Sony Bravia 8 II tops 55-inch TV ranking for 2026: 25% brighter than predecessor

The 55-inch diagonal remains the most popular size on the TV market, with manufacturers releasing both flagship and entry-level models in this format. Following detailed testing, the Sony Bravia 8 II has been named the best choice for a home theater and gaming, offering the strongest balance of price and performance.

A third-generation QD-OLED panel combined with the new XR processor and a cooling heatsink delivers peak brightness 25% higher than the previous A95L model. The screen produces deep blacks, strong detail in dark scenes, and rich color reproduction. Accurate picture calibration is available straight out of the box.

The TV chassis is 3.4 cm thick. The feet are positioned at the edges, so a cabinet at least 122 cm wide is required — they can be raised if needed to fit a soundbar underneath. The device runs on the Google TV operating system.

The model supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision formats, as well as IMAX Enhanced certification. Gamers get 4K at 120 Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), and auto low latency mode (ALLM), including Dolby Vision Game. There are four HDMI ports in total, two of which meet the HDMI 2.1 standard.

Drawbacks include lower peak brightness compared to the LG G5 and Samsung S95F, as well as only two HDMI 2.1 ports. An alternative flagship is the Samsung S99H — its picture quality is even better, but the price is significantly higher, making the Bravia 8 II the more sensible pick.

Other technologies are also available on the market: OLED sets the standard for contrast, Mini LED offers high brightness headroom at a reasonable price, and some models now feature RGB backlighting. In addition to the 55-inch version, the Bravia 8 II is also offered in a 65-inch variant.