The Sony Bravia 7 QLED is a high-end television that features a Mini LED backlight, positioning it between the Sony Bravia 8 OLED and the entry-level Sony Bravia 3. As Sony’s most affordable model in 2024 with local dimming capabilities, it boasts an extensive array of features, including hands-free voice control and advanced gaming functionalities.
The Bravia 7 operates on the user-friendly Google TV 12 platform, offering a seamless interface and a wide selection of downloadable apps. It is powered by the Sony XR image processor and the MediaTek Pentonic 1000 chipset. In our review of the Sony Bravia 7 K-65XR70 QLED 4K HDR, we will explore the types of content that the television excels with.
Design
The Sony Bravia 7 K-65XR70 QLED TV features a sophisticated and elegant design that enhances the aesthetic of any space. The display is bordered by ultra-slim bezels on three sides (0.8 cm), while the slightly broader lower bezel, finished in matte metal, accommodates switchable voice control microphones and the brand logo.
The TV is securely supported by slender metal legs that are flat rather than vertical, distinguishing it from the Sony X93L. It offers four mounting configurations to meet various requirements, similar to the Bravia 9. Users can choose between wide or narrow placements based on furniture dimensions, and select low or high settings to allow for soundbar installation beneath the TV without obstructing the view.
On the back, the Sony Bravia 7 65XR70 TV presents a tidy appearance, featuring the signature checkerboard pattern seen across Sony’s latest models. However, it lacks cable management options. The maximum thickness of the casing is 5.5 cm, and the overall build quality is exceptional, with plastic panels complementing the metal legs and edging.
The remote control is compact, omitting number buttons. Voice control functionality is available both through the TV and the remote. To enhance its visual appeal, Sony has introduced colorful dots to the plastic design, although the remote’s functionality remains consistent with the 2023 models.
Backlight contrast and bloom
The Sony Bravia 7 XR70 TV boasts an impressive native contrast ratio exceeding 5700:1, attributed to its mini-LED backlighting. Setting the local dimming to High typically yields optimal performance, delivering rich blacks alongside striking highlights, achieving a contrast ratio of 100,000:1. While there is some visible blur around bright highlights on darker backgrounds, particularly with subtitles, the overall performance remains outstanding.
The full-array direct backlight facilitates effective local dimming zone transitions, although a few issues may arise. While flickering is absent, which is a positive aspect, a noticeable halo effect can occur when bright objects move across the screen. This effect intensifies with faster movements, as the local dimming adjustments struggle to keep pace with the action.
Brightness and colors
The Sony Bravia XR70 TV sets itself apart from earlier models in this series with a significant enhancement in brightness levels. Its peak brightness for HDR content is exceptional, effectively highlighting the most luminous details and bursts of light, even in well-lit scenes. The TV reaches an impressive 1,950 nits in a 10 percent white window, and in game mode, this brightness can increase to 2,100 nits.
For standard SDR content, the XR70 series also delivers remarkable peak brightness, reaching up to 1,820 nits. The color accuracy across all preset picture modes is outstanding, complemented by an excellent color gamut. It covers nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space (97%), which is commonly utilized in HDR content, largely due to the implementation of XR Clear Image technology.
Additionally, the TV provides a commendable coverage of the Rec. 2020 color space, often used in nature documentaries and animated features, achieving 78%. Sony’s reputation for color saturation remains strong, with bright and vivid colors, while dark shades are rendered effectively due to the high contrast ratio. Although the Sony XR70 TV offers impressive accuracy right out of the box, further calibration can yield even better results.
Matrix uniformity and viewing angles
When viewing sports, the uniformity of midtones on the screen plays a crucial role. The gray color uniformity on the Sony 7 XR70 TV is commendable, with only a few minor dark spots and slight vignetting in the corners that are not overly distracting. For movie watching in a dimly lit environment, particularly during dark scenes, the consistency of black color across the display is vital. In this regard, the XR70 excels with nearly flawless black uniformity.
However, it is important to note that the viewing angle is considerably inferior compared to the Sony X95L, as the Bravia 7 series does not incorporate X-Wide Angle technology. In 2024, this feature is exclusive to the Bravia 9 QLED model. Consequently, this TV is not ideal for wide seating arrangements, as viewers positioned off-center will experience a washed-out image. Additionally, the semi-gloss finish of the VA panel effectively manages reflections.
Motion Processing
The Sony XR70 TV boasts an impressive response time of approximately 12 ms. When displaying fast-moving objects, only a slight blur is evident on the screen. It effectively manages shadow transitions, exhibiting minimal black wash and very few outliers. The Mini LED backlight employs PWM for intensity control, with a flicker frequency of 720 Hz, which typically goes unnoticed by most viewers.
To enhance motion clarity, the display incorporates black frame insertion at either 60 or 120 Hz, depending on the video frame rate. Additionally, traditional interpolation techniques are utilized to smooth motion up to 120 frames per second. However, this method may struggle during slow camera pans, leading to noticeable artifacts and stuttering when frame rates vary. Fortunately, the TV automatically eliminates judder from 24p sources, such as those from Blu-ray players or streaming services.
