TVs SONY
Sony Televisions – Brand Characteristics and Technologies
Sony is a Japanese manufacturer that positions itself in the premium and mid-range segments of the RTV market. Unlike Chinese competitors, Sony does not compete for customers with the lowest price or excessive brightness in cheap models. The main advantage of this brand is the electronics that control the panel (image processor) and factory color calibration. Sony televisions are recommended to users for whom image fidelity, smooth motion while watching sports, and high-quality upscaling of lower resolution content (terrestrial television, cable) are a priority.
Key Technical Solutions
XR Processor: Sony's proprietary chip responsible for image processing. Its main task is to analyze the signal and improve its quality before displaying it on the screen. It is distinguished by its very effective removal of digital noise (so-called grain) and smoothing of tonal transitions (gradients).
Google TV: Sony uses an open operating system from Google. This means the largest app base on the market, easy integration with smartphones (Chromecast), and the possibility of installing advanced tools (e.g., network players, VPN).
Acoustic Surface: A technology in which sound is generated by making the display panel itself vibrate using actuators. As a result, sound physically emerges from the screen (from the characters' mouths), rather than from speakers located under the television.
Collaboration with PS5: Models from the BRAVIA XR series feature Auto HDR Tone Mapping (automatic HDR calibration for the console) and automatic switching to game mode.
Comparison: Sony vs Competition
The tables below show the technical differences between Sony and other popular brands.
1. Sony (Google TV) vs Samsung (Tizen)
The main difference lies in the approach to HDR standards and picture characteristics.
Feature | Sony | Samsung | Importance to User |
HDR Standard | Dolby Vision + HDR10 | HDR10+ (No Dolby Vision) | Most VOD services (Netflix, Disney+) use Dolby Vision. However, over the past year, HDR10+ has also gained traction, so it doesn't make much difference. |
Factory Calibration | Natural / Cinema | Vivid / Contrast-enhanced | Sony focuses on realistic color reproduction. Samsung, by default, saturates colors to make the picture seem more appealing. Both brands, however, recommend calibration for the best picture fidelity. |
OLED Panels | Buys from LG (WOLED) and Samsung (QD-OLED) | Produces its own (QD-OLED) and buys from LG | Sony uses the same panels as Samsung in top models (A95L), but adds its own processor and cooling (heat sink). |
Sony vs Chinese Brands (TCL, Hisense)
The comparison focuses on the quality of signal processing and the performance culture of the devices.
Parameter | Sony | TCL / Hisense | Technical Conclusions |
Upscaling | Very high level. Good handling of SD/HD signals. | Average/Good. Cable TV image may be less sharp or noisy. | If you watch a lot of traditional television, the difference in image quality in favor of Sony will be noticeable. |
Motion Algorithms | Motionflow (Smooth motion without artifacts) | Often visible "tearing" or ghosting with fast-moving objects. | Sony performs better in sports. The algorithms of cheaper brands often lose frames. |
HDMI 2.1 Ports | Usually 2 ports (including one eARC) | Usually 2 ports but with support for higher frequencies than 120Hz | Ironically, cheaper brands offer better connectivity for those with gaming equipment. |
Price/Parameter Ratio | Low (You pay for algorithms and the brand) | Very high (Cheap Mini-LED technologies) | Generally, TCL/Hisense offer higher brightness and contrast at the same price, but worse signal processing. |
Pros and Cons of Sony
Advantages:
Best image scaling (upscaling) and motion smoothing algorithms on the market.
Full support for Dolby Vision and DTS audio formats (which, for example, Samsung and LG often lack).
Stable and versatile Google TV system.
High build quality.
Disadvantages:
High price in relation to "raw" technical specifications (brightness/contrast).
Limited number of HDMI 2.1 ports (usually only two, with one taken up by a soundbar).
Fewer features for gamers.
Available screen sizes: 65”, 75”, 85”
Technology: LCD VA (wide viewing angle), Mini-LED QLED
Brand: SONY
Verdict:
The Sony Bravia 9 is undoubtedly a top-tier product, with no hesitation in declaring it one of the best on the market. The manufacturer has clearly invested a great deal of effort into perfecting the dimming algorithms, ensuring they perform flawlessly. This results in an incredibly deep black and a strikingly vivid image. In HDR effects, the television excels, offering over 2000 nits of peak brig...
