Sony's cinematic processing is for movie lovers, while Samsung's vibrant brightness is perfect for gamers and bright rooms.

Upgrading your television is a huge decision. You're not just buying a screen; you're investing in your home's entertainment centerpiece for years to come. I found myself in this exact spot, staring at two of 2024's most impressive OLED TVs. The choice between the Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90D felt impossible. One promises a true-to-life, filmmaker-intended experience, while the other boasts incredible brightness and cutting-edge gaming features. I’ve spent countless hours with both, from family movie nights to intense gaming sessions, and I'm here to break down exactly what sets them apart so you can make the right choice for your living room.

Is Sony Bravia 8 Good?

Yes, the Sony Bravia 8 is an exceptional television, especially for cinephiles. If your primary goal is to replicate the movie theater experience at home, this is the TV to beat. Sony's processing power is legendary, and it shows in how the Bravia 8 handles motion and color. It feels incredibly natural and authentic, avoiding the overly processed "soap opera effect" that plagues lesser TVs.

I remember the first time I watched a 4K Blu-ray on it. The scene was a dimly lit conversation, and the Bravia 8 rendered the subtle shadows and facial details with a depth I hadn't seen outside of a cinema. My family, who usually just sees a TV as a TV, even commented on how "real" it looked. For another test, I put on a fast-paced action movie, and the motion was perfectly smooth without any distracting blur. It just handles content with an artist's touch.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• XR Processor: Sony's cognitive processor understands how humans see and hear, optimizing picture and sound in real-time for incredible realism.
• Acoustic Surface Audio+: The screen itself is the speaker, creating sound that comes directly from the action, which is a game-changer for immersion.
• Google TV with Bravia Core: A user-friendly smart platform combined with Sony's exclusive high-bitrate streaming service for stunning picture quality.
• Perfect for PlayStation 5: Features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode optimize the gaming experience specifically for the PS5.
• Dolby Vision & IMAX Enhanced: Certified to deliver content exactly as the creators intended, with stunning HDR and immersive audio.

What I Like

• The picture processing is simply unmatched for movies and TV shows.
• Colors look incredibly natural and true-to-life.
• Motion handling is smooth and clean, perfect for sports and action scenes.
• The Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology is genuinely impressive and immersive.
• The build quality feels premium and robust.

What Could Be Better

• It's not as bright as some of its QD-OLED competitors, which can be a factor in very sunny rooms.
• It only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, which can be limiting if you have both a PS5 and an Xbox Series X.
• The price point is on the higher end of the premium TV market.

My Recommendation

If you are a movie lover who values color accuracy and cinematic motion above all else, the Sony Bravia 8 is your television. It offers a refined, authentic picture that truly honors the filmmaker's vision.

Best For	Why
Movie Enthusiasts	Unrivaled picture processing delivers a true cinematic experience.
PlayStation 5 Owners	Exclusive features create a seamless and optimized gaming setup.
Audio Purists	The innovative screen-speaker technology provides immersive, precise sound.

Is Samsung S90D Good?

Absolutely. The Samsung S90D is a phenomenal TV that pushes the boundaries of brightness and color vibrancy, making it a top contender, particularly for gamers and those with bright living rooms. It uses a QD-OLED panel, which combines the perfect blacks of OLED with the brightness and color volume of Quantum Dots. The result is a picture that pops off the screen with stunning intensity.

My living room gets a lot of afternoon sun, a classic enemy of most TVs. The S90D, however, cut through the glare with ease. I was playing a vibrant, colorful game, and the details in both the brightest and darkest parts of the screen were perfectly clear, with no washed-out colors. Later that night, watching a sci-fi show, the punchy highlights of laser blasts and spaceship engines against the blackness of space were breathtaking. The difference in sheer brightness compared to many other OLEDs is immediately noticeable and deeply impressive. The Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90D debate often comes down to this very point.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• QD-OLED Technology: Delivers exceptionally bright highlights and a wider range of vibrant colors compared to traditional OLED panels.
• NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor: Samsung's powerful processor uses AI to upscale content to 4K and optimize picture and sound.
• Gaming Hub & 144Hz Refresh Rate: A dedicated interface for cloud gaming and support for high-frame-rate PC gaming.
• Four HDMI 2.1 Ports: Ample connectivity for all your next-gen consoles and devices.
• Object Tracking Sound Lite: AI-powered sound that tracks the action on screen for a more dynamic audio experience.

