Sony Bravia 8 II Review

Looking to upgrade to the Sony Bravia 8 II but unsure if it lives up to the hype?

In this in-depth review, I’ll guide you through every standout feature, from XR Triluminos Max color volume to next-gen gaming support, so you can decide if this is the OLED TV you’ve been waiting for.

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Design & Build Quality

From the moment I lifted the Sony Bravia 8 II out of its box, I knew Sony had redefined what a premium TV should feel like. The panel itself measures just 11.8 mm thick at its slimmest point, giving it that “floating” appearance against any wall.

In my setup, the virtually borderless bezels on three sides made movies feel more immersive—like peering through a window rather than watching a mounted screen.

The included stand is a fixed-metal pedestal that supports the heavy QD-OLED panel without any wobble. I appreciated how the stand’s width perfectly matched standard TV cabinets, yet I did miss an adjustable option for narrower furniture.

On the back, Sony’s cable-management spine keeps all 4 × HDMI 2.1 ports, 2 × USB inputs, Ethernet, and optical audio neatly tucked away.

• Panel Thickness: 11.8 mm
• Stand Type: Fixed-metal pedestal
• Inputs: 4 × HDMI 2.1, 2 × USB, Ethernet, Optical Audio
• Voice Assistant Built-in: Google Assistant

Overall, the build feels rock-solid and exudes understated elegance. Shortcomings? The stand’s lack of width adjustment and the absence of an included wall-mount bracket (sold separately) are minor inconveniences. But if you value a sleek, gallery-style look, the Bravia 8 II nails it.

Display & Picture Performance

When I first fired up a 4 K HDR demo, the Sony Bravia 8 II’s QD-OLED panel blew me away with its jaw-dropping brightness and rich blacks.

Sony claims up to 1,000 nits peak HDR highlights—about 50 percent brighter than its predecessor—and I can vouch for its ability to pierce through ambient light without washing out colors.

Color & Contrast

Thanks to XR Triluminos Max and the AI-powered XR Cognitive Processor, colors burst with vibrancy yet never feel oversaturated.

Skin tones, in particular, looked astonishingly natural, and I detected no banding or posterization, even in subtle gradients like sunset skies. Black levels remain pitch-perfect, so dark scenes retain shadow detail without muddying.

Motion & Refresh

Fast-action sequences—think Formula 1 races or superhero battles—looked buttery smooth. The native 120 Hz refresh rate, combined with Motionflow XR, minimized blur and judder.

I also tested gaming output at 4 K @ 120 Hz with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and the transition from movie mode to “Game” preset was seamless and lag-free.

• Resolution: 3,840 × 2,160 (4 K UHD)
• HDR Formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
• Color Gamut: 138 percent of sRGB (10-bit)
• Refresh Rate: 120 Hz native, VRR, ALLM

In a word: spectacular. Whether you’re binge-watching a new series or marveling at nature documentaries, the Bravia 8 II’s display performance consistently impressed me.

Performance & Software Experience

Under the hood, the XR Cognitive Processor flexes serious AI muscle. Every time I launched a new source—be it Netflix, a USB drive, or live broadcast—the interface responded instantly.

Scene-by-scene optimization sharpened upscaled HD content remarkably well, breathing fresh life into older movies.

Sony’s version of Google TV is both intuitive and powerful. Short-press the mic button on the remote, say “Find sci-fi movies with Keanu Reeves,” and results appeared across every installed app within seconds.

Long paragraphs about navigating nested menus? Forget it. I was in and out in under five taps.

I also enjoyed the ECO Dashboard, which consolidates energy settings, network status, and peripheral management into one pane.

It’s a thoughtful touch for anyone who cares about power consumption or needs to quickly disable an HDMI port without hunting through sub-menus.

Day-to-day, the Bravia 8 II felt downright polished. Automatic firmware updates ran in the background, so I never worried about missing new features or security patches.

And if you spring for the optional Bravia CAM, you unlock gesture control, auto-framing video calls, and fitness-app overlays—fun extras for the modern connected home.

