The Sony Bravia 9 represents a bold departure from tradition for the Japanese electronics giant. Rather than positioning an OLED as its 2024 flagship, Sony has chosen to champion mini LED technology with this impressive television. After spending considerable time with the 75-inch model, I found myself genuinely impressed by what Sony has achieved with its new XR Backlight Master Drive system.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony Bravia 9 cuts an imposing figure with its substantial aluminium frame and "One Slate" design philosophy. I found the build quality to be exceptional, with Sony's attention to detail evident throughout. The dark metal band that surrounds the screen gives it a premium appearance that wouldn't look out of place in a high-end cinema.
The television is undeniably heavy – the 75-inch model weighs 42kg without the stand – but this substantial build contributes to its premium feel. Sony has incorporated 65% recycled SORPLAS material into the construction, which is a welcome environmental consideration.
One feature I particularly appreciated is the adjustable stand system. The feet can be positioned in either a wide or narrow configuration, and you can choose between two heights. This flexibility proved invaluable when accommodating different furniture arrangements, and the higher position works perfectly with soundbars.
Picture Quality and Performance
This is where the Sony Bravia 9 truly excels. Sony's new XR Backlight Master Drive with High Peak Luminance represents a significant advancement in mini LED technology. I measured peak brightness levels reaching approximately 2,800 nits, which, whilst not quite matching the 4,000 nits Sony claims, still delivers breathtaking HDR performance.
The local dimming control is genuinely impressive. Sony claims the 75-inch model features around 1,920 independent dimming zones, and the precision shows. I tested the television with demanding content like "Blade Runner 2049" and was struck by how well it handled the contrast between bright cityscapes and deep shadows. The blacks aren't quite OLED-perfect, but they're remarkably close for a backlit display.
Colour reproduction is another strength. The XR Triluminos Pro technology delivers vibrant, accurate colours that remain consistent even at high brightness levels. I found skin tones to be particularly natural, and the expanded colour volume means bright scenes don't suffer from the washed-out appearance that affects some competing mini LED displays.
Motion handling is solid, though not flawless. The XR Motion Clarity does a good job of reducing blur during fast-paced action sequences, though I occasionally noticed some minor judder during slow pans. For gaming and sports, the performance is more than adequate.
Mini LED Technology and Brightness
Sony's implementation of mini LED technology in the Bravia 9 is genuinely impressive. The company has developed what it claims are the smallest LED drivers in the industry, allowing for more precise control over thousands of individual LEDs. This technological advancement translates into superior contrast control compared to traditional LED displays.
The brightness capabilities are the television's standout feature. Even in bright rooms with significant ambient light, the Sony Bravia 9 maintains excellent picture quality. I tested it in various lighting conditions and found the X-Anti Reflection coating genuinely effective at reducing glare. This makes it an excellent choice for rooms where OLED displays might struggle.
Despite the impressive brightness, Sony has managed to improve power efficiency by 30% compared to the previous X95L model. The Eco Dashboard feature allows you to monitor power consumption, which I found both informative and useful for managing energy usage.
Sound Performance
The Acoustic Multi-Audio+ system in the Sony Bravia 9 deserves particular praise. Sony has implemented what it claims is the world's first Beam Tweeter in a television, and the results are genuinely impressive. The upward-firing tweeter creates convincing overhead effects for Dolby Atmos content.
I tested the sound system with various content, from action films to classical music. The Frame Tweeters positioned around the television create an expansive soundstage that genuinely seems to emanate from the screen itself. Dialogue clarity is excellent thanks to the Voice Zoom 3 feature, which uses AI to enhance speech without overwhelming the overall mix.
The 70W speaker system provides adequate bass response, though it naturally can't match a dedicated subwoofer. For most viewing scenarios, the built-in audio is more than sufficient, though cinema enthusiasts might still prefer to add a soundbar for the full experience.
Gaming Features and Performance
Gaming on the Sony Bravia 9 is a generally positive experience, though it's not without limitations. The television supports 4K gaming at 120Hz through its two HDMI 2.1 ports, and I found input lag to be impressively low at around 10ms in Game Mode.
The Perfect for PlayStation 5 features work seamlessly. Auto HDR Tone Mapping ensures optimal brightness settings are automatically applied, whilst Auto Genre Picture Mode switches between gaming and video playback modes as needed. I tested these features extensively with both PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles and found them to work reliably.
However, Sony's decision to include only two HDMI 2.1 ports is frustrating. With one typically occupied by a soundbar via eARC, you're left with just one port for modern gaming consoles. This limitation becomes particularly apparent if you own multiple current-generation consoles.
The Game Menu provides quick access to various gaming-specific settings, including the interesting Game Screen Size Adjustment feature that can shrink the display for closer viewing positions. While not universally useful, it's an innovative addition that some users will appreciate.
Smart TV Features and Interface
The Sony Bravia 9 runs Google TV, which provides access to virtually all major streaming services. The interface is responsive and well-organised, though I did encounter occasional sluggishness during navigation – an issue that persisted across multiple units.
The Amazon Prime Video Calibrated mode is a noteworthy addition. When watching supported content, the television automatically adjusts picture settings based on cloud-stored data. I tested this with several films and found the adjustments generally improved the viewing experience, though the feature can be disabled if preferred.
Sony Pictures Core (formerly Bravia Core) provides access to high-quality streaming, though the catalogue remains limited compared to other services. The integration with Google Assistant works well, and both Chromecast and AirPlay 2 support make content sharing straightforward.
The new Eco Remote is a pleasant addition. The backlit buttons activate automatically in dark conditions, and the USB-C charging eliminates the need for replaceable batteries. The built-in microphone and "find my remote" speaker are practical touches that prove useful in daily use.
Value and Competition
At £3,099 for the 75-inch model (currently available for around £2,699 on sale), the Sony Bravia 9 offers competitive value in the premium television market. This pricing positions it favourably against alternatives like the Samsung QN90D, which costs similar amounts whilst offering fewer features.
When comparing to OLED alternatives, the choice becomes more nuanced. Sony's own Bravia 8 OLED offers superior blacks and viewing angles at a similar price point, but can't match the Bravia 9's peak brightness. For bright rooms or HDR enthusiasts, the mini LED technology provides tangible advantages.
The build quality, feature set, and performance justify the premium pricing. Sony's five-year guarantee provides additional peace of mind, and the company's reputation for long-term software support adds further value to the proposition.
Verdict
The Sony Bravia 9 succeeds brilliantly as Sony's mini LED flagship. The combination of exceptional brightness, impressive contrast control, and comprehensive feature set creates a television that excels in most scenarios. While it doesn't quite achieve OLED-level blacks, the trade-off for superior brightness and reduced burn-in risk makes it an excellent alternative.
The television particularly excels for cinema enthusiasts who want the most authentic possible reproduction of HDR content. The professional-grade backlight control and colour accuracy create an genuinely cinematic experience that justifies the premium pricing.
Minor limitations like the restricted HDMI 2.1 port count and occasional interface sluggishness don't significantly detract from what is otherwise an exceptional television. For anyone seeking flagship performance without OLED compromises, the Sony Bravia 9 represents an outstanding choice.