TVs / Sony BRAVIA 5 vs TCL Q6 (65Q651G)
Sony BRAVIA 5 vs TCL Q6 (65Q651G)
Sony BRAVIA 5
Sony's accessible Mini LED TV — no True RGB, but real local dimming at a value price.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
A 0.6-point gap makes the Sony BRAVIA 5 the straightforward choice here. Sony's accessible Mini LED TV — no True RGB, but real local dimming at a value price.
The Sony BRAVIA 5 and TCL Q6 (65Q651G) are both closely matched TV models, and the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) is $498 cheaper than the Sony BRAVIA 5 ($399.99 vs $898). On Picture Quality, the Sony BRAVIA 5 leads (7.8 vs 6.5/10) — panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy. On Gaming Features, the Sony BRAVIA 5 leads (7.3 vs 6.5/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. On Brightness & HDR, the Sony BRAVIA 5 leads (7.5 vs 6.8/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. Overall, the Sony BRAVIA 5 scores 7.6/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.0/10 for the TCL Q6 (65Q651G). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Sony BRAVIA 5 | TCL Q6 (65Q651G) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $898.00 | $399.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Screen Size (in) | 55 | 65 |
| Panel Type | Mini LED VA panel | QLED (edge-lit, non-Mini-LED) |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | 1000 | Not independently confirmed |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 120✓ | 60 |
| Processor | Cognitive Processor XR | AIPQ Processor |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports (ports) | Labeled HDMI 2.1 on 2 of 4 ports, but bandwidth-limited to 24Gbps per some testing — not full-bandwidth 4K/120 HDR | Not independently confirmed |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Google TV | Google TV |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | Yes | No |
| Built-in Audio System | Not officially specified | Not officially specified |
| Built-in Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
The Sony BRAVIA 5 leads clearly here, 7.8 against 6.5 — a 1.3-point margin on panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Brightness & HDR
The Sony BRAVIA 5 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.8 — a 0.7-point margin on peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming Features
The Sony BRAVIA 5 leads clearly here, 7.3 against 6.5 — a 0.8-point margin on refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Platform
The Sony BRAVIA 5 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.8 — a 0.7-point margin on OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Built-in Sound
The Sony BRAVIA 5 is marginally ahead, 6.5 to 6.2. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support is your priority.
Design & Build
The Sony BRAVIA 5 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.8 — a 0.7-point margin on panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The TCL Q6 (65Q651G) is marginally ahead, 7.2 to 6.8. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars is your priority.
Value
The Sony BRAVIA 5 is marginally ahead, 8.7 to 8.3. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if performance and features relative to price is your priority.
Best For
Choose the Sony BRAVIA 5 if…
- • Picture Quality matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 5 scores 7.8/10 here (panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy).
- • Gaming Features matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 5 scores 7.3/10 here (refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support).
- • Brightness & HDR matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 5 scores 7.5/10 here (peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail).
- • Smart Platform matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 5 scores 8.5/10 here (OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support).
- • Design & Build matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 5 scores 7.5/10 here (panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish).
Pros & Cons
Sony BRAVIA 5
Pros
- +Real Mini LED local dimming at Sony's most accessible price point
- +Cognitive Processor XR — the same AI upscaling brand used on Sony's flagships
- +Available up to a huge 98"
- +Frequent deep discounts make it an exceptional value pick
Cons
- −HDMI ports are labeled HDMI 2.1 but bandwidth-limited on some models — not true full-bandwidth 4K/120 HDR on every port
- −No True RGB backlight, unlike the 9 II/7 II
- −Lower measured brightness than the rest of this Sony lineup
TCL Q6 (65Q651G)
Pros
- +TCL's most affordable QLED tier — quantum dot color without the Mini LED price premium
- +Full Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support at an entry price
- +Adjustable-width stand fits a range of furniture
- +Available across 4 sizes from 55" to 85"
Cons
- −Edge-lit backlight, not Mini LED — noticeably less contrast and more blooming than the QM-series above it
- −60Hz native refresh with no true VRR, weaker for gaming than the QM6K
- −Peak brightness and HDMI port count not independently confirmed
- −This is the 2024 65Q651G — TCL has not released a 2025 or 2026 Q6 at 65 inches, so it is the current model by default rather than by refresh
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sony BRAVIA 5 or TCL Q6 (65Q651G) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sony BRAVIA 5 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Picture Quality, the Sony BRAVIA 5 or the TCL Q6 (65Q651G)?+
The Sony BRAVIA 5 scores higher on Picture Quality (7.8/10 vs 6.5/10) — panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy.
Which is better for Gaming Features, the Sony BRAVIA 5 or the TCL Q6 (65Q651G)?+
The Sony BRAVIA 5 scores higher on Gaming Features (7.3/10 vs 6.5/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support.
Which is better for Brightness & HDR, the Sony BRAVIA 5 or the TCL Q6 (65Q651G)?+
The Sony BRAVIA 5 scores higher on Brightness & HDR (7.5/10 vs 6.8/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail.
Which is better for Smart Platform, the Sony BRAVIA 5 or the TCL Q6 (65Q651G)?+
The Sony BRAVIA 5 scores higher on Smart Platform (8.5/10 vs 7.8/10) — OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support.
Is the Sony BRAVIA 5 worth the price difference over the TCL Q6 (65Q651G)?+
The TCL Q6 (65Q651G) is the cheaper option at $399.99 versus $898. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Picture Quality.
What's the warranty on the Sony BRAVIA 5 vs the TCL Q6 (65Q651G)?+
The Sony BRAVIA 5 ships with a 12-month warranty; the TCL Q6 (65Q651G) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Toshiba M550 — $379.99
Premium Option
Sony BRAVIA 7 II — $2600.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.