Compare: Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5) vs SONY BRAVIA 3

Sony Bravia 5 is a continuation of the iconic X90L model, and it's evident 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, and the blacks appear deeper than its predecessor. The 120 Hz panel and MotionFlow system allow the smoothness of the image to be tailored to personal preferences – from a slight cinematic texture to crystal-smooth motion in sports and games. This is equipment that does not shy away from any content, as regardless of whether we are watching a match, an action film, or a concert, the image maintains clarity and character. However, the true strength of the Bravia 5 lies in the XR processor. It is this that makes older materials look better than they should – upscaling works like magic, smoothing out noise, improving gradation, and providing consistency even with lower-quality content. Thanks to this, in everyday use, the Bravia 5 can surprise, as instead of struggling with signal imperfections, it draws out the maximum. Additionally, there is excellent colour reproduction after calibration and dynamic tone mapping along with Dolby Vision mode, which allows one to enjoy details even in difficult, contrasted scenes. However, it cannot be hidden that in several moments, the Bravia 5 has disappointed us quite significantly. Despite the greater number of zones, brightness and contrast are not always better than in the X90L – sometimes they even perform worse. This raises a sense of wasted potential, as we were counting on a greater qualitative leap. After all, we are talking about a true MINI-LED television here. Nevertheless, the Bravia 5 remains an excellent television for those who want to enjoy primarily image quality. If you are looking for a model that can impress with motion smoothness, extracts details from difficult scenes, and works wonders with older materials, the Bravia 5 will surely meet those expectations. It's a television that sometimes struggles to keep up with the competition in certain aspects, but it still holds its own with what Sony does best – cinematic imagery.

Sony Bravia 3 is a television that brings several important improvements over its predecessor, while remaining true to its core. The biggest change is the design – slim bezels and sturdy metal legs give it a modern appearance that fits much better in a living room than the X75WL. Improved colours thanks to the PFS filter and really good upscaling should also be noted. It is particularly in lower quality content, especially in classic SDR, that the Bravia 3 shows its best side – colours look pleasing, the image is clear, and thanks to the IPS panel, viewing angles are at a very good level. It is perfectly suited for the role of a “classic” television receiver, where the convenience of watching from different spots in the room and decent quality of everyday content matter. A huge advantage remains the Google TV system. During our tests, there were times when the interface did not always work as smoothly as we would have liked, and some features could freeze. However, despite these imperfections, the presence of Google TV is a significant plus – access to thousands of applications 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, making watching films in a dark room quickly lose its appeal – black resembles grey and effectively detracts from the enjoyment of the viewing experience. Additionally, the option to record content to USB, which was available in its predecessor, has been dropped. It is hard not to notice this and not add it to the list of downsides.

So who is the Bravia 3 for? Primarily for those looking to enter the world of Sony televisions at a potentially low price and who also appreciate the Google TV system. However, it is not the most attractive option in its class – competitors in this budget can offer models with Mini-LED backlighting, whose images perform several times better in terms of contrast and HDR. Therefore, the Bravia 3 is worth keeping in mind, but mainly when a solid discount is available. At regular price, it will be very difficult to stand out against its more cost-effective rivals.

Bravia 5 is the entry-level television from the Mini-LED series in Sony's portfolio for 2025, so naturally we start with the most important question – how does it handle black levels and contrast? After all, the term “Mini-LED” almost sounds like a magic spell these days. In theory, this means thousands of tiny LEDs arranged in zones that are meant to work in harmony, dimming and brightening the image so that the viewer sees more depth than in a classic LCD. In practice, we've counted about 200 local dimming zones in the 65-inch Bravia 5. Is that a lot? Certainly more than its predecessor, the already legendary X90L model, but when looking at Chinese manufacturers who manage to pack in hundreds, sometimes even thousands of zones – it seems rather modest.

