Buying guide for Best Sony TVs
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A smart TV is an essential part of any home entertainment system, acting as a central hub that allows consumers to enjoy film, TV, music, games, and live sports in real-time and high quality. Among the three industry leaders in luxury smart TVs is Sony, with a line of options offering the latest in visual and audio technology.
Sony TVs feature an integrated smart system to utilize preferred apps and streaming services. They allow for both Apple and Android users to connect their devices and include various modes that optimize specific content, including enhancing brightness and sound clarity as needed.
The latest and best Sony TVs come at a high price, making them a steep investment, but they can provide an immersive, engrossing entertainment experience for years that makes for terrific value over time.
How to buy the best Sony TV
Size
One of the first key considerations when buying a Sony TV — or any TV for that matter — is size. A 55-inch or 65-inch TV is the standard for any entertainment room, offering a group of people a sizable screen on which to watch their favorite content. Smaller TVs best serve guest rooms, bedrooms, or dorms; Sony offers a few 43-inch options that are suitable on dressers or desks.
For those seeking the biggest options for the most immersive of visual experiences, Sony makes 75-inch and 85-inch TVs as well. They also make the biggest TV currently on the market at a staggering 100 inches. Note that screen size is measured from one corner diagonally to the other.
Resolution
4K TVs are now the standard resolution in the TV market. Also known as UHD or Ultra High Definition, 4K TVs provide impressive detail with 3840 x 2160p, or over eight million pixels. As most new films, video games, and TV series are shot and produced in UHD, a 4K TV gives audiences an authentic version of the content in its native resolution. 4K is paired with HDR, or High Dynamic Range, that boosts brightness.
While older TVs may still feature Full HD, or FHD, Sony no longer makes new TVs featuring the now-dated resolution.
However, 8K TVs, with over 33 million pixels, are slowly cropping up, with the top companies, including Sony, offering a handful of options. These come at a prohibitive cost and will upscale content since there’s almost no native 8K content available. For those who want the biggest luxury TV available, this may be a good choice, but for most consumers, it’s not worth the high expense at the moment.
Display type
Sony offers two different types of displays in their TV screens: Full Array LED, which are more common and inexpensive, and the high-end OLED TVs that have been championed by rival LG.
Full Array LED TVs use backlighting to light up the picture on the screen. They offer any number of LED zones that can be dimmed as needed depending on the content; the more local dimming zones that are included, the better contrast that can be achieved. LED screens have the potential of achieving incredible brightness but can struggle with contrast among dark content. A shadowing or blurring can occur in lesser-quality LED screens.
The OLED display boasts individually lit pixels, which allow each individual pixel to turn off as needed. This means that better contrast can be obtained, particularly when it comes to scenes of darker, shadowed content. A pixel can simply turn off and be completely black on screen. However, one of the drawbacks tends to be that OLED screens can’t achieve the peak brightness of LED screens. Sony makes up for it employing its powerful XR Cognitive Process that boasts brightness alongside its XR Triluminous innovation that incorporates a vast spectrum of faithful colors.
Name terminology
Most TV brands offer products that feature a confusing combination of letters and numbers that can make shopping feel overwhelming and tedious.
New Sony TVs begin with “XR” or “XBR,” which simply means it’s a top, high-end TV. As reference, “XR” appears in front of a lot of patented technologies in Sony TVs. The number that follows informs screen size. A letter comes next concerning display type: “A” indicates the TV is an OLED model, while “X” or “Z” indicates an LED screen.
After that comes a number that represents the product line, which can be one, two or three digits. Look at the first number or only number (in some cases) to understand performance: higher numbers are newer and offer slightly better quality than lower numbers. Lastly, you’ll find a letter that tells you what year the TV was made. “J” is a 2021 model, while an “H” is a 2020 option.
Therefore, the Sony XR-75X95J TV is a 75-inch, LED from 2021 that’s at the top of the product line.
Did You Know?
Sony TVs feature thin bezels for a more immersive viewing experience that limits any intrusive edges. Some also have a versatile stand that allows the TV to sit flat on a surface, ideal for blocking out cords behind the unit.
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Sony TV features
Refresh rate
The number of times a second the screen refreshes the image is known as refresh rate. Expressed in hertz, Sony TVs offer a native 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rate in their smart TVs. While 60Hz is accessible for some users, those who enjoy live sports or video games where lagging or blurring can occur will want a higher number.
In addition to the native rate, Sony enhances refresh rate with integrated technology, including XR Motion to remove any potential blurring and keep the image smooth.
Connectivity
Sony TVs offer various means to connect your favorite devices and operate in the way that’s most convenient. Sony TVs connect to WiFi to offer access to streaming connect, but also allow for Bluetooth connections as well. New models are compatible with Chromecast and Apple AirPlay so users can play content from their smartphones.
