Close Menu
Technology Mag

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    The Fujifilm X-E5 is a simple, familiar, and impressive travel camera

    July 27, 2025

    CookUnity Cracked the Code on Meal Delivery By Using … Gasp … Chefs

    July 27, 2025

    The Verge’s 2025 back-to-school shopping guide

    July 27, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Subscribe
    Technology Mag
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    • Home
    • News
    • Business
    • Games
    • Gear
    • Reviews
    • Science
    • Security
    • Trending
    • Press Release
    Technology Mag
    Home » Sony’s Bravia 8 II OLED Is a Stunner, But Can It Beat the LG G5?
    Gear

    Sony’s Bravia 8 II OLED Is a Stunner, But Can It Beat the LG G5?

    News RoomBy News RoomJune 13, 20253 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Email

    If you’re looking for a premium 2025 TV, the latest round of the best OLEDs has you spoiled for choice. With LG and Panasonic using LG’s new breakthrough four-stack panel, and Samsung and Sony sharing Samsung’s most advanced QD-OLED panel yet, there are four tantalizing top-tier OLED TVs hitting stores this year, each one offering a notable brightness boost to go along with OLED’s many other talents.

    What Sony has done with Samsung’s new display is, in a word, beautiful. The awkwardly named Bravia 8 II, which replaces 2023’s gorgeous A95L (9/10, WIRED Recommends), is brilliantly balanced with punchy brightness, expressive and natural colors, and Sony’s sweet image processing for a picture so clear that some images seem almost three-dimensional.

    For all its talents, the Bravia 8 II has some downsides compared to the phenomenal LG G5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) it replaced on my console, including lower peak brightness and a backdrop that’s more deep charcoal than pitch black, leading to less impactful contrast and perceived image depth. For gaming, Sony continues to skimp on connectivity with just two HDMI 2.1 ports.

    Persnickety as these complaints sound, they’re elevated by pricing: the 65-inch Bravia 8 II model I reviewed lists as high as $700 more than the G5 stateside at launch (though discounts already exist). Make no mistake: This is still a fabulous TV for the right buyer, offering sights (and sounds) worthy of a front-row spot on 2025’s stunning mantle of premium screens. As usual, if you want the best processing that money can buy, this Sony is a clear winner.

    On the Wall

    Photograph: Ryan Waniata

    Unlike most TVs in its class, Sony’s top OLED again opts for legs at the panel’s far sides instead of a pedestal stand. This can be helpful for soundbar placement where big pedestals cause trouble, but unless your console is 60 inches wide, you’ll need to wall-mount the TV as I did. The 8 II’s mount screws are placed rather low, meaning the TV sat higher than I wanted, which is something to note if your mount is already in place.

    The TV is subtly stylish, with familiar plastic checkers at the back panel, and paper-thin bezels out front. There’s some recency bias here, but I couldn’t help noticing how much milkier the panel looks compared to the LG G5’s black void, which I kept noticing throughout my evaluation. On the bright (or rather dark) side, the TV’s reflection handling is among the best I’ve seen, diffusing nearly everything but direct lighting, without the full matte look of Samsung’s latest models.

    Software setup is a relative cinch with Google TV’s plug-and-go layout, letting you adjust most parameters with your phone and G Suite credentials. I’m a fan of Google TV’s overall ride, especially the ability to use Google Photos as screen savers, about the only time I take to reminisce on past adventures. Sony’s implementation has improved with each iteration, and apart from Google’s overly zealous ads, I had virtually no complaints over weeks of smooth streaming and navigation.

    That includes zoomy channel surfing through 50-odd channels via my HD antenna with the Bravia 8 II’s compact remote. The remote is simple but intuitive, especially compared to the oddly oriented G5 remote, though it would be nice if it were backlit, considering that the 8 II—like all OLEDs—does its best work in lower lighting.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleA Political Battle Is Brewing Over Data Centers
    Next Article Google is shutting down Android Instant Apps over ‘low’ usage

    Related Posts

    CookUnity Cracked the Code on Meal Delivery By Using … Gasp … Chefs

    July 27, 2025

    Razer’s Pro Click V2 Vertical Is the Ergonomic Gaming Mouse You’re Looking For

    July 27, 2025

    Nemo’s Updated Dagger Osmo Tent Has Nicer Fabric and Better Design Details

    July 26, 2025

    Do You Need a Barbecue Knife?

    July 26, 2025

    The Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Is Both a Square and a Circle. A Squircle!

    July 26, 2025

    Map Your Brain for Better Sleep (Maybe) With the Somnee Sleep Headband

    July 26, 2025
    Our Picks

    CookUnity Cracked the Code on Meal Delivery By Using … Gasp … Chefs

    July 27, 2025

    The Verge’s 2025 back-to-school shopping guide

    July 27, 2025

    Razer’s Pro Click V2 Vertical Is the Ergonomic Gaming Mouse You’re Looking For

    July 27, 2025

    Apple beta season is here

    July 27, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss
    Science

    The ICJ Rules That Failing to Combat Climate Change Could Violate International Law

    By News RoomJuly 27, 2025

    If a country fails to take decisive action to protect the planet from climate change,…

    Nemo’s Updated Dagger Osmo Tent Has Nicer Fabric and Better Design Details

    July 26, 2025

    Here are the laptops I’d tell any parent to consider for their back-to-school student

    July 26, 2025

    Do You Need a Barbecue Knife?

    July 26, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    © 2025 Technology Mag. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.