By: Dipin Sehdev

Sony has quietly rolled out a new OLED TV in the UK — but it’s not quite the headline-grabbing debut you might expect from the company behind some of the best-rated televisions of the past few years. The new Sony Bravia 8A has appeared on UK retailer listings without so much as a press release or even a mention on Sony’s own channels. And while it looks new at first glance, it’s actually a curious variant of last year’s Sony Bravia 8 (84% CE Critic Score).

Same Performance, Fewer Perks

According to Sony, the Bravia 8A delivers identical picture and audio performance to the existing Bravia 8. Both models use Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR with XR OLED Contrast Pro, XR Triluminos Pro colour mapping, and support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. They also share the same Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which vibrates the OLED panel itself to produce sound directly from the screen.

You’ll still get Sony’s Google TV interface, with access to apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, plus built-in Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and Apple HomeKit support. Gamers can expect HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, making it a good match for PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles.

So where’s the difference? It comes down to two small but notable downgrades:

• The Bravia 8A ships with a standard non-backlit remote instead of the premium backlit version that accompanies the Bravia 8.

• It also includes five credits and 12 months of Sony Pictures Core streaming, rather than the 12 credits and 24 months included with the Bravia 8.

That’s it. No panel upgrade, no processor tweak — just fewer perks and a cheaper remote.

A Baffling Price Discrepancy

Here’s where things get confusing: the Bravia 8A currently costs more than the model it’s meant to sit beneath.

Sony has explained that the Bravia 8A’s higher price is simply because it’s a “new model” that’s just launched — implying that retail pricing will normalise over time. In practice, that likely means the Bravia 8A will soon undercut the Bravia 8 by a few hundred pounds once stock levels stabilise. Until then, there’s little incentive to buy the 8A at launch unless you find a promotional offer.

To make sure you’re getting the version you intend, check the model number: Bravia 8 units include “XR80,” while Bravia 8A models are labelled “XR8A.”

Positioned Below the Bravia 8 — Not the Bravia 8 II

One important clarification: the Bravia 8A is not a cheaper variant of Sony’s new Bravia 8 II (89%CE Critic Score) OLED that launched earlier this year. The Bravia 8 II is a completely different class of TV, equipped with a QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display and Sony’s upgraded XR Triluminos Max technology, which offers roughly 50% higher brightness and improved colour volume compared to the standard WOLED panel used in the Bravia 8 and 8A.

That higher-end model was named Best TV of 2025 at HDTVTest’s annual shootout, beating rivals like the Samsung S95F, LG G5, and Panasonic Z95B. For buyers who prioritise ultimate picture quality, the Bravia 8 II remains the one to beat — but it also commands a steep premium.

By contrast, the Bravia 8A targets buyers who want Sony’s OLED picture quality and Google TV ecosystem without paying flagship prices.

Specs Recap – Sony Bravia 8A OLED

• Panel type: WOLED (LG Display)

• Processor: Cognitive Processor XR

• Brightness: XR OLED Contrast Pro with Pixel Contrast Booster

• HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

• Audio: Acoustic Surface Audio+ (60W total output)

• Smart platform: Google TV

• Gaming: HDMI 2.1, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM, Auto HDR Tone Mapping

• Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Alexa (via device), Apple HomeKit

• Streaming: Sony Pictures Core (5 credits, 12-month subscription)

• Remote: Standard (non-backlit)

• Connectivity: 4× HDMI (2× 2.1), 2× USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0

• Sizes: 55", 65", 77"

• Pricing (UK RRP at launch): £1,799 / £2,399 / £3,399

Availability

The Sony Bravia 8A is now available in the UK through select retailers including Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon UK, with wider availability expected later this month. No word yet on a global release — for now, it appears to be a UK-specific model.

Our Take

The Bravia 8A is an odd move from Sony — a quieter, slightly stripped-down version of an existing TV that currently costs more than its better-equipped sibling. But once pricing levels out, it could offer a more accessible entry point to Sony’s OLED lineup, sitting neatly below the Bravia 8 and well below the QD-OLED Bravia 8 II.

If you’ve been eyeing the Bravia 8, it might be worth waiting a few weeks to see how Sony adjusts pricing. When it finally lands where it belongs — a few hundred pounds cheaper — the Bravia 8A could become one of the best-value OLEDs in Sony’s 2025 lineup.