TVs / Sony BRAVIA 8 II vs Panasonic Z95B
Sony BRAVIA 8 II vs Panasonic Z95B
Panasonic Z95B
Panasonic's flagship 2026 OLED, built around class-leading built-in sound and a new Tandem panel.
Wins overall by 0.4 points
Quick Verdict
The Panasonic Z95B is the stronger all-around pick, beating the Sony BRAVIA 8 II by 0.4 points overall. Panasonic's flagship 2026 OLED, built around class-leading built-in sound and a new Tandem panel.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 II and Panasonic Z95B are both current-generation tv, and the Panasonic Z95B is $200 cheaper than the Sony BRAVIA 8 II ($3099 vs $3299). On connectivity, the Panasonic Z95B leads (9.3 vs 7.0/10) — hdmi 2.1 port count and other i/o for consoles and soundbars. On smart platform, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II leads (8.5 vs 7.8/10) — os responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support. On brightness & hdr, the Panasonic Z95B leads (8.8 vs 8.3/10) — peak nits and hdr format support for highlight detail. Overall, the Panasonic Z95B scores 8.6/10 across our 8 test categories versus 8.2/10 for the Sony BRAVIA 8 II. 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 8 II | Panasonic Z95B |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3299.00 | $3099.00 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Screen Size (in) | 65 | 65 |
| Panel Type | 3rd-Gen QD-OLED (Sony custom heatsink + XR processing) | Primary RGB Tandem OLED (Master OLED Ultra) |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | 1584 | Not independently confirmed in nits; Panasonic's new ThermalFlow cooling is designed to push the Tandem panel harder than prior generations |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 120 | 144✓ |
| Processor | Cognitive Processor XR | HCX Pro AI Processor MK II |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports (ports) | 2 | 4✓ |
| HDR Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Google TV | Fire TV (Panasonic TV Premium) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Audio System | Acoustic Surface Audio+, 2.2ch, 50W (2 actuators + 2 subwoofers) | 360° Soundscape Pro, front/side/upward-firing speakers + 30W woofer (tuned by Technics) |
| Built-in Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
On picture quality, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 9.5/10 versus 9.4/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy. The two are essentially tied here.
Brightness & HDR
On brightness & hdr, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.3/10 versus 8.8/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — peak nits and hdr format support for highlight detail. The Panasonic Z95B has the edge (8.8 vs 8.3).
Gaming Features
On gaming features, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.3/10 versus 8.6/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — refresh rate, vrr, input lag, and console support. The Panasonic Z95B has the edge (8.6 vs 8.3).
Smart Platform
On smart platform, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.5/10 versus 7.8/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — os responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support. The Sony BRAVIA 8 II has the edge (8.5 vs 7.8).
Built-in Sound
On built-in sound, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.8/10 versus 9.2/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — onboard speaker power, clarity, and dolby atmos support. The Panasonic Z95B has the edge (9.2 vs 8.8).
Design & Build
On design & build, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 9.0/10 versus 8.7/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish. The Sony BRAVIA 8 II has the edge (9.0 vs 8.7).
Connectivity
On connectivity, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 7.0/10 versus 9.3/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — hdmi 2.1 port count and other i/o for consoles and soundbars. The Panasonic Z95B has the edge (9.3 vs 7.0).
Value
On value, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 6.5/10 versus 6.9/10 for the Panasonic Z95B — performance and features relative to price. The Panasonic Z95B has the edge (6.9 vs 6.5).
Best For
Choose the Sony BRAVIA 8 II if…
- • Smart Platform matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.5/10 here (os responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support).
Choose the Panasonic Z95B if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Panasonic Z95B scores 9.3/10 here (hdmi 2.1 port count and other i/o for consoles and soundbars).
- • Brightness & HDR matters most to you — the Panasonic Z95B scores 8.8/10 here (peak nits and hdr format support for highlight detail).
- • Value matters most to you — the Panasonic Z95B scores 6.9/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
- • Built-in Sound matters most to you — the Panasonic Z95B scores 9.2/10 here (onboard speaker power, clarity, and dolby atmos support).
- • You want to spend less — it's $200 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
Pros
- +25% brighter than the outgoing A95L thanks to Sony's 3rd-gen QD-OLED panel
- +Acoustic Surface Audio+ turns the whole panel into a 50W 2.2-channel speaker
- +AI Scene Recognition for real-time picture optimization
- +Google TV smart platform with deep Chromecast/Assistant integration
Cons
- −Maxes out at 4K/120Hz — no 165Hz mode like the LG/Samsung flagships
- −Only 2 of 4 HDMI ports are full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1
- −Available in just 55" and 65" sizes
Panasonic Z95B
Pros
- +One of the best built-in TV sound systems on the market — 360° Soundscape Pro tuned by Technics
- +New ThermalFlow cooling pushes the Tandem panel to higher sustained brightness
- +Full HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support (a rare combination)
- +HCX Pro AI Processor MK II with strong color science
Cons
- −144Hz refresh — below the 165Hz offered by the LG/Samsung flagships
- −Fire TV platform has a smaller native app/settings footprint than webOS or Tizen
- −Peak brightness not independently measured at review time
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or Panasonic Z95B better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Panasonic Z95B 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 connectivity, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Panasonic Z95B?+
The Panasonic Z95B scores higher on connectivity (9.3/10 vs 7.0/10) — hdmi 2.1 port count and other i/o for consoles and soundbars.
Which is better for smart platform, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Panasonic Z95B?+
The Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores higher on smart platform (8.5/10 vs 7.8/10) — os responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support.
Which is better for brightness & hdr, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Panasonic Z95B?+
The Panasonic Z95B scores higher on brightness & hdr (8.8/10 vs 8.3/10) — peak nits and hdr format support for highlight detail.
Which is better for value, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Panasonic Z95B?+
The Panasonic Z95B scores higher on value (6.9/10 vs 6.5/10) — performance and features relative to price.
Is the Sony BRAVIA 8 II worth the price difference over the Panasonic Z95B?+
The Panasonic Z95B is the cheaper option at $3099 versus $3299. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in connectivity.
What's the warranty on the Sony BRAVIA 8 II vs the Panasonic Z95B?+
The Sony BRAVIA 8 II ships with a 12-month warranty; the Panasonic Z95B 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
Panasonic Z95B — $3099.00
Premium Option
Sony BRAVIA 8 II — $3299.00