Sony has unveiled its entire range of televisions for 2023. After discussing the Oled (A80L) and QD-Oled (A95L) models in detail, we are tackling the LCD models here: X80L – with its 50 Hz panel and basic backlight Direct-Led — to the X95L — with a much more efficient Mini-Led backlight — to the X85L and X90L with their 120 Hz panel and their Full-Led system. The Sony X85L also promises to be excellent value for money.
Sony X95L: more zones and increased peak brightness for Sony’s Mini-Led
The Sony XR-75X95L and its Mini-Led backlight © Sony
Successor to last year’s Sony X95K, the Sony X95L is the manufacturer’s new — and only — Mini-Led model for 2023. It features a 120 Hz Ultra HD VA LCD panel equipped with a quantum dot filter ( XR Triluminos Pro) to increase brightness and reproduce more colors, especially the most saturated ones. The backlighting system, made up of thousands of mini-LEDs, has been improved compared to last year. Sony announces a brightness increase of 30% compared to the X95K of 2022. Knowing that we had measured the peak brightness at 1456 cd / m² on the X95K, it should quite easily exceed 1500 cd / m². Sony does not stop there, since the number of zones would also be up by 20%, which should make it possible to reduce blooming a little more (halo effect around light objects on a dark background). The screen also includes an X-Wide Angle filter improving viewing angles and an X-Anti Reflection filter supposed to reduce reflections.
High position to accommodate a sound bar. © Sony
The design of the Sony X95L is very similar to last year’s X95K. We find a fairly compact chassis with fairly thin screen edges. The two feet can be placed at the ends, in a low or high position to slide a sound bar in the middle, or even in the center to simplify installation on a narrow TV stand.
The back of the Sony A95L. © Sony
While support for Dolby Vision 4K at 120 Hz remains reserved for the Sony A95L (QD-Oled), the X95L still offers 4K 120 Hz, VRR and ALLM compatibility thanks to its two HDMI 2.1 inputs. This model also features the new game menu that allows you to resize the image size (for those who will use the TV as a monitor on a desk, for example), unblock dark areas (black equalizer), display a crosshair center of the image or two video streams side by side (Picture by Picture). On the energy saving side, Sony has put in place a fairly trivial didactic guide which makes it possible to reduce energy consumption, essentially by lowering the brightness.
For the rest, this model is very close to its predecessor released in 2022. We find the Sony XR video processor in a 2023 version which improves video processing according to the signal (XR Clear Image), but also the Acoustic Multi Audio + system with a system that vibrates the frame of the television to improve spatialization. The integrated microphone for controlling Google TV in hands-free mode, as well as the Acoustic Center Sync system, which allows the TV to be used as a central speaker with a Sony soundbar, are included. The remote control with backlit keys and equipped with a loudspeaker to find it more easily is always present.
Sony still stands out with its exclusive Bravia Core streaming offer for 24 months, including 10 free movies (10 tokens). This Sony service offers unrivaled image quality, with a bit rate of 80 Mbit well above the 15 to 20 Mbit of competitors. Sony is also integrating the CrunchyRoll manga streaming platform this year.
The connection is identical, with four HDMI inputs, including two HDMI 2.1 (4K120, ALLM, VRR), two USB ports, including one USB 3.0, an Ethernet port (limited to 100 Mbit), an SPDIF output (optical digital), a composite output shared with S-Center input (for synchronization with a Sony soundbar), PCMCIA (CI+ Common Interface) port, rake antenna connector and satellite connector. This model has a dual DVB-T/T2 (TNT), DVB-S/S2 (satellite) and DVB-C (cable) tuner. It also has 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wifi (wifi 5), as well as Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless connection with headphones or speakers. The Sony X95L is also compatible with the Bravia Cam (not included) for Google Duo video chats, and can also dim the brightness when no one is in front of the TV.
The Sony X95L will be available in 65, 75 and 85 inch versions, respectively under the references XR-65X95L, XR-75X95L and XR-85X95L, during the month of May 2023. Sony does not communicate the prices, but it is probably necessary allow 3500 € for the 65 inch model, 5000 € for the 75 inch and not far from 7000 € for the 85 inch model.
Sony X90L: Full-Led system and Sony XR Cognitive processor
The Sony XR-65X90L, Sony’s most high-end 4K Full-Led model. © Sony
The Sony X90L TV swaps the Mini-Led backlighting system for a Full Led system with fewer zones, and logically a little more blooming than on the X95L. However, the Sony X90L displays a brightness increase of 30% and 60% more areas compared to the X94K, the Full Led model from last year. The panel is also different, since it does not benefit from X-Wide Angle filters improving viewing angles and X-Anti Reflection supposed to reduce reflections.
The Sony X90L incorporates the features of the X95L model. It retains the same Bravia XR Cognitive 2023 processor with its small improvements, including the XR Clear Image. The Acoustic Multi Audio system (without the plus) is still on the menu, as is the Acoustic Center Sync.
Feet outside. © Sony
The buyer can also count on two years of access to Bravia Core with 10 extra film tokens, the integration of microphones into the TV for hands-free control, not to mention Google TV. This model also benefits from a foot with three positions: low or high to install a sound bar, and in the center.
A neat rear. © Sony
The connection is identical to that of the X95L with still two HDMI 2.1 ports out of the four on the television. It is also compatible with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10 and HLG, but skips HDR10+.
The Sony Bravia X90L is available in 55, 65, 75, 85 and 98 inch versions (a new diagonal for this year) under the references XR-55X90L, XR-65X90L, XR-75X90L, XR-85X90L and XR-98X90L. These televisions should be available from May 2023 starting at €1,200.
Sony X85L: 120 Hz panel, Full-Led with fewer zones and Sony X1 HDR processor
The Sony X85L with its feet on the sides. © Sony
The Sony X85L television retains a 4K Ultra HD 120 Hz panel and a Full Led backlight system, but the number of zones is reduced, without further information. The XR Cognitive processor is replaced by the venerable Sony X1 HDR from 2020, which should not be demerited. As a result, this model doesn’t benefit from the new XR Clear Image processing, but the Sony X1 HDR was already excellent in 2020 and since then improvements have been on the sidelines.
The design is a little less premium than that of the other two models, and the foot is only adjustable in two positions. It retains the built-in microphone, but is content with 12 months of access to the Bravia Core streaming service and five tokens (purchase of films offered). The audio system is also more classic.
And feet in the center. © Sony
The connection is identical, with always two HDMI 2.1 ports out of the four on the television. It’s also Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10 and HLG compatible, but not HDR10+ like all Sony TVs.
The Sony Bravia X85L is available in 55, 65 and 75 inch versions under the references XR-55X85L, XR-65X85L and XR-75X85L. These televisions should be available from May 2023 from 1000 €. With an interesting peak of brightness and its 4K 120 Hz panel, this model should be one of the best value for money in the Japanese manufacturer’s catalog.
Sony X80L: 50 Hz panel, Direct-Led and Sony X1 HDR processor
The Sony X80L television goes straight to the point by offering a 4K Ultra HD 50/60 Hz panel and a basic Direct-Led backlighting system, whose lighting is not managed by zones like on a Full-Led system. It is also content with the Sony X1 HDR processor, but keeps the hands-free microphone in the TV, as well as access to Bravia Core for 12 months (and five films).
The Sony Bravia X80L is available in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 85 inch versions under the references XR-43X80L, XR-50X80L, XR-55X80L, XR-65X80L, XR-75X80L and XR-85X80L. These televisions should be available from May 2023 starting at €750.
Summary table of the Sony 2023 Oled and LCD TV range
The Sony X75WL is an even more affordable variant of the X80L which loses the hands-free microphone and probably some small unspecified features. It should be noted that the 8K model of 2022, the Sony Z9K, remains in the catalog for 2023.