TVs
Sony Bravia 8 II review: The critics’ clear verdict
What Hi-Fi? calls it “a truly exceptional TV,” and the wider critical consensus agrees.
No single aggregate score — here's what the reviewers agree on, below.
The short version
Critics report that the Sony Bravia 8 II delivers exceptionally sharp, vibrant and natural-looking pictures, with excellent processing, shadow detail and viewing angles. It is especially compelling for films in controlled lighting. The trade-offs are clear: the LG G5 gets brighter, black levels can look lighter in a bright room, and only two of the four HDMI inputs support the full HDMI 2.1 feature set.
What reviewers loved
- Sony’s image processing produces unusually clear pictures and excellent upscaling of 720p and 1080p video, according to WIRED.
- Vibrant yet natural colours, strong HDR highlights and excellent shadow detail give films impressive depth and realism.
- Excellent screen uniformity and off-axis accuracy keep the picture consistent for people sitting away from the centre.
- Google TV is quick and intuitive, with hands-free Google Assistant, Google Cast and Apple AirPlay support.
- The built-in sound is solid by TV standards, though What Hi-Fi? still suggests a premium soundbar such as the Sonos Arc Ultra as an appropriate upgrade.
What held it back
- It is not as bright as the LG G5, and WIRED found its blacks closer to deep charcoal than pitch black, reducing perceived contrast beside that rival.
- Only two HDMI inputs support 4K/120Hz and other HDMI 2.1 features, and one of those also handles eARC.
- The premium price is higher than direct competitors, according to WIRED, while PCMag also flags cost as a drawback.
- The feet offer limited placement flexibility and may be awkward on shorter or narrower TV furniture.
Buy it if cinematic picture accuracy, natural colour, sharp processing and excellent upscaling matter more to you than maximum brightness or gaming connectivity.
Skip it if you have a very bright room, need more than two HDMI 2.1 inputs, or want the brightest premium OLED for the money.
What the reviewers say
Picture quality is the consistent headline. Trusted Reviews calls the performance “dazzling,” while What Hi-Fi? praises its brightness, vibrant colours, shadow detail and razor-like sharpness. WIRED also highlights Sony’s processing, saying the resulting clarity can make images appear almost three-dimensional. PCMag found natural skin tones, vivid colours and strong detail in both bright and shaded scenes.
The caveats are equally consistent. Reviewers agree that the LG G5 can go brighter, while Trusted Reviews warns that black levels can be affected in a bright room. WIRED also notes lighter blacks than some rivals. Gamers get 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM and a dedicated gaming menu, but only two HDMI ports provide the full HDMI 2.1 feature set.
The competition
LG G5
The stronger alternative for maximum brightness. WIRED and What Hi-Fi? both report that it gets brighter, while PCMag retains it as its Editors’ Choice OLED.
Samsung S95F
Another direct premium OLED rival. PCMag reports that it has a brighter panel and more accurate white balance, while Sony counters with Google TV and hands-free Google Assistant.
Should you buy it?
Yes, if your priority is a refined home-cinema picture rather than raw brightness or maximum port flexibility. Reviewers broadly agree that the Bravia 8 II combines outstanding clarity, convincing colour, strong HDR and excellent shadow detail. It is less persuasive for bright-room viewing, multi-console setups or value-focused buyers. Disclosure: RightWei summarizes independent reviewers’ hands-on tests and does not test review units itself.
Sources
RightWei aggregates and summarizes independent reviews — we link to the original hands-on tests so you can go deeper. We don't test units ourselves.