Hey there! I‘m Mike, a home theater technology buff who‘s reviewed over 100 televisions in the past decade. Lately one model that keeps popping up in my conversations is the Sony A80J – an impressive looking OLED TV that seems like a potential new classic.
On paper, the A80J looks to deliver it all – fantastic OLED picture quality powered by Sony‘s specialized XR processor, the latest HDMI 2.1 ports ready for next-gen gaming, and their expert-tuned Acoustic Surface Audio.
But when we dive deeper into the specs and performance, some worrying weaknesses emerge that should give savvy shoppers pause. As someone who‘s tested countless TVs firsthand, I want to highlight 7 key reasons why you may want to avoid the acclaimed Sony A80J OLED television…
Overview – Sony‘s A80J OLED TV Series
First, let‘s recap what this model series encompasses. The Sony A80J refers to their premium 2021 OLED television lineup, released as successors to the popular A8H OLED models.
The A80J series came in 3 screen sizes: a 55-inch, 65-inch and the extra-large 77-inch model. Being OLED televisions, they all feature over 8 million self-illuminating pixels capable of perfect black levels and nearly infinite contrast when properly driven.
Sony A80J Key Features:
- 4K Ultra HD Resolution (3840×2160 pixels)
- OLED Display Technology
- Cognitive Processor XR
- XR OLED Contrast & XR Triluminos Pro
- 4x HDMI 2.1 Inputs
- Acoustic Surface Audio+
- Google TV Smart Platform
With vibrant OLED imaging, sophisticated processing, and seemingly next-gen ready gaming connectivity, the A80J checks off plenty of ‘want‘ checkboxes for discerning viewers.
But based on extensive hands-on evaluation and user experiences, they unfortunately come up short in a few key areas. Let‘s examine the specifics…
Reason 1: Much Higher Risk of Permanent Burn-In Defects
The most concerning downside for prospective Sony A80J buyers is the substantially higher chance of image retention and burn-in defects over time – especially with regular gaming usage.
All OLED televisions carry intrinsic risk of permanent burn-in where static elements like logos, heads-up displays, or news banners leave lasting imprints if displayed continually. This occurs because the organic compounds comprising OLED pixels wear non-uniformly. But some brands have far more effective anti-burn-in technologies than others.
Based on my comparisons, Sony‘s pixel safeguards lag behind competitors like LG and Vizio in preventing uneven wear. External user reports back up far more issues on the A80J after just a few months of enjoyment where other OLEDs remain pristine.
For example, LG‘s OLED TVs integrate both pixel shifting and localized brightness variation to minimize uneven wear. Their newer models even automatically run pixel refreshers during standby when needed. Meanwhile Sony‘s countermeasures prove insufficient…
Compare OLED Burn-in Prevention Technologies
| TV Brand | Pixel Shifting | Pixel Brightness Variation | Automatic Pixel Refreshing |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG OLED TVs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sony A80J | No | No | Limited |
The consequences of deficient anti-burn capabilities manifest in unfortunate living room experiences like this:
(Image Credit: Rtings.com)
Damage like that there becomes a permanent eyesore. Not exactly what you want after paying a hefty $2000+ for a so-called premium television!
So if you anticipate regularly using your television for gaming, broadcasting static images, or have safety concerns over potential burn-in defects down the road, I‘d definitely consider other options…
Moving on, the A80J also falls short in a few key areas for next generation console gaming, despite Sony‘s ‘Ready for PlayStation 5‘ marketing…
Reason 2: Missing HDMI 2.1 Gaming Features Result in Lag and Syncing Problems
The Sony A80J comes equipped with HDMI 2.1 inputs theoretically capable of up to 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rates, perfect for keeping up with a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
But not all HDMI 2.1 implementations are created equal. And Sony failed to enable two crucial capabilities for smooth, high performance gaming:
1. Auto Low Latency Mode or ALLM
ALLM automatically switches your display into low latency game mode whenever you launch compatible titles. This prevents you from needing to manually toggle settings to minimize input delay each gaming session.
2. Variable Refresh Rate or VRR
VRR dynamically syncs your TV‘s refresh rate to your game console‘s rendering output in real time. The result? Perfect frame pacing without stutters or screen tearing even during frantic action at the limits of your hardware.
Without those vital features active, your PlayStation or Xbox can‘t communicate timing adjustments on the fly to keep your A80J‘s video output in step.
The consequences are laggier controls plagued by short 1-2 second hitches as frame pacing falls out of sync. Plus screen tearing manifests as unsightly artifacts when differences become too severe:
(Image Credit: Rtings.com)
Review measurements also showed higher input lag for 4K/120Hz signals compared to properly equipped rivals – translating to sluggish feeling game controls. Definitely not ideal specs for competitive online play!
In 2022 Wi-Fi enabled smart home technology should ‘just work’ together in harmony to make our lives easier. That’s the promise device makers keep selling us on at least!
But reality has a way of falling short sometimes. And buyers stuck with the consequences usually aren’t too thrilled about it…
Reason 3: No Way to Conveniently Organize Your Games Library for Fast Access
Here‘s another limitation gaming fans will immediately notice missing in action – the lack of any kind of dedicated games hub or dashboard.
Modern gaming TVs from the likes of LG and Samsung incorporate customized interfaces focused entirely around video game access and management.
These specialty hubs compile all your installed games from consoles and cloud services into one neat launcher screen. Handy sorting tools also allow custom arranging by most recently played, genre, game title, hours logged, etc.
But with the Sony A80J, no such convenience exists. Your games and apps are simply mixed into the broader Google TV entertainment menus alongside streaming services and regular apps.
There‘s no way to separate or favorite your games for faster recall. And zero customization for tags or sorting that many rival gaming TV ecosystems bake in.
That turns gaming into a more annoying digging experience scrolling through various menus searching alphabetically vs having titles pre-compiled and arranged to your liking. Definitely an oversight by Sony here!
Reason 4: Flaky Variable Refresh Rate Support Results in Syncing Issues and Screen Tearing
Now this next problem ties back to the HDMI 2.1 woes raised earlier. Even though Variable Refresh Rate handling isn‘t present out of the box, Sony pledged to add VRR later via firmware update.
That update eventually arrived… and unfortunately introduced a new set of headaches! While enabled now, it seems Sony‘s VRR implementation remains unreliable judging by widespread user complaints after installing the patch.
Accelerated frame rates from 60 to 120 Hz now exhibit frequent screen tearing in addition to occasional stutters. The exact opposite of what VRR is meant to resolve! Clearly some deeper integration issues Sony needs to smooth over.
Until they improve stability however, keeping Variable Refresh Rate active likely degrades your overall image quality. Another letdown for A80J gamers eager to take full advantage of their shiny new consoles.
At the end of the day, buttery smooth gameplay free of hitches and tears makes ALL the difference in competitive online matches or journeying through cinematic story worlds.
Reason 5: Dimmer Display Than Other High-End OLEDs Noticeably Impacts Picture Quality
Shifting gears from gaming, another area where the A80J seems to lag behind OLED rivals comes down to its maximum light output. I‘m talking about display brightness, often overlooked by casual viewers but essential for faithfully reproducing content as intended!
High dynamic range or HDR video – encompassing most 4K movies/shows from quality streaming platforms – relies on excellent contrast between bright highlights and deep blacks. Boosting peak luminosity makes shadows inkier through improved pixel voltage control while simultaneously enriching specular highlights.
The further your set‘s capabilities extend at both ends of scale from 0 to 800+ nits, the more depth and nuance can be presented throughout. Just as crucial as sheer pixel count for resolution!
Unfortunately tests peg the A80J‘s real-world brightness between 600 to 650 nits after calibration. Trailing behind equivalent flagship competitors such as:
- LG G1 OLED – Over 800 nits peak brightness
- Panasonic JZ2000 OLED – Over 750 nits
- Vizio OLED – 720+ nits verified
While no slouch, that missing headroom shortchanges discerning viewers of the full cinematic experience modern formats attempt to encode. Critical specular detail faces muting without sufficient in scene luminosity.
I definitely noticed bright highlights lacking pop and punch when conducting side-by-side evaluations against rival OLEDs on the same core content. To squeeze every last drop of image fidelity from your shiny new HDR-Ready set, the A80J comes up short.
Reason 6: No Support for Advanced HDR10+ Video Format Limits Future Proofing for Ever-Improving Picture Quality
Sticking with display accuracy, the Sony A80J also omits support for an enhanced flavor of high dynamic range called HDR10+ used across many streaming and 4K Blu-ray releases.
Introduced as an upgrade over standard HDR10 encoding, HDR10+ baked in additional dynamic metadata not statically set. This extra data allows TV processing engines to automatically adjust color, contrast, and brightness levels from one scene to the next instead of using fixed values across an entire film.
The result? More optimized viewing performance no matter how creative directors get with different filming conditions, camera exposures, or artistic intent. HDR10+ enabled movies simply display closest to the original creative vision as cameras captured thanks to intelligent optimization.
Not only does the lack of HDR10+ readiness deny you some quality improvements in supported content now, it also hampers future proofing. Industry momentum clearly moves towards dynamic approaches. Early adopters of HDR10+ compatible displays can unlock optimized playback as more studios sign on.
Whereas missing pieces always leave you behind the curve…
Major media streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and Rakuten TV have already committed to releasing hundreds of titles in HDR10+ format looking forward. Disc-based physical releases have also steadily ramped after a few years of trickling adoption.
I expect over 50% of all new HDR content could leverage HDR10+ encoding within the next 2-3 years. Any display lacking decode capability risks losing pace with latest presentation improvements. Definitely factor into your buying considerations!
Reason 7: Limited Screen Size Options Don‘t Accommodate Many Viewing Environments or Budgets
Finally, let‘s examine how the Sony A80J‘s model range limitations may pose fit issues among certain buyers.
As covered earlier, this OLED series only released in 3 distinct sizing tiers:
- 55-inch
- 65-inch
- 77-inch
Now while that covers a decent span, it omits both smaller and larger configurations that many dedicated home theaters desire these days.
On the low end, petite living spaces begging for 40-50 inch screens get left out here. College dorm rooms and office setups may simply lack for surface area to accommodate anything heftier.
At the opposite extreme, medium-size home theaters hoping to maximize immersion with 80-85 inch giant displays won‘t find satisfaction either. Never mind projection enthusiasts seeking over 100 inches of Grandeur!
Narrower gamuts definitely limit broader appeal. And competitively speaking LG along with value players like Hisense sell more versatile model lineups addressing more niches.
Their expanded options cater to an array of budgets and spatial footprints. Having wider latitude to tailor your purchase feels satisfying. This Sony series just can‘t match flexibility available elsewhere.
If you have specific sizing needs in mind like compact simplicity or movie theater magnitude, the A80J won‘t satisfy like other brands.
Given the notable shortcomings covered within this review, you may ask what better performing alternatives exist avoiding such pitfalls…
Here are 3 stellar competitors I encourage considering instead with brief summaries:
LG G2 Evo Gallery Series – Brighter displays less prone to burn-in thanks to anti-aging heat dissipation and pixel refreshing tech. Full gaming connectivity from HDMI 2.1 to fast response times. More future proof with HDR10+ decoding too.
Samsung S95B QD-OLED TV – Samsung‘s newest OLED contender combines quantum dot filter layer for boosted brightness, rich colors and seen burn-in resistance. One Connect box simplifies cable management while gaming dashboard provides robust customization
Hisense U7H Mini-LED Television – Hisense packs in thousands of LED dimming zones for precision contrast nearly rivaling OLED without burn-in liability. Peak brightness soars over 1000 nits for stunning dynamic range and rated lifetime expectancies flirt with a decade!
Based on the graded testing data and hands-on evaluations behind my recommendations, ANY provide satisfactory experiences the A80J can‘t quite achieve. I suggest giving them some consideration before defaulting to Sony‘s offering this year based on branding alone!
And that sums up the key limitations I‘ve discovered that should make discerning shoppers hesitant about purchasing a Sony A80J OLED TV at this stage. Despite glowing initial reviews, further scrutiny exposes meaningful performance and functionality gaps explained above.
If you found my breakdown helpful alongside suggested alternatives, wonderful! Feel free to reach out with any other questions. I‘m always happy to chat more about finding your perfect TV match without buyers remorse.
Thanks for reading and enjoy whichever high-tech marvel ends up gracing your entertainment room!
– Mike