Audio & Sound Quality

I’ve tested countless slim TVs, and none have impressed me as much as the Bravia 8 II’s Acoustic Surface Audio Plus. Instead of side-firing speakers, Sony uses actuators to vibrate the panel itself, so sound appears to emanate directly from where the action happens on screen.

In testing with dialogue-heavy dramas like The Crown, voices stayed perfectly anchored to actors’ mouths. In blockbuster action scenes, explosions felt powerful and directional—right across the screen.

The built-in 2.1-channel, 50 W amplifier delivered clarity and punch, though I won’t lie: serious bass heads will still want a subwoofer.

For those planning a home-theater upgrade, pairing the TV with a Sony HT-A7000 soundbar unlocked “Center Speaker Mode,” which integrates the panel as the center channel in a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos rig. I experienced room-filling immersion that rivals some separate AV receiver setups.

Given its slim form factor, I’d still recommend an external sub for full low-end heft. But for casual viewers, the Bravia 8 II’s sound system is more than capable—vivid, precise, and surprisingly robust.

Gaming & Connectivit

As a console gamer, I was eager to test the Bravia 8 II’s HDMI 2.1 chops. All four HDMI ports support 4 K @ 120 Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).

Hooking up my PlayStation 5, I saw input lag drop under 10 ms in Game Mode—blisteringly responsive for competitive shooters.

Sony even baked in PS5-optimized Game Mode, which automatically applies the best picture and audio settings when it detects a console.

I toggled between “Performance” for higher frame rates and “Graphics” for more cinematic visuals, and both presets looked phenomenal.

Connectivity extends to Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Ethernet, and seamless casting via Chromecast built in.

I paired a Bluetooth headset without a hitch and mirrored my phone’s screen in under three seconds. Together with Google Assistant integration, the Bravia 8 II becomes a true hub for entertainment and gaming.

Smart Features & User Experience

Beyond picture and sound, Sony’s smart-TV platform feels like the living room command center of tomorrow.

Google TV’s Discover row surfaces live sports updates, trending movies, and personalized picks based on my watch history—no manual browsing required.

Using voice commands, I dim my Philips Hue lights, launch YouTube tutorials, and even check the weather without leaving the couch.

The remote’s built-in mic switch provides peace of mind, letting you kill the microphone when privacy matters.

The Bravia 8 II also supports multi-account profiles, so family members see their own recommendations.

And if you’re into fitness, the optional Bravia CAM turns the TV into a virtual trainer—auto-framing your workout and overlaying exercise stats.

Everything flows smoothly. No frustrating freezes, no random app crashes. Just a polished, user-friendly experience that complements the top-tier hardware.

Pricing & Value for Money

At launch, the Sony Bravia 8 II commanded a premium—expect $2,499 for 55 inches and $3,499 for 65 inches. That’s higher than LG’s equivalent G5 OLED but lower than Samsung’s flagship QD-OLED debut price.

Here’s why I think it’s worth the extra spend:

• Superior Brightness: Up to 1,000 nits HDR vs. ~750 nits on rivals.
• AI Processing: Real-time scene analysis for cleaner upscaling.
• Audio Innovation: Acoustic Surface Audio Plus outperforms typical onboard speakers.
• Future-Proof Gaming: Four HDMI 2.1 ports with VRR & ALLM.

If you’re on a tight budget, LG’s OLED55C4 may undercut Sony by $400–$500, and still deliver great picture. But for cinephiles, gamers, and anyone who demands best-in-class brightness, color, and sound, the Bravia 8 II stands out as a solid investment.

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Final Verdict & Pros & Cons Summary

After a month as my primary TV, the Sony Bravia 8 II has earned its place as my top recommendation for 2025. Its jaw-dropping QD-OLED brightness, AI-driven picture processing, and immersive acoustic audio combine into a package that justifies every penny.

Pros:

• Unmatched HDR Brightness up to 1,000 nits
• XR Cognitive Processor for real-time optimization
• Acoustic Surface Audio Plus for on-screen sound
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4 K @ 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM
• Polished Google TV experience

Cons:

• Premium price tag
• Stand width non-adjustable
• Limited bass without external subwoofer

If you want the absolute pinnacle of OLED performance and a future-proof feature set, the Sony Bravia 8 II is the TV to beat this year.

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