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.