One might expect that the combination of a greater number of zones with the refined dimming algorithms that Sony has accustomed us to over the years would translate to a significant quality leap over the X90L. Meanwhile – and here comes a slight disappointment – tests showed that the results are surprisingly similar to last year's model. Don't take this the wrong way: the contrast for an LCD television with local dimming is truly solid. In most scenes, bright elements are separated from dark ones with surgical precision, and the effect can be stunning. But when more demanding shots appear on the screen – those that relentlessly test the capabilities of the backlighting – it's clear that the equipment has its limitations.

Therefore, one could say that in terms of black levels and contrast, the Bravia 5 doesn't so much disappoint as rather fails to meet the expectations raised by the initial announcements. We were hoping for at least a slightly better result than its predecessor, and we got “only” good contrast. And it is this “only” that is the key word here – because good contrast in Sony's rendition still signifies a level that most competitors could be proud of.

The Bravia 3 in most variants, including the 65-inch model we tested, uses an IPS panel and unfortunately, this is not the best news for those who value depth of image and true velvety blacks. This technology has its advantages, as it offers decent viewing angles, but these come at the cost of very low contrast, which is particularly noticeable during evening viewings when we expect the screen to go dark where it should. However, this is not the end of the list of problems. Our unit also exhibited noticeable unevenness in blacks, which exacerbates the effect of their shallowness. For example, in a scene with a helicopter, the blooming in the corners of the screen and pronounced vignetting are clearly visible.

It's hard not to think that even a simple local dimming system could have salvaged the situation and added a touch of drama to the image, which is lacking here. Unfortunately, Sony has decided against such a solution, and as a result, we have a repeat of last year's issues. The Bravia 3 is therefore not a television that will charm you with cinema-like black depth. At night, instead of intense blacks, we are likely to see a grey pretending to be darkness, which may disappoint more demanding viewers.

Looking at similar results in terms of blackness and contrast, we expected equally stable performance as last year's model when it came to HDR content. Unfortunately – and this needs to be said outright – there has been a regression here that is hard to overlook. The paradox is that the peak brightness of the Bravia 5 is impressive: in our synthetic tests, the television achieved around 1000 nits in HDR. Sounds great, right? The problem is that this power does not always translate effectively to all film scenes. When small, point-like elements appear on the screen, something that had usually been polished with surgical precision in Sony's case is this time noticeably lacking. The algorithms attempt to maintain deep black around small objects, but the side effect is that details can be dimmed to such an extent that they become barely visible. Just consider the example of the film Sicario 2 – in some scenes there, small light sources practically disappeared, as if someone had covered them with dark film.

Of course, not everything looks so dramatic. In simpler, brighter scenes, where the image is filled with more light, the Bravia 5 shows that it can shine: literally and figuratively. Then the television achieves values in the range of 600–800 nits, which we saw both in synthetic tests and during film screenings. The impression is really positive; the brightness adds dynamism, and the colours appear vibrant and fresh. However, there remains a certain dissonance. We feel a slight confusion because evidently something has gone in a direction it shouldn’t have. Technological progress – more zones, greater backlighting power – has not been supported by the well-crafted image management that we usually associate with Sony. Fortunately, there are elements that have not been worsened and are, in fact, at a very high level. We are talking about colour reproduction. Thanks to the application of the PFS filter, the colour palette coverage is excellent – around 97% DCI-P3 and 75% BT.2020. These are values that allow for truly broad colour reproduction, giving films a sense of naturalness and cinematic quality.

Bravia 3 does not hide the fact that it belongs to the group of televisions that are rather modest in terms of brightness. Our measurements showed around 370 nits, which is a value teetering on the edge of where one can still speak of any HDR effect. For some, this is an acceptable level, while for others it is rather typical for SDR content, where spectacular highlights or vivid contrasts are not expected. The impression is that this is not a television for those focused on the highest image quality in demanding cinematic content. However, this does not mean that we cannot find any advantages here. Compared to its predecessor, the X75WL, Bravia 3 has gained an additional PFS filter, which works similarly to solutions known from QLED technology. Thanks to this, the DCI-P3 colour palette has been significantly widened and reaches over 91 percent, which in practice results in more saturated colours and a more pleasing image texture. As a result, even everyday content looks somewhat livelier, and films and series can surprise with vibrant visuals, despite limitations in brightness itself.

