Lowest available prices
Sign up to unlock the full expert review
Sony is going all in on its 2021 OLEDs with the new XR processor, which enhances the parts of the picture the viewers’ eyes are drawn to, and a new streaming service. Buying the 55-inch XR-55A80J gets you a 12-month subscription to the service, but does it get you a TV that makes the most of the content available on it? Our review has the answer.
pros
cons
What's included?
- What is it?
- What’s the picture quality like?
- What’s the sound quality like?
- What’s it like to use?
- How are the smart features?
- Is there anything else I should know?
- Is Sony a good TV brand?
- Should I buy it?
Subscribe to Which?
Full Access first month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time
| Picture quality | |
|---|---|
| Sound quality | |
| Ease of use |
- Oct 2021First reviewed by Which?
The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.
Picture quality
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Freeview | |
| Freeview HD | |
| Satellite tuner picture | |
| HD TV | |
| 4K ultra HD | |
| 4K HDR | |
| Viewing angle | |
| Motion stability |
How we test picture quality
Picture quality tests include broadcast 1080i high-definition TV, Freeview, Freeview HD, viewing angle and the stability of motion in fast action scenes. We also test for 4K Ultra HD and HDR if the TV can support these pictures.
Sound quality
How we test sound quality
This includes the results of our technical tests and our independent listening panel's verdict.
Ease of use
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Installations and instructions | |
| Everyday use | |
| EPG (electronic programme guide) |
How we test ease of use
Combined score of all ease of use tests, including installation, everyday use, the electronic programme guide and other features.
PVR (personal video recorder)
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| PVR recording |
How we test pvr (personal video recorder)
We assess the TV PVR's functionality, including how easy it is to record and pause live programmes, as well as use various other features.
Smart TV features
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Smart menu | |
| Smart app store | |
| Multimedia features |
How we test smart tv features
We test the internet-connected smart features of each TV, including how useful the menus are, how easy it is to use the app store and what the web browser is like to use.
Energy use
How we test energy use
Based on the power usage when being viewed and in standby and the presence and effectiveness of power-saving features such as a light sensor or radio screen blanking. Power usage can vary massively depending on the type of TV. OLED TVs tend to use less power than LED TVs since they don't have backlights.
Connections and tuners
How we test connections and tuners
A TV with plenty of connection ports allows you to hook up lots of different devices at once. Likewise, TVs with more digital TV tuners give you more options for watching subscription-free TV.
| General | |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 55-inches |
| Year released | 2021 |
| Range | Sony A80J |
| Height | 73.5cm |
| Width | 123cm |
| Depth | 33cm |
| Weight | 18.5kg |
| Full paper manual | |
| Electronic manual built into the TV | |
| Electronic manual available online | |
| Wi-fi setup via smartphone app | |
| Manufacturer guarantee | 1 year |
| Manufacturer guarantee terms | Sony offers a one-year guarantee with its sets. Some retailer guarantees can be five or six years, so it's worth checking this before you buy. |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Display type | OLED |
| Curved | No |
| Backlight | No |
| Screen resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
| Resolution type | 4K Ultra-HD |
| HDR | Yes |
| HDR10 | |
| HLG | |
| HDR10+ | |
| Dolby Vision | |
| Dolby Vision IQ | |
| Technicolor | |
| HDR gaming | |
| Contrast | 90 |
| Colour | 55 |
| Brightness | 54 |
| Sharpness | 60 |
| Backlight setting | 44 |
| Screen refresh rate | 120 |
| Luminance of peak white (candela per square metre) | |
| Luminance of black (candela per square metre) | |
| Luminance drop at 35 degree horizontal angle from the centre of the screen with 100% white output | |
| Luminance drop at 35 degree horizontal angle from the centre of the screen with 50% white output | |
| Black level at 35 degree horizontal angle from the centre of the screen | |
| Luminance drop at 20 degree vertical angle from the centre of the screen with 100% white output | |
| luminance drop at 20 degree vertical angle from the centre of the screen with 50% white output | |
| Black level at 20 degree vertical angle from the centre of the screen | |
| Colour temperature when sat directly in front of the screen (measured in degrees Kelvin) | |
| Colour deviation at 35 degree horizontal angle from the centre of the screen (measured in Kelvin) | |
| Colour deviation at 20 degree vertical angle from the centre of the screen (measured in Kelvin) | |
| Max light output SDR (standard dynamic range) with optimum image settings (measured in Nits) | |
| Max light output HDR (high dynamic range) while displaying small white square taking up 10% of the screen (measured in Nits) | |
| Max light output HDR (high dynamic range) while displaying small white square taking up 60% of the screen (measured in Nits) | |
| Max light output HDR (high dynamic range) while displaying a live scene and white square taking up 10% of the screen (measured in Nits) | |
| Max light output HDR (high dynamic range) while displaying a live scene and white square taking up 60% of the screen (measured in Nits) | |
| Profile | Standard |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Freeview | Yes |
| Freeview HD | Yes |
| Freeview Play | No |
| Satellite tuner | Yes |
| Satellite HD tuner | Yes |
| Freesat HD | Yes |
| Number of remote controls | 1 |
| Remote control model name | |
| Smart remote | No |
| Turn on time | 4.5 secs |
| Smart TV operating system | |
| Smart TV | Yes |
| Delete pre-installed apps | |
| BBC iPlayer | No |
| Extend memory to download apps and content | |
| All 4 | No |
| My 5 | No |
| Netflix | Yes |
| Amazon Video | Yes |
| ITV Hub | No |
| Freesync | |
| Specific picture mode for gaming | |
| Microphone in remote | |
| Integrated voice assistant | |
| Google Assistant integrated | |
| Amazon Alexa integrated | |
| Google home app control | |
| Amazon Alexa app control | |
| Text input via voice remote | |
| PVR | Yes |
| Twin tuner PVR | Yes |
| Watching recordings while another recording is in progress | |
| Digital recordings possible via Freeview and satellite tuners | |
| Timer programming via electronic programme guide | |
| Timer programming and adjusting defined time | |
| Can you rewind the current broadcast | |
| Web browser | Yes |
| Connections | |
|---|---|
| WiFi | Yes |
| Wi-fi built-in | Yes |
| HDMI ports | 4 |
| HDMI ARC | Yes |
| HDMI eARC | |
| USB ports | 3 |
| Digital audio optical output | Yes |
| Headphone output | Yes |
| Independent Volume Control | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Digital audio output | Yes |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Standby | 0.15W |
| Annual running cost | £41.08 |
Compare retailers
Prices updated daily
Prices are ordered from lowest to highest, irrespective of retailer rating or stock, and exclude any potential delivery costs. We are not able to show every possible retailer and cheaper prices may be available. When you click on a retailer link, we may earn affiliate commission, which helps fund our not-for-profit mission. This tracks your activity using third party cookies. By clicking a link you are consenting to this.
TESTING IN NUMBERS
282
Televisions38
Best Buys9
Don't BuysHow this product's score compares with other televisions we've tested
37%Lowest score
62%Average score
%This product
78%Highest score
Sign up to see Best Buys & Don't Buys
Subscribe to Which?
Full Access first month £5, then £10.99 per month, cancel at any time
Suggested Alternatives
Related articles
Which screen size is best for you, features to look out for and how much to spend
You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good TV, but it can be more difficult to shop at the budget end of the market. Our lab tests reveal the best cheap TVs for 2022
Hoping to grab a great TV at a fantastic price? Our experts hand-picked the best TV deals on 4K, QLED, OLED and LCD TVs from AO, Currys, John Lewis and more