Our verdict
The Bravia 8 is a cinema-first OLED TV (a WOLED panel, the type LG pioneered). In an OLED screen each pixel makes its own light and can switch off, so dark scenes look deep rather than grey. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG (but not HDR10+), and runs Google TV. Sony's Bravia XR processor handles the picture, and What Hi-Fi praised its balanced, immersive look and great motion handling. Acoustic Surface Audio+ makes the screen itself vibrate to produce sound, a 50W system with Dolby Atmos, so voices seem to come from the picture. Two of the four HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz gaming. The trade-offs are price and bright rooms. It was £2,199 for the 65-inch model on 1 August 2026.
Buy it if
- You want strong contrast and deep blacks for films
- You want sound that seems to come from the picture without buying a soundbar first
- You have compared it with similarly priced 65-inch alternatives
Skip it if
- OLED pricing is higher than you want to pay for the screen size
- You watch mostly in a very bright room
- You have more than two consoles that need HDMI 2.1
How it would fit your home
Film evenings
Deep blacks and Sony's picture processing suit darkened-room viewing of films and drama.
Sound from the screen
Acoustic Surface Audio+ is the second feature to weigh against the price. It aims to make dialogue seem to come from the people on screen.
A busy bright room
OLED can struggle against strong daylight. A brighter LED TV may be the better match, and it may cost less.
The details, in plain English
Watching television and films
The main benefit is OLED contrast: each pixel can switch off, so dark scenes look deep rather than grey. Sony's processing keeps the picture clear on a large screen, and smoother movement helps sport and games. Static logos and menus can leave marks on OLED screens over time, so vary what you leave on screen and do not leave a menu or channel logo showing for hours.
Sound
Acoustic Surface Audio+ turns the screen into part of the speaker system: small actuators vibrate the panel, helped by two tweeters and a bass driver, 50W in total with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Voices seem to come from the picture instead of below it. What Hi-Fi rated the sound good by TV standards, but a soundbar is still worth considering if you want more bass and volume.
Connections and gaming
The Bravia 8 has two HDMI 2.1 ports and two HDMI 2.0b ports. HDMI 2.1 carries the newest console signals, so put a PS5 or Xbox Series X on those. Older devices, such as a Blu-ray player or set-top box, can use the HDMI 2.0b ports. If you have more than two new consoles, that limit matters.
Value at 65 inches
At £2,199 for 65 inches, OLED costs more than many capable backlit alternatives. Very bright rooms can favour a powerful LED TV with better control over dark scenes. Compare like with like at the same size before you decide. Sony's sound-from-screen system and cinema-style processing are the reasons to pay more, so weigh those against brightness, and check what a good LED TV would cost for the same money.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- OLED screen, so dark scenes look deep rather than grey
- Acoustic Surface Audio+ makes the screen itself produce sound, so voices seem to come from the picture
- Clear, detailed picture that suits a large 65-inch screen
- Smoother movement for sport and modern games
- Two HDMI 2.1 ports for newer consoles, plus two HDMI 2.0b ports
What to watch out for
- OLED pricing is higher than many capable backlit (LED) alternatives
- Very bright rooms can favour a brighter LED TV with better control over dark scenes
- Static logos and menus still make sensible screen-care habits worthwhile
- Only two of the four HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1
We compare the Bravia 8 at 65 inches so screen size cannot disguise a price difference. Screen type, brightness and motion handling then decide the better fit.
Make the Sony Bravia 8 easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: only two of the four HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1
Cable Matters 4-Port 8K HDMI Switch, product ID 103101 Not yet reviewed by us
Shares a remaining suitable HDMI input between consoles or boxes, reducing cable swapping when the TV has too few suitable sockets.
Check first: Connect soundbar eARC directly to the TV.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sony Bravia 8 (this one) | A well-matched 65-inch TV for film fans who want strong contrast and screen-based sound, if the OLED premium and bright rooms do not put you off. | £2,699RRP · 65-inch model, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony Bravia 8 II (65-inch) | A film-first OLED for people who value natural picture processing and clear built-in sound, provided you do not need more than two full-spec gaming ports. | £2,999RRP · 65 inches, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony Bravia 7 II | A strong 65-inch choice for film fans who watch in bright rooms and value Sony's processing, provided you are happy with two full-speed HDMI 2.1 ports and budget for a soundbar. | £2,299RRP · 65-inch model, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony Bravia 9 II 65-inch | A superb bright-room TV with first-class processing, held back by only two full-speed gaming inputs and a very high price | £3,499RRP · 65-inch television, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. We checked the exact product against the official and independent sources listed below. Specifications and measurements come from those sources, and we have not tested this TV ourselves. Our search of Sony UK's page did not return detailed specifications, so check them before you buy.