Why Is Sony Bravia so Expensive?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Watching your favorite movies and TV shows on a state-of-the-art television can be a blast.

Sony Bravia TVs, are known as the cream of the crop when it comes to high-quality TVs and are often considered by consumers.

However, with great quality often comes a hefty price tag, leaving consumers questioning:

Why are Sony Bravia TVs so expensive?

Sony Bravia TVs are expensive because they are a premium product.

Consumers respect Sony’s legacy and their consistency in making high-quality televisions, making it easy for the brand to charge a high price.

This brand loyalty justifies the high cost, as consumers for the most part have no issue paying it.

However, there are extremely high-quality TVs out there that do not cost anywhere near as much as Sony. So it is up to you if the high price of bravia is worth it.

If you are hell-bent on buying a Sony TV I will go over the best options to consider later on in this article.

Sony Bravia is expensive because of its Brand Recognition, The “Sony Tax”

In the competitive landscape of televisions, Sony Bravia stands as a beacon of premium quality.

Sony’s legacy of innovation and excellence has ingrained deep respect among consumers.

The brand’s name itself is synonymous with premium build and top-notch quality.

When customers invest in Sony Bravia, they expect the best of the best

This perception allows Sony to command a higher price, often referred to as the “Sony Tax,” which consumers willingly pay for the assurance of unparalleled cutting-edge technology.

However, the question becomes Should you buy a Sony TV?

I own three Sony TVs and I am very happy with them but you can get a better deal and not sacrifice quality with brands like Samsung and LG. I will go into more detail on these brands below but suffice to say If I were buying a TV right now I would probably consider the LG G3 or Samsung S90C.

SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class OLED 4K S90C Series Quantum HDR, Dolby Atmos Object Tracking Sound Lite, Ultra Thin, Q-Symphony 3.0, Gaming Hub, Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN55S90C, 2023 Model)

SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class OLED 4K S90C Series Quantum HDR, Dolby Atmos Object Tracking Sound Lite, Ultra Thin, Q-Symphony 3.0, Gaming Hub, Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (QN55S90C, 2023 Model)

  • SAMSUNG OLED TECHNOLOGY: See movies, games, and more in a whole new light thanks to the mesmerizing picture quality across a full range of gorgeous colors; Only a brand like Samsung can provide incredible detail and unbelievable screen brightness.voltage : 120 volts
  • NEURAL QUANTUM PROCESSOR W/ 4K UPSCALING: If you’re streaming an HD movie, watching sports, or looking at home videos, experience it all transformed into sharp 4K resolution with our high-performance, AI powered processor*
  • QUANTUM HDR OLED: With fine-tuned brightness and optimized contrast made possible by self-illuminating pixels, your picture is instantly enhanced as Quantum HDR OLED analyzes each scene so you can enjoy rich and accurate colors
  • PANTONE VALIDATED: Enjoy color validated by industry leading experts at Pantone, so that images on the screen look as incredible as they do in real life
  • DOLBY ATMOS & OBJECT TRACKING SOUND LITE: Keep your ears on the action with Dolby Atmos and virtual top speakers that follow the story; When a dragon swoops across the screen, 3D sound moves along with it thanks to Object Tracking Sound Lite
  • MOTION XCELERATOR TURBO PRO: Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro creates consistently crisp 4K visuals at blazing-fast speeds up to 120hz and Game Motion Plus goes up to 144hz with compatible PC-connected content
Best Overall OLED
LG G3 Series 55-Inch Class OLED

LG G3 Series 55-Inch Class OLED

  • LG OLED EVO: Brightness Booster Max adjusts the picture for up to 70% brighter images* so you can see rich, vibrant colors and incredible contrast, even in well-lit rooms. 
  • HDR: Every LG OLED comes loaded with Dolby Vision for extraordinary color, contrast and brightness, plus Dolby Atmos* for wrap-around sound. 
We will receive a commission if you click through and purchase at no extra cost to you

I love OLED technology so this is why I would choose between these two. However, they are expensive, although less than Sony.

It’s important to note if you do not care about OLED technology then you can get a high-quality 4k TV for cheap from brands like Hi Sense and TCL.

TCL TVs in particular are very cheap and good quality.

I recommend the TCL Q6 as a budget option for people who want a high-quality TV for normal use.

It’s very affordable and performs well in bright rooms due to its high peak brightness.

TCL 55-Inch Q6 QLED 4K TV
  • 55 INCH 4K TV: Enjoy enhanced contrast, accurate colors, and fine details with our TCL 55-Inch Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV; Engineered with HDR PRO+ technology, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG for a breathtaking, vibrant picture quality
  • QLED - QUANTUM DOT TECHNOLOGY: With over a billion colors, this 55 inch QLED TV showcases Quantum Dot Technology with UltraWide Color Gamut; With a HighBright Direct LED Backlight, our TCL QLED TVs produce brighter images for an enhanced viewing experience
  • GOOGLE TV ENABLED: Experience UHD entertainment with Google Chromecast on this 55 inch smart tv; With the ability to cast directly from a mobile device, it offers a range of streaming services, bringing your favorite movies, shows, and live shows together
  • MOTION RATE 240 AND MEMC FRAME INSERTION: Combining multiple motion enhancement technologies, this 4K UHD TV handles fast-paced scenes with ease; Breathing life into every image, our TCL 55 Inch TV ensures exceptional motion clarity
  • GAME ACCELERATOR 120: Equipped with our Game Accelerator 120, this 120Hz TV provides a more responsive gameplay without lag; Also boasting a variable refresh rate powered by AMD FreeSync, this gaming TV is designed to keep you at the top of any leaderboard
We will receive a commission if you click through and purchase at no extra cost to you

Sony Bravia: Premium Quality, no budget models

sony-bravia-logo

Unlike some competitors, Sony Bravia avoids the budget market.

Every Bravia TV is crafted to uphold the brand’s legacy of excellence.

Sony’s decision to focus solely on premium products reinforces their luxury brand sentiment.

By not diluting their offerings with budget models, Sony maintains exclusivity around their products.

Sony and Apple: Same Strategy

Sony Bravia’s deliberate decision to avoid the budget TV market mirrors a strategy akin to Apple’s in the world of electronics.

Just as Apple focuses solely on high-end devices, Sony channels its efforts into crafting premium televisions.

By steering clear of budget models, Sony ensures that every Bravia TV embodies their commitment to perfection.

Just as Apple enthusiasts eagerly await each new release, Sony Bravia aficionados anticipate the next level of visual brilliance, underlining the synergy between these two brands and their commitment to luxury and innovation.

Competitors of Sony

There are many TV manufacturers on the market but I would say the primary competitors to Sony are LG and Samsung.

I will discuss how both compare to Sony Bravia in more detail below.

LG

LG makes phenomenal TVs and in some cases better overall ones than Sony.

For example, they make arguably the best OLED on the market, the LG G3 (affiliate link).

LG OLED TVs, with their deep blacks and vibrant colors, compete fiercely with Sony Bravia, offering consumers an alternative choice for top-tier visual experiences.

I am a Sony guy but LG makes just as good of TVs, it really comes down to what brand you want to buy and what television interface you like better.

LG TVs are incredible from a performance standpoint and are exceptionally affordable.

They also make good soundbars if you want to pair one with your TV.

I wrote a separate article discussing the best LG soundbars you can read here.

Samsung

Samsung is another exceptional TV brand, they arguably make the best budget OLED on the market, the S90C (affiliate link).

They take a unique approach by balancing innovation with accessibility.

Samsung is also very well known for their QLED TVs which combine impressive picture quality and peak brightness with a broader range of pricing options.

While Sony Bravia caters to a niche market seeking the epitome of luxury, Samsung reaches out to a wider audience.

