Hey, I’m Daniel from RTINGS.com.
In this video we’ll be looking at Sony’s
lineup of 2019 TVs.
We’ve bought and tested all the US models,
so in this video we’ll be comparing their
performance.
We’ll start by giving an overview of the
brand, and then talk about the lineup and
which models you should buy.
You can see the description box below for
links to skip to the section that you care
about.
Alright, so like most other manufacturers,
Sony renews their lineup each year.
They tend to do this in two phases - with
a batch of TVs released around March or April,
and then a second batch in August.
They tend to have a smaller current lineup
than LG or Samsung.
Most of the LCD models start with an X, and
the numbers in the model code increase with
more features and generally better performance.
Flagship LCD models start with a Z instead,
and their OLED lineup of TVs begins with the
letter A. There are some international models
that aren’t available in the US and so we
haven’t bought them, but we’ll indicate
on-screen when we expect them to equivalent
to one of these US models.
We’ll start with their LCD models.
This can be a bit confusing, as Sony tends
to mix different panel types that offer very
different performance between different sizes
of the same model.
We’ll indicate these panel variations that
we know of on screen.
The X800G is Sony’s entry level 4k LCD of
2019.
It is available in a range of sizes from forty-nine
inches up to seventy five inches.
We bought the fifty five inch model which
has a low native contrast ratio, resulting
in poor dark scene performance.
It remains accurate when viewed off-axis though,
so could be a good choice for those with wide
seating.
We expect this to be true for the other sizes,
with the exception of the seventy-five inch
model which has a va-type panel.
This means we expect this larger model to
be a better choice for dark rooms, with a
higher native contrast resulting in deeper
blacks.
Like other Sony TVs, the X800G runs the Android
smart platform which works well, and has a
huge selection of apps for all different types
of content.
It has fairly low input lag which is good
for gamers, but not as good as many other
new TVs.
This TV also has a wide color gamut which
is unusual because this feature is usual reserved
for higher-end models.
This results in a bit more saturated colors
when watching HDR content, although it isn't
as good as some higher end TVs.
Overall, while this TV supports HDR, if this
is something you care about then a brighter
higher-end model is the way to go.
The next step up in Sony’s 2019 TVs is to
the X850G.
The overall performance of these TVs is fairly
similar, but the X850G has very low input
lag which is excellent for gamers.
It also has better reflection handling and
gets a bit brighter, so is a better choice
for bright rooms.
It also has a newer remote which works well.
Like the previous model, it isn’t a good
choice for HDR as while it offers a similar
wide color gamut, it isn’t as good as higher-end
TVs and this TV also lacks a local dimming
feature.
The eighty five inch model has different performance
with a different panel type, similar to the
seventy five inch X800G.
This size is a better choice for dark rooms
with a high native contrast ratio.
Moving up, we get to the X900F.
This is a 2018 model indicated by the ‘F’
in the model code, however it is still considered
a current model by Sony and is fairly widely
available in most places.
As it is an older model, it doesn't have the
newer remote that the X850G has.
This TV is the first big step-up in performance,
with a bunch of additional features to improve
the picture quality.
All sizes of this TV have VA type panels,
which offers good dark room performance.
This TV also offers local dimming, which is
a feature where different areas or zones of
the backlight can be controlled individually
to dim dark areas or boost bright highlights.
It results in better picture quality in a
dark room, as well as brighter highlights
for HDR.
Speaking of HDR, this is also a big step up
with the X900F.
Not only is it much brighter, but it also
offers a very good wide color gamut for saturated
colors.
Like the previous models, it has the android
smart platform which works well.
The next step up is the X950G.
This is a 2019 model with minor improvements
over the X900F.
It gets brighter, and is actually one of the
brightest TVs we’ve tested.
This is great for those in a bright room to
overcome glare, or for HDR content to really
stand out.
Now, this TV also has differences in the performance
between different sizes.
The larger seventy five and eighty five inch
models have what Sony calls ‘X-Wide viewing
angle’ technology, which is basically an
additional optical layer in front of the TV
to improve the viewing angles by dispersing
light horizontally.
We tested the fifty five inch model without
this feature but we did test the Z9F which
includes it and found it to be a great feature
for those with wide seating as the image remains
accurate when viewed at an angle.
It does generally come with the cost of contrast
though, so may not be a good choice for those
who don’t care about the viewing angles
and watch in a dark room.
Alright, so that’s it for Sony’s ‘X’
lineup of LCDs, and the next step up is to
the ‘Z’ line of flagship models.
The Z9G is Sony’s only 2019 Z-model, replacing
the Z9F from last year.
We haven't bought the Z9G due to it's high
price, so we don’t expect many people to
be looking to buy it.
It looks like a very interesting TV with an
8k panel, but we don’t know how it performs.
We now get to Sony’s A lineup of OLED TVs.
The A8G is Sony’s entry-level OLED, which
due to the nature of the technology offers
very different performance to these previously
mentioned LCD models.
It can turn off pixels completely, resulting
in excellent dark room performance as blacks
are perfectly deep.
It doesn’t get as bright as high-end LCDs
though, so may not be a good choice for a
bright room or those who like a really bright
image that pops.
OLED TVs also have a risk of permanent burn-in,
but we’ve done an investigation into this
issue and don’t expect most people who watch
varied content to have any problems.
You can see our video series linked below
for more information.
A neat feature of this TV is what sony calls
their ‘Acoustic Surface’ technology.
Drivers behind the screen act as a center
channel for sound, which is supposed to be
better for localization of dialog.
It seems like to differentiate this OLED from
Sony’s higher-end model, it comes with the
older-style remote and only two full-bandwidth
HDMI ports despite being a 2019 TV.
The A9G is Sony’s other OLED TV, and one
of their flagship models.
While it offers basically the same picture
quality as the A8G with the same panel, it
has a faster processor.
It also has a different design, and comes
with the better remote also found on the X950G.
All four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.0, which
is useful for those who have a few high bandwidth
devices like new game consoles or a PC.
Otherwise it offers very similar performance
to the A8G, including the acoustic surface
technology feature.
So in the end, which one should you buy?
Well it depends on your use and your budget.
If you are after a budget TV and don’t care
about the latest features or HDR then look
for the X800G or X850G.
The X850G is better for a room with more light.
If you plan to watch HDR content or want a
brighter image then go for the X950G.
It is a big step up in picture quality from
the 8 series, and offers quite a few minor
improvements over the X900F.
If you’ve got a dark room and want the best
dark scene performance then look for the A9G.
It is more featured compared to the cut-down
A8G, so is a better choice if you can afford
it.
So that’s it!
You can check out all of our reviews with
detailed measurements on our website, and
consider becoming an insider on our website
for access to our latest test results first.
Now, we’ve had a lot of comments from people
that are interested in a review of the new
2019 TCL 6 Series.
We hear you loud and clear – we've bought
it, and are currently running it through our
test bench.
Look for the written review soon, a video
within a few weeks.
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Thank you for watching, and see you next time.
