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Sony TVs 2023: These are all new models and innovations

Sony is the only brand that has QD-OLED, OLED and miniLED in its line-up. It was therefore a bit of looking forward to which model would now occupy the top position. An OLED model with the new META panel? Or a new higher-brightness QD OLED based on the new panel Samsung showed off at CES? And will miniLED remain part of the line-up?

The big lines

Let’s answer the most important question first. The new flagship is the A95L QD OLED, which will now also be available in 77 inches in addition to a 55 and 65 inch version. The device is equipped with the new QD-OLED panel that, Sony claims, offers 200% brightness compared to the A95K from last year.

In addition, Sony is positioning its miniLED TV, the X95L, which has 20% more zones than its predecessor. It is available in 65, 75 and 85 inches. It is striking that the X95L miniLED was clearly positioned above the new A80L OLED. Sony cited the higher brightness as an argument for this. Although it was mentioned several times during the various demonstrations that they see miniLED as the best choice for sports, while (QD-)OLED remains the best choice for film.

The new WOLED META panel (as in the LG G3, Philips OLED908 or Panasonic MZ2000) is therefore not available to Sony, presumably in order not to compete internally with A95L. The A80L OLED will be available in 55, 65, 77 and 83 inches. Those who want a 42 or 48-inch model can still choose the A90K, that 2022 model will continue.

In addition to the A80L, Sony offers the X90L, for those who prefer more brightness. This FALD-LCD got 60% more zones and a higher brightness than the X90K. It is available in 55, 65, 75, 85 and a giant 98 inch.

One step lower we find the X85L (55, 65 and 75 inches). Where the X85K still used a direct LED backlight with global dimming, the X85L will now also have a FALD backlight. Finally, there are the X80L (43, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 85 inches) and the X75WL (75, 65, 55, 50 and 43 inches).

The Z9K, the 2022 8K model, will continue into 2023.

There is no change in terms of connections, the X85L and above have two HDMI 2.1 connections with 48Gbps bandwidth.

Audio

On the audio side, Sony continues to focus on Acoustic Center Sync in collaboration with its soundbars. By using the TV as a center speaker, the dialogue is lifted so that it seems to come out of the screen. To achieve this, Sony uses the Haas effect, or precedence effect. When you hear two sounds in quick succession, the second sound seems to come from the same place as the first sound. With Acoustic Center Sync, the audio from the TV leaves a little earlier than that from the soundbar, so that all sound really seems to come from the TV. The settings are optimized for all combinations of an A95L, X95L, A80L or X90L TV together with an A9, A7000, A5000 or A3000 soundbar.

Those who supplement their Sony TV with a Sony soundbar also enjoy 360 Spatial Sound Mapping on the same TVs. This technology creates phantom speakers, so that the sound image is wider and you seem to be in the middle of it.