Sony Bravia 5 was of course tested in the best possible mode, which is the Cinema mode. Right out of the box, it provides the most natural colours, definitely better than anything offered by the "eco" or "dynamic" modes, which are more suited for a showroom display than for a living room. However, the Cinema mode alone does not mean we can always expect cinematic picture quality. With SDR content, we had virtually no major complaints – the slightly warmed white balance gave the scenes a somewhat golden tone, but it was nothing that was visually jarring. However, the problem arose with HDR material. Here, the colour reproduction simply looked poor. The white balance was heavily skewed – with an excess of blue and a clear lack of red. At times, it resembled the store's "super vibrant image" mode, where everything is overexposed and artificially boosted.

This situation also made brightness management seem overly aggressive. The EOTF graph clearly showed that the television had problems with overexposing many scenes right out of the box. And while we know what Sony televisions are usually capable of, it was difficult to remain indifferent here – thus we quickly decided to go for calibration.

Sony Bravia 3 was primarily tested in film mode, which immediately proved to be the best choice among the factory settings. It is not a perfect picture, but compared to the eco mode that the television offers right out of the box, the difference is clear and positive. In film mode, one can notice a certain problem: the image appears too warm, which results from a lack of blue colour in the white balance. Despite this, in SDR content, the final effect can still be considered quite decent and satisfactory for everyday viewing. Much more serious errors occur in HDR materials. The Color Checker analysis showed considerable deviations, and poor brightness management, combined with limited colour gamut coverage, further exposes the shortcomings of the image in this mode. All of this makes HDR on the Bravia 3 appear unconvincing and can spoil the impression left by the quite decent SDR content setting. Fortunately, this is not an insurmountable situation. Various errors can be somewhat mitigated, and some can even be fully corrected through professional calibration. Therefore, we decided to check how the television would perform after such adjustments.

After calibration, the situation changed dramatically. We managed to adjust the white balance so that entire scenes began to look more natural, and the image gained cohesion and elegance. In HDR, we finally got rid of that unwanted clipping effect that had previously marred some shots. Suddenly, it turned out that the Bravia 5 can extract significantly more from films than the “out of the box” impression suggested. Indeed, if we look at the graphs and compare them with the patterns, we can see that the beginning of the EOTF curve slightly deviates from the reference line. However, this is not so much a calibration error as it is a natural limitation of Mini-LED technology, which cannot be bypassed. Sony, instead of clinging to perfect black, prefers to prioritise the visibility of details – and in practice, it's hard to disagree with that. We would rather see the texture of the material on the screen than a pitch-black blob where all nuances are lost.

The calibration itself was truly beneficial. After about an hour spent on the settings, we felt that the image resembled that from the best cinema halls – of course on a home scale, but with the same sense of quality and refinement. And in such moments, we remember why we like Sony televisions: because when we fine-tune them, they can reward us with an image that captivates for long hours.

The calibration allowed us to extract significantly more from the Bravia 3 than we could have expected at the beginning. Firstly, it managed to compensate for the deficiency of blue, which had previously caused a noticeable warming of the image. After a slight adjustment to the white balance, most of the errors in the Color Checker measurements for SDR content virtually disappeared. The white tones became more natural, and the brightness management in gamma stabilised to an almost ideal level, not exceeding the threshold of human perception. Thus, it can be confidently stated that in SDR content, after a few adjustments to the settings, the Bravia 3 performs remarkably well. Significantly worse, although still definitely better than before calibration, are HDR contents. The white balance was brought into order, however, the limitations of the IPS panel are insurmountable. The lack of local dimming means that even the smallest elements can be overexposed, which immediately stands out. Colour-wise, the effect is also improved, though far from perfect – many errors still exceed the threshold of four or even five delta E units, meaning they remain visible to the human eye. It was already clear earlier that the Bravia 3 is not a television designed to impress with HDR quality. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that in SDR content, after calibration, the image can look truly excellent, and in this category, the television pleasantly surprised us.

