TCRThe Comparison Report

TVs / Sony BRAVIA 8 II vs Sony BRAVIA 9 II

Sony BRAVIA 8 II vs Sony BRAVIA 9 II

Best Overall (Close Call)

Sony BRAVIA 8 II

Sony's brightest OLED yet, built around Acoustic Surface Audio+ and a new 3rd-gen QD-OLED panel.

Wins overall by 0.2 points

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Quick Verdict

Too close to call on score alone: 0.2 points separate them. Sony's brightest OLED yet, built around Acoustic Surface Audio+ and a new 3rd-gen QD-OLED panel. The Sony BRAVIA 9 II answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II and Sony BRAVIA 9 II are both current-generation TV models, and the Sony BRAVIA 8 II is $301 cheaper than the Sony BRAVIA 9 II ($3,299 vs $3,600). On Value, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II leads (6.5 vs 4.8/10) — performance and features relative to price. On Brightness & HDR, the Sony BRAVIA 9 II leads (9.6 vs 8.3/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. On Gaming Features, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II leads (8.3 vs 7.5/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. Overall, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.2/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.0/10 for the Sony BRAVIA 9 II, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.

Side-by-Side Comparison

SpecSony BRAVIA 8 IISony BRAVIA 9 II
Price$3299.00$3600.00
Release Year20262026
Screen Size (in)6565
Panel Type3rd-Gen QD-OLED (Sony custom heatsink + XR processing)True RGB Mini LED
Resolution3840x2160 (4K UHD)3840x2160 (4K UHD)
Peak Brightness (nits)15843990
Refresh Rate (Hz)120Not independently confirmed
ProcessorCognitive Processor XRCognitive Processor XR
HDMI 2.1 Ports (ports)22
HDR FormatsDolby Vision, HDR10, HLGDolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Smart PlatformGoogle TVGoogle TV
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)YesYes
Built-in Audio SystemAcoustic Surface Audio+, 2.2ch, 50W (2 actuators + 2 subwoofers)Acoustic Multi-Audio+, 2.2.2-channel, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Built-in Dolby AtmosYesYes
Warranty12 months12 months
ColorsBlackBlack

Category Scores

Picture QualityPanel technology, contrast, and color accuracy
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
9.5
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
9.6
Brightness & HDRPeak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
8.3
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
9.6
Gaming FeaturesRefresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
8.3
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
7.5
Smart PlatformOS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
8.5
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
8.5
Built-in SoundOnboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
8.8
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
8.8
Design & BuildPanel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
9.0
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
9.0
ConnectivityHDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
7.0
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
6.5
ValuePerformance and features relative to price
Sony BRAVIA 8 II
6.5
Sony BRAVIA 9 II
4.8
Picture QualityBrightness & HDRGaming FeaturesSmart PlatformBuilt-in SoundDesign & BuildConnectivityValue
Sony BRAVIA 8 II Sony BRAVIA 9 II

Picture Quality

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II and Sony BRAVIA 9 II are level here, at 9.5/10 each. panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.

Brightness & HDR

The Sony BRAVIA 9 II leads clearly here, 9.6 against 8.3 — a 1.3-point margin on peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II does not close the gap elsewhere.

Gaming Features

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II leads clearly here, 8.3 against 7.5 — a 0.8-point margin on refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA 9 II does not close the gap elsewhere.

Smart Platform

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II and Sony BRAVIA 9 II are level here, at 8.5/10 each. OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.

Built-in Sound

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II and Sony BRAVIA 9 II are level here, at 8.8/10 each. onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.

Design & Build

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II and Sony BRAVIA 9 II are level here, at 9.0/10 each. panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.

Connectivity

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-point margin on HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA 9 II does not close the gap elsewhere.

Value

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II leads clearly here, 6.5 against 4.8 — a 1.7-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA 9 II does not close the gap elsewhere.

Best For

Choose the Sony BRAVIA 8 II if…

  • Value matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 6.5/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
  • Gaming Features matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 8.3/10 here (refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support).
  • Connectivity matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores 7.0/10 here (HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars).
  • You want to spend less — it's $301 cheaper.

Choose the Sony BRAVIA 9 II if…

  • Brightness & HDR matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 9 II scores 9.6/10 here (peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail).
  • Picture Quality matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA 9 II scores 9.6/10 here (panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy).
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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

Sony BRAVIA 9 II

Pros

  • +Sony's first True RGB backlight — individually controlled RGB LEDs for more accurate color than white-backlight Mini LED
  • +3,990-nit measured peak brightness in Professional Mode
  • +2.2.2-channel Acoustic Multi-Audio+ with real upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers
  • +Available up to a massive 115"

Cons

  • Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports — fewer than most competing flagships
  • Among the most expensive TVs in this entire comparison set ($31,000 at 115")
  • Refresh rate not independently confirmed
  • Not sold on Amazon as a standalone listing — the only Amazon entry is a third-party bundle with an added warranty, which is not a like-for-like purchase

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FAQs

Is the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or Sony BRAVIA 9 II better overall?+

Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II 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 Value, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Sony BRAVIA 9 II?+

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores higher on Value (6.5/10 vs 4.8/10) — performance and features relative to price.

Which is better for Brightness & HDR, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Sony BRAVIA 9 II?+

The Sony BRAVIA 9 II scores higher on Brightness & HDR (9.6/10 vs 8.3/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail.

Which is better for Gaming Features, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Sony BRAVIA 9 II?+

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores higher on Gaming Features (8.3/10 vs 7.5/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support.

Which is better for Connectivity, the Sony BRAVIA 8 II or the Sony BRAVIA 9 II?+

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II scores higher on Connectivity (7.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars.

Is the Sony BRAVIA 8 II worth the price difference over the Sony BRAVIA 9 II?+

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II is the cheaper option at $3,299 versus $3,600. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Value.

What's the warranty on the Sony BRAVIA 8 II vs the Sony BRAVIA 9 II?+

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony BRAVIA 9 II 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

LG G6 — $2799.99

Premium Option

Samsung S95H — $3299.99

Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.

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