When Sony released the BRAVIA 8 OLED ($1,698) and BRAVIA 9 Mini LED ($2,698) in 2024, they introduced two distinctly different approaches to high-end TV technology. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
Today's premium TVs use two main technologies that work quite differently. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screens have millions of tiny pixels that create their own light and can turn completely off. Think of them like tiny lightbulbs that can switch off entirely, creating perfect blacks. Mini LED, on the other hand, uses thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen to illuminate it, kind of like very precise spotlights that can dim in specific areas.
These technological differences create distinct advantages for each TV type. The BRAVIA 8 with its OLED screen excels at contrast and deep blacks, while the BRAVIA 9 with Mini LED technology can get much brighter and handles reflections better.
Released in July 2024, the BRAVIA 8 builds on Sony's previous OLED success with improved brightness and better processing. In dark rooms, it's simply stunning. The perfect blacks make movies look incredibly cinematic, and the infinite contrast ratio means you'll see every detail in dark scenes. Having tested many OLEDs, I can say Sony's processing is particularly good at handling near-black scenes without the graininess some other brands show.
Launched later in 2024, the BRAVIA 9 represents Sony's latest advancement in Mini LED technology. It can get noticeably brighter than the OLED model - about 30% brighter in HDR highlights. This makes a real difference when watching in bright rooms or enjoying HDR content. The local dimming (where different areas of the backlight can brighten or dim independently) is impressive, though you might occasionally notice a slight blooming effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
Both TVs handle movies beautifully, but they shine in different ways. The BRAVIA 8 excels with dark, moody content like horror movies or space scenes. The BRAVIA 9 makes HDR content pop more, especially in scenes with bright highlights like sunsets or explosions.
Both TVs support 4K gaming at 120Hz and variable refresh rate (which prevents screen tearing during games), but the BRAVIA 8 has a slight edge in response time. This means fast-moving objects look clearer, which is particularly important for competitive gaming. Both work great with the PS5, though the BRAVIA 8's perfect blacks make games like Horizon Forbidden West look especially stunning.
The Mini LED BRAVIA 9 has an advantage for sports watching in bright rooms. Its higher brightness means you won't struggle to see the action during daytime viewing. However, both TVs handle motion equally well, with Sony's excellent processing preventing the blur that can occur during fast movement.
If you're setting up a dedicated home theater, the BRAVIA 8 OLED is probably your best bet. In a controlled lighting environment, its perfect blacks and infinite contrast create a more cinema-like experience. The OLED technology is particularly good at maintaining image quality when viewed from angles, which is crucial for wider seating arrangements.
However, if your home theater doubles as a living room or has significant ambient light, the BRAVIA 9 might be the better choice. Its higher brightness ensures you won't struggle to see the picture even with some lights on or during daytime viewing.
One consideration that often comes up with OLED TVs is the potential for burn-in, where static images displayed for long periods can leave a permanent mark. While this is much less common with modern OLEDs, it's still technically possible. The BRAVIA 9's Mini LED technology doesn't have this risk at all, which might make it a better choice if you watch a lot of news channels or play games with static HUD elements.
At $1,698, the BRAVIA 8 represents better value for most users. It delivers exceptional picture quality and gaming performance at a more reasonable price point. The BRAVIA 9, while excellent, asks for a $1,000 premium at $2,698. That extra cost mainly buys you superior brightness and freedom from burn-in concerns.
Consider these key factors:
For most people, I recommend the BRAVIA 8 OLED. Its perfect blacks, excellent gaming performance, and lower price make it the better value. However, if you have a bright room or watch a lot of TV during the day, the BRAVIA 9's extra brightness might be worth the premium.
Remember, both are excellent TVs that represent the current state of the art in their respective technologies. Your choice should ultimately depend on your specific viewing environment and how you plan to use the TV rather than which is "better" in absolute terms.
| Sony BRAVIA 9 ($2,698) | Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,698) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality and viewing conditions | |
| Mini LED QLED (higher brightness, good for bright rooms) | OLED (perfect blacks, better for dark rooms) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 1,500+ nits (excellent for bright rooms) | 800-900 nits (adequate for moderate lighting) |
| Black Levels - Determines contrast and cinematic feel | |
| Very good (some blooming possible) | Perfect (true infinite contrast) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K/120Hz, VRR (good for gaming) | 4K/120Hz, VRR, faster response (excellent for gaming) |
| Viewing Angles - Matters for wide seating arrangements | |
| Good (some brightness loss off-angle) | Excellent (maintains quality at angles) |
| Long-term Durability - Consider for heavy TV users | |
| No burn-in risk (better for news/static content) | Minimal burn-in risk (requires some care) |
| Smart Platform - Daily usability impact | |
| Google TV (fast, modern interface) | Google TV (fast, modern interface) |
| Value Proposition - Bang for buck | |
| Premium price for brightness advantage | Better value for most users |
The Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,698) is superior for dark room viewing due to its OLED technology providing perfect blacks and infinite contrast. While the BRAVIA 9 is excellent, its Mini LED technology can't match OLED's black levels in a controlled lighting environment.
The BRAVIA 9 ($2,698) is worth the premium mainly if you have a bright viewing environment or concerns about OLED burn-in. For most users, especially those with controlled lighting, the BRAVIA 8 offers better value.
Both TVs support 4K/120Hz gaming, but the BRAVIA 8 has slightly better response times and lower input lag, making it the superior gaming choice. It's particularly excellent for fast-paced games and competitive gaming.
Both TVs use the same Google TV platform and offer identical smart features, including access to streaming services, voice control, and casting capabilities.
Both TVs integrate excellently with home theater audio systems, offering eARC support and compatibility with Dolby Atmos. They both also feature Sony's Acoustic Center Sync for integration with Sony soundbars.
For a dedicated home theater with controlled lighting, the BRAVIA 8 offers better value at $1,698. The BRAVIA 9's higher brightness at $2,698 isn't as beneficial in a proper theater environment.
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 - youtube.com - whathifi.com - crutchfield.com - rtings.com - pcrichard.com - merlinstv.com - youtube.com - sony.ca - electronics.sony.com - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - electronics.sony.com - sony.com - store.sony.co.nz - sony.com - displayspecifications.com