tonal transitions are nothing more than the way in which a television handles the blending of colours and shades – from light to dark, from saturated to pastel. If the device struggles with this, characteristic "steps" can be seen instead of smooth transitions, and the image loses its naturalness. It is during these moments that instead of getting absorbed in the film, we start glancing at the screen thinking, "hey, something's not right here." Fortunately, in the Sony Bravia 5, such situations are practically nonexistent. This is a huge advantage, as nothing distracts our attention from the plot or sporting emotions. The television performs best in bright scenes, where colour transitions are smooth, and the blending of colours is almost invisible. The effect is so good that sometimes one might feel as if the image has been painted in one brushstroke. Of course, there were a few minor hiccups. In darker scenes, certain imperfections can be noticed – slight stepping or minimal gradation issues. For this, the Bravia 5 received a few negative points from us. Nevertheless, in the vast majority of situations, the television performs excellently and comes through this test with flying colours.

In terms of the fluidity of tonal transitions, the Bravia 3 performs really well. In brighter scenes, we did not notice any significant errors – the screen handles the blending of colours almost flawlessly and does not 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 assess the gradation itself clearly, as the effect is spoiled by the unevenness of the image. However, when we focus solely on the blending of colours, the result should be considered very good.

Bravia 5 carries within it the genes of Sony, which have remained untouched – and thank goodness for that, because we are talking about absolutely remarkable digital image processing. It is no coincidence that for years it has been believed that it is televisions of this brand that set the standard for how a screen should handle lower quality materials. If someone still watches classic television, old films or YouTube in lower resolutions, here they get equipment that can transform such content into an unexpectedly pleasant experience. On board, we find several tools worth activating. The first of these is "digital noise reduction". Set to a medium level, it works perfectly – smoothing tonal transitions, which usually cause the most trouble in low-quality materials, while not introducing any artificial artifacts. Importantly, it also does not remove the filmic character, meaning the natural grain that is intentionally present in many productions. Another advantage of the Bravia 5 is the upscaling capabilities of the XR processor. The image displayed after scaling is soft, yet at the same time sharp and clear. The contours of characters are clearly visible, while backgrounds retain their structure without excessive artificial sharpening. It’s hard to find a better television for watching lower quality materials – Bravia 5 only confirms why Sony is regarded as a benchmark in this field.

Bravia 3 brings something more to the Sony TV 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 even so, it must be admitted that the image in lower resolutions looked surprisingly good. The scaling worked effectively, and most parts of the screen were free from the typical excessive edge tearing found in budget constructions.

Attention should also be paid to the function that improves the smoothness of tonal transitions. In the high setting, it works really well, effectively masking gradation imperfections without significant detail loss. It does happen, however, that the algorithm overly smooths elements that should remain sharp – for example, faces – but overall, the effect is beneficial. The best results were achieved precisely at the highest setting, and this option could be recommended to those watching lower quality content.

Bravia 5 received a 120 Hz panel, which in itself sounds like an invitation to watch sports, fast matches, or spectacular action films. However, the real magic begins when MotionFlow – Sony's proprietary smoothness technology – comes into play. Thanks to it, we can adjust the character of the image to our own preferences. The "smoothness" slider allows you to transition from a cinematic feel with a slight "jitter" of the film frame to a nearly theatrical fluidity, where every ball in the match glides across the screen as if on a string. The higher the value, the smoother and more fluid it is; the lower it is, the more cinematic and natural it feels. In the options, we will also find an additional setting that Sony has called "clarity". This is nothing more than the BFI function (i.e., inserting black frames), which is meant to improve motion sharpness. It sounds great in theory, but in practice, one must use it with great caution. Why? Because all higher settings cause brightness drops of up to half, and in some cases, contour doubling also appears. Therefore, if we wish to use it, we recommend the lowest possible level – "1" out of the available ten. This way, we gain a bit better motion clarity without risking a loss of half the image brightness.

