Compare Sony X85L vs LG QNED91T6A

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will continue to be offered in 2024 by the Japanese manufacturer. Its biggest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the greatest access to applications, so we don't have to fear that any of our favorite apps will be missing. The intuitive interface and voice control feature via Google Assistant make daily use of the television convenient and modern. In terms of picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very average number of zones), black looks really decent. Additionally, its quite high brightness allows for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the television offers the ability to record programs from built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion fluidity, the X85L also does not disappoint. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system provide smooth display of dynamic scenes, pleasing both movie buffs and sports fans. The TV is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar, and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its drawbacks. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode can be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and image fluidity when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is decent equipment, particularly worth noting if it can be purchased on promotion.

LG QNED91T is the only MiniLED backlit television from LG for 2024, drawing attention due to its innovative use of a VA panel. This is a definite departure from the previous standards of the Korean manufacturer in its top LCD televisions, which usually installed IPS/ADS panels. However, the effect is positive – the panel combined with local dimming offers really good contrast. Blacks are deep and should satisfy most users. LG 65QNED91T6A is truly a bright television, so placing it in slightly challenging lighting conditions will not pose a challenge. In terms of motion smoothness, the QNED91T shows top performance. The TruMotion feature works great, allowing adjustment of the picture to personal preferences – from a classic film look to a more fluid effect. The 120Hz panel makes it ideal for sports or gaming. For the latter, LG has prepared something special – four full HDMI 2.1 ports with 48 Gbps bandwidth, allowing enjoyment of features like VRR and ALLM (and more). This, combined with low input lag, makes this equipment an excellent choice for console or PC gaming. Daily use of QNED91T is pure pleasure, mainly thanks to the WebOS system. The interface is intuitive, there are plenty of apps, and the included Magic Remote significantly facilitates navigation through the menu. The operation is quick, and using the television is comfortable thanks to the voice assistant. Unfortunately, the television also has its weaknesses. Despite the advantages of the VA panel in terms of high contrast, the algorithms responsible for local dimming of the miniLED zones do not perform the best. In HDR content, there are situations where the image is either too bright or excessively dark, which particularly affects scenes requiring precision. Additionally, in practice, the differences between standard HDR10 and Dolby Vision are almost invisible. This is quite a disappointment, especially in this class of television. Nevertheless, LG QNED91T is an interesting choice for those who need a bright television with considerable gaming capabilities and value the convenience of the WebOS system. If the priority is picture quality in HDR content, such as Netflix, Prime Video, or Max, we recommend considering alternative models, such as the OLED B4 from the 2024 line, which can be purchased for a similar price.

The Sony X85L TV is equipped with a VA panel, which in itself offers quite good contrast. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it includes 24 zones. Although this number is not impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the TV. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially in comparison to other TVs also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at the level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but they appear average against the competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the movie Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs quite well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has been using in its TVs for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the TV suffers from noticeable blooming, which can be seen, for example, in scenes with the helicopter from the movie Sicario 2.

QNED91T is a television with MiniLED backlighting, and in the tested size of 65", we counted 160 local dimming zones. The unit we tested, with a "1" at the end, is equipped with a VA panel, which offers significantly better contrast than IPS panels, which – note – can be found in the LG QNED90T. Therefore, it is worth being careful when choosing a version to avoid disappointment regarding contrast. The QNED90T model is rather hard to acquire in Poland, but distribution can vary. Returning to our contrast tests, it performed really well in less demanding scenes. For example, in one of the scenes from the film "Oblivion," we observed perfect separation of lights – it looked impressive. However, not everything is so straightforward. In a scene from "Sicario 2," we noticed that the screen is distinctly darker, deviating significantly from the reference image appearance. The television effectively eliminates the halo effect (i.e., glow around objects), but this comes at the cost of brightness – and quite a considerable one. Despite these compromises, the contrast of the LG 65QNED91T6A is really solid. Of course, as is the case with MiniLED TVs, one must reckon with certain limitations, but the overall impressions are very positive.

