Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV Review BRAVIA XR X90L Performance and Features

Description

Stunning Picture Quality and Immersive Visuals

Right out of the box, the Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90L Series blew me away with its Cognitive Processor XR, delivering a strikingly lifelike picture. The full array LED technology truly makes a difference, offering deep blacks and bright, sharp highlights. Watching nature documentaries felt like I was standing in the middle of a rainforest; the XR Triluminos Pro ensures the colors are vivid and accurate, rendering billions of shades effortlessly. Whether I was streaming a movie or gaming, the 16:9 aspect ratio and 4K resolution consistently showcased every detail with absolute clarity.

This TV’s ability to handle Dolby Vision HDR is another standout feature. It’s designed to reproduce content exactly as intended by its creators, which means movies and shows come alive with outstanding contrast and depth. I tested this with a couple of HDR-enabled films, and I couldn’t stop marveling at the subtle gradients in shadows and the crisp brightness of highlights. The IMAX Enhanced mode? That’s the cherry on top for anyone who loves a cinematic experience at home.

Designed for Gamers and PlayStation® 5 Fans

As someone who enjoys gaming, I couldn’t ignore the exclusive features for PlayStation 5. This TV pairs seamlessly with the console, offering Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, optimizing visuals without requiring me to fiddle with settings every time. The HDMI 2.1 support means I could play games at 4K/120Hz, ensuring my gameplay was buttery smooth with no noticeable lag.

The Game Menu was a pleasant surprise, allowing me to adjust gaming-specific settings in one centralized area. Features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) shine when playing fast-paced games, eliminating screen tearing and input lag. If gaming is your priority, this TV has you covered.

Audio Experience That Matches the Picture

Audio can often be overlooked in TVs, but not here. The Acoustic Multi-Audio system made a noticeable difference during my testing. Sound positioning tweeters deliver audio that feels like it’s coming directly from the screen. It’s a subtle but impactful feature that adds to the overall immersive experience. Whether I was watching an action-packed movie or listening to a live concert, the Dolby Atmos support ensured that sound filled the room with clarity and depth.

I did notice that while the built-in speakers are excellent, pairing the TV with a soundbar or home theater system would elevate the audio experience even further.

Smart Features That Make Life Easier

The Google TV integration is seamless, and I loved having all my streaming apps in one place. It’s incredibly intuitive, and the voice control via Google Assistant made searching for content as simple as asking a question. I even tried out Apple AirPlay, and it worked flawlessly, allowing me to stream content directly from my iPhone.

One feature I didn’t expect to enjoy as much was the BRAVIA CORE app, which comes with 5 credits for new movie releases and a 12-month subscription to a library of classics. The quality of these streams is incredible, with high bitrate 4K UHD content that rivals physical Blu-rays.

Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly

The inclusion of a NEW Eco Dashboard felt like a thoughtful nod to sustainability. It allowed me to manage the TV’s energy consumption effectively. Small features like this make a big difference, especially for those conscious of their environmental impact.

Key Benefits

• Lifelike picture quality powered by Cognitive Processor XR.
• Exclusive PlayStation 5 features for seamless gaming.
• Dolby Vision HDR and IMAX Enhanced support for cinematic visuals.
• Intuitive Google TV interface with voice control.
• Acoustic Multi-Audio system for immersive sound.

Areas for Improvement

• The built-in speakers, while good, could use more bass for a richer sound.
• The remote control design feels a bit outdated compared to the sleekness of the TV itself.
• Wall mounting is not as straightforward as I would have liked; the TV’s weight (25 kg) requires a sturdy setup.

Competing Products

Comparing this TV to similar models like the LG OLED C2 and the Samsung QLED Q80B, the Sony X90L offers superior gaming features tailored for PlayStation® 5 users. The LG OLED C2 might have an edge in delivering perfect blacks due to its OLED technology, but it doesn’t match Sony’s full array LED brightness.

Samsung’s QLED models bring strong color performance, but the Cognitive Processor XR outperforms Samsung’s AI upscaling, especially when dealing with non-4K content. The audio system on the Sony TV also feels more premium compared to its counterparts.

Value for Money

Balancing its advanced features and premium performance, this TV feels worth the investment. While it’s not the cheapest option in the market, the combination of next-gen gaming capabilities, cinematic visuals, and smart features makes it a solid choice for those who want a versatile and high-quality TV. It’s clear that Sony designed this model with a focus on quality and functionality, making it a strong contender in its price range.

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