The fluidity of motion has never been a strong point of televisions equipped with 60 Hz panels, and the Bravia 3 is no exception. Nevertheless, Sony has added something that may appeal to those more sensitive to the way images are displayed. We are talking about the proprietary motion smoother, Motion Flow, which offers users a considerable range of adjustment options. Thanks to it, one can make the image smoother, even theatrical, or stick to a more cinematic style with the characteristic judder that many simply associate with the 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 are the materials we encounter on a daily basis. It is here that the motion smoother proves to be one of the most important features in everyday use of the television, and this is where the Bravia 3 performs quite well.

In the Bravia 5, there is a significant improvement compared to the X90L model from two years ago. The television offers literally everything its predecessor had, but this time the issues that could frustrate gamers have been fixed. The problems with setting variable refresh rate (VRR) have disappeared, and there are no longer any issues with configuring HDR content in HGiG mode. In short: we get hardware that simply works as it should, without any fuss. Therefore, the Bravia 5 has everything you could expect from a modern gaming television – and it can be reasonably advertised with the slogan “ready for PS5.” This is a statement we couldn't make about the X90L model. Well done, Sony!

It’s just a shame that this relatively high-priced model lacks a full set of four HDMI 2.1 ports. In everyday use, this won’t be a problem for most people, but if someone has a console, soundbar, and additional equipment hooked up via HDMI, at some point there will be a need to choose or juggle the cables.

Bravia 3 is not equipment for e-sports enthusiasts or fans of night marathons with a controller in hand. The lack of 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports closes the topic before it even has a chance to develop. This is a television for casual gamers who will play FIFA or racing games after work, not for someone who measures every frame in a spreadsheet. Nevertheless, Sony has added a few nice extras to ensure it’s not too sparse. ALLM works as it should, automatically switching the television to game mode (low latency). There’s even a simple Game Bar, which is clear. However, the biggest novelty here is the PlayStation Portal app. Thanks to it, you can launch PS5 games wirelessly and view them immediately on the television screen. It sounds great, but just a few minutes is enough to feel significant lag. In our opinion, it’s more of a showcase of capabilities than something that can be used every day. If someone really wants to play, it’s better to connect the console via HDMI cable and forget about wireless issues.

When it comes to input lag, the Bravia 5 deserves a round of applause. Results around 7 ms at 120 Hz content are nothing short of spectacular – it’s hard to imagine a player complaining about such responsiveness. Even at 60 Hz, where the lag increases to around 15 ms, we’re still talking about values that absolutely do not spoil the fun and are not noticeable in practice. Moreover, Sony has finally tamed the Dolby Vision mode. In the X90L, it was practically unplayable – delays rose to levels of even 150 ms. Meanwhile, in the Bravia 5, the input lag remains at the same low level as with other content. This is a huge improvement and further proof that this television can truly be called “gamer-friendly.”

Here, the Bravia 3 shows its best side. Latencies drop below 12 milliseconds in almost every resolution and mode, so the response to controller movements is instantaneous and there is no feeling of delay. It feels as though the console and the television are speaking the same language, without unnecessary pauses or hesitations. The Dolby Vision Gaming mode is particularly noteworthy. In its predecessor, the X75WL model, using this feature was simply a pain – input lag could exceed 100 milliseconds, which effectively spoiled the enjoyment of gaming. In the Bravia 3, this issue has been completely eliminated.

In this category, the Bravia 5 deserves a commendable rating. The ideal readability of fonts thanks to the 4:4:4 chroma support makes working with a computer on this television a pure pleasure. Whether we are opening Excel, browsing documents, or just surfing the web – the text is sharp, clear, and devoid of that characteristic "haze" that can effectively detract from the enjoyment of use on many televisions. The letters look as they should: distinct, sharp, and readable even up close.

We also have good news for PC gamers. The Bravia 5 has no issues handling 120 Hz, working with both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards, supporting G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro technologies. The result is that the image is not only smooth but also free of tearing or micro-stuttering that can ruin the experience even in the best-optimised games. One can confidently connect a powerful computer and enjoy gaming on a large screen – without compromises, without frustration, and with complete comfort. The only thing we could criticise is the lack of additional modes for gamers with higher refresh rates.

