Sony A80J TV Review (2021) - A Rival To The LG C1? 

Agregaron 4K 120hz en Dolby Vision??? 13:13 Saludos

They are very professional! Best reviewers by a far margin! If reach 61 years i also want to buy tvs every ten years :)

I’ve had the same tv in my living room since 2011 so ten years for me too thinking of upgrading to this set

I agree, that makes no sense for cable management. Why would they omit even a small plastic ring for a clothes hanger.

congrats I just ordered 65" A80J for 1600 Euro black Friday :) andd in HDR highlights its punchier closer to reference monitor as C1 or G1 as well :) due to Sony XR processor; this year Sony nailed it. In near blacks it is cleaner as C1 buttt C1 has more better dark near blacks due to more near blacks calibration controls, generally A80j looks cleaner here anyhow. A80J leads in motion, key picture movie watching features, so nailed mine movie watching target ;) enjoy bro

In your opinion.

@@Esignn … It is my opinion but I’ve been buying Sony televisions for 50 years so I have a lot of experience with their product. It’s hard to tell the difference between one television and another made by another company until you really watch them side by side. Comparing the A80J to LG’s C1 I felt the picture quality was better, if I was into gaming I may have chosen the LG because of the 2.1 HDMI ports Sony has 2 while LG had 4.

@@Esignn it’s not just his opinion, it’s a fact that the a80j is overall better than the c1 but the c1 leads when it come to gaming

i was in a very similar situation to you. I was so close to getting the C1 and it was a price difference of $800. Then after speaking with a dealer, I got the good deal where it became only $300 more than the C1, so I got it. Reason I preferred the A80J over the C1 was because I preferred the google tv smart interface over webOS and secondly I like the idea where the A80J can be put in a position where you can fit a soundbar underneath whereas the C1 was not possible.

It's a popular model on our Suggestion Tool: www.rtings.com/tv/suggestions If there is enough interest, we will buy and test it for sure :)

What kind of sound bar? I was planning to get a sonos beam gen 2 with it

@@lyranlover6904 I bought a htx8500 which was not as good as the tv's speakers. I've since upgraded to a q950a and it has been phenomenal. I'd say if you were to upgrade to a soundbar, get a higher end one since the tv speakers are just as good or even better than a mid-range soundbar.

@@biohazardousbacon dang really - i was planning to buy a sonos beam gen 2- do you think that will be better than the tv speakers

@@biohazardousbacon dang

@@lyranlover6904 I'm not sure. If you don't have the tv yet just see if the tv speakers are good enough for you. My issue with them was that they weren't very bass heavy and there was not a lot of surround, which is why I upgraded to a q950a as it came with a subwoofer and surround rear speakers to fit those shortcomings. The center and left and right channels are very clear and crisp on the tv though, so I'm not sure how much a standalone soundbar could improve that experience. Also, the htx 8500 was a lot more narrow than the width of my TV so it had a much smaller soundstage compared to my TV, whereas the q950a is about as wide as my TV.

They also fixed the 120hz 4K banding.

VRR is pretty shoddy implimentation on the Sony's, but I suspect they'll keep working on it.

@@interdimensionalsteve8172 I think you are referring to VRR firmware upgrade for non OLED panels which caused issues. Not applicable to OLED.

@@jasondecourcy9611 Yes, it caused issues on the 900H but I haven't heard practically anyone complain about issues with the patch on the OLEDs.

Hi I have same problem I waiting for X95J but when I watched A80J I was shocked how crispy the picture is.Colours and blacks are amazing.Here in UK X95J LED 75 inch will cost £3500 A80J 77 inch cost £3999 I think the choice is pretty clear for me now.OLED all the way. Go to your local store and check once again A80J OLED and X90J LED and I believe you will choose OLED like me.😉

You the man!!!

c'est du dirty sreen

You'll want to make sure your PS5 is using port 4 or 3 (listed as 4k 120Hz). If you have a sound system or soundbar, you will want to use it on HDMI 3. Outside of that, the other systems can use any port.

thatd be with the help of the processor right?

