Sony Bravia 9 (XR90)

BRAVIA 9 / XR90

Available screen sizes: 75”85”

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Panel technology: LCD VA (wide viewing angle) | Brand: SONY | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Google TV | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

8.9

Overall rating

Sony BRAVIA 9 is undoubtedly a product from the very highest tier, and there is no “but” about it, as this is a fact, not a thesis. In every possible instance, you can see how much work the manufacturer has put into refining the dimming algorithms, which undoubtedly fulfill their role to every possible extent. Thanks to this, we can enjoy an extremely deep black and an incredibly vivid image. And since we are on the subject of the picture and backlighting, it is impossible not to mention the quality of HDR effects, which will illuminate the room, enveloping us with over 2000 nits of peak brightness. Such a result certainly looks impressive on paper, but you must trust us that it is even better in person. The manufacturer, known for his meticulous approach to image quality, has once again made an effort to ensure that his television conveys as closely as possible what the film director wanted to express, which he has effectively achieved. Sony Bravia 9 also offers an excellent experience for the user thanks to the Google TV system. The interface is intuitive, and with a rich library of applications, we have access to countless content that we can tailor to our own preferences. Integration with the Google voice assistant allows for quick and convenient searches for your favourite films, series, or music, as well as control of other smart devices in the home. It is these kinds of solutions that make using the television not only a pleasure but also simplifies everyday life. Unfortunately, not everything is perfect. Sony Bravia 9 still has room for improvement, especially concerning the HDMI port equipment. Sony BRAVIA 9 has only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is eARC, designed for a soundbar or home cinema system. Given the high price of the equipment, one might expect four full HDMI 2.1 ports, and the lack of picture-in-picture (PiP) functionality is also a downside that can be annoying. Despite these shortcomings, it is hard not to notice how exceptional this equipment is. It is the first LCD television that can truly compete with OLEDs. Infinite contrast, fantastic picture quality, no compromises — Sony BRAVIA 9 is nearly perfect. Great picture, modern technologies, attention to detail make every screening an experience you won’t forget.

Advantages

Amazing HDR material brightness results
Very good colour reproduction after calibration
Advanced motion smoothing system
Noticeable positive effect of the image processor
Faithfulness to the source material
Versatile GoogleTV operating system
Good (for a VA panel) viewing angles

Disadvantages

Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports - including one ARC
No picture-in-picture (PiP) feature

Movies and series in UHD quality

8.4
Classic TV, YouTube

8.4
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

8.5
Gaming on console

9.2
TV as a computer monitor

7.6
Watching in bright light

9.5
Utility functions

9.5
Apps

10.0
Sound quality

9.4

Competing TVs in this price range

8.6

LG OLED G4 77”

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8.4

Samsung OLED S95D 77”

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8.3

Sony A95L 77”

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8.3

LG OLED C4 77”

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8.1

LG 55 B4 77”

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8.1

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Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) 77”

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8.1

Sony Bravia 7 (XR70) 75”

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8.1

Philips OLED909 77”

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7.9

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Samsung Neo QLED QN95D 75”

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

8.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1920 (60 x 32)

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

184,000:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

98,500:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

120,000:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

9,050:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

5,800:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Similarly, the Sony Bravia 9 utilises a high-contrast VA panel, supported by backlighting composed of Mini LED diodes. The total number of zones for the 75" size, which we tested, was 1920. The combination of such a number with advanced, and confidently one could say — the best zone dimming algorithms yields excellent results in contrast and black levels. Practically each of the scenes can showcase an incredibly deep and immersive image. Of course, the last two will not provide us with blacks akin to those of OLED televisions, although it cannot be said that the results are poor, as a significant portion of competing televisions will not deliver such a faithfully reproduced directorial vision. Looking below at two test scenes from Sony Bravia 9 from the film Oblivion and Sicario 2, we can observe the very mature behaviour of the backlighting algorithms, which do not allow for preserving black at the expense of the original image. Of course, the blooming effect still occurs here due to the operation of the television's zones (it can be observed on the small lights on the helicopter), but it is definitely one of the best LCD televisions we have tested in terms of black levels and contrast.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

8.5/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 96.0%, Bt.2020: 77.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

2199 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

1700 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

1717 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

1751 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

1741 nit

The results of brightness measurements on the Sony Bravia 9 are phenomenal. Each scene reaches well over 1500 nits, and when watching films, the television can sometimes shine even brighter. It goes without saying that such brightness allows for unprecedented experiences and engagement with video material at the highest possible quality. Thanks to the high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette, the image is full of colours and, combined with such high luminance, it practically breathes. With high peak brightness, viewers can enjoy the full range of colours even in the most challenging scenes, such as those based on dynamic lighting changes. The Bravia 9 offers support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats, which further enhances the viewing experience.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Considering the fantastic conditions in HDR materials Bravia 9, let’s take a look at how the television performed with two challenging scenes mastered to high brightness. The first of these, the film "Mr.", was absolutely stunning; it felt as though the sun was pouring out of the screen. It should also be noted that all the details are brilliantly reproduced and one could confidently say that the representation of the scene is exemplary. We have virtually nothing to complain about regarding the film "Billy Lynn". The subtle play of shadows and strong light resulting from the explosions makes an incredible impression. However, we must note a small drawback here. It is, namely, the lower than reference saturation of the skin tones of the main character in the scene. However, we do not consider this to be a major issue, and it is more appropriate to treat the mention of it as a journalistic obligation.

HDR luminance chart:

Unsurprisingly, static HDR for Sony Bravia 9 poses no problem, and thanks to its high brightness and efficiently functioning dynamic tone mapping feature, details in the foreground and background are perfectly visible. When a signal with dynamic metadata is supplied, the television can even display the most subtle and delicate details in the background. Therefore, it is inaccurate to state that televisions achieving high brightness do not require formats such as Dolby Vision or HDR10+.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.1/10

The default quality of gentle gradation, i.e. with the enhancement function turned off, is quite mediocre, considering the price range and class of the device. The problem is not noticeable on very bright backgrounds but is quite pronounced on dark ones. This is perfectly illustrated by the last two test scenes, where tonal transitions are noticeable and may discomfort purists of image quality.

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

8.5/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Let’s take another look at the quality of tonal transitions, but this time we will analyse the quality of image scaling, which will be significantly important when watching lower quality materials. For starters, we will take a look at the function responsible for the quality of tonal transitions. And while by default they are quite average, after activating the option, even at the lowest level, we can confidently say that these are among the best we have seen. You can confidently enable this feature, as it does not cause any negative phenomenon, such as film grain blurring.

Sony has been boasting for several years now that its "XR" processor is unmatched when it comes to image scaling. And we find it quite easy to believe, because in fact the image is extremely sharp, yet very natural.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 120Hz (double contours)

BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 240Hz (double contours)

Brightness drop with BFI: 1%

The maximum refresh rate of the Sony Bravia 9 is 120 Hz. This is the essential minimum for watching primarily sports or materials with significant motion dynamics while maintaining a sharp and smooth image. For demanding users, the manufacturer has implemented a very comprehensive smoothing system, which has been divided into three segments: Smoothness (Film), Smoothness (Camera), and Clarity. The first two correspond to the degree of blurring and the degree of smoothing, respectively. The third option will be described in more detail below. Moreover, we can adjust all settings to various degrees, each of which will produce an effect, ensuring that we can find our own golden mean. In the picture, we present a setting with slight smoothing, without the soap opera effect.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

An additional feature that allows for maximising image fluidity is "Clarity", which utilises black frame insertion (BFI) between movie frames, aimed at "resetting" the retina of the eye and thus enhancing image sharpness. We must admit that the manufacturer has put a lot of effort into its implementation, as after activating it and setting it to the first level, it significantly improves the sharpness of moving images while maintaining maximum brightness.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.4/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 120Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: Yes
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: No
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

The Sony Bravia 9 television is equipped with four HDMI ports. However, somewhat inexplicably for a device of this class, only two of them operate in the 2.1 standard. That said, it should not be overlooked that almost all functions perform excellently and do not cause any negative feelings when being activated. Games running either in HDR10 or Dolby Vision have very low input lag, allowing for a very comfortable session with the title. A consolation remains in the form of a good implementation of the HGIG mode, which, after proper adjustment, does not differ significantly from Dolby Vision.

A year ago, Sony added to its televisions what has long been a standard for some manufacturers. This refers, of course, to the GameBar, enabling quick adjustment of settings without the need to exit the game. The implementation of this feature was successful and works very efficiently. We have been provided with conveniences such as: a crosshair grid, black level correction, and the option to reduce the screen to the proportions of gaming monitors.

The Sony Bravia 9 will undoubtedly find its fan base, most likely among PlayStation enthusiasts. Here, we must admit that it will be the most sensible choice, as in practice both the console and the television possess exactly the same capabilities. Looking at the bigger picture, while overlooking the issues with Dolby Vision in games, one cannot detract from the fact that the Bravia 9 is a very good television in the context of gaming.

