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.
Samsung The Frame LS03D (2024) is not an ordinary television that you can place in the corner and forget after two days. Here, it is immediately evident that the manufacturer has focused on something more than just playing films. First, the “Art” mode captures attention – with just a few clicks, we can turn The Frame into a digital gallery, displaying works that, in combination with the matte screen, truly resemble a real framed painting. And speaking of the frame, we have the option to customise its colour to perfectly match our interior. Additionally, the package includes a wall mount, allowing the television to hang almost “flush”, which further enhances the impression of engaging with an image rather than a typical screen. The matte screen provides excellent protection against reflections, which together with high brightness (650 cd/m²) works well in bright sunlight. Furthermore, we have a VA panel with quite decent contrast and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, so when watching sports or playing dynamic titles, everything appears smooth and pleasant to the eye. If we also add a gaming features package – VRR, ALLM and HGiG – it’s clear that Samsung has also considered console and PC enthusiasts. As a result, Samsung The Frame can be both a picturesque decoration for the living room and a reasonably effective gaming monitor. The mentioned One Connect is another useful gadget – it allows us to hide all the cables in one place, with a thin wire connecting the television to this magical box. If we like order, this solution is made for us. Another advantage is the Tizen system – easy to use, fast, and full of applications. We may not find absolutely everything in it (e.g. the Tidal app), but it still provides a wide range for exploring various streaming platforms. Of course, there’s no rose without thorns. The lack of local dimming is noticeable in dark scenes, where blacks become less pronounced. We also need to remember that there is only one HDMI 2.1 port here, so if we want to connect more devices at 4K and 120 Hz, we may feel limited. Additionally, the viewing angles are rather average, so it’s better for the most important viewer (that is us) to sit directly in front of the television. For fans of Dolby Vision, this will also not be an ideal choice, as The Frame LS03D only supports HDR10 and HDR10+. Furthermore, the sound – as with most slim televisions – is mediocre, so it’s worth considering a soundbar if we care about clearer bass and a bit deeper sound. Despite these weaker points, The Frame still makes a great impression. It is striking, stylish, and versatile – perfect for watching the latest hits as well as displaying reproductions of paintings on the wall. If we value an unusual appearance, high brightness, and at the same time want to play with low input lag, this model will be a perfect choice. And although it is not a leader in terms of value for money nor a technological “monster” in terms of picture quality, it has something that simply makes it likable. It is a device that stands out with its unique character and can blend into any interior, attracting attention both in television mode and as a digital art gallery.