Bravia XR A95L 65-inch QD-OLED TV

A TV That Justifies Its Price Tag (Sort Of)

The Sony A95L is the kind of TV that makes you stop and stare. When you turn on bright HDR content, reviewers say it will genuinely knock your socks off. The combination of Samsung's QD-OLED panel technology with Sony's Cognitive Processor XR creates a picture that's almost impossibly vibrant and bright, with colors that look natural and authentic rather than oversaturated.

Lab tests show 99.95% coverage of the P3 color gamut, which is basically perfect. The TV reaches 1215 nits of peak brightness, so bright scenes in movies and games really pop. Motion handling is near-flawless, and the input lag of 16.1ms makes it genuinely excellent for gaming. If you're a console gamer looking for a big-screen TV, this handles 4K at 120Hz with VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode beautifully.

The design is understated and premium. Super-thin bezels, aluminum feet, and a minimalist approach that doesn't scream "look at me." Just know it needs serious furniture space, about 145cm minimum.

Here's where it gets tricky: the price. At nearly $2,932, this is a luxury purchase. Reviewers consistently note it costs significantly more than excellent competitors like the LG G3 and Samsung S95C. For most families, that's a real stretch.

The Google TV interface works fine but can feel sluggish on startup. You get four HDMI ports, but only two are HDMI 2.1, which is a bit limiting if you're connecting multiple gaming devices.

But here's the thing: reviewers keep recommending it anyway, even three years after release. One called it "that kind of product" where you make an exception. If you're serious about your home theater setup and you can afford it, the A95L delivers picture quality that's genuinely hard to beat. Just make sure you really want it, because that's a lot of money.

The A95L is Brilliant, But the Price Tag is Hard to Swallow

Let's be clear: the Sony A95L is an outstanding television. The QD-OLED panel paired with Sony's Cognitive Processor XR produces some of the best picture quality available today. Peak brightness hits 1215 nits in HDR, color gamut coverage reaches 99.95% DCI-P3, and the overall image tuning is authentic and cinematic. For pure display performance, this TV competes with the best in the world.

But here's the problem: you're buying a three-year-old flagship at near-current flagship prices.

At $2,800 for the 65-inch model, the A95L costs significantly more than the LG G3 and Samsung S95C, which offer comparable or superior performance with newer processors and better software. Tom's Guide even notes it's rare to recommend a three-year-old TV, which tells you everything about market positioning. The A95L won the Value Electronics annual TV Shootout, but that's more about its sustained excellence than current value proposition.

The connectivity situation is genuinely frustrating. Four HDMI ports with only two supporting 2.1 bandwidth is limiting for a $2,800 TV. If you're serious about gaming and want flexibility for multiple high-bandwidth devices, you'll feel the constraint immediately. This isn't a minor spec gap, it's a real limitation that competitors handle better.

Software is another weak point. Google TV feels sluggish on startup, and Sony is still promising gaming features that haven't arrived. At this price tier, you shouldn't be waiting for promised updates. The app performance inconsistency undercuts the premium positioning.

Where the A95L genuinely shines is picture quality and sound. The audio is crisp and spacious, noticeably better than most competitors. Gaming performance is excellent with near-perfect motion handling and low input lag. If you're prioritizing a premium home theater experience and can accept the connectivity limitations, the A95L delivers.

But the business case is weak. You're paying a premium for last-generation tech with software that needs work. For the same money, newer models offer better value. The A95L is worth considering only if picture quality and sound are your exclusive priorities and you don't care about having the latest platform.