UPDATE (5/18/23): Sony 2023 TV Pricing/Availability Details Unveiled Here
For a company that almost sold off its TV business entirely just a few years ago, Sony is riding high in the high-end TV market. The company has earned rave reviews since offering their first OLED TVs in 2018 and has even won the prestigious title of "King of 4K TVs" at the Value Electronics TV Shootout every time the event has been held since 2018. Based on today's announcement on the company's 2023 TV model line-up, this year could shape up to be a very good one indeed for Sony's TV business. Sony announced details of its full 2023 high end Bravia XR TV lineup, including OLED, MiniLED and Full Array backlight LED TVs.
Representing an alphabet soup of TV technology acronyms, there are five new model lines in the BRAVIA XR family: X95L and X93L Mini LED, X90L Full Array LED, A95L QD-OLED and A80L OLED. Known for their video processing prowess, Sony has improved this in 2023 in the Cognitive Processor XR. This processor can optimize video signals of virtually any quality to take full advantage of the TV's 4K resolution, high dynamic range and wide color bandwidth. Select models include Sony's "XR Clear Image" technology which improves noise reduction and motion clarity for crystal clear moving images. On MiniLED and full array LED backlit LCD models, the new processor helps to improve contrast and uniformity with enhanced backlight precision. The 2023 LED/LCD TVs also offer more backlight zones which helps improve brightness while minimizing any blooming artifacts.
On the OLED side, the company continues to offer OLED TV models that use LG's WRGB OLED panels as well as models that use Samsung's new QD-OLED panels. As these panel makers continue to up their own game in display manufacturing, Sony reaps these benefits in their TVs which utilize these same panels. Combine these enhanced OLED panels with Sony's best-in-breed video processing, and this year's batch of Sony OLEDs should prove to be impressive performers.
On the new QD-OLED TVs (A95L line), Sony deploys XR Triluminos Max technology, which the company says boosts color brightness by up to 200% on the A95L, compared to the previous A95K model, which was already no slouch for brightness. On the traditional OLED line (A80L), the company uses XR OLED Contrast Pro and XR Triluminos Pro technologies to boost panel brightness approximately 110% compared to the previous year's A80K model. Compared with LED/LCD TVs, panel brightness has always been a weakness on OLED TVs, so we're pretty excited to see how they've improved this in the new models.
If you pair up your new Sony TV with a Sony soundbar, A/V receiver or the HT-A9 surround speaker package, you can take advantage of the new TV's "Acoustic Center Sync" feature. This uses the TV's built-in speakers to help position dialog and other center channel audio information precisely on the screen to match the visual action. The A95L and A80L OLED TVs take this one step further with a feature called "Acoustic Surface Audio." This technology uses sonic actuators which turn the screen itself into the speaker. This prevents any issues with dialog being reflected off the rear wall or stand while allowing the screen's bezel to remain incredibly slim.
The new sets are all compatible with Sony's "360 Spatial Sound Mapping" (360SSM) technology which generates phantom speaker channels all over the listening room for a more seamless and immersive listening experience. 360SSM is built into most of Sony's current soundbar line-up as well as Sony's brand new suite of A/V receivers.
The 2023 Bravia XR TV line-up also includes a slew of features designed to enhance the gaming experience, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, when used with Sony's PS5 gaming console. These features optimize the picture settings depending on the specific content being viewed. A dedicated "Gaming menu" allows gamers to adjust picture and sound settings quickly and easily for their specific preferences. Select models even allow you to change the picture size to minimize the need for extensive head motion during game play. A multi-view feature is also available on select models allowing you to game on one side of the screen while you watch a YouTube or Twitch stream on the other.
Additionally, Sony is moving forward with its environmental goals. The company is minimizing the usage of plastic (particularly "virgin plastic") and decreasing both the weight and volume of packaging material in order to reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon impact when transporting the products around the globe. "We are excited to bring a new lineup that continues to bring Sony's best spatial entertainment and gaming experiences with picture and sound," said Tyler Ishida, President of Sony Home Entertainment. "Sony is proud to offer a full suite of home entertainment options for all of our consumers."
The 2023 TV models include the most recent version of Google TV on-board for access to a wide selection of audio, video and gaming apps and streaming services. All sets include HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR support for enhanced reproduction of 4K HDR content. All of the new sets also include access to the Sony "Bravia Core" streaming service which focuses on high quality 4K UHD and IMAX-Enhanced content. The TVs are available in new screen sizes up to 98 inches (Full Array LED models), 83 inches (OLED) and 77 inches (QD-OLED).
The new models are expected to begin hitting stores this Spring (2023). Pricing and Availability details for most models are now available here. Also, check Sony's TV Store on Amazon for online pricing and ordering details.
Related Articles:
