Sony launched its 2025 Bravia range, introducing the Bravia 3, Bravia 5, and the flagship Bravia 8 II. The new models feature a simplified naming strategy and emphasize OLED technology, with the Bravia 8 II showcasing significant brightness improvements and QD-OLED technology. The Bravia 3 and 5 enhance the mid-range mini-LED offerings. Additionally, new audio accessories like the Bravia Theatre Bar 6 soundbar complement the lineup, enriching the overall viewing experience.
Introducing Sony’s New Bravia Range for 2025
In April 2025, Sony unveiled its latest innovations in the Bravia lineup, featuring three new television models: the Bravia 3, Bravia 5, and the highly anticipated Bravia 8 II. This flagship model is set to redefine the OLED experience this year, with a price tag that’s sure to catch the attention of tech enthusiasts. We had the opportunity to experience these new products firsthand, and here’s our take on this exciting introduction.
A Shift in Strategy and Product Naming
The year 2024 marked a pivotal shift in Sony’s approach. The company revamped its product naming conventions, moving away from alphanumeric designations such as A95L or X90L. Instead, the Bravia models now adopt a simpler naming system, inspired by the Xperia line, using a straightforward name and a numerical designation for the range. However, unlike the Xperia models, the pricing now correlates directly with the model number. This strategy extends to soundbars as well, with a new overarching brand, “Bravia Theatre,” replacing the previous alphanumeric codes.
Additionally, Sony has chosen to streamline its offerings, reducing the number of new Bravia models each year to prolong the lifespan of each product. This tactical approach means one year may see a focus on OLED technology, while another may highlight mini-LED advancements. From this strategic pivot emerged the Bravia 9, Bravia 8, and Bravia 7 in 2024, with the latter being extensively reviewed in our previous articles.
The Bravia 8 II emerges as the new standard in OLED technology for Sony. Following the success of 2024, Sony continues this trend by bringing forth three more models, including the Bravia 3, which replaces the X75WL (Sony’s budget-friendly 4K LED model); the Bravia 5, which takes over from the X90L (previously reviewed here); and the Bravia 8 II, replacing the acclaimed A95L from two years prior. Notably, the Bravia 8 II stands out as the sole OLED option among these three, while the other two utilize mini-LED backlighting. The Bravia 8 II features QD-OLED technology, employing a blue backlight and quantum dot layer for superior color accuracy, similar to the A95L.
One significant enhancement from the A95L to the Bravia 8 II is the improvement in brightness levels. Sony claims that the Bravia 8 II achieves peak brightness that is 25% greater than its predecessor, all while maintaining excellent control over black levels, revealing intricate details in both dark and bright scenes. Impressively, this model boasts a 50% increase in peak brightness compared to the 2024 Bravia 8.
QD-OLED technology also outshines W-OLED in color range, with the Bravia 8 II demonstrating remarkable fidelity to Sony’s reference monitors utilized in film production. Some filmmakers even prefer using these Bravia models on set to evaluate their work. The Bravia 8 II is compatible with popular streaming services, including Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Prime Video, in addition to supporting Dolby Vision (and Atmos) and IMAX Enhanced certifications.
While the Bravia 8 II is set to be more affordable than the A95L, it still occupies a premium price point. The design is more streamlined than the A95L, featuring a chassis that measures just 34 mm in thickness. It incorporates two metal feet positioned on the sides, with no option for a centered stand. However, users have two height options for soundbar placement. The television’s frame is crafted from brushed metal with ultra-thin bezels.
The connection cable, located on the right side, is non-removable, a unique aspect of this model. It offers just one HDMI 2.1 port and is available in two sizes: 55 and 65 inches. For smaller OLED options, consumers may need to consider the older A90K from 2022, while the Bravia 8 from 2024 caters to those seeking larger displays, extending up to 77 inches. Sony has indicated that going beyond this size would be prohibitively expensive.
As for pricing, while Sony has yet to disclose the exact amount for the Bravia 8 II, hints in the brand’s communications suggest that it will be priced higher than the Bravia 8, which remains in the 2025 lineup. Currently, a 55-inch Bravia 8 retails for 1900 euros, while the 55-inch A95L is priced at 2500 euros. Thus, the Bravia 8 II is anticipated to be around 2200 euros, which seems reasonable given its technological advancements.
In addition to the new televisions, Sony is refreshing its mid-range mini-LED offerings with the Bravia 3 and Bravia 5. The Bravia 3 is a standard model featuring a Full LED screen powered by the X1 processor, providing “the Sony experience” at an affordable price point (under 700 euros for a 50-inch model). This television supports Triluminos Pro and Dolby Vision/Atmos, along with native Remote Play compatibility for PS4 and PS5 users, a feature lacking in the X75WL. The Bravia 3 comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 43 inches to 85 inches.
The Bravia 5, a 4K television with mini-LED backlighting, benefits from the XR processor. While the exact number of lighting zones has not been disclosed by Sony, the company claims that the Bravia 5 includes six times more zones than the X90L. It also boasts a full suite of colorimetry and HDR certifications, including Netflix, Prime Video, Sony Pictures Core, Dolby Vision (and Atmos), and IMAX Enhanced. On the audio front, the Bravia 5 features Voice Zoom 3, Acoustic Multi Audio, and Acoustic Center-Sync, similar to the Bravia 8 II, making it a well-rounded television available in five sizes, from 55 inches to 98 inches.
Lastly, Sony has introduced new audio accessories to complement the Bravia lineup. The Bravia Theatre Bar 6 soundbar, paired with a subwoofer, features a 3.1.2 channel system that includes three front tweeters and two upward-firing speakers for enhanced spatial audio. It is compatible with DTS-X, Dolby Atmos, and Voice Zoom 3, though it does not support Acoustic Center-Sync. This new soundbar replaces the previous model, further enriching the Bravia ecosystem.