Sony has just launched its first televisions of the year in Europe, but there are no new high-end models in sight yet, for it’s kicking things off with a couple of budget models.
There are two models going on sale – the all-new Sony Bravia 3 II, and the Sony Bravia 2 II, which has already been available to buy in the U.S. since last year.
First up is the Bravia 3 II, which replaces the older Bravia 3 model that debuted a couple of years ago, in 2024, and it comes with some nice upgrades over that model. For instance, it offers four HDMI 2.1 ports thanks to its inclusion of a more advanced Pentonic chipset. Because it also has a 4K120Hz panel, it supports slick gaming with Variable Refresh Rates and Auto Low-Latency Mode across all four of those inputs, making it a viable option for console owners looking for an affordable display.
It’s the first Sony TV to come with four HDMI 2.1 ports, and it’s a good indication that we’ll likely see similar functionality on its higher-end models when they launch later this year. There’s a wide range of sizes to choose from too, with the model starting at 43-inches and going all the way up to 100-inches.
The Sony Bravia 3 II also gets Sony’s powerful XR Triluminos Pro processing technology, which was previously only found on the Sony Bravia 5 and better models, meaning it supports a wider colour gamut. There’s also Sony’s XR Clear Image tech that supports AI-enabled upscaling for HD content to 4K resolution.
Another upgrade from the Bravia 3 is Netflix Calibrated, Prime Video Calibrated and Sony Pictures Core Calibrated picture presents, which should ensure more authentic pictures when watching those streaming services.
Unfortunately it seems that Sony has neglected to upgrade the actual panel on the Bravia 3 II, so it looks like we’re going to be stuck with a fairly simple Direct LED backlight, which was found on the Bravia 3. There’s no mention of local dimming zones either, so it probably lacks that kind of advanced contrast found on its higher-end Mini-LED TVs.
That may well dissuade a lot of people from buying this TV, despite the Sony branding and gaming capabilities, for rivals such as Hisense and TCL now offer Mini-LED backlights at extremely low price points. While we don’t know the price of the Bravia 3 II yet, we’d be surprised if it’s not fairly expensive for what it is, considering Sony almost always charges a premium for its brand name. That said, Sony does have a reputation for squeezing the best performance out of whatever the underlying hardware is.
Perhaps the worst news is that Sony has not slated the Bravia 3 II for a U.K. launch, at least not yet. Sony told AV Forums that it has a problem with catch-up ad certification, but it hasn’t ruled out launching it in the U.K, later this year. But for now, you'll have to buy from Europe if you’re absolutely desperate to get your hands on one.
As for the Sony Bravia 2 II, we have seen this already thanks to its U.S. launch last year, so we know exactly what to expect. As the name indicates, it sits below the Bravia 3 II models, and is the most affordable in the company’s entire Bravia range. Sony does sell cheaper models than this, but they’re not part of the Bravia lineup.
Once again, we’re dealing with a Direct LED panel, and unlike the Bravia 3 II, it doesn’t have a 120Hz refresh rate, instead being capped at 60Hz. It also has just two HDMI 2.1 ports instead of four, and it’s powered by the older Sony X1 chip, rather than the XR silicon.
Apart from that, it’s more or less the same, with the Google TV platform and Sony Pictures Core app built in, and a fairly wide range of sizes available. Sony said you’ll be able to choose from 43-, 50-, 55-, 65- and 75-inch sizes. Even better, this model will definitely be launching in the U.K. in the near future, the company said.
We don’t know prices for the Bravia 2 II just yet, but in the U.S. the 65-inch model currently sells for around $700, which works out at around ₤525 at the current exchange rate. That’s pretty expensive for such a limited model, but of course, you’ve gotta pay that premium for the Sony brand. .
Neither of these new models are going to be anywhere near as good as Sony’s excellent Bravia 8 II QD-OLED TV from last year, or the expected Bravia 9 II TV that’s likely to replace the current two-year old Bravia 9 model. Still, if you’re looking for an affordable option from a top-tier brand, they might just be an interesting option.
