Sony X850G vs X800G Review (XBR55X850G vs XBR55X800G, XBR65X850G vs XBR65X800G, XBR75X850G vs XBR75X800G)

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Sony X850G and X800G is the mid-range TV of Sony’s 2019 4K HDR LED TV. The Sony X800G is the replacement of the 2018 X750F, while the X850G is the replacement of X850F. In the market, the X850G comes in 4 screen sizes option including 55 inches (XBR55X850G), 65 Inches (XBR65X850G), 75 Inches (XBR75X850G), and 85 inches (XBR85X850G). Meanwhile, the X800G comes in 5 screen size options including 43 inches (XBR43X800G), 49 inches (XBR49X800G), 55 Inches (XBR55X800G), 65 inches (XBR65X800G) and 75 inches (XBR75X800G).  With the same screen (XBR55X800G vs XBR65X800G, XBR65X800G vs XBR65X850G), the X850G is priced more expensive than the X800G. In general, the X850G and X800G both actually use IPS panel. But special for their biggest screen (75 inches for X800G and 85 inches for X850G), they both use VA panel. But since the VA panel has different technical platform than IPS panel, particularly on side viewing angle and contrast ratio, this course makes the performance of their biggest model is different to the smaller models. And since of these series use two panel technologies, this comparison refers to the model that use IPS panel.

Sony X850G vs X800G Key Specs

Specs and Features Sony X800G Sony X850G
Screen Sizes Available 43 Inches (XBR43X800G), 49 Inches (XBR49X800G), 55 Inches (XBR55X800G), 65 Inches (XBR65X800G), 75 Inches (XBR75X800G) 55 Inches (XBR55X850G), 65 Inches (XBR65X850G), 75 Inches (XBR75X850G), 85 inches (XBR85X850G)
Panel Technology IPS, 75 inch : VA panel IPS, 85 inch : VA panel
Backlighting Technology Direct LED Edge Lit
Local Dimming No No
Image Processor N/a 4K HDR Processor X1
HDR Supports HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Contrast Enhancement Dynamic Contrast Enhancer Object-based HDR Remaster, Dynamic Contrast Enhancer
Color Enhancement TriLuminos Display, Live Color Technology TriLuminos Display, Live Color Technology
Clarity Enhancement 4K X Reality Pro 4K X Reality Pro
Native Refresh Rate Panel 60 Hz 120 Hz
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) Supports No No
Motion Enhancement MotionFlow XR 240 MotionFlow XR 940
Smart TV Platform Android 7.0 Nougat Android 8.0 Oreo
Audio Channel 2.0 Channel 2.0 Channel
Total Sound Output 20 watts 20 watts
Dolby ATmos Support No Yes
Speaker Type Bass Reflex Speaker Acoustic Multi Audio
HDMI Ports 4 4
USB Ports 3 2
Composite In (AV In) 1 1
Price See today’s Price See today’s Price

Technologies and Features of Sony X800G and X850G

Panel Technology

IPS Panel Illustration

As we have mentioned, except the largest screen sizes, in general, they both use IPS panel technology.  AS we have known, one of the major advantage of IPS panel is it can provide far wider viewing angle than VA panel. But on the other hand, the TV that uses IPS panel usually has weak contrast ratio that makes it cannot produce deep black. This certainly also makes its dark room performance is not so good. Nevertheless, even though they both use the same panel technology, but their backlight technology is different. The Sony X950G use edge lit backlight while the X850G use direct LED backlight. But even so, they both don’t have local dimming features that can improve their performance in a dark room. Although not always, the TV with edge-lit backlight usually is thinner than the TV with direct LED backlight.

Image Processor

The image processor might become the major difference between them. As we see on comparison table above, the Sony X850G is powered by 4K HDR Processor X1 while Sony is not listed the processor behind the Sony X800G. You need to know, 4K HDR Processor X1 is the first generation of X1 engines series. In Comparison with the X1 Extreme and X1 Ultimate, it lacks some features offered by them.  But even so, this processor still has some features like Precision Color Mapping, Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, and Object Based HDR Remaster to improve its performance in processing HDR content.

