The Sony A80 OLED TV delivers exceptional picture quality thanks to its cutting-edge OLED display technology and top-of-the line processing capabilities. However, with an MSRP of around $3,000 for a 65-inch model, it sits at the premium end of the TV price spectrum and may be out of reach for budget-conscious shoppers.
The good news is that there are many great alternatives to the Sony A80 which offer impressive performance and features without breaking the bank. In fact, today‘s mid-range and even budget TVs utilize premium technologies like QLED and full-array local dimming that rival OLED in key areas.
This guide will provide an overview of 10 standout alternatives to the Sony A80 across a range of price points. For each model, we’ll showcase the display specifications, picture quality attributes, smart TV platform details, audio capabilities, gaming performance, connectivity, and design aesthetics. We‘ll also make direct comparisons to the Sony A80 throughout.
What Makes the Sony A80 OLED TV Special?
Before diving into the alternatives, let’s recap what sets the Sony A80 apart:
OLED Display: Provides perfect blacks, infinite contrast, wide viewing angles, fast response times
Picture Processing: Cutting-edge X1 Ultimate chip brings extreme clarity, upscaling, HDR brightness/contrast
Smart Features: Sony’s Android TV offers robust voice controls, Google Cast abilities, major streaming/apps
Smooth Motion: Sony‘s top-tier motion handling produces crisp action sequences with no artifacts
Audio Quality: Special Acoustic Surface Audio+ vibrates the display to emit sound
In a nutshell, the A80 is beloved by both video enthusiasts and casual viewers alike for its cinematic visuals and unique audio solution. However, comparable performance and features can now be found for much less from an array of competitor models.
The 10 Best Sony A80 OLED TV Alternatives
1. LG C1 OLED TV
The LG C1 OLED TV offers near-identical display specifications and picture quality performance to the Sony A80, including infinite contrast and viewing angles.
LG‘s latest α9 Gen 4 AI Processor provides enhanced upscaling, sharpness, and HDR tone mapping compared to previous generations. While motion handling falls just short of Sony‘s best-in-class processor, the overall visual experience is extremely strong for movies, sports, and gaming.
WebOS provides a intuitive and feature-rich smart TV platform with all major streaming apps. Gaming features are also robust, with 4 HDMI 2.1 ports enabling 4K/120fps on next-gen consoles along with VRR and ALLM support. Finally, at under $1,800 for the 65-inch C1, it costs nearly $1,200 less than the equivalent A80.
The LG C1 therefore stands tall as the overall best pound-for-pound alternative to the premium Sony model. You simply won‘t find a better balance of OLED picture quality and features for the money.
2. Vizio OLED TV
Those on a strict budget should consider the Vizio OLED TV line, which manages to undercut competing OLED sets significantly. The 65-inch model retails for around $1,500, or half the cost of Sony‘s equivalent A80.
So where did Vizio manage to cut costs? Picture processing lags behind slightly, with occasional banding in color gradients and inferior upscaling of lower resolution content. Peak brightness also checks in a tad lower compared to more costly OLED sets.
Outside of those relatively minor shortcomings, the Vizio OLED still delivers excellent black levels, pixel response times, and viewing angles on par with sets costing twice as much. Gamers will also appreciate the HDMI 2.1 ports enabling 4K/120fps gaming.
Consider the Vizio OLED TV if you want supreme contrast and color reproduction from an OLED panel without the premium price tag. Just temper expectations for absolute best-in-class HDR highlights and motion clarity. Still, no LCD/LED TV at this price can compete on picture quality.
3. Hisense U8H Mini-LED TV
Hisense‘s U8H TV offers a intriguing alternative to OLED, harnessing thousands of backlighting zones courtesy of mini-LED technology paired with QLED quantum dots. The result? OLED-like contrast and brightness at a more affordable price.
The U8H sets utilize anywhere from 720 to 2,160 local dimming zones depending on screen size, enabling precise control over areas of the screen receiving variable levels of backlight. This mimics the pixel-level precision of OLED panels. Resultingly, you get inky black levels yet with higher peak brightness – great for HDR content.
Beyond superb contrast, colors really pop thanks to the quantum dot filter while gaming feels responsive with low input lag and HDMI 2.1 support up to 4K 120fps. As of mid-2023, the 65-inch U8H retails for around $1,500, notably cheaper than equivalent OLED sets.
Owners do report occasional blooming and haloing effects around bright objects due to limitations of even mini-LED tech. But overall, Hisense‘s cutting-edge backlighting and color reproduction makes the U8H a stellar performer at this price point.
4. Samsung QN90B QLED TV
The Samsung QN90B QLED TV also foregoes OLED in favor of an advanced LCD/LED panel paired with quantum dot technology and innovative backlighting enhancements.
Featuring a full-array local dimming (FALD) system with precise zone control, the QN90B has remarkable contrast for an LED TV. It exhibits barely any blooming around bright objects. VividQuantum Dot color and class-leading anti-reflective qualities also help images pop.
For processing, Samsung‘s acclaimed Neo Quantum Processor 4K leverages AI enhancements for upscaling, detail enhancement, and scene-by-scene adjustments. Motion clarity is simply the best from an LED TV. Smart features and gaming specs like variable refresh rate (VRR) and ultra-low input lag (5ms) round out the suite.
Prices vary hugely given the vast size range, but generally run 25-35% cheaper than the equivalent Sony A80 OLED – for instance, a 65-inch QN90B costs around $2,000. Considering you‘re still getting exceptional performance worthy of a flagship display, that‘s excellent value.
5. Sony X90K Google TV
Interested in Sony‘s renowned processing and software yet want to save over OLED? Consider Sony‘s own X90K full-array LED TV series, which starts under $1,000 for a 65-inch model.
Powered by the same Cognitive Processor XR hardware found in Sony‘s ultra-premium QD-OLED and 8K LCD displays, you can expect superb clarity, color accuracy, contrast, and motion handling.
Google TV also brings extensive voice control features, Chromecasting abilities, personalized recommendations, and every major streaming video service. For gamers, there’s HDMI 2.1 support 4K/120fps gameplay paired with cutting-edge VRR and ALLM technologies.
Compared directly to the A80 OLED, the X90K LED can‘t quite match the ultra-wide viewing angles or pixel-perfect black levels and contrast. However, its full-array local dimming proves highly effective at mitigating blooming and enhancing dynamic range. HDR content shines with incredible specular highlights.
Given the $1,000+ price difference over the A80 for a 65-inch model, the Sony X90K offers outstanding LED performance and coveted Sony processing at 60% cheaper. Definitely a superior value to consider.
View X90K TV Pricing on Amazon ►
6. TCL 6-Series Roku TV
The TCL 6-Series Roku TV presents an even more budget-friendly path to quantum dots and full-array local dimming starting under $1,000 for 65-inches. As a result, it‘s our top recommendation for shoppers emphasizing affordability and core performance over luxuries.
Powered by TCL‘s Quantum Dot technology sans color filters, it delivers over 90% of the DCI-P3 color gamut at any brightness level. This allows for punchy, true-to-life colors in both SDR and HDR content. Contrast is also admirable courtesy of 240 local dimming zones with minimal blooming effects.
Roku TV brings a famously simple and robust smart platform with every streaming app imaginable plus voice controls via Roku voice remotes or Google/Alexa devices. Auto game mode switching, variable refresh rates up to 120Hz, and low input lag cover gaming basics.
Consider the TCL 6-Series Roku TV if your chief concerns are excellent picture and smart features without busting budget. At less than half the price of Sony‘s A80 for 65-inches, you‘ll be thrilled by the color, contrast, clarity, and streaming versatility within this price tier.
7. Sony A90J BRAVIA XR OLED
Make no mistake, Sony still produces the best OLED TVs for those seeking ultimate performance. Case in point – Sony‘s A90J BRAVIA XR model showcases their most advanced display and video processing technology with a gorgeous minimalist design.
XR Cognitive Intelligence refines color, contrast and clarity to new heights by determining focal points and optimizing accordingly. Acoustic Surface Audio+ returns for possibly the best integrated sound system on a TV. And gaming chops like 4K/120fps HDMI 2.1 inputs check every box.
So why consider the A90J as an A80 alternative if priced similarly? You’ll unlock Sony’s supreme dimming control and heat dissipation unique to their OLED panels – yielding higher peak brightness, elimating any risk of permanent image retention, and improving overall color volume. Its picture pops with an extra vibrancy and depth.
While certainly still a premium play at around $3,000 for the 65-inch model, the Sony A90J OLED stands tall as 2022‘s most technically advanced television across all viewing scenarios – from vivid HDR movies to fast-paced gaming. Owners swear it‘s worth every penny.
8. Hisense U7H QLED Android TV
The Hisense U7H Quantum Dot TV presents another avenue to supreme color and solid contrast for cost-conscious shoppers, slotting below Hisense‘s premium U8H mini-LED models.
Paired with LCD/LED technology featuring full array local dimming with 132 zones, colors pop thanks to the quantum dot enhancement layer. HDR content showcases rich specular highlights while black levels maintain plenty of shadow detail instead of washing out entirely.
Clean, smooth motion and integrated Google TV smart platform supporting voice commands via Google Assistant round out the offering. With HDMI 2.1 inputs across the board, next-gen gamers can tap 4K 120FPS gameplay too.
Pricing hovers around the $1,000 mark for a 65-inch set – certainly not cheap yet hundreds less than equivalent OLEDs. Considering you still get deep color capacity and admirable contrast, it‘s a decent bargain for the performance. Just be aware backlight technology remains a step behind OLED.
9. Sony X85K Google TV
The most affordable route into Sony‘s lauded smart TV and gaming connectivity remains their budget X85K LED TVs – now starting under $1,000 for a 65-inch display. You‘ll still enjoy Google TV, 60Hz HDMI 2.1 ports, and Acoustic Multi-Audio for clear sound.
However, several cost-cutting measures are evident immediately in the X85K models: No local dimming whatsoever and standard 60Hz refresh rates being key omissions. Colors, contrast, and motion clarity all take a notable step back from premium models. It‘s not a TV tailored for videophiles to say the least.
Yet casual viewers wanting Sony‘s user-friendly Google TV platform for all the top streamers, free live content, and Casting abilities could still find appeal. Just refrain from direct sunlight given the anti-glare deficiencies. Ultimately though, better performing TVs can be found for the money.
View X85K TV Pricing on Amazon ►
10. LG UP8070 4K Smart TV
Rounding out the list, LG‘s entry-level UP8070 LED TV series offers no-frills 4K resolution powered by their competent a7 Gen 5 Processor 4K starting at just $600 for a 70-inch model.
You won‘t find extravagant features like local dimming, gaming perks, or cutting-edge processing here. However, colors prove sufficiently bold and accurate while motion handling satisfies for most non-sports content given the price bracket. This makes it a totally viable fit for casual TV watchers wanting to maximize screen size.
The intuitive LG webOS platform also brings quick access to all your favorite streaming apps. Overall, it‘s perfect for secondary TV placement in a bedroom, office den, or dorm room rather than critical big-screen home theater viewing. Just temper expectations on picture quality depth and clarity in line with cost.
View Latest Price on Walmart ►
Bottom Line
Hopefully this overview helps demonstrate the expansive range of high-performing OLED and LED/LCD televisions that rival Sony‘s premium A80 OLED – often at substantially cheaper price points and with unique benefits compared to OLED tech.
No two people‘s budgets, aesthetic preferences, or use cases perfectly overlap. Luckily, 2023‘s TV marketplace offers stellar models catering to virtually any niche. Those willing to accept minor picture quality compromises over Sony‘s renowned processing can unlock massive savings without fully sacrificing modern amenities.
Just be sure to weigh criteria like contrast, brightness, viewing angles, gaming features, smart platforms, and connectivity options based on your own priorities before purchase. And don‘t hesitate to reference this guide or seek input from home theater enthusiasts online whenever questions arise!