@@Lordbugbug yes. While lg often looks good in color vibrance, sony just bests all brands when it comes to that window effect in their oleds and the processor is 100% the reason why

Hey! Unless otherwise specified in our recommended settings page: www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/sony/a80j-oled/settings we leave all of the HDR settings at their default (so we don't change them). So, we don't have any specific suggestions for HDR settings. Sorry about that!

Well that’s not all your getting for that price jump. A90j worth every penny.

@@Jordanfiend361 No doubt the A90J is probably the best TV available right now but it cost about 65% more than the same size A80J. It's better but not 65% better. I realize that's always the case when you go from 2nd best to best but not everyone is going to be willing to pay 65% more for maybe a 5% increase in performance. So far I'm enjoying the hell out of the A80J. Now I have an awesome t.v. and an extra $1,100 or so.

Will save me money over buying a new tv stand

i have my gaming tv already the q90t now i want a tv just for movie and tv watching is the a80j a better choice for that over lg c1 or cx??

@@giotorres9848 for sure it is the a80j has the xr processor and its outstanding so much detail the a90j has made me be surprised by 4k again I've never seen a processor add detail in 4k like this the c1 I had for 2 weeks didn't do this it wasn't this sharp or detailed it's insane the a80j and a90j look identical in processing and actually very similar overall with the a90j only being slightly brighter legit that's the only difference in the image the a80j has an absolutely stunning image and I can't see buying an lg over it for movies

he literally just showed it has a banding problem with 4k120hz hdr content...

@@justinhalen2126 yeah we know this lol but something people aren't showing is the c1 has banding issues and it doesn't have to be in 4k 120hz to get it go watch KG video but yes the sony a80j and a90j have issues in 4k 120hz hdr with banding but it comes down to the mediatek soc and Sony has there daughterboard SOC working with it so they may be able to update it and fix the issues since it's clearly not the panel as if it was it would have banding issues at all times not just 4k 120hz hdr but its only when it's fed a certain signal so from what we hear it's fixable

@@justinhalen2126 you have to think tho Andre N may not game so he may not of experienced the banding issues if he hasn't used 4k 120hz hdr me I have seen it on my a90j luckily its not to extreme

Well, how good of a panel you get seems to be the luck of the draw.

Don't worry about burn-in, you have to be watching the same thing (such as a channel with the ID logo in the top corner) for hundreds of hours non-stop, for it ever to become an issue. It's so unlikely I don't know why they even mention it at all.

Just don't use it as a pc, or use a still picture as a screen saver. Other then that don't worry about it.

Hey Evan! First, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We can tell you that we're working on an update to our methodology so we can talk more about the upscaling and processing of the different TVs. It's tough to objectively measure, which is why the testing is very limited at this time. We've heard loud and clear from our readers and viewers on this though and we're looking into it as we speak!

@@RTINGSdotcom that's terrific and thank you for your hard work. Sorry in advance for the tldr: While I would agree it's very difficult to objectively evaluate certain aspects of processing quantitatively, the differences between them can be qualitatively discussed. For instance a Cognitive processor much like our own visual system is able to evaluate contrast, tonality, motion and other parameters in a parellel fashion and with that information adust them in relation to each other(in real time with focal zones). This allows for a much more natural adjustment and this explains why the new Sony tvs can be pushed significantly more as far color and clarity without that artificial look that would destroy PQ in previous generations. Sony accurately describes this as increasing immersion in their branding and while it may sound like a gimmick, I can tell you as someone that studied cognition academically, from a perceptive standpoint that is exactly what they are doing. Obviously you would want to simplify this and not use my technical jargon, but it allows you to bypass the more subjective aspects of evaluating PQ by simply stating factually relevant info.

And again thank you for your hard work and for responding to my feedback. Knowing you care that much, makes me far more comfortable in recommending your reviews to friends and family in the future!

We love to get this kind of feedback! We will pass on your comments and suggestions to our Testing Development team directly :)

Absolutely spot on

So the QN90A is the best non-OLED TV we have tested. If you're anxious about going back to an OLED, it would be the best choice. If you really liked the last OLED TV you had though, the A80J would be a great option and is what we consider to be the better TV overall.

