Sony X85L vs Hisense E8Q

Direct compare

X85L

E8Q

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”

Available screen sizes: 50”55”65”75”

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2023

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: VIDAA

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

6.9

7.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.3

    6.7

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.3

    6.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.6

    6.5

  • Gaming on console

    7.8

    8.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    5.6

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    6.5

    6.2

  • Utility functions

    7.8

    8.9

  • Apps

    9.6

    7.7

  • Sound quality

    6.9

    5.5

Advantages

  • Expanded Google TV System

  • Decent contrast

  • Good brightness

  • Gaming features - VRR, Game Bar and G-Sync

  • Base with adjustable legs

  • Great contrast and deep blacks

  • Very good smoothness of tonal transitions (close to reference level)

  • High brightness

  • Supports 4K 144 Hz and even 240 Hz in Full HD

  • VRR, ALLM, G-SYNC – a full package for gamers

  • Low input lag

  • Many classic TV features built into the VIDAA system

Disadvantages

No like
  • No support for HGiG, Dolby Vision with high input lag

  • Font readability issues on PC at 120 Hz

  • Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports - one of which serves as eARC

  • No support for HGiG (makes setting HDR on consoles difficult)

  • Poor viewing angles – typical for VA panels

  • Closed VIDAA system – lack of some applications

  • Inferior sound quality compared to the twin model U7Q

Our verdict

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will continue to be available in the 2024 range from the Japanese manufacturer. Its biggest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the greatest access to applications, so we don’t have to worry about missing any of our favourite apps. The intuitive interface and voice control feature using Google Assistant make daily use of the television convenient and modern. As for picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very mediocre number of zones), black levels look quite decent. Additionally, its fairly high brightness allows for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the television offers a program recording feature from built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion smoothness, X85L also does not disappoint. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system provide smooth display of dynamic scenes, which will satisfy both movie lovers and sports fans. The television is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar, and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its flaws. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode may be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and smoothness of the image when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is a decent piece of equipment that is particularly worth considering if it can be purchased on sale.

Hisense E8Q is a television that clearly draws heavily from the U7Q model – and that’s a great thing. After all, this is its European version, not another “slimmed down” mutation. After just a few moments with this screen, it’s clear that the E8Q is putting up a fight. And in many areas, it really succeeds. To start with – what impresses is that the blacks are deep, the contrast is high, and the brightness exceeds the threshold that we can simply call satisfactory. Add to that nearly perfect fluidity of tonal transitions, and we have an image that looks very mature, especially for this price segment. In gaming? Just as good. VRR, ALLM support, 144 Hz in 4K, and even 240 Hz in Full HD – it’s hard to find fault here. Well… almost. Because the E8Q has one additional flaw compared to the U7Q – the sound. In our unit, at moderate volume levels, the back of the cabinet began to resonate, producing rather unpleasant crackling noises. This might be a flaw of the test unit, but since the U7Q simply performed better – it’s worth noting. Especially if you find both models at a similar price. We can confidently state that the E8Q is a television that can confidently fight for the attention of those looking for a quality Mini-LED at reasonable prices. If a good price opportunity arises, it’s definitely worth it – because we receive almost the same as in the U7Q. And that means a really solid picture, excellent gaming features, and overall very good equipment that you can stick with for a while.

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
RCA (Chinch)
RCA (Chinch)
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
Build quality
Good
Stand type
stand-type-
Central
Stand type
stand-type-
stand-type-Graphite
Stand
stand-Fixed
Accessories
accessories-Stand
accessories-Stand

Contrast and black detail

6.7/10

7.6/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 24 (4 x 6)

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 220 (10 x 22)

Contrast:

Review Sony X85L Contrast and black detail

Result

8,700:1

Review Sony X85L Contrast and black detail

Result

7,800:1

Review Sony X85L Contrast and black detail

Result

19,200:1

Review Sony X85L Contrast and black detail

Result

5,750:1

Review Sony X85L Contrast and black detail

Result

5,150:1

Review Hisense E8Q Contrast and black detail

Result

277,000:1

Review Hisense E8Q Contrast and black detail

Result

43,700:1

Review Hisense E8Q Contrast and black detail

Result

15,750:1

Review Hisense E8Q Contrast and black detail

Result

8,850:1

Review Hisense E8Q Contrast and black detail

Result

6,350:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The Sony X85L television is equipped with a VA panel, which offers quite decent contrast on its own. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it includes 24 zones. Although this number isn’t impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the television. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially compared to other televisions also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at a level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but they average out against the competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the movie Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs quite well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has been using in its televisions for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the television struggles with noticeable blooming, which can be seen in scenes with the helicopter from the movie Sicario 2.

