Technology

Sony 2025 BRAVIA TV and soundbar hands-on preview: QD-OLED and Mini LED meet AI innovation

Sony Bravia 8 and 3 TVs

True to its mission of Bringing Cinema Home, Sony dressed the launch of its 2025 BRAVIA TVs much like a movie premiere, with technical mastery and AI innovation given top billing.

While the flagship BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TV continues to headline the brand’s portfolio, the Japanese major has introduced an all-new OLED, the BRAVIA 8 Mk II, alongside the BRAVIA 5 Mini LED and the entry-level BRAVIA 3. These screens, spanning 43- to 98-inches, promise an immersive, cinema-quality experience from the comfort of your living room – and the technology is impressive.

Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED TV

Replacing the popular A95L, the BRAVIA 8 Mk II is Sony’s showstopper for 2025. It boasts a Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel that delivers 25 per cent higher peak brightness than its predecessor, and a 50 per cent brightness boost over the original OLED BRAVIA 8. Available in 55-inch and 65-inch models, this OLED beauty is crafted with Sony’s Slim One Slate design, just 34mm deep.

At the heart of the BRAVIA 8 Mk II is the latest XR Processor powered by AI scene recognition, something of a game-changer in television processing. Sony touts it as the first AI system capable of analysing picture elements in real-time – colour, contrast, and detail – in the same way humans perceive visuals. XR Triluminos Max ensures an expanded colour palette, while the XR Contrast Booster dynamically adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions.

Sony hasn’t neglected audio, either. The BRAVIA 8 Mk II employs Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, turning the screen itself into a speaker, ensuring that dialogue and effects are precisely placed within the scene. The result? An enveloping soundscape that seamlessly matches the on-screen action.

Pricing: £2,499 (55-inch), £2,999 (65-inch).

Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini LED TV

Taking the reins from the X90L, the BRAVIA 5 is a formidable Mini LED contender, available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, and a colossal 98-inch screen sizes. What sets this model apart is Sony’s XR Backlight Master Drive, an advanced local dimming system that boasts six times the number of dimming zones found in its predecessor. This translates to deep, convincing blacks and precise HDR rendering with minimal blooming. The Luxe Review spent considerable hands-on time with this new model and can confirm it’s quite the polished performer.

It also sounds decent. The BRAVIA 5 features Sony’s Acoustic Multi-Audio system with Frame Tweeter, small vibrational tweeters built into the frame of the TV, that further enhance sound steerage. Acoustic Centre Sync also allows the set to serve as a center channel speaker in a home theatre setup.

Pricing: £1,499 (55-inch), £1,799 (65-inch), £2,199 (75-inch), £6,999 (98-inch).

Sony BRAVIA 3 LED TV

The most accessible option in Sony’s 2025 line-up, the BRAVIA 3, replaces the entry-level X75WL and introduces a refined picture algorithm courtesy of Sony’s 4K Processor X1 and Triluminos Pro. Spanning the broadest range of screen sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches, the BRAVIA 3 caters to casual viewers seeking a high-quality display at an affordable price, and we think the super large scree models are particularly impressive for the price.

Pricing: £699 (43-inch), £799 (50-inch), £999 (55-inch), £1,299 (65-inch), £1,599 (75-inch), £1,999 (85-inch).

All three new TVs come equipped with PS Remote Play, allowing PlayStation 5 owners to stream games seamlessly across their home network. A dedicated Game Menu provides quick access to crucial settings, while Studio Calibrated Modes, including Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, Sony Pictures Core Calibrated Mode, and Prime Video Calibrated Mode, ensure content is displayed as the filmmakers intended.

IMAX Enhanced certification is reserved for the BRAVIA 8 Mk II and BRAVIA 5, reinforcing their status as premium home cinema screens.

Sony 2025 BRAVIA Theatre home audio systems

A great TV deserves an equally impressive sound system, and Sony delivers with its new BRAVIA Theatre Home Audio lineup. Whether you’re after a simple soundbar upgrade or a full-fledged surround sound experience, there’s an option tailored to your needs.Prices are TBA.

BRAVIA Theatre Bar 6: 3.1.2-Channel Soundbar with AI Voice enhancement

This Dolby Atmos/DTS:X-enabled soundbar with wireless subwoofer, has a dedicated center speaker for clear dialogue reproduction, while the Vertical Surround Engine and S-Force PRO Front Surround provide a multidimensional soundstage. Paired with a compatible BRAVIA TV, Voice Zoom 3, powered by AI, isolates and enhances dialogue, ensuring crisp, intelligible speech in every scene.

BRAVIA Theatre System 6: A 5.1-Channel 1000W home Theater system

For those seeking more cinematic immersion, the BRAVIA Theatre System 6 brings a full 5.1-channel setup with a powerful subwoofer. Leveraging Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony’s proprietary Vertical Surround Engine, this system delivers room-filling, spatial sound. Multi Stereo mode allows stereo content to be expanded across all channels for a more engaging listening experience.

BRAVIA Theatre Rear 8 & BRAVIA Theatre Sub 7 

For a more immersive sonic setup, Sony offers optional wireless rear speakers (Theatre Rear 8) and a dedicated subwoofer (Theatre Sub 7). These components use Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology to optimize the surround effect based on room acoustics, ensuring an enveloping and balanced soundstage. The Sub 7’s slim design allows for flexible placement without sacrificing bass performance.

Our verdict

Sony’s 2025 BRAVIA lineup represents a welcome evolution of its rebranded BRAVIA vision. The BRAVIA 8 Mk II’s QD-OLED panel stands out as the highlight, offering significant brightness gains and enhanced colour performance. Meanwhile, the BRAVIA 5’s Mini LED technology delivers exceptional HDR precision at a more accessible price point.

With a robust home audio line-up to match, Sony’s ecosystem offers a compelling case for those looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup.

Whether you’re a cinephile, gamer, or audiophile, the 2025 BRAVIA range promises something to elevate your viewing and listening pleasure.

Audio-Technica Hotaru first review: floating, glowing turntable elevates vinyl playback

The Audio-Technica Hotaru is a music system like no other. This limited-edition turntable combines analogue vinyl playback with magnetic levitation and reactive lighting. Only 1,000 units have been made, each priced at €9,999.  The design is intended as both a high-end music system and a sculptural object d’art. The Hotaru uses a floating structure and…

Introducing the incredible £35,000 Bluetooth speaker built from a real Lamborghini exhaust

Now here’s something you don’t see every day: a £35,000 sound system built from a real Lamborghini supercar exhaust. The iXOOST ESAVOX isn’t a concept or a marketing gimmick. It’s a fully functional Bluetooth sound system handcrafted in Italy from genuine Lamborghini components, complete with a working start/stop button that powers on the system, much…

100 years in the making: Bang & Olufsen limited-edition Centennial audio collection strikes a pose

Bang & Olufsen is marking a century of design and acoustic innovation with the launch of The Centennial Collection, a trio of special-edition audio products that blend archival detail with modern craftsmanship.  The limited series reimagines three of its most recognisable creations: the Beoplay H100 headphones, Beosound A5 portable speaker, and Beosound A9 5th Generation.…

Unknown's avatar

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK