Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) vs Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Direct comparison

BRAVIA 3 / K-(XX)S3

Info

Available screen sizes: 50”

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

6.2

5.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.3

    4.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.3

    4.1

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.4

    4.1

  • Gaming on console

    6.6

    5.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    3.5

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    5.4

    4.0

  • Utility functions

    6.1

    5.1

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.5

    6.0

Advantages

  • Significantly better contrast and deeper blacks than the IPS variant

  • Higher screen brightness, which improves viewing comfort during the day

  • More uniform panel, fewer issues with vignetting and lightening

  • Smooth tonal transitions, especially in bright scenes

  • Wide color gamut coverage (over 91% DCI-P3)

  • Effective upscaling of lower quality materials

  • Dolby Vision support, which partially enhances the experience of HDR content

  • Google TV system with a large app library

  • Two remotes included – classic and minimalist

  • Google TV system: a gigantic library of apps

  • Relatively low input lag

  • Good viewing angles: thanks to the IPS panel

  • PC compatibility: exemplary font readability (Chroma 4:4:4)

  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz at Full HD resolution

  • Presence of a classic mini-jack output

  • Quite pleasant sound: clear and loud above the "budget" standard

Disadvantages

No like
  • A lot worse viewing angles than in the version with the IPS panel

  • Collaboration with PC clearly weaker: worse font readability and visible dithering

  • Occasional system freezes on Google TV

  • Missing USB recording feature

  • Very weak black levels and contrast

  • HDR: low brightness (250 nits) and lack of real effect

  • System fluidity: sluggish performance and "numb" remote

  • Motion: complete lack of digital smoothers in the menu

  • Image processing: noticeable overscan and motion artifacts

Our verdict

Sony Bravia 3 in the VA panel variant is a television that remains the same budget model in character, but the change in panel type makes watching movies and series much more enjoyable. Higher contrast and deeper blacks finally allow for viewing in the evening without the impression that the screen is drowning in shades of gray. This is a significant advantage over the IPS version, even if it comes at the cost of much worse viewing angles. In practice, this comes down to a choice – if we watch mainly from a couch positioned directly in front, the VA panel gives a decidedly better effect. The rest of the image remains largely the same. The PFS filter still provides pleasantly saturated colors, and the upscaling is at a good level, ensuring that SDR content looks clean and aesthetic. The Google TV system, although it doesn’t always work perfectly smoothly, remains a huge asset – access to a broad library of applications and streaming platforms is something that competitors in this price range don’t always offer in such a refined form. At the same time, the Bravia 3 with VA does not solve all the issues of its predecessor. HDR brightness at around 350 nits still does not allow for a true high dynamic effect, and the lack of local dimming means that fine details can still be blown out. Additionally, there’s no USB recording, which was present in the predecessor. So, who is the Bravia 3 in the VA version for? For those who want to enter the world of Sony televisions at a lower cost and care about decent quality in films and series, primarily watching lower-quality content. It is not a proposition for gamers or for someone expecting cinematic HDR effects. As with the IPS version, it’s hard to talk about a bargain – even if it is the "cheapest Sony of 2025," it is still more expensive than competitors who can offer Mini-LEDs with significantly better contrast and brightness at the same price. Therefore, it is worth considering this model primarily when we come across an attractive promotion.

Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a textbook example of a very inexpensive television that primarily has two huge advantages: the Google TV system and an extremely low price. It is these two elements that make it an enticing option for many people. During testing, we also found other fantastic uses for it, such as working with a computer. Thanks to the exemplary readability of fonts and good viewing angles of the IPS panel, Blaupunkt surprisingly performs well as a budget monitor. However, one must be aware that this is a typical budget device, and this cost-saving is evident in the image quality. The panel is simply dark, making it difficult to perform in challenging lighting conditions, not to mention creating any real HDR effect. Additionally, despite good viewing angles, the blacks on this model leave much to be desired – in the evening, they will be more dark gray, which is a typical characteristic of the IPS technology used here. Looking through the lens of price, this is a device intended to compete in the market not on image quality but rather on the amount on the receipt. Blaupunkt UGC5500S will find its place perfectly as an additional television in the home, equipment for the cottage, or in a less important room where the image is simply needed, and we want to enjoy all the benefits and applications that Google TV offers.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Good
Average
Stand type
stand-type-
Legs
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Base adjustment
Fixed
Accessories
Two remote controls, Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