Many can be operated by voice using Alexa or Google Assistant. They also come with a smart remote that offers direct access to popular apps and programmable buttons. The smart remote can be calibrated to control other connected devices and consoles.
Concerning ports, most new options now have four HDMI ports for devices, like gaming consoles, soundbars, speakers, or Blu-ray players. One or two USB ports are also often included.
Audio
One of the ways in which Sony sets itself apart, particularly from budget-friendly TV brands, is with impressive, immersive sound technologies. Acoustic Surface Audio Technology is offered in OLED screens, while Acoustic Multi Audio is included in LED models. They both offer immersive sound using vibrations to achieve quality mid-range and high audio, though bass can be lacking.
Most options are compatible with a 5.1 and Dolby Atmos sound systems for those with access to content with high-quality audio.
Netflix Calibrated Mode
While all Sony TVs allow users to watch their favorite streaming service throughout the integrated smart system, including Amazon Prime and Disney+, some Sony TVs are specifically designed for use with Netflix. The mode, which can be toggled on or off as desired, is simply a preset of certain picture settings that Netflix says will optimize the viewing experience on the service.
You can expect your new Sony TV to serve you at least three to five years. After that period, the technology may become dated and the interface may slow, requiring an upgrade.
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How much do Sony TVs cost?
Inexpensive
Small and mid-range Sony LED TVs can cost around $1,000 or less. These may be slightly older models, but they still offer 4K resolution, a fast smart system, and processing that optimizes various content.
Mid-range
Most Sony TVs cost between $1,000 and $2,500. While size increases cost, the presence of OLED screen technology is the biggest influencer. Larger LED TVs and small to mid-range OLED TVs are offered in this range, though they won’t be the top of the product line.
Expensive
The largest Sony TVs cost over $2,500, with the newest and biggest OLED models hitting $3,000 in cost. Some may even cross the $4,000 threshold.
Did You Know?
Sony TVs don't require much care or maintenance. Regularly update the software as requested and occasionally take a dry microfiber cloth to the screen to wipe away any dust.
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Tips
- Mount your TV. For the best viewing experience, mount your Sony TV so the center of the screen is at the same level as your eyes when seated. Just be sure to keep extraneous cords organized and tidy.
- Invest in a soundbar. While worthy advances have been made in TV audio systems, those seeking deep, rich bass and faithful surround sound should opt for a compatible soundbar.
- Personalize the interface. Browsing content and navigating various menus should be intuitive and convenient. Take advantage of various ways to personalize the interface and customize the remote so you can get to your favorite content quickly.
- Purchase HDMI 2.1 cables. These newer HDMI cables allow for the rapid transmission of audio and video, which is imperative for detailed content, particularly when it comes to playing video games or Blu-ray discs.
FAQ
Q. What’s the difference between Google TV and Android TV?
A. Sony TVs use either Google TV or Android TV as their smart platform. Simply, Google TV is an updated version of Android TV, and the latest TV models all feature Google TV with the intention of making Android TV eventually obsolete. Both systems allow quick access to popular apps and streaming services, with a simple interface and fast processing.
Google TV operates on the Android system but has sought to make the experience of browsing easier and more personalized, which all starts with a dedicated home screen that comes up upon activation. Users can connect their Google accounts to create their own user profile, which includes watch lists. What’s more, Google TV is striving to be a central connectivity hub in a smart home, allowing users to connect other devices and operate straight from the TV, including security systems, Ring doorbells, or smart lights.
Q. When is the best time to buy a new Sony TV?
A. With new TVs coming available throughout the year, there isn’t a particularly bad time to buy one. Keep in mind that when an updated version of a TV or a new model altogether comes out, it will reduce the price of a recent option that’s still going to be fairly impressive. Avoid buying TVs more than two years old, since despite their lower cost, their longevity is limited. Consider the end of the calendar year to buy a Sony TV that came out earlier in that same year to find value.
Q. How do Sony TVs compare to Samsung TVs and LG TVs?
A. Sony, Samsung, and LG are considered the top three TV brands, each with high-end options featuring 4K resolution, stunning HDR color, intuitive interfaces, and a variety of connectivity options. The most basic difference comes down to screen technology. Samsung boasts a line of Quantum-dot, or QLED TVs along with their newest Neo QLED models that offer staggering brightness and an explosion of color while trying to support contrast that can be lacking in LED TVs. Conversely, LG champions OLED TVs that provide the best contrast but need some extra support when it comes to brightness.
In general, the newest and best Sony TVs meet or exceed that which is offered by LG and Samsung, but Sony is lacking when it comes to value among mid-range and slightly older models. Sony TVs tend to cost as much or more than similar options by LG and Samsung.
