Sony Bravia 5 (XR50) 4K Mini-LED TV Review | Is it worth it in 2025?

K-85XR50 Smart Google TV 120Hz

Intro

The Sony Bravia 5, also known as the XR50, sits in the middle of Sony’s 2025 lineup between the entry-level Bravia 2 MK II and the premium Bravia 8 MK II. It replaces last year’s popular X90L and is available in 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98-inch sizes. For this review, I tested the 85-inch model.

Design & Features

The Bravia 5 has a clean, understated design with thin bezels and a solid build that feels anything but cheap. The plastic back sports a checkerboard texture, and all inputs are neatly arranged on the left side. Two adjustable metal feet provide stable support, whether you choose the lower or higher position.

 

Under the hood, the XR50 uses a full-array mini-LED backlight with local dimming — featuring roughly six times more dimming zones than the X90L, depending on screen size. Sony’s XR Backlight Master Drive precisely controls these zones for enhanced contrast and brightness.

Image processing is handled by the Cognitive Processor XR, now with improved AI scene recognition that fine-tunes contrast, color, and detail for a more lifelike image. Sony’s XR Contrast Booster 10 ensures balanced brightness across the screen, while XR Clear Image upscales lower-resolution content with impressive sharpness.
For color, XR Triluminos Pro delivers natural and accurate tones, and XR Motion Clarity keeps fast motion smooth and blur-free.

As for smart features, the Bravia 5 runs on Google TV, giving you access to over 700,000 movies and shows, organized by genre and featuring personalized recommendations.

Complete Features List:

• Mini LED backlight powered by XR Backlight Master Drive for precise brightness control (local dimming)
• Supports enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), VRR, ALLM, and 4K at 120Hz
• 120Hz native refresh rate
• High Dynamic Range formats supported: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, extends picture contrast and brightness when viewing HDR content
• IMAX Enhanced certification for improved performance with IMAX Enhanced 4K/HDR content
• Remote has built-in Google Assistant — control basic TV functions and compatible smart home gear, search TV’s streaming services, set timers, and more
• Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast for wireless streaming from compatible devices

Gaming:

• HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 inputs support 4K/120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Source-Based Tone Mapping (SBTM)
• Supports ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) on all four HDMI inputs
• Game Menu offers easy access to settings, including screen size, black equalizer, and motion blur
• Auto Genre Picture Mode and Auto HDR Tone Mapping

Sound:

• Built-in 2-channel speaker system
• Acoustic Multi-Audio system uses sound-positioning tweeters at the back of the TV so the sound follows the action
• Acoustic Center Sync synchronizes TV speakers with compatible Sony sound bars for fuller, more immersive sound
• Voice Zoom 3 makes dialogue easier to understand
• Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
• Voice remote with built-in microphone

 Connectivity

The XR50 includes four HDMI ports — two HDMI 2.1 (supporting 4K @ 120 Hz) and two HDMI 2.0. There’s also eARC support on HDMI 3, three USB ports (one USB 3.0), digital optical and 3.5 mm audio outputs, Ethernet, and an ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN TV tuner for over-the-air 4K broadcasts.
Wireless streaming is handled by Wi-Fi 6, but it’s worth noting Sony remains one of the few major brands that doesn’t offer HDMI 2.1 on all ports.

Performance

The Bravia 5 delivers very good overall picture quality for its class. Detail and clarity are excellent, and colors look vibrant and natural. Watching Lucy in 4K HDR, I was impressed by the sharp, refined images and realistic color balance.

Contrast performance is strong, with deep black levels during dark scenes, though minor blooming is visible around bright objects. SDR brightness is also quite good, making it suitable for bright rooms, and it handles reflections decently well.
However, HDR brightness is merely adequate — you’ll see some punch in highlights, but it doesn’t reach the dazzling peak levels found on higher-end models. If you’re chasing top-tier HDR performance, you’ll need to step up to the Bravia 7 or 9.

Color reproduction was also appealing, delivering a vibrant, lifelike, and accurate color palette, although not the best I’ve seen from other TVs in its class.

Motion handling is another strong point. In fast-paced scenes, like the car chase in Lucy, motion remained smooth and blur-free. On the downside, off-axis viewing is a weak spot — contrast and color saturation drop noticeably when viewed from the side, typical of VA panel TVs.

Gaming

While I’m not a heavy gamer, the XR50’s gaming specs are solid: HDMI 2.1, 4K @ 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, and low input lag. It won’t dethrone the best gaming TVs on the market, but it’s perfectly capable for casual and competitive play alike.

Audio

The Bravia 5’s built-in speakers produce clear dialogue and balanced mids and highs, though bass is limited, and overall sound feels somewhat thin. For the best experience, I recommend pairing it with a soundbar or external audio system.

Downsides

On the downside, the XR50 doesn’t pump out enough peak brightness for optimal HDR viewing, and when viewing the TV at wide angles, the TV loses some contrast and color saturation. You may also experience some slight blooming around text and bright objects set against a black background.

Bravia 5 vs. X90L

According to Ratings.com, the X90L still holds an overall edge. It’s brighter, delivers more impactful HDR, and produces more accurate colors out of the box. The XR50 counters with slightly better contrast, lower input lag, and less stutter, but these differences are minor — the X90L remains the better all-around performer.

Verdict

The Sony Bravia 5 (XR50) is a well-rounded mid-range 4K TV that combines solid picture quality, precise processing, and useful smart features in a premium-feeling package. It offers sharp 4K images, natural color reproduction, and strong contrast for movie watching — but falls short of the brightness and wide-angle performance found on pricier models.

Nevertheless, if you want dependable performance from a trusted brand, the Bravia 5 should be a solid choice.
If you want the best HDR punch or more value for the dollar, you might look to the Hisense U7 series or TCL QM7K, both of which deliver similar or better performance for less.

If you have anything you’d like to add, please leave a comment below.

Image credit Sony

Check out the YouTube review of the Sony Bravia 5