5.7/10

2.2/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,550:1

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,250:1

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,050:1

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,150:1

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

4,000:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,000:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,050:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

The biggest difference in the 50-inch variant is the way Bravia 3 handles contrast. Although the television is not equipped with a local dimming system, simply changing the type of panel to VA provides a noticeable effect. The contrast is definitely higher than in the other sizes based on IPS panels, and the blacks no longer resemble washed-out shades of gray or navy. As a result, much more detail is visible in darker parts of the image, making evening viewing simply more enjoyable. It's still not at the level of more expensive Sony models, but the difference compared to the other variants of Bravia 3 is clear and easily noticeable after a short viewing session.

To put it bluntly: the black levels are simply very poor. Our measurements on test screens only confirmed what we could see with the naked eye – a result around 1000:1 is, in today's standards, even in this price range, a disappointing result. In cinematic conditions, this "black" simply does not exist. To back up our claims, we fired up one of our favorite test scenes – the helicopter flyover in "Sicario 2" (you can actually see it in the video we posted below). Instead of a pitch-black, deep night, we got an image that is... navy blue. Everything that should be dark and mysterious on screen, in reality, shines dark blue. This is the price we pay for using an IPS panel. On one hand, we get quite decent viewing angles, so if you're watching TV with the whole family from different angles, the image doesn't lose much saturation. On the other hand, if you plan to have evening screenings with the lights off, this lack of contrast will hit you in the eyes from the very first minute.

HDR effect quality

4.9/10

3.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 91.9%, Bt.2020: 67.3%
DCI P3: 81.8%, Bt.2020: 60.3%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

319 nit

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

360 nit

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

393 nit

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

365 nit

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

395 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

232 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

245 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

255 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

238 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

252 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Static HDR10

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

HDR luminance chart:

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA)

Interestingly, in the 50-inch version, the Bravia 3 performs slightly better in terms of brightness than its larger variants. In measurements, it achieved around 370 nits, which still aren't values that can compete with top-end televisions, but enough to speak of a semblance of HDR effect. For some users, this level will be acceptable, while others will view it as typical for SDR content, where spectacular bursts or strong contrasts are not expected. It must be clearly stated that the Bravia 3 is not a television for those who want to extract maximum quality from the most challenging film materials.

However, this does not mean that everything is mediocre. Sony equipped this model with an additional PFS filter, which works similarly to solutions used in QLED televisions. As a result, the coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette increased to over 91 percent. In everyday use, this means livelier, more saturated colors and a more pleasing image texture. Even if strong lighting effects are lacking, movies and series can look significantly more attractive than in its predecessor, the X75WL.

Here, we won't beat around the bush either – if you're looking for a TV strictly for cinematic HDR experiences, you've come to the wrong address. The Blaupunkt UGC5500S unfortunately is not a machine designed for such challenges. This is primarily due to its very low brightness, which we measured during our tests. A result of around 250 nits on film screens speaks for itself. It's simply too little to even talk about any real HDR effect. To be honest, everything displayed here in this format can best be considered a slightly "boosted" SDR mode. We expected this because practically every device in this price range fails in this regard, but we feel obligated to warn you. Manufacturers love to boast about HDR compatibility stickers on the boxes, but in reality, this format simply doesn't exist here – it lacks the "fuel" of brightness.

The situation is made all the more difficult for Blaupunkt because we have a panel with a very basic DCI-P3 color gamut coverage of just around 80%. You won't find any advanced coatings that enhance these capabilities (like quantum dots), making scenes that are supposed to burst with richly saturated colors appear simply desaturated on this screen. Therefore, we have a concrete piece of advice for you: do not push the HDR mode on this model. If you have the option in the streaming app settings – just turn it off. Sticking with the classic SDR mode will ensure that the TV won't try to "enhance" something that it can't handle hardware-wise.

Factory color reproduction

5.8/10

4.8/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

We primarily tested the Sony Bravia 3 in movie mode, which immediately proved to be the best choice among the factory settings. It's not a perfect picture, but compared to eco mode, which the TV suggests right out of the box, the difference is clear and positive. In movie mode, one can notice a certain problem: the picture seems too warm, which results from a lack of blue 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 appear in HDR materials. The Color Checker analysis showed significant deviations, and poor brightness management, combined with limited color gamut coverage, further exposes the shortcomings of the picture in this mode. All this makes HDR on the Bravia 3 look unconvincing and can spoil the impression left by the quite decent SDR content settings. Fortunately, this is not a hopeless situation. All sorts of errors can be somewhat mitigated, and some can even be completely corrected through professional calibration. That’s why we decided to see how the TV would perform after such adjustments.

We also took a close look at how Blaupunkt handles colors in movie mode, and here the situation is, to put it briefly, twofold. We must clearly separate what we see in the standard SDR format from what happens when HDR is turned on, as these are two completely different worlds. Let’s start with the better side of the coin. If you plan to watch classic television, YouTube, or older movies on this TV, you can count on really well-tuned colors. In our test sample, the white balance in movie mode was exceptionally accurate, which honestly surprised us. Of course, to not make it too rosy, we noticed some flaws. Looking at the gamma charts, we observed that the processor struggles with properly dimming the image in its brightest parts. Additionally, there is quite strong, at times too aggressive, red saturation, which resulted in noticeable errors in reproducing certain shades. Nevertheless, in general terms, the image in SDR is simply solid and watchable without a grimace on your face. Unfortunately, the magic fades when we re-enter the world of HDR. Here, Blaupunkt behaves as if we suddenly switched it to store mode, and in its worst form. The excess blue in the white balance is so overwhelming that it literally clashes with the eyes, ruining any realism of the scene. Furthermore, the TV interprets brightness very loosely, which, when analyzing the EOTF curve, clearly showed that for most of the time the colors appear simply washed out and lacking depth. This is, by the way, perfectly visible in the color errors that become evident in this mode. Once again, we are left with the same conclusion: Blaupunkt in SDR mode looks significantly better and more natural than in HDR, which feels forced and not properly refined.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.5/10

6.4/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The calibration allowed us to extract significantly more from the Bravia 3 than we could have expected at the beginning. Most importantly, we managed to address the deficiency of blue, which previously caused a noticeable warming of the image. After a slight adjustment in the white balance, most of the errors in the Color Checker measurements for SDR content practically disappeared. The shades of white gained naturalness, and the brightness management in gamma stabilized to a level nearly ideal, not exceeding the threshold of human eye perception. One can therefore confidently say that in SDR content, after a few adjustments in settings, the Bravia 3 performs really impressively. Much worse, though still definitely better than before calibration, is its performance with HDR content. The white balance has been brought under control, but the limitations of the IPS panel are insurmountable. The lack of local dimming means that even the smallest elements can be overexposed, which is immediately noticeable. Color-wise, the effect is also improved, although far from perfect – many errors still exceed four, or even five delta E units, meaning they remain visible to the human eye. It was already clear 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 great, and in this category, the television surprised us positively.

It may sound like a joke – pulling out professional measurement equipment for a television costing around a thousand zlotys / 250 dollars – but we wouldn't be ourselves if we didn't check it out. The question is: does such cheap equipment give us any room for calibration? To your surprise, the answer is yes, and absolutely so. In the Blaupunkt UGC5500S menu, we found surprisingly many options that allowed us to really work on the picture. These are not just empty sliders; they are concrete tools that enabled us to make use of our measurement sensors and software. In SDR mode, the effects were noticeable to the naked eye. We successfully eliminated the issue we mentioned earlier – that excessive, almost artificial saturation of reds. We also fixed the problem of incorrect dimming of the brightest parts of the image. After calibration, the standard format picture became much more balanced and simply correct. As for HDR, the situation was again more complicated. Although we managed to "tame" that aggressive blue tint in the white balance, it was evident that we were fighting a bit in vain. Even after changing the settings, the television still tried to intervene in the image in its own way, as if the electronics knew better than we did how the scene should look. Additionally, there's a hardware barrier that no slider can overcome – colors in HDR still remain unsaturated. This simply results from the quality of the panel itself; it physically cannot produce the most vibrant colors. To summarize this point: if any of you ask whether it’s possible to calibrate a television for "a thousand," we respond with full conviction: it is possible.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.1/10

6.4/10

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

In terms of the fluidity of tonal transitions, the impressions from the Bravia 3 with a VA panel are very similar to what we saw in the IPS variant; however, there is one crucial factor here – screen uniformity. The VA panel performs significantly better at maintaining image consistency, which immediately translates into a higher rating. This was most noticeable in scenes from the movie Green Knight. In the IPS version, strong brightening and vignetting practically made it impossible to assess the gradation itself, whereas in the 50-inch variant, this problem was greatly reduced. As for the tonal transitions themselves, the TV presents itself really well. In bright parts of the image, we did not notice any serious errors – colors combine smoothly, without creating artificial contours. In darker scenes, there are also no major issues with color gradation, and thanks to the more even backlighting, the image is much more pleasant to view than in the IPS panel version. So, one can say that this is one of those categories where the Bravia 3 in the 50-inch edition performs surprisingly well.

Looking at our test photographs, it's really hard to find fault with anything. Most of the colors in the attached images blend together almost perfectly, creating smooth gradients without distinct "steps." And indeed, in most of the scenes where we took these shots, it looked surprisingly good. However, the problem arises when we stop analyzing the still frames and simply start watching the movies. In motion, the situation changes dramatically. During dynamic scenes on screen, artifacts start to pop up, which are a direct result of using a simply weak image processor here. Unfortunately, a static photo cannot capture this "jittering" of colors, but you have to take our word for it: what looks clean and smooth in the picture can be quite noticeable and simply annoying during playback. This is precisely why we rated this category quite low.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

2.5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
No
Smooth transition function
OK
No

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

Bravia 3 brings something more to the Sony TV family than just a common 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 still, it must be admitted that the image at lower resolutions looked surprisingly good. The upscaling worked effectively, and most parts of the screen were free from the typical excessive edge jaggedness found in budget constructions. The feature that improves the fluidity of tonal transitions is also noteworthy. In the high setting, it works really well, effectively masking gradation imperfections without significant loss of detail. It does happen that the algorithm overly smooths elements that should remain sharp - for example, faces - however, in general, the effect is beneficial. The best results were achieved precisely at the highest setting, and this option could be recommended to people watching lower quality content.

If you expect that the processor in this model will magically "fix" the poor quality signal from cable TV or old films from YouTube, we must disappoint you. The capabilities of this television end with absolutely basic upscaling, which is simply stretching the image to a higher resolution. It does this correctly in that the image is not blurry, but there is no talk of any intelligent sharpening or adding details. Worse still, Blaupunkt is completely devoid of any functions that reduce unwanted tonal transitions. If the material being viewed has so-called banding (ugly "steps" instead of a smooth transition of colors, e.g., in the sky), this television will display them in all their glory. Additionally, the television tends to slightly crop the edges of the image. Instead of displaying 100% of what the source sends, Blaupunkt slightly enlarges the frame, causing us to lose details located at the very edges of the screen. In summary: in the category of digital "enhancement" of the image, Blaupunkt simply performs poorly. We receive a raw, unprocessed signal with all its flaws.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.8/10

3.7/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
No
Blur reduction option
No
No
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
-
BFI function 120Hz
No
-
Brightness drop with BFI
26%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

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 who are more sensitive to the way images are displayed. We are talking about the proprietary motion smoother, Motion Flow, which gives users a lot of adjustment options. Thanks to it, the image can become smoother, almost theatrical, or you can stick with a more cinematic style characterized by the jaggedness that many people simply associate with the filmic atmosphere. These features work for content with lower frame rates, such as movies and series recorded at 24 or 30 frames per second, which are the materials we encounter every day. This is where the motion smoother proves to be one of the most important features in everyday use of the television, and here the Bravia 3 performs really well.

When it comes to motion fluidity, Blaupunkt has nothing to defend itself with. A 60 Hz panel at this price is standard, so none of us expected a perfectly sharp image during fast action scenes or while watching a game. However, the biggest drawback of this model is that you won't find any digital smoothers in the menu. The manufacturer did not give us any room to maneuver – there's no way to smooth anything out or adjust the image to our preferences. The image is always "raw" and we receive it exactly as the source transmits it. For fans of cinematic "motion jump," this might be fine, but everyone else just has to get used to the absence of any motion support.

Console compatibility and gaming features

4/10

3.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    No
    No
  • VRR range
    No
    No
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    No

Bravia 3 is not equipment for e-sports players or fans of late-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 gets a chance to develop. This is a television for a casual gamer 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 make it feel less bare. ALLM works as it should, automatically switching the television to game mode (low latency). There's even a simple Game Bar that is clear. However, the biggest curiosity here is the PlayStation Portal app. Thanks to it, you can launch games from PS5 wirelessly and see them immediately on the television screen. It sounds great, but it only takes a few minutes to feel significant lag. In our opinion, it's more of a showcase of capabilities than something you can reliably use every day. If someone really wants to play, it's better to connect the console with an HDMI cable and forget about wireless issues.

When it comes to gaming on the Blaupunkt, we didn’t expect miracles and indeed – the list of features is not very long. However, there are two interesting points worth mentioning, as they may be significant for some of you at this price. The first advantage is that the TV quite efficiently detects the connected console. Thanks to the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature, the device automatically knows when you start gaming and switches to low latency mode. This is convenient because you don’t have to fiddle with the settings every time to prevent input lag from ruining the fun. The second point is a real curiosity that surprised us. Even though it’s a 60 Hz panel, the Blaupunkt can display images at 120 Hz at Full HD resolution. Sure, we lose 4K details then, but for those playing more dynamic, online shooters where fluidity is more important than resolution, it’s a really nice and unexpected addition in such an inexpensive piece of equipment. Besides these two points, however, you won’t find anything else here. There are no advanced systems for improving fluidity for gamers or extensive gaming menu bars. It’s a simple screen for occasional gaming.

Input lag

10/10

8.6/10

SDR

1080p60
12 ms
36 ms
1080p120
25 ms
2160p60
12 ms
13 ms
2160p120

HDR

2160p60
11 ms
12 ms
2160p120
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
12 ms
2160p120 DV

Here, 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 noticeable delay. It feels like the console and the TV are speaking the same language, without unnecessary pauses and hesitations. Special attention should be given to the Dolby Vision Gaming mode. In its predecessor, the X75WL model, using this feature was simply agonizing – input lag could exceed 100 milliseconds, which effectively took away the pleasure of gaming. In Bravia 3, this problem has been completely eliminated.

An important point for every gamer is, of course, input lag, which refers to how quickly the television reacts to our movements on the controller. And here, Blaupunkt has something to boast about, although the results are quite specific. At 4K resolution, the lag is only 12 ms. That's an excellent result. With such lag, gaming is simply phenomenal, and the response is almost instantaneous. However, it's a bit of a pity that the situation changes when switching to 1080p mode. Here, the input lag increases to about 30 ms. To be clear: this is still not a terrible result. For most people, it will be "more than acceptable," and during casual gaming, you probably won't even notice it. Nevertheless, it’s a shame that they couldn’t maintain the same good parameters that we saw at full 4K. Still, in the overall assessment, as a budget screen for consoles, Blaupunkt performs really well in this regard.

Compatibility with PC

3.5/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Poor
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
12ms
13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
RGB
Max refresh rate
60Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
No
No

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

Collaboration with a computer in the case of Bravia 3 with a VA panel does not perform as well as in the version with an IPS panel. The fonts are noticeably less sharp and harder to read, which is immediately apparent when working with text. To this, there is the surprising issue of dithering, which we did not notice in the IPS variant. This is quite an unusual situation, but definitely worth noting, as it may hinder those planning to use the television as a monitor. When it comes to PC gaming, there are also no major reasons for enthusiasm here. The lack of support for frame synchronization with graphics cards or higher refresh rates makes the screen rather unattractive in this role. Therefore, if someone is seriously considering connecting Bravia 3 to a computer, a better choice would be the variant with an IPS panel, which performs significantly better in this regard.

