TL;DR
Sony’s Bravia 8 II, released June 2025, is a QD-OLED that wins praise for deep blacks, industry-leading image processing and engaging picture quality. It has minor color and brightness quirks that most viewers won’t notice, and benefits from calibration for near‑reference performance.
What happened
Sony launched the Bravia 8 II in June 2025 as its latest top-end QD‑OLED TV, building on the company’s A95K and A95L models. Reviewers have highlighted the set’s deep blacks, pixel-level control, and Sony’s image processing and upscaling, which improve lower-resolution content. The TV runs Google TV, supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, and offers gaming features including 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM. It’s sold only in 55- and 65-inch sizes with MSRPs cited at $2,599.99 and $3,299.99 respectively. The Bravia 8 II won the Value Electronics’ 2025 TV Shootout “King of TV” recognition from the judges. Measured peak HDR output reached 1,590 nits from a 10 percent window and up to 1,884 nits on smaller highlights, though a full white screen measured 239 nits. The set has two HDMI 2.1 ports (two other HDMI inputs are 2.0) and one 2.1 input serves as the eARC port.
Why it matters
- Sony’s processing and QD‑OLED panel deliver a widely praised combination of deep blacks and vivid color that appeals to cinephiles and enthusiasts.
- Out-of-the-box Professional mode is highly accurate, and calibration can bring the panel to near-reference levels for critical viewing.
- Hardware choices—only two HDMI 2.1 ports and one double-duty eARC port—affect how users configure game consoles and AV gear.
- The Bravia 8 II’s brightness profile shows strong peak highlights while still reflecting the traditional limitations of OLED in full-field white scenes.
Key facts
- Display type: QD-OLED with pixel-level OLED contrast and quantum-dot color boost.
- Sizes and pricing: available in 55-inch and 65-inch; MSRPs reported at $2,599.99 (55) and $3,299.99 (65).
- OS and formats: runs Google TV; supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG.
- HDMI: four HDMI inputs total — 2 x HDMI 2.0 and 2 x HDMI 2.1; one HDMI 2.1 port is the eARC connection (HDMI 3).
- Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM are supported.
- Measured HDR brightness: 1,590 nits from a 10% window, up to 1,884 nits on smaller highlights; full-field white measured 239 nits.
- SDR behavior: Peak Luminance set to High reaches about 540 nits; Professional SDR mode tracks near 100–107 nits from small highlights to full screen.
- Awards: named “King of TV” by judges at the Value Electronics’ 2025 TV Shootout, with judges including the Verge editor-in-chief.
- Ergonomics: feet attach near the screen edge with two height positions to allow room for a soundbar beneath the screen.
What to watch next
- How users manage HDMI 2.1 bandwidth when routing soundbars or receivers through the eARC port and the resulting impact on available 4K/120Hz inputs.
- Whether owners who prioritize very bright, sunlit rooms choose alternate models (the reviewer notes the LG G5 is brighter) — not confirmed in the source.
- Calibration resources and availability, since many of the Bravia 8 II’s remaining accuracy issues are resolved or reduced by professional calibration.
Quick glossary
- QD-OLED: A display technology that pairs OLED’s individual pixel light control with quantum dots to expand color volume and vibrancy.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): A set of techniques that increases contrast and color range, allowing brighter highlights and deeper shadows in supported content.
- HDMI 2.1: A version of HDMI that supports higher bandwidth features such as 4K at 120Hz, VRR and enhanced audio return channel in some implementations.
- eARC: Enhanced Audio Return Channel, an HDMI feature that forwards higher-bandwidth audio from a TV to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver.
- Google TV: A smart-TV platform developed by Google that organizes streaming content and runs apps from multiple providers.
Reader FAQ
What sizes and prices are available?
The Bravia 8 II is offered in 55- and 65-inch sizes with MSRPs reported at $2,599.99 and $3,299.99, respectively.
Is this Sony’s brightest OLED?
No — the reviewer says it isn’t the brightest OLED; measured HDR peaks are strong but a full white field is limited to 239 nits.
How many HDMI 2.1 ports does it have?
Two of the four HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.1; one of those 2.1 ports also functions as the eARC/ARC connection.
Does it need calibration to look good?
Out of the box Professional mode is highly accurate, but professional calibration can correct small color and grayscale shifts to approach reference performance.
TECH GADGETS REVIEWS The Sony Bravia 8 II is a TV enthusiast’s dream It’s not the brightest OLED, and it isn’t perfect, but there’s no TV I’d rather watch. by…
Sources
- The Sony Bravia 8 II is a TV enthusiast’s dream
- Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED TV Review
- Sony BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED Review – A True Flagship…
- Why I'm recommending the Sony Bravia 8 II over …
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