The Sony Bravia 5 Mini-LED 65-inch TV, priced at approximately ₹1.35 lakhs ($1,600), promises value with 4K 120Hz, Dolby Vision, and Google TV. However, my week-long testing reveals critical flaws that may make you reconsider. From limited brightness for daylight viewing to weak audio and outdated HDMI ports, this TV falls short against competitors like the Samsung QN90F. For Indian urban families and US home theater enthusiasts, these five reasons highlight why the Bravia 5 might not be the best pick in 2025. Read on to decide if it’s worth your investment.
Introduction
The Sony Bravia 5 Mini-LED TV, launched in 2025 at ~₹1.35 lakhs in India and ~$1,600 in the USA, aims to be a value-for-money option in Sony’s premium lineup. With a 65-inch 4K 120Hz panel, Dolby Vision, and Google TV, it sounds like a steal. But as a tech reviewer with 8 years of experience testing TVs across brands like TCL, LG, and Samsung, I found significant drawbacks after a week of hands-on use—streaming movies, gaming on PS5, and watching sports like IPL (India) and NFL (USA). While its color accuracy and upscaling shine, the Bravia 5 stumbles in key areas, especially when compared to rivals like the Samsung QN90F.
Reason 1: Limited Brightness for Daylight Viewing
The Sony Bravia 5’s Mini-LED panel peaks at ~1000 nits in HDR (small window) and ~800 nits average, per my SpyderX calibrator tests. While sufficient for dark rooms, it struggles in bright environments common in Indian urban homes with large windows or US living rooms with sunlight. Watching IPL matches or daytime Netflix in my 200 sq ft setup showed noticeable glare, unlike the Samsung QN90F’s 1500+ nits and anti-glare coating, which handles bright rooms effortlessly.
Why It Matters: In India, where many homes lack blackout curtains, and in the USA, where open-plan living rooms are common, brightness is critical. The Bravia 5’s lack of an anti-glare layer and modest nits make it less versatile than competitors like the LG QNED85 or TCL C845, both offering 1200+ nits at similar prices.
Verdict: If you watch TV in well-lit spaces, the Bravia 5’s brightness is a dealbreaker.
Reason 2: Weak Audio Performance
The Bravia 5’s 40W 4-speaker system delivers clear mids and dialogue—great for shows like The Office—but lacks bass depth. During my tests with Dune, explosions felt flat, and music-heavy scenes in La La Land lacked punch. Compared to the Samsung QN90F’s 60W system with deeper bass or the TCL C845’s 50W setup, the Bravia 5 underperforms. Sony’s Acoustic Center Sync (with HT-A7000 soundbar, ~₹1 lakh/$1,200) enhances audio, but that’s an expensive fix.
Why It Matters: Indian families often rely on TV speakers for movies and cricket, while US buyers expect immersive sound for home theaters. Without a soundbar, the Bravia 5 disappoints, forcing additional costs.
Verdict: Weak bass makes a soundbar mandatory, inflating the total cost.
Reason 3: Only Two HDMI 2.1 Ports
The Bravia 5 offers four HDMI ports, but only two are HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM), limiting its appeal for gamers. My PS5 ran Spider-Man 2 smoothly at 120fps, but connecting multiple next-gen devices (e.g., Xbox Series X and a gaming PC) is a hassle. The Samsung QN90F provides four HDMI 2.1 ports, with one supporting 165Hz for PC gaming—a feature the Bravia 5 lacks entirely.
Why It Matters: In India, urban gamers juggle consoles and streaming boxes; in the USA, home theater setups often include PCs. The Bravia 5’s port limitation feels outdated, especially at $1,600/₹1.35 lakhs, where competitors offer full HDMI 2.1 support.
Verdict: Gamers with multiple devices will find the port setup restrictive.
Reason 4: No HDR10+ Support
The Bravia 5 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, delivering vibrant colors in Cinema Mode (99% Rec.709 coverage, per my tests). However, it skips HDR10+, a format used by Amazon Prime Video and some 4K Blu-rays, unlike the Samsung QN90F, which supports HDR10+ and HLG. Watching HDR content on Prime Video showed less dynamic range compared to Dolby Vision titles on Netflix, limiting versatility.
