Katarzyna Petru
Sony surprised the industry in a rather unconventional way. Without a conference, without a post on social media, and even without a press release — a new Sony Bravia 8A OLED television quietly appeared online. The problem is that this "cheaper" variant of the older model… costs more.
What exactly is Bravia 8A?
The Sony Bravia 8A model is not a new construction, but rather a stripped-down version of last year's Bravia 8 OLED. As established by the WhatHiFi service, both televisions offer identical picture quality – the same processor, WOLED panel from LG Display, and XR OLED Contrast Pro technology.
Differences? Just two:
Bravia 8A has a standard remote, without backlighting (the Bravia 8 came with a premium remote).
The user receives only 5 credits and 12 months of free access to Sony Pictures Core, which is Sony's VOD platform.
In comparison, the standard Bravia 8 offers 12 credits and 24 months.
Prices and Differences Between Models
Despite its more modest equipment, the new Bravia 8A is more expensive than the Bravia 8. Sony explains that "this is a new model" – although it's hard to believe that, since the specifications are practically identical.
Size | Model | USD | EUR | GBP | AUD | PLN* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
55” | Sony Bravia 8A | $2,180 | €2,070 | £1,799 | A$3,390 | ≈9,300 zł |
55” | Sony Bravia 8 | $1,820 | €1,720 | £1,499 | A$2,820 | ≈7,800 zł |
65” | Sony Bravia 8A | $2,910 | €2,780 | £2,399 | A$4,540 | ≈12,400 zł |
65” | Sony Bravia 8 | $2,430 | €2,300 | £1,999 | A$3,780 | ≈10,400 zł |
77” | Sony Bravia 8A | $4,060 | €3,880 | £3,339 | A$6,380 | ≈17,300 zł |
77” | Sony Bravia 8 | $3,530 | €3,340 | £2,899 | A$5,540 | ≈15,000 zł |
*Converted according to average exchange rates: 1 GBP = 5.18 PLN, 1 GBP = 1.21 USD, 1 GBP = 1.15 EUR, 1 GBP = 1.88 AUD.
It is difficult not to recognize this release as quite curious. The Bravia 8A offers less and costs more. Sony explains that the prices are "temporary" and will decrease over time — then the 8A model could indeed be a sensible alternative. However, at this moment there is no reason to buy the Bravia 8A instead of the Bravia 8.
Don't confuse with Bravia 8 II
It is worth adding that Bravia 8A has nothing to do with the latest model Sony Bravia 8 II OLED (2025), which uses a QD-OLED panel and XR Triluminos Max technology. This newer variant is about 50% brighter and offers a significantly wider color palette.
Bravia 8 II won the title of “Best TV of 2025” in the HDTVTest test, beating models such as Samsung S95F, LG G5, and Panasonic Z95B.
We also invite you to watch the blind test where we compare the Sony Bravia 8 II with other flagship models and check which one really displays the best picture without the manufacturer's logo.
See also the full review of Sony Bravia 8 II, where we discuss in detail the differences between QD-OLED and WOLED panels, real brightness in HDR, and new features of the XR 2025 processor.
Summary
Sony Bravia 8A is an interesting case — new, yet old. If the manufacturer actually lowers the prices, it might be a sensible option for those who want a Sony OLED at a lower price. But for now, the better choice remains the original Bravia 8 – with a better remote, a longer subscription, and a lower price.
