Sony Introduces Bravia 8 II QD-OLED TV: Performance and Features Reviewed

Sony, a company with a long history of television innovation, has introduced the Bravia 8 II, its latest QD-OLED TV model. It aims to deliver a theater-level performance for home viewing, aligning with Sony's 'Cinema is coming home' tagline.\n\nReleased in June 2025, the Bravia 8 II has been praised for its deep blacks, detailed shadows, superior processing, and realistic picture quality. It was recognized as the 'King of TV' at the Value Electronics’ 2025 TV Shootout. The model offers improved brightness compared to its predecessor, the A95L, and features stellar image processing that enhances lower-quality content. It operates on Google TV, noted as a benefit over competitors. While its blacks are deep and inky, its out-of-the-box color accuracy is slightly less perfect than the A95L.\n\nMinor issues identified, such as a slight blue tint in HDR grayscale and colors, are primarily noticeable to TV enthusiasts. These issues are correctable through professional calibration, which significantly enhances image quality. Despite these points, the TV's overall performance is highly regarded.\n\n## Specifications and Design\n- Display Type: QD-OLED\n- Available Sizes: 55 and 65 inches\n- MSRP: $2,599.99 (55-inch), $3,299.99 (65-inch)\n- HDR Formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG\n- Operating System: Google TV\n- HDMI Inputs: Four total, including two HDMI 2.1 ports (one of which is eARC/ARC compatible).\n- Gaming Features: Supports 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM.\n\nThe TV features a two-position stand design, allowing for soundbar placement beneath the screen.\n\nThe Bravia 8 II exhibits minor QD-OLED panel characteristics, such as slight raised blacks with a purplish tint due to the lack of a polarizing filter, and subtle color fringing from its triangular pixel structure. These effects are less pronounced than in earlier QD-OLED generations.\n\n## Brightness Performance\nWhile OLED brightness has improved significantly, the Bravia 8 II registers 1,590 nits in HDR from a 10% window, peaking at 1,884 nits for smaller highlights. Full-screen white measures 239 nits. In SDR, with Peak Luminance on High, it reaches 540 nits. For dark room viewing with default SDR Professional settings, it maintains a reference-level brightness of 100-107 nits.\n\nOverall, the Sony Bravia 8 II is highly recommended for its engaging picture quality, with reviewers expressing significant satisfaction during use. While some alternatives exist (e.g., the A95L for out-of-box accuracy or LG G5 for brighter rooms), the Bravia 8 II's performance is consistently impressive.