Sony BRAVIA 8 II Review 2026: Is It Worth the Money?
You turn it on. You play one scene. And you stop scrolling on your phone because the picture grabs your eyes. That is the Sony BRAVIA 8 II experience for many people in 2026.
It is a QD OLED TV that aims for deep blacks, strong color, clean motion, and easy smart features. It also aims to be a serious choice for PS5.
This review keeps things simple. I will explain what feels great, what feels pricey, and who should buy it from Amazon in the US.
In a nutshell:
- The Sony BRAVIA 8 II is a QD OLED TV. That means you get true black levels and bright color at the same time. This mix is the main reason to choose it over many standard OLED models.
- Sony processing is the big win. The XR Processor with AI tech helps with upscaling, smooth gradients, and natural skin tones. You see less noise in lower quality streams and cleaner motion in sports. This is where Sony often beats rivals.
- Gaming is strong for PS5 fans. You get 120Hz support and Sony PS5 features. Input feels fast. Motion stays sharp. Colors stay rich even in fast action.
- Price is the main downside. You pay more than many other OLED options. You should buy it if you value Sony picture tuning and you watch lots of movies and high quality shows.
- Sound is better than most thin TVs, but a soundbar still helps. Dialogue is clear. Effects have punch. Still, a soundbar gives you a bigger soundstage and deeper bass.
- If you want value, look at the alternatives. LG C series models and some Samsung OLED models can cost less while still looking amazing.
Sony BRAVIA 8 II overview in 2026
Sony positions the BRAVIA 8 II as a premium OLED option with QD OLED tech and a strong focus on processing. The goal is simple. Sony wants the image to look natural, not harsh. Many TVs push brightness and sharpness in a way that looks fake. Sony usually chooses a cleaner and more film like look.
In 2026, this approach still works. If you watch Netflix, Apple TV, Disney Plus, and UHD Blu ray, you will notice smooth color transitions and stable motion. If you watch cable news or older shows, you will also notice the upscaling work harder to keep faces and text clean.
This TV is also for people who care about set design. The panel looks sleek on a wall. It looks premium on a stand. It fits living rooms where the TV is part of the room style.
Design and build quality
The BRAVIA 8 II is thin. It looks sharp from the side. It also looks tidy from the front. The bezels feel minimal, so the picture takes the spotlight. Sony keeps the look clean, which helps the TV blend into modern rooms.
Build quality feels solid for a thin OLED. The panel does not feel flimsy when you move it. You still need two people for setup in bigger sizes, but that is normal.
Cable management matters in real life. Sony usually gives you a way to route cables so the back does not look messy. That helps if your TV is visible from different angles.
If you want a TV that looks premium without loud design choices, this one fits. It feels calm and simple, and that is a good thing.
Picture quality: black levels, contrast, and color pop
QD OLED is the star here. You get OLED black levels, so dark scenes look deep and controlled. You also get quantum dot color, so bright colors stay rich. This combo can make movies look intense without looking cartoonish.
You will notice it in space scenes, night scenes, and shadow heavy drama. Blacks stay black, but details still show up. You also see very strong color in animation and nature shots. Greens look alive. Reds look clean. Skin tones stay believable, which is a Sony strength.
Sony processing also helps with gradients. You see fewer ugly color bands in skies and fog. That matters more than many people think. It makes the whole image feel smooth and expensive.
If you want a TV that looks cinematic with punchy but controlled color, this panel type is a great fit.
Brightness and reflections in real rooms
OLED brightness is better than it used to be. QD OLED can also hold color better at higher brightness. That helps in HDR highlights like sunlight, metal reflections, and fire.
Still, brightness is not the full story. Your room matters. If you have a bright living room with windows, reflections can be the real enemy. The BRAVIA 8 II aims to manage reflections well for a glossy OLED, but no OLED is magic in direct sunlight.
For daytime sports, you may want to close blinds for the best look. For night movies, the TV shines. HDR highlights look crisp and controlled, and blacks do not turn gray.
If you watch mostly at night or in a dim room, you will love it. If you watch mostly in bright daylight, you should compare with high end Mini LED models too.
Motion handling for sports and fast action
Sony has a strong reputation for motion. This TV keeps that vibe. Fast camera pans look stable. Sports look smooth without turning players into blurry shapes.
You can tune motion settings to your taste. Some people hate the soap opera effect. Some people want ultra smooth motion for sports. Sony usually gives you enough control to find a sweet spot.
This matters for action movies too. Explosions, quick cuts, and fight scenes stay readable. You do not lose detail in motion as easily as on weaker TVs.