Games
The Sony B7 TV is capable of adjusting its refresh rate in real time. With a native refresh rate of 120 Hz, it features variable refresh rate technology to minimize screen tearing. It is compatible with HDMI Forum VRR and G-Sync, functioning effectively across the full range of refresh rates. However, Sony has not included FreeSync support, and the TV does not support 1440p, opting instead to upscale it to 4K.
For gaming purposes, the Sony Bravia 7 offers impressive low input lag in Game mode, measuring at 10ms when set to 120Hz, which ensures a smooth and responsive gaming experience. While this latency is slightly higher than that of rival models from LG and Samsung, it remains adequate for casual gamers. Additionally, the TV supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and is compatible with various devices, including PS5 and Xbox consoles.
Smart TV
Sony Bravia 7 TV operates on the latest version 12 of the advanced Google TV platform, offering an extensive array of streaming applications along with a contemporary, user-friendly interface. While Google TV is essentially an evolution of Android TV, it features an enhanced layer for improved functionality. The navigation experience is exceptionally fluid, with applications launching almost instantaneously.
The Google Play Store provides a wide variety of stable apps for download. Additionally, the Bravia 7 includes built-in Google Chromecast, allowing users to stream content from their smartphones directly to the television. For those interested in video calls, a Bravia webcam can be easily connected.
Sound
The audio system of the Sony Bravia 9 TV features a total output of 40 W, consisting of two 10 W full-range speakers (Bass Reflex) and two 10 W high-frequency speakers. The Acoustic Multi-Audio™ technology enhances the viewing experience by making it seem as though the sound is emanating directly from the screen, aligning the audio with the visuals.
Additionally, Voice Zoom version 3 can be utilized with a compatible Sony soundbar to enhance the clarity of dialogue. The Sony Acoustic Center Sync function allows for seamless pairing between the TV and a Sony soundbar, ensuring perfectly synchronized audio. Furthermore, the 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer works in conjunction with other speakers to deliver an immersive surround sound experience.
Connections
All the ports on the Bravia 7 TV are oriented sideways. It features one USB port (version 3.0) and four HDMI ports, comprising two of version 2.0 and two of version 2.1, with one HDMI port supporting eARC. Additionally, there is an optical audio output, antenna jacks, and a LAN port. For wireless connectivity, the TV offers dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth version 5.3. A switch located at the bottom of the TV allows users to disable the built-in microphone.
Conclusion
This TV is quite remarkable for a variety of uses. In a dimly lit environment, it truly excels when viewing movies or TV shows in HDR. The gaming experience is also impressive, with strong support for gaming features. However, it may not be the best choice for watching sports with a large group, as its limited viewing angle requires viewers to be positioned directly in front of the screen for optimal picture quality. Additionally, in well-lit rooms, the anti-glare coating falls short in effectively minimizing reflections. Nevertheless, the MiniLED backlight technology makes the Bravia 7 TV a strong contender within its price range.
Specifications:
| Display | |
| Size | 65″ / 164 cm |
| Panel type | LCD VA QLED (Triluminos) |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Permission | 3840 x 2160 |
| Backlight | Mini LED FALD (direct full matrix) |
| HDR compatible | HDR10, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) |
| Local dimming | Yes |
| Number of dimming zones | 480 |
| Update frequency | 100 / 120 Hz |
| Viewing Angle (H x D) | 178° x 178° |
| Video | |
| TV tuner | 2 (digital) / 1 (analog) |
| TV system | DVB-T/T2, DVB-S/S2, DVB-C |
| Processor | XR Processor |
| Improved Contrast | XR Backlight Master Drive, XR Contrast Booster 20 |
| Improved clarity | XR Clear Image |
| Color enhancement | XR Triluminos Pro, Live Color |
| Improved movement | XR Motion Clarity |
| VRR | Yes, G-Sync |
| ALLM | Yes |
| Connections | |
| Input ports | 4 x HDMI type A (of which 2 x HDMI 2.1) |
| Antenna sockets | |
| Output ports | Digital audio output + S-Center Speaker |
| Wireless connection | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth v. 5.3 | |
| USB ports | 2 x USB (2.0 and 3.0) |
| Ethernet | 1 x LAN |
| Sound | |
| Power | 40 W (Full-range speakers 2 x 10 W + High-frequency speakers 2 x 10 W |
| Functions | Acoustic Multi Audio+, Acoustic Center Sync |
| Dolby format support | Dolby™ Audio, Dolby™ Atmos |
| DTS | DTS-HD Master Audio, Hi-Resolution, DTS:X |
| Auto calibration | Yes |
| Smart TV | |
| Virtual assistant support | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Platform | Google TV 12.0 |
| Built-in memory | 32 GB |
| Camera | Bravia Cam |
| Eco Dashboard | Yes |
| Built-in microphone | Yes |
| Remote voice control | Yes |
| Nutrition | |
| Operating / max. consumption | 66 W / 223 W |
| Pending consumption | 0.5 W |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions without stand (W x H x D) | 1445 x 832 x 57 mm |
| Dimensions with stand (W x H x D) | 1445 x 856 x 345 mm |
| Dimensions with stand in soundbar position (W x H x D) | 1445 x 910 x 345 mm |
| Standard stand width | 121.7 cm |
| Weight with stand | 28.3 kg |
| Weight without stand | 27.1 kg |