Bravia 8 XR80 is the only Sony OLED model from the 2024 production that will certainly attract the attention of image quality enthusiasts. The television offers excellent picture quality with the characteristic deep blacks of OLED, vibrant colours, and infinite contrast. This makes every scene incredibly realistic. Thanks to OLED technology, dark scenes look perfect, and the reproduction of black and bright elements stand out with great detail. This creates an amazing effect - a cinematic experience. While watching sports or action-packed films, we particularly appreciated the fluidity of the image. The 120 Hz panel performs excellently – no issues with blur, even in the most dynamic moments. This is a television that truly excels in situations where fast action and vivid details are important. The Google TV system is another strong point of Bravia 8. The interface is simple, clear, and easy to navigate. We had no trouble finding all the popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video. The USB-C rechargeable remote is a nice addition – it fits well in the hand, and the backlighting proved invaluable during evening use of the television. Of course, not everything was perfect. The SDR brightness of 330 nits is a result that does not impress, especially in well-lit rooms. This model definitely performs better during the evenings in darker conditions. We also noticed that the colour gradation is slightly worse than in previous Sony models - this is a very strange move because, after all, they have always been known for their superb digital processing. Another limitation is that there are only two HDMI 2.1 ports (including eARC) – with a larger number of devices, such as two consoles and a soundbar, it becomes problematic. Despite these minor downsides, Bravia 8 XR80 is a great television that is suitable for both everyday use and evening screenings. Excellent picture quality, motion fluidity, and an intuitive Google TV system make for a combination that makes a difference. If we are looking for a decent OLED in 2024, this model is definitely worth considering.
The Philips OLED909 is certainly an engineering showcase from the Dutch manufacturer for 2024. When it comes to picture quality, the television delivers what one can expect from OLED technology – deep blacks and infinite contrast. Additionally, it is equipped with META technology (MLA micro-lenses), which significantly enhances its brightness and further improves the already excellent viewing angles of organic matrix televisions. As a result, HDR effects look phenomenal, and the TV will satisfy most users looking for great picture quality in this class of devices. In terms of motion fluidity, the OLED909 does not disappoint either. The 144 Hz panel, combined with a full set of gaming features such as HDMI 2.1, ALLM, and VRR, makes it the perfect choice for gaming enthusiasts. Both dynamic shooters and spectacular racing games will look smooth and responsive. Regarding usability, the television features the Google TV operating system, just like the OLED809 model. This solution is significantly better than TitanOS, which is found in the lowest series OLED 769 from the Dutch manufacturer. It provides access to a vast number of applications, easy navigation, and support for voice assistants. Additionally, there is a four-sided Ambilight system that adds magic to every movie night, creating a unique atmosphere. However, it is not a device without flaws. The biggest issue regarding the picture is the average fluidity of tonal transitions – colour banding is visible in subtle gradients, which may disturb more discerning viewers. In the context of PC compatibility, although it is phenomenal hardware for gamers, it may not be the best choice for text or graphic work, due to the lack of 4:4:4 chroma support. In terms of usability, it is worth mentioning a few disappointments. We really liked the remote control in this model – it is well designed, and the backlit numeric keypad is a great addition, especially when using the television in the evening. Unfortunately, it mainly operates on infrared, so we found ourselves getting annoyed a few times when we had to aim precisely at the screen. This is a bit strange, considering that in this price range we expected more modern solutions. The lack of recording features or picture-in-picture (PiP) also surprised us – these are functions that are often standard in this segment. Despite these flaws, the Philips OLED909 is a television that impresses with its picture quality, gaming features, and unique additions like Ambilight. The biggest question one has to ask is: is it worth it? It is great hardware, but its high price raises the question of whether it is the best choice in terms of price to quality ratio.