Sony has been manufacturing TVs for 60 years, and now it is best known for its pricey, high-end displays. It followed the pattern in 2022 by producing a veritable kitchen sink of high-tech displays, from 8K to mini-LED to QD-OLED, and the majority are quite expensive. But since 2022 is so far more about cutting costs than adding bells and whistles, we started by looking at Sony’s most affordable TV. The X80K is a respectable all-around performer and would be attractive to budget-conscious TV buyers who only want a Sony, but you can find better TVs for the money. also you will learn our article on Sony X80K Review.
Sony X80K Review: Design
Let’s look at the Sony TV’s appearance first before delving into its internals. The X80screen-to-body K’s ratio puts it on par with OLEDs, and its profile is tiny enough to fool visitors into believing it might be an OLED due to its vanishingly thin bezels. You don’t even need a screwdriver to install Sony’s ingenious table-top legs; simply plug them in and you can quickly set up this Google TV. With each new version of Android TV, setting up a smart TV with your smartphone has been simpler. With Google TV, regardless of whether you prefer iOS or Android, you can be up and running in about 10 minutes. The Google Home app from the app store is all you need if you use iOS, and the rest is straightforward. The buttons on the remote control have also been given a once-over, and are now nearly flush with the surface, making it simpler to clean off dust or debris. Like everything else these days, it comes with hotkeys for popular apps like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and oddly enough…YouTube Music as well as a dedicated Google voice assistant button. Once you get past the setup, the home screen is largely an amalgamation of content from various platforms that is arranged by genre, interest, and viewing history. Depending on whether you’re switching from an Apple TV box or an earlier Android TV, it can make your life easier or more difficult. Whatever the case may be, it has all the streaming apps you could possibly want with the added benefit of giving you access to the entire Google Play Store to experiment with.
Features
Almost all of the features from last year are back, but Sony introduced one new feature for 2022. Now that the new Bravia Cam is an optional accessory that can be purchased separately and will further improve the functionality of the X80K, it appears that all of their TVs are compatible with it. The TV can recognize where you are seated in the room using the Bravia Cam and adjust the picture and audio accordingly. Other features include gesture control and energy-saving options. also you can check our article on Sony X80K Review. We should also point out that there isn’t any official app support for controlling TVs. You can use the Android TV app developed by Google, which supports many Sony TVs from recent years, to operate the X80K using a mobile device. It’s nothing huge, but if you want more alternatives, it can be a good replacement for the supplied remote. Everything from last year is there in the X80K with a few small improvements and additions. There aren’t any significant changes, and, to be honest, it seems like OS makers are running out of new features to incorporate. However, what is present is more than sufficient for the majority of people.
Picture quality
A 4K LED panel with a typical 60Hz refresh rate is used by the Sony X80K. The X1 4K HDR CPU, which was also used in the X80J, its successor, is what Sony is utilizing. Additionally, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG formats are supported by this TV. Additionally, the Sony X1 processor has an Object-based HDR remaster and a Dynamic Contrast Enhancer. The former analyses and corrects the color of specific on-screen objects, while the latter automatically modifies contrast levels in accordance with the surrounding environment. The TV can also automatically adjust its brightness based on the ambient light in the space. The X1 processor and the X-Reality Pro and Triluminos Pro technologies are found in the Sony X80K. The large colour gamut of the TV is utilised by the Triluminos Pro to identify colour from saturation, hue, and brightness and reproduce natural hues in every detail. X-Reality Pro also aids in upscaling video, producing stunning outcomes. Additionally, object-based HDR remasters every object separately to create images with more realistic depth and textures. The X80K fell short of expectations in one specific area: brightness output. In most cases, there won’t be a problem, but when viewing HDR content, the colours don’t quite pop as you might expect. The TV also has two other Dolby Vision modes: Bright and Dark. Bright is the mode that most shows that support Dolby Vision use by default, and Dark is a little bit darker. Excellent picture quality is produced by the Sony Bravia, which also reproduces images that are clear and sharp and have good colour reproduction. Toggleable preset image modes for gaming, entertainment, sports, and other activities are available on the X80K. Additionally, the panel exhibited great viewing angles and maintained visual clarity when seen from various positions. The disadvantages of using an LED panel rather than a QLED or OLED screen are typically outweighed by Sony’s excellent picture quality and quality upscaling. Having said that, the X80K’s blacks were less consistent than those of an OLED and its brightness levels were lower than those of higher-end QLEDs.
