Sony BRAVIA Sony - 65" Class BRAVIA XR8B OLED 4K Google TV Review

This Sony OLED is a jack-of-all-trades with one surprising flaw. Its audio and gaming performance are elite, ranking in the 95th and 93rd percentiles. But its picture quality score sits in the bottom 39th percentile, which is unusual for an OLED.

The Sony XR8B OLED is a TV that nails almost everything except its core job. Its social proof and audio quality sit in the 95th percentile, meaning owners love it and the sound is fantastic out of the box. With a gaming score of 93rd percentile, 120Hz HDMI 2.1, and support for Dolby Vision and Atmos, it's built for both next-gen consoles and movie nights. But here's the catch: its picture quality percentile is a surprisingly low 39th. For an OLED, that's the headline.

Performance is a story of extremes. The XR8B's gaming and smart features are top-tier, landing in the 93rd and 94th percentiles respectively. That translates to buttery-smooth 120Hz gameplay and a Google TV interface that just works. Audio is a standout, hitting the 95th percentile with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The real puzzle is the picture quality score. At the 39th percentile, it suggests that while the OLED panel delivers perfect blacks, the overall image processing or brightness might not be keeping up with the competition. The display itself ranks higher at the 68th percentile, so the panel is good, but the final picture tuning seems to be the bottleneck.

At a locked price of about $1200, the value proposition hinges entirely on what you prioritize. If you want a TV that sounds incredible, games flawlessly, and has a slick smart system, this is a strong buy. If your main goal is the absolute best picture for the money, that 39th percentile ranking in picture quality is a red flag. There are likely better pure picture performers at this price point.

Compared to the Samsung QN90F Mini-LED, you're trading the XR8B's perfect OLED blacks for the Samsung's higher peak brightness, which might explain the picture quality gap. Against the LG OLED evo G5, you'd be looking at a more picture-focused OLED, likely at a higher price. The Hisense U6 and TCL X11L are budget Mini-LED options that will crush it in brightness but can't match the OLED contrast or this Sony's audio and smart system polish. It's a classic trade-off: this Sony excels in everything surrounding the picture, while competitors often focus the budget more directly on the panel itself.

Skip this TV if you're a videophile buying solely for the best possible picture quality. The 39th percentile ranking in that category is a deal-breaker. Also, if you need a bright TV for a very sunny room, its 51.9 score for outdoor viewing confirms it's not the right tool for that job. Look at high-end Mini-LED models instead.

We recommend the Sony XR8B OLED if you're an avid gamer who also wants great built-in sound and a hassle-free smart TV, and you're willing to accept that the picture, while good, isn't class-leading. The data is clear: it's a fantastic all-rounder with one notable soft spot. If your primary use is critical movie watching in a dark room and you demand the best possible image, look at other OLEDs first.