The Sony X85L TV offers solid HDR performance with a brightness level of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vivid effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows one to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, such as the scene from the movie Sicario 2, the TV shows its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits make the HDR effect lose its impressive quality and resemble regular SDR instead. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 color palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively affects the overall image quality.

As befits a MiniLED television, QNED91T LG easily exceeds the magic barrier of 1000 nits on the luminance chart. In scenes where light played a key role, the effect was truly decent. For example, 1000 nits in the first scene of "Life of Pi" is really an impressive value, and the 600 nits achieved in scenes three and five allowed us to feel the true magic of HDR. However, problems arise with very small light elements on the screen, such as the moon, lanterns, or lamps. A value around 100 nits - to put it bluntly - is disappointing, as these elements are so dark that they are barely visible. It is worth praising the television for covering the DCI-P3 color gamut at 96% and BT.2020 at 75%. LG QNED91T leaves us with very mixed feelings, mainly due to very aggressive dimming algorithms, which, while effectively eliminating the halo effect, do impact the brightness of smaller elements.

The Sony X85L television was tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, although associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image that aligns with the director's vision. The main issue is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue color and significant lack of red. As a result, the image becomes unnaturally cool and appears artificial. The color reproduction errors were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed significant discrepancies – colors were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly shows that the precision of color reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the TV. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although there are minor errors, but generally, it is quite good. However, the brightness characteristics for 4K materials remain an issue, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is a result of the limited number of dimming zones due to the design of the television.

We conduct all our tests in the best picture mode on each TV. In this case, as usual, it is the Filmmaker mode. The name of the mode suggests perfect color reproduction; however, there were noticeable deviations from the correct image. Our unit, in terms of white balance, showed a significant drop in shades of blue - both in SDR and 4K HDR material - which caused a clear yellowing of the image, noticeable in comparison scenes from the film with Tom Cruise. As we described earlier, QNED91T has some tendencies to brighten the screen. This is confirmed by the gamma, which is significantly lower than the reference value of 2.4. On the other hand, the EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in 4K content, showed some issues with the TV dimming the image in the darkest areas, which we could observe in the paragraph describing HDR effect quality. Although the Filmmaker mode is quite a decent "out of the box" mode, it still requires some adjustments.

Thanks to the use of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, the image quality has been significantly improved. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colors look more natural and the image gains authenticity. Although it is not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic representation of colors, eliminating the earlier cool tone. The gamma, which already performed decently, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively affecting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a deficiency of red, which can result in overly warm colors in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is quite stable, with a slight boost in mid-bright scenes. However, in real film materials, the TV can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nonetheless, calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in color accuracy, improving overall image quality and providing a more natural and cohesive directorial vision.

LG offers advanced calibration tools in its televisions such as 65QNED91T6A, which we took advantage of. When it comes to white balance, we were able to significantly correct it in SDR content. The picture mode in 4K HDR quality posed greater challenges, which, although still not perfect, looks significantly better than before calibration. The errors on the Color Checker palette and the color palette are much smaller than in factory settings. Regarding brightness characteristics, gamma for HD content is practically ideal, with a slight exception at the end of the graph. However, the biggest issues the television had were with brightness in 4K HDR content. Analyzing the EOTF characteristics in films, we noticed that the television manipulates brightness quite significantly, which we observed in earlier tests. Brightness is considerably boosted compared to the graph in the static test, and the television brightens certain scenes to the extent that some smaller elements lose detail. Unfortunately, this is caused by the average local dimming algorithm in this model. Nevertheless, calibration yields quite decent results, especially in terms of precise color reproduction.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Sony X85L is at a good level – the color gradation is smooth, even in more demanding areas, which makes the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest problems occur in the shadow areas, where subtle color blends may be visible. Nevertheless, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

The gradation on LG QNED91T looks very good. There are only slight cut-offs in the brightest scenes, but the television handles blacks very well, providing smooth tonal transitions. As a result, the image is natural and pleasant to the eye, with no noticeable issues.

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television does not offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a downside. On the other hand, image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a bit of artificial sharpness, which can make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with noticeable jaggedness. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

When it comes to tonal transitions in lower quality materials, the TV offers the already known feature from LG TVs - "Smooth Gradation." We can control it at three levels: low, medium, and high. We recommend using the medium option, as it effectively removes tonal transitions without causing noticeable issues with removing the structure of objects or other artifacts.

As for image scaling (upscaling), LG's Alpha processor handles this quite well. The image appears very plastic, with slight jaggedness in some elements, which does not significantly affect the quality. It looks really okay, and the overall effect is very satisfactory.

The Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie buffs. Movie enthusiasts will surely appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, Motionflow. This system offers adjustment via smoothness and clarity sliders – smoothness is responsible for motion fluidity, eliminating stutter, while clarity enhances the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

The television has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which should satisfy most users in terms of motion smoothness. Additionally, QNED91T is equipped with the TruMotion feature, which allows for smoother image display in movies. As part of this feature, we can adjust the "De-Judder" and "De-Blur" sliders. The "De-Judder" slider is responsible for reducing jitter in movies, which is particularly useful when playing content with a lower frame rate, while "De-Blur" helps reduce blurriness in fast scenes, which is essential for sports or dynamic shots.

Sony X85L offers quite a solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the TV has a 120 Hz panel, translating to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full utilization of next-gen console capabilities. Additionally, the Sony X85L supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, providing a fluid experience. The TV also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for screen refresh rate synchronization with GPU performance, eliminating the tearing effect. It is worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to essential gaming-related settings such as VRR, brightness levels, and display modes, making it convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are certain limitations. The TV does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimizes HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, while Dolby Vision mode is available, it is not practical for gaming due to very high input lag.

The LG 65QNED91T6A television is equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports with a full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, providing full support for all standards needed for gaming on modern consoles. We can count on support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). This ensures smooth gameplay without delays.

With support for all popular HDR standards in games, such as HGiG and Dolby Vision, we can fully harness the potential of the PS5 and XBOX One consoles. The television also easily handles lower resolutions than 4K, so even older consoles look good on it. The Game Bar makes it easy to access gaming-related settings, allowing us to quickly and intuitively adjust picture parameters and features for gamers. Additionally, the QNED91T offers NVIDIA GeForce Now functionality, enabling us to game in the cloud without needing a console. However, it should be noted that this solution is quite expensive and somewhat falls short compared to Xbox Game Pass, which is available only on Samsung TVs.

QNED91T LG is a great choice for both less experienced and more advanced gamers looking for a versatile television for gaming.

In general, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, especially when using HDMI 2.1 and playing in 4K resolution at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as much as 95 ms. Such a high level of latency makes the Dolby Vision mode practically unplayable, as reactions to commands are noticeably delayed.

The input lag on QNED91T is really very low, even in Dolby Vision mode. This allows for a quick response time, which is very important in dynamic games where every millisecond counts. Regardless of whether we play in standard mode or HDR, the TV offers very good results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers.

The cooperation of the Sony X85L television with a PC is a bit of a balance between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the television for work, where clear text is important, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, text looks good and does not strain the eyes, which is crucial if we plan to spend a long time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the television is to be used for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must take into account that the readability of fonts decreases significantly. The image becomes less sharp and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – the Sony X85L will work well for occasional connection to a computer, but if we need it daily for work and gaming, this compromise may not be to everyone's liking.

When it comes to gaming on a computer, LG QNED91T easily synchronizes with NVIDIA graphics cards and supports G-Sync. The very low input lag makes gaming with a personal computer really enjoyable. The TV supports chroma 4:4:4, which provides excellent text readability. Although we noticed slight font blurring around the edges, overall the image looks very good, and readability is at an acceptable level.

The viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is typical with VA panels, are not the best. The image looks great when viewed straight on, but just shifting to the side reveals that colors lose their intensity and contrast noticeably weakens. This can be a problem if the TV is intended for watching with a larger group, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who usually watch solo or from one central spot, this won't be a big downside, but when viewing from the side, the picture quality unfortunately decreases.

