Sony KD50X85K 50 inch TV: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Sony KD50X85K is an excellent mid-range 4K LED TV that was released in 2022. This 50-inch TV features Sony's acclaimed cognitive processor XR that delivers incredible picture quality by employing human cognitive intelligence for ultra-realistic images. The cognitive processor analyzes and optimizes every element to produce lifelike contrast and textures. The X85K series provides a premium viewing experience thanks to Sony's impressive Triluminos Pro color technology that produces over a billion accurate colors. With Google TV built-in, you get smart capabilities like voice search, personalized recommendations, and easy casting. Overall, the Sony 50-inch X85K TV combines sleek minimalist design with top-notch visuals and intuitive smart features.

Design

The Sony KD50X85K has a very sleek and minimalist design. The TV has ultra-thin bezels around the display that help maximize the screen size while keeping the overall dimensions compact. Despite the large 50-inch screen, the TV doesn't look bulky or overwhelming when placed in a living room.

The stand has a unique two-legged design that provides stability while taking up minimal space on your TV stand or table. The stand feet are set wide apart for security but are fairly slim and don't extend far past the edges of the TV. You can also wall-mount the TV for a streamlined aesthetic.

The back of the TV is fairly plain but finished in an attractive brushed metal. The only branding is a small Sony logo on the bottom bezel. Overall the TV achieves a very modern and refined look that will fit in nicely with most decor.

The minimalist design language continues through the TV's smart platform and remote control. The home screen interface uses simple icons and menus against a dark background. The remote is compact with just a few essential buttons. Both favor simplicity over flashy graphics or an overload of buttons.

Compared to some other affordable 50-inch 4K TVs like the Hisense 50R6G, the Sony X85K has a more premium, high-end aesthetic. The Hisense R6G series has thicker bezels and a bulkier profile. It uses a plastic construction and basic stand design. The Sony simply looks like a more expensive, designer TV despite having a very similar price point.

This emphasis on minimalism and slimness does come with some compromises. The TV lacks some of the fancy backlighting features found on higher-end Sony models. There is no local dimming and only standard edge lighting without lots of zones. But for the price, the sleek industrial design is impressive.

Thinner TVs can also sometimes suffer from audio issues. However, Sony manages to engineer decent sound quality despite the slim form factor. It utilizes the frame as an acoustic surface to augment the bass. The TV can't compete with a dedicated sound system but produces better audio than expected.

Overall, the pared-down aesthetic really helps the Sony X85K blend into both contemporary and traditional living spaces. For buyers looking for a sharp 4K TV that disappears into the background when not in use, the minimalist style is a strong selling point.

Display Quality

The Sony KD50X85K has an excellent display that provides a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The TV has a 50-inch screen with 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). This high resolution results in crisp and detailed images, with 4 times the detail of regular Full HD.

The X85K has a fast 120Hz native refresh rate. This helps reduce motion blur, making fast action scenes appear smooth and fluid. It's perfect for watching sports, playing video games, and other motion-heavy content.

Brightness and contrast ratio determine the range between dark and bright areas. The X85K can achieve up to 450 nits of peak brightness. This high brightness allows highlights and specular details to really pop. It has a high contrast ratio of 4500:1. This creates deep blacks for outstanding image depth.

The TV has wide viewing angles thanks to the IPS panel. There's minimal color and contrast shift when viewing from the side. So more people can enjoy a great view of the screen simultaneously. Overall the X85K provides an impressive display with vibrant colors, sharp clarity, fluid motion, and deep contrast.

The Hisense 50A6H is another excellent 50-inch 4K TV worth considering. With Quantum Dot technology, it produces over a billion colors for vivid and lifelike images. The 50A6H has Full Array Local Dimming to boost contrast, with up to 60 dimming zones. This results in deep blacks for cinematic shadow detail. Motion handling is also solid thanks to Auto Low Latency Mode and Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation technology.

For smart features, the 50A6H runs on Android TV. This provides access to popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and more. Voice control is built-in hands-free with Google Assistant. Gaming performance is enhanced by Auto Low Latency Mode, Variable Refresh Rate, and HDMI 2.1. The 50A6H provides great picture quality, smart features, and gaming capabilities at an affordable price point.

Overall, the Hisense 50A6H is a compelling alternative 50-inch 4K TV to consider alongside the Sony X85K. With quantum dot color, full array local dimming, and solid motion handling, it delivers impressive picture performance. And Android TV with Google Assistant provides a feature-packed smart TV experience. If you're looking for premium display technology at a more budget-friendly price, the Hisense 50A6H is definitely worth a look.

Sound Quality

Sony has equipped the KD50X85K with impressive sound capabilities to complement its stellar visuals. The TV features two 10W speakers with Dolby Audio support. While not as immersive as a dedicated surround sound system, the two speakers provide clear audio with decent bass.

The speakers utilize Sony's X-Balanced Speaker technology, which allows for sharper sound by redistributing the speaker units. This creates a more immersive audio experience by enhancing sound positioning and creating a wider, more expansive soundstage.

For audio formats, the KD50X85K supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pulse, and DTS Digital Surround. With Dolby Audio processing, you can hear rich detail, clear dialogue, and get a surround sound experience from the two speakers. The TV also has Dolby Atmos capability for height/3D audio when connected to an external Atmos system.

Overall, while not as robust as a soundbar or surround setup, the two 10W X-Balanced speakers provide an audio experience above that of an average TV. Dialogue is clear, music has depth, and Dolby formats gives you an immersive soundstage. For most living room setups, the speakers will provide satisfying audio to match the KD50X85K's stellar 4K visuals.