What I Like

• Incredible peak brightness that makes HDR content truly shine.
• The colors are vibrant, rich, and deeply saturated.
• Excellent for gaming with low input lag and a high refresh rate.
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports provide great future-proofing.
• The Tizen smart TV platform is fast and responsive.

What Could Be Better

• The picture processing can sometimes feel a bit over-sharpened or aggressive compared to Sony's.
• It lacks Dolby Vision support, opting for HDR10+ instead.
• The built-in sound is good but doesn't match the innovation of Sony's Acoustic Surface.

My Recommendation

The Samsung S90D is the ideal choice for gamers and anyone watching TV in a bright room. Its incredible brightness and vibrant colors create a visually stunning experience that commands your attention and excels with modern HDR content.

Best For	Why
Hardcore Gamers	Low input lag, 144Hz support, and four HDMI 2.1 ports make it a gaming beast.
Bright Room Viewing	The QD-OLED panel's high brightness easily overcomes ambient light and glare.
HDR Fans	Spectacular peak brightness makes HDR movies and games look incredibly impactful.

Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90d: Side-by-Side Test

Putting these two titans head-to-head in my own home revealed their distinct personalities. While both offer a premium OLED experience, my hands-on testing highlighted key differences that will sway your decision in the Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90D showdown.

Picture Processing: Cinematic vs Dynamic

I watched the same 4K movie scenes on both TVs to see how they handle content. The difference in philosophy was clear.

Feature	Sony Bravia 8	Samsung S90D
Processing Engine	XR Processor	NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor
Picture Philosophy	Natural, authentic, true to source	Vibrant, bright, high-impact
Motion Handling	Exceptionally smooth and cinematic	Clear and fluid, geared for gaming
Upscaling	Superb, retains natural film grain	Sharp and detailed, can be aggressive

• Rating: Sony Bravia 8 – 9.5/10 | Samsung S90D – 9/10

Summary: Sony wins for pure cinematic authenticity. Its processing is more subtle and natural, making it the choice for movie purists.

Peak Brightness: Good vs Spectacular

I tested both TVs in my sunlit living room during the day. The S90D’s advantage here was impossible to ignore.

Feature	Sony Bravia 8	Samsung S90D
Panel Technology	WOLED (White OLED)	QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED)
Bright Room Performance	Very good, handles most light well	Excellent, cuts through glare easily
HDR Highlights	Detailed and impactful	Intensely bright and vivid
Color Volume	Excellent	Superior, especially in bright scenes

• Rating: Sony Bravia 8 – 8.5/10 | Samsung S90D – 9.5/10

Summary: The Samsung S90D has a clear edge in brightness, making it the superior choice for bright rooms and for those who want the most impactful HDR experience.

Gaming Performance: Excellent vs Elite

I hooked up my consoles to both TVs to compare input lag, features, and overall feel. Both are fantastic, but one is built for the most demanding gamers.

Feature	Sony Bravia 8	Samsung S90D
HDMI 2.1 Ports	Two	Four
Max Refresh Rate	120Hz	144Hz (for PC)
Exclusive Features	Perfect for PlayStation 5	Gaming Hub, Game Bar
Input Lag	Very Low	Extremely Low

• Rating: Sony Bravia 8 – 9/10 | Samsung S90D – 10/10

Summary: Samsung is the undisputed gaming champion here. With four HDMI 2.1 ports and a 144Hz refresh rate, it's better equipped for users with multiple consoles or a high-end gaming PC.

Sound Quality: Innovative vs Conventional

I listened to everything from dialogue-heavy scenes to explosive action sequences using only the built-in TV speakers.

Feature	Sony Bravia 8	Samsung S90D
Speaker Technology	Acoustic Surface Audio+	Object Tracking Sound Lite
Sound Placement	Comes directly from the screen	Follows action on screen
Dialogue Clarity	Exceptional	Very Good
Bass Response	Decent, has built-in subwoofers	Good, but less immersive

• Rating: Sony Bravia 8 – 9/10 | Samsung S90D – 8/10

Summary: Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ is a standout feature. The sound feels more direct and immersive, giving it the win for built-in audio.

Smart TV Platform: Clean vs Comprehensive

I spent time navigating the menus, launching apps, and exploring the smart features of each TV.

Feature	Sony Bravia 8	Samsung S90D
Operating System	Google TV	Tizen OS
Interface	Content-focused, clean	Fast, app-centric, includes ads
Exclusive Service	Bravia Core (High-bitrate streaming)	Gaming Hub (Cloud gaming)
Responsiveness	Smooth and stable	Very fast and fluid

• Rating: Sony Bravia 8 – 9/10 | Samsung S90D – 9/10

Summary: This is a tie. Google TV on the Sony is cleaner and has Bravia Core, but Samsung's Tizen is slightly faster and its Gaming Hub is a huge plus for gamers. It's a matter of personal preference.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

After extensive testing, the Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90D comparison isn't about which TV is "better," but which TV is better for you. Both are at the pinnacle of television technology, but they serve different masters. Your choice should come down to your primary use case.

If you are a cinephile who darkens the room for movie night and craves a picture that is as faithful to the director's intent as possible, buy the Sony Bravia 8. Its superior processing, natural color, and innovative sound create an unparalleled cinematic experience. For PS5 owners, the specialized features are the icing on the cake. For everyone else, especially serious gamers and those with bright living spaces, the Samsung S90D is the smarter pick. Its dazzling brightness, vibrant colors, and comprehensive gaming features make it a versatile powerhouse that excels with modern content.

FAQs Of Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90d

What is the biggest difference between the Sony Bravia 8 vs Samsung S90D?

The main difference lies in their picture philosophy and panel technology. The Sony Bravia 8 uses a WOLED panel and focuses on ultra-realistic, natural image processing for a cinematic look. The Samsung S90D uses a brighter QD-OLED panel and aims for a vibrant, high-impact picture that excels in bright rooms and gaming.

Is the Samsung S90D better for gaming than the Sony Bravia 8?

Yes, for most gamers, the Samsung S90D is the better choice. It offers four HDMI 2.1 ports (compared to Sony's two), a higher 144Hz refresh rate for PC gaming, and a dedicated Gaming Hub. While the Bravia 8 is excellent for PS5, the S90D is more versatile and feature-rich for all types of gaming.

Does the Sony Bravia 8 get bright enough for a normal room?

Yes, the Sony Bravia 8 is plenty bright for most living room environments. However, if your room has many windows and gets a lot of direct, bright sunlight, the superior peak brightness of the Samsung S90D will provide a better viewing experience by more effectively combating glare.

Which TV has better built-in sound?

The Sony Bravia 8 generally has better and more innovative built-in sound. Its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, where the screen itself acts as a speaker, creates a more direct and immersive soundstage where audio appears to come right from the source of the action.

Should I choose based on Dolby Vision vs HDR10+?

This is a minor factor for most people. The Sony Bravia 8 supports Dolby Vision, which is more widely used on streaming services and 4K Blu-rays. The Samsung S90D supports HDR10+. While Dolby Vision is technically more advanced with its dynamic metadata, both formats provide a fantastic HDR experience. The core picture quality of the TV itself is a much more important deciding factor.