In 2024, Sony unveils the Bravia 7, a budget-friendly television featuring mini-LED backlighting and available in three sizes. Priced from 2,199 euros, it competes well against OLED models like the Bravia 8. The design includes a sleek aluminum frame, versatile connectivity options with multiple HDMI and USB ports, and a focus on modern entertainment services. Despite not being the cheapest, it balances quality and affordability for movie watching and gaming, particularly on the PS5.
Sony’s Bravia 7: A Game-Changer in 2024
In 2024, Sony is streamlining its Bravia television lineup, introducing just three models, including the notable Bravia 7. This model marks a fresh entry point into the market, featuring an LCD panel with advanced mini-LED backlighting rather than OLED technology. Although it is designed to be budget-friendly, the Bravia 7 still offers a comprehensive viewing experience. But how does it stack up for movie watching and gaming on the PS5? Let’s dive into this thorough review.
Price and Availability of the Bravia 7
The starting price for the Bravia 7 is set at 2,199 euros for the 65-inch variant. As of now, it is commonly available for under 2,000 euros, offering a discount of at least 200 euros. The price can reach up to 3,499 euros for the largest size. Compared to the Bravia 9, which uses similar screen technology, the Bravia 7 is considerably more affordable. Even at the same size, it undercuts the price of the Bravia 8, an OLED model.
This model is included in Sony’s 2024 collection and can be purchased through Sony’s official website and various retailers such as Darty, Fnac, Boulanger, Cobra, Amazon, and Carrefour. The Bravia 7 is available in three sizes: 65 inches, 75 inches, and 85 inches. However, for those seeking a 55-inch model or smaller, you will need to consider different display technologies like OLED or Full LED, which may disappoint fans of compact screens.
While the Bravia 7 isn’t the cheapest option in Sony’s catalog, it strikes a balance between a reasonable price (around 2,000 euros) and a modern offering. Alternatives in Sony’s range include the A80K and A80L OLED models released in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
When comparing competitors, several models fall within the same price bracket, although not all feature mini LED panels—most are OLED. Samsung offers the QN95D, while Philips has the 809 Ambilight. LG presents the C4, and Panasonic provides the Z80. For those who prefer to avoid OLED technology, TCL’s C89B is a mini LED television that is significantly less expensive than the Bravia 7.
With the launch of the Bravia 7, Sony is enhancing its marketing strategies, providing attractive offers and discounts on services like Crunchyroll, PlayStation Plus, Amazon Music Unlimited, MUBI, and Sony Pictures Core, allowing users to explore new entertainment options affordably.
Design and Build Quality
Let’s delve into the design of the Bravia 7. Sony adheres to its tradition of creating aesthetically pleasing and understated devices that seamlessly fit into living spaces. This model features an aluminum frame with a brushed steel finish, measuring just 2 mm around the panel and less than 2 cm on the sides. The lower border is slightly thicker to accommodate various technical components, including the microphone and infrared sensor.
The television’s edges incorporate several functional elements. It is equipped with two speakers on the left and right sides, which will be discussed later. The bottom edge features four foot placements alongside two speakers and a central button for basic controls such as power and volume, in case the remote is misplaced.
On the back, the Bravia 7 boasts a polycarbonate chassis, housing various connection ports on the left side and the CI+ port, along with the power connector on the right. The profile of the Bravia 7 reflects typical LCD television dimensions, measuring a maximum thickness of 5.7 cm, regardless of the panel size. As is customary, this model is thicker at the bottom where most electronics are located.
The feet of the television are slim and nearly straight, measuring 3 cm wide in the center and slightly narrower at the ends. Depending on the screen size, the foot depth ranges from 34.5 cm to 47.4 cm, with protective pads included to shield your furniture. There are two positions for the feet: central and lateral, allowing placement on narrower furniture (minimum width of 45 cm). However, the central position requires the soundbar to be placed on the foot, which may not be the most convenient option. For each position, users can choose between a low and a high setting, with the latter elevating the television by 8 cm, creating room for a soundbar behind it.
Connectivity Options
Now, let’s explore the connectivity features available at the back of the Bravia 7. Positioned on the right side, the range of connection options is versatile, although it may not be the most comprehensive. At the top, there are two USB-A ports, one of which is a USB 3 port designed for connecting external hard drives to record shows. Below that, an audio output is available for certain speaker systems.
The television is equipped with four HDMI ports; the top two support 4K resolution, while the bottom two provide additional functionalities. Port number three is notable for offering 4K at 120 frames per second, VRR, and eARC capabilities to manage audio flow effectively. Port number four also supports 4K at 120 fps and VRR, but lacks eARC. All four ports are compatible with the ALLM mode.
Below the HDMI ports, an Ethernet connection is also included, ensuring seamless connectivity for various online services and applications. Overall, the Bravia 7 is designed to meet the demands of modern home entertainment enthusiasts.