The applied IPS matrix, combined with properly functioning support for chroma 4:4:4, ensures that the readability of fonts is at an excellent level. Letters appear sharp, regardless of the background colour or the content itself, so working with documents or browsing websites does not strain the eyes. In this role, the television easily deserves a very good, if not outstanding, rating, as there are not many models in this budget that perform as well. Of course, if we look at the Bravia 3 from a PC gamer’s perspective, the picture is not quite so rosy. We won't find G-SYNC or Free Sync frame synchronization with graphics cards, nor high refresh rates, so the television is not the best choice for fast-paced computer games. However, it performs excellently as a monitor for work, whether in a home office or a student room, and in this respect, it is truly hard to criticise.

Bravia 5 uses a classic VA panel, which means one thing – the viewing angles are not its strong point. For owners of smaller sizes, this will not be an issue, as sitting directly in front, the picture looks superb. However, with larger sizes, especially at 85 inches, the situation becomes less comfortable. It is enough to sit slightly off-centre on the sofa to notice minor imperfections: the picture begins to lose saturation, the contrast weakens, and black takes on unwanted greys. It is a pity that Sony did not choose to implement additional coatings, which in the case of VA panels can bring their performance closer to that of IPS panels. Such solutions exist, and some competitors make use of them. However, they are missing here, so one must consider that Bravia 5 best shows its advantages when viewed head-on.

Thanks to the use of an IPS matrix, colours do not lose intensity as quickly as in the case of screens based on VA panels. Even when watching television with a larger group, when some people sit at an angle, the image remains clear and does not appear washed out. Of course, it is not at the level offered by organic OLED matrices, where the image looks identical from almost any position, but for an LCD television, the viewing angles in the Bravia 3 are among the better ones. This provides a sense of comfort and freedom, especially in larger living rooms or during family viewings, where it is difficult for everyone to find a spot directly in front of the screen.

Bravia 5 is a piece of equipment that really performs well in challenging lighting conditions. The high brightness ensures that even in the middle of the day, with the curtains wide open and sunlight streaming through the windows, the picture remains clear and sharp. There is no impression that we are watching a 'washed-out' screen. The satin coating of the panel also plays a significant role, effectively suppressing light reflections. Indeed, some reflections do appear, but they are not strong enough to interfere with viewing. These are more like subtle glows that can be noticed when we consciously look for them, rather than a real everyday problem. As a result, the Bravia 5 is suitable not only for the evening in a dimly lit room but also in bright living rooms, where other televisions might falter. Therefore, it can be said that this is a 'universally light' model – it is suitable for both evening screenings and watching news or sports in full sunlight.

Bravia 3 performs quite decently in the face of daylight. The satin coating on the panel effectively reduces reflections, and the colours do not lose their intensity when stronger external light hits the screen. As a result, in typical home conditions, with blinds open or in a living room with a larger window, the image maintains its clarity. However, it must be remembered that this is not a high-brightness television. Bravia 3 has no chance of competing with brighter models, so in very sunny rooms, there are moments when the screen simply does not stand out against intense light. In normal conditions, it will cope without problems, but in more challenging scenarios, one should not expect miracles.

GoogleTV and SmartTV Features

Sony Bravia 5 operates on Google TV, and it must be acknowledged that this is one of the best-optimised systems from this brand. The interface runs smoothly, there are no irritating bugs or strange translations, and navigating through the menu doesn't feel like walking through a minefield. Admittedly, there are moments when it experiences a slight hiccup – as if the system has its "weaker moments" – but these are rare enough not to spoil the overall impression. We have full support for AirPlay, voice search with the help of Google AI assistant, and the ability to download practically any app that comes to mind. The only drawback in the tests turned out to be the screen mirroring function, which theoretically should work with laptops and phones, yet in practice proved to be nearly useless – on Windows and Android, stable image transmission could not be achieved.

Usability Features

From the perspective of classic features, Bravia 5 performs solidly and practically. A significant advantage is the presence of two remote controls – one is a sleek, modern smart remote, and the other, while operating via infrared, has a classic numerical keypad. This allows us to always choose which remote fits the situation better. The EPG, or electronic programme guide, is clear and allows you to programme recordings onto a USB drive – a solution that seems simple but is incredibly useful. Additionally, the television supports various device connections: from an amplifier or soundbar via HDMI eARC to headphones and other wireless accessories via Bluetooth. This is a setup that makes the television not just a screen but a well-thought-out home entertainment hub.

Smart TV Features

The biggest advantage of the Bravia 3 in everyday use is the presence of the Google TV system. Thanks to it, we have access to one of the largest libraries of apps and streaming services, so regardless of whether someone mainly uses Netflix, Disney+ or smaller platforms, everything is within reach. The Google voice assistant also worked very well, managing to respond to our commands quite "cleverly". In theory, the Google TV system should 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 is not as great as we might have hoped. During testing, we noticed slight stutters in the interface, and some functions, such as screen mirroring, simply refused to work. One might get the impression that the processor in this model sometimes struggles to handle the demanding system, and not everything works as smoothly as we would expect.

Classic Features

Even in the cheapest series, Sony can remind us of its experience with various users. The set includes two remote controls. The first is modern and minimalist, with a small number of buttons, which works excellently for using apps and Google TV functions. The second is a classic remote with a richer set of keys and a numeric keypad, which will be especially appreciated by older people accustomed to traditional solutions. This is a nice nod towards different user groups, and it must be acknowledged that Sony has solved this very practically. It's a pity, however, that the ability to record content from TV tuners to USB memory has disappeared compared to the X75WL model. The manufacturer has completely eliminated this function, so if someone was attached to it, they will unfortunately not find it in the Bravia 3.

Bravia 5 handles multimedia playback from USB quite efficiently. In practice, almost everything works – films, music, photos – although of course we encountered some minor issues. Some subtitles can cause problems, as can exotic photo formats, which were not always recognised correctly. However, this is standard in the world of televisions, and it's hard to take serious offence at it. A significant advantage is the fact that thanks to Android, we are not solely reliant on the system player. It's enough to install an external application, such as VLC, and all limitations disappear. This is the strength of this system – the manufacturer does not confine us to their ecosystem but allows freedom of choice.

Here Sony has really done a great job. The built-in player works quickly and doesn’t “complain” when launching various formats. We didn’t have to reach for external applications like VLC, as the television handled even files that can cause quite a few 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 complete sense of convenience. By plugging a film onto a USB drive or holiday photos onto an external hard drive, you can simply connect them and start watching on the big screen right away. No fuss, no installing additional software, no searching for workarounds. This is truly a rarity in televisions, and it must be admitted that in this aspect, the Bravia 3 really pleasantly surprised us.

Bravia 5 positively surprises in terms of audio. The sound is pleasant, with a slightly noticeable bass thanks to the proprietary Bass Reflex speakers. Overall, it plays loudly, clearly, and definitely above average for a television – 40 W of power in a 2.2 configuration is an impressive result in this class. The placement of the speakers on the sides of the casing also plays a significant role, making the sound spread throughout the room and providing a sense of space. However, one should not be overly optimistic. It is still not on the level of even the simplest soundbar. Bravia 5 performs excellently in everyday use, but for those who enjoy strong sound and a cinematic effect, additional audio equipment will be essential – as is the case with nine out of ten televisions available today on the market.

Bravia 3 plays in a rather flat manner, but makes up for it with loudness. It is perfectly suited for watching classic television, as the dialogues are clear and the mid tones are easily heard. This type of characteristic will be particularly appreciated by older users who primarily value speech intelligibility. However, if someone expects something more from the sound, like stronger bass or a wider soundstage, it is still worth reaching for a soundbar. The television supports modern codecs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so an external sound system can easily take advantage of their potential. This assures that with a relatively modest expense, one can achieve a much fuller and more engaging sound.

Sony BRAVIA 5 (XR5) vs SONY BRAVIA 3

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

Daytime performance

Panel details

TV features

Classic features:

Smart features:

GoogleTV and SmartTV Features

Usability Features

Smart TV Features

Classic Features

Apps

Playing files from USB

Sound

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements