ram
mt5896 3gb ram

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Sony Bravia 8 (XR80)

Philips OLED909

TV features

9.5/10

7.1/10

  • System
    Google TV
    Google TV
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    No
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    Yes
    No
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    Infrared
  • Backlit remote control
    Yes
    Yes
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes

Sony Bravia 8 runs on the Google TV system, which provides a very intuitive and quick experience when using the television, as well as nearly endless app options. Google Assistant operates in Polish, allowing for even better integration with the device. The interface is well-designed, and access to apps and features is simple and convenient. It's also worth mentioning the remote – similar to solutions from Korean competitors, the remote can be charged via a USB-C port. Moreover, it is backlit, which makes it much easier to use in the dark.

The device offers a wide range of capabilities that will satisfy most users. The Sony XR80 television allows for programme recording, as well as easy connection to external peripheral devices via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, it lacks the Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature, which would allow for simultaneous viewing of two image sources, something that could be useful in certain situations.

The television looks very good. It has a solid metal frame that gives it an elegant appearance. The television stands on two adjustable feet, which can be customised for both width and height. This allows for easy placement of a soundbar beneath the screen. Although the Sony Bravia 8 is not the thinnest OLED television on the market, it presents itself quite well thanks to its careful finish and quality materials.

In the OLED909 model, Philips has replaced its proprietary Titan OS with Google TV. This solution provides users with significantly greater opportunities, especially in terms of app availability. Google TV offers a vast library of programs to download, from popular streaming services to tools and games. The system also supports voice commands, making it easier to search for content and manage the device, enhancing everyday user comfort.

In terms of features, the television performs well. Here, we find support for AirPlay and Miracast technologies, which enable easy streaming of video and audio from other devices. Additionally, the television effortlessly supports external accessories like mice and keyboards, allowing it to serve as a more versatile entertainment centre. However, it's worth noting that the OLED909 lacks the PiP (picture-in-picture) function or the ability to record programs from built-in tuners. A novelty in this model is the backlit remote, which looks attractive and operates in hybrid mode – it can function as a smart remote, and when the appropriate button is pressed, the numeric keypad also lights up. Unfortunately, its operation can be annoying, as it relies on standard infrared control, and the only function supporting RF (radio) technology is the handling of voice commands.

The Philips OLED909 also stands out from other models with its four-sided Ambilight system. This allows the television to create dynamic lighting around the screen that adapts to the displayed content. This solution not only enhances the feeling of immersion but also improves viewing comfort in darker rooms. Ambilight remains one of the most distinctive features of Philips televisions, which is hard to find among competitors.

Playing files from USB

8.7/10

7.9/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
Yes
Yes
PNG
No
Yes
GIF
No
Yes
WebP
No
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
No
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

Sony Bravia 8 will satisfy most users when it comes to playing multimedia files. The built-in player handles most popular video and audio formats, allowing for easy access to a wide range of content. While there are some shortcomings in photo playback, the Google TV system allows for the installation of other players that will likely solve this issue.

Philips OLED909 has a built-in media player that handles most popular video, audio, and subtitle file formats with ease. However, it is worth noting that the pre-installed player does not support Polish characters in subtitles, which can be a nuisance when watching content from USB. Fortunately, thanks to the Google TV system, this shortcoming can be easily bypassed. You just need to download an alternative player from a wide range of available apps, which will provide full support for Polish characters and additional features such as more advanced subtitle settings or support for less common formats. This means that even minor shortcomings of the factory software are not a major problem for users.

Apps

10/10

10/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
OK
Kodi
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
OK
Kodi

Sound

7.5/10

8.1/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    7.5/10
    8.1/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    Yes
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    Yes
    Yes

Bravia 8 is equipped with a sound system with a power of 50W in a 2.2.1 configuration. The speakers are mounted behind the screen, and this system is called Acoustic Surface Audio. The sound is pleasant and well-balanced, making it a perfect complement to the picture. When it comes to audio format support, Sony Bravia 8 has plenty to boast about – in our tests, it played all popular codecs without any issues, providing a full and rich audio experience.

The Philips OLED909 stands out with its built-in soundbar featuring a navy fabric finish, branded by the renowned company Bowers & Wilkins. At the bottom of the screen, we find a solid speaker system, further supported by a built-in subwoofer at the back of the casing. The sound quality is truly impressive for the class of this device. The soundbar delivers clear and detailed sound that handles both dialogues and sound effects in films or games exceptionally well.