Should I get A80J or A90J?

Answered by John Hunt

When it comes to deciding between the Sony A80J OLED and the Sony A90J OLED, there are a few factors to consider. Both TVs offer incredible picture quality and are packed with features, making them excellent choices for home entertainment.

Picture Quality:
Both the A80J and A90J use OLED panels, which are known for their deep blacks and vibrant colors. This results in excellent contrast and a wide color gamut, ensuring that you’ll get stunning visuals with both TVs. The A80J has Sony’s XR Cognitive Processor, while the A90J comes with the more advanced XR Cognitive Processor XR. This new processor offers better image processing and upscaling capabilities, resulting in improved picture quality, especially with lower-resolution content.

Brightness:
One notable difference between the A80J and A90J is the brightness. The A90J utilizes Sony’s new Cognitive Processor XR and a unique heatsink technology, allowing it to achieve higher peak brightness in HDR content compared to the A80J. While the difference may not be significant, it can make a subtle impact on HDR scenes, particularly in bright rooms or with HDR content that has a lot of specular highlights.

Audio Quality:
Both the A80J and A90J feature Acoustic Surface Audio, which uses the TV’s screen to produce sound. This creates a more immersive audio experience, as the sound appears to come directly from the screen. However, the A90J takes it a step further with the addition of an additional center speaker, which enhances dialogue clarity. If audio quality is a priority for you, the A90J might be the better choice.

Design and Build Quality:
In terms of design and build quality, both the A80J and A90J are premium TVs. They have thin bezels and sleek designs that will complement any living space. The A90J, however, comes with a more robust stand that provides better stability, making it a better option if you plan to place the TV on a stand rather than mounting it on a wall.

Gaming and Features:
Both the A80J and A90J offer a great gaming experience with support for HDMI 2.1 features, including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and 4K 120Hz gaming. These features ensure smooth gameplay and reduced input lag, making them ideal for gamers. Additionally, both TVs run on Android TV, providing access to a wide range of streaming apps and smart features.

Price:
Price is always an important consideration when making a purchasing decision. The A90J is typically priced higher than the A80J due to its additional features and improved picture quality. If you’re on a budget, the A80J may be the more affordable option without sacrificing too much in terms of performance.

Both the Sony A80J OLED and the Sony A90J OLED offer outstanding picture quality and a premium viewing experience. If you’re looking for slightly better brightness and enhanced audio quality, the A90J might be worth the extra investment. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t require the additional features, the A80J is still an excellent choice that delivers exceptional performance. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on your specific needs and budget.