Sony has been making TVs for 60 years and immediately it is identified for finest for costly, high-performance screens. In 2022 it continued the development by releasing a kitchen sink price of high-tech shows, from 8K to mini-LED to QD-OLED, and most demand critical money. To date 2022 is extra about tightening belts than bells and whistles, nonetheless, so I took a take a look at Sony’s least expensive TV first. The X80Okay is a good all-around performer, and will attraction to TV customers on a price range who simply desire a Sony, however you may actually do higher for the cash.

6.8

Sony X80Okay collection (2022)

$700 at Greatest Purchase

Like

• Correct shade
• Succesful Google TV sensible system
• Loads of connectivity
• Refined, understated design

Do not Like

• Mediocre distinction and black ranges
• Dearer than competing TVs with higher image high quality

In early summer time the X80Okay prices about the identical because the Samsung QN60B and the TCL 6-Sequence. In my side-by-side comparability of the three in CNET’s TV take a look at lab, the Samsung regarded barely higher total than the Sony, with superior brightness and distinction, whereas the TCL completely trounced them each. That is perhaps a shock should you’re new to the TV shopping for sport and simply listening to manufacturers — wait, a TCL seems higher than a Sony? — however should you take a look at their underlying applied sciences, it makes excellent sense. The Sony and Samsung use primary LCD backlights whereas the TCL leverages step-up display screen tech, specifically full-array native dimming and mini-LED.

Past image I did like Sony’s Google sensible TV system and no-fuss design, and it is available in a big selection of sizes. Later within the yr it is certain to obtain hefty value cuts, like TVs all the time do across the Black Friday and the vacations, that might make it extra aggressive. For now, nonetheless, the X80Okay does not do sufficient past its identify to face out.

Sony KD-X80Okay sizes, collection comparability

I carried out a hands-on analysis of the 55-inch Sony KD-55X80Okay, however this assessment additionally applies to the opposite display screen sizes within the collection. All sizes have similar specs and may present very related image high quality.

Sony KD-43X80Okay, 43-inch
Sony KD-50X80Okay, 50-inch
Sony KD-55X80Okay, 55-inch
Sony KD-65X80Okay, 65-inch
Sony KD-75X80Okay, 75-inch
Sony KD-85X80Okay, 85-inch

The X80Okay collection is the entry-level in Sony’s 2022 TV lineup, with comparatively primary image options. It is lacking the HDMI 2.1 gaming options, 120Hz refresh fee and mini-LED backlight discovered on step-up fashions, for instance.

Hold it easy, Sony

The X80Okay blends in reasonably than stands out with a darkish grey shade alongside the underside of its body. The opposite three sides are black and their edges angle in barely. The stand consists of straightforward A-shaped legs splayed far to both facet. Seen from the facet, the X80Okay is considerably thicker than the Samsung Q60B (2.83 vs. 1 inch), which might be a consideration in order for you as flush a wall-mount as potential.

I like Sony’s easy distant. The keys are specified by acquainted style and the requisite shortcut buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video are onboard, and I appreciated the devoted enter key that some clickers lack. I might do with out the quantity key and one other devoted to an over-the-air grid information on the backside, however some customers would possibly admire them.

Google TV: Function-rich and promo-heavy

Amongst all the sensible TV programs I like Google TV second-best, after Roku, and its implementation on the Sony X80Okay is the TV’s finest characteristic. Highlights embody wonderful voice outcomes because of Google Assistant, tight integration with Google apps particularly YouTube and YouTube TV, and extra apps total, because of the Play retailer, than proprietary programs like Samsung and LG.

Responses had been fast sufficient however felt a step behind most Roku TVs I’ve used. As soon as I chosen a profile it took a protracted second or two for the primary For You residence web page to populate with thumbnails, for instance. I did not love the big chunk of area on the prime dedicated to promotions of reveals and flicks on varied providers. I additionally want the “proceed watching” row was higher-up reasonably than positioned beneath the “prime picks for you” and apps rows. Prime picks appeared to keep in mind my preferences for sci-fi reveals and flicks as soon as I went via the “enhance your suggestions” display screen, however there was nonetheless loads of content material I did not care about. Strategies throughout completely different apps are a tremendous thought, however I personally the simplicity of Roku app-centric menus.

Google TV’s profiles labored effectively. I used to be simply in a position to arrange a child’s profile, and I appreciated that acceptable apps like YouTube Children and PBS Children had been urged for me so as to add, and that Netflix robotically invoked the youngsters profile. Throughout setup I used to be additionally prompted to set display screen cut-off dates, create a profile image and extra. Google TV’s system gives higher parental controls than Roku, though Fireplace TV is equally sturdy.

Modest options, further connections

As an entry-level TV the X80Okay’s lack main picture-enhancing extras. It has a 60Hz refresh fee reasonably than 120Hz, though it does provide smoothing, aka the cleaning soap opera impact, if you wish to flip it on. It helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Dolby Atmos codecs, in addition to customary HDR10, as do many different mid-priced TVs.

• 4 HDMI inputs (One with eARC)
• Two USB 2.zero ports
• Composite AV enter (3.5mm)
• Optical digital audio output
• RF (antenna) enter
• Ethernet (LAN) port

Bodily connections are higher than many primary TVs’ nonetheless, with a fourth HDMI in addition to analog video. It is also the least-expensive TV to this point to embody an ATSC 3.zero tuner, so it is prepared for NextGen TV broadcasts. Such broadcasts are uncommon immediately and as soon as they develop into extra widespread you can purchase a tuner field to permit any TV to look at them, however it’s a pleasant further on the Sony nonetheless.

Image high quality comparisons

I arrange the 55-inch Sony X80Okay subsequent to its direct competitor from Samsung, in addition to inexpensive Fireplace TV and a TCL with superior image high quality specs. Here is the lineup:

Samsung QN55Q60B
Amazon Fireplace TV Omni
TCL 65R646

TV and flicks: The Sony delivered the second-worst image within the lineup total, beating out solely the Omni. Its important weak spot was comparatively weak distinction, brought on by each lighter (worse) black ranges and dimmer highlights than the Samsung.

Watching Hustle on Netflix, for instance, the black across the credit and the shadows within the locker room had been lighter and fewer real looking than on the opposite TVs, if solely barely worse than the Samsung and the Omni. The Samsung was additionally considerably brighter than the Sony in its most correct image modes, which made the movie’s HDR picture pop extra as compared. The pores and skin tones of Adam Sandler and the basketball gamers regarded more true than the Samsung and Omni, however total I most popular the Samsung’s image by a hair.

The story was related with the difficult Spears and Munsil 4K HDR Benchmark montage on Blu-ray, the place the Samsung regarded a bit brighter than the Sony. Each outperformed the Omni, which confirmed much less high-level element in snowscapes for instance, however the distinction wasn’t sufficient to justify the Sony’s a lot increased value.

The TCL, in the meantime, was superior in just about each solution to the others, with wonderful distinction, deep black ranges and highly effective brightness that made the Sony, Samsung and Fireplace TV pale by comparability.

Gaming: Enjoying Horizon Forbidden West, shade was extra real looking and correct on the Sony, and much like the TCL and LG, whereas the Samsung in each mode appeared extra saturated and, effectively, game-y. Once more the Samsung received for distinction and punch, handily, though to its credit score the Sony revealed extra particulars within the shadows, which is a bonus in darkish video games with enemies lurking within the shadows. The Sony lacked the great gaming stats show of the Samsung and each had related (wonderful) enter lag, however total I most popular the Samsung’s punchier look. The TCL, in the meantime, mixed a brighter picture than both one with wonderful shadow element and, sure, colours as correct (and better-looking) than the Sony.

Vivid lighting: The Sony measured comparatively dim, backing up my subjective impressions, and each it and the Samsung had been less-bright than the TCL and a less-expensive Vizio, each outfitted with native dimming. Under are my measurements in nits for choose comparability TVs of their brightest and most correct image modes, utilizing each customary dynamic vary (SDR) and excessive dynamic vary (HDR) take a look at patterns.

Regardless of its decrease mild output numbers the Sony remains to be brilliant sufficient for all however probably the most light-filled viewing environments. As with most TVs, the brightest modes for HDR and SDR (Sport and Vivid, respectively) are much less correct. For the correct outcomes listed above I used Customized mode and I like to recommend X80Okay homeowners do the identical to get good shade in brilliant rooms. Word that with SDR, you will must disable the Auto Vitality Saving setting (Settings > Show & Sound > Image > Gentle Sensor > Off) to get full brightness.

The Samsung’s display screen was higher than that of the Sony at coping with brilliant reflections within the room. Sitting underneath brilliant lights, I noticed my reflection within the black display screen of the X80Okay extra clearly (and it was extra distracting) than in any of the opposite TV screens.

Uniformity and viewing angle: The display screen of the X80Okay pattern I reviewed confirmed no main points with brilliant spots or darkish areas, and in take a look at patterns appeared extra uniform than the Omni and much like the opposite shows. Watching hockey I noticed little or no proof of irregularities because the digicam panned throughout the ice. From off-angle the Samsung maintained superior black degree and distinction however Sony had higher shade, very like the TVs’ respective efficiency from straight on.

Image settings notes

Essentially the most correct settings had been Cinema and Customized mode for each HDR and SDR, and Customized measured barely extra correct so I went with that. Sport is finest for gaming, because of its low enter lag, and shade was much like Customized and exceedingly correct.

The X80Okay presents settings that interact smoothing, aka the cleaning soap opera impact, as I favor to show it off for TV reveals and flicks. You may experiment with the settings (Settings > Show & Sound > Image > Movement > Motionflow > Customized) and it is off by default within the Cinema and Customized modes.

See How We Check TVs for extra particulars.

Portrait Shows Calman calibration software program was used on this assessment. 

Orbit Brain

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