Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) televisions represent the pinnacle of display technology with their ability to turn each pixel on or off independently. This results in infinite contrast ratios and perfect blacks that even the best LED/LCD televisions cannot match. Among the companies offering OLED TVs, Sony has a long history of pushing the envelope when it comes to display innovation.
A Brief History of Sony and OLED Technology
Sony realized the potential of OLED displays as far back as the early 2000s when the technology was still in its infancy. The company unveiled the first commercial OLED TV in 2007 – the 11-inch XEL-1 with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a whopping price tag of $2,500!
While the XEL-1 did not set the world on fire, it paved the way for Sony to continue researching OLED technology over the next few years. 2013 saw the introduction of the 55-inch 4K Ultra HD resolution XBR-55X900A OLED TV to critical acclaim for its best-in-class picture quality.
Fast forward to 2023, and Sony OLED TVs continue the company‘s legacy of producing televisions with class-leading display performance across various price points.
Sony 2023 OLED TV Lineup
For 2023, Sony has unveiled OLED televisions across three model lineups:
Sony A90K
Available Screen Sizes: 42, 48 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Key Features:
- Cognitive Processor XR chip
- XR OLED Contrast Pro
- Acoustic Surface Audio
- Google TV interface
Sony A95K
Available Screen Sizes: 55, 65, 77 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Key Features:
- Cognitive Processor XR chip
- XR Triluminos Pro color
- XR OLED Contrast Pro
- Acoustic Surface Audio+
- Google TV interface
Sony A90J
Available Screen Sizes: 55, 65, 77 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Key Features:
- Cognitive Processor XR chip
- XR OLED Contrast Pro
- Acoustic Surface Audio
- Google TV interface
While the A90K caters more towards shoppers wanting a smaller, more affordable OLED TV option from Sony, the A95K resides at the high-end with all the bells and whistles. The A80J strikes a balance between advanced features and reasonable pricing.
Why Choose An OLED TV?
Before delving deeper into what Sony‘s OLED TVs offer, it is worth understanding why OLED is considered the gold standard of TV display technology:
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Self-emissive pixels with the ability to turn on and off completely lead to infinite contrast ratios. This manifests as perfect, inky blacks right next to brightly lit elements on screen.
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Wide viewing angles with no color shifting. OLED TVs maintain color accuracy and vibrancy even when viewed from extreme side angles.
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Fast response time resulting in clear motion with minimal blurring. This benefits video games and sports programming.
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Excellent screen uniformity with no backlight bleeding or clouding issues. The entire screen lights up uniformly without darker spots.
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Vibrant, accurate colors and improved brightness levels on newer OLED panels.
Of course, OLED isn‘t without a few downsides:
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More prone to permanent image retention and burn-in versus LED/LCD televisions when static content is left on screen for extended periods.
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Peak brightness still falls short of the best LED TVs although the gap has reduced over the years.
In-Depth Technology Powering Sony‘s OLED TVs
So besides using OLED panels manufactured by LG Display, what secret sauce does Sony bring to the table? Their speciality lies in the advanced image processing hardware and algorithms:
Cognitive Processor XR
Sony created a dedicated chip that handles intensive analysis of picture and sound quality. It divides the screen into zones and detects focal points to emulate how humans see and hear.
So if there’s a person talking against a background, the processor focuses on the person rather than treat the entire scene uniformly. This realistic processing greatly enhances detail, contrast and naturalness.
XR OLED Contrast & XR Triluminos Pro
These technologies further bump up contrast and color reproduction to rival a lot more expensive reference monitors. Sony OLED TVs can display richer shades with more pop and vibrancy.
Acoustic Surface Audio
Actuators behind the OLED panel vibrate to produce sound meaning there are no visible speakers on Sony OLED TVs. This allows for an incredibly slim form factor and audio perfectly synchronized with mouth movements of people on screen.
Google TV Software
Sony chose Google’s smart TV platform which provides content streaming apps, Chromecast support, Google Assistant voice control and easy screen mirroring from phones/tablets.
Clearly, Sony does not simply rebadge LG’s OLED panels. The advanced processing and sound hardware justify Sony’s premium pricing over LG models featuring largely the same OLED panels.
