Let's dive into comparing two of 2024's most impressive OLED TVs: the Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED at $1,698 and the LG G4 Series 65" OLED evo at $2,599. Both represent the latest in OLED technology, which creates images using pixels that produce their own light rather than requiring a backlight like traditional LED TVs.
OLED technology has come a long way since its mainstream introduction in 2013. Today's models offer significantly better brightness and durability, addressing the two main concerns from early OLED days. The perfect blacks and infinite contrast that made OLED famous remain, but now they're paired with much brighter displays and better processing.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 and LG G4 take different approaches to picture quality. Sony focuses on accurate color reproduction and natural images, while LG pushes the boundaries of brightness with their new MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology.
The LG G4's MLA technology uses tiny lenses to focus the OLED light output, achieving peak brightness levels over 1000 nits (a measure of brightness). The Sony BRAVIA 8 reaches around 800 nits - plenty bright for most viewing conditions, but noticeably dimmer in very bright rooms.
Sony has traditionally led in color accuracy, and the BRAVIA 8 continues this tradition. Its processing creates remarkably natural skin tones and subtle color gradations. The LG G4 is no slouch either, but it tends to produce slightly more vibrant, punchy colors that some viewers might find less true-to-life.
Gaming capabilities have become increasingly important for high-end TVs, and both models offer impressive features for gamers.
The LG G4 is clearly the gaming champion, offering:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 provides:
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart platforms, but they're quite different in approach:
In a dedicated home theater setting, both TVs excel but have different strengths:
The $900 price difference between these TVs is significant, making value assessment crucial:
Having spent time with both displays, I can share some practical observations:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 excels at making everything look natural and cinematic. Whether you're watching a 4K movie or upscaled cable TV, it just looks right. The processing is sophisticated enough to improve lower-quality content without making it look artificial.
The LG G4 really shines in bright rooms and with HDR content. Those extra nits of brightness make spectacular scenes pop in a way the Sony can't quite match. For gaming, the LG's more comprehensive feature set and lower input lag make it the clear choice for serious gamers.
Choose the Sony BRAVIA 8 if:
Choose the LG G4 if:
Both the Sony BRAVIA 8 and LG G4 are exceptional TVs that represent the current state of the art in OLED technology. The Sony offers tremendous value and picture quality that will satisfy most viewers, while the LG G4 pushes the boundaries of what OLED can do with brightness and gaming features.
For most users, the Sony BRAVIA 8's more attractive price point and excellent all-around performance make it the smarter choice. However, if you need the absolute best brightness or gaming features and don't mind paying for them, the LG G4 is a fantastic premium option that justifies its higher price tag with cutting-edge technology and features.
Remember that both TVs will provide years of excellent service, and either choice represents a significant step up from older or lower-end TVs. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs, viewing environment, and budget rather than any significant quality concerns.
Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED TV - $1,698 |
LG G4 65" OLED evo 4K UHD - $2,599 |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 800 nits (good for moderate lighting) | 1000+ nits (excellent for bright rooms) |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports - Important for connecting modern gaming consoles and devices | |
| 2 ports (limited for complex setups) | 4 ports (ideal for multiple gaming devices) |
| Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion, especially for gaming | |
| 120Hz (standard for high-end gaming) | 144Hz (slight advantage for PC gaming) |
| Processing Technology - Affects picture quality and upscaling performance | |
| XR Processor (excellent for movies, natural look) | α11 AI Processor (faster, gaming-optimized) |
| Panel Technology - Impacts overall brightness and performance | |
| Standard OLED (proven reliability) | OLED evo with MLA (newer, brighter technology) |
| Smart Platform - Affects user experience and app availability | |
| Google TV (simpler, more intuitive) | webOS 24 (more customizable, gaming-focused) |
| Gaming Features - Important for serious gamers | |
| Basic VRR/ALLM support (good for casual gaming) | Advanced gaming features, G-Sync (better for enthusiasts) |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 2.1ch, 50W (better built-in sound) | 4.2ch (good, but may still want soundbar) |
For dedicated home theater use, the Sony BRAVIA 8 at $1,698 offers better value with superior film processing and natural colors. However, if your theater isn't completely dark, the LG G4 at $2,599 provides better HDR performance with higher brightness.
The $900 premium for the LG G4 is only worth it if you need maximum brightness, advanced gaming features, or multiple HDMI 2.1 ports. For most users, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers excellent performance at a better value.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has more accurate colors and better motion processing for films, while the LG G4 offers brighter HDR highlights. For pure movie watching in a controlled lighting environment, the Sony's natural presentation is preferred.
The LG G4 is superior for gaming with four HDMI 2.1 ports, 144Hz refresh rate, and comprehensive gaming features. The Sony BRAVIA 8 still offers good gaming performance but with fewer gaming-specific features.
The LG G4 performs significantly better in bright rooms thanks to its MLA technology and higher peak brightness. The Sony BRAVIA 8 is better suited for moderate to low-light environments.
While both TVs offer decent built-in audio, a soundbar is recommended for home theater use. The Sony BRAVIA 8 has slightly better built-in sound, but both the LG G4 and Sony benefit significantly from external audio.
Both handle motion well, but the LG G4 has an advantage with higher brightness for daytime sports viewing. The Sony BRAVIA 8 offers excellent motion processing for sports in controlled lighting.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has superior upscaling for non-4K content, making it better for watching cable TV or older movies. The LG G4 performs well but prioritizes enhancement of modern content.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses Google TV, which is more intuitive and user-friendly. The LG G4 uses webOS, which offers more customization but has a steeper learning curve.
Both the Sony BRAVIA 8 and LG G4 are built to last 5-7 years with normal use. Both manufacturers have implemented anti-burn-in technology and offer similar warranty coverage.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 offers excellent out-of-box accuracy, rarely needing calibration. The LG G4 may benefit more from professional calibration to achieve its best picture quality.
The LG G4 is more versatile for multi-purpose rooms due to its higher brightness and gaming features. However, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers better value if the room has moderate light control.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - electronics.sony.com - sony.com - store.sony.co.nz - sony.com - displayspecifications.com - tomsguide.com - crutchfield.com - visions.ca - youtube.com - cnet.com - schaeferstv.com - rtings.com - costco.com - bhphotovideo.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - abcwarehouse.com - youtube.com
