TVs SONY
Sony Televisions – Brand Characteristics and Technologies
Sony is a Japanese manufacturer that positions itself in the premium and mid-range segments of the consumer electronics market. Unlike Chinese competitors, Sony does not compete for customers by offering the lowest prices or excessively high brightness in cheap models. The main advantage of this brand is the matrix control electronics (image processor) and factory colour calibration. Sony televisions are recommended for users who prioritise image fidelity, motion smoothness when watching sports, and high-quality upscaling of lower resolution content (terrestrial TV, cable).
Key Technical Solutions
XR Processor: Sony's proprietary chip responsible for image processing. Its main task is signal analysis and enhancing its quality before displaying it on the screen. It excels in effectively removing digital noise (so-called grain) and smoothing tonal transitions (gradients).
Google TV: Sony uses an open operating system from Google. This means the largest application base on the market, easy integration with smartphones (Chromecast), and the ability to install advanced tools (e.g., network players, VPN).
Acoustic Surface: A technology where sound is generated by vibrating the panel itself using actuators. This allows the sound to physically emanate from the screen (from the characters' mouths) rather than from speakers located underneath the television.
Compatibility with PS5: Models from the BRAVIA XR series have features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping (automatic HDR calibration for the console) and automatic switching to game mode.
Comparison: Sony vs Competition
The tables below show the technical differences between Sony and other popular brands.
1. Sony (Google TV) vs Samsung (Tizen)
The main difference lies in the approach to HDR standards and image characteristics.
Feature | Sony | Samsung | Significance for the user |
HDR Standard | Dolby Vision + HDR10 | HDR10+ (No Dolby Vision) | Most VOD services (Netflix, Disney+) use Dolby Vision. However, over the past year, HDR10+ has been increasingly used as well, so it doesn't make much difference. |
Factory Calibration | Natural / Cinematic | Vivid / Enhanced contrast | Sony focuses on realistic colour reproduction. Samsung, by default, boosts colours to make the image appear more attractive. However, we recommend calibrating both brands for the best possible image fidelity. |
OLED Panels | Buys from LG (WOLED) and Samsung (QD-OLED) | Produces its own (QD-OLED) and buys from LG | Sony uses the same panels as Samsung in its top models (A95L), but adds its own processor and cooling (heat sink). |
Sony vs Chinese Brands (TCL, Hisense)
The comparison focuses on the quality of signal processing and the operational culture of the devices.
Parameter | Sony | TCL / Hisense | Technical Conclusions |
Upscaling | Very high level. Good handling of SD/HD signals. | Average/Good. Cable TV images may be less sharp or noisy. | If you watch a lot of traditional television, the difference in image quality in favour of Sony will be noticeable. |
Motion Algorithms | Motionflow (Smooth motion without artifacts) | Often visible "judder" or smearing with fast-moving objects. | Sony performs better in sports. The algorithms of cheaper brands often drop frames. |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | Typically 2 ports (including one eARC) | Typically 2 ports but with support for higher frequencies than 120Hz | Ironically, cheaper brands offer better connectivity for those with gaming equipment. |
Price/Parameter Ratio | Low (You pay for algorithms and the brand) | Very high (Cheap Mini-LED technologies) | Generally, TCL/Hisense offer higher brightness and contrast at the same price, but poorer signal processing. |
Pros and Cons of Sony
Advantages:
Best image scaling (upscaling) and motion smoothing algorithms on the market.
Full support for Dolby Vision and DTS audio formats (which, for example, Samsung and LG often lack).
Stable and versatile Google TV system.
High build quality.
Disadvantages:
High price relative to "raw" technical parameters (brightness/contrast).
Limited number of HDMI 2.1 ports (usually only two, with one taken up by a soundbar).
Fewer features for gamers.
