Sony Announces 2025 TVs and BRAVIA Projector 7

Sony has finally released information about the brand’s highly-anticipated 2025 TVs, including a new flagship QD-OLED called the BRAVIA 8 II. Although its name would suggest that the BRAVIA 8 II is a successor to last year’s BRAVIA 8 OLED (which will continue to be sold in 2025), Sony actually sees it as the heir apparent of the A95L QD-OLED from 2023. That’s because the more affordable BRAVIA 8 uses a standard WOLED panel from LG Display, while the new BRAVIA 8 II uses the latest QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display. In the LED camp, Sony is continuing its existing BRAVIA 3, BRAVIA 7, and BRAVIA 9 models, and supplementing the lineup with a new entry-level BRAVIA 2 II and a new BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED TV. The BRAVIA 5 goes all the way up to a massive 98 inches. Finally, the company has announced a new BRAVIA 7 Projector, which includes Sony’s superb XR processor.

BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED

 

65": $3,999.99 
55": $3,499.99

The new BRAVIA 8 II flagship QD-OLED is sure to be one of the best TVs of 2025, and it’s the model that enthusiasts have been most excited to learn about, myself included. Combining Sony’s proprietary XR Processor with the latest generation QD-OLED panel, this TV will go head-to-head against competing flagship TVs, like the LG G5 OLED and Samsung S95F QD-OLED. During a call a few weeks ago, my contact at Sony told me that the BRAVIA 8 II would out-perform Sony’s A95L QD-OLED from 2023, noting superior contrast in the new model. He also said that the BRAVIA 8 II would be less expensive than the A95L, but now that the prices have been announced, that does not appear to be the case. (My guess is that plans to set lower prices were thwarted by newly-announced tariffs. The BRAVIA 8 II is substantially cheaper in Canada, where it will cost the equivalent of $500 USD less.)

The BRAVIA 8 II boasts Sony’s best XR Triluminos Max processing, which reportedly enhances the display of more natural colors while preserving vivid brilliance. This ensures that each color appears just right and optimizes the high color purity and wide color gamut of the QD-OLED panel, according to Sony. The processor also features an AI scene-recognition system that detects and analyzes the picture to portray the most realistic display, according to the company. The TV has a high-luminance panel and a temperature sensor with XR Contrast Booster, which precisely controls light to show depth and detail, according to Sony. Compared to the WOLED panel used in last year’s BRAVIA 8, the BRAVIA 8 II offers 50% higher peak brightness and better contrast. Although most people buying a TV of this caliber will be pairing it with a separate audio system, it’s worth pointing out that Sony’s OLED TVs have the best sound of any TV available today. The BRAVIA 8 II has Acoustic Surface Audio +, which uses actuators behind the screen to turn the screen itself into a surprisingly powerful speaker, anchoring the sound to the action on the screen.

Now for the bad news. The BRAVIA 8 II is only being produced in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes. The lack of a 77-inch model feels like a real misstep from Sony. Customers wanting a 77-inch Sony QD-OLED can still purchase the A95L, which costs $4,800 in the 77-inch size, or step down to the BRAVIA 8 WOLED, which is currently selling for $2,500 in the 77-inch size. I asked my contact at Sony why the flagship BRAVIA 8 II was not being offered in the 77-inch size, and he said that the latest generation QD-OLED panels were prohibitively expensive in that size for Sony to be able to meet pricing targets. While I can’t comment on the economics of TV production as they affect Sony’s bottom line, I will point out that the new Samsung S95F uses the latest QD-OLED panel for its 77-inch model, which costs $4,499. It’s certainly possible that Samsung Electronics enjoys better pricing on Samsung Display QD-OLED panels, but it’s still a shame that Sony’s best new TV will max out at 65 inches during a time when the trend is toward bigger and bigger TVs.

2025 Sony LED and Mini LED TVs

Although many enthusiasts will consider the BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED to be Sony’s top TV, the company’s naming conventions make it clear that Sony still considers last year’s BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TV to be top dog. Beneath the BRAVIA 9, last year’s BRAVIA 7 Mini LED is a superb all-rounder at its price, with performance that competes with flagships from other brands. The BRAVIA 3 from last year is Sony’s least expensive LED TV with Dolby Vision, though it lacks high-end features like Mini LED backlighting. All of these 2024 TVs remain in Sony’s lineup, and are now joined by two new models.

BRAVIA 5 Mini LED

98": $6,499.99

85”: $2,999.99

75”: $2,399.99

65": $1,799.99

55": $1,699.99

The new BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED offers many of the state-of-the-art technologies and features found in last year’s most advanced models in a more affordable package. It introduces Mini LED backlighting and Full Array Local Dimming at a lower price point. As in Sony’s more expensive Mini LED TVs, the BRAVIA 5 uses the brand’s proprietary XR Backlight Master Drive to intelligently control the Mini LED array. Sharing its core technology with Sony’s $40K professional monitor used in Hollywood, XR Backlight Master Drive results in “precise local dimming for stunning contrast, beautifully capturing light and shadow with detailed gradation, from subtle facial shading to bold highlights,” according to Sony. The BRAVIA 5 also offers up to 6X more local dimming zones than Sony’s X90L TVs, in screen sizes ranging from 55 inches all the way up to 98 inches. While Sony’s LED TVs don’t tend to offer sound quality on par with its OLED models, the BRAVIA 5 promises room-filling sound with clearer vocal reproduction and better sound positioning than on previous LED models, thanks to new “magnetic tweeters” and down-firing X-Balanced Speakers.

BRAVIA 2 II LED

75": $1,099.99

65": $799.99

55": $699.99

The new BRAVIA 2 II is positioned as Sony’s entry-level TV, but it still boasts multiple essential features, like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatibility, high-quality 4K upscaling, and the Google TV user interface, making it easy to find and enjoy content. The BRAVIA 2 II will be available in sizes ranging from 43 inches to 75 inches, with US pricing for the smaller sizes TBA. (These smaller sizes may be reserved for the European market.)

Sony BRAVIA TV Features

One of the most interesting features of Sony’s BRAVIA TVs is the Sony Pictures Core streaming service, which streams HDR content at up to 80Mbps using exclusive Sony technology. This results in video quality similar to a 4K UHD Blu-ray, according to Sony, and should be noticeably superior to typical streaming video from Netflix, Amazon, and the like. These titles also include clips, deleted scenes, and other bonuses that are commonplace on discs, but usually unavailable via streaming. Sony Pictures Core offers the largest IMAX Enhanced movie collection available anywhere, according to Sony. Users enjoy IMAX Picture with Digital Media Remastering, providing better clarity and noise reduction. IMAX aspect ratio is available on select titles, alongside IMAX DTS Sound. Both BRAVIA TVs and BRAVIA Theater home audio products have undergone a rigorous certification process to meet the standard required to deliver the IMAX Enhanced experience with Sony Pictures Core and select films on Disney+. BRAVIA TVs also support both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The BRAVIA line offers Studio Calibrated modes, which allow the TVs to reproduce the image quality intended by film content creators in a home setting, according to Sony. Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, Sony Pictures Core Calibrated Mode, and Prime Video Calibrated Mode all “ensure that films and shows are adjusted to match the creators’ vision, delivering the intended picture quality for every studio.”

Sony BRAVIA Projector 7

Pricing TBA

If the 98-inch BRAVIA 5 TV isn’t big enough for you, Sony has introduced a new addition to its line-up of BRAVIA projectors, the BRAVIA Projector 7. Powered by Sony’s awesome BRAVIA XR Processor for Projector, the BRAVIA Projector 7 offers cutting-edge TV video processing, but optimized for projection. The new projector joins the existing BRAVIA lineup, with the BRAVIA Projector 9 (VPL-XW8100ES) and BRAVIA Projector 8 (VPL-XW6100ES). See our article Sony BRAVIA 8 & 9 4K HDR Laser Projectors With XR Processor. Although pricing has not been announced for the BRAVIA Projector 7, we expect it to cost thousands less than the Projector 8.

The BRAVIA Projector 7 benefits from much of the same technology found in the BRAVIA Projector 9 and Projector 8, including XR Dynamic Tone Mapping, XR Deep Black, XR TRILUMINOUS PRO, and XR Clear Image. XR Dynamic Tone Mapping analyzes peak brightness frame-by-frame in order to deliver rich gradation, high brightness, and brilliant colors, according to Sony. XR Deep Black controls laser dimming in dark scenes, delivering deeper blacks while maintaining tone and color expression. XR Deep Black also optimizes laser output frame-by-frame to improve power efficiency. XR TRILUMINOS PRO delivers over a billion colors, while XR Clear Image technology “upscales all imagery to 4K quality by using a vast database to intelligently recreate lost texture and detail, all while minimizing noise,” according to Sony. Like the BRAVIA Projector 9 and 8, the BRAVIA Projector 7 is compatible with IMAX Enhanced content.

The BRAVIA 7’s Native 4K Laser Technology offers up to 2,200-lumen enhanced brightness in a compact design. Gamers will appreciate the 4K 120fps resolution with just 12ms of input lag, plus Auto Low Latency Mode via HDMI 2.1. Other key features include Corner Keystone Correction and versatile Lens Shift functions for installation flexibility, and a new Aspect Ratio Scaling Mode, to seamlessly switch between 2.35:1 and 16:9 content on Cinemascope screens without the need for lens adjustments. These features should make the BRAVIA 7 a significant step up from Sony’s existing XW5000 model, which is a good performer, but lacks the BRAVIA 7’s high-power processing, HDMI 2.1 features, keystone correction, and aspect ratio control. The XW5000 also delivers less light output than the BRAVIA 7. Should you want even more light horsepower, a better lens, and motorized lens memory for greater brightness (particularly for 16:9 images), you can step up to the more expensive BRAVIA Projector 8.

Sony’s wide variety of products, such as digital cinema cameras and professional monitors, have been widely utilized by film production professionals, allowing a unique understanding of the cinema industry and relationship with filmmakers. The new lineup of BRAVIA TVs, home audio, and home cinema projectors draws the connection between the filmmaker and the viewers, bringing the authentic cinematic experience to the home.

— Sony

Looking Ahead to 2026

Sony is set to debut an RGB mini-LED TV in 2026. This is a completely new panel technology, which may finally cause OLED diehards like myself to abandon ship. If I had to guess, I would say that Sony’s positioning of the BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED beneath the existing BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TV is a strategic move designed to pave the way for a totally new flagship (the BRAVIA 10, perhaps?) based on this new technology. Sony announced this next-generation display system in March of 2025. According to Sony, it features an independent drive RGB LED with a high-density LED backlight that can individually control the three primary colors. Because each RGB color emits light independently, the result is said to be high color purity and the ability to reproduce images with a vibrant, wide color gamut. The system is equipped with Sony's proprietary advanced backlight control technology, enabling “faithful reproduction of delicate hues and subtle gradations of light across every corner of the display, even on large screens,” according to Sony.

More information:

BRAVIA 8 II  BRAVIA 5  BRAVIA 2 II  BRAVIA Projector 7

Sony Independent Drive RGB LED Display System

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.