Sony XBR65X850D vs Samsung UN65KS8000 Review

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Sony XBR65X850D and Samsung UN65KS8000 are mid-class of 65 Inch HDR 4K TVs that available in the market. In the market they are sold with similar price, that s about $1500. Like most of 4K TVs that available in the market, both of them also already support HDR. But they only support HDR 10 only and don’t support Dolby Vision. As we know, for this time, Samsung and Sony don’t support Dolby Vision and unlike LG and Vizio which already support both of these HDR formats.  So, with the same price, which is a better choice between them?

At a Glance about Sony XBR65X850D

 

Sony XBR65X850d is part of X850D series, the mud class of Sony’s 2016 4K TV X Series. Unlike the predecessors X850C series, it is not equipped with 3D technology. But as instead, it comes with HDR technology support HDR 10 format. The main technology behind it is X1 4K processor that process 4K signals very well by improving color, contrast and clarity. Additionally, TriLuminos Display technology also becomes its main technology for delivering wide color gamut. This will make the color of the picture produced looks accurate and richer. Behind its panel, XBR65X850D use IPS panel with edge lit backlighting. As its dimming technology, it uses frame dimming with Dynamic Contrast Enhancer for improving black level and contrast. Because it is an IPS TV, of course wide viewing angle becomes its advantage than other TVs in its class which use VA Panel. The other flagship of XBR65X850D is about UHD Up-scaling engine performance where with 4K X-Reality Pro, it up-scales greatly lower resolution contents to near 4K quality and the final images is very detailed and sharp image in 4K quality. And that is not interesting is about its smart TV where it features Google Android TV as its smart TV platform. And the benefit, most of the people certainly have been familiar with Android OS on their android smart phone where basically, it is similar to android OS on Android Smart Phone.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X850D <<

 

At a Glance about Samsung UN65KS8000

 

Samsung UN65KS8000 is part of KS8000 series, the lowest model of Samsung’s 2016 SUHD TV lineup. What featured by UN65KS8000 is similar to its brother UN65KS8500 unless it comes with flat panel. Additionally, like XBR65X850D, it also supports HDR 10 format only and is not equipped with 3D technology. But even so, HDR performance that offered is greater considering it is featuring Ultra HD premium Certification set by UHD Alliance. For producing stunning HDR picture quality, Samsung UN65KS8500 is powered by great HDR engine called HDR 1000 and the number Samsung’s most advanced technologies. For delivering wide color gamut, there is Quantum Dot Panel supports 10 bit depth of color. Additionally, for delivering deep black level and strong contrast, UN65KS8000 use edge lit backlight with local dimming called Precision Black and other technologies like Contrast Enhancer, UHD Dimming, and Ultra Black. Otherwise, there is also Peak Illuminator Pro that makes it can reach very bright peak whites. Of course with all technologies behind it, picture quality produced by UN65KS8000 is absolutely amazing. But unlike Sony XBR65X850D that comes with IPS Panel, UN65KS8000 comes with VA panel that course makes it viewing angle is poor. In addition picture quality, there are also some features offered which also have great performance. And for completing your 4K entertainment, UN65KS8000 comes with Tizen OS and powered by a quad core processor.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the UN65KS8000 <<

 

Sony XBR65X850D vs Samsung UN65KS8000 Specs

Specs and FeaturesSamsung UN65KS8000Sony XBR65X850D
Size65 Inch (64.5”)65 Inch (64.5”)
Resolution4K (2160 x 3840)4K (2160 x 3840)
Panel TypeVA PanelIPS Panel
BacklightingEdge LitEdge Lit
Dimming TechnologyLocal Dimming (Precision Black)Frame Dimming
Picture EngineHDR 1000X1 4K Processor
HDR SupportHDR 10HDR 10
Certified by Ultra HD PremiumYesNo
Color TechnologyQuantum Dot PanelTriLuminos Display
Support 10 BitYesYes
Other advanced technologyUltra Clear Panel, UHD Dimming, Peak Illuminator Pro, Contrast Enhancer, etcDynamic Contrast Enhancer, Precision Color Mapping, etc
UHD Up-scalingYesYes (4K X-Reality Pro)
Motion HandlingMotion Rate 240Motion Flow XR960
Refresh rateNative 120 HzNative 120 Hz
3D TechnologyNoNo
Smart TVTizenAndroid TV
Audio Channel2.12
Sound Output40W (10W x 2, Woofer 10W x 2)10 watts x 2
HDMI44
USB33
PriceSee today’s PriceSee today’s Price

Samsung UN65KS8000 and Sony XBR65X850D Side by Side

Picture quality

Because picture quality certainly becomes your main consideration in buying 4K TV, let’s start discuss their performance from here.  You need to know, because each of them uses different panel type, of course, they have difference in characteristic. As we see on comparison able above, Samsung UN65KS8000 comes with VA panel while Sony XBR65X850D comes with IPS Panel. This course will have a big impact on the contrast and back level that produced. To now the advantages and disadvantages between IPS panel and VA Panel, you can read it here.

 

Started from black level and contrast, Samsung UN65KS8000 with all technologies behind it can reach about 0.015 nits of black level with contrast ratio about 7000:1. This might not as deep as what reached by OLED TV. But at least, this is very deep for a LED TV. Meanwhile, Sony XBR65X850D with IPS Panel can reach about 0.084 nits with native contrast ratio about 1250:1. We can see, black level and contrast ratio produced by XBR65X850D is not as deep and strong as what reached by UN65KS8000. Additionally, black uniformity of XBR65X850D is also not as uniform as what offered by UN65KS8000. Whereas we know, for displaying HDR 10 contents fully, it need 0.05 nits of black level or lower. This means UN65KS8000 meet the minimum standardization of HDR 10 whileXBR65X850D is not. In other hand, because black level and contrast ratio of XBR65X850D is not as deep and strong as what reached by UN65KS8000, of course the picture produced is also not as good as what displayed on the screen of U65KS8000. Detail of images in dark scenes will revealed more on the screen of UN65KS8000 than XBR65X850D. Additionally, the low contrast of XBR65X850D also makes the picture displayed on its screen also look not so good when displaying dark scenes in a dark room even when it is displaying SDR contents. The dark area of the images would seem likely to grey. But as long as the room has decent lights and the screen is not highlighted by light directly, the picture produced looks sharp.

 

Additionally, the peak brightness of SonyXBR65X850D is also not as bright as Samsung UN65KS8000. While it needs at least 1000 nits of peak brightness for displaying HDR 10 fully, Sony XBR65X850D can reach about 420 nits of peak brightness on all % windows. The similarity of peak brightness on all % of windows is due it uses frame dimming, not local dimming. In other hand, Samsung UN65KS8000 with local dimming and peak illuminator pro can reach about 1500 nits of peak brightness on 2% windows. Meanwhile on 100% and 50 % window, peak brightness looks dims at about 500 nits. This means, peak brightness of UN65KS8000 exceeds 1000 nits for displaying HDR 10 fully while what reached by XBR65X850D is not enough to display HDR 10 fully. With brighter peak brightness, detail of picture in sun/light highlighted effect also will be revealed more on the screen of UN65KS8000 than XBR65X850D. Even when it is playing SD contents, you also have to avoid the screen of XBR65X850D from highlighted of light directly to prevent the image quality decreases. Meanwhile, with very bright peak brightness, the quality of the picture that displayed on the screen of UN65KS8000 will look more consistently, even in a very bright room.

 

Moving on color performance, for delivering wide color gamut, Samsung UN65KS8000 is powered by Quantum Dot Technology while SonyXBR65X850D is powered by TriLuminos Display. Additionally, both of them also already support 10 bit depth of panel. The result, both of them equally deliver wide color gamut. Precisely, UN65KS8000 delivers can cover about 95% of DCI P3 color space while XBR65X850D can cover about 93% of DCI P3 color space. Although from here we can see UN65KS8000 offers a bit more color coverage than XBR65X850D, but at least color space can be covered by them exceeds the minimum standardization of HDR 10 that is 90% of DCI P3 color space. This means when they are displaying HDR contents, the color will look very accurate and rich. Additionally, both of them also already support 10 bit depth of color that means they can deliver about 1.07 billion shades of color. In other hand, HDR 10 also needs at least 10 depth of color for producing very smooth color gradient. With great performance in color reproduction, of course this will make the picture displayed on their screen looks very natural with very accurate color and smooth color gradient.

 

From all display specs that offered by them, can be ascertained the picture produced by Samsung UN65KS8000 is much better than XBR65X850D, no matter they are displaying HDR or SDR contents. Additionally, the quality of the picture displayed on the screen of UN65KS8000 will look more consistently in a dark room or very bright room than XBR65X850D. Let alone, UN65KS8000 is certified by Ultra HD premium certification that guarantees its great HDR performance, it certainly is a better choice if you are searching a serious HDR TV.

Winner: UN65KS8000

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the UN65KS8000 <<

 

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X850D <<

 

Viewing Angle

 

The use of IPS panel might make the contrast and black level of Sony XBR65X850D is poor but in other hand, it offers wider viewing angle than Samsung UN65KS800 that uses VA Panel. Started at 20 degrees of center and front, the quality of the picture displayed on the screen of UN65KS8000 will begin to deteriorate. In other hand, on the screen of XBR65X850D, the quality of the picture will look deteriorate at 36 degrees off center and front even wider. What offered by XBR65X850D might not as perfect as what offered by OLED TV, but at least it is very useful when you need a TV with wide viewing angle for wide room with a lot of viewers. As long as the viewers watch TV not from extremely angle, the picture will look consistent on the screen of XBR65X850D. And of course, to get the best viewing when you are setting your seat and TV in your room, XBR65X850D is much easier than UN65KS8000.

Winner: XBR65X850D

 

UHD Up-scaling

 

Both of Samsung UN65KS8000 and Sony XBR65X850D equally offer great UHD Up-scaling performance. This is very useful when you want to watch videos with lower resolution than 4K to near 4K quality. Let alone most of the contents that available in the market still come with resolution lower than 4K. When the sources are 1080p videos like Blu Ray Movies or other full HD contents, once up-scaled, they will look very sharp and well detailed on each of their screen. Additionally, the 720p contents like movies from Cable HD TV or other HD media, they also look sharp and clear without much loss of small detail. Even video contents with 480p resolution like video from DVDs or SD TV, the final images displayed still look good on their screen with details are well preserved. But even so, if we look carefully, particularly when they are displaying from 480p sources, XBR65X850D offers slight better performance than UN65KS8000. As we know, combination of X1 engine and 4K-Xreality Pro behind Sony 4K TV including XBR65X850D make them offer the best UHD Up-scaling performance.

Winner: XBR65X850D

 

Motion Handling and 24p Playback

For minimizing motion blur when they are displaying fast moving images like sports program, fast action movies, of video games, Samsung UN65KS8000 is supported by Motion Rate 240 Hz technology based on native 120 Hz refresh rate panel while Sony XBR65X850D is powered by Motion Flow XR960 also based on native 120 Hz refresh rate panel. Nevertheless, although both of them based on the same native refresh rate panel, XBR65X850D offers faster pixel response time than UN65KS8000. This means when handling motion blur, XBR65X850D is slight better than XBR65KS8000. The trail behind fast moving objects is slightly noticeable on the screen of UN65KS8000 but it is not seen on the screen of XBR65X850D. Nevertheless, although fast moving object still appears a little blurry on their screen, this will not disturb your comfort when enjoying fast moving images. Additionally, when they are playing 24p contents like Blu-Ray movies or even via 60i signals like movies from satellite TV or via 60p signals like movies from streaming media, both of them equally offers perfect performance. This means with certain setting on each, judder can be removed without adding “soap opera effect”. For removing judder, you need to set “Auto Motion Plus” to “Custom” and both “Sliders” to 0” on UN65KS800 while for XBR65X850D, you need to set “Motion Flow” to “ True Cinema” and “CineMotion” to “High”.

Winner: XBR65X850D

 

Connectivity

Both of Samsung UN65KS8000 and Sony XBR65X850D are equally equipped with 4 HDMI Ports and 3 USB Ports as their connectivity and other input like Antenna In (RF), Digital Audio Out (optical), Ethernet and Analog Audio Out (mini jack) where the amount of each is 1. The difference is about AV in (Composite) and Component in where XBR65X850D is still equipped with them while UN65KS8000 is not. The other difference is where they are installed. On XBR65X850D, all connectivity ports are installed on the rear panel while on rear panel of UN65KS8000, All HDMI Ports, 2 USB Ports, and Antenna In is installed on separated box called ”One Connect Box”. The benefit, it is upgradable, so if in future there is an update of HDMI firmware, you just need update this box. Additionally, overall, Samsung UN65KS8000 also offers lower input lag than XBR65X850D, whether it is at 1080 signals, 4K signals, or 4K signals with HDR. For regular games, both of them might be equally as nice, but for games which require fast reflexes, UN65KS8000 is better than XBR65X850D.

Samsung One Connect Box

Winner: UN65KS8000

 

Sound Quality

SamsungUN65S8000 is equipped with 2.1 channels speaker system with total 40 watts speaker power while XBR65X850D is equipped by 2.0 channel speaker system with total 20 watts power speaker. Without built in woofer, low frequency or bass produced by XBR65X850D is not as many as bass produced by UN65KS8000 with built in woofer. Additionally, frequency response of XB65X850D is also not as good as what offered by UN65KS8000, so make it is heard more distorted at a high volume. Overall, UN65KS8000 offers better sound quality than XBR65X850D. Nevertheless, for you who are care about sound quality, this certainly is not enough, let alone for XB65X850D that has more poor sound quality. And certainly, by adding an external sound bar for them is a good solution if you want a better sound experience.

Winner: UN65KS8000

 

Smart TV

Samsung UN65KS8000 features Tizen OS as its smart TV platform while Sony XBR65X850D series features Google Android TVs. Both of them equally provide a lot of useful and interesting apps. Most of useful and popular apps are available like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, and many more. There are also Web Browser, contents and apps Stores, Cloud Gaming Service Apps like PlayStation Now provided by them. Both of them also offer equally fast and responsive performance when launch an app, selecting between apps or navigating between different menus. But in term of user interface and how to operate, Tizen OS is more simple while on Android TV is a bit confusing. Additionally, apps and contents provided by Tizen OS is also more focused on what people need while Android TVs is ore expanded.

Tizen OS

Google Android TV

As their controller, both of them are equipped with a remote that equally can serve as universal remote. This means you can use them to control other devices connected onto TV via HDMI with a single remote. UN65KS8000 comes with “Samsung Smart Controller” while XBR65X850D comes with “Voice Remote Control. Additionally both of them also support voice command where they allow you to control TV functions like changing the channel, selecting inputs, switch on/off and other basic functions with your voice. The difference, Samsung Smart Touch is simpler with minimalist button while Sony Remote has a lot of button but more straightforward navigating different menu.

Samsung Smart Controller

Sony Remote

Winner: UN65KS8000

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the UN65KS8000 <<

 

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X850D <<

 

Summary

PerformanceSamsung UN65KS8000Sony XBR65X850D
Design(4.5/5)(4.3/5)
Picture Quality(4.2/5)(3.7/5)
HDR(4.2/5)(3.8/5)
Motion Handling(4.1/5)(4.6/5)
Inputs(4.1/5)(3.8/5)
Sound Quality(3.3/5)(2.5/5)
Smart TV(4.3/5)(3.8/5)

 

Conclusion

As mentioned, in the market Samsung UN65KS8000 and Sony XBR65X850D are sold with almost the same price that is about \$1500. With Ultra HD premium Certification and better display specs, UN65KS8000 is superior on HDR performance and picture quality in a room with all conditions. Additionally, it also offers better sound quality, lower input lag, and more attractive Smart TVs. Meanwhile, XBR65X850D with IPS panel offers better viewing angle, motion handling and UHD Up-scaling performance. This means, UN65KS8000 is able to display HDR 10 fully without any issues while black level and peak brightness of XBR65X850D is not quite deep and bright for displaying HDR 10 contents fully. Talking about HDR performance, UN65KS8000 is able to display HDR 10 fully without any issues while black level and peak brightness of XBR65X850D is not quite deep and bright for displaying HDR 10 contents fully.

Which is a better choice between them? Of course this comes back to your need and preferences. If you searching a serious HDR TV that offers great HDR performance or better TV for games which requires fast reflexes, of course UN65KS8000 with Ultra HD premium Certification is a better choice for you. But if you are searching a TV with wide viewing angle and better motion handling, of course XBR65X850D is a better choice.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung UN65KS8000 <<

 

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony XBR65X850D <<

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