- Matching (Score) |
- Our verdict |
- Competing TVs |
- 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 |
- Daytime performance |
- TV features |
- Apps |
- Playing files from USB |
- Sound |
- Panel details
Sony Bravia 8 MK2 Review
Bravia 8 II / XR8M
Available screen sizes:
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Panel type: QD-OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz Brand: SONY Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Google TV Model year: 2025
This review is an English translation of the Polish original. Read the original on Wybierz.tv.
When Sony released the A95L in 2023, the TV world was talking about an almost perfect design, a device that could combine cinema-quality picture with modern features. It's no surprise, then, that expectations for its successor were huge. The Sony Bravia 8 II (Mk2) is the direct heir to that legend, set to take the crown left by its older cousin. The manufacturer went with a new-generation 120 Hz QD-OLED panel, Sony's proprietary XR image processor, and refined features for gamers and movie lovers. From the very first moments it's clear this is not merely a cosmetic update but an attempt to keep its position at the very top of the best TVs of 2025. How does the new Sony Bravia 8 II perform? Welcome to the review!
SONY Bravia 8 II - Our verdict
8.5
Overall rating
The Sony Bravia 8 II is without doubt a worthy successor to the A95L — refined, extremely versatile, and with several clear improvements over its predecessor. Picture quality, sound, and overall user experience place this model among the top premium TVs of 2025. It's a set that can dazzle both movie lovers and demanding gamers. One of its greatest strengths is the nearly perfect picture, where the XR processor subtly but effectively improves detail and smoothness without overprocessing the source material. Add to that the phenomenal Acoustic Surface sound, which makes dialogue and effects feel like they're coming straight from the screen. Google TV runs very smoothly, offering a huge selection of apps, and extra features such as cloud gaming on PlayStation and access to Bravia Core increase the device's value. There's also low input lag, variable refresh rate, and full support for modern HDR formats. That said, there are a few spoons of tar in this barrel of honey. No refresh rate above 120 Hz, only two HDMI 2.1 ports, and average daytime performance are shortcomings that a TV of this class shouldn't have in 2025. And while for many these won't be deal-breakers, in the super-premium segment the competition is getting stronger and more uncompromising. Will these flaws make it harder for the Bravia 8 II to win customers' wallets? We'll leave that to you, the market... and the sales figures. Regardless, the Bravia 8 II is a phenomenal product that's hard not to recommend.
Advantages
Amazing contrast and deep blacks
High brightness in HDR content
Excellent motion clarity: QD-OLED panel at 120Hz
Plenty of features for gamers: VRR, ALLM, HGiG, GameBar
Top-tier digital image processing (XR Processor)
A wide selection of apps on Google TV
Two remotes included
Phenomenal sound with DTS and Dolby Atmos support
Disadvantages
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports: one is reserved for eARC (soundbar)
Cherry-black effect in bright light: the QD-OLED panel makes blacks lose depth under strong light
Average brightness in SDR mode (competitors at this price can deliver a lot more)
No additional motion-smoothing modes for PC gamers
Movies and series in UHD quality9.1
Classic TV, YouTube9.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)9.0
Gaming on console9.3
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.6
Utility functions8.9
Apps9.6
Sound quality8.5
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SONY Bravia 8 II - Competing TVs in this price range
SONY Bravia 8 II - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Premium
Stand type: Legs
Bezel color: Graphite
Stand: Height adjustment
Flat design: Yes
Accessories: Two remote controls, Stand
Sony Bravia 8 II makes a premium impression at first glance, and it's clear its styling references the legend that was the A95L. The construction may not be as extremely slim as competitors like the Samsung S95F or LG G5, but there is a practical reason for that: according to the manufacturer, the extra thickness houses a cooling panel intended to improve the display's longevity and performance. The overall design remains faithful to what Sony has made us used to over the years: elegant, minimalist and unfussy. The package includes solid, stylish feet, which can no longer be mounted centrally as on its predecessor, but fortunately height adjustment is retained to accommodate a soundbar. The only element that might draw criticism is the rear casing, which is made of plastic. Sony says, however, that it has a specific structural purpose. Even so, the Bravia 8 II is a television that can appeal and look great in a modern living room.
