XIAOMI A PRO 2025 vs Sharp GR8

In the HDR category, the Xiaomi A Pro performs poorly overall. Under ideal conditions, it achieves a brightness level of around 250 nits, which is underwhelming. However, many competing models offer similar or even lower brightness levels. Such limited brightness is insufficient to fully showcase the potential of HDR content. In practical terms, the image lacks the depth and intensity expected from high-quality HDR. Instead, the visuals resemble standard dynamic range (SDR), with scenes that should display striking brightness and contrast appearing flat and uninspiring. That said, for its price, the television offers solid DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage at 92%, made possible by its quantum dot (QLED) technology. This ensures vibrant and saturated colours, making it an appealing choice for gamers and movie enthusiasts seeking richer hues and improved colour reproduction compared to standard models.

Sharp GR8 boasts "very high brightness" at a level of 500 nits in its promotional materials. Unfortunately, our tests showed that the reality is somewhat different – the average luminance value we managed to achieve was around 360 nits. This is rather an average result, especially in the context of the manufacturer's claims. Such brightness does not allow for a full enjoyment of HDR effects. The image is somewhat sharper than in standard SDR, but it is difficult to speak of true juiciness and depth in bright elements. However, the coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette at 95% deserves praise. This is the result of applying an additional PFS coating, known from QLED technology. As a result, colors are vivid and have a pleasant, natural tint, which partially compensates for the deficiencies in brightness.

The Xiaomi A Pro 2025 performs best in movie mode for colour reproduction straight out of the box, though it is not without its flaws. An analysis of the white balance shows negative green values, causing distortions in white tones. At full white, there are noticeable deviations, and the high-contrast image leads to poor tonal transitions in red, negatively impacting the overall colour quality. Before calibration, the image often displays a pink hue in its scenery.

The gamma contrast graph falls below the 2.4 mark, indicating an overemphasis on darker tones and a lack of prominence in lighter areas. Additionally, the EOTF curve shows a sharp rise early on, which can result in lost detail in bright scenes and an oversaturated appearance. These issues suggest that further calibration is needed to balance the colour reproduction and enhance the overall image.

Factory colour settings on the Xiaomi A Pro 2025 are average, and while this is common in televisions of its class, users seeking accurate colour representation may need to adjust the settings. After proper calibration, the TV delivers a more natural and vibrant palette, aligning better with cinematic standards. For those prioritising precise colour reproduction, professional calibration will significantly improve image quality.

At the outset, it is worth noting that color reproduction tests are always conducted in the best factory picture mode. In the case of the Sharp GR8, this is the "Film" mode. As for the white balance, which is a characteristic that affects how we perceive colors on the screen, in SDR mode, the strong dominance of blue immediately stands out. This results in an unnatural cooling of the image—blue elements take on a purple hue, and skin tones acquire a pink glow, which we can see in the comparative photo from the movie STAR WARS. During the Color Checker test, it was clearly visible how the color samples deviated from the reference values, confirming significant errors in color reproduction. Gamma was not perfect either—it caused excessive brightening of the entire image, causing the scene to lose depth and proper tonal transitions.

In 4K HDR mode, the situation looks much better. The dominance of blue is much less noticeable, although there are minor issues with the combination of red and blue. This makes some shades look somewhat unnatural. The EOTF curve, responsible for the brightness of the image in 4K HDR content, showed another problem—the television tends to excessively darken the image across the entire screen.

In summary, the "Film" mode on the Sharp GR8 would require some adjustments to fully utilize the potential of this television. Fortunately, we addressed this and proceeded to calibration.

After calibration, the Xiaomi A Pro 2025 TV shows significant improvement. The white balance is the most noticeable change, with previous errors corrected in HD and 4K content. Most deviations are now minimal, falling within an acceptable range, resulting in a more balanced and natural colour representation that enhances viewing comfort.

In terms of gamma, the drop has been largely addressed, leading to a more consistent rendering of tones across various scenes. However, the EOTF curve still hasn't seen substantial improvement, as there is limited control over dynamic tone mapping. This limitation means that some details may still be lost in bright scenes, affecting the perception of certain materials.

Despite these minor issues, the overall picture quality is improved after calibration. The enhanced white balance and reduced gamma issues provide a more realistic and enjoyable viewing experience. While further adjustments could enhance the image even more, the TV now showcases its potential, meeting the expectations of many users.

Sharp GR8 is one of those televisions that really gains a second life after proper calibration. Both in HD and 4K content, the white balance performs very well, especially considering the price segment of this model. The image becomes much closer to what the director wanted to show – colors look natural, and skin tones acquire the appropriate depth and warmth. The brightness characteristics also leave a very positive impression. Both gamma and the EOTF curve show really solid values. Although minor imperfections can be noticed, they are subtle enough that it's hard to see them during everyday viewing. In summary, calibration makes the Sharp GR8 show its best side, offering an image that is not only pleasant to the eye but also faithfully conveys the creators' intentions.

The Xiaomi A Pro 2025 handles tonal transitions effectively, especially when dealing with lower-quality materials. Thanks to its advanced digital processing, the colour contour removal feature performs surprisingly well. Setting this option to "Medium" provides the best balance, enhancing the smoothness of tonal transitions while avoiding excessive smoothing of other image elements, like film grain.

In the case of a tested frame featuring a model with numerous branches in the background, the TV demonstrated its digital processing strengths. Adding artificial sharpness clarified the model’s details, particularly enhancing the hair's definition. However, around the branches, subtle contours emerged due to digital intervention. While this adds detail to the overall image, excessive sharpness can sometimes cause certain elements to appear unnaturally highlighted.

The Sharp GR8 is equipped with the "10-bit color reproduction" feature, which theoretically should improve the smoothness of tonal transitions. In practice... well, the effect is surprising, but not in a very positive way. Even at the highest settings, it's hard to notice any impact on the actual tonal transitions. Instead, the function surprisingly smooths out things it shouldn't – walls, shirts, or other flat surfaces look almost like they have been steam-pressed. In the test, we had to note that there is simply no actual impact on tonal transitions.

When it comes to image scaling, the Sharp GR8 performs significantly better here. The television is capable of giving the image a plastic, smooth characteristic, making even lower resolution content look quite good. Of course, with more demanding details, such as thin tree branches in the background, you can see slight jaggedness, but this is not something that would significantly affect viewing comfort.

The Xiaomi A Pro 2025 features a motion smoothing option known as "Motion Smoothing," which is designed mainly for film viewing. It allows users to adjust the effect to either a more cinematic, film-like appearance with visible frames or a smoother, theatrical image. This feature will likely satisfy movie lovers. However, gamers and sports enthusiasts might be disappointed. The TV uses a 60 Hz refresh rate panel, typical for this price range, which doesn’t offer exceptional motion handling. Our "Ufo" test revealed some motion blur, so those seeking sharper moving images may find it lacking in this regard.

This is where the Sharp GR8 has the chance to stand out against the competition in its price segment. The TV is equipped with a 144 Hz refresh rate panel, which is an impressive result, especially if we plan to use it for dynamic content such as action movies, sports broadcasts, or video games. Additionally, the manufacturer has included a motion smoothing feature, commonly referred to as a "smoothener." The user has three levels of adjustment available, allowing them to tailor the effect to their own preferences – from subtle smoothing to more aggressive intervention in motion fluidity. This is a nice addition, especially for those who mainly watch movies and value smooth, cinematic sequences without annoying stuttering or frame drops.

The Xiaomi A Pro 2025 includes several gamer-friendly features, such as the Game Bar, which sets itself apart from the typical dashboards seen in other brands. This feature allows quick access to game-related settings, making it convenient during intense gaming sessions. The TV also supports Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM), automatically switching to a game-optimised mode to reduce signal delays. However, it lacks HDMI 2.1 support, limiting compatibility with the latest gaming consoles that require higher bandwidth. Additionally, it does not support features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) or G-Sync, which are becoming essential for gamers seeking smoother visuals and reduced tearing. While the Xiaomi A Pro 2025 has some useful features, there are better options in this price range offering more advanced gaming solutions.

If a television has a 144 Hz display and two full HDMI 2.1 ports, it is clear that it has been designed with gamers in mind. The Sharp GR8 offers exactly that – high refresh rates and the right connections to maximize the performance of modern consoles and PCs. It also features ALLM, which automatically switches the television to low-latency mode, and VRR, which prevents screen tearing even in more demanding moments. In practice, everything works as it should, and it is hard to find any faults. However, there are some shortcomings. It lacks support for HGiG, which is a feature that better adjusts HDR for games, as well as a Game Bar that makes it easier to quickly adjust settings without leaving the game. Despite these downsides, the Sharp GR8 is a really solid option for gamers.