Compare: LG 55 B4 vs Sony X85L

LG OLED B4 is an exceptionally versatile device in the semi-premium category. For how else could one describe an OLED television that is so well-priced, and whose price, as history shows, will quickly fall? Ideal blacks and contrast are two things that inevitably mesmerise, and we are certain that anyone who has owned a device with this panel will not be able to return to LCD units. The brightness results of the television in HDR content may seem rather low; however, in this case, thanks to this particular panel, they will appear optically much higher. It is worth noting their stability and uniformity in practically every scene. In this case, a minor downside is the brightness of a full-frame shot filled with a large amount of white. However, we do not believe this to be a serious problem, as there are not many such instances anyway. The factory colour reproduction also deserves praise, which in our specimen is very decent, but one cannot help but remember how beneficial calibration has been for the image, allowing the director's intentions to be conveyed fully. LG B4 will be an excellent choice for all kinds of gamers, as well as sports enthusiasts. The former will certainly appreciate the rich support in the form of all the conveniences stemming from the HDMI 2.1 standard. Meanwhile, the latter will benefit from the advanced motion smoothing with multi-step adjustments. And lastly, one cannot overlook the convenience provided by the remote control with a built-in gyroscope, allowing it to function like a mouse. The WebOS system, which we will navigate, is extremely smooth and responsive. It offers a multitude of applications, which will be more than sufficient for the vast majority of users. The heart of the LG B4 television is the advanced Alpha processor, responsible for the smoothness of the image and advanced signal analysis. In summary: who is the LG OLED B4 for? It is the perfect device for those expecting the highest possible image quality within a given budget, but not only that. The LG B4 stands out significantly above its competition at this price point, which cannot offer such high-quality images.

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will be continued in the offering for 2024 by the Japanese manufacturer. Its greatest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the largest access to applications, so we need not worry that one of our favourite applications will be missing. The intuitive interface and voice control feature using Google Assistant make daily use of the television comfortable and modern. As for picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very average number of zones), black levels look quite decent. Additionally, its fairly high brightness allows for comfortable television viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Furthermore, the television offers a programme recording function with built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion smoothness, X85L does not disappoint either. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system ensure smooth display of dynamic scenes, satisfying both movie enthusiasts 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 faults. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode can be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and image smoothness when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is a decent piece of equipment that is particularly worth attention if it can be purchased on promotion.

LG B4 uses OLED panels produced by LG Displays. The use of this type of panel provides us with perfect contrast and black levels. With such conditions, the picture is incredibly vivid and one might even get the impression that it is three-dimensional. The series of the manufacturer with the letter "B" has always been an ideal solution for those seeking very good picture quality while not wanting to pay extra for features that are only available in higher series. Therefore, these models have become something of a dark horse in this price range, as their advantageous pricing primarily competes with Mini LED televisions. It is not difficult to say that these models have won these battles due to the absence of characteristic flaws associated with LCD receivers with multi-zone backlighting, such as blooming/halo effects or dimming of images containing fine bright details. And as we can see in the test scenes from the films "Oblivion" and "Sicario 2," the fidelity is at the highest level. Looking at the first one, we see a spectacular play of lights that, despite their brightness, are perfectly separated from one another. Even a more challenging scene with a helicopter poses no problem for LG B4, showcasing a wealth of details and a unique colour grading specific to this title.

The Sony X85L television is equipped with a VA panel, which in itself offers quite good contrast. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it encompasses 24 zones. Although this number is not impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the television. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially in comparison to other televisions also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at a level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but appear average in the context of competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the film Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs fairly well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has employed in its televisions for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the television struggles with noticeable blooming, which can be observed, for example, in scenes with the helicopter from the film Sicario 2.

The brightness results in HDR materials for LG B4 are very good. It is true that none of them exceed 1000 nits, although the stability of luminance is excellent and looks practically the same in every scenario. The only moment where the tested television performs worse is the last of the scenes, although this should not be surprising. Large frames filled with a lot of white have always been, and probably will continue to be, somewhat of a weakness for OLED televisions. However, the combination of perfect contrast, black levels, and brightness of LG B4 allows for a full experience of the HDR effect. Additionally, the incredibly high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut deserves recognition, reaching 99%. This makes the colours look incredibly vivid and striking.

The Sony X85L television offers solid HDR performance with a brightness level of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vivid effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows one to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, like the scene from the film Sicario 2, the television reveals its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits cause the HDR effect to lose its impressive quality, resembling rather ordinary SDR. Nevertheless, 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.

The best factory mode prepared by the manufacturer is "Filmmaker," which is exactly what we used throughout the entire testing procedure. We must admit that the unit we received out of the box had quite good colour reproduction. The biggest problem in both SDR and HDR content turned out to be white balance. In the former, a strong red hue was evident, causing the displayed image to have a pronounced yellow tint, particularly noticeable on skin tones and whites. In higher quality materials, this colour was also accentuated, but due to a lack of blue, there were also signs of green visible. Apart from these issues, we also encountered problems with grayscale and the colours themselves.

The television Sony X85L was tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, although associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image that aligns with the director's intention. The main problem is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue colour and significant shortcomings in red. As a result, the picture becomes unnaturally cool and looks artificial. Errors in colour reproduction were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed considerable discrepancies – the colours were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly demonstrates that the accuracy 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 there are minor errors, but generally it is quite good. However, the characteristic of brightness for 4K materials remains a problem, 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 backlighting zones due to the design of the television.

LG B4 has been providing very advanced calibration tools in its televisions for years. We can even say that as the only manufacturer on the market, it allows for such deep intervention in image adjustment. It is thanks to these tools that we were able to calibrate the device so well. Evidence of this is the extremely low deltaE errors, which can be said to be at a reference level. Both SDR and HDR materials now look exactly as intended by the film director. It is no coincidence that televisions of this brand are most often used as preview screens for various graphic or post-production studios.

Thanks to the application of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, the image quality has been significantly improved. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colours appear more natural and enhancing the authenticity of the image. Although it is not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic colour reproduction, eliminating the previous cool tone. The gamma, which was already decent, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively affecting 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 lead to overly warm colours in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is quite stable, with a slight enhancement in mid-bright scenes. However, in actual film material, the television can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

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

The fluidity of tonal transitions, often overlooked in various tests on competing portals, is an equally important aspect of image quality assessment. It is particularly important when watching material that features a wealth of colours and many intricate effects, where textures blend. This often leads to the so-called banding of colours, which is a lack of smooth gradation. The tested television handles tonal transition smoothing quite well. However, it is worth noting that it has its weaker moments, such as a bright coloured sky in the film "Kingsman" or "The Martian". Nevertheless, these are not aspects that detract from the viewing pleasure. Therefore, we positively assess the quality of tonal transitions in LG B4.

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

In this paragraph, we will take another look at the function for smoothing tonal transitions, but we will also check how the television handles lower quality material. As we have managed to verify, the setting responsible for smooth gradation works quite efficiently, although it has its weaker moments. Just as the function works correctly in SDR content, it becomes rather useless in HDR content. Even at the lowest of the options, it blurs essential details, which is why we advise against using it.

The image scaling on LG B4 is rated rather moderately positively. Although there is no edge doubling, the image itself is naturally "soft." We can change this by adjusting the sharpness slider.

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

The maximum refresh rate that we can set on the LG B4 is 120 Hz. This is the absolute minimum for those requiring high image fluidity. The manufacturer has implemented a multi-step motion smoother called "TruMotion". It has been divided into two separate sliders adjusting the sharpness of moving images (De-Blur) and jitter (De-Judder). Both sliders can be set in the range from 0 to 10, with each degree affecting the level of fluidity, so everyone can find their golden mean.

The LG OLED B4 panel features an average response time of 0.1 ms (which directly results from our measurements), allowing for an incredibly clear image, unattainable for LCD televisions, whose response times can be as high as several milliseconds. This is clearly evident in the pictures from the "UFO Test", showing no trail following the object.

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 buffs will certainly appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, known as Motionflow. This system offers adjustment through sliders for smoothness and clarity – smoothness is responsible for motion fluidity, eliminating judder, while clarity improves the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

The LG B4 television is equipped with four fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports with a full bandwidth of 48Gbps. All features that are identical to this standard were activated without any issues, and throughout the entire testing process, they did not cause any problems. The combination of such extensive functionality and low input lag suggests that the tested television is truly made for gaming. This is not surprising, considering that the manufacturer has always placed great emphasis on this. Therefore, we can enjoy both the properly implemented HGIG mode and gaming in Dolby Vision with low latency. This pairing will certainly attract the attention of all passionate gamers for whom quality is paramount.

An additional standard in televisions from this Korean manufacturer is the implementation of GameBar, allowing for quick adjustment of settings "on the fly," without the need to exit the game. It also enables image adjustments for individuals with visual impairments, which is a very nice touch. Another important piece of information is that when VRR technology is enabled, we will not experience a drop in contrast. This is thanks to the construction of the panel and the lack of conventional backlighting. However, it is normal for shades of grey to flicker slightly; nevertheless, this is a characteristic feature of this function regardless of the manufacturer or television.

In summary: the LG B4, like all of the manufacturer’s OLEDs equipped with 120Hz panels and HDMI 2.1 ports, creates a harmonious whole with the console. In practice, this is a comprehensive television, and if we expect the highest possible efficiency in gaming, B4 will be the ideal choice.

Sony X85L offers a quite 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 utilisation of next-generation consoles. Additionally, Sony X85L supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, providing a smooth experience. The television also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for the synchronisation of the screen refresh rate with GPU performance, eliminating screen tearing. It is worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to the most important gaming-related settings, such as VRR, brightness levels, and display modes, which is convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are certain 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, while the Dolby Vision mode is available, it is not practical for gaming due to the very high input lag.