Smart TV Features

The Sony KD50X85K runs on the company's proprietary Google TV platform, providing access to a wide range of apps and streaming services. Google TV is built on Android TV and provides seamless integration with Google services like Chromecast, YouTube, and the Google Assistant.

Some of the key smart features include:

• Google TV interface - The home screen provides personalized recommendations and content aggregated from various streaming apps. It's easy to find new shows and movies to watch.

• Apps - Popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max and more can be downloaded via the Google Play store. Sony also has its own suite of entertainment apps.

• Chromecast built-in - Wirelessly cast content from mobile devices to the TV. Useful for viewing photos, videos, music and more on the big screen.

• Works with Google Assistant - The voice remote has a microphone for hands-free voice control. Ask Google to search for content, get recommendations, control smart home devices and more.

• Built-in Google Chrome browser - Easily browse the web on the TV just like on a computer or phone.

The smart TV capabilities of the KD50X85K make it easy to find and enjoy a wide range of content. Key streaming apps are supported, along with convenient features like Chromecast and Google Assistant.

Connectivity

The Sony KD50X85K has excellent connectivity options for your various home entertainment needs. It features:

• 4 HDMI ports - The 4 HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3 content protection. This allows you to connect 4K 120Hz devices, 8K 60Hz devices, and enjoy highest quality image and audio.

• 2 USB ports - The USB ports allow you to connect hard drives to play media files, record live TV, and update the TV's software. One port is USB 2.0 and the other is USB 3.0 for faster transfers.

• WiFi and Bluetooth - For wireless connectivity, the TV has built-in WiFi supporting the latest standards and Bluetooth support. This allows you to stream content wirelessly and connect Bluetooth devices like headphones.

• Cable/Antenna Tuner - An integrated cable/antenna tuner allows you to connect a cable box or outdoor antenna to watch live TV channels.

With its abundant connectivity options, the Sony KD50X85K makes it easy to connect all your devices and access content from different sources. The HDMI 2.1 and USB 3.0 ports enable support for the latest specs and fastest speeds. Whether you want to game, stream, or watch live TV, this TV has you covered.

Remote Control

The Sony KD50X85K comes with a minimalist remote control that keeps things simple yet functional. The remote has a slender design that easily fits in your hand.

The buttons are laid out in an intuitive way, with prominent buttons for power, volume, channel changing, and input selection. There's also a separate button for Google Assistant voice controls. The remote lacks any extraneous buttons to keep the design clean.

Some handy features of the remote include:

• Voice search via the Google Assistant button - Press and speak to find content easily.

• Hotkeys for popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube.

• IR blaster allows control of other devices like a soundbar.

• Can be used as a universal remote when paired with other HDMI CEC devices.

• Bluetooth connectivity means no need for line-of-sight.

The simple yet thoughtful design makes it easy to control all the features of the TV without needing multiple remotes. It covers all the essential functions while keeping clutter to a minimum.

Performance

The Sony KD50X85K delivers excellent overall performance that will satisfy most users.

Picture Quality

The 4K LED display produces vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to Sony's X1 processor and Triluminos Pro technology. It supports HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HLG for enhanced dynamic range and contrast. Overall image quality is sharp and detailed.

Motion Handling

The X1 processor does an excellent job reducing motion blur. Fast action scenes come across clearly with minimal trailing or ghosting effects. Sony's XMotion Clarity feature is also effective at making the picture appear smoother.

Upscaling

Lower resolution content gets upscaled very well on this TV. The 4K X-Reality PRO engine ensures even 720p or 1080p video looks detailed and artifact-free on the Ultra HD screen. The upscaling of SD content is also decent.

Reflection Handling

The TV has an anti-reflective screen coating that helps minimize glare and reflections. Even in a bright room, the picture remains fairly visible from wide angles with some minor loss in contrast. The TV handles reflections about as well as most competitors.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Stunning 4K picture quality with vibrant colors and excellent contrast

• X1 processor provides fast performance and intelligent upscaling

• Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 for improved HDR performance

• Excellent motion handling with fast response time for gaming

• Impressive built-in sound with Dolby Atmos support

• Intuitive Google TV interface with access to streaming apps

• Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

• Sleek minimalist design that looks great in any room

Cons:

• Mediocre viewing angles compared to OLED TVs

• No support for next-gen gaming features like VRR

• Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports

• Lacks some more advanced gaming features

• No built-in satellite/cable tuner

• Audio could be better for serious movie watching

• Smartphone remote app can be glitchy

Overall, the Sony X85K series provides stellar picture and sound quality for an LED TV. The Google TV platform is easy to use with access to all the popular streaming apps. While it lacks some bells and whistles for hardcore gamers, it hits the sweet spot for most buyers looking for a premium 4K TV experience.

Conclusion

The Sony KD50X85K is an impressive mid-range 50-inch 4K TV that offers great picture quality, excellent motion handling, and good smart TV features. Here's a summary of the key pros and cons:

Pros:

• Excellent 4K picture quality with vibrant colors and deep blacks
• Bright, reflective screen good for well-lit rooms
• Strong motion handling with fast response time and low blur
• Good upscaling of HD/SD content
• Integrated Google TV platform with built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant
• Low input lag ideal for gaming

Cons:

• Mediocre built-in audio quality and power
• Lacks Dolby Vision HDR support
• Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports
• Reflective screen susceptible to glare in very bright rooms

Overall, the Sony X85K is a great mid-range 4K LED TV that delivers excellent picture performance for movies, TV shows, sports, and gaming. It's a good option for buyers looking for a high-quality 50-inch screen with great smart TV features without paying premium prices. While the audio could be better, the display quality and motion handling are superb. For shoppers looking for an all-around great 4K LED TV under $1,000, the Sony KD50X85K is easy to recommend.