Rating
8.8/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
8.4
Classic TV, YouTube
8.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
8.5
Gaming on console
9.2
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
9.5
Utility functions
8.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
8.9
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
Sony Bravia 8 II is undoubtedly a worthy successor to the A95L – refined, incredibly versatile, and with several noticeable improvements over its predecessor. The quality of image, sound, and overall user experience position this model among the top premium TVs of 2025. It’s a device that can enchant both movie enthusiasts and demanding gamers. Among its greatest assets is the almost perfect image...
Rating
8.5/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
9.1
Classic TV, YouTube
9.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
9.0
Gaming on console
9.3
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
5.6
Utility functions
8.9
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
8.5
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
The Sony A95L is a television that made a huge impression on us. Although it has been a year since its release, it still deserves a place among the best models on the market. When it comes to picture quality, it is simply brilliant. Deep blacks, intense colors, and excellent brightness in HDR make everything look incredibly realistic. The QD-OLED panel does its job – movies and games look so good ...
Rating
8.3/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
9.0
Classic TV, YouTube
9.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
9.0
Gaming on console
9.3
TV as a computer monitor
5.0
Watching in bright light
5.4
Utility functions
8.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.9
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
Testing the Sony Bravia 7, we quickly noticed that this TV can do quite a lot. Although it is the "lowest" model from the Japanese manufacturer in the new 2024 lineup, it certainly doesn’t feel like a compromise. The picture impressed us with its deep blacks and the detail in bright scenes – thanks to Mini LED technology, which makes a difference. When we played movies in Dolby Vision, it was imme...
Rating
8.1/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.7
Classic TV, YouTube
7.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.6
Gaming on console
8.4
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
8.4
Utility functions
8.8
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.8
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
The Bravia 8 is Sony’s flagship OLED model for 2024, aimed at attracting image quality enthusiasts. This television delivers outstanding picture quality with OLED’s hallmark deep blacks, vivid, precise colours, and infinite contrast, creating a highly realistic viewing experience. Dark scenes are presented with perfect black levels, while brighter elements are rendered with impressive detail, givi...
Rating
7.8/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.6
Classic TV, YouTube
8.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
8.1
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
5.6
Utility functions
9.4
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.5
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
Sony X90L is a higher-end model from the Japanese manufacturer, which premiered in 2023 but will continue successfully in 2024 as well. The Sony brand and the name Bravia are associated with excellent picture quality, and this model confirms that reputation – it offers great brightness and very good black levels. Despite having fewer local dimming zones than its competitors, it makes up for it wit...
Rating
7.7/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.5
Classic TV, YouTube
7.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.4
Gaming on console
7.9
TV as a computer monitor
7.4
Watching in bright light
7.8
Utility functions
8.0
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.0
Buy this TV:
Verdict:
Sony Bravia 5 is a continuation of the iconic model X90L, and you can see that the manufacturer wanted to take a step forward. A greater number of dimming zones have been used, which makes the contrast seem better in many scenes, and the blacks deeper than those in its predecessor. The 120 Hz matrix and MotionFlow system allow you to adjust the smoothness of the picture to your personal preference...
Rating
7.6/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.0
Classic TV, YouTube
7.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.3
Gaming on console
8.7
TV as a computer monitor
8.0
Watching in bright light
6.9
Utility functions
7.6
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.0
Verdict:
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 m...
Rating
6.9/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.4
Classic TV, YouTube
6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.6
Gaming on console
7.8
TV as a computer monitor
5.6
Watching in bright light
6.5
Utility functions
7.7
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.9
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 come...
Rating
6.2/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.3
Classic TV, YouTube
6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
5.4
Gaming on console
6.6
TV as a computer monitor
3.5
Watching in bright light
5.4
Utility functions
6.1
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.5
Verdict:
Sony Bravia 3 is a television that brings several important improvements over its predecessor, while still staying true to its core. The biggest change is the design – slim bezels and solid metal legs make it look modern and fit much better in a living room than the X75WL. Improved colors thanks to the PFS filter and really good upscaling are also a plus. It is in lower-quality content, especially...
Rating
6.0/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
5.4
Classic TV, YouTube
5.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
5.7
Gaming on console
6.4
TV as a computer monitor
6.0
Watching in bright light
4.9
Utility functions
6.6
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
6.5
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