Input lag

9.7/10

Latency time Bravia 9 is at a low level in every scenario. Even the most passionate gamers will surely appreciate the very low input lag at demanding 4K 120 Hz settings with HDR, which is 10 ms.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 20 ms	2160p60: 19 ms	2160p60 DV: 20 ms
1080p120: 10 ms	2160p120: 10 ms	2160p120 DV: 10 ms
2160p60: 19 ms
2160p120: 10 ms

Compatibility with PC

7.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 9ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 120Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Sony Bravia 9 works excellently with a PC, thanks to its very low delay of just 9 ms, which is an immediate response between the mouse, the eye, and the screen. An extremely important aspect when working on a screen is primarily the readability of the text, which in the case of the tested television is very good. However, it is important to remember to switch the television to "Game" mode, as this mode provides the best text readability, whereas in other scenarios the font may turn out to be unreadable.

The subpixel layout is BGR, which does not negatively impact the use of the television as a monitor. However, since operating systems are not adapted to such a subpixel format, it can result in slightly less sharp contours. This is, however, practically negligible, and only a handful of people may notice it.

Viewing angles

7.4/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 54%

Thanks to the application of an angle coating, the colour degradation and contrast drop at an angle are not as drastic as in the vast majority of VA matrix televisions. Only after a significant shift off the axis does one see greater image destabilisation; however, the overall assessment can be very positive.

TV efficiency during daytime

9.5/10

Matrix coating: Glare

Reflection suppression: Average

Black levels during daytime: Very Good

The Sony Bravia 9 excels in bright environments, with a peak brightness of 1600 nits. This allows for a comfortable viewing experience even when the TV is exposed to harsh angled light. Reflections are minimal and do not significantly affect the viewing quality, making it highly suitable for watching during the day. As a result, the Bravia 9 earns an almost perfect score for its performance in well-lit conditions.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Sony Bravia 9 (XR90): 1609 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: 112.624.140.1EUA

Image processor: mt5897 6gb ram

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Backlight Type: Mini-LED QLED

TV features

9.5/10

System operacyjny: Google TV
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): Yes
Recording programming: Yes
Picture in Picture (PiP): No
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: Yes
Teletext: Yes

Bravia 9 operates on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage compared to televisions equipped with proprietary systems from manufacturers, where installing applications from a USB drive can be cumbersome, and often virtually impossible. Thanks to Google TV, we have the capability to install virtually any application, both from the official store and directly from online repositories via an APK file.

This system also offers many conveniences in terms of control. We can connect a keyboard with a touchpad, which significantly eases the process of entering queries. Additionally, due to the integration with Google, we can utilise voice control features via the remote, which work very well, although there are occasional minor issues with translating functions and options. It's worth noting that Google TV regularly receives updates that enhance functionality and introduce new options. We can also confirm that, according to reports from users of older models, the software has its off days and sometimes experiences its "bad day".

In summary: Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. With a powerful CPU, it operates very smoothly, does not freeze, and does not have issues with stuttering for a significant portion of its usage. It is definitely the best option for those who want to fully utilise the capabilities of their television and value the openness of the system.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.7/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The built-in player on the Sony Bravia 9 is of a good standard. Although it is not without its faults, it has to be acknowledged that it plays a significant number of files seamlessly. However, among the missing features, the lack of support for subtitle formats like .sub, .txt, or selectively functioning image formats, of which only JPEG and HEIC are available, may be felt. This is not, of course, an issue given the ease of installing applications like VLC or KODI.

Apps

10/10

Sound

9.4/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

We must admit that the sound emanating from the Sony Bravia 9 left us quite astonished. Of course, we knew it was a top-of-the-line product, but we didn't expect such sound quality. You can easily hear each instrument individually, and the bass adds the right depth to the overall experience. With a clear conscience, we can say that it is the best-sounding television we have had the pleasure to test. We are also aware that people who choose such a television have their own home cinema setup. And here, there will be no significant obstacle, as the Bravia 9 supports DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos.

Manufacturer's marketing solutions:

XR Backlight Master Drive: An advanced local dimming algorithm that precisely controls thousands of LEDs.
XR Triluminos Pro: Technology responsible for a wide colour palette, reproducing subtle differences in shades and saturation.
XR Clear Image: A feature that minimises noise in the image through dynamic frame analysis.
Acoustic Multi-Audio+: A sound system where the tweeters vibrate the TV's frame.
Google TV: An operating system offering an intuitive interface and a rich library of applications, allowing access to diverse content and integration with Google Assistant.
Support for IMAX® Enhanced, Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® standards: Ensuring exceptional audiovisual experiences through compatibility with these technologies.
SONY PICTURES CORE: An entertainment application available on Sony BRAVIA TVs, PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles, and Xperia smartphones. It allows users to rent, purchase, and stream movies and TV shows from a rich library of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Sony Bravia 9 (XR90)

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

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