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SONY Bravia 8 II - Contrast and black detail
10/10
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
In terms of blacks and contrast, the Sony Bravia 8 II is absolute top-tier, and I mean that in every sense of the word. It uses a QD-OLED panel, which naturally delivers near-infinite contrast. That means each pixel can switch off completely, so black parts of the image are truly black, not dark gray or navy. The effect is especially striking in cinematic conditions, when the room lights are dimmed, as the picture gains real depth and a cinematic feel. The Bravia 8 II also impresses with its separation of light sources in challenging scenes. Test clips from films like Oblivion show how precisely the TV can separate small light sources from the surrounding darkness, without the haloing or blooming that still occurs in the best LCD TVs (even the Bravia 9). Add to that the fact that bright elements retain full intensity even against absolute black. That not only makes a huge visual impression but also translates to better detail reproduction in high-contrast scenes, which is particularly important for HDR content.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
SONY Bravia 8 II - HDR effect quality
8.4/10
Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 99.9%, Bt.2020: 89.3%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
1922 nit
Result
2034 nit
Result
1999 nit
Result
2026 nit
Result
770 nit
Thanks to its new QD-OLED panel, the Sony Bravia 8 II can reach an astronomically high brightness of around 2000 nits, which translates into near-reference quality for movies and series mastered in HDR. In test material like Life of Pi or Sicario 2 the effect is simply stunning, with details in bright areas remaining perfectly visible and nighttime scenes impressing with depth and contrast. It is not perfect, though. Compared with its toughest rivals, the Bravia 8 II shows a noticeable drop in brightness on full-screen, very bright frames. If you compare peak spot luminance with 100% white luminance in HDR mode, the Bravia 8 II can appear two to three times dimmer than the LG G5 or Samsung S95F models. In the scene from The Meg this was especially apparent, as the screen became noticeably dimmer than competing TVs. Despite this shortcoming, the Bravia 8 II’s results still place it among the market leaders. Its absolutely top-tier color gamut coverage deserves praise, with DCI-P3 at nearly 100% and BT.2020 close to 90%. These figures let HDR content reach its full potential and deliver cinema-like experiences at home.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Tests and numbers are one thing, but the true value only becomes apparent when compared with the best televisions on the market today. That's exactly where the greatest strength of the Sony Bravia 8 II lies. Thanks to its excellently implemented, out-of-the-box dynamic tone mapping, the television can reproduce nearly every movie scene in a near-reference way, both those mastered for around 1,000 nits and the demanding ones intended for top displays reaching 4,000 nits. Admittedly, there are minimal losses of brightness in the brightest parts of the image, but it's hard to regard that as a significant flaw. The Bravia 8 II is engineered for cinematic perfection, and you not only see it, you practically feel it during playback.
HDR luminance chart:
If anyone thinks dynamic tone mapping alone isn't enough, don't worry, most modern film productions are made in formats that include dynamic metadata. In the case of the Sony Bravia 8 II, that's Dolby Vision, which can fully exploit the potential of the QD-OLED panel. As shown in the comparison photo, dynamic metadata makes a huge difference, especially in the most challenging bright scenes, where the TV shows its full capabilities and preserves detail where no other display on the market without dynamic metadata can.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
8/10
Out of the box the Bravia 8 II performs really well. In its best IMAX® Enhanced mode the TV renders colors pleasantly and naturally, though "good" here doesn't mean "best in class." The white balance definitely needs adjustment, as skin tones tend to shift slightly toward pinkish/cooler hues in both SDR and HDR content. We also noticed that the EOTF curve has a tendency to brighten the darkest parts of the picture. This likely comes from the manufacturer's desire to reveal as much detail as possible even in deep shadows. Is that a good approach? It's hard to say for sure, but one thing is clear: it's not an ideal solution.
Color reproduction after calibration
9.2/10
After calibration we mainly managed to eliminate the excessive cooling of the image caused by too strong a boost in blue. Reds became deeper and skin tones took on a natural, healthy look. Actors who had previously seemed "cold" now appear on screen much livelier and more convincing. One thing hasn't changed, however: analysis of the EOTF curve still shows the Bravia 8 II tends to brighten the darkest parts of the image. It's hard to say whether that's an intentional choice by the manufacturer or a result of the panel design and software. In practice this means scenes that filmmakers intended to remain in deep shadow can reveal more detail than intended. Despite that, the picture after calibration is clearly better — warm, natural colors and realistic skin tones simply make watching on the Bravia 8 II more pleasant to the eye.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.5/10
The smoothness of tonal transitions on the Sony Bravia 8 II can be described as very good, though with a clear separation between bright and dark material. In high-luminance scenes the TV performs almost flawlessly; gradation is smooth, free of visible banding or artifacts, and subtle color transitions remain entirely consistent. This is especially evident in HDR content, where bright skies or well-lit shots look nearly perfect. Here it could easily score 9.5/10.
