OLED TV technology has been growing rapidly over the last few years with more models from major manufacturers launching to meet demand. And among the brands trying to appeal to OLED TV shoppers is the venerable Sony. Widely renowned for their cutting-edge electronics innovation and stunning visual experiences, Sony is diving into the OLED space by investing heavily into the development and production of OLED sets. But while Sony OLED TVs boast some impressive specs and picture quality, there may be compelling reasons for certain buyers to think twice before purchasing.
A Brief History of Innovation from Sony
Sony has been revolutionizing the consumer tech and entertainment industries since 1946 when it launched Japan‘s first tape recorder. According to historical records from Sony‘s archives, the company went on to release iconic products like the Trinitron color TV in 1968 and the first Walkman portable cassette player in 1979. Sony also operated pioneering record labels and movie studios divisions that delivered influential music, films and programming over the decades.
This culture of innovation continued into the 21st century as Sony became an early developer and adopter of crucial technologies like lithium-ion batteries, Blu-ray players, mirrorless cameras and of course – OLED displays.
The Promise and Picture Quality of OLED
OLED (organic light emitting diode) televisions have been on the rise over the last decade as the premier display technology for delivering perfect black levels, vivid colors, wide viewing angles and an ultra-thin form factor. In contrast to conventional LED TVs that require a backlight system to illuminate the LCD panel, OLED displays utilize independent pixels that can switch on and off individually to enable precision lighting control. The ability to activate only necessary pixels allows OLED TVs to save energy while eliminating the backlight bleed issues inherent in LED TV designs.
According to Display Supply Chain Consultants, over 6 million OLED TV panels were shipped globally in 2021, marking a 90% surge over the previous year. So demand has certainly been accelerating thanks to LG Display‘s expansive OLED panel manufacturing operations. But competitors like Sony are still investing heavily to deliver their own flavor of OLED goodness to consumers, tempting shoppers with unique innovations and picture quality enhancements.
For instance, Sony‘s high-end OLED TVs in 2022 and 2023 feature their state-of-the-art "QD-OLED" hybrid technology that combines quantum dot and OLED materials for superior brightness, color gamut, and image accuracy. The Sony Bravia XR A95K QD-OLED model launched in late 2022 has earned extensive praise from critics at CNET, Rtings.com and more for its best-in-class contrast, perfect black uniformity and impressively wide viewing angles.
So in many ways, Sony‘s OLED lineup represents the pinnacle of display engineering with heavy R&D investments that translate to a world-class cinematic experience in the living room. But are they right for every buyer? Let‘s examine the specific reasons why you may want to avoid Sony‘s otherwise drool-worthy OLED offerings.
7 Key Reasons to Think Twice About Sony OLED TVs
1. Budget Busting High Prices
The single biggest barrier standing between most shoppers and a shiny new Sony OLED TV is undoubtedly the eye-watering price tags. Their sets demand heavy premiums that can easily crack $2000 for a 55-inch model and soar past $4000 for the largest 85-inch flavor. Even "entry-level" Sony OLEDs require spending upwards of $1300, largely outpacing rival LG, Vizio and Hisense models of similar sizes.
You are certainly paying for Sony‘s proprietary technologies like the XR processor and QD-OLED panel components that few competitors can match. But with high-value alternatives from brands like LG and Hisense proving highly capable while costing hundreds less, Sony‘s pricing can understandably deter buyers, especially those with strict budget limitations.
2. Limited HDR Format Support
While Sony OLED TVs do support core HDR formats like HDR10 and Dolby Vision that deliver enhanced color and contrast from compatible content, they lack support for the HDR10+ format that rivals like Samsung integrate. HDR10+ competes directly with Dolby Vision and aims to deliver a dynamic metadata solution to optimize HDR video on a scene-by-scene basis. So streaming services and UHD Blu-rays mastered in HDR10+ will not provide the full intended experience.
Sony‘s OLEDs also stream most Netflix content in standard dynamic range without triggering HDR or Dolby Vision playback even for supported shows and movies. This stems from an ongoing compatibility dispute between Sony and Netflix over control of the television settings during streaming sessions. Potential workarounds involve using an intermediate streaming device, but for buyers that want seamless HDR streaming access across leading apps, Sony lags behind other brands.
3. Narrow Optimal Viewing Angles
A key advantage of OLED technology should be the ability to maintain picture accuracy and colors when viewed slightly off-axis instead of head-on. But Sony‘s OLED TVs suffer from color and contrast degradation more rapidly than desired as you shift to the sides. Rtings measured a 65% reduction in brightness by just 16 degrees off-center on the Sony A90K model.
This is likely attributed to Sony‘s heat management system involving encapsulated panels and aluminum sheet heat sinks that may inhibit off-angle visibility. It can lead to noticeable color shifts and crushed blacks in group viewing scenarios or large living rooms where seating is spread apart. For ideal results, multiple viewers would need to sit within 10-15 degrees off the center point.
4. Lackluster Built-In Audio
Reviewers agree that audio quality fails to impress on even Sony‘s most premium OLED TV releases, leaving your ears wanting more oomph and soundstaging. Models like the Master Series A95K QD-OLED are exceptionally slim by design to allow for gorgeous wall-mount installations. But the ultra-thin chassis offers little room for serious speaker drivers or resonant chambers. As a result, Sony‘s Acoustic Surface Audio+ system can‘t avoid sounding compressed and constrained, even at reasonable volumes.
You‘ll almost certainly require at least a budget-friendly soundbar upgrade to remotely approach an immersive, room-filling audio experience. This adds further costs on top of an already steep purchase price. For the ideal combination of jaw-dropping visuals and audio to match, buyers may want to build out their home cinema setup piecemeal rather than relying solely on the Sony OLED‘s mediocre built-ins.
5. Fewer HDMI Ports Than the Competition
Connectivity can be a surprising pain point on Sony‘s OLED lineup considering their positioning as premium flagship TVs. Specifically, the number of HDMI inputs falls well short of what similarly priced competitors from LG, Samsung and Hisense offer in their television ranges. Even Sony‘s top-shelf A95K QD-OLED only supplies four HDMI 2.1 inputs versus the five or more ports available on most rivals. This can severely limit just how many external devices you can hook up whether its games consoles, Blu-ray players media streamers or A/V receivers. With 8K and HDMI 2.1 support enabling higher resolutions and smoother frame rates, free ports fill up fast. Having to constantly swap cables is an annoyance owners shouldn‘t have to deal with.
6. Compatibility Quirks With External Devices
Expanding on the connectivity challenges, Sony OLED models also have some pesky compatibility problems interfacing with popular external media devices. For example, you cannot display video content from a Google Chromecast streamer without a workaround HDMI splitter device. And frustrating issues plague the HDMI handshake process when connecting an Xbox console, often requiring owners to deactivate HDMI Device Link in the TV settings. Considering these are two of the most widespread streaming and gaming products on the market, it‘s surprising that Sony‘s OLED software still poses such problems pairing with them.
7. More Susceptible to Permanent Burn-In
While all OLED panels carry risks of permanent burn-in with static imagery, Sony‘s seem especially vulnerable even with its Pixel Shift anti-burn technology on board. Early adopters of the debut 2022 Sony QD-OLED sets have reported permanent retention after just a few months of normal mixed usage including gaming, streaming and cable TV viewing. This likely stems from slightly dimmer peak brightness versus top LG OLED models that may contribute higher burn-in risks. It again reinforces the notion that despite unmatched picture quality for movies and cinema content, Sony OLED TVs demand delicate care and vigilance during ownership.
Compelling OLED and LED Alternatives to Consider
LG C2 Series OLED 4K TV
LG remains the dominant force in OLED panel production and their C2 series models offer truly compelling value. For example, the stellar 55-inch LG C2 OLED TV can be readily found for under $1300. That‘s nearly half the price of an equivalent Sony A80K OLED. Yet it still delivers crisp 4K resolution, perfect blacks, Dolby Vision/HDR10 support, HDMI 2.1 inputs for 4K/120Hz gaming, and a gorgeous slim profile. Audio quality also impresses with virtual surround sound processing and 40 watts of total power.
LG 55" Class C2 Series OLED 4K TV
Samsung QN90B Neo QLED 4K TV
If your viewing habits and content demands call for extreme brightness well beyond OLED‘s capabilities, then Samsung‘s advanced "Neo QLED" TVs should be on your radar. Using precision Mini LED backlights with quantum dot nano-particle filters, the QN90B series can hit 2000 nits peak brightness for amazing HDR pop and no risk of burn-in. The 85-inch Samsung QN90B also keeps pace with Sony‘s OLEDs on color performance but adds more HDMI ports, a slim profile and object tracking sound.
Samsung 85-Inch QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart TV
Sony X95K Full Array LED 4K TV
Interestingly, Sony themselves offer a stellar LED-backlit LCD alternative that evades most shortcomings of their OLED lineup at reasonable prices. The salivating Sony X95K LED TV matched with their Cognitive XR image processor can trade blows with their acclaimed OLEDs on color vibrance and contrast while reaching higher peak brightness. You also gain a far more powerful speaker system with impressive bass and Dolby Atmos decoding. If your usage leans more heavily towards sports, network shows and gaming rather than dark cinema rooms, the glorious picture of the Sony X95K blinded many reviewers. And the 85-inch model comes in hundreds below equivalent Sony OLEDs.
Sony 85-inch X95K Full Array LED 4K TV
Final Thoughts – Weigh Your Priorities Carefully
Sony OLED TVs clearly lead the pack when it comes to best-in-class contrast, color accuracy and pixel-perfect picture quality. Early adopters and home cinema buffs seeking the ultimate movie watching experience will find little better on the market today. However, practical matters like lofty pricing, unusual compatibility quirks, heightened burn-in risks and lackluster audio all counterweigh those dazzling OLED visuals. Casual viewers simply looking for a solid living room TV have countless cheaper options that provide joyful viewing without the compromises.
As with any major A/V purchase, carefully analyze your budgets, everyday use cases, room limitations and content tastes before deciding. And absolutely take time to directly compare Sony OLEDs with LED alternatives from LG, Samsung and beyond. While no television model excels universally across all criteria, picking the best technology aligned with your household needs will help avoid buyer‘s remorse. Hopefully separating Sony OLED fact from fiction will lead you to your perfect match!
