SONY BRAVIA 3 Review

BRAVIA 3 / K-(XX)S3

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This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

9/24/2025 11:33:56 AM

Bravia 3 is a fresh chapter in the portfolio of the Japanese manufacturer, which this season decided to refresh the segment of the cheapest televisions and replace the already worn-out model X75WL. The new design doesn't have ambitions to compete with the flagships, but its task is to win the favour of those looking for a solid entry into the world of Sony without having to reach deep into their wallets. Does this proposal really fulfil its role and manage to persuade the discerning viewer? To find out, we have prepared this test for you.

Product purchase

9/1/2025

Testing started

10/13/2025

Technical data published

9/24/2025

Review published

9/24/2025

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Our verdict

6.0

Overall rating

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.

Advantages

Google TV system – a massive library of apps and services
IPS panel with good viewing angles
Improved colours – (91% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut)
Dolby Vision support
Good upscaling – lower quality materials look surprisingly good
Great input lag and ALLM mode
Very good PC compatibility – supports chroma 4:4:4, excellent font readability
Two remotes included – a modern minimalist one and a classic one with a numeric keypad
Very good built-in media player – supports a wide range of files, even less common ones like HEIC
Slim bezels and modern design – a definite step up from the X75WL
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support

Disadvantages

Tragic black - IPS panel without local dimming
Limited brightness (approx. 350 nits), HDR mode image is not very appealing
Issues with backlight uniformity
Google TV system can be sluggish
No recording function from built-in tuners to USB memory

Movies and series in UHD quality

5.4
Classic TV, YouTube

5.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

5.7
Gaming on console

6.4
TV as a computer monitor

6.0
Watching in bright light

4.9
Utility functions

6.6
Apps

9.6
Sound quality

6.5

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Competing TVs in this price range

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Philips MLED920 / MLED910 55”

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8.5

Panasonic Z95B 55”

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7.3

LG QNED93A / QNED90A 55”

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Samsung QN85F 55”

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Samsung QN90F / QN92F 55”

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Samsung Q8F 55”

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Philips OLED770 55”

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Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5) 55”

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SONY BRAVIA 3 - TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Build quality: BuildQuality-Good

Stand type: Legs

Bezel colour: Graphite

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Appearance of the TV

Stand: Base adjustment

Flat design: No

Accessories: Two remote controls, Stand

Sony Bravia 3 immediately shows that the Japanese have finally come to their senses regarding the appearance of TVs. Compared to its predecessor, the X75WL, a lot has changed and it’s noticeable straight away. The bezels around the screen have finally become narrow and sleek, making the television no longer look like a device from a decade ago, but rather resembles higher-end models. The clunky, few-centimetre frame is gone, and that’s a change that simply pleases the eye. Of course, it's not perfect. The overall construction still remains quite thick due to the plastic back cover. If someone dreams of a super-slim device on the wall, then the Bravia 3 is unlikely to meet those expectations. However, the smart solution for the stand deserves praise. Sony Bravia 3 gives us a choice – you can place the legs in a narrow position closer to the centre or in a wide position, making it easier to fit the TV to your furniture. Additionally, they are metal and look really solid. Overall, one might get the impression that even those who previously dismissed budget televisions for their mediocre appearance will have no reason to grimace with the Bravia 3.

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SONY BRAVIA 3 - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

2.2/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: No

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Result

1,150:1

Result

1,050:1

Result

1,050:1

Result

900:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

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.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

4.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 91.3%, Bt.2020: 69.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Brightness measurement

Result

316 nit

Result

327 nit

Result

369 nit

Result

236 nit

Result

379 nit

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.

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

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

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Bravia 3 has a tough task ahead, as on one side it carries the film legacy of a brand associated with some of the best screens on the market, while on the other it is practically the cheapest representative of this family. The expectations are high, particularly because of the Sony logo on the casing. Unfortunately, when we reach for the first productions in HDR, it quickly becomes clear that the television cannot bear this weight. Regardless of the type of content – whether it's simpler series from streaming platforms or high-quality releases on Blu-ray discs – the image feels flat, with limited contrast and a lack of true depth. Details in the brighter areas of the screen often disappear, as if they have simply been burnt out, and scenes that should dazzle with their play of light look surprisingly mediocre. It's hard not to say it plainly: in terms of HDR quality, the Sony Bravia 3 has little in common with the true showcase of engineering capabilities that the more expensive Sony models are known for. It is an experience that leaves one wanting more, especially if someone expects cinematic magic from equipment with this logo.

HDR luminance chart:

HDR luminance

Luckily, it's not always as bad as it might seem after the first interaction with HDR. ChooseTV 3 can improve its appearance when we reach for content prepared based on dynamic metadata, that is, in Dolby Vision format. Of course, we shouldn't expect a sudden miracle, as in our comparisons it's hard to say that the image in this mode dazzles, but the difference compared to static HDR10 is clear. Dolby Vision handles bright areas much better, avoiding overexposure and artificial brightening, which are particularly noticeable in HDR10 and make the screen look like one big bright blotch. It is thanks to Dolby Vision that ChooseTV 3 can present at least a semblance of a more attractive image, allowing for more natural transitions and retaining some details that are lost forever in static HDR. Fortunately, this is currently the most popular dynamic format, supported by all major streaming services, including Netflix and Disney+. So when watching movies and series from these platforms, you can count on ChooseTV 3 to showcase its better, more colourful side.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Smoothness of tonal transitions

8/10

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.

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Smoothness of tonal transitions — These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video. The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

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.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Blur and motion smoothness

5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 120Hz (double contours)

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 22%

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Blur and motion smoothness — The photo presents the motion smoothing settings in the tested TV.

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.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

When it comes to motion blur, the Bravia 3 performs somewhat differently than one might expect from a budget television. The IPS panel itself doesn't generate excessively large trails, which is already a plus, but due to the low refresh rate, it's hard to talk about sharpness and full clarity of movement. Instead, we get an image that is rather soft, at times even blurred, which can lose details in dynamic scenes. However, Sony provides a "Cleanliness" feature, also known as BFI. Turning it on to level 2 may not work miracles or transform the TV into sports gear, but the effect is noticeable – motion looks a bit clearer, and blurriness is less bothersome. While it may not be a spectacular improvement, for some people it could make a difference that's significant enough to keep this option active.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Console compatibility and gaming features

4/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: No
VRR range: No
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: No
1080p@120Hz: No
1440p@120Hz: No
4K@120Hz: No
Game bar: Yes

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.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Input lag

10/10

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.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 12 ms	2160p60: 11 ms	2160p60 DV: 11 ms
2160p60: 12 ms

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Compatibility with PC

6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 12ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB

Max refresh rate: 60Hz

G-Sync: No

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

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.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Viewing angles

6.6/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 75%

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.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - TV efficiency during daytime

4.9/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Good

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.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

SONY BRAVIA 3: 337 cd/m2

SONY BRAVIA 3 - TV features

6.6/10

System: Google TV

System performance: Decent

HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: No

Smart features:

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

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.

Sound connection options

HDMI audio:

eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Other audio outputs:

Toslink: Yes

Wireless audio:

Bluetooth: Yes

Obsługiwane formaty audio:

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
Dolby True HD 7.1: Yes
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: No
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: Yes
DTS-HD Master Audio: Yes

Ułatwienia dla seniorów

Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
Font size adjustment: Yes
Audio description: Yes

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Apps

9.6/10

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.6/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

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.

SONY BRAVIA 3 - Sound

6.5/10

88dB

Maximum volume

Supported codecs

(TV speakers)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

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.

Sound Quality Test: