Sony’s 2023 TVs are refreshingly simple

Sony's latest lot of flagship TVs come with perks for Playstation fans and anime addicts alike.

While Sony typically shows off its incoming lineup of TVs during CES in January, it opted to skip the crowds of the show floor in favour of giving its new Bravia range some room to breathe.

Despite this delayed unveiling, the new Sony Bravia X90L Full Array LED TV, Sony Bravia A95L QD-OLED TV and Sony Bravia A80L OLED TV are all billed to hit Australian retailers around the usual timeframe of May.

The Sony Bravia X90L is the first cab off the rank here. While it's the only one of the three that isn't an OLED, it still boasts the same Cognitive Processor XR seen across the range. The upgraded processor powering Sony's 2023 Bravia lineup comes with all the usual promises.

According to Sony, the Cognitive Processor XR is capable of delivering superior noise reduction and better control of dimming zones, translating into higher peak brightnesses and less blooming. On paper, that sounds like the makings of a great home entertainment experience. However, the real-world difference that this new processor makes is inevitably going to vary based on what you're used to, the environment in which your TV is set up and comparing it against. 

In any case, the Sony Bravia X90L will be available in four sizes: 85-inches, 75-inches, 65-inches and 55-inches. No matter which one you pick, your TV will come powered by the same Google TV operating system found in last year's Bravia TVs and complemented by Sony's own Bravia Core movie streaming app.

The Sony Bravia X90L also features a HDMI 2.1 port, which enables things like 4K and 120Hz gaming on next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Speaking of the PlayStation 5, all three of this year's new Bravia TVs come with special features that unlock when connected to Sony's flagship gaming console.

In a general sense, this is somewhat similar to what Sony has done with its recent run of InZone gaming accessories. More specifically, it means that those who pair a PS5 with the latest Bravia TVs (like the Bravia A95L) will get access to Auto HDR Tone Mapping and an Auto Genre Picture Mode setting. The difference that these settings make is going to vary based on what you're playing, but the gist of it is that your next gaming experience might look a little bit better than it would on a non-Sony TV.

Speaking of the Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED TV, this model comes in just three sizes rather than the usual four. The 65-inch size sits in the middle here, flanked by a 77-inch model on one side and a 55-inch one on the other.

Regardless of the size you opt you, you'll get most of the same features as you would with the Sony Bravia X90L. Aside from a difference in stand design, the biggest difference between the two TVs is right there in the name.

Compared to the X90L, the A95L has the advantage thanks to a QD-OLED panel that comes enhanced by Sony's own XR Triluminos Max tech. According to Sony, this optimisation translates into a screen that's up to 200% brighter than a traditional OLED panel might be.

On top of offering perks for PlayStation users, Sony's latest Bravia TVs also promise to integrate better with selected Sony audio products. When paired up with either the Sony HT-A9 Home Theatre System or the HT-A7000, HT-A5000 and HT-A3000 soundbars, the Bravia A95L are able to deploy a range of "phantom speakers" that allow for a wider and more immersive soundstage.

Last but not least, there's the Sony Bravia XR A80L OLED. When it comes to features (and probably pricing), this one sits somewhere between the A95L and X90L.

It's an OLED, but it doesn't have quite as many bells and whistles as the former. While the Bravia XR A80L doesn't have the quantum dots that promise to make the A95L that little bit more dazzling, it should still work out to be 110% brighter than a traditional OLED according to Sony.

Those looking to pick up the Sony Bravia XR A80L get to choose between the 83-inch, 77-inch, 65-inch and 55-inch versions of the TV.

Regardless of whichever size they settle for, the A80L comes kitted out with Sony's nifty Surface Audio+ tech. This feature (which can also be found in the A95L) saves you the trouble of having to track down a soundbar by having the audio project outward through the screen as if it was a giant speaker.

That said, if you do want to pair the A80L up with a Sony soundbar you'll be able to do so via the Acoustic Centre Sync function and push the hardware here that little bit further. Sony's main claim here is that synergising your Sony TV with selected audio products will help you get clearer dialogue and achieve a more immersive soundscape.

Another revision you'll be able to find across the Sony Bravia lineup this year is the slightly reworked remote.

The new Sony Bravia XR remote comes with a dedicated Crunchyroll button, allowing you to pull up the popular anime streaming service with the press of a button.

Full Australian pricing for the new Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED, X90L Full Array LED TV and A80L OLED TV is expected to drop closer to the May launch window.