Yes the TV is 120hz panel so it does support 120hz natively. Apple Tv is currently limited to 60hz though. Are you concerned about something in particular?

We don't have any sort of test for how loud a TV is, but we do test the frequency response and distortion. Overall, the internal speakers are good. There's a lot of distortion at the TV's max volume, but it's much better at moderate volume levels. However, distortion depends on the content and not everyone can hear it. Another factor could be the room you use it in and how far away you sit. If it's an open room and you're further away, a soundbar could be a better option.

Hey Paul! For a very bright room, you may want to avoid an OLED TV. Because they can't get as bright as other TVs, in a bright room they might look washed out. The Samsung QN90A might be a good alternative to consider though! It's the best non-OLED TV we've tested so far.

@@RTINGSdotcom thanks so much for your response….I’ll check out that Samsung…..I’m sure glad I didn’t go ahead with a OLED …anyone you might suggest for this in the Oakville, Ontario area. Thanks again.

The a90j. The 6 a80 is horrible and loose contrast and is very dark in a bright room. The 77 would be better

@@Jordanfiend361 Horrible? Uh oh! I just bought one. Not too late to return though. Cant fitA 77 and can’t afford a 90. Suggestions?

Our experts are happy to answer your questions via the forums on our website! www.rtings.com/forums

A80j all the way. It's simply the better TV

What did you end up getting ?

A80j qn90a is just a bright panel which is not eye comfort qn90a also doesn’t support Dolby vision n Dolby armoe

What did you get?

Yes, if you are using a soundbar with dts support.

What did u buy ? What do u think better for gaming

That's right! They have different names to avoid price matching.

Why are you disappointed?

It really depends on your needs! If you're in a darker room, the OLED is probably the way to go. If you're in a room that is very bright, you might want to go with the QN90A as it can get much brighter and can overcome glare.

In this case, we’d recommend checking out our comparison between both models so you can see which is best in the areas that are important to you. www.rtings.com/tv/tools/compare/sony-a80j-oled-vs-lg-c2-oled/21563/31229?usage=1&threshold=0.10 If it’s still unclear or you have specific questions though, feel free to follow up!

Totally agree, we were undecided between the two and asked to watch the same test content they use in the showrooms on each TV. It was obvious the A80J was the better picture.

The Sony A80J OLED and the LG C1 OLED are amazing TVs capable of turning pixels off individually to produce deep inky blacks with a near-infinite contrast ratio. You can't go wrong with either, but they do have some differences. The LG offers a bit more for gamers, with two more HDMI 2.1 ports than the Sony and it has lower input lag. The Sony, however, has better out-of-the-box accuracy, although this can vary from unit to unit. That said, it may help to check out this comparison, but honestly, you'll be happy either way! www.rtings.com/tv/tools/compare/lg-c1-oled-vs-sony-a80j-oled/21421/21563?usage=1&threshold=0.10

It's possible the default apps and such take up quite a bit of storage, but if you're looking for a bit more certainty, it's best to touch base with Sony! It should also say what is using the storage as well!

We did a big test on this which you can read more about here: www.rtings.com/tv/learn/real-life-oled-burn-in-test Basically though, as long as you avoid static content, we don't expect burn-in to be an issue.

EXPERT 1

@@MissSitaKat not enough - too cold/blue

77inch is more glossy than 65? Does not have antiglare?

A80J the color and highlight detail is noticeably especially if the blue is in Dolby vision. And the user menu alot more intuitive.

I’ve just purchased the 55”A80j and Sonos arc. With the stand in the soundbar position, it doesn’t fit between the legs but I’ve actually stood it on top of the legs. There’s just enough of a gap so it doesn’t foul the screen. It goes slightly above the bezel and maybe a few mm of the screen but nothing at all noticeable, it actually looks like it was made to fit if I’m honest.

I got the Sony A84J, I read that auto picture mode is the same as ALLM. So maybe that’s why. So when you turn on your Xbox does it switch automatically into game mode?

It's just a different product code to avoid price matching!

Yeah it’s a shame. The 65 inch is horrible in a average lighting room.

The A80J was in the Spring of 2021. The unit we purchased arrived in May!

@@RTINGSdotcom do you remember when the preorder was available?

What exactly does it not support?

@@dustinsharpe1049 Full VRR while having full TV features at the same time.

@@shmookins VVR is on the way I’m, I do have the a80j, I mainly use it for streaming tv shows and movies, but will game on it a bit. Now I’m finding out that to use 4K 120fps I’ll need a 100 mbps. Will the Xbox be the better console once vet is added? I’m so lost about this stuff could you please elaborate?

@@dustinsharpe1049 The thing is, VRR either limits or completely shuts down some of the TV features like local dimming, Dolby Vision, and what not. I don't know of any TV that does VRR while maintaining all the TV's features. Maybe one of the LGs. _Maybe_. VRR is still new. Sony doesn't even have the update yet for their latest flagship LCD model. It will come at the end of Jan. 2022. But I feel it will be the same as on their current models that just got the VRR software update. As for Xbox, it isn't about the consoles themselves as far as I'm aware. I think it is all on the TV to run it properly. Also, the MediaTek TV chip is a bottleneck. Sony uses those. Samsung and LG use their own chip but they still have their own limitations. Now, this isn't a big deal, really. You won't even notice anything unless you know what to look for and have different TVs side by side. You have the best TV purchase and you should fully enjoy it. It's just that personally, buying a TV is a big purchase for me, and I find it odd that the company that makes PS5 and TVs can't simply be the best option in gaming hands down. They are getting better though. The latest update has some unique PS5 features that you only get if you have a compatible Sony TV and a PS5 which is something. By the way, I was aiming on getting the 65: X95J myself. But following its news closely, I got disappointed by a thousand cuts. Now I'll wait for the X96J's successor next year- unless Sony doesn't change anything for the 2022 models. We'll know what Sony and the rest of the TV makers do for their 2022 models at CES on Jan. 5th. Fingers crossed.

@@shmookins Thank you for the detailed reply, I bought my xr a80j today and so far I think it’s an amazing TV, yeah I’m not sure 4K gameplay with 120 FPS will be optimal without losing out on some features, I’m just glad to hear that I got a pretty decent TV for gaming as well as viewing TV shows and stuff like that. I’m really new to this stuff. I’ll probably go for a PS5 since it seems to be more compatible with the TV I have. Not to mention I believe that some of these TVs really do have imperceivable Features that we can’t even really admire for the extra money not just visually either. It’s really easy to get lost in specs and stuff like that when in reality if a TV with Shown to you with no labels compared to a higher end model in some cases there’s a decent chance you wouldn’t be able to be able to tell the difference from what I understand.

It depends on what you're looking for! First, if you prefer the slim design of the G1 and want to wall mount it, that could be a factor to consider. Otherwise, it would depend on your usage! The LG has more gaming features like lower input lag and VRR support, but the Sony should get VRR in a future firmware update. The LG has the new evo panel, allowing it to get brighter in HDR, but the Sony still gets a bit brighter in SDR. If gaming isn't really a consideration, we'd suggest going with whatever option is cheaper!

If you're in a bright room, OLED TVs might not be bright enough to overcome the glare. The Samsung QN90A is the best non-OLED alternative we've tested so far this year.

@@RTINGSdotcom Thank you, bro. I live in Japan, and there are only few models of Samsung tv here. Would you recommend any Sony model for bright rooms?

@@tiagoholland The Sony X90J (could be called something different) is truly amazing. It’s super bright and has a lot of gaming features.

HD 1080 could best for you

One thing to note is that we're taking these pictures with a camera and we do our best to make sure they're done in a consistent way so they're more comparable, but it's not a more accurate way to determine the contrast than the measurements we take. We take the pictures though in case people want to see them and compare for themselves.

Yes.

I think it’s Samsung’s 80series upward and maybe hisense TVs

Of the 2021 TVs we reviewed so far, the Samsung QN90A is the brightest. The brightest non-Samsung so far is the Hisense U8G! If you want to see the other options, check this out: www.rtings.com/tv/tools/table/55459