Sony TV 2021 in the test: the big overview

Sony OLED televisions promise the best picture quality, recognizable by the letter A in the type designation. In comparison to LCD types, OLED screens are characterized by their self-illuminating pixels. This allows perfectly deep black and particularly fine nuances to be displayed in dark areas of the image, the result is a very three-dimensional, almost three-dimensional image impression. In the top model Bravia XR-A90J, Sony has reinforced the aluminum back of the OLED screen so that the television can dissipate more heat. In addition, Sony optimized the pixel control so that overall brighter images are possible. In the test, with a maximum of 720 candelas per square meter, it did not prove to be the brightest OLED TV of all, but it is definitely 20 percent brighter than its cheaper siblings. There wasn’t the slightest complaint about the colors in the test anyway, they were exemplary, of course. The useful setting options including a good brightness sensor were also positive.

Sony also uses the A90J As with his previous OLED televisions, the screen doubles as a loudspeaker. Because of the large surface area, the vibrations are not visible, while the sound was ranked among the best of all televisions. For the A90J Sony amplified the speaker drivers mounted on the back of the screen and provided them with additional tweeter units in order to achieve a stronger and clearer sound. The voluminous sound with clear speech reproduction and great spatial expansion can really be heard. In addition to the popular sizes 55 inches with 140 centimeters screen diagonal and 65 inches with 164 centimeters, the A90J the new size 83 inches with 211 centimeters to choose from.

The cheaper OLED television Bravia XR-A80J is technically similar to its predecessor Sony A8. Accordingly, the brightness boost is flat, and the speakers are also a bit simpler, making the sound less powerful and voluminous. The sound quality of the is of course much better than that of conventional televisions A80J. Anyone who usually watches TV in a darkened room anyway and can live with somewhat restrained brightness peaks in HDR films will get just as good colors and a maximum contrast as the 90s with the A80J and also the excellent setting options – and at noticeably lower prices. The A80J In addition to 55 and 65 inches, there are also 77 inches (195 centimeters). As a compact 48-inch version with a screen diagonal of 121 centimeters, Sony continues to offer the 2020 model KD-48A9.

Common feature of Sony TVs 2021: Android is used as the operating system as before, but with the new Google TV user interface. That means the start screen is clearer. Apps take a back seat, the focus is instead on the content. This includes the respective favorite TV stations of the users, started series of streaming services as well as appropriate recommendations. This concept was already convincing with the new Chromecast, Sony is the first manufacturer to equip televisions with it. This does not change anything in terms of the basic functions and advantages of Android, the selection of apps is as large as usual, including Apple TV and Sky Ticket. Sony supplements the AirPlay function for Apple users. In addition, the Google Assistant is now integrated for hands-free operation. The microphones for voice control are therefore plugged directly into the televisions.

For the top models, the type designation of which begins with XR, the app for the Sony Bravia Core video library is also available. It offers hundreds of blockbusters from the Sony and Columbia film studios, including a number of well-hung titles, but also current ones such as the “Ghostbusters” sequel and the “Spider-Man” series. Depending on the television model, users can choose five or ten titles and watch them at any rate within a period of twelve to 24 months. Depending on the film and internet connection, the data rate can reach 80 megabits per second. In the test, contrasts looked a bit harder than on the originals on UHD Blu-ray, but the image quality was still impressive. Other streaming providers such as Netflix, on the other hand, currently deliver a maximum of 25 megabits per second.

The cheapest TV with Bravia Core is the Sony XR-X90J. Sony equips this model series with high-quality LCD screens. They are particularly strong in color and high-contrast thanks to local dimming technology: the LED backlight, which illuminates the screen as in every LCD television, only shines with full power behind bright areas of the image; the television dims it behind dark areas. The X90J thus achieved an above-average high contrast and also a remarkable maximum brightness – unique in its price class. Perfectionists can use the Portrait Displays software to calibrate Sony televisions from the X90J onwards, thanks to the Autocal function, or they can have it set accordingly by Media Markt and Saturn. the X90J shows up to 100 or 120 images per second. This increases the sharpness of movement, which is important for sports broadcasts and gaming, for example. Two of the HDMI inputs also digest 120 Hz and variable frame rates from game consoles (HDMI 2.1 with VRR).

The model range X85J also has 100 Hertz screens and two HDMI inputs for the new generation of game consoles. These correspond to the HDMI 2.1 version with 120 Hertz at 4K. The Bravia X85J does without local dimming and thus the higher contrast. Maximum brightness and HDR brilliance are also lower, but exceptionally good for the price range: even the 65-inch version is often available for less than 1,000 euros. The model range X80J again it leaves the normal refresh rates of 50 and 60 Hertz. The equipment with Google TV and Google Assistant is the same in both cases.

The KD-32W800 model occupies an exceptional position among the new Sony televisions: It still has to get by without the Google TV interface and runs on the well-known Android TV operating system. But that is also remarkable, only a few competitors of this size are so smart. With a screen diagonal of 80 centimeters (32 inches), it is the smallest Sony, and the Full HD screen resolution (1920×1080 pixels) is sufficient. Despite the rather weak contrast, the small one with natural colors and clean movement processes did very well in the test. The price-performance ratio of the W800 is very attractive for a small living room or bedroom.

And the very best for last: Like its predecessor, the ZG9, the Sony Bravia XR-Z9J comes up with 8K resolution, i.e. with 7680×4320 pixels. Correspondingly high-resolution films will probably never be available apart from individual pieces, after all, even with the new high-end Bravia Core platform, only 4K has been talked about so far. Thanks to its finer screen grid, the 8K television can also display fine structures in lower resolution films more clearly, straight diagonal lines in motion. In addition, the Z9J scored points in the test as the most brilliant television to date with the highest maximum brightness and excellent anti-reflective coating for the best daylight suitability. In total, however, that was not enough for an even better picture rating than for the best UHD models from Sony. With the gigantic image sizes of 75 and 85 inches (189 and 215 centimeters), the Über-Sony is only a case for larger living rooms, even if the advantages of the 8K resolution only come into their own from a short distance – 2 rather than 3 are recommended Meter.