Sony Bravia 8 OLED TV Review
Sony has streamlined its TV lineup for 2024, offering fewer models with a simpler naming system. Leading the pack is the BRAVIA 9, Sony’s new Mini-LED model, along with the A95L, which returns from last year. At this point, it’s less about which display technology is superior and more about finding the right fit for your specific setup. Just below these flagship models is the BRAVIA 8, which replaces last year’s A80L.
Features
The BRAVIA 8 features a WOLED panel that’s 10% brighter than its predecessor which is due entirely to Sony’s new Bravia XR processor and its ability to boost performance. The BRAVIA 8 is available in three sizes:
The 83-inch A80L remains in the lineup because it already uses the XR chip, which provides the same brightness improvements. New to the BRAVIA 8 is Prime Video Calibrated Mode, which automatically adjusts picture settings for content streamed via Amazon Prime. This feature joins Netflix Calibrated Mode and Sony Pictures Core Calibrated Mode, both of which have been carried over from the A80L. The BRAVIA 8 also includes Voice Zoom 3, a feature from the higher-end BRAVIA 9, which allows you to fine-tune dialogue by boosting or reducing voices in whatever you’re watching.
The BRAVIA 8 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG HDR formats, and once again runs on Google TV. Sony’s updated Eco Dashboard makes a return as well, letting you tweak energy-saving settings and view the impact through a simple bar graph-style display.
Design
OLED TVs are known for being some of the thinnest on the market, often just a few millimeters thick. At least until you reach the bulkier section at the back where the components are housed, that is. Sony has taken note of customer feedback about this design and has made changes to the BRAVIA 8.
This year’s model maintains a more consistent thickness all the way to the bottom, featuring a curved plastic section that runs across the back. It gradually thickens to 1.4 inches, giving it a look that’s closer to a Mini-LED than a traditional OLED. While it doesn’t have the ultra-slim profile of some other OLEDs, it’s not clunky either—just a bit less sleek.
Looking at the front of the TV, The BRAVIA 8 has an almost bezel-free design, with the screen largely free of distractions. A thin metal strip frames the top and sides, while a brushed metal band runs along the bottom. The TV comes with adjustable T-shaped gray metal legs that can be positioned in four different ways.
You can set the legs near the edges or closer to the center, depending on your preference. The screen can also be raised up to two inches, making room for a soundbar or other devices underneath. For those who prefer a cleaner look, the BRAVIA 8 can easily be wall-mounted for a more minimalist setup.
On the back, you’ll find the checkerboard design that Sony has been using for the last couple of years. For wall mounting, the TV features 300 x 300mm VESA holes, making it easy to attach to most mounts.
All the ports are conveniently located in a panel near the left edge of the TV. This includes a coaxial cable connector, IR input, RS-232C, Ethernet, and four HDMI ports. Two of the HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, allowing for 4K at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), with one of the ports also supporting eARC. There's also a center speaker input, a S/PDIF optical audio out, and two USB ports—one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 for added connectivity options.
Remote
The BRAVIA 8’s remote keeps the familiar design seen in Sony TVs from recent years, with a small update in color. This year’s version features blue and green specks, a result of using eco-friendly recycled plastics. However, it’s worth noting that the remote is not backlit.
The remote includes new menu keys along with direct-access buttons for several streaming services. Anime fans will appreciate the dedicated Crunchyroll button, and there’s also a Sony Pictures Core App button, which gives access to a storefront for purchasing movies as well as a streaming service. There are also quick-access buttons for Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube.
Google TV
The Sony BRAVIA 8 still runs on the Google TV platform, just like last year's models, offering voice commands, shortcuts, and support for both Google Assistant and Alexa. All the major streaming services are available, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Netflix, Twitch, and YouTube. It also comes with built-in Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 for easy content sharing. The BRAVIA 8 includes the updated menu system from the A95L, making picture and sound adjustments more user-friendly compared to the menus of the past.
Performance
Sony has always been known for its processing capabilities, and the BRAVIA 8 is no exception. The XR processor shows its strengths here, delivering an impressive performance. Out of the box, the most accurate picture mode is Professional mode. In HDR mode, I measured a decent 772 nits on a 10% window. For those looking for a bit more brightness, though with a slight drop in accuracy, switching to the Standard mode bumped the brightness up to 826 nits on the same 10% window.
One thing that stood out with HDR on this TV is how well it handles highlights in darker scenes. For example, in The Flash, during the scene where they break Kara Zor-El out of prison, the bright lightning bolts are particularly striking. The picture had a nice sense of pop, which can sometimes be difficult for OLEDs due to their limited brightness. The deep blacks were excellent, as expected from an OLED, but it was the contrast between the bright highlights and dark areas that created an impactful HDR experience.
In terms of color performance, the BRAVIA 8 does a solid job, covering 99.3% of the P3 color gamut and 74% of BT.2020. To test this in real-world viewing, I watched Avengers: Infinity War, focusing on the final battle in Wakanda. I used the Dolby Vision Bright setting, as the Dark setting felt a bit too dim for my liking. The greens of the landscape and the purples in Black Panther’s suit were vivid yet lifelike. The TV also handled skin tones and subtle color gradients with great accuracy.
SDR mode delivered a solid picture, with brightness measuring 448 nits in professional mode. Watching typical channels like Fox or CBS, the image was bright enough to handle daytime viewing and overcame glare in a bright living room. The XR Processor played its part, upscaling and improving the 1080i signal without introducing any noticeable ringing.
This year, Sony introduced a new Prime Video Calibrated Mode, which joins Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode and IMAX Enhanced. Designed for Amazon’s streaming platform, it offers eight preset options that automatically tailor the TV settings to the content—whether it’s movies, TV shows, or sports. Testing this feature was enjoyable, especially seeing how the TV would adjust modes on its own. For instance, while watching a replay of Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, the TV shifted to a more vivid mode, while watching movies had a more cinematic experience.
Sound Quality
Sony continues to use its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology in the BRAVIA 8, which turns the TV panel itself into a speaker. This works in combination with two actuators, two tweeters, and a subwoofer to deliver the audio. Whether you're listening to dialogue, sound effects, music, or vocals, the BRAVIA 8 provides solid sound quality. While I’d still recommend adding a soundbar or full speaker system for the best experience, most people will find the built-in speakers sound perfectly fine for everyday use.
I also tested the Voice Zoom 3 feature, which worked just as well with the TV speakers as it did with the Bar 8 and 9 models. It’s especially helpful for improving dialogue clarity in shows or movies where speech can be hard to hear. The nice thing is, that it improves the dialogue without making it sound out of place from the rest of the audio.
Gaming
I think gamers will be more than happy with the gaming experience on this TV. It supports 4K at 120Hz and includes "Perfect for PlayStation 5" features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping for more accurate HDR and Auto Genre Picture Mode. The Game Menu makes it easy to tweak settings, offering different modes tailored to specific genres like first-person shooters. A new addition this year is Multi-View, which lets you split the screen—so you can game on one side while watching a YouTube walkthrough on the other. The TV also performs well in terms of input lag, measuring 11.2ms in game mode.
Conclusion
The Sony BRAVIA 8 is a well-rounded OLED TV that delivers excellent performance without the premium price of flagship models. While it's still a little on the pricier side, it provides the deep black levels and outstanding contrast OLEDs are known for, along with a range of calibrated modes for streaming services. Its color accuracy and impressive HDR performance make it a great option for both movie lovers and everyday viewing.
FAQ
What is OLED burn-in, and should I worry about it?
OLED burn-in occurs when static images remain on the screen for too long, causing image retention. However, modern OLED TVs have built-in pixel-shifting technologies to minimize this risk, making burn-in less of an issue for most users.
What is the maximum wired Ethernet speed of the BRAVIA 8?
The maximum wired Ethernet speed for the BRAVIA 8 is 100 Mbps. However, if you need faster speeds, you can use a USB 3.0 to LAN adapter to achieve more than 100 Mbps over a wired connection.
How does OLED compare to Mini-LED?
OLED offers superior black levels and contrast, while Mini-LED provides higher peak brightness and is better suited for brightly lit rooms.
