Sony launched its new full-array LED series of TVs about a couple of months ago. The TVs come with a Cognitive Processor XR aimed at improving picture and sound quality compared to earlier models, according to the company. I have been using the Bravia XR-55X90L model for a few weeks now. Priced currently at Rs. 1,39,990, the 55-inch model sits above entry-level OLED TVs and competes in a market segment where mid-range to premium offerings are available. Let's examine where this Sony TV excels and where it faces challenges.
Design: Right out of the box, you would notice the premium design and appearance of the TV, a significant departure from the budget TVs we often see these days and even from some of Sony's previous models. The TV is slimmer, measuring only 2.2 inches in width, compared to other LEDs in this price range. It comes with three-way aluminum wedge stands that enhance its appearance in your living room. I chose to wall-mount it, and it maintains a slim profile, which complements the room's aesthetics. The LED indicator and a single button are located at the bottom on the front, and notably, there's no visible branding. On the back (mostly plastic), you have four HDMI ports, with two supporting HDMI 2.1 with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz, and one of these supports eARC (the other two are HDMI 2.0). Additionally, there are two side-facing USB 2.0 ports, audio out, a 3.5mm audio jack, and composite video input. Design-wise, there's very little to complain about the TV, with its slim bezels around the display, high-quality materials, and a sleek profile. The remote control follows suit, being compact and comfortable to hold.
Display: The TV boasts a 54.6-inch Ultra HD (3840x2160) VA-type LED-LCD panel with refresh rates of up to 120Hz and support for HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG for videos. Sony's Bravia tuning and upscaling technology, powered by the Cognitive Processor XR, enhance the picture quality. The X90L delivers sharp, bright (sometimes exceeding 1,200 nits), and clear visuals for various content types. For HDR content, it produces excellent contrast and smooth transitions between bright and dark scenes. Streaming from apps like Apple TV and Netflix provides vivid video with ample details. However, the panel shines when streaming a movie in the Bravia Core app, offering high-bitrate content (some going as high as 80mbps with Pure Stream enabled) and IMAX-enhanced ratios. Watching something like "Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse" showcases the display's prowess in handling quick transitions, movements, and colors with Dolby Vision. With local dimming and more dimming zones, the display reveals finer details without washing out highlights, though subtitles can occasionally cause a slight blooming effect. The TV's viewing angles from extreme corners might appear slightly off in large rooms, but overall, this full-array LED panel with more dimming zones than before delivers high-quality picture quality for both standard and HDR content. The TV handles higher frame rate videos well, making it suitable for sports and upscaled content, although I couldn't test it with a gaming console myself.
Sound Quality: The TV features centrally-placed 30-watt speakers (divided into four parts) with support for DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Atmos. The audio output from the TV is generally loud and punchy enough for a group of 5-6 people in a moderately quiet environment. It offers clearer dialogue than many other TVs, which often struggle in this regard, along with decent mids and vocals in audio tracks. However, the bass output is somewhat lacking in depth. For larger rooms, a dedicated set of speakers would be a better choice, but for most purposes, the TV's audio quality is satisfactory, suitable for watching TV shows, movies, and even gaming if the room isn't too crowded.
Features and Performance: The TV runs on Google TV based on Android TV 10 with the February security patch. It is equipped with MediaTek's MT5895 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and a 32GB storage disk. It also supports Bravia cam and video chats over Google Meet and Zoom using a compatible Sony or Logitech webcam. The TV is generally responsive, whether you're switching between apps, installing third-party apps, or watching high-bitrate videos. It exhibits minimal lag when switching between input sources, showing no jitters or lags when using a non-default input source. There are microphones on both the remote control and the TV itself for voice commands, which work fairly reliably, capturing your voice most of the time for searches or controlling compatible home devices using Apple HomeKit or Amazon Alexa. The TV supports Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2, both of which function smoothly. However, having at least one more HDMI 2.1 port, along with an Ethernet LAN port that can handle more than 100mbps bandwidth, would have been appreciated.
Verdict: In summary, Sony's 55-inch X90L is a well-performing LED TV that not only boasts an appealing design but also excels in the picture department. It offers decent sound output, although the audio quality isn't significantly improved compared to previous models. If you are in the market for a stylish smart TV, have a budget of Rs. 1,40,000, and seek a TV that can handle HDR content for TV shows, movies, and sports effectively, the XR-55X90L deserves consideration.
