Sony Bravia 9 II launches at $3,600 as flagship RGB LED TV
Sony’s new flagship television offers superior brightness and anti-reflective technology, but analysts note OLED alternatives provide better contrast for most buyers.
Sony has officially released the Bravia 9 II, its latest flagship RGB LED television, marking a significant step in high-end consumer electronics. The device utilises a backlight system comprising individual red, green, and blue LED clusters, a departure from the traditional blue LED backlights used in previous generations. This technology allows for a wider colour range and higher brightness output, with HDR highlights measured at 3,800 nits.
The 65-inch model is priced at $3,600, representing a $1,000 premium over the 65-inch Bravia 7 II, which retails at $2,600. The price gap widens as screen sizes increase, with the Bravia 9 II available in 65, 75, 85, and 115-inch configurations. While the 9 II shares the same processor and lenticular stand design as the 7 II, it features an increased number of dimming zones and a new anti-reflective screen intended to mitigate glare from bright lamps or windows.
Technical assessments indicate superior grayscale and colour performance in Professional mode compared to its predecessor. The anti-reflective screen effectively reduces bright light sources to a dim glow when viewed from a straight-on angle, although performance degrades at angles close to 70 degrees off-axis. Reviewers noted that while blooming is minimal from a central viewing position, it becomes more prominent at off-angles, with some colour bleeding observed.
Connectivity options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which supports eARC, alongside two HDMI 2.0 ports. Despite the technical advancements in brightness and reflection control, the higher price point and off-angle limitations have led reviewers to recommend OLED models, such as the Bravia 8 II, for most consumers. The OLED alternative, priced at $3,000 for the 65-inch model, offers superior contrast due to pixel-level control.
The Bravia 9 II is positioned as the best RGB LED TV available, particularly for bright-room viewing where reflection control is critical. However, the significant cost increase over the Bravia 7 II and the contrast advantages of OLED technology suggest that the 9 II serves a niche market rather than a general consumer upgrade. Sony continues to leverage its industry-leading processing and upscaling to maintain its position at the top of the display technology hierarchy.