Input lag for the LG B4 is at an incredibly low level in every scenario. Even the most dedicated gamers will certainly appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, which is just 5 ms. It is also worth noting that the lag at these same settings, but with Dolby Vision HDR enabled, remains consistent, which is not as evident with the competition. Therefore, it deserves the highest rating and recommendation.

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, especially when using HDMI 2.1 and playing at a resolution of 4K 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 much as 95 ms. Such a high level of delay makes the Dolby Vision mode virtually unplayable, as the responses to commands are noticeably delayed.

LG B4 combined with a PC performs excellently, thanks to a very low latency of just 13.5 ms, which is practically an instant response between the mouse, the eye, and the screen. An extremely important factor when working on a screen is primarily the readability of the text, which in the case of the tested television is very good. However, it is worth noting that to achieve sharp fonts, one must enable the passthrough option in the settings.

The RWBG pixel layout has no significant impact on the display of fonts or letters, which provides a considerable advantage over Samsung's QD-OLED matrices. Users of both Windows and macOS equipped computers are sure to be pleased with the performance on the screen of the tested television.

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

On the other hand, if the television is to be used for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must bear in mind that the readability of fonts noticeably decreases. The image becomes less sharp, and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – Sony X85L will perform well for occasional connections to a computer, but if we need it on a daily basis for work and gaming, this compromise may not appeal to everyone.

The undisputed advantage of OLED panels is their performance in the context of group viewing, that is, from various angles. LG B4 maintains very good contrast, colour saturation, and fidelity. Although this is not the result of organic televisions supported by MLA technology, one cannot say that anyone who purchased the device was dissatisfied with the results obtained. However, it should be noted that at sharp angles, a slight greenish tint can be observed. This is a characteristic feature of LG's WRGB panels, without the aforementioned micro-lens technology, and unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it.

The viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is often the case with VA panels, are not the best. The picture looks great when viewed directly, but as soon as you move to the side, you notice that the colours lose intensity and the contrast significantly weakens. This can be an issue if the television is meant for viewing in larger groups, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who usually watch solo or from one central spot, this won’t be a major downside, but when watching from the side, the picture quality unfortunately declines.

The maximum brightness of the television in SDR materials is 370 nits. For an OLED television, this is a very good result and allows for quite comfortable viewing during the day. It is worth paying attention to two things. The first is the rather mediocre handling of reflections caused by the satin finish of the panel, which means that direct light hitting the television will be quite obtrusive. The second issue is the brightness of the screen when filled 100% with white, oscillating around 260 nits, which is an excellent result, as until recently, OLED televisions in this price range could "boast" a brightness twice as low. Thanks to this, the conditions for watching, for example, winter sports will be very good.

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

LG B4 uses the well-known proprietary system WebOS. The system offers practically all the most important applications, and those that are lacking can be counted on one hand, such as CDA or KODI.

WebOS also boasts a highly appreciated ability to perform operations using a cursor that appears when the remote control is moved. The convenience of such a feature is invaluable when entering queries or passwords for portals. WebOS, like most systems, also supports functions such as screen mirroring, AirPlay, voice search in Polish, and the capability to connect headphones via Bluetooth. On a more practical note, WebOS allows us to use both headphones and the television speaker simultaneously, which will certainly be a great help for those with hearing impairments. Among the more interesting features, particularly appreciated by sports fans, is the option to enable an alert for upcoming matches, ensuring that we never miss a broadcast. The home panel also deserves praise for allowing control of all smart devices connected to the home network. For example, the end of a washing cycle will be signalled by a notification in the top right corner.

In summary, the WebOS system, despite being less known and having certain limitations compared to Android TV, offers stable and fast operation and supports most functions that users may need. It is a solid solution for those looking for a simple and effective operating system in a television.

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

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

The design of the Sony X85L television, while perhaps not among the thinnest, is solid and elegant. The metal stand with adjustable feet is one of its stronger points, allowing the height and width of the television to be adapted to various furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

The default file player in LG B4 definitely handles most images well, although the absence of a few equally popular formats is surprising. We can successfully play videos recorded in virtually all the most popular formats, including Dolby Vision. The only codec that LG B4 will not play is H.266 VVC, although this is currently rather unused. However, it is worth noting the supported image formats, of which there are only two: JPEG and PNG. Users of Apple devices may feel disappointed by the lack of support for the HEIC format, which is the default format when taking photos. The remedy for this is to use the built-in AirPlay feature. We will also mention the lack of support for TXT subtitles.

Sony X85L easily handles playback of most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who often access external content. However, it should be mentioned that there is a small downside – 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 audio system built into the LG OLED B4 can be considered quite good. We can say that it performs well for its price range. The bass is quite noticeable, but does not overpower the other frequencies. It can be said that the sound is fairly well balanced. We believe that those opting for this class of display are, or will be, in possession of an appropriate audio system. Therefore, the presence of DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos codecs is not insignificant.

The sound in Sony X85L is good – it is clear across the entire range, allowing enjoyment of both dialogues 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 find such a sound profile satisfying, while others might need additional audio equipment to fully experience stronger tones and a more spacious sound.

LG 55 B4 vs Sony X85L

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound