Sony BRAVIA 3 vs 7 vs 8 vs 9 Smart TV: Prices too high, is it worth?

Introduce​

Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​

Discover cinematic brilliance at home with the 65-inch Sony BRAVIA smart TV. Equipped with the SONY PICTURES CORE app, this TV transforms your living space into a high-definition movie theater. Stream a wealth of high-bitrate, 4K UHD movies directly on your screen, each film presented in stunning clarity and rich detail. This access to an exclusive library of top-tier 4K UHD content significantly enhances the value of the TV, turning every movie night into a premium viewing experience.

The Sony BRAVIA sets a new standard in visual fidelity with its Triluminos Pro technology. Capable of displaying over a billion colors, this feature ensures vivid, bright, and lifelike picture quality. Every scene is rendered in exquisite detail and color accuracy, making this 65-inch smart TV a portal to worlds as lush and vibrant as reality itself.

Gamers, too, are in for a treat with the BRAVIA’s gaming-optimized features, specifically tailored for PlayStation 5. Exclusive technologies like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode elevate your gaming sessions by optimizing the TV’s picture quality for gaming and streaming. This not only makes games more immersive but also turns the Sony BRAVIA into a comprehensive entertainment system, catering to all your digital entertainment needs with unparalleled precision and performance.

Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​

Experience the magic of a personal cinema right in your own living room with the 65-inch Sony TV. Designed to transform any space into a movie haven, this smart TV delivers an entertainment experience that rivals any theater. With superior picture quality and immersive sound, each movie night becomes a journey into the visuals and audio of cinematic storytelling. The beautifully accurate colors and captivating brightness ensure that every scene captivates and immerses you completely.

Dive deeper into the visuals with the intelligent power of the XR Processor. This core feature in the 65-inch smart TV enhances every scene in real-time, intelligently boosting color, contrast, and clarity. As you watch, each scene is optimized to appear as vivid and lifelike as possible, ensuring that your viewing experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether it's the subtle hues of a dramatic sunset or the sharp details of a fast-paced action sequence, the XR Processor makes sure you see every frame in stunning detail, bringing the director's vision to life in your own home.

Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​

Experience cinematic perfection with the PURE BLACK OLED CONTRAST, where over 8 million self-lit pixels deliver pure black alongside dazzling high brightness. This precision control ensures that dark scenes are deeper and night skies are clearer, enhancing every detail with stark contrast and vibrant colors.

Dive into a world of BILLIONS OF REAL-WORLD COLORS with the XR Triluminos Pro. This advanced technology accesses a spectrum of accurate, real-world colors, enriching every frame with hues that are vivid and lifelike. Whether you're watching lush landscapes or urban vistas, the colors you see will be as nuanced and vibrant as they are in nature.

At the core of this visual spectacle is the POWERFUL TV PROCESSING capability of the XR Processor. This intelligent engine enhances every scene in real-time, amplifying color, contrast, and clarity. Each moment on screen is optimized to its fullest potential, making your viewing experience extraordinarily vivid and immersive.

Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​

Experience an unparalleled level of brilliance and authenticity with MINI LED BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST. This advanced technology harnesses thousands of Mini LEDs, each meticulously controlled by the XR Backlight Master Drive. This precision results in a display that achieves authentic contrast and the brightest imagery ever seen on a 4K TV. Whether you’re watching a starlit sky or a shadow-drenched thriller, the depth and intensity of each scene are dramatically enhanced, providing a viewing experience that’s as thrilling as it is true-to-life.

Dive into a spectrum of vibrant, accurate colors with the revolutionary BILLIONS OF REAL-WORLD QLED COLORS. Leveraging QLED technology alongside XR Triluminos Pro, this feature accesses billions of real-world colors, rendering each hue with unparalleled precision. This breadth of color brings every scene to vivid life, ensuring that what you’re viewing is as rich and dynamic as the world around you.

At the heart of this visual excellence is the POWERFUL TV PROCESSING capability of the XR Processor. This intelligent technology enhances every scene in real-time, dynamically boosting color, contrast, and clarity. As a result, each frame is optimized to its full potential, delivering a picture that’s not only clear and detailed but also breathtakingly vibrant.

Enjoy a BEAUTIFUL PICTURE FROM ANY ANGLE with the innovative X-Wide Angle and X-Anti Reflection technologies. These features ensure that every seat in the room is the best seat in the house, providing a premium picture with reduced glare from every angle. No matter where you sit, the quality of the image remains superb, making your viewing experience consistently spectacular, free from the usual limitations of angle-dependent fading or color shift.

Side-by-Side Comparison​

Basic​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Thumbnail​
Model Year​	2024​	2024​	2024​	2024​
Price​	$648​	$1398​	$1698​	$2498​
Specific Uses​	home theater setup, streaming movies and TV shows, gaming on PlayStation 5​	Entertainment​	Entertainment​	Entertainment​

System​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Operating System​	Google TV​	Google TV​	Google TV​	Google TV​
Internet Applications​	Prime Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Max, Disney+, YouTube, Sony Pictures CORE, Google TV​	Prime Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Max, Disney+, YouTube, Sony Pictures CORE, Google TV​	Prime Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Max, Disney+, YouTube, Sony Pictures CORE, Google TV​	Prime Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Max, Disney+, YouTube, Sony Pictures CORE, Google TV​
Remote Control​	Bluetooth​	Bluetooth​	Bluetooth​	Bluetooth​
Controller Type​	Remote Control​	Remote Control​	Remote Control​	Remote Control​

Display​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Actual Display​
Aspect Ratio​	16:9​	16:9​	16:9​	16:9​
Display Technology​	LED​	Mini Led​	OLED​	Mini Led​
Screen Finish​	Flat​	Flat​	Flat​	Flat​
Has Color Screen​	Yes​	Yes​	Yes​	Yes​
Resolution​	4K​	4K​	4K​	4K​
Refresh Rate​	60 Hz​	120 Hz​	120 Hz​	120 Hz​
Response Time​	-​	-​	-​	-​
HDR Format Supported​	HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision​	HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision​	HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision​	HLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision​
Maximum Display Brightness​	-​	-​	-​	-​
Display Backlight​	LED​	Mini-LED​	Self-Luminous​	Mini-LED​
Display Backlight Setting​	Dimming​	minimum, medium-low, medium, medium-high, maximum​	Not adjustable​	Full Array Local Dimming​
Picture Quality Enhancement​	4K HDR Processor X1, 4K X-Reality Pro, Triluminos Pro​	XR Triluminos Pro, XR Clear Image, XR Processor​	XR Triluminos Pro, XR Clear Image, XR Processor​	XR Triluminos Pro, XR Clear Image, XR Processor​
Motion Enhancement​	Motionflow XR 240​	XR Motion Clarity​	XR Motion Clarity​	XR Motion Clarity​

Audio​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Number of Audio Channels​	-​	2​	2​	2​
Audio Output Mode​	Surround​	Stereo, Surround Sound​	Surround​	Surround​
Audio Input​	HDMI​	HDMI​	HDMI​	HDMI​
Speaker Description​	X-Balanced Speakers​	Acoustic Multi-Audio​	Acoustic Surface Audio+​	Acoustic Multi-Audio​

Connectivity​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Connectivity Technology​	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI​
Bluetooth Version​	5.3​	5.3​	5.3​	5.3​
Screen Mirroring​	AirPlay 2, Google Cast​	AirPlay 2, Google Cast​	AirPlay 2, Google Cast​	AirPlay 2, Google Cast​
Total Usb Ports​	2​	2​	2​	2​
Number of HDMI Ports​	4​	4​	4​	4​
Connector Type​	USB, RS232C, Optical, Ethernet, HDMI​	USB, RS232C, Optical, Ethernet, HDMI​	USB, RS232C, Optical, Ethernet, HDMI​	USB, RS232C, Optical, Ethernet, HDMI​
Signal Format​	Digital (including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, Ethernet)​	[PO] Digital (Dolby Vision)​	digital​	digital​

Features​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Video Encoding​	HEVC (H.265)​	-​	HEVC Main 10​	-​
Compatible Devices​	Smartphone​	Laptops, Desktops, Gaming Consoles, Smart Speaker, Smart Watch, Tablets, Television, Car Audio Systems, Cellphones​	Smartphone​	Smartphone​
Tuner Type​	ATSC​	ATSC​	ATSC​	ATSC​
Special Features​	Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5, TRILUMINOS Pro, Google TV with Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, 4K X-Reality™ PRO, Game Menu, Minimal Flush Surface bezel, Sony Pictures CORE (5 credits/12 months streaming)​	Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5, XR TRILUMINOS Pro, Google TV with Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, Acoustic Multi-Audio, Game Menu, Studio Calibrated Modes - NEW! Prime Video, Netflix Adaptive, Sony Pictures CORE​	Studio Calibrated Modes - NEW! Prime Video, Netflix Adaptive, Sony Pictures CORE, Acoustic Surface Audio+, Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5, XR TRILUMINOS Pro, Google TV with Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, Game Menu​	X-Wide Angle, X-Anti Reflection, Studio Calibrated Modes - NEW! Prime Video, Netflix Adaptive, Sony Pictures CORE, Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5, XR TRILUMINOS Pro, Google TV with Google Assistant, AirPlay 2, Game Menu​

Measurements​

Parameter	Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​	Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​
Dimensions D x W x H​	13.25"D x 57.25"W x 35.88"H​	13.63"D x 57"W x 33.75"H​	9.88"D x 56.88"W x 33.75"H​	13.38"D x 56.88"W x 33.38"H​
Item Weight​	47.8 Pounds​	62.4 Pounds​	51.2 Pounds​	76.7 Pounds​
Screen Size​	65 Inches​	65 Inches​	65 Inches​	64.5​

Why Pick It​

Sony BRAVIA 3 TV​

The vibrant, colorful display of this TV captures your attention from the moment you turn it on, although setting it up might test your patience a bit. It typically undergoes a firmware update during initial setup, so it's best not to be in a hurry. However, the process is fairly straightforward, with simple, step-by-step instructions that ease you through the configuration. The brightness settings are flexible too, thanks to the built-in presets that allow for quick adjustments to suit any viewing preference.

For those looking to maximize the Smart-TV features, having a Google or Gmail account is essential. This integration offers the convenience of syncing your YouTube history, bringing your favorite videos right to your fingertips—an added perk for seamless browsing.

However, gamers might want to think twice. The input lag on this TV can be quite noticeable, around 500 milliseconds, even in gaming mode. This is a significant delay, especially compared to the near-instantaneous response of a dedicated computer monitor. Without gaming mode activated, the input lag worsens, extending over a second, which can be frustratingly slow and impacts the gaming experience negatively. For gaming enthusiasts accustomed to high-performance displays, this might be a deal-breaker.

Sony BRAVIA 7 TV​

The Sony Bravia 7 has quickly become my top recommendation for anyone in the market for a new TV, thanks to its exceptional picture quality. It arrived right on schedule and has been performing flawlessly, solidifying my endorsement of this product.

Unlike OLED TVs, which have a reputation for screen burn-in, the Bravia 7 uses Mini LED technology. Coming from an engineering background, I steer clear of OLEDs due to their longevity issues, making this a significant plus.This TV truly excels in the gaming department with its VR capabilities and smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. It’s designed to deliver an immersive gaming experience that is hard to beat.While some have expressed concerns about viewing angles, I solved this issue with a rotating wall mount, which allows for flexible viewing positions. This setup works perfectly, making the Bravia 7 a great choice for sports fans.

However, it's important to note a specific technical detail for gamers: if you want to take full advantage of the 120 Hz refresh rate and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), make sure to connect your gaming console or PC to either HDMI 3 or 4. Using HDMI 1 or 2 will limit you to 4K at 60 Hz, which doesn’t utilize the TV’s full gaming potential.

Sony BRAVIA 8 TV​

The Bravia 8 earns a resounding approval—it's truly a standout TV. The OLED display brings astonishingly deep blacks and a breathtaking color spectrum, revitalizing even older DVD-quality content, making it look crisper and more vibrant than ever. The natural clarity and vibrance of the image make both watching movies and gaming exceptional experiences.

Gaming on this TV, especially with a PS5 at 120hz, is phenomenal. The remote control features, such as signing into your gaming account before even grabbing your PS5 controller, add a layer of convenience that’s greatly appreciated. The overall quality of this TV is undeniable; it justifies every penny of its price, falling squarely into the high-tier category.

For optimal performance, particularly to make the most of the PS5’s capabilities, using high-speed (8K) HDMI cables is crucial. Although the brightness might initially appear subdued in standard and professional modes, switching to “vivid” mode effectively enhances the brightness to suit personal preferences. However, one drawback is the pre-installed software—there’s a significant amount of bloatware that requires manual removal, which can be a bit tedious. This is a small hiccup in an otherwise stellar set of features that the Bravia 8 offers.

Sony BRAVIA 9 TV​

This TV delivers exceptional picture quality that shines even in very sunny rooms, ensuring the display never appears dim. The detail captured in dark scenes and shadows is impressive, greatly enhanced by its professional mode, which offers extensive customization options. There's nothing negative to highlight; it's a premium product, and though the price point is high, the value you receive is undeniable.

Out of the box, the factory settings are quite impressive, especially the local dimming feature that achieves true, deep blacks. This capability, combined with the ability to adjust brightness to suit any environment, ensures optimal viewing pleasure.

The television itself is visually striking, with high brightness and contrast, sharp clarity, and rich, vibrant colors that bring images to life. The audio quality matches the visual performance, providing an extraordinary listening experience. However, it's not without its flaws. The quality of the display panel falls short, reminiscent of older LCD panels from decades past. This is most apparent at the top and side edges, which exhibit noticeably less brightness, particularly in the top left corner, detracting from an otherwise flawless viewing experience.