The situation is a bit different in darker sequences. In night scenes or heavily shadowed shots, especially in test footage, you can notice slight issues with gradation smoothness, as transitions become less subtle. While it is not at a level that ruins the viewing experience, a more discerning eye will pick up the difference, especially compared to the absolute top-tier models on the market. In this category the score tends to hover around 7.5/10.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
8.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
Upscaling and digital image processing are a real showcase for the Bravia 8 II. Sony has long been regarded as a master in this field, and this only reinforces that reputation. The company's proprietary XR processor can extract almost the maximum from lower-resolution sources, whether broadcast TV or an old DVD, the picture looks sharper, with more detail and better depth. Sure, if you feed it exceptionally poor-quality material (like our archival photo of the model), you won't get miracles, but for everyday viewing there's little to complain about.
The smooth gradation feature also performs very well. On the "Medium" setting it effectively smooths tonal transitions, eliminating banding in color and gray gradients while preserving film grain and fine image detail. It's precisely that balance between subtlety and effectiveness that keeps Sony TVs among the best on the market in this category.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Blur and motion smoothness
8.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 120Hz
Brightness drop with BFI: 49%
When it comes to motion handling, the Bravia 8 II is basically a done deal. The OLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate naturally delivers a very clean, sharp picture in fast-moving scenes, so there's little to complain about. What deserves special praise, though, is one of the best motion smoothing systems on the market. It lets you precisely tailor motion in films to your preferences, from subtle smoothing to an almost "theatrical" look, without the risk of artificial judder, image tearing, or annoying artifacts. It's one of those features you'll appreciate both when watching movies and during sports.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Blur (MotionFlow 120Hz):
Motion blur on the Bravia 8 II is practically non-existent, a natural advantage of OLED panels that have almost zero pixel-to-pixel response time. Every movement is sharp and free of ghosting, even in the most dynamic scenes. An interesting detail is the presence of the BFI function (Black Frame Insertion, listed in the menu as "Purity"), set to "Low" by default. Switching it to "High" produced no improvement at either 60 or 120 Hz; instead the image began to flicker slightly and became noticeably dimmer. It's more of an option for experimenters than for everyday use.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Console compatibility and gaming features
9.4/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 120Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
1440p@120Hz:
No - 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
Sony really learned from previous years, and with the Bravia 8 II it has put together a package of gamer-focused features that’s hard to call anything but "almost perfect." It includes everything you expect at this level: VRR, ALLM, Dolby Vision Gaming mode, HGiG, and even a handy Game Bar that lets you quickly check parameters and change settings without leaving the game. Also a plus is how smoothly and seamlessly these features work, with no delays and no odd stuttering. You just launch a game and everything looks as it should. Unfortunately, it’s not without a few caveats. The manufacturer still gives us only two full-bandwidth HDMI ports, so if you have a console, a PC, and another device like a soundbar connected via eARC, you’ll be swapping cables. It’s also surprising there’s no support for 1440p at 120 Hz, which is particularly important for Xbox players. Overall, though, this is one of those TVs you can comfortably place at the center of a gaming-focused living room and enjoy gameplay without major compromises.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Input lag
9.8/10
Input lag on the Bravii 8 II is a strong point every gamer will appreciate. With 120 Hz content, input lag sits around 10 ms, putting this TV among the best. Response is almost instantaneous, and controls in fast-paced games remain fully predictable. At 60 Hz the delay naturally doubles, but it still stays at a benchmark level. Importantly, Sony has handled Dolby Vision support in games very well; it works here exceptionally smoothly and quickly. This is a big change compared with previous years, when Dolby Vision Gaming on the brand's TVs could cause extra delays or minor stuttering. Now it's clear Sony has refined this aspect to perfection.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 19 ms | 2160p60: 18 ms | 2160p60 DV: 19 ms |
| 1080p120: 10 ms | 2160p120: 9 ms | 2160p120 DV: 10 ms |
| 2160p60: 19 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 10 ms |
SONY Bravia 8 II - Compatibility with PC
7.6/10
Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate): 10ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB
Max refresh rate: 120Hz
G-Sync: Yes
Compared with last year's A95L, the Bravia 8 II has taken a big step forward in PC compatibility. Chroma 4:4:4 support works flawlessly, so both regular and very small text remains sharp and clear. That means working with documents, spreadsheets, or even editing photos does not strain the eyes or require fiddling with settings.