How Good Are Sony OLED TVs? Professional Reviews Analyzed
Over the past few years, Sony OLED TVs have become critics’ darlings with near universal acclaim for their best-in-the-business picture quality:
Sony A90J
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Trusted Reviews states this 4K OLED TV provides "images that are wonderfully nuanced and full of detail and texture". Contrast is called "deep" and viewing angles "hugely wide".
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CNET believes the A90J demonstrates "supremely impressive contrast" resulting in the “blackest blacks and near-infinite shadow detail.” They also praise the “stupendously wide viewing angle with no color degradation”.
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Tech Radar terms the A90J as “the best 4K OLED on the market" with reference-grade image accuracy. Motion handling impresses as does the "innovative vibrating sound system".
Sony A90K
As the newest addition, the A90K has quickly developed a solid reputation:
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RTings finds the 42-inch model provides "near-perfect image quality" with "stunning contrast and phenomenal black uniformity." Viewing angles retain colors exceptionally well.
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Android Authority states the A90K is "powerful proof that best-in-class TVs come in small packages." Picture quality matches Sony‘s largest and most expensive OLEDs.
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Tech Hive praises the 48-inch variant‘s color range that "avoids exaggerating color" for a realistic experience. Contrast ratios handle bright and dark elements masterfully.
Across reviews, Sony‘s cognitive processing continually amazes by revealing the tiniest details in content without creating false edges or motion artifacts around objects. This processing also expertly handles fast motion scenes.
In terms of sound though, only the higher-end A95K with Acoustic Surface Audio+ truly impresses. The A80J and A90K may struggle to fill large spaces given their downward firing speaker layouts.
Consider pairing Sony‘s OLEDs with surround sound speaker systems or premium soundbars to realize their incredible picture potential.
What To Keep In Mind Before Buying A Sony OLED TV?
Before swiping your credit card for that coveted Sony OLED TV, keep the following factors in mind:
Desired screen size: Sony‘s smallest 2023 OLED TV measures 42-inch while the largest is a colossal 83-inch behemoth! Choose based on your room size and preferred viewing distance. Generally, a 48 to 55-inch screen suits smaller spaces.
Usage: Movie buffs and gamers will appreciate Sony OLEDs for their stunning detail and clear motion. If you mostly watch the news, soap operas or other standard definition content, the premium may not justify itself.
Off-axis viewing: Sony OLEDs really excel here with their wide viewing angles. If your seating arrangement is off-center, these TVs will showcase immersive quality regardless.
Price and budget: There‘s no getting around the fact that Sony OLED TVs sit at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. The 77-inch and 83-inch models can also cost a small fortune! Have a sensible maximum budget tailored to what you watch and your room setup before deciding.
Gaming features: With HDMI 2.1 ports and bleeding-edge response times, Sony OLED TVs should feature on your shortlist if gaming is a priority. Syncing them with PlayStation 5 consoles can prove particularly enthralling.
Anti burn-in measures: Temporary image retention is possible if static content remains on-screen for long periods. Utilize the Pixel Shift and Screen Saver features Sony builds into their OLED models. Also, vary your content consumption and avoid displaying static tickers/logos/heads-up displays too long.
Calibration: You can further enhance picture accuracy by getting Sony‘s OLED TVs professionally calibrated. Alternately try out recommended settings from quality reviewers.
Warranties: Opt for an extended warranty for that extra peace of mind, especially given OLED long-term burn-in risks compared to regular LED TVs.
Verdict: Should You Buy A Sony OLED TV?
If your budget allows, absolutely invest in a Sony OLED TV for arguably the most glorious display quality you can enjoy in a consumer television today!
Between the different Sony OLED models, pick based on screen size needs and how much you‘re willing to spend. The A95K offers the best out-of-box experience but requires a serious investment. The mid-range A80J and compact A90K represent greater value given how close they get to the A90J‘s imaging capabilities.
As long as you vary content consumption and limit static logos/content, Sony OLED TVs reward with their pristine contrasts, pixel-perfect clarity and fluid motion handling. For dark room viewing in particular, their inky blacks add palpable depth and pop to movies and games.
Regardless of the model chosen, Sony‘s proprietary XR processor unlocks OLED‘s complete potential for a truly cinematic experience right in your living room!
