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Connectivity is good, with four HDMI inputs, three of which face downwards and one of which faces sideways. One of the downward-facing inputs also supports eARC (enhanced audio return channel), and all the HDMI inputs support 4K/60Hz, HDCP 2.3, and high dynamic range in the shape of HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision (but not HDR10+). The Sony A80J OLED has decent HDR brightness. As with SDR, there's a lot of variation in brightness across different scenes, in part due to the aggressive ABL. HDR content still pops out well thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio, but extremely bright highlights and large bright scenes don't stand out as well as they should. HDMI™ signal :4096x2160p(24,50,60Hz), 3840x2160p(24,25,30,50,60,100,120Hz) 3 , 1080p(30,50,60,100,120Hz), 1080/24p, 1080i(50,60Hz), 720p(30,50,60Hz), 720/24p, 576p, 480p
We’re a bit late with the XR-55A80J – a year late in fact – but Sony’s 2021 second tier OLED is still available well into 2022 and has hit a price point that would make late adopters to the OLED market peak their head above the parapet with interest. Delivery information: If you buy a soundbar or DVD/Blu-ray player along with this TV, please note that they'll be delivered separately.
The A80J doesn’t have the brighter OLED Evo panel that LG’s more recent C2 and G2 models have, but as this is a 2021 model, so a more apt comparison would be the non-Evo LG C1 (which I reviewed the 65-inch version). With its feet the A80J does its best Optimus Prime impression as it can transform into three different configurations. You could plant the feet out wide, or have them seated in the middle, or if there’s a soundbar to fit, configure them into an elevated position. There is the option of wall-mounting, the 53mm depth of the TV is not bad for an OLED, but both LG’s OLEDs and Samsung’s Mini LEDs edge it in those stakes. Interface
And just because the A80J isn’t as bassy or spacious as its much more expensive sibling doesn’t mean it doesn’t sound very good by TV standards. It’s certainly weightier and more controlled at the bottom end than the LG C1 and G1, for example, and significantly punchier and more dynamic, too. But detail levels, sharpness and clarity are all very strong, the intricate patterns on Doctor Strange’s cloak are impressively defined and detailed; the production design of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is brought to life with excellent clarity and high levels of insight in the IMAX presentation of the film on Disney+. Creation Consumer Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. 311518).The A80J, by comparison, is less immediately striking but a good bit more accommodating, with its fairly dainty feet positional in either a wide, narrow, or soundbar stance. When they’re in the narrow placement, the set has a footprint that’s a very reasonable 69cm (27.3 inches) wide.
User interface may differ. Limited ITV content in Scotland and NI. Suitable coverage, broadband speed and aerial required. Terms and conditions apply. version 4.2;HID (mouse/keyboard connectivity)/HOGP (Low Energy device connectivity)/SPP(Serial Port Profile)/A2DP (stereo audio) 2 /AVRCP (AV remote control)While the A80J’s system is referred to as Acoustic Surface Audio+, just like the A90J’s, it actually has just half as much power (a total of 30W rather than 60W), and that is made clear in the presentation. Not that the A80J isn’t capable of going loud, because it is, but it doesn’t have quite as much depth or weight to its delivery, either in obviously bassy moments, such as the opening of chapter two of Blade Runner 2049, or simply in deeper voices, such as that of Sapper Morton (Dave Bautista). The A80J doesn’t offer quite as much width in its sonic delivery as the A90J either, although there’s not a lot in it. The stand has three different setup positions. The standard position lets the TV sit closer to the table. There's a narrow position for smaller tables, and finally, a soundbar position that raises the TV to give you space for a soundbar in front. There’s also 4K/120fps support, with Sony saying input lag can be brought down to as little as 8.5ms in that circumstance. There’s no Dolby Vision Gaming that’s available on LG and Panasonic OLEDs, though. Other than the traditional speaker terminals (which the A90J has and the A80J does not), the A80J has identical connections to the A90J, both in terms of positioning and specification. That means you get aerial, satellite (Freesat in the UK), ethernet and optical ports, plus three USBs and four HDMIs. Reset: Resets all the Picture Adjustments settings to the factory settings excluding Setting Memory, Picture Mode and Advanced Settings.
I measured input lag at 16.3ms, which in the grand scheme of things is very good, though short of Samsung and LG, with even Panasonic ahead in the gaming stakes with their performance and features.
The Sony A80J is a mid-range marvel that delivers great pictures and extensive features at an affordable price
That isn’t to say that we’re averse to recommending a premium product when it justifies its high price, and that’s why we were delighted to bestow the full five stars upon Sony’s 2021 flagship OLED when we reviewed it. Simply put, it was the best TV of that year. We uploaded the brightness measurements and uniformity photos after running the TV for two months in our Accelerated Longevity Test. At its current price The Sony A80J is an excellent option for home cinema fans after a top-quality OLED at a more affordable price. The design is well thought out, Google TV is a more accessible interface than Android TV and from a picture and sound perspective, the A80J delivers classy upscaling and colourful 4K HDR images, with a sound that’s punchier and weightier than most flatscreen efforts. So far, the A80J has hit the right notes, but it’s within the features section where it becomes clearer what audience this TV is for and who it isn’t.
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