There is, however, a slight letdown. In a TV of this class you could expect an additional game mode supporting refresh rates above 120 Hz. After all, in the price segment this model occupies (and even lower ones) you increasingly see 165 Hz and even 240 Hz. That option is missing here, which may be a minor disappointment for some PC enthusiasts. Fortunately, thanks to its low input lag and G-Sync support, the Bravia 8 II still manages to immerse you in PC gaming without noticeable delay or stuttering. It's a device that performs well not only in the living room but also on a gamer's desk.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Viewing angles
9.8/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 11%
In this respect, the Bravia 8 II is an absolute market leader. Thanks to its QD-OLED panel, the TV retains full color depth and high contrast even when viewed at a wide angle. That's a clear advantage over designs based on WOLED panels, which can slightly lose saturation and detail at more extreme viewing angles. Like its rival, the Samsung S95F, the Bravia 8 II performs almost flawlessly in this category, and whether you're watching a movie from the couch, the armchair next to it, or standing in the corner of the room, the image remains true to the original.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Daytime performance
5.6/10
Panel finish: Glare
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Average
For a TV of this class, we expected a better result. An average SDR brightness of around 400 nits is definitely too low to call visibility in a sunlit living room excellent. In very demanding lighting conditions we’ll have to pull down the blinds or... move the TV to another spot. As with every QD-OLED panel, blacks during the day are not perfectly black, taking on a slight cherry hue. Fortunately, this technology also has advantages over WOLED panels: it suppresses reflections much more effectively, so direct light glare is less bothersome. Despite that plus, overall the Bravia 8 II’s performance in a bright room should be judged as average, especially given the high-end category this model belongs to.
Panel brightness
Sony Bravia 8 MK2: 419 cd/m2
SONY Bravia 8 II - TV features
8.9/10
System: Google TV
System performance: Good
- HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
- Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
- Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
- TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Classic features:
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): Yes
- Recording programming: Yes
- Picture in Picture (PiP): No
- RF remote control (no need to aim): RF
- Backlit remote control: No
- Teletext: Yes
- Audio only mode: Yes
- Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
- Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Voice search: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
SONY Bravia 8 II: TV features
The Bravia 8 II has a lot to offer people who use their TV in a traditional way. The set comes with two remotes — one modern, minimalist smart remote and the other a traditional numeric remote, designed for those who simply treat the TV... like a TV 😉. Sony also allows programming and recording TV broadcasts to external storage, e.g., a USB flash drive. Features like EPG or teletext needn't even be mentioned; they're a given.
SONY Bravia 8 II: Google TV
When it comes to smart features, the biggest advantage is the Google TV system, which we believe Sony has refined better than any other manufacturer on the market. Although the system itself can be demanding in terms of hardware, it runs very smoothly on the Bravia 8 II. Google TV also offers a huge selection of apps, which is another strong plus. There are also exclusive features you won't find from competitors, such as remote play from your own PlayStation console and access to the private Bravia Core movie library, available only on Sony TVs. In short, the full package.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: Yes
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: Yes
- DTS-HD Master Audio: Yes
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: Yes
- Font size adjustment: No
- Audio description: Yes
SONY Bravia 8 II - Apps
9.6/10
SONY Bravia 8 II - Playing files from USB
8.9/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
Bravia 8 II does very well with media playback. The built-in player opens practically everything you'd expect. Sure, there are a few formats it doesn't support, but that's not a serious issue. The biggest advantage is that, thanks to Google TV, we're not limited to the default player. At any time we can install an alternative app that will handle files Sony's built-in software struggles with. That makes the TV a universal media hub, ready to handle almost any format.
SONY Bravia 8 II - Sound
8.5/10
86dB
Maximum volume
Supported codecs (TV speakers)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
When it comes to sound, the Bravia 8 II is absolutely top-tier among TVs. Sony once again proves that its Acoustic Surface technology is not a marketing gimmick but a real advantage; speakers hidden behind the screen make the entire panel act as a diaphragm. The soundstage is wide, dialogue is exceptionally clear, and the audio follows the on-screen action precisely. It's one of the few TVs where you can truly skip adding an extra soundbar (of course, a basic one). On top of that, Sony hasn't forgotten formats that competitors are gradually dropping. Full DTS support is a nod to cinephiles who want to get the most out of films and series on physical media.
Sound Quality Test:
Acoustic Measurements
86dBC (Max)
75dBC
SONY Bravia 8 II - Panel details
Software version during testing: 112.632.050.1EUA
Image processor: MT5897 6GB RAM
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
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Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
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