As we mentioned in the paragraph about contrast, the TV is equipped with a VA panel, which usually offers very good contrast compared to IPS panels. Unfortunately, VA panels have their weakness in the form of limited viewing angles, which is also visible in the case of QNED91T LG. The viewing angles are not the best here, and while the use of a coating to widen the angles could significantly improve the situation, unfortunately, we do not have that here. As a result, the image loses quality when viewed from a greater angle, which can be problematic when multiple people are watching simultaneously.

The performance of the Sony X85L TV during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, meaning that in bright rooms, there may be reflections, but they are not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortable TV watching during the day, even with natural light coming through the windows. This ensures that colors remain vivid and the image is clearly visible, making the TV effective for everyday use.

The LG 65QNED91T6A television is equipped with a satin matrix, which performs average in handling direct light reflections, such as from lamps or wall sconces. In the first test photo with a large lamp, it is visible how the reflection "spreads across the screen." However, the QNED91T makes up for it in terms of brightness - the average SDR brightness of 580 cd/m² is sufficient for watching television even in more challenging lighting conditions. As a result, despite issues with reflections, the television performs well during the day.

The Sony X85L operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to applications, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing for quick switching between apps and searching for favorite content. Google TV allows for personalization of the home screen, enabling each user to customize it according to their preferences. Google Assistant further enhances the experience by offering voice control and quick adjustments of settings or movie searches without the need for a remote.

In terms of user functionality, the Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programs, which is a significant convenience for those who want to watch their favorite content at any time. AirPlay support allows for seamless streaming of content from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. Additionally, thanks to built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one drawback is the lack of a PiP (picture-in-picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on the screen.

The design of the Sony X85L television, while it may not be the thinnest, is solid and elegant. The metal base with adjustable legs is one of its strong points, allowing for height and width adjustments of the television to fit different furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

The most important thing in today's TVs, besides picture quality, is the operating system. The one available in LG models is really very good. Of course, we are talking about the WebOS system, which offers most of the popular apps available in Poland, similar to GoogleTV. What sets this system apart is primarily the great remote control with an accelerometer - the Magic Remote, which resembles a magic wand. Controlling with this remote is extremely convenient. Additionally, the TV offers a very good voice assistant that understands Polish perfectly.

In terms of user functions, the TV offers practically everything one could wish for. Here we find the ability to record programs from built-in tuners, support for AirPlay to connect an iPhone, and a mirroring function. We can easily connect keyboards, mice, or headphones, although keyboards are not necessary thanks to the convenient Magic Remote. Unfortunately, there is no PiP (Picture-in-Picture) function, but this is such a specific feature that only those who actually need it will feel its absence. The QNED91T is a TV that does not disappoint when it comes to everyday enjoyment of its use.

Sony X85L has no problem playing most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who often reach for external content. However, it is worth mentioning a small downside – the built-in player does not allow changing the font color in subtitles, which can be bothersome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the advanced Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. It is easy to install alternative media players that offer more customization options.

The built-in player in QNED91T should satisfy most users. It easily supports Polish characters and plays movies with subtitles from external drives. The player also handles most audio and photo formats, except for Apple HEIC files.

The sound on the Sony X85L is good – it is clear across the entire scale, allowing you to enjoy both dialogues and music. The bass, although light, is perceptible and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasized that this is a subjective assessment – some will be satisfied with such a sound profile, while others may need additional audio equipment to fully feel the stronger tones and more spacious sound.

LG QNED91T is equipped with a set of 4 speakers in a 2.2 configuration with a total power of 40W. The television sounds quite pleasant, and the subtle bass is noticeable. Of course, it is not on the level of an external audio system, such as a soundbar or home theater, but it is sufficient for everyday use. It is also worth praising the support for audio formats DTS:X and Dolby Atmos, which significantly improve the quality of the audio experience.

Sony X85L vs LG QNED91T6A

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound