Sony’s latest offering, the Sony XR55A95K, represents a significant milestone in the world of OLED TV technology. With the introduction of QD-OLED, a blend of the finest features from OLED and QLED, Sony has made a remarkable breakthrough. This article delves into the features and performance of the Sony A95K, shedding light on its strengths and potential limitations.
Unveiling the QD-OLED Technology: OLED has garnered immense popularity due to its stunning black levels, precise contrast control, wide viewing angles, sleek designs, and competitive pricing. However, the main challenge OLED faced was its brightness limitations. QD-OLED, showcased by Sony through the A95K model, promises to overcome this hurdle.
Performance Expectations: If you anticipate the A95K to be significantly brighter than existing OLED televisions, you might be slightly disappointed. While it doesn’t deliver a massive leap in quality over the best standard OLED TVs available in the market, it does offer notable improvements. Priced at £2699 / $3000 during its launch, the 55-inch Sony XR55A95K has experienced a slight price drop, currently retailing at £2199 / $2500 (as of December 2022). Nevertheless, it remains considerably more expensive than Samsung’s 55-inch S95B model, which shares a similar panel. Interestingly, the 55-inch Sony A95K is not available in Australia, but the 65-inch variant can be purchased for AU$4995. Samsung’s Display division is currently the sole manufacturer of QD-OLED TV panels, just as LG Display dominates the production of standard OLED panels.
Competition and Advancements: LG Display, a formidable competitor, continues to develop brighter OLED panels, with their latest innovation known as OLED.EX. This advanced panel is supplied to various TV manufacturers, including LG Electronics. The LG G2, a notable contender, surpasses its predecessors and can be obtained in a 55-inch version for £1599 / $1600 / AU$3300 (December 2022). Sony, on the other hand, has prioritized a minimalist design for the A95K. With a nearly bezel-less display framed by a 7-8mm bezel and a discreet Sony logo, this TV blends seamlessly into any space.
User Interface and Remote: Sony XR55A95K comes with a compact remote, 36% smaller than its predecessor, featuring a reduced number of buttons from 49 to 25. The remote offers a comfortable grip, well-spaced and backlit buttons, and a useful finder function that emits a sound when prompted by voice command. Additionally, a basic plastic remote is included in the package. Sony’s choice of the Google TV operating system ensures a snappy and personalized experience, with a wide range of recommendations, although the majority are from Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, with limited offerings from Apple TV and My5.
Design and Features: The A95K offers flexibility in positioning. The default stand places the TV slightly tilted backward, compensating for lower furniture placement. Alternatively, the stand can be positioned in front of the screen for a flush wall-mounted appearance. The TV’s rear section, covered by a plastic chassis, showcases a unique grid pattern and discreetly conceals connections and cables. Notably, an intriguing rectangular notch near the top accommodates the Bravia CAM camera, which attaches magnetically and enhances features such as video chat and Ambient Optimisation Pro.
Entertainment and Connectivity: The TV supports popular streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV, along with major music streaming platforms. In the UK, Now, BT Sport, and catch-up services.
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Sony XR55A95K Specs
- Display Technology: QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED)
- Screen Size: 55 inches (XR-55A95K model)
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Processor: Cognitive Processor XR
- Sound Technology: Acoustic Surface Audio+ with two actuators and subwoofers
- HDMI Ports: Two HDMI 2.1 ports (48Gbps) with support for 4K 120Hz gaming
- Gaming Features: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), Auto HDR Tone Mapping
- Operating System: Google TV
- Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth
- Additional Features: Bravia Core service, Bravia CAM camera with video chat and ambient optimization, Voice control (Google Assistant)
- Dimensions (without stand): Approx. 122.7 x 70.4 x 4.3 cm (W x H x D)
- Weight (without stand): Approx. 21.5 kg
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