Available screen sizes: 65”, 75”, 85”
Technology: LCD VA (wide viewing angle), Mini-LED QLED
Brand: SONY
Verdict:
Sony BRAVIA 9 is undoubtedly a top-tier product, and there’s no "but" about it, as this is a fact, not a thesis. It’s evident everywhere you look how much effort the manufacturer has put into perfecting the dimming algorithms, which undoubtedly perform their role to every possible degree. Thanks to this, we can enjoy an incredibly deep black and an amazingly vivid image. And since we’re talking ab...
Rating
8.8/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
8.4
Classic TV, YouTube
8.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
8.5
Gaming on console
9.2
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
9.5
Utility functions
8.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
8.9
Verdict:
Sony Bravia 8 II is undoubtedly a worthy successor to the A95L – polished, extremely versatile, and with several noticeable improvements over its predecessor. The quality of the image, sound, and overall user experience places this model among the top premium televisions of 2025. It's a device that can captivate both movie enthusiasts and demanding gamers. One of its biggest advantages is the near...
Rating
8.5/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
9.1
Classic TV, YouTube
9.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
9.0
Gaming on console
9.3
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
5.6
Utility functions
8.9
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
8.5
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
Sony A95L is a TV that has made a huge impression on us. Although a year has passed since its launch, it still deserves a spot among the best models on the market. When it comes to picture quality, it's simply brilliant. Deep blacks, vibrant colours, and excellent brightness in HDR make everything look incredibly realistic. The QD-OLED panel does its job – movies and games look so good that at tim...
Rating
8.3/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
9.0
Classic TV, YouTube
9.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
9.0
Gaming on console
9.3
TV as a computer monitor
5.0
Watching in bright light
5.4
Utility functions
8.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.9
Verdict:
Testing the Sony Bravia 7 quickly revealed that this television can really do quite a bit. Although it is the "lowest" model from the Japanese manufacturer in the new 2024 lineup, it doesn’t feel like a compromise at all. The picture impressed us with its depth of black and the detail in bright scenes – thanks to the Mini LED technology that makes a difference. When we watched movies in Dolby Visi...
Rating
8.1/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.7
Classic TV, YouTube
7.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.6
Gaming on console
8.4
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
8.4
Utility functions
8.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.8
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...
Rating
7.8/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.6
Classic TV, YouTube
8.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
8.1
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
5.6
Utility functions
9.4
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.5
Verdict:
Sony X90L is a premium model from the Japanese manufacturer, which premiered in 2023 but will successfully continue into 2024. The Sony brand and the name Bravia are associated with excellent picture quality, and this model confirms that reputation – it offers great brightness and very good blacks. Despite having fewer local dimming zones than the competition, it makes up for it with an advanced a...
Rating
7.7/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.5
Classic TV, YouTube
7.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.4
Gaming on console
7.9
TV as a computer monitor
7.4
Watching in bright light
7.8
Utility functions
8.0
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.0
Verdict:
Sony Bravia 5 is the continuation of the iconic X90L model, and it's clear that the manufacturer aimed to take a step forward. A greater number of backlighting zones have been implemented, which makes the contrast seem better in many scenes, with deeper blacks than its predecessor. The 120 Hz panel and MotionFlow system allow you to tailor the fluidity of the image to your own preferences – from a...
Rating
7.6/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.0
Classic TV, YouTube
7.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.3
Gaming on console
8.7
TV as a computer monitor
8.0
Watching in bright light
6.9
Utility functions
7.6
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.0
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 conve...
Rating
6.9/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.4
Classic TV, YouTube
6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.6
Gaming on console
7.8
TV as a computer monitor
5.6
Watching in bright light
6.5
Utility functions
7.7
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.9
Verdict:
Sony Bravia 3 in the VA panel variant is a television that, in terms of character, remains the same budget model, but the change in panel type makes watching movies and series much more enjoyable. The higher contrast and deeper blacks finally allow for evening viewing without the impression of the screen drowning in shades of grey. This is a significant advantage over the IPS version, even if it c...
Rating
6.2/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.3
Classic TV, YouTube
6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
5.4
Gaming on console
6.6
TV as a computer monitor
3.5
Watching in bright light
5.4
Utility functions
6.1
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.5
Verdict:
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...
Rating
6.0/10
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
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