- Matching (Score) |
- Our verdict |
- Competing TVs |
- 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 |
- TV features |
- Apps |
- Playing files from USB |
- Sound |
- Panel details
Sony Bravia 8 MK2 Review
Bravia 8 II / XR8M
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Panel type: QD-OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz Brand: SONY Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
This review is an English translation of the Polish original. Read the original on Wybierz.tv.
When Sony released the model A95L in 2023, it was hailed in the TV world as an almost perfect design, a set that managed to combine cinema-quality picture with modern features. So it was no surprise that expectations for its successor were huge. The Sony Bravia 8 II (Mk2) is the direct heir to that legend, set to take the crown left by its older cousin. The manufacturer has gone for a next-generation 120 Hz QD-OLED panel, its proprietary XR image processor and refined features for gamers and cinephiles. From the very first moments it is clear that this is not merely a cosmetic update but an attempt to maintain its position at the forefront of the best TVs of 2025. How does the new Sony Bravia 8 II perform? Welcome to our review!
SONY Bravia 8 II - Our verdict
8.5
Overall rating
The Sony Bravia 8 II is undoubtedly a worthy successor to the A95L – refined, extremely versatile and with several clear improvements over its predecessor. Picture quality, sound and overall user experience place this model among the very best premium TVs of 2025. It's a set that can charm both movie buffs and demanding gamers. Its biggest strengths include an almost perfect image, where the XR processor subtly but effectively enhances detail and motion without overprocessing the source material. There's also the phenomenal Acoustic Surface sound, which makes dialogue and effects appear to come directly from the screen. Google TV runs very smoothly, offering a huge selection of apps, and additional features such as cloud gaming via PlayStation or access to Bravia Core increase the device's value. It also offers low input lag, variable refresh rate and full support for modern HDR formats.
That said, this barrel of honey contains a few spoonfuls of tar. No refresh rate above 120 Hz, only two HDMI 2.1 ports and average performance in daylight are shortcomings that a TV of this class should not have in 2025. While for many these will not be deal breakers, the super premium segment is becoming increasingly fierce and uncompromising. Will these flaws make it harder for the Bravia 8 II to win over buyers? We’ll leave that to your judgement, the market… and the sales figures. Regardless, the Bravia 8 II is a phenomenal product that's very hard not to recommend.
Advantages
Incredible contrast and black levels
High brightness for HDR content
Excellent motion clarity: QD-OLED panel, 120 Hz
Many gaming features: VRR, ALLM, HGIG, GameBar
Top-tier digital image processing (XR Processor)
A wealth of apps on Google TV
Two remotes included
Phenomenal sound with support for DTS and Dolby Atmos
Disadvantages
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports: one of them is used for eARC (soundbar)
Cherry-black effect in bright light: the QD-OLED panel causes blacks to lose depth in strong light
Average brightness in SDR mode (competitors at this price can do considerably more)
No additional motion-smoothing modes for PC gamers
Movies and series in UHD quality9.1
Classic TV, YouTube9.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)9.0
Gaming on console9.3
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.6
Utility functions8.9
Apps9.6
Sound quality8.5
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SONY Bravia 8 II - Competing TVs in this price range
SONY Bravia 8 II - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Premium
Stand type: Legs
Bezel color: Graphite
Stand: Height adjustment
Flat design: Yes
Accessories: Two remote controls, Stand
The Sony Bravia 8 II gives the impression of a premium device at first glance, and it’s clear that stylistically it harks back to the legend that was the A95L. The chassis may not be as extremely slim as rivals such as the Samsung S95F or LG G5, but there is a practical reason for that: according to the manufacturer, the extra thickness conceals a cooling panel that is intended to improve the panel’s durability and performance. The design itself stays true to what Sony has accustomed us to over the years — elegant, minimalist and unfussy. The package includes solid, stylish legs which can no longer be mounted centrally (as on the predecessor), but fortunately height adjustment has been retained to accommodate a soundbar. The only point that might draw criticism is the rear casing, which is made of plastic. Sony explains, however, that it serves a specific structural purpose. Despite this, the Bravia 8 II is a TV that will appeal and look great in a modern living room.
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SONY Bravia 8 II - Contrast and black detail
10/10
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
In terms of black levels and contrast the Sony Bravia 8 II is absolute top tier — in every sense of the word. It uses a QD-OLED panel, which naturally offers near-infinite contrast. That means each pixel can switch off completely, so dark areas of the image are truly black, not dark grey or navy. The effect is especially striking in cinema-like conditions when the room lights are dimmed — the picture gains real depth and a cinematic feel. The Bravia 8 II also impresses with its separation of highlights in difficult scenes. Test footage from films like Oblivion shows how precisely the TV can isolate small light sources from the surrounding darkness, without any halo or blooming that still occurs on the best LCD TVs (even the Bravia 9). Add to that the fact that bright elements retain full intensity even against absolute black. This not only makes a huge visual impact but also translates into better detail reproduction in high-contrast scenes, which is particularly important for HDR content.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
SONY Bravia 8 II - HDR effect quality
8.4/10
Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 99.9%, Bt.2020: 89.3%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
1922 nit
Result
2034 nit
Result
1999 nit
Result
2026 nit
Result
770 nit
Thanks to its new QD-OLED panel, the Sony Bravia 8 II can achieve an astronomically high brightness of around 2000 nits, which translates into almost reference-quality performance in films and series mastered in HDR. In test material such as Life of Pi or Sicario 2 the effect is genuinely impressive: details in bright areas remain perfectly visible and night scenes charm with depth and contrast. It is not, however, perfect. Compared with its toughest rivals, the Bravia 8 II shows a noticeable drop in brightness on full-screen, very bright frames. If you compare peak point luminance with 100% white in HDR mode, the Bravia 8 II can appear two or three times darker than models such as the LG G5 or Samsung S95F. In a scene from The Meg this was particularly obvious, with the screen becoming noticeably dimmer than competing TVs. Despite this shortcoming, the Bravia 8 II still ranks among the market leaders. Its absolutely top-tier colour gamut coverage is praiseworthy: DCI‑P3 at almost 100% and BT.2020 close to 90%. These are the specifications that allow HDR content to be fully realised and deliver cinema-like experiences at home.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Tests and numbers are one thing, but the true value only becomes apparent when compared with the best TVs currently on the market. And this is where the greatest strength of the Sony Bravia 8 II lies. Thanks to its superb out-of-the-box dynamic tone mapping, the TV can reproduce almost every film scene in near-reference fashion — both those mastered for around 1000 nits and the demanding ones created for top-tier displays reaching 4000 nits. There are slight losses of brightness in the very brightest parts of the image, but it is hard to regard that as a significant drawback. The Bravia 8 II is built for cinematic perfection, and you don't just see it; you can feel it during a viewing.
HDR luminance chart:
If anyone thinks that dynamic tone mapping on its own isn't enough, don't worry, most modern film productions are delivered in formats with dynamic metadata. On the Sony Bravia 8 II this is Dolby Vision, which can fully exploit the potential of the QD-OLED panel. As shown in the comparison image, dynamic metadata makes a huge difference, especially in the most challenging bright scenes, where the TV reveals its full capabilities and preserves details that no display on the market without them can.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
8/10
Straight out of the box the Bravia 8 II performs really well. In its best IMAX® Enhanced mode the TV can reproduce colours in a pleasant, natural way, although "good" here does not mean "best in class". The white balance definitely needs adjustment, as skin tones tend to shift slightly towards pinkish/cool hues in both SDR and HDR content. We also noticed that the EOTF curve tends to brighten the darkest parts of the image. This is likely the manufacturer's attempt to reveal as much detail as possible even in deep shadows. Is that a good approach? It's hard to say definitively, but one thing is clear: it is not an ideal solution.
Color reproduction after calibration
9.2/10
After calibration we mainly managed to eliminate the excessive cooling of the image caused by an overly strong boost to the blue channel. Reds became deeper and skin tones acquired a natural, healthy look. Actors who previously seemed 'cold' now appear much more lively and convincing on screen. One thing has not changed, however: analysis of the EOTF curve still shows that the Bravia 8 II tends to brighten the darkest parts of the image. It is hard to say whether this is an intentional move by the manufacturer or a result of the panel design and software. In practice this means scenes that creators intended to remain in deep shadow can reveal more detail than intended. Despite that, image quality after calibration is clearly better, and the warm, natural colours and realistic skin tones simply make watching on the Bravia 8 II more pleasing to the eye.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.5/10
The smoothness of tonal transitions in the Sony Bravia 8 II can be described as very good, although there is a clear distinction between bright and dark material. In high-luminance scenes the TV performs exceptionally well, gradation is smooth, free from visible banding or artefacts, and subtle colour transitions remain fully coherent. This is especially noticeable in HDR material, where bright skies or well-lit shots look almost perfect; here it could easily score 9.5/10.
The situation is a little different in darker sequences. In night scenes or heavily shaded areas, especially in test footage, you can notice slight issues with the smoothness of gradation, transitions become less subtle. Although this is not at a level that spoils the viewing experience, a more discerning eye will pick up the difference, especially compared with the very top models on the market. In this category the rating tends to hover around 7.5/10.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
8.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
Upscaling and digital image processing are a real showcase of the Bravia 8 II's capabilities. Sony has long been regarded as a master in this field, and this only confirms that reputation. Sony's proprietary XR processor can pull almost all the detail out of lower-resolution sources, whether it's television or an old DVD movie the picture looks sharper, with more detail and greater depth. Of course, if you feed it exceptionally poor-quality material (such as our archival photo of the Model), it won't work miracles, but for everyday viewing there's little to complain about.
The gentle gradation function also performs excellently. On the 'Medium' setting it effectively smooths tonal transitions, eliminating banding in colour and grey gradients while not destroying film grain or fine image details. It is precisely this balance between subtlety and effectiveness that keeps Sony's TVs among the best on the market in this category.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Blur and motion smoothness
8.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 120Hz
Brightness drop with BFI: 49%
Motion smoothness is, in the case of the Bravia 8 II, practically a closed matter. A 120 Hz OLED naturally delivers a very clean, sharp picture in fast-moving scenes, so there's little to complain about. Particular praise, however, is due to its motion-smoothing systems, which are among the best on the market. They let you precisely tailor the motion of films to your own preferences, ranging from subtle smoothing to an almost "theatrical" effect, without the risk of artificial judder, image tearing or annoying artefacts. It's one of those features you'll appreciate both during film screenings and when watching sport.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Blur (MotionFlow 120Hz):
Motion blur on the Bravia 8 II is virtually non-existent, which is a natural advantage of OLED panels that have almost zero pixel-to-pixel response time. Every movement is sharp and free of trailing, even in the most dynamic scenes. Interestingly, it includes a BFI function (labelled in the menu as 'Clarity'), set to 'Low' by default. Switching it to 'High' produced no improvement at either 60 or 120 Hz; instead the image began to flicker slightly and lost a considerable amount of brightness. It's more of an option for experimenters than for everyday use.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Console compatibility and gaming features
9.4/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 120Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
1440p@120Hz:
No - 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
SONY Bravia 8 II - Input lag
9.8/10
Input lag in the Bravia 8 II is a strong point that every gamer will appreciate. With 120 Hz content, latency is around 10 ms, which places this TV at the top of its class, the response is almost instantaneous and control in fast-paced games remains fully predictable. At 60 Hz the latency naturally doubles, but it still stays at a level that can be described as exemplary. Importantly, Sony has handled Dolby Vision in games very well, and it works here exceptionally smoothly and quickly. This is a big change compared with previous years, when Dolby Vision Gaming on this brand's TVs could cause additional delays or minor stuttering. Now it is clear that the manufacturer has refined this aspect to perfection.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 19 ms | 2160p60: 18 ms | 2160p60 DV: 19 ms |
| 1080p120: 10 ms | 2160p120: 9 ms | 2160p120 DV: 10 ms |
| 2160p60: 19 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 10 ms |
SONY Bravia 8 II - Compatibility with PC
7.6/10
Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate): 10ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB
Max refresh rate: 120Hz
G-Sync: Yes
Compared with last year's A95L, the Bravia 8 II has taken a big step forward when it comes to working with PCs. Chroma 4:4:4 is handled flawlessly, so both ordinary and very small text remains sharp and clear. That means working with documents, spreadsheets or even editing photos does not strain your eyes or require fiddling with settings.
There is, however, a certain sense of disappointment. In a TV of this class you might expect an additional gaming mode with a refresh rate above 120 Hz. After all, in the price segment this model occupies (and even in lower ones), 165 Hz and even 240 Hz are becoming increasingly common. That option is absent here, which for some PC enthusiasts may be a slight letdown. Fortunately, thanks to low input lag and G-Sync support, the Bravia 8 II still manages to pull you into PC gaming without any feeling of delay or judder. It's a piece of kit that performs well not only in the living room but also on a gamer's desk.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Viewing angles
9.8/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 11%
In this respect the Bravia 8 II is at the very top of the market. Thanks to its QD-OLED panel, the TV retains full colour depth and high contrast even when viewed from a wide angle. This is a clear advantage over models based on WOLED panels, which can lose a little saturation and detail when the viewer is at a more extreme angle. Like its rival, the Samsung S95F, the Bravia 8 II performs almost flawlessly in this area; whether you watch a film from the sofa, the armchair beside it or standing in the corner of the room, the picture remains true to the original.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Daytime performance
5.6/10
Panel finish: Glare
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Average
For a TV of this class we expected a better result. An average SDR brightness of around 400 nits is definitely too low to talk about excellent visibility in a sunlit living room. In very demanding lighting conditions we'll have to pull the blinds or move the TV to another spot. As with every QD-OLED panel, blacks during the day are not perfectly black, taking on a slight cherry tint. Fortunately, this technology also has advantages over WOLED panels, as it suppresses reflections much more effectively, making direct light reflections less bothersome. Despite this advantage, overall the Bravia 8 II's performance in a bright room should be judged as average, especially given the high-end class this model belongs to.
Panel brightness
Sony Bravia 8 MK2: 419 cd/m2
SONY Bravia 8 II - TV features
8.9/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Good
- HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
- Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
- Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
- TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Classic features:
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): Yes
- Recording programming: Yes
- Picture in Picture (PiP): No
- RF remote control (no need to aim): RF
- Backlit remote control: No
- Teletext: Yes
- Audio only mode: Yes
- Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
- Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Voice search: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
SONY Bravia 8 II: TV features
The Bravia 8 II has a lot to offer for people who use the TV in a traditional way. The set includes two remote controls: one modern, minimalist 'smart' remote and a second, traditional numeric remote designed for those who simply treat the TV... like a TV 😉. Sony also allows scheduling and recording TV programmes to external storage, for example a USB stick. Things like the EPG or teletext are not even worth mentioning — they're obvious.
SONY Bravia 8 II: Google TV
When it comes to smart features, the biggest advantage is the Google TV system, which, in our view, Sony has refined better than any other manufacturer on the market. Although the system itself can be demanding in terms of hardware, it runs very smoothly on the Bravia 8 II. Google TV also offers a huge selection of apps, which is another strong point. There are also exclusive features you won't find with competitors, such as the ability to play remotely on your own PlayStation console and access to the Bravia Core private film library, available exclusively on Sony TVs. In short, the full package of possibilities.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: Yes
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: Yes
- DTS-HD Master Audio: Yes
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
- Font size adjustment: No
- Audio description: Yes
SONY Bravia 8 II - Apps
9.6/10
SONY Bravia 8 II - Playing files from USB
8.9/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
The Bravia 8 II handles media playback very well, and the built-in player will open practically everything you would expect. Admittedly there are a few formats it doesn’t support, but that isn’t a major problem. The biggest advantage is that, thanks to Google TV, we’re not limited to the default player. At any time we can install an alternative app that will cope with files Sony’s built-in software struggles with. This makes the TV a universal multimedia hub, ready to handle almost any format.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Sound
8.5/10
86dB
Maximum volume
Supported codecs (TV speakers)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
In terms of sound the Bravia 8 II is absolutely top in the world of televisions. Sony once again proves that their Acoustic Surface technology is not a marketing gimmick but a genuine asset, with speakers hidden behind the screen turning the whole panel into a diaphragm. The soundstage is wide, dialogue sounds exceptionally clear, and the sound follows the action on screen precisely. It’s one of the few televisions where you can genuinely do without an additional soundbar (of course, a basic one). Furthermore, Sony hasn’t forgotten formats that competitors are gradually dropping; full DTS support is a nod to cinephiles who want to get the most from films and series recorded on physical media.
Sound Quality Test:
Acoustic Measurements
86dBC (Max)
75dBC
SONY Bravia 8 II - Panel details
Software version during testing: 112.632.050.1EUA
Image processor: MT5897 6GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Founder and originator of the "ChooseTV" portal
Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
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