HDR Supports

As we see on comparison table above, the Sony X800G supports HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). As we know, HDR10 is a static HDR format developed by UHD Alliance, while HLG is a HDR format developed by NHK and BBC for TV broadcasting. Meanwhile, in addition to HDR10 and HLG, the Sony X850G also supports Dolby Vision, a proprietary HDR format by Dolby Laboratories that already uses dynamic metadata. And of course, since it already uses dynamic meta data, HDR images produced is more precise than static HDR format like HDR10.

Motion Technology

The other major difference between the Sony X800G and X850G is about their native refresh rate. For this case, the Sony X850G has native 120 Hz refresh rate while the X800G has native 60 Hz refresh rate panel. Meanwhile, to dim their backlight, they both don’t use PWM Dimming system. This certainly makes their backlight is almost flicker-free. But even so, they both also have an optiona120 Hz BFI (Black Frame Insertion) mode that makes their backlight flicker at 120 Hz. This feature is very helpful to make motion looks crisper, even though not as good as a 60 Hz BFI mode. Nevertheless, they both don’t support Variable Refresh Rate technologies like FreeSync or other that can improve their game experience.

Connectivity

Sony X850G and X800G both have 4 HDM ports as their major connectivity. All of HDMI ports already support HDMI CEC, HDCP 2.2, and even HDCP 2.3. Their HDMI ports also already support HDMI 2.0 Full bandwidth. The difference, all of HDMI ports of the X850G already support HDMI 2.0, while for the X800G, there are only two ports that support HDMI 2.0, which are HDMI 2 and 3. Additionally, they both also support ARC, but only the X850G that supports eARC (enhanced ARC), allow its HDM I to pass through the Dolby Atmos signal via True HD and DTS:X signal via DTS HD. But even so, they both don’t support HDMI 2.1 Full Bandwidth. In addition to HDMI ports, they both also have 3 USB ports where one of them is USB 3.0 (USB 1), while the rest are USB 2.0. Furthermore, they both also have 1 Tuner IN, 1 AV In, 1 Component In (Share), 1 Composite In (share), 1 Digital Audio Out (optical), 1 Analog Audio Out (Mini Jack 3.5 mm), 1 Ethernet port, and 1 IR In for their IR blaster.

Smart TV Platform

Even though they both are equally 2019 model, as their smart TV platform, but they run different version of Android OS. For this case, the X850G runs the latest version of Android OS, that is 8.0 version or Android Oreo, the latest version of Android TV, while the X800G still run the 7.0 version or Android Nougat. Their interfaces are well organized and easy to use. But even so, the X850G is supported by a higher level processor than the X800G and basically, the interface of Android Oreo is smoother than Nougat,  this certainly makes the smart TV’s interface of the X850G is far smoother and faster than  the X800G. Meanwhile, as we have known, one of the most interesting things offered by Android TV is about the apps provided. In addition it already provides huge selections of preinstalled apps, it also have an excellent Google Play Store. Since it is supported by tons of developer, apps, contents, games, and others provided by Google Plays Store are also very complete, far more complete than what provided by other apps store like Samsung Apps Store or LG Apps Store. Additionally, their smart TV platform also already works with Google Voice Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, AirPlay 2 and others.

Remote

As their controller, the Sony X800G and X850G are equipped with different model of Sony Voice Remote.  The remote of theX800G is same to we found on most of 2018 models and some models of 2019 model including A8F or A8G. Its remote is large with black finish and has a lot of buttons. Meanwhile, the remote of X850G is similar to the remote of X950G, but it has different color. If the remote of X950G has metallic tint, the remote of X850G has black tint. Functionally, the remote of X850G is also different than the remote of X850G. Most functions of the remote of X850G requires direct line of sight to the TV, albeit it also supports Bluetooth connectivity for voice navigation.  On the other hand, since the Bluetooth connectivity of the X850G’s remote has been updated, for most functions, it doesn’t need direct line of sight to the TV. Bothe of these remote also have a built-in microphone and a microphone button for voice navigation. They both also have two dedicated button for Google Play and Netflix.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X800G <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X850G <<

Sony X850G vs X800G Performance

Black Level and Contrast

As we have mentioned above, a TV that uses IPS panel usually have poor native contrast ratio. And for this case, since the Sony X850G and X800G use VA panel, this certainly also make them has weak native contrast ratio. Their native contrast ratio is even below 1000:1, makes them cannot produce deep black. The result, when they are set in a dark room, instead looks really black, black produced by them looks tend to grey.  Additionally, indirectly, this also makes darker colors produced by them is also less accurate.  Additionally, they both don’t also have local dimming features that can improve their dark room performance. With weak contrast ratio and lacks of local dimming, can be ascertained, they both are not suitable when used in a dark room.  Fortunately, once they are set in a bright room, their flaw in producing deep black is not too noticeable.

Keep in mind, since the biggest screen sizes model of them use VA panel, this review is not as true to them. Can be ascertained, they both have good native contrast ratio that make them are able to produce deep black.

Winner: Draw

SDR Peak Brightness

The Sony X850G has brighter peak brightness than the X800G. Peak brightness that is reached by the X850G is around 450 nits while that is reached by the X800G is only around 330 nits. But that is good, regardless the content, whether it is showing a highlight in dark scene or showing bright scene, there is no variation in brightness reached by them. And since the X850G has brighter peak brightness, in a brighter room, the picture displayed on its screen looks will looks more consistent than X800G. With around 450 nits, peak brightness of the X850G is bright enough to fight the glare in most bright rooms.  On the other hand, with around 300 nits, peak brightness of the X800G is only bright enough to fight the glare in average lit or dim room, while for overcome the glare in a bright room with much light or from a nearby window, its peak brightness is not bright enough.

Winner: X850G

HDR Peak Brightness

With HDR Content, they both can hit brighter peak brightness than with SDR content. But just like with SDR content, the Sony X850G can get brighter than the X800G and their peak brightness is relatively consistent at any window size. The X850G can hit around 600 nits, bright enough to make small highlight in some scene or bright scene looks standout and excellently the way they should in HDR. But even so, since its peak brightness is still far from 1000 nits, it is not still bright enough to show highlight of HDR images at brightness range intended by content creator.  On the other hand, the Sony X800G can hit around 400 nits. This actually is bright enough to fight the glare in most bright rooms. But its peak brightness is not still bright enough to show small highlight as bright as the way they should be in HDR. This means, even though the X800G already support HDR, but you will not get a lot of benefit offered by HDR content over SDR content.

Winner: X850G

Color Reproduction

The Sony X800G and X850G have similar color gamut and essentially, their color gamut is good. Their color gamut can cover around 90% of DCI P3 color space that means it is good for HDR content that mastered in DCI P3 like HDR10 content. Additionally, their color coverage in Rec.2020 is also not too bad, which is around 70% of color space, make most colors of HDR content that mastered in Rec.2020 like Dolby Vision content can be still shown fairly accurate. Additionally, they both also have similar color volume. But unfortunately, their color volume is only mediocre. Since they both have low native contrast ratio, they both cannot produce deep saturated colors. Additionally, like most LED TV which available in the market, they both also cannot show very bright blues. But even so, regardless their flaws in producing deep black and very bright blues, overall, they both can well show their wide color gamut at entire their brightness range.  So, even though some certain colors may not be able to be shown fairly accurate, but overall, colors of HDR images displayed on their screen looks fairly accurate.

While their color gamut is almost similar, in term of color gradient, the Sony X850G can deliver better color gradient than the X800G. This certainly cannot be separated from the role of the X1 engine behind the X850G. On the screen of the Sony X800G, some color banding is noticeable in almost all colors, especially in green and dark grey. On the other hand, there might be some little imperfections in all colors, but the banding are less noticeable than on the screen of X800G. Meanwhile, unlike TVs from other manufacturers, they both don’t also have smooth gradation feature that can reduce banding that may be visible.  But overall, their color gradient actually is great and the color banding should not be visible with most contents.

Winner: X850G

Side Viewing Angle

The use of IPS panel might make them have low native contrast ratio, but on the other hand, this will make them have good side viewing angle coverage. Their major superiority to VA TVs is its ability in maintaining black level. If on the screen of VA TVs, black level usually will start to rise at around 15 degrees off center and front, on their screen, black level can be maintained up to at extremely wide angle, which is around 70 degrees. Additionally, at moderate angle, color might start to appear washed out, but their color will start to shift at very wide angles. So, this should not be an issue. Additionally, their brightness also will start to reduce at around 35 degrees, but it is still wider than on the screen of VA panel. This means, when viewed from the side, the picture displayed on their screen will looks more accurate and consistent than on the screen of VA TVs. And of course, with good viewing angle coverage, they both are very suitable for you who often watch TV with a group of your family who seat together in wide seating.