If you plan to connect a computer to this television, it is absolutely crucial that you find and enable the PC compatibility option in the menu. Once you do that, magic happens – the implementation of Chroma 4:4:4 and font clarity jumps to an exemplary level. The legibility of text is simply great here. Of course, our editorial meticulousness would not allow us to pass by this hardware without taking a look "under the hood." In very specific tests with thin, dark text, we noticed that the horizontal and vertical matrix masks differ slightly in brightness levels. However, we want to reassure you: this phenomenon is so subtle that during normal use, writing emails, or browsing the web, you won't be able to notice it with the naked eye. We maintain our opinion that as a monitor strictly for dynamic gaming on PC, this is not an ideal choice (as we mentioned regarding the 60 Hz refresh rate), but if any of you are wondering whether you can comfortably work on such a Blaupunkt – we answer: yes, it is absolutely possible.

Viewing angles

3.2/10

5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
73%
71%

The viewing angles in Bravia 3 with VA matrix are clearly weaker than in the version with IPS panel. It is enough to sit slightly to the side for the image to begin losing saturation and clarity, and the black to take on a lighter shade. This is the natural price to pay for the significantly better contrast and deeper blacks, which are a definite advantage in this variant.

It is really very good here. Regardless of whether we sat directly in front or on the edge of the couch, the colors retained their saturation. This is a big plus if you plan to watch matches or movies with a larger group – no one will complain that their picture looks worse. While IPS panels are known for good viewing angles, in this particular model, when viewed from a large angle, the picture clearly loses brightness. Interestingly, the color saturation still remains in place, but the screen simply becomes darker. This is not something that disqualifies this television, but it is worth knowing.

Daytime performance

5.4/10

4/10

Panel finish
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Decent
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good

Panel brightness

Blaupunkt UGC5500S: 245 cd/m2

Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA): 397 cd/m2

The performance of the Bravia 3 in the VA variant during the day is a mix of pros and cons. The manufacturer has also used a satin coating here, but compared to IPS, it struggles more with direct reflections. When sharp light hits the screen, reflections can be more pronounced and may interfere with viewing. On the other hand, the television compensates with higher brightness. In normal daytime conditions, the image is clearer and sharper than in the version with the IPS panel. Thanks to this, in everyday use, the Bravia 3 in the VA edition can perform even better, as long as it is not placed in a highly sunlit area.

In terms of daytime performance, Blaupunkt is simply average. It all comes down to the low brightness of the panel, which – as we mentioned before – hovers around 250 nits. This is definitely too little for the screen to "break through" strong light coming into the living room. As a result, under high sunlight, the image loses clarity and appears somewhat washed out. However, there is one bright spot in this category: the satin coating of the panel. Thanks to it, we don't have to deal with the mirror effect, which often makes us watch the reflection of our own sofa instead of the movie. The satin nicely diffuses reflections, which saves the situation somewhat. Nonetheless, we can't defy physics: while the coating bravely fights against reflections, the low brightness ultimately capitulates in the battle with sunlight. If you are planning a screening in the middle of the day in a very bright room, be prepared to close the curtains.

Panel details

Backlight Type
PFS LED
White LED
Software version during testing
6120600301
RTM9.241015.007
Image processor
MT5896 2,5 GB RAM
m7332 2GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) TV Panel details
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV Panel details

TV features

6.1/10

5.1/10

  • HDMI inputs
    4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    No
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    No
    No

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    No
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) TV features
Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) TV features
Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features

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 applications and streaming services, so regardless of whether someone mainly uses Netflix, Disney+, or smaller platforms, everything is at their fingertips. The Google voice assistant also worked very well, responding to our commands quite "smartly." The Google TV system should theoretically operate very smoothly because Sony has been implementing it better than many cheaper competitors for years. Unfortunately, in the case of the Bravia 3, it's not as nice as we would expect. During testing, we noticed slight lagging in the interface, and some features, such as screen mirroring, simply refused to cooperate. 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

