Sony BRAVIA A95L QD-OLED TV Review

Last year, Sony broke new ground by introducing its first QD OLED television, the A95K, which set a high bar in terms of both visual quality and technology for the company's OLED lineup. It garnered attention and raised expectations for what could come next. This year, Sony is now releasing the A95L as a follow-up to its earlier success. Naturally, this begs the question: how does this new iteration compare to its highly regarded predecessor? Let’s find out.

The Sony A95L comes in a variety of sizes, each with its own price point:

Sony XR55A95L (55-inch): $2,799.99

Sony XR65A95L (65-inch): $3,499.99

Sony XR77A95L (77-inch): $4,999.99

Specifications

The Sony A95L stands as the brand's flagship QD OLED offering for the current year and is equipped with several new features. Among these, a heat diffusion sheet, also known as a heatsink, has been integrated into the QD OLED panel to enhance its brightness. The television also incorporates Sony's Cognitive Processor XR, a cornerstone of Sony's picture processing technology. The Cognitive XR processor introduces various enhancements in picture processing, one of which is XR Triluminos Max which aims to expand the color volume compared to last year's model.

One of the most intriguing features introduced this year is XR Clear Image. According to Sony, this adaptive technology not only improves the clarity of source material but also optimizes it for the TV's 4K resolution. The processor can discern the actual resolution of incoming content, even when the source material is being upscaled by another device.

The Cognitive Processor XR also examines other aspects like encoding parameters and bit rate. The A95L can apply Adaptive Noise Reduction and Adaptive Super Resolution where needed, eliminating noise and blur from the image. Although this feature can't be toggled off to A/B test, when comparing my own Sony A9G OLED from a couple of years ago, this feature surely seems to live up to its claims, delivering crisp and clear visuals. I'll get into more detail on that in the performance section below.

Around the back of the A95L, the TV is well-equipped with a variety of ports to satisfy connectivity needs. It features four HDMI ports, two of which are HDMI 2.1 compatible and can support 4K at 120Hz. There is an RF input for antenna/cable signals, a Toslink optical digital audio output, and a pair of speaker binding post terminals for those who wish to connect the TV to an A/V receiver using its Center Speaker Mode. An Ethernet port is available if you choose to hardwire. The TV also includes 2 USB inputs and an RS-232C port for advanced control options. In terms of picture modes, the A95L supports Dolby Vision HDR, IMAX Enhanced, and even features a Netflix Adaptive Calibrated mode.

This design choice can be attributed to the QD-OLED panel used in the A95L, which offers less reflectivity than its predecessors. In our hands-on experience, we found that this new panel minimizes reflections, with the grey tone of the panel being noticeable only in a bright room when the TV is turned off.

The user interface this year introduces a dedicated eco-friendly dashboard within the menu settings. This centralizes all the ECO options, simplifying the process for users to activate various sustainability features. These include power-saving modes, light sensor adjustments, and more making it easier than ever to access these features.

Remote

The A95L comes with a redesigned backlit remote control, sporting an aluminum finish and a more compact size than its predecessor. The remote has been updated to include new menu keys and direct-access buttons for a selection of streaming services. Anime fans will appreciate a dedicated Crunchyroll button. Another addition is the BRAVIA CORE App button, which not only serves as a storefront for purchasing movies but also as a streaming service. The BRAVIA CORE App supports Dolby Atmos and features Pure Stream technology, requiring an 80 Mbps internet connection for optimal performance. To round off the user experience, the remote also offers quick-access buttons for Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube.

In terms of ergonomics, the new remote felt comfortable and well-balanced in my hand, which is certainly an improvement over the longer remote that came with my A9G. The inclusion of a backlight is also a nice touch.

Google TV

Sony's 2023 A95L continues to operate on the Google TV platform, similar to last year's models. However, the A95L also introduces a refreshed version of the menu system that works in tandem with Google TV, for settings such as picture and sound adjustments. This revamp features visually appealing graphics for the various pop-up menus, along with descriptions for each setting and feature.

While these changes may seem subtle, they contribute to a more modern and sophisticated user experience. The nice part is that these aesthetic upgrades did not compromise the system's responsiveness and the interface remained quick and responsive. A surprising element is tucked away in the Live section on the homepage. It provides access to several movies and TV episodes—700 in total—for free.

Setup

The A95L distinguishes itself within Sony's new range by including the BRAVIA CAM camera as a bundled accessory, whereas it's optional for other models. This camera clips to the top edge of the TV and activates several smart features. For example, it works in tandem with the Ambient Optimization Pro feature to adjust both picture and sound according to your seating position. Other capabilities include gesture control, proximity alerts aimed at those with little ones, and a power-saving mode that dims the screen when it detects that the room is empty. At first, I was hesitant to relinquish manual control over these settings, but after experimenting for a couple of hours, I was impressed by the camera's effectiveness in adapting both brightness and sound settings.

What genuinely surprised me was how enjoyable the gesture control function turned out to be. Initially, a feature I thought would be more of a novelty, it quickly became a fun and intuitive way to interact with the TV.

As is the case with all Sony Master Series TVs, the A95L comes factory-calibrated, ensuring high accuracy in its out-of-the-box settings. Particularly in "Professional" which replaces the “Custom” mode from previous years, was my preferred preset with the color accuracy and image quality being impressive right from the start. Despite this, as someone looking for the best viewing experience possible, I went ahead and further calibrated the settings.

The A95L introduces a new "Calm" picture preset designed for more relaxed viewing, particularly during evening hours. This mode lowers the TV's saturation and contrast to create a softer, less intense visual experience. While I personally didn't find this setting to my liking, I can appreciate its intended purpose for those looking to unwind at the end of the day.

Another new feature is the option to apply any adjustments you make to a single picture mode across all inputs and video apps. This is a convenient time-saver, although the TV still allows for individual customization for each input or app if you prefer more tailored settings.

Performance

Where to begin with the A95L's picture quality? It's nothing short of phenomenal. A standout feature is without a doubt its brightness capability. In Vivid mode with a 2% window, my measurements clocked in at 2,010 nits.

Since most viewers will likely steer clear of Vivid mode for everyday use, it's worth noting that after calibrating the TV and switching to Professional mode with a 10% window, the brightness still registered at a very impressive 1,373 nits. On a full white HDR image, I measure 235 nits in Professional mode. For a QD OLED panel, these numbers are pretty remarkable.

So how does this brightness translate to real-world viewing? Take the film “65” for example, particularly the scene towards the end where the asteroid is about to hit. In a moment that could easily overwhelm a lesser display with excessive brightness, the A95L perfectly handles the scene's intensity. The display offers a brightness that is compelling but not excessive, preserving the scene's clarity and intricate details. When the sun starts to rise over the mountain, the TV's panel performs well, delivering sunlit clouds full of texture without washing out the details.

When it comes to color reproduction, the A95L truly excels. Watching “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, the results were fantastic. The TV's rich and vibrant color palette brought the film's dynamic animation to life. To quantify this, I measured the DCI-P3 color gamut coverage at an astounding 99.91%—virtually complete. In terms of Rec. 2020, the set achieved an impressive 90.6%.

The A95L's 4K resolution is pretty sharp on its own, but the Cognitive Processor XR chipset adds some noticeable improvements. Watching "Oblivion," the processor's impact became evident in the intricate details of Tom Cruise's suit and even the pores on his face. It's not about making the picture look flashy, it's more about enhancing the focus within each shot in a subtle way. The result is an image that has depth and feels more true to life, without appearing over-processed.

When it comes to black levels, the A95L's OLED panel doesn't disappoint either. While watching "Oblivion," the blacks were deep and stable, free from compression noise or any unstable dark levels. There was also no loss of shadow details that I was able to find after going through all my demo material.

Gaming

This year, the A95L comes packed with new capabilities designed to improve your gaming experience. A future update will bring Dolby Vision Gaming to the TV, promising optimized contrast, color, and black levels for compatible games. It also supports 4K/120 and includes "Perfect for PlayStation 5" features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping for a more accurate HDR picture and Auto Genre Picture Mode. The addition of a Game Menu makes it easy to adjust settings while gaming, offering various modes designed to elevate gameplay in genres like first-person shooters.

The Game Menu offers a unique feature: the ability to shrink the game's display size. This is beneficial for competitive gamers who prefer smaller screens to minimize eye movement, making it easier to respond to in-game action. The window size can be reduced from 100% down to 30%, although this feature won't be available immediately at launch.

Exclusive to the A95L is the Multi-View function, which allows for a split-screen experience. You could be gaming in one window while following a YouTube walkthrough in another. When this feature rolls out, it’ll only be available on certain apps, but I imagine there will be more support as time goes on.

Gaming on the A95L, especially when paired with a PS5, takes the experience up a notch. Playing the original Spider-Man game in smooth 4K at 120Hz is truly captivating. What makes this TV stand out is its excellent HDR performance. It skillfully balances bright and dark areas, adding brightness precisely where it's needed—a level of attention to detail I haven't seen in many other TVs this year.

Audio

The A95L uses an updated version of Sony's 2.2-channel actuator-based audio system, now known as Acoustic Surface Audio+. This system uses two actuators to vibrate the screen itself, creating sound that's complemented by two conventional woofers for bass. New digital filters further refine clarity and sound placement. The idea is to align sound with the visuals on-screen, an approach that has served Sony well over the years.

When it comes to audio, the A95L puts on a strong performance. The sound is vibrant, robust, and clear. While I'd generally suggest investing in a separate sound system, the built-in speakers here do a commendable job on their own. For those considering additional sound hardware, the A95L has Acoustic Center Sync, allowing it to harmonize its audio output with compatible Sony soundbars.

When paired with a soundbar like the HT-A5000, the SA-SW3 subwoofer, and the SA-RS3S surround sound speakers, Sony's 360 Reality Audio with the A95L at its core can create a truly immersive sound. The resulting audio experience offers impressive height effects, crystal-clear clarity, and precise placement of audio cues, almost matching the performance of a full-fledged dedicated system.

Conclusion

The A95L is not just a worthy successor to the already impressive A95K—it sets a new standard altogether. It excels in virtually every area, from its stunning picture quality and robust sound system to its myriad of smart and gaming features. Its performance across multiple viewing and usage scenarios is consistent and impressive, making it an easy recommendation for anyone in search of a high-quality TV. Given its superior all-around capabilities, I personally believe it's the best TV available this year. With its advanced technology and unrivaled performance, it's no wonder the A95L is raising the bar for what we can expect from TVs in the future.

FAQ

What is the difference between Sony A95K and A95L?

The A95L features a second-generation QD-OLED screen and can reach a peak brightness level that is double that of its 2022 predecessor, the A95K. It also has a unique heat diffusion sheet, commonly known as a heatsink, along with custom thermal analysis carried out by the TV's Cognitive Processor XR.

What are the benefits of QD-OLED?

QD-OLED displays offer higher peak brightness, wider color gamut, and better energy efficiency compared to traditional OLEDs. They also reduce the risk of burn-in and have a longer lifespan. These advantages make QD-OLED a compelling choice for those seeking vibrant, long-lasting, and efficient screens, ideal for everything from immersive viewing to gaming.

Is a QD-OLED panel better than an IPS panel?

In terms of quality, OLED displays outperform IPS LED monitors. They offer deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and quicker response times.

What is the lifespan of QD-OLED?

Studies suggest that QD-OLED panels can last up to 1 million hours, which is much longer than traditional OLEDs. They are also less prone to the burn-in issues commonly associated with current OLED technology.