Similar to the U7Q, the E8Q model uses a VA panel and Mini-LED backlighting. The number of dimming zones also remains at a very similar level – in the 65-inch variant we tested, we counted 220 zones, which is exactly the same as in the U7Q. On paper, it looks really good for this price segment, and even better – in practice. The contrast is high, and the black can be really deep. In many scenes, the lights are clearly separated, and the image gains a sense of space. This is one of those cases where Mini-LED shows it can come close to OLED quality – of course, assuming we understand the limitations we have to consider. In very challenging scenes, there may be slight brightening or a minor halo effect around bright objects, but these are phenomena typical of this technology and are not very noticeable. Ultimately – the contrast and blacks in the E8Q are really solid, nearly identical to the U7Q model. It's hard to nitpick, especially when we look at the price of the television.

HDR effect quality

5.5/10

4.5/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 95.0%, Bt.2020: 71.5%
DCI P3: 93.3%, Bt.2020: 71.9%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Sony X85L Brightness measurement

Result

736 nit

Review Sony X85L Brightness measurement

Result

415 nit

Review Sony X85L Brightness measurement

Result

535 nit

Review Sony X85L Brightness measurement

Result

249 nit

Review Sony X85L Brightness measurement

Result

599 nit

Review Hisense E8Q Brightness measurement

Result

531 nit

Review Hisense E8Q Brightness measurement

Result

148 nit

Review Hisense E8Q Brightness measurement

Result

320 nit

Review Hisense E8Q Brightness measurement

Result

100 nit

Review Hisense E8Q Brightness measurement

Result

625 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:

Hisense E8Q

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Sony X85L

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

The Sony X85L TV offers solid HDR performance with a brightness of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vibrant effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows you to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, like the scene from the film Sicario 2, the TV reveals its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits make the HDR effect lose its impressive quality and resemble ordinary SDR. Nonetheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively impacts the overall image quality.

Since the E8Q is a twin of the U7Q, it’s no surprise that the HDR effect quality is almost identical. On paper, it looks promising – a peak brightness of 800 nits can impress in many scenes. Moments like light flashes in “The Meg” or shots of the sun in “Life of Pi” can indeed create a “wow” effect. But the longer we watch, the more we notice the limitations. The problem arises when small, bright details need to be shown against a dark background. In such situations, the dimming algorithms try to protect the contrast, but in the process, they also dim what should shine the brightest. Instead of dazzling details, we get almost invisible points of light. This is typical for Mini-LED in this price segment and is not surprising – but it’s worth knowing that the HDR effect will not always be fully preserved. Fortunately, the colour reproduction provides reasons to be pleased. A coverage of the DCI-P3 palette of about 94% is a very good result, and the quantum dot layer used (more precisely, PFS) does its job – colours are saturated and vibrant, especially with 4K content.

Factory color reproduction

5.8/10

6.5/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

The television Sony X85L has been tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, while associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image consistent with the director's intent. The main issue is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue and significant deficiencies in red. As a result, the image becomes unnaturally cool and looks artificial. Errors in colour reproduction were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed significant discrepancies – colours were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly shows that the precision of colour reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the television. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although minor errors occur, but generally it is quite good. However, the issue remains the brightness characteristic for 4K materials, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident here that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is the result of the limited number of backlight zones due to the design of the television.

Testing the Hisense E8Q in Filmmaker mode, we were hoping for a potentially neutral picture resembling the director's vision. Unfortunately – although it doesn't look too bad on paper (the colour reproduction errors aren't significant), in practice the image feels somewhat unnatural. The reason? The blue colour is boosted too strongly and there is a deficiency of red in the white balance. The effect? Scenes appear cool, and the white seems slightly bluish. Alongside the U7Q model, we also noticed a specific approach to brightness management here. The brightness reproduction curve for HDR content (EOTF) shows that the TV can significantly dim small, bright elements on the screen to maintain contrast – but sometimes it goes too far. On the other hand, it can excessively brighten larger, very bright areas, which disrupts tonal balance. It's a compromise that may not suit everyone – especially if you want a potentially faithful picture straight out of the box.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.5/10

7.4/10

Thanks to the use of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, it has been possible to significantly improve the image quality. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colours look more natural and enhancing the authenticity of the image. Although it's not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic representation of colours, eliminating the earlier cool tone. The gamma, which already performed reasonably well, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively impacting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a lack of red, which can cause overly warm colours in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is fairly stable, with a slight boost in mid-bright scenes. However, in actual film material, the TV can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nonetheless, the calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in terms of colour accuracy, improving overall image quality and providing a more natural and consistent directorial vision.

Calibration of the Movie mode yielded really good results, especially regarding SDR content. The white balance was successfully adjusted, giving the image a natural look – it appeared almost reference-level. The colours were well-saturated, and the overall experience of the content improved significantly. Unfortunately, when we switched to HDR materials, the familiar issues from the U7Q model returned. The TV still likes to "do its own thing," as seen from the analysis of the EOTF brightness characteristics – despite calibration, the E8Q still darkened small details in the shadows, while brighter parts of the screen were sometimes excessively boosted. In practice, this means that in darker scenes, some of the smallest details could simply disappear. Although it's worth noting that the entire calibration process brought a lot of good, not everything can be bypassed – even with the use of professional tools. The E8Q can impress with its picture, but in HDR content, its construction limitations become apparent, and it's worth keeping this in mind.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.1/10

9.9/10

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Sony X85L is at a good level – the colour gradation is smooth, even in more demanding areas, making the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest issues arise in shadow areas, where subtle colour joins can be visible. Despite this, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

In this category, the Hisense E8Q really demonstrates its quality. The transitions between colours are very smooth, without any "steppings" or clear boundaries between tones. The image looks natural, and the colour gradation performs exceptionally well – even in more challenging scenes. If there are any minor imperfections, they are subtle enough not to be noticeable. It's hard to find fault here – it looks almost perfect.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6/10

6/10

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

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television doesn’t offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a bit of a downside. On the other hand, the image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a touch of artificial sharpness, which can make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with visible jagged edges. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

In the case of older materials of lower quality, gentle smoothing of tonal transitions often comes in handy. The Hisense E8Q, like the U7Q, has a "Smooth and Gradient Picture" feature, but unfortunately, its effectiveness leaves much to be desired. The "Low" setting is nearly invisible in operation, while higher settings blur details instead of improving transitions. The good news is that the feature does not compromise film grain, which means it does not degrade the structure of the image. On the positive side, scaling is commendable. The TV can reasonably convert older content to a higher resolution – without artificially accentuating contours or excessive sharpening. Although it doesn't match the best models in this category, it performs quite well for its class.

Blur and motion smoothness

8/10

7.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
120Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
Yes, 120Hz
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
52%
76%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Smużenie ():

Smużenie (4K 120Hz):

Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie enthusiasts. Movie lovers will surely appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, known as Motionflow. This system offers adjustment using smoothness and clarity sliders – smoothness is responsible for fluid motion, eliminating the stuttering effect, while clarity enhances the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

Similar to the U7Q, the E8Q model is a fast television designed with dynamic content in mind. It supports a 144 Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution, and if for some reason someone is still gaming in Full HD – it can even reach 240 Hz. This is a significant advantage, especially for PC users looking for maximum smoothness. In everyday use, the television performs very well. The “Ultra Motion Smoothness” mode gives us two sliders, allowing you to set the picture to your preference – whether it's more cinematic with the film frame preserved or highly smoothed, almost “TV show-like.” It's good that the manufacturer provides a choice here, instead of imposing one style. On sports material, live broadcasts, or in games – motion looks clean and stable. Sure, it’s not at the OLED level, but for this price range, the E8Q does a really good job.

Console compatibility and gaming features

7.8/10

8.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 120Hz
    48 - 240Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Warning Yes, high input lag
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

Sony X85L offers a fairly solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the television has a 120 Hz panel, which translates to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full capabilities of next-generation consoles to be utilised. Additionally, Sony X85L supports VRR (variable refresh rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, ensuring a smooth experience. The television also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for screen refresh rate synchronization with GPU performance, eliminating screen tearing. It’s worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to important game-related settings, such as VRR, brightness levels, or display modes, making it convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are some limitations. The television does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimises HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, the Dolby Vision mode, although available, is not practical for gaming due to very high input lag.

Hisense E8Q does not hide its gaming pedigree. Just the specifications reveal that we are dealing with a television that will perform excellently as a gaming screen. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)? It's there. Automatic Game Mode switching (ALLM)? That's there too. Additionally, there's impressive refreshment – 120 Hz in 4K or even 240 Hz in Full HD. Such a set is rare in this price segment. Everything runs smoothly and without major surprises. The only missing element – similar to the U7Q – remains support for HGiG. It's a shame because this feature facilitates adjusting the brightness curve to the capabilities of the specific television, enhancing visual fidelity with the intentions of HDR game developers. Without it, manual tweaking of the settings is necessary, which does not always yield a satisfying result.

Input lag

9.1/10

9.7/10

SDR

1080p60
18 ms
18 ms
1080p120
9 ms
9 ms
2160p60
18 ms
18 ms
2160p120
9 ms
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
18 ms
17 ms
2160p120
9 ms
8 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
95 ms
27 ms
2160p120 DV
19 ms

Generally speaking, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, particularly when using HDMI 2.1 and playing at 4K resolution at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as high as 95 ms. Such a high level of latency makes the Dolby Vision mode practically unplayable, as responses to commands are noticeably delayed.

The E8Q handles delays very well. For 120 Hz content, the input lag is super low – practically imperceptible even for more demanding players. At 60 Hz, the values are slightly higher, but still comfortably within the "placebo" range – there's nothing to complain about. The biggest increase in latency was noted in Dolby Vision Gaming mode. The TV needs more time to process the signal then, but even in this scenario, it doesn't exceed 30 ms. These may not be ideal values, but for most players – especially console gamers – it won't be a problem.

Compatibility with PC

5.6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
No
Yes
Font clarity
Poor
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Poor
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
9ms
9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
120Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

The collaboration of the television Sony X85L with a PC involves a bit of balancing between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the TV for work, where clear fonts matter, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, text looks good and doesn't strain the eyes, which is crucial if we plan to spend a longer time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the TV is intended for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must consider that the readability of the fonts noticeably decreases. The image becomes less sharp and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – Sony X85L works well for occasional connection to the computer, but if we need it daily for work and gaming, this compromise may not appeal to everyone.

In terms of collaboration with the computer, the E8Q performs really well. It supports chroma 4:4:4 at full 4K resolution and the highest refresh rates, so the readability of fonts – even the smallest ones – is at a very good level. There are slight blurriness issues with exceptionally thin fonts, but in everyday use, it's hard to consider this a serious problem. A nice addition for PC gamers is the ability to achieve up to 288 Hz at lower resolutions. The E8Q communicates effortlessly with powerful graphics cards, making it an interesting choice not only for movies or consoles but also for gaming on the computer.

Viewing angles

3/10

3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
67%
79%

Viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is often the case with VA panels, are not the best. The picture looks great when you’re watching the TV head-on, but all it takes is a slight shift to the side to notice that the colours lose their vibrancy and the contrast noticeably weakens. This could be a problem if the TV is meant for watching in larger groups, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who typically watch solo or from one central spot, it won't be a major downside, but the picture quality unfortunately drops when watching from the side.

E8Q, like most TVs with a VA panel, looks best when we're sitting directly in front of the screen. In this position, you can expect deep blacks, good colour saturation, and high contrast. Unfortunately, just shifting a little to the side causes the picture quality to drop – colours start to fade, and blacks become more grey than black. It's not surprising, but it's worth keeping in mind, especially if we plan to watch with a larger group from different spots in the lounge. On the bright side – in return, we get significantly better black levels than in IPS panels.

TV efficiency during daytime

6.5/10

6.2/10

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

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Hisense E8Q: 504 cd/m2

Sony X85L: 571 cd/m2

The performance of the television Sony X85L during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, which means that in bright rooms there may be some glare, but it is not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortably watching TV during the day, even with natural light coming in through the windows. This ensures that colours remain vibrant and the picture is clearly visible, making the television suitable for everyday use.

Hisense E8Q isn't afraid of bright interiors. Even when the sun is shining outside, the television can maintain good image readability. With a brightness level of around 500 nits, you can comfortably watch content during the day without feeling like everything is drowning in glare. The satin screen coating also helps to nicely minimise reflections – it doesn't completely eliminate them, but reduces them enough that they don't interfere with everyday viewing.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
PFS LED
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
PKG6.7612.0875EUA
V0000.09.01T.P0523
Image processor
mt5895 3gb ram

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

TV features

7.8/10

8.9/10

  • 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
    RCA (Chinch)
    RCA (Chinch)
  • 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
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    Yes
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    No
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Wyszukiwanie głosowe
    No
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes

Sony X85L operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to apps, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing for quick switching between apps and searching for favourite content. Google TV allows for personalization of the home screen, enabling each user to tailor it to their preferences. Google Assistant further enriches the experience by offering voice control and quick changes to settings or searching for films without using the remote.

In terms of user features, Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programs, which is a great convenience for those wanting to watch their favourite content at any time. AirPlay support allows seamless streaming of content from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. In addition, with built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one drawback is the absence of the PiP (picture in picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on the screen.

The design of the Sony X85L TV, while perhaps not the slimmest, is sturdy and elegant. The metal base with adjustable legs is one of its strong points, allowing for the height and width of the television to be adjusted to fit various furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

Classic Features – E8Q

The Hisense E8Q is not just equipment for gamers or movie enthusiasts – it can also serve as an everyday TV for the whole family. We can record programs to USB, connect headphones or speakers via Bluetooth, and the entire interface – including the channel guide – is clear and easy to use. It only lacks a PiP function, but besides that, the set of classic features is really complete.

Smart TV – VIDAA System

The E8Q runs on the VIDAA system, which is becoming more refined every year. Voice search in Polish works flawlessly, and it's easy to stream content from a phone (AirPlay and screen mirroring). The system itself operates smoothly, without hiccups, although – as is often the case with closed platforms – there may be one or two less popular apps missing. It’s worth checking before purchase whether it has everything we use daily.

Playing files from USB

8.7/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

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

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
No
12 Mpix
Yes
No
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
No
24 Mpix
Yes
No
28 Mpix
Yes
No
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

Sony X85L handles playback of most popular file formats from USB without any issues, which is a big plus for those who often access external content. However, it's worth mentioning a minor drawback – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font colour in subtitles, which may be troublesome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the extensive Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. Alternative media players can be easily installed, offering more personalisation options.

The built-in media player in the E8Q performs quite well. It supports most popular video and audio formats, and files from USB drives or external disks play without major issues. Polish characters? They're supported. Subtitles? They work. The only minor drawback is the occasional problem with displaying high-resolution images – especially those from cameras or smartphones. So if you're planning to show holiday photos on the big screen, it’s worth checking beforehand that they all load correctly from the memory of the disk or USB drive.

Apps

9.6/10

7.7/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
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
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
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
No
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
No
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
No
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link

Sound

6.9/10

5.5/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    6.9/10
    5.5/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    No
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    Yes
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    Yes
    Yes

The sound on the Sony X85L is good – it's clear across the entire scale, allowing enjoyment of both dialogue and music. The bass, though light, is noticeable and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasised that this is a subjective assessment – some may be satisfied with this sound profile, while others might require additional audio equipment to fully experience the stronger tones and a more spacious sound.

Here unfortunately, the Hisense E8Q didn’t make the best impression on us. Although on paper it has speakers with a power of 40 W (which is just a bit less than 50 W in the U7Q), in practice the difference is significant – and unfortunately not in favour of the E8Q. During testing, it quickly became clear that something wasn’t right. When the volume was turned up above 40–50%, the entire back casing began to resonate, and unpleasant crackling sounds emitted from the TV. Even during regular viewing, it was hard not to notice this, and definitely hard not to hear. In this form, it’s difficult to talk about listening comfort. We don’t rule out that it was a problem with a specific test unit, but still – it’s worth keeping this in mind. If you care about good sound, consider connecting a soundbar or… go for the U7Q, which definitely performs better.