Samsung’s diverse lineup allows consumers to find a TV that fits their budget while still enjoying advanced features, providing a contrast to Sony’s exclusive focus on high-end offerings.

My experience as a Sony loyalist

I have 3 Sony Bravia TVs (Sony A80J, and 2 A90K’s), a Sony Blu-Ray Player (UBP-X800M2), and Sony Headphones (XM5).

sony-xm5-headphones
blu-ray-player-4k

I didn’t plan on doing this but I just wanted the best of the best and it turns out more often than not that is going to be Sony.

Personally, I love how good my Sony OLEDs look right out of the box. You do not need to calibrate and change a bunch of picture settings once you get your TV situated.

I’ve also never had any type of issue with my Sony products, they are incredibly durable.

With that being said I might consider going the cheaper route next time with a Samsung or LG, because they are more affordable.

Best Sony Bravia TV’s

My Pick
Sony OLED 65 inch BRAVIA XR A80L Series
  • LIFELIKE OLED PICTURE The intelligent and powerful Cognitive Processor XR delivers an OLED picture with wide dynamic contrast, detailed blacks, natural colors, and high peak brightness, replicating how we see the real world.
  • OLED CONTRAST AND COLOR Pure black, lifelike brightness, and billions of accurate colors enhanced by XR OLED Contrast Pro and XR Triluminos Pro
  • PERFECT FOR PLAYSTATION 5 Take your gaming to the next level with exclusive features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for optimized OLED picture quality while gaming and streaming on your PS5 console.
Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90L Series
  • LIFELIKE PICTURE The intelligent and powerful Cognitive Processor XR delivers a picture with wide dynamic contrast, detailed blacks, natural colors, and high peak brightness, replicating how we see the real world.
  • FULL ARRAY LED CONTRAST AND COLOR See enhanced contrast with high peak brightness and billions of accurate colors, all controlled by Full Array LED backlight technology and XR Triluminos Pro.
  • PREMIUM SMART TV Get access to all your favorite streaming apps in one place with Google TV, and simply use your voice to search and ask questions with Google Assistant. Supports Apple AirPlay.
  • MOVIES ON US WITH BRAVIA CORE - Enjoy streaming high-bitrate, high-quality 4K UHD movies included with the BRAVIA CORE app. Get 5 credits to redeem on latest release movies and 12 months subscription on hundreds of classics.
  • ALL YOUR GAME SETTINGS IN ONE PLACE Game Menu puts all your gaming picture settings and exclusive assist features in a single easy-to-manage interface.
  • HDMI 2.1 GAMING Get the advantage in high-performance gaming with HDMI 2.1 features like 4K/120, VRR, and ALLM.
  • PERFECT FOR PLAYSTATION 5 Take your gaming to the next level with exclusive features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for optimized picture quality while gaming and streaming on your PS5 console.
  • ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT Enjoy engaging and immersive cinematic content the way the creators intended, with support for Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, and more.
  • ELEVATED AUDIO With Acoustic Multi-Audio and support for Dolby Atmos, sound positioning tweeters produce wider, elevated sound that matches the picture you see.
Best Overall
Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV A95K Series
  • INTELLIGENT TV PROCESSING The Cognitive Processor XR understands how humans see to deliver intense contrast with deep blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors..Image Aspect ratio:16:9
  • OUR BEST COLOR - Experience Quantum Dot color with saturation and brightness of every color maximized by the breakthrough QD-OLED panel and XR Triluminos Max.
  • OLED CONTRAST XR OLED Contrast Pro technology allows you to feel the beauty of OLED with immersive depth and realism, pure black, and lifelike brightness..
  • ENHANCED ENTERTAINMENT Experience immersive and engaging cinematic content as the creator intended with support for Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode
  • ENHANCED VIEWING - Every seat in the room is the best seat in the room with wide viewing angles that preserves color from the side and an anti-reflective screen that reduces glare.
We will receive a commission if you click through and purchase

Leave a Comment