Winner: Draw

Motion Handling

Sony X850G and X800G has similar pixel response time and essentially, their pixel response time is great. With less than 15 ms, their pixel response time is low enough to make motions looks clearly and smoothly when they are playing fast moving images like sports or fast games. Behind fast moving object, there is only a short faint trail where this should not be noticeable for most people.  Additionally, since they both don’t have local dimming feature, to dim their backlight, they both don’t use PWM dimming. This makes their backlight is completely flicker-free that means it is great.

Meanwhile, both Sony X800G and X850G have an optional BFI (Black Frame Insertion Mode) that can help to make motion is crisper and smoother by flickering their backlight. But unfortunately, the lowest possible frequency of their flickering pattern is 120 Hz and this actually is not ideal for 60 fps content. Of course, with 60 fps content, its performance is not as good as a 60 Hz flickering pattern. By enabling this feature, this might be able to make motion looks crisper, but on the other hand, this will makes some duplications. Additionally, since their backlight flickers at 120 Hz, this also makes the backlight flicker is noticeable for some people.

When playing 24p movies, performance of the Sony X850G is also better than the X800G. The Sony X800G can only show the movies with judder-free only if the source is native 24p content like Blu-Ray or DVD movies, while with other sources, it cannot show them with judder-free. On the other hand, regardless the sources, whether it is native 24p content, 24p content via 60i signal like movies from satellite TV, via 60p signals like movies from streaming devices, or movies from streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Videos, and others, the X850G can show all of these sources with judder-free. But even so, to remove the judder without adding “Soap Opera Effect”, you must set the ‘MotionFlow’ to ‘Custom’, ‘CineMotion’ to ‘Auto’, and both sliders to “min”.

Winner: X850G

Input Lags

Overall, the Sony X850G also has better input lags in PC and Game mode than the X800G. With 60fps content, regardless the resolution, whether it is 1080p, 1440p, 4K, 4K with HDR, 4K @4:4:4, the input lags of X850G are around 15 ms, while the input lags of the X800G is around 35 ms. Can be ascertained, with its excellent input lags, the X850G is very responsive for any games, even for fast paced games that require fast reflexes. On the other hand, even though the input lags of X800G is not as low as the X850G, but its input lags are still good enough for most games. But unfortunately, for fast paced games that require fast reflexes, their input lags might be a bit too high. Meanwhile, even though the X850G has native 120 Hz refresh rate content, but it cannot display 120 fps content at 1080p and 1440p resolution properly. On the other hand, since the Sony X800G only has native 60 Hz refresh rate panel, it doesn’t support 120 fps content.

Winner: X850G

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X800G <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X850G <<

Summary

Performance Sony X850G Sony X800G
Picture Quality (3.6/5) (3.6/5)
HDR (3.2/5) (3.1/5)
Motion Handling (4.2/5) (3.9/5)
Inputs (4.9/5) (4.9/5)
Sound Quality (4.7/5) (4.1/5)
Smart TV (4/5) (4/5)

Conclusion

As we have discussed a lot above, overall, the Sony X850G is better than the X800G. Almost in all aspects, the X850G is superior to the X800G. This means, regardless they are used for watching sports, TV shows, HDR content, playing Games, and Smart TV Experience, the X850G is better than the X800G. But this certainly is understandable considering with the same screen sizes, the X850G is priced hundreds dollar more expensive than the X800G.

Meanwhile, despite the superiority of X850G to X800G, except they are used for watching movies in a dark room, for each of their class, their performance is good for any usage. The good motion handling and wide viewing angle coverage makes them are very suitable when used for watching sports with a group of your family or friend. Additionally, they both also have good input lags that make them is responsive when used for playing games.

So, which is a better choice between them? Considering what we have discussed a lot above, of course, the Sony X850G is better choice than the X800G. But just we have mentioned, with the same screen size, the X800G is sold hundreds dollar cheaper. Now, the decision certainly comes back to you according to your budget and own preferences. But keep in mind, if you go to X800G for HDR experience, you might be disappointed since it doesn’t have enough black level and peak brightness to show HDR images the way they should be. But on the other hand, even though the X850G doesn’t has also have enough black level, but at least, its peak brightness is bright enough to makes small highlight looks standout.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X800G <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X850G <<

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