Sony A80K vs A80J OLED TV Review, Which is better?

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The Sony A80K and Sony A80J are both entry-level OLED TVs from Sony. The Sony A80K is part of the 2022 lineup and is the successor to the A80J (2021 model). In terms of performance and features, there is little difference between the A80K and A80J. They are both less expensive and less capable than the A95K or A90K, but overall they are very good TVs for the money.

You may have already selected to buy a Sony mid-range OLED TV, but you still can't decide between the Sony A80K vs A80J. This article will give you an all-around comparison of these two TVs, from which you can choose the one that suits you best. (Check out SONY A95K vs. A90K vs. A80K vs. A75K TV)

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Picture Quality​


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OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology has emerged to improve the performance of the display, and because of its self-emitting properties, allowing the TV to achieve a thinner and lighter vision. OLED's unique display technology improves the contrast and color saturation of the picture, allowing users to greatly enhance the viewing experience.

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Sony has been evergreen in the field of OELD TVs, with its excellent picture processing technology, Sony's OLED TVs offer a higher quality of pure black than ordinary OLED displays. Sony A80K and A80J equipped with Cognitive Processor XR allow you to get a very stunning color saturation and ultra-high contrast ratio. Thanks to Sony's exclusive Acoustic Surface technology, the screen itself emits sound directly, which means the TV can save more space to take advantage of OLED's ultra-thinness.

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Thanks to the self-emitting technology of OLED panels, both Sony A80K and A80J have advantageous contrast ratios and pure black levels. The TVs' panels combine with Sony's exclusive Cognitive Processor XR to maximize the pure blacks and color saturation of the image, so both TVs will be perfect for viewing in dark rooms.

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Compared to high-end OLED TVs like the LG C2, the Sony A80J and A80K don't have an advantage in peak brightness, but they still perform well in normal ambient light. If you use both of Sony's mid-range OLED TVs in strong glare, you can calibrate the picture mode to get the brightest image, but this may lose some image accuracy.

Meanwhile, the Sony A80K and Sony A80J offer additional enhancements to image quality with technologies such as OLED XR Contrast Pro (A80J is OLED XR), XR HDR remaster, Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, and Pixel Contrast Booster.

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From Sony
The difference is that the Sony A80K with OLED XR Contrast Pro offers a better range of brightness than the Sony A80J with OLED XR Contrast. But this subtle difference you can hardly see in the spec sheet. However, after testing, the peak brightness of the A80J is higher than that of the A80K, and both perform well in terms of SDR and HDR brightness, but may not be as satisfying as the top OLED TVs.

Appearance Design​


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Both TVs look similar in appearance, with a slim panel design, thanks to the self-emitting OLED technology. Sony's unique One Slate design is also impressive, a minimalist design that allows edges to be narrow enough to be ignored and blends image and sound to make the viewing experience more immersive for the user.

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Both the Sony A80K and A80J feature a single piece of glass covering the entire front of the unit, with metal panels and legs to provide a stylish look and solid support. Both TVs' brackets offer three mounting positions to suit different users' installation environments. If you have a narrow table or TV cabinet, you can use the narrow position for mounting, while the taller position is suitable for users with bar speakers, which you can place in front of the TV without blocking the screen.

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The thickness of the two TVs is basically the same, and the slim TVs are very suitable for wall mounting. Both models are equipped with narrow bezels for easy concealment when viewing the TV. the A80K has a slightly narrower bezel than the A80J, but visually you'll hardly notice the small difference.

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Both the Sony A80J and A80K have plastic backs, but the appearance is not the same. In addition, the A80K offers a cover for cable management, while the A80J does not support cable management.

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Another major difference between the Sony A80J vs A80K is the remote control. the A80K, a 2022 model, is equipped with an updated remote control. Both the A80J and A80K have a built-in microphone that allows you to control your Sony TV by voice via Google Assistant.

Sound Quality​


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Both the Sony A80K and Sony A80J series OLED TVs feature Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology. The difference is that the A80K is equipped with 3 Actuators and 2 Subwoofer, while the A80J is equipped with 2 Actuators and 2 Subwoofer. despite this, most users have feedback that the A80J has better bass, while the A80K is better for mid-range conversations.

You can get the immersive audio of the screen from Acoustic Surface Audio technology, and if you don't want to configure a soundbar, the sound of these two TVs will satisfy you.

Smart Systems and Functions​


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Like other Sony TVs, the Sony A80K and A80J still run the Google TV smart system. Compared to Android TV, the Google TV interface is more simple, more convenient, and more personalized. With the Google Assistant built into the remote control, you can quickly access the menu or page you want. Both TVs are equipped with 16GB of ROM and the system runs smoothly.

In addition, both the A80J and A80K support Chromecast and AirPlay, so you can stream content from your Android or Apple device to your Sony TV.

There is a wide selection of apps, and both remotes have shortcuts that allow you to access Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Youtube directly from the remote.

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Both the Sony A80K and A80J offer four HDMI inputs, but the beauty is that only two have HDMI 2.1 capabilities, including 4K 120Hz support, variable refresh rate (VSR), and automatic low latency mode (ALLM). In gaming mode, you get very low input latency.

The difference is that the Sony A80J has three USB inputs, while the A80K has only two USB ports and no analog audio input, so you'll need to be aware of this if you're connecting a headset that requires this feature.

Summary​


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For those who want to buy an OELD TV, Sony A80K and A80J are good introductory choices. With Sony expanding its OLED lineup in 2022, deciding between the Sony A80K vs A80J seems to be a difficult decision.

In terms of features, the two TVs are very similar with few major differences. The Sony A80K has more speakers and an updated remote control, while the A80J has higher peak brightness. As an updated TV, the A80K comes with the OLED XR Contrast Pro, which is an upgraded version of the A80J's OLED XR Contrast and therefore offers better brightness and contrast. However, these differences are not visually noticeable.

Therefore, the choice depends on their price difference. Due to the price range of different platforms and active offers, choosing the cheaper one should be the best choice. Of course, if you wish to get the latest model, Sony A80K will not make you regret it.

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Last edited:

Billy889

Member
The Sony A80K OLED and Sony A80J OLED are very similar TVs with identical features. The A80K suffers in a few areas, such as brightness, and the built-in speakers are subpar. The A80K, on the other hand, has a wider 1080p VRR range. Because they're so similar, deciding between these two TVs boils down to which is cheaper.
 
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