Sound quality
Another area where nothing has changed is audio, since the X80K uses a conventional 2.0-channel audio system with a 20 watt total output. Once more, a bass reflex system is used, and along with their so-called X-balanced speakers, they have attempted to boost the total output without significantly altering the audio configuration. This X-balanced speaker is essentially a driver that has been specially shaped to deliver the best audio quality for the TV’s slimline design. Naturally, choosing a round driver would reduce the TV’s overall thickness, while choosing an oval driver would reduce sound quality. According to Sony, the uniquely designed X-balanced driver combines the best of both worlds. We experimented with different content on the TV to see if there were any notable differences, but in all honesty, the X80K behaved like the majority of budget TVs. It performed well in handling the audio output for casual viewing, including news broadcasts, sports, and talk shows, with clear dialogue and energizing highs. But you will be very disappointed if you were hoping for any sort of cinematic immersion. Therefore, we strongly advise a dedicated audio system or sound bar if you intend to watch movies on the TV. Despite being a low-cost option, the TV supports DTS and Dolby Atmos. However, just because a TV has Dolby Atmos doesn’t imply it can recreate it accurately. Also keep in mind that Sony is the only one of the big three to still support DTS audio, and that DTS:X and Dolby Atmos can both pass through Sony’s eARC port.
Sony X80K Review: Gaming
While playing Horizon Forbidden West, color was more true and realistic on the Sony, and similar on the TCL and LG, while being more saturated and, well, game-like on the Samsung in all modes. Again, the Samsung easily won for contrast and punch, but to its credit, the Sony revealed more details in the shadows, which is a benefit in games with gloomy environments and spectral foes. Although both had comparable (excellent) input lag and lacked the Samsung’s comprehensive gaming stats display, we preferred the Samsung’s more vibrant appearance overall. The TCL, on the other hand, delivered a brighter image than either of them while retaining excellent shadow detail and, yes, Sony-caliber colors.
Interface and apps
The Sony X80operating K’s system is Google TV, an improved version of Android TV. One of the biggest advantages of utilizing Google TV is that once it is configured on one device, it transfers all the crucial settings to other Google TV-enabled devices. The interface is also lot cleaner than most Android TV versions. The user interface provides personalized homepage recommendations across several OTT platforms. Additionally, you have access to animated wallpapers that can be used to show off the TV’s picture quality when it is not in use.
Sony X80K Review: Performance
Even this mid-range model is loaded with every picture customization feature you could possibly want, proving that it hasn’t gained its name for nothing. The X80picture K’s quality, motion smoothness, and excellent viewing angle are likely to appeal to you whether you opt to have it professionally calibrated or select the Cinema preset with Expert Color. Most viewers won’t even notice a difference in the image quality of the X80K even though the panel doesn’t support local array dimming. In fact, The Joker is rendered with a gorgeous, natural film-like tonality that captures the mood of the movie with motion control set to the absolute minimum, HDR on auto, and Live Color set to Medium. Peak HDR brightness is where the X80K begins to falter, and you notice that while the colors exhibit acceptable accuracy and saturation, the whites simply don’t stand out as much as is necessary to truly make the image pop. If you’re watching this TV in a bright room with lots of light coming directly at it, it doesn’t help that the native contrast ratio is low and the screen is more reflective than usual. Gamers will also miss VRR and a high refresh rate, but there is no discernible input lag, making games look smooth and taking advantage of the X80K’s excellent color reproduction in almost any mode. Sonically, it just about satisfies daily viewing needs, but if you need to “feel” the soundtracks to your movies and video games, a sound bar or external reinforcement is essential.
Price and availability
The cost of the Sony Bravia X80K TV with a 55-inch screen is $1161.40. Although the near-lakh price tag may appear exorbitant, this isn’t the company’s premium line; OLED models are substantially more expensive. Regardless of the panel used, Sony is renowned for its picture quality. Can the Sony Bravia X80K still provide a high-end viewing experience without an OLED panel, then? Let’s investigate! also you will read our article on Sony X80K Review.
Conclusion
Overall, the Sony X80K is ok. Because it has a wide viewing angle and the image is consistent from all sides, it is a fantastic TV for watching sports or TV programmes in large seating areas. Additionally, it has good SDR peak brightness and reflection control, making it suitable for environments with a few lights present. Its low contrast ratio and absence of a local dimming option, however, make it unsuitable for gaming or watching movies in dimly lit environments. Its low HDR peak brightness contributes to its subpar HDR performance.
