Giant 85″ Sony TV dropped to a minimum! Two years ago it cost almost 90 thousand

Alza currently has an interesting offer on the 85-inch Sony Bravia XR-85X90L TV, which cost 87,499 CZK when it was launched two years ago. Over time, it dropped to 50 thousand, and now with the discount code ALZADNY25 you can get it for 43,852 CZK – which is the lowest price in the Czech Republic. This is a higher-end model from 2023 that uses Full Array LED backlighting with local dimming.

With the TV, you get a 24-month Sony Pictures Core subscription worth 3,290 CZK, offering movies in 4K HDR and IMAX Enhanced quality, including titles like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Jumanji, or Venom. Plus, you have the option to get a 40% discount on a Sony soundbar, which might come in handy – the built-in 30W Dolby Atmos speakers are average and certainly don’t compete with a quality soundbar.

Full Array LED with Local Dimming

Sony used classic Full Array LED backlighting for the X90L instead of Mini-LED, which is featured in the manufacturer’s more expensive models. The advantage is that the X90L has 60% more local dimming zones and is 30% brighter compared to the previous X90K. In tests, it achieves a peak brightness of around 1,200–1,450 nits with HDR content, which is solid performance – while it won’t surpass some Mini-LED TVs, it’s still enough to make a movie look good even during the day.

The Cognitive Processor XR is the same as in more expensive Sony models and handles real-time image processing. XR Contrast Booster technology increases brightness and reduces blooming effects around bright objects on a dark background, while XR Clear Image automatically scales content to 4K and applies noise reduction. In practice, this means that even regular HD shows look clean and detailed.

The panel uses VA technology, which offers better contrast than IPS but has worse viewing angles. If you sit directly in front of the TV, the picture looks great – high contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. However, when viewed from the side, contrast starts to decrease and colors fade. This isn’t an issue for a typical couch setup, but if you have a large living room where people sit on the sides, it might be limiting.

Ideal for PlayStation 5, but with limitations

The X90L features Perfect for PlayStation 5, which automatically activates special modes when you connect a PS5. Specifically, these are Auto HDR Tone Mapping (the TV automatically sets optimal brightness for HDR games) and Auto Genre Picture Mode (automatically switches to game mode). The TV also has a new Game Menu, where you can open settings like VRR, Black Equalizer, Crosshair, or blur reduction with a single button.

4K at 120 Hz support is available on two HDMI 2.1 ports (the TV has four HDMI ports in total, but only two are 2.1). The problem is that one of those HDMI 2.1 ports is also the eARC port for a soundbar, so if you want to connect a PS5, Xbox Series X, and a soundbar simultaneously, you’ll have to sacrifice one port or buy an HDMI switch.

A bigger issue is input lag – in tests, the X90L has around 18 milliseconds, which is worse than the competition (e.g., Hisense U8K has 13ms). This is sufficient for casual gaming, but for competitive FPS or racing games, it’s slower than ideal. Additionally, the TV has a slower pixel response time, so fast motion in games can appear blurry.

Google TV and Alexa Voice Control

The X90L uses the Google TV system, which offers access to apps like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, iVysílání, Oneplay – all of which can be installed directly on the TV without a set-top box. The built-in microphone supports hands-free control via Google Assistant, and the TV also works with Amazon Alexa and Apple Home for smart home integration.

The remote control has quick access buttons for Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, Sony Pictures Core, and surprisingly, Crunchyroll – which anime fans will appreciate. The remote has a built-in microphone for voice commands, but you have to point it directly at the TV, which can sometimes be annoying. Some users dislike that the remote doesn’t work without direct line of sight, unlike IR remotes from LG or Samsung.

What is your opinion on Sony Bravia TVs?