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CES 2022: Sony presents TVs with QD OLED panel

CES 2022 has only just begun, but it is already impressing with various technology highlights. Especially the new OLED technologies can be seen in the truest sense of the word. Besides LG, Sony also has some exciting news to report about organic LEDs. Namely, the Japanese tech company has a few promising TVs in the pipeline that are based on state-of-the-art QD OLED panels.

Fresh cell cure for Sony’s TVs

This performance should really make LG tremble. Namely, Sony has unveiled its upcoming TVs with exciting QD OLED technology. This should come from none other than competitor Samsung. Surprisingly, Sony itself may present the latest OLED TVs with QD technology (Quantum Dots) before developer Samsung. But not only the panel technology is renewed. On top of that, Sony talks about having improved the in-house XR processor.

It now works hand in hand with the brand-new OLED panels to achieve the best picture results. Apart from the QD OLEDs, which will probably be the spearhead of the upcoming lineup, Sony also had general announcements to make about its new TVs. For example, better artificial intelligence is supposed to ensure that the best possible picture quality is achieved. In addition, the Japanese want to have improved the sound of their devices. The webcam features also sound exciting. Here, Sony wants to make video conferencing on large TV sets possible without any problems.

QD OLED only in the premium series

OLED technology has been considered the non-plus-ultra when it comes to panels since it went into production. This is not only true for compact smartphones, but also for gigantic TVs. LG has always held the unchallenged throne in this respect. However, the competition could now cut into it. Sony’s latest QD OLED TVs in particular could pose a threat to the South Koreans. The Japanese tech company installs them in its latest premium A95K series in either 55-inch or 65-inch sizes. Unfortunately, those who need larger TVs will have to do without the display technology that most likely comes from Samsung. However, the two TV series A90K and A80K, which rely on classic OLED panels, are also available for fans of even larger TVs.

Competition for LG

Sony’s A95K series could cause LG to break out in a sweat. Why? Until now, the South Korean company was considered unrivaled with its OLED panels. Sony also used LG’s panels in its OLED TVs and continues to do so in its A90K and A80K models. However, the QD OLED technology does not come from LG, but from Samsung. Thus, LG seems to get competition on the OLED panel market for the first time after years of “sole dominance”. With the QD OLED technology, Samsung also has the edge when it comes to pure picture quality, at least at first glance. Sony promises more vivid colors for brighter picture content in particular with the QD OLED panel. The reason for this seems to be the omission of subpixels, which LG has to add to its panels in case of bright pictures. Instead, Samsung uses special quantum dots that have been converted into the colors green and red and are illuminated by a blue light.

The A95K with its QD OLED panel is the new TOP model from Sony. (Image: Sony)

In addition to the improved picture quality with bright image content, Sony also wants to score in other disciplines. In doing so, the company is presumably tackling another typical problem of OLED TVs together with Samsung – the dreaded burn-in. Even though this Achilles’ heel has already been mitigated, it still exists. Owners of OLED TVs should urgently avoid playing still pictures on the TV. Otherwise, immobile symbols can be burned onto the screen forever. Therefore, they are absolutely unsuitable as PC monitors. This is not supposed to be the case with QD OLEDs. A special protective layer is used on the back. This conducts the heat so well that the dreaded burn-in should no longer occur.

Classic panel in A90K and A80K series

But Sony is by no means writing off LG as a partner. Thus, the Japanese continue to rely on LG’s panels for the production of their upcoming A90K and A80K models. Sony wants to improve the undoubtedly very good picture even more with a few technical gadgets. The in-house XR image processor is to be used for this. The company mainly wants to improve the OLED panel’s brightness and raise it to the level of LG’s OLED EVO series. Sony calls this optimization XR OLED Contrast Pro. So far, it is still uncertain whether the A80K series as entry-level models will also have the promising image enhancement or if it will be reserved for the A90K series.

OLED isn’t everything

But Sony didn’t just unveil new OLED models. The other smart TVs also left an excellent impression at the presentation. The models of the Z9K series, for example, combine two groundbreaking technologies. On the one hand, they offer razor-sharp content with their 8K resolution. In addition, they rely on the further development of classic LED TVs with their mini-LED technology.

If resolution and large screen diagonals of 75 or 85 inches are important to you, you’ll find it with the Z9K series. (Image: Sony)

With Mini LED, the number of LEDs used is not only greatly increased. Their position also changes. They are now closer to the LCD and can transmit their light directly. In combination with the so-called XR Backlight Master Drive, the formation of ugly clouds should be prevented and better contrasts created. The 4K TVs presented (X95K models) also rely on the same technology based on mini LEDs.

Improved sound performance

Although a decent sound system or at least a soundbar is now part of good form, Sony promises great sound in its upcoming TVs. In particular, the “LG panel via Acoustic Surface Audio+” stands out from the crowd. The surface of the screen is turned into a sound source without further ado. The Japanese tech company takes a more classic approach with its TVs with mini-LEDs. Here, an in-house sound technology called “Acoustic Multi-Audio” is used. The option of turning the TV into a center speaker sounds particularly practical if you have a compatible sound system. This eliminates the need for speakers directly in front of the TV.

Best equipped for gaming and home office

If you take a closer look at the spec sheet of the presented models, it quickly becomes clear that Sony is launching several egg-laying lactating sows here. Let’s start with the entertainment. The manufacturer relies on 4K at 120 hertz for all devices in the 2022 lineup, which should ensure razor-sharp, but also unwashed moving images. HDR content benefits from Dolby Vision. On top of that, the Virtual Refresh Rate (VRR) is the perfect feature for gamers. Here, the refresh rate is optimally adapted to the graphics card to ensure the best possible performance.

The Bravia Cam attaches magnetically to the back of the TV. (Image: Sony)

Those who no longer feel like attending a video conference on their small notebook display can now do so on their giant Sony TV. Sony offers its Bravia Cam especially for this purpose. While you have to buy it separately for the entry-level models, the manufacturer includes it with the high-priced devices with 8K or QD OLED panels. The remote controls of the TVs have also been completely revised. In particular, the number of buttons has been greatly reduced, which definitely benefits the design.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

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CES 2022 has only just begun, but it is already impressing with various technology highlights. Especially the new OLED technologies can be seen in the truest sense of the word. Besides LG, Sony also has some exciting news to report about organic LEDs. Namely, the Japanese tech company has a few promising TVs in the … (Weiterlesen...)

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