Sony hosted press events in Tokyo and New York City earlier this year to unveil the company’s upcoming TVs, soundbars, and a projector. We were there to check them out and now we can finally share the details with our readers.
Other than seeing Sony’s prototype RGB-backlit TV, the biggest news (but not the biggest TV) is Sony’s new BRAVIA 8 II (BRAVIA 8, Mark 2). The BRAVIA 8 II is the company’s new flagship OLED TV, the successor to the highly rated A95L OLED. We’ve covered the BRAVIA 8 II details in a separate story, but the company also fleshed out its BRAVIA LED/LCD TV lineup with two new models, the entry-level BRAVIA 2 II (tutu?) and the midrange BRAVIA 5.
Those who follow the TV market in North America may be wondering how the BRAVIA 2 has a Mark 2 already when we never saw a Mark 1. That’s because the BRAVIA 2 was only released in certain markets outside the US and Canada. The Mark II is actually the first version of the “2” that we’re getting in North America.
The BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED and the BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED TV are loaded with Sony’s XR Processor which features a new AI-based scene-recognition system, top notch HDR tone mapping and high performance upscaling, While the BRAVIA 8 II is limited to just two sizes (55-inch and 65-inch), the BRAVIA 2 II will be available starting in a 43-inch screen size while the BRAVIA 5 will go all the way up to 98 inches.
BRAVIA 5 4K Mini-LED TV
The BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED includes many of the performance and usability features of the BRAVIA 7 and BRAVIA 9 Mini-LED TVs, but at a more affordable price tag (pricing details coming soon). The MiniLED backlight modules are intelligently controlled by XR Backlight Master Drive, which shares its core technology with Sony’s $30,000+ professional broadcast reference monitors. This technology offers precise local dimming for improved contrast, capturing specular highlights of bright scenes and shadow details of darker scenes with relative ease. For the lower price, expect fewer backlight zones in the BRAVIA 5 than in the BRAVIA 7 and BRAVIA 9.
As with its more expensive brothers, the BRAVIA 5 comes equipped with studio calibrated modes that reproduce the image quality intended by movie and episodic TV content creators. These include Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, SONY PICTURES CORE Calibrated Mode, and Prime Video Calibrated Mode. These modes detect the type of content being played on each of these streaming services and automatically adjust picture settings for optimum performance without the viewer needing to make any manual adjustments to the picture settings.
The BRAVIA 5 supports Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding as well as having IMAX Enhanced certification. Select Sony BRAVIA TVs (including the BRAVIA 5 TV) are some of only a handful of models on the market that support IMAX Enhanced content on Disney+ with DTS:X Audio. This allows owners of the BRAVIA 5 with DTS-compatible soundbars, receivers or speaker systems to enjoy enhanced immersion from IMAX aspect ratios and dynamic immersive surround soundtracks based directly on the 11-channel IMAX theatrical mixes.
The BRAVIA 5 will be available in five screen sizes ranging from 55 inches to 98 inches (measured diagonally). Like the rest of Sony’s BRAVIA TVs, the BRAVIA 5 includes Google TV for access to all the popular audio and video streaming apps. Pricing on the BRAVIA 5 is expected later this Spring.
BRAVIA 2 II 4K LED/LCD TV
The BRAVIA 2 II offers a more affordable option for those looking for a Sony 4K TV with solid performance that doesn’t bust the budget. While lacking the local dimming and MiniLED lighting of its more expensive siblings, the BRAVIA 2 II carries over features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, 4K X-Reality PRO4K upscaling, and MotionFlow XR processing. But you won’t see the contrast and precise lighting control that you get in the BRAVIA 5 and above thanks to their MiniLED backlights and local dimming.
The BRAVIA 2 II will be available in sizes ranging from 43 inches to 75 inches diagonally. Like the rest of the BRAVIA TV line-up, the BRAVIA 2 II comes with Google TV on-board for access to over 10,000 audio and video streaming apps. Pricing is expected later this spring.
The Bottom Line
When Sony launched the new integrated BRAVIA TV line last Spring, they did so with mostly high performance models including the BRAVIA 7 and BRAVIA 9 MiniLED TVs and BRAVIA 8 OLED. One budget model – the BRAVIA 3 – was also launched but not to much fanfare. Now we see a push from Sony to fill in the model line-up with new mid-priced and entry level options as well as more screen size choices up to 98 inches. These new models and sizes will give prospective buyers a wealth of choices in 2025.
Related Reading
Sony Unveils New Flagship QD-OLED TV, the BRAVIA 8 II
Sony Launches 2 New BRAVIA Theater Soundbars
New Sony BRAVIA Projector 7 Brings Pro Cinema Quality to a More Affordable Price Point
Anton II of Plattsburgh
April 3, 2025 at 12:26 am
How would you compare the top Sony MiniLED to the best MiniLED from Hisense?
It feels like that category offers the biggest bang for the buck in sizes over 75”?