Sony's Smart TV catalog is much broader than many users imagine and although it is the TOP models that always get the most headlines, there are other proposals that may be equally or more interesting for most users. One of them is this Sony X90J, a Smart TV great for just about everything.
Sony X90J, video analysis
Key features
- 4K LED panel with HDR support and available in 50, 55 and 65 inches
- Full Array Led backlight system
- HLG, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support
- 4 x HDMI HDCP 2.3 (2 of them with support for 4K video signal at 120 Hz eARC and VRR through future firmware update)
- Digital audio output
- Audio hello for headphones
- 2 x USB
- 2 x 10W sound with Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos support
- Google TV
- Support for Chromecast and Google Assistant
- Price from 1.249 euros
A functional design and a couple of interesting details
There are televisions that do not intend to break schemes of any kind in terms of design. They do not seek to be the finest in the market, nor the most elegant, innovative, etc. Their only mission is to be functional to those who bet on them.
One of them is this Sony X90J, a smart TV that doesn't stand out for anything in particular and still manages to a pretty good balance overall. And it is that it is a television with a simple, minimalist finish and where some details provide a plus that others do not. This is what makes it earn these points and compensates for other shortcomings compared to higher-end models, such as the spectacular Sony A90J that I was able to analyze here as well.
Reviewing the design in general, what we have is a product with a fairly traditional aesthetic and without much fanfare. However, to give it a small differentiated point, especially the cheaper proposals within the brand itself or other competitors, they have drawn some little squares on the rear plastic casing that, although it does not affect anything, allow it to transmit something else. .
Even so, this plot is not going to remove obvious things such as that it is not the least thick proposal on the market within its category and prices, but that does not matter either. Because then there are things like the thickness of the front frames that, without being the thinnest either, do give the panel the prominence it deserves.
Of course, the best thing is the possibility of placing the feet in two different positions and how they have located all the connections. Regarding the feet, it can be said that they can be placed at the ends, with which the television would have the maximum possible stability. And then more focused, ideal to be able to place the television on narrower tables or furniture.
Regarding the connections, they are all on the side. A location that makes managing them very convenient and, most importantly, changing them or connecting other devices when necessary in an easier way if, for example, they are hung on the wall.
In summary, physically the Sony X90J does quite well and without being spectacular it is a new demonstration that Sony knows what it does in terms of televisions. It will not be the most spectacular, but it is functional and that in the end can matter much more.
Google TV for the Smart TV experience
Sony continues to bet on Google's operating systems and this time Google TV is in charge of offering us a very rich Smart TV experience in every way. Because not only can we install a wide variety of applications such as the most common streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, Prime Video, etc., but also other utilities, games, etc.
In addition, as we have already seen on other occasions or with the analysis of the latest Chromecast with remote, having Google TV it is also synonymous with having support for Chromecast and Google Assistant. With the first, you already know that you can send content from mobile devices to see on their screen what you are seeing on the mobile, ideal for showing photos to your friends or family when they come home to see you or anything else that occurs to you. With the second you can use the included remote with microphone to control home automation if you use the Google platform. If not, you could also install Alexa.
For the rest, the performance of the platform is good in terms of execution speed, menu navigation, switching between apps and services, etc. It will not go with the fluidity of other devices, but because of how a television is used, the feeling in the end is what it should be and that is appreciated. Also, without disregarding other Smart TV platforms, it must be recognized that Google is doing great and Sony is taking advantage of it very quickly, being the first to adopt it.
Image quality with all types of content
The image quality of a television is its base and the section that should really be valued the most when deciding whether or not it is a proposal for you. In this case, a series of mentions must be made of the technical characteristics to understand why, without being the best, it offers one of the most complete experiences.
To begin with, this 55-inch panel with 4K resolution (it is also available in 50-inch and 65-inch versions) not only stands out for its sharpness and support for displaying high dynamic range content, but also for its integrated LED backlighting system.
Here we have a full array system that allows a control of the light by zones quite precious. Compared to an OLED panel, it is logical that there will be differences, even if it is of the least quality, but even so, the level of contrast that is achieved, the depth of the blacks and the detail in light and dark areas is so good that the experience is very gratifying.
To that is added a very accurate serial color rendering and with which you can play if you want to change some parameter in a more advanced way or opt for one of the predefined profiles. Personally, the cinema mode is the one that convinces me the most, although it has others such as IMAX, Vivid, etc., which may attract you just the same.
It is undoubtedly a very capable screen when it comes to enjoying both series and movies. And scaling when the incoming video signal is not native to 4K also works well. Of course, my recommendation is to disable Motionflow image smoothing. But that is already something that each one will value as they see fit.
Sounds good, not amazing
The Sound system introduced by Sony in this television is made up of two speakers with a sound power of 10W each. That makes the level of maximum volume reach 20W, but not for that reason the quality is going to be outstanding. Despite this, do not get me wrong, because it sounds very good.
The only thing is that it doesn't have that performance that the A90J had, with much more room for a sound system in the much more capable 65-inch model in addition to its higher price. However, the truth is that if you do not want to complicate or spend extra money, you can enjoy the content with the integrated speakers.
The idea of ​​buying a soundbar or other set of external speakers is to level up and you are looking for a better experience, for example, with Dolby Atmos or similar content now that spatial audio is on everyone's lips.
A good screen to play video games
When I said at the beginning that it seemed to me an ideal screen for all types of content, it was for this very reason. With the A90J one will mainly enjoy image quality that elevates the experience of watching movies and series with a large budget. And although games can also be enjoyed with this panel, few spend 3000 euros on a television to play.
However, the Sony X90J is an option that thanks to the performance of your 4K LED panel, the Full Array lighting system and some additional technical data allow you to enjoy the games in a very satisfactory way and at a price that the vast majority can afford.
In addition, the television includes two HDMI connectors prepared for a 4K video signal and in the future, through a firmware update, also will have support for VRR (Variable video refresh). Something that for use with new generation consoles such as Sony's own PS5, the recent Xbox Series S and X, is highly recommended to have on any television that you want to use for this purpose.
So if you are looking for a good television to play video games, without spending a lot on other proposals more designed for the cinema, this could be an interesting option to consider.
A screen within everyone's reach
Being seduced by high-end televisions is very easy, because the overall quality in terms of design, image performance, sound, Smart TV experience, etc., is always the best. In addition, they are usually very top OLED panels and that is almost a guarantee of success.
The problem is that they are proposals whose price makes them escape the budget of the vast majority of users, who are not willing to invest 3.000 euros or more easily for a 65-inch screen.
This Sony X90J is a very well balanced Smart TV in all aspects. It is not perfect, nor is it the best option on the market, but within its category and price it could easily be among the top three. So if you want to enjoy the movies, have good sound, a very rich Smart TV experience and great performance in video game issues: you will not regret it.