Here is what you need to know about the 2021 Sony TV range if you’re looking to buy a new Sony BRAVIA 8K LED, 4K OLED and 4K LED TV.
The 2021 Sony TV line-up is one of the biggest upgrades we’ve seen from the Japanese manufacturer, with a new smarter processor, upgraded UI and better gaming compatibility across the range.
We’ll be updating this list throughout the year as more information around release dates and prices comes to light.
New Sony TVs for 2021
The headline feature is that Sony’s 2021 TV range are the world’s first cognitive intelligence televisions on the market. You can read the section below to understand exactly what that means.
For this year, Sony has adopted the J naming designation for its TVs. That means that if the model number ends in J, it’s a new 2021 TV. We should also note that for the 2020 TVs that have carried over or are still available, they’ve been re-named from KD to KE. So, for instance, if you see the KE-48A9 OLED, that’s the same TV as the KD-48A9 but has been re-named in light of new European power regulations.
New 8K TVs, new OLEDs, new 4K Full Array LED models have launched under the BRAVIA XR umbrella, while beneath that are more affordable 4K LED TVs and a new 32-inch HD model.
Smart features and HDMI 2.1 compatibility are consistent across the range, while Sony’s Ambient Optimisation feature, which assesses the area around the TV and adapts the picture and sound to suit the environment, is available on nearly all the announced models (save for the HD TV).
A new brain in the Cognitive Processor XR
The brain behind Sony’s premium sets has gotten smarter. All the new BRAVIA XR televisions, a list that includes the MASTER Series Z9J 8K LED, MASTER Series A90J/A80J OLED, and X95J/X90J 4K LED), are powered by the Cognitive Processor XR.
It uses a new processing method that Sony says goes beyond conventional Artificial Intelligence, working in a similar manner as our brain does. It replicates the ways humans see and hear, dividing the screen into zones to detect where the focal point of the picture is.
According to Sony, while conventional AI detects and analyses picture elements such as colour, contrast and detail individually; the new processor cross-analyses all these elements at once. By performing these tasks simultaneously (much like our brains), these elements are adjusted in conjunction with each other and that should make for an image that’s more synchronised and lifelike.
For audio, the Cognitive Processor XR analyses the sound’s position in the signal so it matches precisely with what’s on screen. Sony also claims it can also upconvert any sound to 3D surround sound for a more immersive performance.
BRAVIA CORE and new Google TV UI
Sony’s BRAVIA CORE aims to bring the cinema experience to the home. It’s pre-loaded on all the BRAVIA XR models (Z9J, A90J, A80J, X95J and X90J), and gives users the option of watching a selection of titles from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s “premium and classic” films (although we not sure the Vin Diesel-starring Bloodshot counts as either), as well as delving into the largest collection of IMAX Enhanced titles.
It promises near lossless 4K Blu-ray quality streaming of 80Mbps – significantly higher than the average 20 to 30Mbps of other services – through its Pure Stream technology. The catch is to access the 80Mbps streaming quality you’ll need a minimum internet speed of 115Mbps.
After using Android TV in its previous models, Sony has sashayed over to the Google TV UI. This UI offers a greater focus on content curation and discovery; bringing movies, TV shows, live TV, apps and subscriptions to one place. It also offers personalised recommendations, as well as the ability to keep track of content you want to see via the Watchlist.
Sony’s TVs continue to support the Netflix Calibrated Mode that serves up the Netflix library in a dedicated ‘studio quality’ picture mode. This is along with IMAX Enhanced content, so the TV can play remastered picture and sound through its IMAX Enhanced Mode.
HDMI 2.1 for gaming
In 2020 Sony was neither here nor there with its support for the HDMI 2.1 format. For 2021 stated that it’s much more committed to the format with HDMI 2.1 compatibility present on all BRAVIA XR TVs.
That support brings 4K/120fps, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for a faster and better gaming experience, as well as eARC for the passing higher quality sound through the TV to a soundbar, for example. However, VRR support is still lacking, with Sony saying they’re waiting for the official specification to be released. When exactly they’ll fully jump onboard is not quite clear.
Hands-Free control
Hands-free voice control is built into Sony’s Google compatible TVs, so you don’t have to use the remote to search or to control the TV and smart devices around the home. Simply say ‘Hey Google’ followed by a command and you’re off.
There’s also compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices for casting videos from YouTube to Google Nest speakers, or changing the channel and volume levels.
SONY TV 2021
SONY TV 8K LED (BRAVIA XR)
Z9J Series
The Z9J is Sony’s top of the range 8K LED TV. For the money – and it’s a considerable amount – it has the Cognitive Processor XR that powers the Full Array LED panel to produce deeper black levels and brighter colours.
With upscaling necessary given the lack of native 8K content, the TV upgrades 2K and 4K signals thanks to its XR 8K Upscaling feature.
The X-Wide Angle technology aims to keep colours strong at wider viewing angles. The TV comes with Sony’s Acoustic Multi-Audio technology that uses frame tweeters to ensure high frequency sounds are placed exactly where they should be, while the front facing subwoofers produce “powerful bass”. If it’s anything like the system in the ZH8 TV, it could negate the need for a soundbar.
- Cognitive Processor XR
- Full Array LED
- X-Wide Angle technology
- Acoustic Multi-Audio
- Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HLG
- Dolby Atmos
- 4K/120fps, ALLM, VRR, eARC
- YouView inc. UK catch-up apps
SONY 4K OLED (BRAVIA XR)
A90J Series
- XR-83A90J
- XR-65A90J
- XR-55A90J
The A90J is Sony’s top OLED. OLED’s rich contrast performance is aided and abetted by the set’s XR OLED Contrast Pro, further adjusting brightness for higher peak performance and better black levels so details aren’t shrouded by darkness or lost in the brighter parts of an image.
Smart features are available in Google TV, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, as well as Google Assistant and Chromecast.
The A90J is Calman Ready, offering calibrators the opportunity the fine-tune and adjust the image. Interestingly, the A90J features an RGB light sensor that adapts the image to compensate not only for changes in a room’s light levels, but changes in the hue of the light (cool to warm etc), which Sony says can adversely affect the image.
Sony says its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology has also been improved to deliver a more accurate sound. With its Seamless Edge design, the A90J’s frameless look reduces distractions so the focus is on the screen. Around the back is a cable clutter feature to keep the back area tidy. There are also multiple configurations for set up, which include standing it on its feet or elevating the TV to place a soundbar beneath.
- Cognitive Processor XR
- XR OLED Contrast Pro
- Acoustic Surface Audio+
- Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HLG
- Dolby Atmos
- 4K/120fps, ALLM, VRR, eARC
- YouView inc. UK catch-up apps
read our Sony XR-55A90J review
Sony TV 4K LED TV
X85J
- KD-85X85J
- KD-75X85J
- KD-65X85J
- KD-55X85J
- KD-50X85J
- KD-43X85J
We’re getting deep into Sony’s TV line-up with the first non-BRAVIA XR TV. The X85J swaps out the Cognitive XR Processor for the 4K HDR Processor X1, but still aims to offer better depth, textures and more natural colours with its images. The 4K X-Reality Pro picture processor helps to upscale sub-2K content to near 4K quality, with advanced noise reduction techniques aiming to produce a cleaner-looking image.
The panel is a native 100Hz effort, and that should result in smoother motion. HDMI 2.1 functionality is available on this model with 4K/120fps, VRR, ALLM and eARC included (two of the four HDMI inputs support the 2.1 format). The design is described as minimalist, with the ‘flush surface’ concentrating eyes on the screen.
Smart features are provided in Google TV, AirPlay 2/HomeKit, Chromecast and “works with” Alexa and Google Assistant speakers. It’s the first TV in the line-up that lacks support for the BRAVIA CORE streaming service, though.
- 4K HDR Processor X1
- Edge-lit LED
- X-Balanced Speaker
- Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HLG
- Dolby Atmos
- 4K/120fps, ALLM, VRR, eARC
X81J
X80J
- KD-65X80J
- KD-55X80J
- KD-50X80J
- KD-43X80J
The features for the X81J/X80J are reduced further from the X85J. You still get the 4K HDR Processor X1, 4K X-Reality PRO picture processing and advanced noise reduction techniques, as well as the X-Balanced speakers for a more immersive audio performance.
HDMI 2.1 support spans to just eARC, so this isn’t ideal for the PS5 or Xbox Series X. The panel drops down to a native 50Hz effort, so smoother motion is not on the table either.
Smart features are consistent with the rest of the range in Google TV, AirPlay and HomeKit support, as well as compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant speakers.
- 4K HDR Processor X1
- Edge-lit LED
- X-Balanced Speaker
- Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HLG
- Dolby Atmos
- eARC
W800
Sony continues to pump out HD sets for those who just need a small TV. There’s no mention of whether it supports HDR like previous HD sets did (which likely indicates it doesn’t). The picture processor is the BRAVIA Engine, and Android TV offers access to apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play Movies & TV.
- BRAVIA Engine
- LED
- Android TV
