The Sony A90J and X90J are two of Sony‘s most popular 4K TV models. While both offer premium features and performance, there is a key difference – the A90J uses an OLED panel while the X90J has an LED-LCD panel.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll compare the two TVs across all major metrics to help you decide which one better fits your needs.
OLED vs LED-LCD
Let‘s first look at how the core display technologies differ and the resulting advantages and disadvantages of each:
Perfect Blacks and Infinite Contrast
OLED panels can switch off individual pixels completely to produce perfect black levels. This gives them an effectively infinite contrast ratio. LED-LCD displays have a lower native contrast ratio in the range of 5000:1 for the best ones.
Result – In a dark room, blacks on an OLED will look inky and perfect while LED-LCD blacks will appear grayish due to backlight bleed.
Viewing Angles
OLED screens maintain color accuracy and contrast even at wider viewing angles. LED-LCDs tend to show color and contrast shift when viewed from the side.
For example, the A90J has close to no color shift up to 30 degrees off-center based on Rtings testing. The X90J shows noticeable degradation beyond 15 degrees.
Motion Handling
OLED‘s pixel-level illumination allows extremely fast response times of under 1ms resulting in no motion blur. LED-LCDs have slightly slower response times leading to some visible blur with fast motion.
Both the A90J and X90J handle motion very well, but OLED‘s instant response time gives it the edge.
Brightness
High-end LED-LCD TVs can get significantly brighter than OLED panels – up to 2000 nits peak brightness on premium models vs around 800 nits currently achievable on OLED.
As an example, the X90J can hit over 1400 nits peak brightness compared to around 800 nits on the A90J based on Rtings data.
Sony A90J OLED TV
The Sony A90J is the flagship 2021 OLED TV from Sony. Here are some key features and specifications:
- Screen sizes: 55, 65, 83 inches
- 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels)
- OLED panel with pixel dimming control
- Cognitive Processor XR with AI processing
- Sound: Acoustic Surface Audio, XR Surround
- HDMI inputs: 4x HDMI 2.1, 3x USB, RF, Ethernet
- Gaming features: VRR, ALLM, 4K 120fps
Picture quality on the A90J is simply stunning thanks to the OLED panel paired with Sony‘s advanced video processor. Here are some of the benefits this provides:
- Perfect blacks and pixel-level light control thanks to OLED‘s per-pixel illumination.
- Virtually infinite contrast allows the smallest highlights to shine against the inky blacks.
- Vibrant, accurate colors powered by the powerful XR processor.
- Fluid, smooth motion handling with no visible blur.
According to comprehensive testing by Rtings.com, the A90J delivers near-perfect picture quality with its OLED contrast and wide color gamut coverage earning a score of 9.8/10 for overall image quality.
Sony X90J LED TV
The Sony X90J is an upper mid-range LED TV from Sony. Here are some key specs:
- Screen sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75, 100 inches
- 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels)
- VA type LED panel with full array local dimming
- Cognitive Processor XR with AI processing
- Sound: 20W speakers, Dolby Atmos support
- HDMI inputs: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI, 2x USB
- Gaming features: VRR, ALLM, 4K 120fps
With its high brightness, full array local dimming, and XR processor, the X90J delivers excellent picture quality especially with HDR content. Key benefits include:
- Very bright panel at over 1400 nits peak brightness provides specular highlights that pop in HDR content.
- Full array local dimming with 48 zones helps improve black levels across the image.
- Vibrant, accurate colors produced thanks to the XR processor‘s algorithms.
Rtings.com scored the X90J 8.6/10 for overall image quality, noting its extremely good HDR peak brightness as a strength.
A90J vs X90J Comparison
Now that we‘ve looked at both models separately, let‘s compare them across some key factors:
Picture Quality
The A90J with its OLED panel has the edge here:
- Perfect per-pixel black levels help reveal the finest details in dark scenes.
- The near-infinite contrast allows small highlights to really pop with HDR content.
- No blooming or backlight bleed results in clean, seamless images.
The X90J puts up a good fight but cannot match OLED‘s pixel-level precision with its LCD backlighting:
- Still delivers very deep blacks and great contrast thanks to full array local dimming.
- Extremely high peak brightness gives an exciting HDR experience.
Viewing Experience
The A90J‘s wide viewing angles make it better suited for off-center seats or larger rooms with multiple seating positions. Color and contrast are maintained even at 30 degrees or more.
The X90J shows more degradation in color and contrast beyond 15-20 degrees resulting in a less consistent picture across different parts of the room.
Gaming Performance
| Sony A90J | Sony X90J | |
| Input Lag | 8ms | 9.5ms |
| VRR Range | 48-120Hz | 48-120Hz |
| 4K 120Hz | Yes | Yes |
Both TVs are very well suited for gaming thanks to HDMI 2.1 ports, low input lag, and VRR support. The A90J‘s faster response time provides a slight advantage for fast-paced multiplayer games.
Smart TV Experience
Both TVs run Google‘s excellent Google TV software giving you access to all popular apps, voice control through Google Assistant, and easy content discovery.
The A90J also offers some unique features through the Bravia Cam like gesture controls and Ambient Optimization Pro for picture and audio.
Audio Performance
With 30W speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and Acoustic Surface Audio, the A90J provides an immersive audio experience. The X90J has slightly lower rated 20W speakers without Acoustic Surface tech resulting in less impactful sound.
Price
| Screen Size | Sony A90J Price | Sony X90J Price |
|---|---|---|
| 55 inches | $2500 | $1300 |
| 65 inches | $3000 | $1500 |
| 75 inches | – | $2000 |
| 85 inches | $6000 | – |
There is a significant price difference with the OLED A90J costing almost 2x more than the LED X90J for a given screen size. The gap widens further for large screen sizes.
Verdict – Which Should You Buy?
The Sony A90J is the better choice if you want the best picture quality currently possible with deep OLED blacks and vibrant colors. The immersive contrast transforms your favorite movies into a cinematic experience. Gamers will also benefit from its extremely fast response time.
However, the far more affordable X90J LED TV produces highly impressive 4K images as well. For most well-lit environments, its high brightness and deep blacks will deliver a spectacular viewing experience. It‘s great for video streaming, sports, gaming and costs significantly lower.
So in summary:
- A90J – Perfect blacks, ultimate contrast, premium gaming performance
- X90J – Excellent picture quality at a lower price point
Choose the Sony TV that best matches your budget and needs. Either way, you‘ll be getting your hands on an exceptional television!