If you are sensitive to stutter in 24p films, you can adjust settings carefully. With the right setup, you get a film look with less annoying judder.
Smart TV experience with Google TV
Google TV is simple for most people. You get the big apps. You get voice search. You get profiles. You get recommendations. The interface is familiar if you already use Android.
Sony also tends to keep things stable. Menus feel clean. App support is strong. You can stream in 4K HDR from major platforms.
One real life detail matters. The remote. Sony remotes often feel better than average. Buttons are easy to find. Layout makes sense. That helps every day.
If you want a smart TV that works like a modern streaming hub, this is a safe choice. It does not feel confusing, and it does not feel cheap.
Gaming on PS5 and next gen consoles
If you own a PS5, Sony makes the experience feel connected. You get features aimed at PS5 players and you get 120Hz support for smooth gameplay. Input lag feels low, so controls feel quick.
Colors also matter in games. QD OLED gives bright color without washing out. Dark scenes in games stay clear, so you can see detail in shadows. That helps in horror games and dark shooters.
For competitive gaming, you still want to tune settings. You want Game Mode on. You want motion extras off. That keeps the response fast.
If you game a lot and you also watch movies, this TV can handle both without feeling like a compromise.
Audio quality and why many owners still add a soundbar
Thin TVs have limits. The BRAVIA 8 II can sound better than many thin TVs, with clearer dialogue and decent impact. But physics still wins. Bass is limited. Wide soundstage is limited.
If you watch action movies, you will want more punch. If you watch dialogue heavy shows, you may still want better voice clarity at lower volume.
A soundbar solves this fast. You get a bigger sound field. You get deeper bass. You get more immersion. This is true even with a premium TV.
If your budget allows it, plan for a soundbar in the same shopping trip. Your ears will thank you.
Top 3 Alternative for Sony BRAVIA 8 II
Best Amazon picks and sizes to consider
The BRAVIA 8 II is commonly seen in 55 inch and 65 inch options on Amazon. Your best size depends on your seating distance and your room.
A 55 inch works well for many apartments and bedrooms. It feels immersive at closer distances. A 65 inch is the safer living room pick for a more cinematic feel.
If you sit far away, you may want bigger, but price jumps fast with premium OLED. If you sit closer, 55 inch can feel huge.
A simple rule helps. If you want movie immersion, go bigger. If you want budget control, stay smaller. Either way, QD OLED quality stays strong.
Who should buy the BRAVIA 8 II in 2026
This TV is for people who care about picture quality more than raw value. If you watch movies often, you will appreciate Sony processing. If you watch high quality streaming and UHD discs, you will see the benefit.
It is also for PS5 owners who want a clean and smooth gaming setup. The TV fits that Sony ecosystem feel.
You may skip it if you want the lowest price for OLED. You may also skip it if your room is extremely bright all day and you refuse to use curtains.
If you want a TV that feels premium every time you turn it on, this one fits.
Setup tips and best settings for a great first week
Start with basic steps. Update the TV firmware. Sign into your streaming apps. Set your picture mode for each input.
For movies, pick a cinema style mode. For sports, choose a mode that boosts brightness and motion clarity but keep it natural. For gaming, enable Game Mode.
Turn off oversharpening. Many TVs ship too sharp. This can make faces look harsh. Keep sharpness moderate.
Also check energy saving settings. Some modes can reduce brightness more than you expect. If HDR looks dim, this is often the reason.
If you do these simple steps, you will get a better image without stress.
FAQs
Is the Sony BRAVIA 8 II good for PS5 gaming in 2026?
Yes. It supports 120Hz gaming features and it feels fast in Game Mode. The picture stays clean in motion and colors stay rich, which helps games look exciting.
Is the BRAVIA 8 II better than the regular BRAVIA 8?
In most cases, yes. The BRAVIA 8 II uses QD OLED, so it can deliver stronger color brightness and more vivid HDR color than many standard OLED setups.
Should I buy the 55 inch or 65 inch BRAVIA 8 II?
Choose based on distance. If you sit closer, 55 inch feels immersive. If you sit farther in a living room, 65 inch feels more cinematic.
Do I still need a soundbar with the BRAVIA 8 II?
Many people still add one. Built in audio is decent for a thin TV, but a soundbar gives deeper bass and a wider soundstage.
Is the BRAVIA 8 II worth it if I only watch streaming content?
Yes, if you stream a lot of 4K HDR shows and movies. Sony processing helps streaming look cleaner. If you mostly watch low quality streams, the TV will help, but the value may feel lower than cheaper options.
