Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90L Review Best for Gaming and Streaming

Description

A Visual Feast: Picture Quality and Display Technology

The Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90L Series (XR65X90L) dazzles with its Cognitive Processor XR, a feature that ensures the picture looks incredibly lifelike. Watching nature documentaries felt like peeking through a window into the real world. The Full Array LED backlight and XR Contrast Booster combine to create stunning depth, with deep blacks and high peak brightness that make colors pop against darker backgrounds. Whether it’s a dimly lit scene in a noir film or a brightly colored animated movie, the XR Triluminos Pro technology delivers billions of colors with astounding accuracy.

I tested this TV with a mix of content—sports, movies, and even gaming. The details in 4K are so crisp that you can almost count the blades of grass in a soccer match. The 16:9 aspect ratio ensures a wide, cinematic feel, making every viewing experience immersive. Dolby Vision support further enhances this, creating a brighter, more vibrant HDR experience. However, while watching fast-paced action scenes, I noticed that the clarity could dip slightly in rare instances, especially in non-optimized content.

Tailored for Gaming Enthusiasts

As someone who loves gaming, I couldn’t wait to put the exclusive PlayStation 5 features to the test. This TV is a gamer’s dream with HDMI 2.1 support for 4K/120Hz refresh rate, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). I experienced buttery-smooth gameplay with no screen tearing or input lag while playing fast-action games like racing and first-person shooters.

The Game Menu is a real lifesaver, consolidating all gaming settings into one intuitive interface. Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode are exclusive for PS5 users, instantly optimizing the picture quality for different types of games. The difference was noticeable; textures were sharper, and colors were more vibrant, making the gaming worlds feel alive. However, gamers using other consoles may not benefit as much from these exclusive features, which could be a drawback for non-PlayStation users.

Good Points

• Cognitive Processor XR delivers lifelike visuals with wide dynamic contrast and realistic colors.
• Full Array LED and XR Triluminos Pro provide exceptional brightness and color accuracy.
• Perfect for gamers with HDMI 2.1, VRR, and PS5-specific features.
• Dolby Vision HDR and IMAX Enhanced support create a cinematic viewing experience.
• The Game Menu simplifies access to all gaming settings.

Smart Features and Streaming Capabilities

The Google TV integration is one of the TV’s standout features, putting all your streaming apps in one convenient place. Voice commands through Google Assistant make it simple to search for content without fumbling through endless menus. Apple users aren’t left out either, as AirPlay support ensures seamless connectivity with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

One surprising perk is the BRAVIA CORE app, which offers 5 free credits for 4K UHD movies and a 12-month subscription to a library of classics. Streaming movies with high-bitrate quality was an absolute pleasure, but I did notice that the app interface could be more user-friendly. Still, the added value makes it worth exploring.

Room-Filling Audio Performance

Audio quality often takes a backseat in TVs, but not here. The Acoustic Multi-Audio system, with its sound-positioning tweeters, ensures that sound matches the picture on-screen. This was most noticeable during action movies, where explosions and dialogue seemed to originate directly from their respective positions on the screen. Dolby Atmos support further enhances the experience by adding a layer of spatial sound.

That said, for true audiophiles or those with larger rooms, an external sound system might still be desirable to achieve the most robust audio experience.

Areas for Improvement

• The BRAVIA CORE app interface could be streamlined for easier navigation.
• Non-PlayStation gamers may not fully benefit from the exclusive gaming features.
• Occasional dips in clarity during fast-moving, non-optimized content.

Market Rivals

Comparing this TV to competitors like the Samsung Q80C and LG C3 OLED, there are notable differences. The Samsung offers similar Full Array LED technology, but its color accuracy doesn’t quite match the Triluminos Pro system. On the other hand, the LG C3’s OLED panel delivers unmatched black levels, though it falls behind in peak brightness, which makes the Sony a better option for brightly lit rooms.

Where the Sony shines is its PlayStation 5 integration, a feature neither Samsung nor LG offers. However, both competitors have slightly more intuitive smart TV interfaces, which could appeal to tech novices.

Smart Spending

Given the myriad of features like Dolby Vision HDR, HDMI 2.1 gaming capabilities, and the Cognitive Processor XR, this TV offers incredible value for its price range. While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, the high-end performance and tailored gaming features make it a worthwhile investment for those who want the best of both entertainment and gaming worlds.

The Sony XR65X90L strikes a balance between premium picture quality, immersive audio, and smart functionality, making it a strong contender in the 65-inch 4K TV category. However, its gaming-centric design may not appeal to non-gamers, and there’s room for improvement in app interfaces and universal accessibility.

Additional information