A First-Person Deep Dive Into the Ultimate Home Theater Upgrade
After months of comparing features, reading specs, and watching YouTube reviews late into the night, I finally pulled the trigger on the BRAVIA 8 II 65” Class QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV. Spoiler alert: I’m not just satisfied—I’m completely hooked. Here’s my honest, first-hand experience with this powerhouse of a TV.
📦 Unboxing & First Impressions
The unboxing was clean, minimal, and exactly what you’d expect from a high-end Sony product. Setup was quick, and the moment I powered it on, I was already impressed.
The design is sleek, modern, and premium from every angle. It has ultra-slim bezels and a sturdy frame that adds a subtle but sophisticated touch to my living room. Whether mounted or on a stand, this thing is a centerpiece.
🖼️ Picture Quality: Pure Eye Candy
The star of the show is, without question, the QD-OLED display. The blacks are inky and endless. The colors are bold and vibrant without crossing into oversaturation. The contrast and clarity are genuinely cinematic.
🎥 First night test? Blade Runner 2049 in 4K HDR. The neon-soaked night scenes against pitch-black backdrops were jaw-dropping. I kept pausing and rewinding just to admire the details.
HDR content is where it really flexes—bright highlights and deep shadows exist side by side with stunning balance. Whether I’m watching Netflix, Disney+, or UHD Blu-rays, everything looks richer, sharper, and more immersive.
⚽ Motion & Gaming: Fluid and Fast
I’m a huge sports and gaming fan, so smooth motion was a must. Thankfully, the XR Cognitive Processor delivers buttery-smooth motion handling with no blur or judder during fast-paced basketball games or action scenes.
🎮 I paired it with my PS5 and immediately tested titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The results? Ultra-low input lag, beautiful 4K at 120Hz, and full support for HDMI 2.1, VRR, and ALLM. This TV isn’t just good for gaming—it’s built for it.
🧠 Smart Features: Google TV Just Works
The Google TV interface is snappy, intuitive, and organized in a way that actually makes sense. I logged into all my streaming apps in minutes and loved how the interface pulls together content recommendations across platforms.
🔍 Voice control with Google Assistant has been a game-changer. I can say “Play Stranger Things on Netflix” or “Show sci-fi movies” and it just happens. The remote has a built-in mic, and it’s surprisingly accurate.
It also supports AirPlay 2, HomeKit, and Chromecast, so it integrates with pretty much everything I use.
🔊 Audio That Surprises
With most flat TVs, you expect to need a soundbar right away. But Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ changed that for me. The sound literally comes from the screen, creating a surprising sense of direction and clarity.
👂 Dialogue is crisp. Action scenes feel immersive. While I still use my surround system for movie nights, I can confidently say the built-in sound holds up on its own for everyday viewing.
🖼️ Design & Extras
There’s more to this TV than just specs. The thoughtful extras sealed the deal for me:
- 🎨 Ambient Mode lets me turn the screen into art or a minimalist clock.
- 🎬 Netflix Calibrated Mode, IMAX Enhanced, and Filmmaker Mode offer reference-level picture presets.
- 🌱 Eco-conscious design with recycled materials and energy-saving features.
- 🧼 Clean cable management that keeps everything tidy behind the screen.
✅ Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?
Yes. Absolutely, yes.
If you’re someone who appreciates premium quality, whether it’s for movie nights, gaming sessions, or everyday binge-watching, the BRAVIA 8 II 65” QD-OLED is a dream come true. It’s not just a display—it’s an experience. Every time I sit down in front of it, I’m reminded why I made the investment.
It’s expensive—but in all the best ways. And now, I can confidently say: I’ll never go back to standard LED again.
🎯 Verdict:
⭐ Picture: 10/10
⭐ Sound: 8.5/10
⭐ Gaming: 9.5/10
⭐ Smart Features: 10/10
⭐ Design: 10/10
Total: 9.8/10 – Worth every penny.
Got questions about this TV or want to know how it compares to others I considered? Drop a comment below—I’d be happy to share more!
To see all the stats, info and reviews on Amazon follow my affiliate link to… SONY BRAVIA 8 II 65″ TV
