Sony's latest flagship TV, the sony bravia 8, makes a bold entrance into the 2025 OLED TV space with upgraded visuals, a streamlined interface, and a minimalist design. However, despite these refinements, it doesn't quite shake up the premium TV market the way some hoped.
Design and Build Quality
The sony bravia 8 is impressively thin with a sleek frame and discreet pedestal. It boasts Sony's usual build quality, giving it a premium feel right out of the box. Cable management is clean and efficient, and the TV is designed to either blend into the wall or stand stylishly in a living room setting.
Sony has focused on reducing thickness and weight compared to its predecessor, the Bravia A80L, offering a visually elegant display that's easier to install.
Display Performance and Image Quality
The OLED panel in the sony bravia 8 delivers excellent contrast and rich blacks, as expected. It uses Sony's new XR processor, which improves upscaling and motion smoothing. However, peak brightness still trails behind top-end Samsung and LG OLEDs.
Color reproduction is accurate, especially in cinematic modes, and HDR content looks stunning. That said, if you're into super bright visuals or want the absolute cutting edge in contrast and clarity, you may find the sony bravia 8 a notch below the LG G4 or Samsung S95D.
Sound and Smart Features
Audio performance is solid thanks to Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which turns the screen itself into a speaker. It works well in smaller spaces, but larger rooms may still benefit from an external sound system.
The Google TV interface remains smooth and responsive, offering a wide range of apps, built-in Chromecast, and voice control. It also supports Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, making it versatile for users in both ecosystems.
Gaming Features
The sony bravia 8 supports HDMI 2.1, 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM, making it a good pick for next-gen console gamers. However, the interface doesn't feature a robust gaming dashboard like LG’s, and the input lag—while acceptable—isn’t best-in-class.
Verdict
The sony bravia 8 is a refined and reliable OLED TV that offers excellent picture quality and a beautifully designed body. However, it's not a dramatic leap from its competitors or even Sony's earlier models. It’s perfect for Sony loyalists or those who value understated elegance, but power users might still lean toward LG or Samsung’s flagships for better brightness and gaming features.