Why It Matters: Indian streaming fans rely heavily on Prime Video, while US buyers expect broad HDR compatibility for Blu-rays. Missing HDR10+ reduces the Bravia 5’s appeal for diverse content libraries.
Verdict: Lack of HDR10+ restricts HDR performance on key platforms.
Reason 5: Stronger Competition at Similar Price
At ₹1.35 lakhs/$1,600, the Bravia 5 faces stiff competition from the Samsung QN90F (₹1.5 lakhs/$1,800), LG QNED85, and TCL C845. The QN90F offers brighter visuals (1500+ nits), four HDMI 2.1 ports, 165Hz for PC gaming, and a 60W audio system. My tests showed the QN90F excelling in bright rooms and gaming, while the Bravia 5’s strengths (upscaling, color accuracy) don’t justify its compromises. The LG QNED85 (~₹1.4 lakhs/$1,700) adds 1200 nits and better motion handling, while TCL’s C845 matches brightness at a lower price.
Why It Matters: India’s price-sensitive market and the USA’s value-driven buyers demand maximum features. The Bravia 5’s eco-friendly packaging and Sony ecosystem (Bravia Core, PS5 integration) are nice but don’t outweigh rivals’ superior specs.
Verdict: Competitors offer more for the price, making the Bravia 5 less compelling.
Comparison Table: Sony Bravia 5 vs Competitors
| Feature | Sony Bravia 5 | Samsung QN90F | LG QNED85 | TCL C845 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹1.35L/$1,600 | ₹1.5L/$1,800 | ₹1.4L/$1,700 | ₹1.3L/$1,550 |
| Panel | Mini-LED | Neo QLED | Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1500+ nits | 1200 nits | 1200 nits |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ |
| HDMI Ports | 2 x 2.1 | 4 x 2.1 | 4 x 2.1 | 3 x 2.1 |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Audio | 40W | 60W | 50W | 50W |
| Anti-glare | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Analysis: The Bravia 5 excels in upscaling and Dolby Vision but lags in brightness, ports, and audio compared to rivals.
Pros of the Sony Bravia 5 (For Balance)
- Excellent Upscaling: Sony’s XR Processor makes 720p/1080p content (e.g., Indian cable TV, US Blu-rays) near-4K sharp.
- Accurate Colors: 99% Rec.709 coverage in Cinema Mode, ideal for movies like Dune.
- Sleek Design: Slim bezels and solid build suit modern homes.
- Google TV OS: Fast, intuitive, with 14GB usable storage.
- PS5 Integration: Auto HDR and 120Hz VRR for console gaming.
Who Should Consider the Sony Bravia 5?
Despite its flaws, the Bravia 5 suits:
- Movie Buffs: Dolby Vision and color accuracy shine in dark rooms.
- Sony Fans: Bravia Core and PS5 integration add ecosystem value.
- Budget Buyers: At ₹1.35 lakhs/$1,600, it’s Sony’s cheapest Mini-LED.
However, bright-room viewers, multi-device gamers, and audio enthusiasts should explore alternatives.
Final Verdict – Should You Avoid the Sony Bravia 5?
The Sony Bravia 5 tries to balance premium features with affordability but stumbles in 2025’s competitive market. Its limited brightness (1000 nits) struggles in bright rooms, weak 40W audio demands a soundbar, and only two HDMI 2.1 ports hinder gaming setups. Missing HDR10+ limits streaming versatility, and rivals like the Samsung QN90F offer brighter displays, better audio, and more ports for slightly more. My tests confirm it’s great for dark-room movie lovers but falls short for diverse needs.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5) – Consider alternatives unless you prioritize Sony’s ecosystem.
The Sony Bravia 5 (₹1.35 lakhs/$1,600) promises value with its 65-inch Mini-LED panel, but its shortcomings—dim brightness, weak audio, limited HDMI 2.1 ports, no HDR10+, and stronger competition—make it a risky buy in 2025. Indian families and US cinephiles wanting a budget Sony may like its upscaling and colors, but alternatives like the Samsung QN90F or LG QNED85 offer more for the price. Share your thoughts below or check my YouTube for detailed TV reviews!
Source: This Sony TV is Great Value for Money But… | Bravia 5 Review
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