Sony's 98-inch Bravia 5 Mini LED TV: A Home Theater Powerhouse Tested

Sony's 98-inch Bravia 5 isn't just a television; it's a statement piece engineered for home theater enthusiasts willing to invest in scale and quality. Positioned below Sony's flagship Bravia 8 II OLED, this Mini LED behemoth (weighing 158 lbs) leverages the company's display expertise to deliver a compelling, albeit premium-priced, viewing experience.

The Setup & Interface: Google TV with Caveats Initial setup utilizes the Google TV platform, streamlined via the Google Home app. However, users face a gauntlet of privacy disclaimers – a growing complexity in the streaming era. Once past this, the interface shines: intuitive navigation, robust voice control via Google Assistant, and strong content personalization. The included remote, while compact, drew criticism for its lack of backlighting (a significant oversight for a dark home theater environment) and dedicated app buttons that feel increasingly redundant on modern smart TV interfaces.

Display Prowess: Where the Bravia 5 Excels The core strength lies in Sony's proprietary Cognitive Processor XR. Testing confirmed its exceptional ability to upscale content and handle high-speed motion:

• Stunning HDR: Delivered vibrant colors, deep blacks, and brilliant highlights. HDR content "pops" with impressive contrast.
• Smooth Motion: Fast-paced action sequences (tested with Mission: Impossible and NBA footage) were rendered with exceptional clarity and minimal blur.
• Gaming Excellence: With 120Hz refresh rate, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), gaming on this scale is transformative. Titles like Fortnite showcased fluid, tear-free gameplay with high responsiveness.
• Minimal Flaws: Lab tests showed no dirty screen effect, burn-in, or significant blooming during subtitle stress tests.

The Mini LED Reality Check Despite the accolades, the technology has limits:

• Off-Angle Viewing: Performance degrades noticeably when viewed from sharp angles, a challenge amplified by the 98-inch size.
• Reflection Handling: While generally good, the vast screen area remains susceptible to glare in bright rooms, necessitating light control.
• Lower-Resolution Content: Even the powerful XR processor couldn't entirely mask imperfections in standard definition broadcasts on this massive canvas.
• Peak Brightness: At ~800 nits, it's bright (potentially requiring reduction in dark rooms), but falls short of the eye-searing levels of top-tier OLEDs.

Audio & The Need for Companionship Sony's Acoustic Multi-Audio system, using actuators to vibrate the screen itself, creates a cohesive soundstage that aligns well with on-screen action. While effective and immersive for its type, the sheer scale of the 98-inch display demands more. A high-quality soundbar or surround sound system isn't a luxury; it's a necessity to match the visual grandeur with equally powerful audio.

Connectivity & Practicality The Bravia 5 is well-equipped: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, four HDMI ports (including one eARC for audio systems and one 4K/120Hz for gaming). Clear port labeling is a welcome usability touch. However, its physical footprint is immense – potential buyers must realistically assess room dimensions and seating distances.

The Verdict: Scale, Quality, and Value Considerations The 98-inch Sony Bravia 5 delivers a spectacular, immersive viewing experience, particularly for 4K HDR content and next-gen gaming. Its Mini LED panel, driven by the Cognitive Processor XR, showcases Sony's engineering strength. Yet, the $5,999 price and colossal size place it in a niche category. For many, the 85-inch model (under $3,000) or even the 75-inch (around $2,000) offer the same core technology and picture quality at a significantly lower cost and with less spatial demand. If budget and space permit, the 98-inch Bravia 5 becomes a breathtaking centerpiece – but only when paired with the audio system its visual spectacle deserves.

Source: Based on testing and analysis by Chris Bayer for ZDNET.

Image Credits: Adam Breeden/ZDNET