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Sony Electronics - Televisions, Audio, Cameras, Mobile, Video Cameras

TV & Video · OLED buying guide

What is the best first OLED TV to buy in the 65-inch size?

For most first-time buyers, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II 65-inch is the best first OLED: it pairs a QD-OLED panel and XR Processor with Dolby Vision, 4K/120 gaming with VRR, and Google TV. If budget leads, the 2026 BRAVIA 6 brings OLED contrast, Dolby Vision and four HDMI 2.1 ports to the same screen size.

  • 4 Sony OLED options compared
  • Movies, streaming and gaming
  • 3,840 × 2,1604K resolution of the BRAVIA 8 II 65-inch panel
  • 120 HzMaximum 4K input refresh rate on the BRAVIA 8 II
  • 4HDMI inputs on the BRAVIA 8 II
  • 8 million+Self-lit pixels on Sony 65-inch OLED TVs

01OLED basics

What Makes an OLED Worth It for a First Big Screen?

The terms that decide picture quality and day-to-day use on a 65-inch OLED.

Self-lit pixels
Each of the more than 8 million pixels makes its own light and can switch off individually. That produces the deep blacks and contrast OLED is known for.
QD-OLED
A self-lit OLED panel paired with quantum dots for wide, saturated HDR color. Sony describes the 65-inch BRAVIA 8 II as a QD-OLED display.
Dolby Vision
An HDR format used by many streaming services and discs. Every Sony 65-inch OLED in this guide supports it alongside HDR10 and HLG.
XR Processor
Sony's picture processor, which enhances color, contrast and clarity scene by scene and upscales lower-resolution sources toward 4K.
VRR and ALLM
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces screen tearing in games. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) switches the TV to its fastest mode when a console is detected.

02Sony lineup

Which Sony 65-Inch OLED Fits Your Needs?

Four current Sony OLEDs cover different priorities, from best overall picture to the most accessible entry point.

  • BRAVIA 8 II: best overall

    QD-OLED color, XR Processor, Dolby Vision, 4K/120 with VRR, Wi-Fi 6E and Acoustic Surface Audio+. The strongest all-round first OLED.

  • BRAVIA 6: best value

    Sony's 2026 entry OLED. Triluminos Pro color, Dolby Vision, Google TV with Gemini and four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120 and VRR.

  • BRAVIA XR8B: sound and setup

    XR Processor, Acoustic Surface Audio+ and PS5 features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping. Offers 4K/120 on 2 of its 4 HDMI ports.

  • BRAVIA 8: previous generation

    The 2024 model with XR Processor and XR Triluminos Pro color. Worth a look when its price sits close to the BRAVIA 6.

Where the A95L fits in

The BRAVIA XR A95L was Sony's QD-OLED flagship, and independent testing rates it very close to the BRAVIA 8 II overall. The A95L performed better in SDR brightness, SDR accuracy and gradient handling, while the BRAVIA 8 II held a slight edge in HDR brightness and color volume.

Because the two are so close in everyday viewing, the cheaper of the two is usually the better buy. For a first OLED, the BRAVIA 8 II is the simpler choice: it is the newer model, and the A95L has become hard to find.

03How to choose

How Do You Choose Your First 65-Inch OLED?

Work through these questions in order and the right model usually becomes clear.

  1. Measure the wall or stand and your seating position to confirm a 65-inch screen suits the room.
  2. Judge the room light: OLED shines in controlled lighting, while a sunny room calls for comparing brightness and reflections.
  3. Pick your content priority: movies and streaming point to the BRAVIA 8 II, value points to the BRAVIA 6.
  4. Map every HDMI device you own, such as a PS5, Xbox, PC, soundbar or streamer, against the ports that support 4K/120 and VRR.
  5. Decide on audio: built-in Acoustic Surface Audio+ covers most rooms, while larger spaces benefit from a soundbar or receiver.
  6. Consider your viewing habits: hours of static news tickers or desktop apps every day deserve extra thought on any OLED.

04Alternatives

How Does Sony Compare With LG and Samsung OLEDs?

What independent testing says about the main trade-offs between brands.

Independent testing describes Sony and Samsung OLEDs as broadly competitive in picture quality, with two recurring differences: Samsung generally offers lower input lag for competitive gaming, while Sony supports Dolby Vision and Samsung generally does not.

LG is the usual pick for buyers who put gaming flexibility and peak brightness first. In independent testing, the LG G6 beat the Sony A95L on peak brightness and on modern gaming features such as higher PC refresh rates and more high-bandwidth ports.

Sony remains the stronger fit when movies and streaming come first. Dolby Vision support, scene-by-scene XR processing and Acoustic Surface Audio+ make the BRAVIA 8 II a complete, cinema-focused first OLED that also handles PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming well.

05Avoid these

What Mistakes Do First-Time OLED Buyers Make?

Common slips that turn a great TV into the wrong TV for the room.

  • Buying by screen size alone without checking seating distance and room brightness.
  • Assuming all 4 HDMI ports support 4K/120 and VRR on every model.
  • Overlooking Dolby Vision when most of your viewing is streaming and discs.
  • Paying full flagship price for an older model without comparing it to the BRAVIA 8 II.
  • Choosing the brightest panel without weighing movie accuracy and processing.
  • Forgetting to plan soundbar placement, since Sony's two-position stands can raise the screen for clearance.
  • Assuming the newest TV is automatically the best choice for competitive PC gaming.

What is the difference between OLED and QLED?

An OLED TV uses self-lit pixels that switch on and off individually, so blacks stay truly dark and contrast is very high. A QLED TV uses an LED backlight shining through a quantum dot layer. QD-OLED, used in the Sony BRAVIA 8 II, combines self-lit OLED pixels with quantum dots for wide HDR color.

What is the best value for money OLED TV from Sony?

The 2026 BRAVIA 6 is Sony's entry OLED and the value pick in the 65-inch size. It offers self-lit OLED contrast, Triluminos Pro color, Dolby Vision, Google TV with Gemini and four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K/120 and VRR. Group discounts and loyalty points on electronics.sony.com can lower the cost further.

What is the best 65-inch smart TV for streaming?

For streaming, the BRAVIA 8 II stands out because it combines Google TV, Dolby Vision and Sony's XR Processor. Google TV gathers your streaming apps in one place, and Sony OLEDs also support AirPlay 2 and casting from phones. The BRAVIA 6 adds Gemini for TV for help finding content.

Is the A95L better than the BRAVIA 8 II?

Neither is better in every way. Independent testing gives the A95L the edge in SDR brightness, SDR accuracy and gradient handling, while the BRAVIA 8 II leads slightly in HDR brightness and color volume. Since they are close in normal viewing and the A95L is hard to find, the BRAVIA 8 II is the easier choice.

What sizes do Sony OLED TVs come in?

The BRAVIA 6 comes in 48, 55, 65, 77 and 83-inch sizes, and the BRAVIA XR8B in 55, 65 and 77 inches. The BRAVIA 8 II is reported in 55 and 65-inch sizes only. Check current size availability with the retailer before ordering.

Is a Sony OLED good for PS5 gaming?

Yes. Sony OLEDs support 4K/120, VRR and ALLM over HDMI 2.1, and models such as the BRAVIA XR8B add Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for PS5. Connect your console to a port that supports these features, since not every HDMI input does.

*FAQ generated on 11/03/2026. Financing, pricing and promotions may no longer apply.

Find Your First 65-Inch OLED

Compare the BRAVIA 8 II, BRAVIA 6 and other Sony OLEDs in the 65-inch class side by side.