Compare Sony X85L vs Xiaomi S Mini 2025

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will continue to be offered in 2024 by the Japanese manufacturer. Its biggest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the greatest access to applications, so we don't have to fear that any of our favorite apps will be missing. The intuitive interface and voice control feature via Google Assistant make daily use of the television convenient and modern. In terms of picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very average number of zones), black looks really decent. Additionally, its quite high brightness allows for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the television offers the ability to record programs from built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion fluidity, the X85L also does not disappoint. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system provide smooth display of dynamic scenes, pleasing both movie buffs and sports fans. The TV is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar, and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its drawbacks. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode can be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and image fluidity when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is decent equipment, particularly worth noting if it can be purchased on promotion.

Xiaomi, well known as a giant in the smartphone market, has decided to compete for the attention of high-end technology enthusiasts by presenting a MiniLED backlit television. Model S MiniLED 2025 looks really impressive on paper. A huge number of dimming zones ensures excellent contrast, and the brightness, reaching impressive values, can impress in both high-quality HDR materials and older SDR. The TV performs excellently where motion smoothness is key. The 120 Hz panel and low input lag make it a good choice not only for sports fans but also for gamers. Support for features like ALLM or GameBar further enhances the gaming experience. Google TV on this television works as it should – fast, smoothly, without unnecessary stutters, which we couldn't say about the model A Pro 2025. Additionally, with such a vast application library, it will satisfy even the most demanding users. However, not everything looks as good in practice. Despite solid hardware specifications, the TV has its issues. The biggest problem lies in the algorithms managing the dimming zones, which can be quite annoying when watching movies in the evening. The operation of individual zones is too visible in dynamic scenes, which can effectively draw our attention away from the image. Problems also arise in more demanding HDR scenes. Small, bright elements often lose brightness, which spoils the effect that should be provided by the highest quality image. The system is also not free from shortcomings – image enhancement features in lower quality materials work unevenly, and some options in Google TV are poorly translated or even untranslated. Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 has enormous potential, but in its current form, it seems underutilized. It is clear that Xiaomi wanted to create something really good, but several significant shortcomings make the final effect mixed. A device with high aspirations that needs better software to truly shine. It is an ideal television for brighter rooms, where high screen brightness plays a key role, and the issues with local dimming become less noticeable. It will also work perfectly as a screen for gamers and for those who value versatility and functionality in the Google TV system.

The Sony X85L TV is equipped with a VA panel, which in itself offers quite good contrast. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it includes 24 zones. Although this number is not impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the TV. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially in comparison to other TVs also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at the level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but they appear average against the competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the movie Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs quite well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has been using in its TVs for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the TV suffers from noticeable blooming, which can be seen, for example, in scenes with the helicopter from the movie Sicario 2.

Xiaomi S MiniLED is one of the most affordably priced televisions featuring MiniLED technology available on the market. The model we tested in a 55-inch size is equipped with as many as 308 local dimming zones, which is impressive for such a price. Additionally, it uses a VA panel, which naturally offers significantly better contrast than IPS panels. On static test screens, the television performed excellently, achieving an impressive contrast ratio of 182,000:1 in the film Oblivion. The black levels were deep, and details in both bright and dark parts of the image were clearly separated. However, in more demanding scenes, where the image is dynamic, the situation begins to complicate.

Where lies the problem? The main cause is the local dimming algorithms. Although their effects are promising on static images, during film playback – that is, in the television's natural working conditions – they operate too aggressively. In dynamic scenes, such as those from the tested film, one can observe how individual dimming zones "work and flicker," which detracts from the viewer's sense of image coherence. This effect is particularly noticeable in motion, when bright objects move against a dark screen. As a result, although Xiaomi S MiniLED offers a remarkable contrast on paper, in practice the effect is less satisfying. The aggressive operation of the algorithms diminishes the reception of dynamic scenes, making the television average in this category. It is a good example of how MiniLED technology requires not only good specifications but also proper optimization.

The Sony X85L TV offers solid HDR performance with a brightness level of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vivid effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows one to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, such as the scene from the movie Sicario 2, the TV shows its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits make the HDR effect lose its impressive quality and resemble regular SDR instead. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively affects the overall image quality.

Since the Xiaomi S MiniLED boasts an impressive number of 308 dimming zones, it was time to see how it performs in HDR tests. Starting with luminance, or the ability to display bright scenes, the television achieved nearly 1000 nits of brightness – a result that can be considered outstanding in this class. However, do these numbers translate into real experiences in movie scenes? In the case of less demanding shots, like those from the film The Meg, the television indeed showed excellent results, reaching up to 900 nits. Such values are impressive and can truly convey the strength of HDR effects.

Unfortunately, similar to the contrast situation, there were issues. When smaller, brighter elements appear on the screen – as in challenging scenes from Sicario 2 – the aggressive operation of the dimming zones spoils the whole effect. Brightness during these moments drops to just 100 nits. This is definitely too little to capture the full magic of HDR. Instead of a dynamic and detailed image, the viewer gets a muted, almost flat impression, which diminishes the enjoyment of the viewing experience.

In summary, if we are looking for a television with high brightness for watching movies during the day, the Xiaomi S MiniLED will easily fulfill that task. However, its inability to precisely manage dimming zones means that watching movies in the evening, especially in demanding HDR scenes, can be more frustrating than satisfying.

The Sony X85L television was tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, although associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image that aligns with the director's vision. The main issue is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue color and significant lack of red. As a result, the image becomes unnaturally cool and appears artificial. The color reproduction errors were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed significant discrepancies – colors were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly shows that the precision of color reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the TV. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although there are minor errors, but generally, it is quite good. However, the brightness characteristics for 4K materials remain an issue, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is a result of the limited number of dimming zones due to the design of the television.

Xiaomi, like many manufacturers, offers a wide range of picture modes. On the S MiniLED, we can find both IMAX Enhanced and Filmmaker. We conducted our tests in Filmmaker mode, which theoretically is supposed to reference the original image, but the reality turned out to be somewhat different.

Let's start with the test of SDR materials. Here, the television had quite a few problems, especially with white balance. The clearly visible dominance of red made the image appear too warm, and all colors gained a reddish tint. This was particularly noticeable in a comparative scene from the Star Wars movie. The brightness characteristics (gamma) also left much to be desired – instead of a smooth transition, we had a real "rollercoaster," with a visible excessive brightening of the screen.

In 4K materials, the situation looked much better. The white balance, while still not perfect, was much more balanced, with a slight dominance of red and blue, but without excessive influence on the overall perception. The EOTF curve (responsible for brightness in HDR) showed some brightening in the brightest parts of the image, which was noticeable, for example, in the test scene from the Pan movie that we described above. These brightening effects can disrupt image precision, but in 4K, the overall effect was much more acceptable than in SDR.

Although the Xiaomi S MiniLED can positively surprise in 4K materials, its factory settings in SDR require significant adjustments, especially in terms of white balance and brightness. It is definitely a television that would benefit from calibration.

Thanks to the use of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, the image quality has been significantly improved. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colors look more natural and the image gains authenticity. Although it is not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic representation of colors, eliminating the earlier cool tone. The gamma, which already performed decently, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively affecting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a deficiency of red, which can result in overly warm colors in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is quite stable, with a slight boost in mid-bright scenes. However, in real film materials, the TV can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nonetheless, calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in color accuracy, improving overall image quality and providing a more natural and cohesive directorial vision.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that gains a whole new life after calibration. The results are truly remarkable and show how much potential this model has.

In SDR mode, the white balance is nearly perfectly aligned. The errors are minimal enough that in many cases they can be considered negligible. This is confirmed by the Colour Checker palette results, where the errors did not exceed 2 ΔE – a result that is indeed quite rare. Gamma also looks very good, although at the beginning of the graph, there are slight brightenings in the darkest elements. However, this is a minor exception that does not significantly affect the image perception.

In 4K HDR materials, calibration also brought visible improvements, especially in white balance. The image looks natural and consistent. However, the brightness characteristic remains a problem. EOTF analysis in film materials shows that the television tends to over-brighten or darken the smallest elements on the screen. This is a result of limitations in the dimming algorithms that we previously discussed concerning HDR and contrast testing. Unfortunately, this is a technical feature of this model that cannot be completely eliminated.

Despite this minor flaw, calibration allowed extracting the maximum capabilities from this television. The image now looks phenomenal, and its quality impresses with every type of material. Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 demonstrates that with the right settings, it can compete with more expensive models.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Sony X85L is at a good level – the color gradation is smooth, even in more demanding areas, which makes the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest problems occur in the shadow areas, where subtle color blends may be visible. Nevertheless, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is very good. Even in the theoretically most challenging scene with red water, the television performs excellently – we did not notice any significant issues. Minor imperfections appear in scenes such as Kingsman or The Martian, where subtle color transitions can be seen. Nevertheless, Xiaomi stands out in this category, offering one of the best qualities of tonal transitions in its price range. This is definitely a strong point of this television.

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television does not offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a downside. On the other hand, image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a bit of artificial sharpness, which can make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with noticeable jaggedness. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

When it comes to color transitions in lower quality materials like YouTube or television, the Xiaomi S MiniLED is equipped with the "Color Contour Removal" feature. In the "low" setting, it works quite well, but its effectiveness can be uneven. Sometimes it seems like the TV struggles with smoothing, which creates a certain dissonance. On the plus side, we did not notice any visible side effects, although given the instability of this feature, one might suspect that unexpected issues could arise in some situations.

Image scaling also performs average. There is slight aliasing, especially on thin elements like branches, and subtitles can appear a bit jagged. While it may not be very bothersome, a more discerning eye will certainly catch these shortcomings. Overall, most users should be satisfied with the scaling and smoothing quality, but the TV may not satisfy those who expect perfection in every frame.

The Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie buffs. Movie enthusiasts will surely appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, Motionflow. This system offers adjustment via smoothness and clarity sliders – smoothness is responsible for motion fluidity, eliminating stutter, while clarity enhances the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is equipped with a display that refreshes at 4K@120Hz (1080p@240Hz), providing sufficient smoothness for both watching dynamic sports broadcasts and playing the latest games. This level of refresh rate makes the image look smooth, even in the most intense scenes. Additionally, the TV offers a "Motion Smoothing" feature that allows users to adjust the way images are displayed in movies. We can choose a more frame-like effect, typical of cinematic experiences, or a smoother one reminiscent of the so-called "theatrical effect." This way, every user can tailor the settings to their preferences and enjoy smooth images in their favorite content.

Sony X85L offers quite a solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the TV has a 120 Hz panel, translating to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full utilization of next-gen console capabilities. Additionally, the Sony X85L supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, providing a fluid experience. The TV also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for screen refresh rate synchronization with GPU performance, eliminating the tearing effect. It is worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to essential gaming-related settings such as VRR, brightness levels, and display modes, making it convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are certain limitations. The TV does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimizes HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, while Dolby Vision mode is available, it is not practical for gaming due to very high input lag.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that has a lot to offer gamers. With two HDMI ports with 48 Gbps bandwidth, we can easily connect modern consoles or PCs, utilizing their full potential. Additionally, the ALLM feature automatically switches the television to low latency mode – something we will appreciate during dynamic games without annoying lags. No matter what we connect, it works smoothly, and the television handles various resolutions well. There is also GameBar, which may not look as impressive as the "bars" from the competition, but makes up for it with practicality. It's a simple settings panel that allows us to quickly change the most important options or check statistics – an ideal solution when time is of the essence.

However, we have to admit that operating the television itself – or rather finding the gaming features – was quite a challenge for us. We approached the Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 test several times to find all the necessary options. The hidden menu allowed us to discover the "GameBoost" feature, which enables switching the television to 240 Hz mode, activating VRR at 120Hz, and turning on the image in HGIG mode.

In summary, the Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that definitely deserves praise in the gaming hardware category. Its rich set of features – 240 Hz mode, VRR, HGIG, and "GameBoost" – provides exceptional gaming experiences. Unfortunately, the intuitiveness of the menu itself leaves much to be desired and may pose a certain challenge for the average user.

In general, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, especially when using HDMI 2.1 and playing in 4K resolution at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as much as 95 ms. Such a high level of latency makes the Dolby Vision mode practically unplayable, as reactions to commands are noticeably delayed.

Input lag in Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is one of its biggest advantages. 8 ms for 120 Hz content and 17 ms for 60 Hz is an outstanding result that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers. Moreover, the Dolby Vision mode in games deserves praise. Unlike many competing models, Xiaomi maintains low input lag even in this mode, making it an excellent choice for fans of high-quality HDR gaming experiences.

The cooperation of the Sony X85L television with a PC is a bit of a balance between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the television for work, where clear text is important, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, text looks good and does not strain the eyes, which is crucial if we plan to spend a long time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the television is to be used for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must take into account that the readability of fonts decreases significantly. The image becomes less sharp and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – the Sony X85L will work well for occasional connection to a computer, but if we need it daily for work and gaming, this compromise may not be to everyone's liking.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a good choice if we need a television for working with a computer. Fonts are very clear thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support, making it perfect for office work or browsing documents. It also performs excellently in gaming – high refresh rate, G-SYNC, and low input lag ensure smooth gameplay, which will satisfy most gamers.

The viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is typical with VA panels, are not the best. The image looks great when viewed straight on, but just shifting to the side reveals that colors lose their intensity and contrast noticeably weakens. This can be a problem if the TV is intended for watching with a larger group, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who usually watch solo or from one central spot, this won't be a big downside, but when viewing from the side, the picture quality unfortunately decreases.

In terms of viewing angles, Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 does not impress. This is a typical problem for VA panels, which, without additional coatings to widen viewing angles, do not perform well. The image begins to lose quality when watching the TV from the side – colors fade, and contrast clearly decreases. However, the advantage of VA panels is significantly better contrast compared to IPS panels, which, on the other hand, win in terms of wider viewing angles. This is a classic compromise where one has to choose between deeper blacks and a more versatile image seen from different places in the room.

The performance of the Sony X85L TV during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, meaning that in bright rooms, there may be reflections, but they are not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortable TV watching during the day, even with natural light coming through the windows. This ensures that colors remain vivid and the image is clearly visible, making the TV effective for everyday use.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is equipped with a satin coating on the panel, which averages out well in reducing reflections. On the screen surface, one can notice light reflections, which can be somewhat distracting in brightly lit rooms. However, the key element that saves this television in daytime use is its brightness. With a value of 841 cd/m², the screen performs well even in very sunlit interiors. This is more than sufficient for comfortably watching television, movies, or sports events. Importantly, the television also handles more demanding materials, such as winter sports, where the dominating white can pose quite a challenge for other televisions. Here, Xiaomi definitely delivers.

The Sony X85L operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to applications, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing for quick switching between apps and searching for favorite content. Google TV allows for personalization of the home screen, enabling each user to customize it according to their preferences. Google Assistant further enhances the experience by offering voice control and quick adjustments of settings or movie searches without the need for a remote.

In terms of user functionality, the Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programs, which is a significant convenience for those who want to watch their favorite content at any time. AirPlay support allows for seamless streaming of content from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. Additionally, thanks to built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one drawback is the lack of a PiP (picture-in-picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on the screen.

The design of the Sony X85L television, while it may not be the thinnest, is solid and elegant. The metal base with adjustable legs is one of its strong points, allowing for height and width adjustments of the television to fit different furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 is a television that stands out thanks to the Google TV system. It offers access to the most popular streaming services, music applications, and various useful features that significantly enhance everyday use of the TV. For those who like personalization, the system also provides plenty of configuration options.

The built-in voice assistant works smoothly – we can not only control the TV with it but also ask about the weather forecast or set a reminder for the next day. Unfortunately, we noticed during testing that some functions have trouble translating into Polish, which can be frustrating, especially for those less proficient in navigating the settings. Despite this, the overall impression is very good, and minor shortcomings can be addressed in updates.

The device handles connectivity well. Wireless connections with Windows computers or Apple devices are smooth, and thanks to Bluetooth, we can easily connect headphones, keyboards, or other accessories. The remote is simple and comfortable – it works from any position, so aiming at the screen is not necessary. However, there are certain shortcomings. If someone often uses traditional television, they may miss the recording feature from tuners or the PiP (picture-in-picture) option. This slightly limits capabilities, but for those focused on streaming and modern features, it shouldn't be a significant problem.

Xiaomi compensates for these shortcomings with an excellent operating system. Google TV is one of the most advanced and intuitive systems available on the market, which makes the TV really perform well in everyday use.

Sony X85L has no problem playing most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who often reach for external content. However, it is worth mentioning a small downside – the built-in player does not allow changing the font color in subtitles, which can be bothersome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the advanced Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. It is easy to install alternative media players that offer more customization options.

The basic file player in Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 fulfills its task for simple video materials. However, a noticeable drawback is the lack of support for Polish diacritics, which can be problematic for people using subtitles.

Fortunately, the presence of the Google TV system provides an easy way around this limitation. It allows you to install alternative file playback applications that handle Polish characters and offer much more advanced options. As a result, the limitations of the built-in player are not as burdensome as one might think.

The sound on the Sony X85L is good – it is clear across the entire scale, allowing you to enjoy both dialogues and music. The bass, although light, is perceptible and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasized that this is a subjective assessment – some will be satisfied with such a sound profile, while others may need additional audio equipment to fully feel the stronger tones and more spacious sound.

Xiaomi S MiniLED 2025 sounds really pleasant and even offers a slight bass, reminiscent of the audio known from the lower model, the A Pro 2025. The sound is well balanced, making movie watching or music listening comfortable, even without additional audio equipment. Interestingly, the TV seamlessly supports audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and the less common DTS:X. This allows you to connect a home theater system or soundbar and enjoy spatial sound without any difficulties. A nice addition is also the presence of a standard speaker jack.

Sony X85L vs Xiaomi S Mini 2025

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound