Sony 4K and 8K HDR TV choices for 2021: A90J, X95J, Z9J and more compared

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(Pocket-lint) - Sony has been synonymous with tv hardware for arsenic agelong arsenic we tin retrieve and is often astatine the forefront of caller technologies. That includes 8K, OLED and, what it terms, Full Array LED TVs.

We're looking astatine its existent line-up to assistance you take betwixt them. And, portion we're not covering each disposable Sony TVs present - conscionable its highlights - this database should assistance you take your adjacent acceptable if you privation to spell Sony.

Here past are the Sony TVs you should see successful 2021.

What to look for successful a caller TV

One of the archetypal considerations erstwhile buying a caller TV is size. How large bash you privation your TV and however large a TV tin you acceptable successful your room? Sony has TVs crossed a scope of sizes, but often has models that lone absorption connected 1 sizae scope - that mightiness beryllium big, similar the Z9J oregon small, similar the A9, it's 2020 48-inch OLED. 

Sony has made the determination into 8K for those larger sizes, but with autochthonal 8K contented being rare, astir of what you're watching is upscaled. Fortunatley, Sony besides offers a afloat scope of 4K TVs, some OLED and LED. It applies the Master Series sanction to its champion TVs, those which are calibrated astatine the mill to guarantee you're getting the champion representation prime retired of them - and immoderate of the results are stunning from these TVs.

Sony's OLED travel successful a scope of positions, but it besides offers what it calls Full Array LED TVs. These are afloat backlit, truthful connection amended show than immoderate cheaper LED TVs connected the market.

            Sony 8K televisions

            Sony has a mates of 8K televisions to take from.

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            Sony Z9J

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 75in, 85in
            • Full Array LED, 7680 x 4320 pixels, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Google TV

            The 2021 flagship exemplary is the Z9J, which employs Cognitive Processor XR exertion with artificial quality to contiguous Sony's champion representation show yet.

            That means pin-sharp upscaling of Full HD and 4K contented - aft all, determination are fewer 8K sources astir contiguous to marque the champion usage of the autochthonal resolution. The processing besides improves TV audio, driving the frame-mounted tweeter to springiness you the content that dependable is coming from the surface alternatively than abstracted talker units. It's a refined mentation of the aforesaid tech recovered connected the ZH8 below.

            This Master Series TV besides comes with HDMI 2.1 and enactment for 4K 120Hz - truthful volition enactment seamlessly with the PlayStation 5 (and Xbox Series X) for 120fps gaming astatine the champion solution possible. Additionally, it is future-proofed for erstwhile (if) 8K games travel along.

            Google TV is connected board, on with Google Assistant for dependable control. While Netflix Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced certification mean it is suited for top-end movie viewing.

            Pocket-lint

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            Sony ZH8

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 75in, 85in
            • Full Array LED, 7680 x 4320 pixels, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            Like the Z9J, the Sony ZH8 offers a 75-inch enactment and is genuinely thing to behold.

            It excessively uses a section dimming-style backlight, that switches LEDs connected and disconnected successful zones down the LED sheet to guarantee lone the close magnitude of lighting is utilized and successful the close areas.

            And it besides supports aggregate HDR formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. While Dolby Atmos audio enactment extends to its ain built-in speakers, and besides outer soundbars and systems.

            The ZH8 features a vibrating tweeter successful the framework of the surface truthful directs audio from the action, alternatively than beneath similar galore rivals. And the acceptable tin beryllium utilized arsenic the centre talker successful a larger situation setup, to springiness you a nary fuss location cinema experience.

            Perhaps its biggest takeaway though, isolated from the fantabulous 8K images and superb upscaling is its design. Even with the backlight, it is slim and has a constrictive bezel to support your eyes connected the contented alternatively than the TV itself.

            If you privation to get into 8K, this represents a comparatively affordable mode to bash so.

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            Sony ZG9

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 85in, 98in
            • Full Array LED, 7680 x 4320 pixels, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            If you don't privation to hold for the Z9J, the ZG9 Master Series 8K TV mightiness beryllium inactive available.

            Like the newer models, this is simply a Full Array LED backlit TV, truthful its backlight tin power disconnected and connected successful zones, starring to amended opposition and achromatic levels.

            It is higher specced than the ZH8, arsenic a Master Series TV, and comes with a terms to match. However, it is besides the lone exemplary disposable successful the gigantic 98-inch surface size.

            It comes with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, arsenic good arsenic HLG for broadcast HDR from the likes of Sky and BT, positive Dolby Atmos enactment for audio. It runs connected Sony's proprietary X-Reality Pro representation motor and has galore different imaging bells and whistles too, not slightest successful bid to intelligently upscale each content, from modular to 4K, to marque it looks its champion connected the immense display.

            Sony 4K OLED televisions

            Sony has a wide scope of 4K OLED TVs to take from crossed a scope of sizes.

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            Sony A90J

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 83in
            • OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Google TV

            The apical of the enactment OLED TV for 2021 is the Sony A90J.

            Available successful 55, 65 and a caller 83-inch surface size, the Master Series OLED features the aforesaid Cognitive Processor XR representation tech arsenic the 8K Z9J above.

            However, arsenic it is OLED, it has self-illuminating pixels alternatively than a backlight truthful is adjacent much close with opposition arsenic it tin crook each connected oregon disconnected individually to supply cleanable achromatic levels.

            As with immoderate 2020 models, it features a dependable strategy that vibrates the surface itself, sending cardinal channels straight from the centre of the action.

            HDR formats are well-supported, portion HDMI 2.1 connectivity means it supports 4K 120Hz for gaming.

            Google Assistant and Chromecast are built in. And determination are aggregate representation certifications, from the likes of Netflix and IMAX.

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            Sony A80J

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 77in
            • OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Google TV

            If your fund doesn't rather agelong to the Master Series OLED above, the A80J is simply a much affordable enactment with overmuch of what makes its pricier stablemate inactive connected board.

            Excellent pictures, acknowledgment mostly to the aforesaid Cognitive Processor XR tech, the TV besides features the XR Sound Position strategy whereby audio comes from the centre of the surface itself.

            It besides has the modular array of HDR formats, positive Google Assistant dependable control. Gaming is good supported too, with 4K 120Hz connected board.

            Indeed, the lone main differences betwixt this acceptable and the A90J seems to beryllium the OLED sheet and that dependable enactment comes done the remotes, whereas the A90J has a built-in microphone.

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            Sony A9

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 48in
            • OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            The A9 was released successful 2020 and is unsocial for 1 crushed - it's a 48-inch OLED TV. There aren't galore smaller OLEDs connected the marketplace and Sony has separated this retired from the akin A8, which comes successful a larger scope of sizes.

            Despite the smaller size, it's packed afloat of tech with that 4K OLED show powered by the X1 Ultimate processor, but it misses retired connected 120Hz support, sadly, truthful it's not going to beryllium rather arsenic adept with handling the latest consoles.

            It besides uses the Acoustic Surface exertion to nutrient the sound, portion it runs Android TV and is packed with astute features too.

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            Sony A8

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 77in
            • OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            Released successful 2020, the Sony A8 uses the company's X1 Ultimate representation processor, positive Pixel Contrast Booster tech to heighten colour and opposition successful agleam areas. As an OLED set, it is besides precise susceptible with achromatic level response.

            Acoustic Surface Audio exertion turns the surface into a speaker, akin to the newer models above, but possibly not arsenic refined.

            It is HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG-enabled, portion Dolby Atmos is supported for the much immersive dependable experience, particularly erstwhile matched with a suitable soundbar oregon location cinema solution.

            Netflix Calibrated Mode is erstwhile again present, arsenic good arsenic the full gamut of features afforded by the Android TV level - including Google Assistant dependable control. Amazon's Alexa is besides supported if you person a abstracted Echo oregon different compatible talker nearby.

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            Sony AG9

            squirrel_widget_189244

            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 77in
            • OLED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            This 2019 Master Series acceptable is inactive 1 to look retired for, acknowledgment to its superb pictures. The Master Series TVs are those that Sony's engineers judge contiguous the champion images arsenic "creators intended" and truthful connection the astir accurate, cinematic pictures.

            Not lone does the AG9 athletics the communal HDR formats, including HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG, it besides comes with the Netflix Calibrated mode arsenic newer models that, erstwhile activated, ensures supported Netflix contented is played utilizing settings determined by those who worked connected the shows and movies.

            Google Assistant and Alexa enactment is built in, the erstwhile arsenic portion of the Android TV astute platform. While, Dolby Atmos dependable is supported, some externally and done streaming services.

            The show has Acoustic Surface Audio+, which means the sheet itself vibrates and becomes the main talker - with 2 actuators and subwoofers hidden behind.

            Sony 4K LED televisions

            As good arsenic the 8K models and the OLED, there's a scope of much approachable LED TVs to take from.

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            Sony X95J

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 65in, 75in, 85in
            • Full Array LED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Google TV

            If you privation a flagship Full Array LED TV but not the 8K resolution, the Sony X95J is coming soon.

            Like the 8K models above, it comes with a backlight strategy with galore idiosyncratic LEDs that tin beryllium switched connected and disconnected successful zones (or dimmed). This leads to fantabulous achromatic levels, amended colour saturation and greater contrast.

            The TV runs connected Sony's 2021 representation processing - its Cognitive Processor XR - which uses AI to guarantee images ever look their best. In addition, it has Contrast Booster 10 tech connected board, amplifying the quality betwixt agleam and acheronian scenes adjacent more.

            Anti-reflection exertion helps blot retired agleam lights spoiling your enjoyment, portion X-Wide Angle ensures the viewing space is astir OLED-like.

            Acoustic Multi-Audio tech uses dependable positioning tweeters and a built-in subwoofer to contiguous a soundscape that seems to travel from the surface alternatively than the edges. 4K 120Hz is supported done HDMI 2.1 for gaming.

            Google Assistant and Alexa are supported, with the erstwhile disposable done a built-in microphone.

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            Sony X90J/X94J

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 50in, 55in, 65in, 75in
            • Full Array LED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Google TV

            The Sony X90J and X94J is akin successful galore ways to the X95J but comes successful smaller surface sizes and has a fewer insignificant differences. The quality betwixt the X90J and the X94J is the benignant of basal it comes with.

            For starters, portion it does person Google Assistant and dependable support, that's done the mic successful the included distant alternatively than the TV itself.

            Also, the sheet doesn't connection X-Wide Angle nor Anti-reflection. It uses a antithetic mentation of the Contrast Boosting tech too, and doesn't person arsenic galore built-in speakers.

            Still, it does tick each the different boxes, including 4K 120Hz and HDR formats support.

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            New Sony TV pics photograph  12

            Sony X85J

            squirrel_widget_4589234

            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 43in, 50in, 55in, 65in
            • LED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Google TV

            If you're not bothered by the Full Array backlighting, this LED exemplary volition soon beryllium available. It comes with plentifulness of 2021 bells and whistles too, truthful worthy considering.

            One of those is 4K 120Hz enactment for 120fps gaming. That means it volition enactment good with a caller PlayStation 5, for example.

            Other features see the 4K HDR processor X1, positive dependable capabilities built into the framework (at the bottom).

            A airy sensor built into the TV tin besides set the representation based connected your ambient conditions. And, similar astir Sony TVs these days. it is afloat compatible with Google Assistant and different Google services. Voice power tin beryllium utilized done the remote.

            It is besides compatible with Apple AirPlay and HomeKit.

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            Sony XH95

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 49in, 55in, 65in, 75in, 85in
            • Full Array LED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            Sony's 2020 XH95 TV is inactive disposable and comes successful a wide assortment of surface sizes, from 49in to 85in.

            It features a Full Array backlight, Picture Processor X1 Ultimate, ambient optimisation tech, and an Acoustic Multi-Audio, Sound-from-Picture Reality concept.

            This second exertion uses a bi-amp system, which controls a main talker and "invisible" tweeter separately, positive a recently balanced further talker portion (X-Balanced Speaker) that allows for a batch of aerial to displacement wrong a slim housing. Unfortunately, this strategy tin lone beryllium recovered connected the 55in, 65in and 75in models.

            As with each Sony TVs, Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG are supported, on with Dolby Atmos for sound. It is besides compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.

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            Sony XH90

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            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 75in, 85in
            • Full Array LED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            Also inactive available, the Sony XH90 is simply a precise susceptible 4K HDR TV.

            It sports each the HDR formats you'd expect - HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG - positive Dolby Atmos for sound, but is besides a acceptable designed to cater for adjacent procreation gaming erstwhile it arrives.

            The TV is susceptible of playing 4K 120fps content, perfect for apical level PlayStation 5 gaming.

            It besides comes with Netflix Calibrated Mode and Acoustic Multi-Audio with X-Balanced Speaker dependable (on 65in and above), but doesn't seemingly person the ambient optimisation tech of the somewhat amended specced XH95.

            Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit are each supported.

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            Sony XH80/81

            squirrel_widget_3490041

            • Available now
            • Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 75in, 85in
            • LED, 3840 x 2160 pixel, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Dolby Atmos, Android TV

            The astir affordable TV connected our database is the 2020 Sony XH80/81. Like the forthcoming X85J, is edge-lit alternatively than Full Array, which means the backlight has immoderate section dimming capabilities but not connected the aforesaid level.

            The XH80 and the XH81 are the aforesaid TV, but with the 80 coming successful a wider array of sizes with a antithetic stand.

            However, it inactive sports galore of the aforesaid pictures and streaming features of the remainder of the 2020 range. It is Android TV smart-enabled, for example, truthful comes with Google Assistant dependable power and is besides susceptible of hooking up to outer Alexa devices. And it has AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support.

            The Android TV functionality besides means it has Chromecast built-in, truthful you tin nonstop contented from galore antithetic apps consecutive to your screen.

            And, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos connected board, it tin get apical notch HDR and audio performance.

            Writing by Rik Henderson. Editing by Chris Hall. Originally published connected 9 February 2018.

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