Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) vs LG QNED80A6A (VA)

Direct comparison

BRAVIA 3 / K-(XX)S3

Info

Available screen sizes: 50”

Available screen sizes: 50”55”75”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: WebOS

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

6.2

6.2

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.3

    6.3

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.3

    6.5

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    5.4

    5.5

  • Gaming on console

    6.6

    7.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    3.5

    5.8

  • Watching in bright light

    5.4

    4.4

  • Utility functions

    6.1

    6.8

  • Apps

    9.6

    9.1

  • 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

  • High native contrast (over 6000:1) providing deep blacks in movies

  • Excellent color saturation (DCI-P3 coverage above 90%) thanks to PFS technology (QNED).

  • Good detail reproduction in HDR

  • Outstanding WebOS 25 system – fast, intuitive, and guaranteed updates

  • Magic Remote included – cursor control

  • Effective upscaling and smooth tone transition function

  • Decent gaming features (VRR, ALLM, HGiG), despite the 60Hz panel

  • Low input lag

  • Smooth tone transitions – no visible "stepping" in color gradients

  • Good font readability when connected to a PC (sharp text).

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

  • Narrow viewing angles – the image loses quality when viewed from the side

  • Aggressive local dimming – in difficult scenes, it causes visible blooming.

  • 60Hz panel

  • No support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Average brightness

  • Flat sound lacking bass – a soundbar is recommended

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.

Looking at the QNED80A in its VA version as a whole, we are dealing with a television that has a very specific character. It's a device that movie lovers who enjoy evening screenings seeking savings will like, as long as... they accept certain shortcomings. We get truly solid blacks and contrast here, but we pay for it with narrow viewing angles. Let's not hide it: this television is for those who have their favorite spot in the middle of the couch. Of course, you can feel some budget cuts here – the 60Hz panel or edge dimming, which sometimes struggles in difficult scenes, are elements that remind us this is not the highest-end television. However, LG cleverly compensates for these hardware shortcomings with excellent software. It's almost surprising how well this television handles pulling details in HDR or upscaling lower quality cable materials – the processor does a great job making the picture look more expensive than it actually is. When we add to that the great WebOS system and gaming features that, despite the lack of 120Hz, still manage to impress, we end up with a very successful screen for home cinema. It requires some understanding, but in return, it rewards you with a truly vivid image at an affordable price.

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
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
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
Good
Stand type
stand-type-
Legs
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Base adjustment
Fixed
Flat design
No
Yes
Accessories
Two remote controls, Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

5.7/10

6.3/10

Local dimming function: No

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 6 (1 x 6)

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 LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

24,550:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

7,900:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

22,150:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

6,700:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,550:1

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.

The model we tested with a 55-inch diagonal is equipped with a VA panel. And here we have great news: this is a significant advantage over the IPS version, if you care about deep blacks and a rich image. Our measurements showed that in typical film scenes, the native contrast is really solid, exceeding values of 6000:1. In practice, this means that black is black, not gray, which works very well for occasional evening viewing and is not annoying. However, it’s interesting to note the moments when our measuring devices indicated contrast levels exceeding 20 000:1. What caused such a jump? The LG QNED80A is equipped with a Local Dimming system. However, this is an edge-lit configuration. This means that the TV can dim vertical strips of backlighting where the image is supposed to be dark. In theory, this sounds great and actually allows for better numbers in charts than in a classic LCD screen. Unfortunately, reality can be brutal. The use of edge dimming is a double-edged sword that can spoil the film experience in difficult scenes. An ideal example is the helicopter scene in the movie Sicario 2. When the screen has a lot of black and small, bright spots, the dimming system starts to work very aggressively and... not very precisely. You can clearly see how entire vertical strips of the screen brighten and dim, trying to keep up with the object. Instead of deep black, we see blooming, which simply looks bad and strongly distracts from the plot. Although the dimming system improves measurable contrast, in everyday use – especially with the lights off – its aggressive operation can be annoying. Often, a better solution may turn out to be... turning off this function or setting it to a minimum, to enjoy the stable, natural black of the VA panel itself.

HDR effect quality

4.9/10

4.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 91.9%, Bt.2020: 67.3%
DCI P3: 93.4%, Bt.2020: 73.1%

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 LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

354 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

335 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

354 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

301 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

271 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:

LG QNED80A6A (VA)

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.

Let's talk now about how this TV shines. If you expect dazzling light effects, we need to cool your enthusiasm. The LG QNED80A is a moderately bright television. Our measurements in most movie scenes indicated values around 350-400 nits. That's not enough to speak of a full, cinematic HDR experience and the sense of that famous "high dynamic range" that flagship products offer. However, brightness is not everything. Although the QNED80A is not a "light monster," it makes up for it in another key category: colors. Here, the PFS technology comes into play, which LG marketers hide under the name QNED/NanoCell. Thanks to this process, the TV offers a significantly wider color palette than classic LCD designs. In our tests, the coverage of the cinematic DCI-P3 palette reached a solid 93-94%. What does this mean for you? That even at lower brightness, when watching movies in HDR, the colors will be vivid, deep, and properly saturated. The image is not washed out but lush, which is a significant advantage in this price range.

Factory color reproduction

5.8/10

4.4/10

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.

It might seem that since the QNED80A is one model, it should offer the same picture regardless of the version. However, practice shows something completely different. Analyzing the variant with a VA panel in the best factory setting – that is, in Filmmaker Mode – we noticed a specific characteristic. This TV “out of the box” serves us a picture with a clear dominance of red and a deficiency of blue. The overall image is very warm, almost hot. Many users might describe this as a “too cinematic” image, approaching sepia. Additionally, there's the issue of the gamma curve – the TV tends to slightly, artificially brighten scenes (the gamma is too low), causing the picture to lose some of its plasticity. The good news is that these are not flaws of the panel, but merely of the software. As always in our tests, we carried out a professional calibration, which completely eliminated these shortcomings, restoring the natural white balance and correct saturation.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.5/10

7.5/10

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.

Was it worth spending time on calibration? Definitely yes. We managed to tame the initially too warm white balance and, most importantly, correct the gamma curve. The TV stopped artificially brightening scenes, which added depth to the image. The biggest improvement is visible in SDR content, meaning when watching regular television, YouTube, or in games without HDR. Here, the QNED80A shows its class – color reproduction errors (DeltaE) dropped below a value of 2. In technical terms, this means that the errors are practically unnoticeable to the human eye. The image in everyday use has simply become very attractive, natural, and correct. The difficulties begin with HDR content. Even though we managed to improve the white balance, the EOTF curve graph (responsible for brightness at various levels) shows that the TV still "interprets" the image in its own way. This is due to the nature of the edge-lit local dimming used and the fact that LG gives the calibrator a very limited range of control over this parameter. In short: the TV struggles to hide its hardware shortcomings, sometimes ignoring our commands. Nevertheless, the final image is much more accurate and pleasant to the eye than in factory settings, even if it still falls short of studio ideal.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.1/10

9.2/10

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.

We also have excellent news for those sensitive to digital artifacts. Regardless of which version of the panel you encounter, the LG QNED80A handles gradation, or the smooth blending of colors, exceptionally well. In this price range, it is often the case that instead of a smooth transition (e.g., from light sky blue to navy), we see ugly, separate stripes. Here, this problem practically does not occur. In our tests, both in very bright parts of the image (like sunsets) and in difficult, dark shades of gray, the picture remained uniform and natural. We did not notice the annoying "banding" effect or distinct lines connecting colors.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

7/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

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.

In this category, the QNED80A proves to be a real "dark horse." It's a fantastic, affordable television for those who often watch lower quality materials – for example, from traditional cable TV. The processor used here handles upscaling exceptionally well, meaning it enhances low resolution to native 4K. The image after processing is natural, smooth, and most importantly – not overly jagged or artificially sharpened. In the menu, we also find a dedicated option for smoothing tonal transitions in low-quality material. This feature works really effectively, eliminating the annoying "banding" of colors in heavily compressed video. However, we must remain vigilant. Remember that we are not dealing with a top-tier processor known from flagship OLED models. In more challenging scenes, the system may struggle and introduce minor artifacts or distortions. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth giving this feature a chance, as in most cases, the improvement in quality is noticeable to the naked eye.

Blur and motion smoothness

4.8/10

4.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
60Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
No
No
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
No
BFI function 120Hz
No
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.

We move on to a matter that may be decisive for many. Unfortunately, here we must point out the biggest "Achilles' heel" of the QNED80A model. This TV is equipped with a panel that has a native refresh rate of 60Hz. There's no point in hiding it – at this price, we expected more because we know that Chinese manufacturers can offer 120Hz screens for similar money. Due to this parameter, dynamic scenes in sports or fast-paced games are not the strong suit of this screen. Fortunately, LG has equipped the TV with a proven smoothing system called TruMotion. It works quite well with film material (24 frames). We suggest playing around with the De-Judder slider – from our experience, setting it in the range of 2-4 provides the best compromise: motion becomes smoother while still looking natural, without the artificial "TV theater" effect.

Console compatibility and gaming features

4/10

6/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    No
    Yes
  • VRR range
    No
    48 - 60Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    No
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    No
    No
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    No
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

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.

Since we have established that the QNED80A is a 60Hz panel television, we must say it directly: we will not be playing here at 120 frames per second in any resolution. Does this disqualify the device in the eyes of gamers? Not necessarily, especially for "casual" gamers. LG has decided to sweeten this technical limitation by packing in quite a few useful features. We have support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) ranging from 48-60Hz and an automatic game mode ALLM, which quickly reduces input lag upon detecting a console. We manage all of this through a very convenient, purple Game Optimizer menu (Player Panel), which has already become LG's trademark. The manufacturer deserves big credit for consistency regarding HDR. Although the television does not support Dolby Vision in games on Xbox consoles, LG adds a well-implemented HGiG standard. Thanks to this, even on a moderately bright screen, HDR gaming is clear, and details in shadows and highlights are accurately reproduced, rather than "cut off."

Input lag

10/10

9.8/10

SDR

1080p60
12 ms
15 ms
1080p120
2160p60
12 ms
15 ms
2160p120

HDR

2160p60
11 ms
14 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.

At the end of the gaming section, let's take a look at how quickly the television responds to our commands. The input lag we measured on the QNED80A model is about 15 ms (at 60Hz signal). These may not be values that will revolutionize the market or impress professional e-sports players competing for every millisecond. However, for the average console gamer, this result is more than sufficient. During our gaming tests, we did not experience any annoying "drifting" of the crosshair or delay between pressing a button on the controller and the reaction on the screen. The entertainment is smooth and comfortable, which is the most important thing in home gaming.

Compatibility with PC

3.5/10

5.8/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Poor
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
12ms
15ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
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.

Is the QNED80A suitable for connecting a computer? For the version with a VA panel, the answer is: absolutely. If you plan to use this TV as a huge monitor for work, you will not be disappointed. The readability of the fonts is very high – the text is sharp, clear, and does not strain the eyes, which is not always a given with large screens. Additionally, there is the low input lag that we mentioned earlier. This makes mouse work precise, and you don't feel that characteristic "floating" of the cursor. Of course, due to the 60Hz refresh rate, this is not the dream equipment for e-sports players gaming on PC, but for text work, web browsing, or occasional strategy gaming, it performs excellently.

Viewing angles

3.2/10

3.2/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
73%
76%

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.

When opting for the VA panel version, you must be aware of a certain compromise. You get great blacks and contrast, but you pay for it with narrow viewing angles. This is a typical feature of this technology, and the QNED80A is no exception. If you sit directly in front of the screen, the picture will be sharp. However, just moving to the side of the couch or stepping into the kitchen can result in a degradation of the image. Colors start to lose their saturation, becoming washed out, and the deep black that we praised begins to gray. Therefore, this version of the television is best suited for those who have their favorite spot in the middle of the couch and rarely watch TV with a large group spread out across the living room.

Daytime performance

5.4/10

4.4/10

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

Panel brightness

LG QNED80A6A (VA): 280 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.

How does the QNED80A perform when we don't have the curtains drawn? Let's put it bluntly: it's not the brightest TV on the market, so if your living room resembles a glass greenhouse at noon, this screen may struggle to cut through the intense sun. For extremely challenging lighting conditions, we would suggest looking for something with higher brightness (e.g., Mini LED). However, the TV holds its own with something else – the type of coating used on the panel. The manufacturer opted for a satin finish (semi-matte) here. That's a great decision. Unlike glossy coatings that act like mirrors, this coating reasonably dampens and scatters light reflections. As a result, in typical, moderate lighting conditions, the floor lamp next to it or a window on the side won't be irritating, and the viewing experience will remain pleasant.

Panel details

Backlight Type
PFS LED
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
6120600301
33.21.62
Image processor
MT5896 2,5 GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Sony Bravia 3 50' (VA) TV Panel details
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV Panel details

TV features

6.1/10

6.8/10

  • HDMI inputs
    4 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • 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
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    No
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • 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 LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) 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.

Smart TV System and WebOS

A huge plus of LG TVs – even those in the lower or mid-price range – is that the manufacturer does not treat them "less favorably" in terms of software. The QNED80A runs on the latest version of the WebOS system, which performed excellently during our tests. The interface operated smoothly, responded quickly to commands, and most importantly – was very intuitive. Much of this is thanks to the famous Magic Remote, which works like a computer mouse – we control the cursor on the screen with wrist movements. However, there’s an unexpected surprise here. In the 2025 model year, the controller underwent quite a drastic transformation. It has been minimized and slimmed down. Modern users will probably appreciate this change because the remote fits nicely in the hand and looks more "premium." However, traditionalists may feel disappointed – the miniaturization has come at a cost, including the removal of the classic numeric keypad, which may complicate quick channel selection.

Classic Features and Multimedia

When it comes to so-called classic features, the QNED80A does not strive to be a revolutionary product. It is simply a solid piece of equipment that does what it was designed for. There are no hidden "gimmicks" here, but we also did not miss anything. The traditional Teletext works flawlessly, and the wireless connectivity modules (such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) are stable and quickly pair with external devices, e.g., headphones or a soundbar. In this regard, the TV simply does not throw obstacles in our way – it works as we expect, not standing out in any particular way from the competition, but also not giving any reasons to complain.

Apps

9.6/10

9.1/10

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
No
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
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

9.6/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
Yes
No
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
No
WebP
Yes
No
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
No
24 Mpix
Yes
No
28 Mpix
Yes
No
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.

How does the QNED80A perform as a home multimedia center? After connecting an external drive or USB stick, the television easily recognizes and plays the vast majority of popular video and audio formats. It can be confidently stated that in everyday use you will rarely encounter a file that refuses to cooperate. However, we must draw attention to a certain catch arising from the software architecture. WebOS is a closed system. What does this mean for you? It means that if the built-in player cannot handle an exotic format, we do not have a "lifeline." We cannot go to the store and download an external app like VLC, which "plays everything," as is the case with Android or Google TV. The specific deficiencies we managed to catch mainly concern graphic files. The television does not support the HEIC format, which is standard on Apple devices (iPhone/iPad). Photos with very high resolution (in the range of 20-28 Mpix) also turned out to be problematic – when attempting to open them, the system often gave up. It is worth keeping this in mind if you plan to view vacation photos directly from the drive.

Sound

6.5/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    88dB
    81dB
  • 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, the LG QNED80A does not try to enchant us. It simply plays like... a typical flat-screen TV. The installed speaker system with a total power of 20W may not be the strongest aspect of this unit. If you expect cinematic punch or depth known from more expensive models equipped with subwoofers, you'll feel a bit shortchanged. There is simply a lack of bass, and the sound is quite flat. However, we must give this model credit in one aspect: the clarity of the transmission. When scenes based on conversations appear on the screen, the QNED80A handles it quite well. The dialogues are clear, separated, and – importantly – undistorted. There is no crackling effect at higher volumes. It is sufficient for everyday television, but for movies, we definitely recommend purchasing even a simple soundbar.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

81dBC (Max)

75dBC