Sony, even in the cheapest series, manages to remind us of its experience with various users. In the package, we find as many as two remotes. The first is modern and minimalist, with a small number of buttons, which works great 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 used to traditional solutions. This is a nice nod to different user groups, and it must be admitted that Sony handled this very practically. However, it is a pity that compared to the X75WL model, the ability to record content from TV tuners to USB memory has disappeared. The manufacturer has completely abandoned this feature, so if someone was attached to it, they will unfortunately not find it in the Bravia 3.

In terms of Smart TV functionality, Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a classic example of a device where the system is both its greatest asset and its biggest flaw. On one hand, we have full Google TV, which at this price point is a huge plus. We get access to a gigantic library of applications and virtually all the features we know from brands that use this software. Nothing is cut out forcefully, which is truly appreciated in such an affordable television. Unfortunately, we must honestly admit that in Blaupunkt's version, this system simply runs sluggishly. This is a typical issue with low-budget TVs featuring Google TV – the processor barely keeps up with the software. Navigation through the menu is not as smooth as we would like, and the remote can respond with a noticeable delay, giving the impression of being "dull." Of course, once you launch a specific app and start a movie, everything runs stably, but simply sifting through the interface requires a bit of patience.

As for classic television functions, Blaupunkt does not offer anything extraordinary. It’s a basic device for fundamental tasks. The remote deserves praise for having a classic numeric keypad, which is simply convenient when flipping through cable channels. We also have Bluetooth, so you can easily connect wireless headphones or a speaker. The television also has a physical mini-jack headphone output. At a time when manufacturers are mass removing this connection, the presence of a "jack" is a nod to those with older audio equipment or simply those who prefer classic wired headphones. It's a small thing, but it brings joy.

Apps

9.6/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

9.6/10

9.3/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
Yes
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
Yes
WebP
Yes
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

Here, Sony really did a great job. The built-in player works quickly and doesn’t "hassle" when launching various formats. We didn't have to reach for external applications like VLC, as the TV handled even files that can cause a lot of issues 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 feel complete convenience. By just plugging in a USB drive with a movie or photos from vacation onto an external hard drive, you can connect it and start watching on the big screen immediately. No fuss, no installing additional software, no searching for workarounds. This is really a rarity in TVs, and it must be said that in this aspect, Bravia 3 truly surprised us pleasantly.

In terms of playing files from USB, Blaupunkt performs quite solidly. We checked several of the most popular formats and basically everything that matters worked smoothly on the factory player. Therefore, you are not forced to immediately download additional software right after taking the television out of the box because the device is simply self-sufficient "out of the box." Nevertheless, taking advantage of the charms of Google TV, we still recommend that you install something external, like VLC or Kodi. The factory player is adequate, but it is in these external applications that you will find the most configuration options, better subtitle support, or simply a more convenient interface. Since the system gives you such freedom, it's worth taking advantage of it to get as much as possible from your media.

Sound

6.5/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    88dB
    85dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    Yes
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    Yes
    No

Bravia 3 plays in a rather flat manner, but makes up for it with volume. It will perform flawlessly for watching traditional television, as the dialogues are clear and the mid-tones are well audible. This type of characteristic will be particularly appreciated by older users who primarily care about speech intelligibility. However, if someone expects something more from the sound, such as stronger bass or a wider soundstage, it is worth reaching for a soundbar despite everything. The television supports modern codecs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so an external sound system will easily utilize their potential. This ensures that with a relatively small expense, one can achieve a much fuller and more engaging sound.

In terms of audio, Blaupunkt performs really well, especially considering that this is a typical budget television. You can see, or rather hear, that the brand hasn't forgotten its roots, and for such an inexpensive setup, the sound is actually excellent. Of course, there's a clear lack of bass, but overall it is loud and surprisingly clear. Most importantly for us – even at louder listening levels, the sound is not heavily distorted, which is a rarity and a nice surprise at this price point.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

85dBC (Max)

75dBC