The Sony X90J and Sony A90J OLED are two top-of-the-line 4K TVs for 2021, but which one should you really take with you? Having had the pleasure of testing both TVs, we can say with certainty that either one is a good choice for a new TV upgrade, although there are some key differences to keep in mind.” While both are impressive displays,
only the A90J fits in an OLED panel, while the X90J gets by with an LCD solution. In general, the older set will provide a more premium experience, though the trade-offs may be worth getting the X90J for a much lower price. And with Sony TVs finally starting to catch up with HDMI 2.1 specs and porting to a new Google Smart TV platform, our usual complaints about Sony displays just don't apply to these two sets. For a detailed overview of the price, size, panel, processing, and audio differences between the Sony A90J and the Sony X90J, keep reading below.
Sony A90J vs Sony X90J: prices and sizes
First:
Sony televisions are not the cheapest on the market. You typically pay a 10-20% premium over an equivalent LG OLED TV, for example, which isn't to say that Sony TVs are overpriced, but the overall picture quality and overall sound package they offer makes them more expensive than a television. some other models. The cut-down Sony A80J OLED costs the same as LG's 2021 flagship, the G1 OLED, for example. The Sony A90J OLED starts at €2,799 / €2,699, going up to €3,799 / €3,499 / €4,999AU for a 65-inch size and €7,999 / €6,999 for an 83-inch model. It completely jumps over a 77-inch model, so anyone in that area will have to go for the X90J. Speaking of which, the X90J starts at a much more affordable €1,299 / €1,149 / AU$1,895 for its smaller 50-inch size. This goes up to €1,499 / €1,249 / AU$2,195 for a 55-inch waist, €1,799 / €1,499 / AU$2,695 for a 65-inch waist, or €2,499 / €2,599 / AU$4,299 for her plus size 75 inches. Then you pay about half the amount for the X90J in an equivalent size.
Sony A90J OLED (Image credit: Sony) This 83-inch OLED TV size is also new for 2021, currently only applying to the A90J and LG C1, though we were hoping to see it on more screens in the future.
Sony A90J vs Sony X90J: OLED or LCD?
The biggest
disparity between the A90J and the X90J it is the OLED panel used by the former. Sony is releasing a mix of OLED and LCD displays, the former using an "A" at the beginning of the product name (as in "A90J"), while those with an LCD panel use "X" (as in "X90J" ) . These are completely different types of panels. LCD-LED displays are more common because it is a cheaper technology that mixes an LCD panel with an LED backlight that illuminates it from behind. (Very inexpensive models may use "edge lighting," where images are lit on the sides, but that's not an issue here.) OLED panels, on the other hand, are self-emissive, meaning they produce their own light. Each pixel can be controlled individually or turned off entirely, creating stark (or even "infinity") contrast between the light and dark areas of the screen and generally more cinematic images. Without the need for a backlight, OLED TVs also tend to be much thinner, which is why the A90J is just 41mm deep, while the X90J is 70mm thicker.
Sony X90J (Image credit: Sony) You'll get a better picture with the A90J, there's no question about that. Although there are other things to take into account before launching into the purchase of high-end OLED televisions.
Sony A90J vs Sony X90J: design and specifications
So what else is there to know?
The X90J comes with pretty standard TV mountswhile the A90J has adjustable feet that can be raised up (to accommodate a soundbar) or propped up against the counter. Both come with a new Google TV platform, rather than the usual Android TV support we've seen on 2020 Sony TVs. Google TV is a bit flashier, with content recommendations pulled from the top ones. Streaming apps and a watchlist to report. content for later. You'll even get a Sony-exclusive movie app called Bravia Core, which can be found in most Sony Picture Entertainment catalogs, including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Jumanji: The Next Level. This is something that no other TV has at the moment and since it's essentially free to try, it's worth checking out, although this is a small advantage amongst everything the platform has to offer. Both displays also use Cognitive Processor XR, a high-end chipset with exceptional scaling and contrast control, regardless of which panel it's running on. Either way, you get 4K resolution, a 120Hz panel, and two HDMI 2.1 inputs (with eARC, VRR, and ALLM) to maximize performance for next-generation gaming consoles. You'll only get Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature on the A90J, where sound is output from the panel itself. Our reviewer praised its “robust sound supported by two rear-firing low-frequency speakers”, and the ability to use the screen as the center channel of a surround sound setup. The X90J is content with more traditional TV sound. , thanks to its X-Balanced speaker, which we think delivers "solid sound with good mids but weak bass. Neither package produces Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision HDR audio, and those behind the latter format will probably want a TV OLED from LG or Panasonic.
Sony A90J vs Sony X90J: conclusion
Choosing a new TV is always difficult, but the stark differences in price and picture quality should make it relatively easy. If you've got the budget for the Sony A90J OLED, that's a no-brainer, with an OLED panel and improved sound alongside all the connectivity specs and processing smarts found in the X90J. That said, if you're primarily looking for a good gaming TV or don't need an impressive OLED display to keep you happy, the X90J is around half the price, while offering more flexible size options (inches, 75-inches). inch) which is not found in its premium sibling. The best Sony TV deals right now