Choosing a new 4K TV isn’t always easy, especially when comparing two models that seem similar at first glance. In Sony’s lineup, the Sony BRAVIA 5 (2025) steps in as a premium mid-range Mini LED TV designed to deliver better HDR performance, stronger gaming support, and richer colours. On the other side, the Sony BRAVIA 3 (2024) serves as a more affordable LED option with simplified hardware and features for everyday entertainment. It sits one tier below the Sony Bravia 7 in Sony’s 2024 TV lineup.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between BRAVIA 5 and BRAVIA 3 — covering back-lighting, processor, gaming features, brightness, colour volume, and price. By the end, you’ll know exactly why the BRAVIA 5 delivers better real-world performance — and whether the upgrade fits your needs.
Sony BRAVIA 5 (2025) Short Overview
The Sony BRAVIA 5 (2025) is engineered for viewers who want a noticeable step up in picture quality without jumping into flagship pricing. It uses a Mini LED backlight, which brings deeper contrast, stronger blooming control, and more impactful HDR highlights. This makes dark scenes look much cleaner with brighter details.
At the heart of the BRAVIA 5 is Sony’s XR Processor, designed to enhance clarity, texture, and colours through advanced object-based image processing. Motion also benefits from XR control, helping maintain smooth and clean action during sports and fast-paced movies.
Gaming support is a major highlight. You get 4K 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, ensuring the best performance from PS5 and other modern consoles. This is a meaningful future-proofing factor.
Colour performance gets a boost from XR Triluminos Pro, which offers richer saturation and better luminance handling. Combined with higher brightness, HDR content appears more vibrant and life-like.
Overall, the BRAVIA 5 is a strong mid-range performer, ideal for users who value real cinematic qualities, modern gaming support, and improved contrast — all in a more accessible price bracket.
| Sony BRAVIA 5 Prices | |
| 98-inch (K-98XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 85-inch (K-85XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (K-75XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (K-65XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (K-55XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
Sony BRAVIA 3 (2024) Short Overview
The Sony BRAVIA 3 (2024) is built to deliver a dependable and simple 4K viewing experience. It uses a standard Direct LED backlight system with no advanced local dimming zones, meaning black levels appear lighter and HDR highlights look less pronounced than premium models.
This model runs on the 4K HDR Processor X1™, which maintains respectable image quality but lacks some of the deeper scene-by-scene analysis found on the higher XR tier. It performs well for SDR content and casual everyday viewing.
With only a 4K 60 Hz panel, the BRAVIA 3 does not support HDMI 2.1 features or VRR. It’s not the best match for high-end gaming but works fine for streaming services and traditional TV watching.
Colours are supported by Triluminos Pro, which is good for its class, but it cannot maintain strong saturation at higher brightness levels. Combined with its modest peak HDR brightness, the sound and picture overall feel more entry-level.
In short, the BRAVIA 3 is a budget-friendly Sony option, suitable for viewers who want brand reliability and Google TV convenience — without paying for premium features.
| Sony BRAVIA 3 Prices | |
| 85-inch (K-85S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (K-75S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (K-65S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (K-55S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 50-inch (K-50S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 43-inch (K-43S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
Sony BRAVIA 5 vs BRAVIA 3 — Specs Comparison Table
The table below highlights the key specification between the Sony BRAVIA 5 and Sony BRAVIA 3.
| Specification | Sony BRAVIA 5 (2025) | Sony BRAVIA 3 (2024) | |||||
| Positioning | Mid-range | Entry-level | |||||
| Screen Size Options | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 98″ | 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | |||||
| Backlight Type | Mini LED | Direct LED | |||||
| Processor / Image Engine | XR Processor | 4K HDR Processor X1™ | |||||
| Refresh Rate & Gaming Support | 4K 120 Hz, VRR/ALLM, HDMI 2.1 | 4K 60 Hz, no VRR | |||||
| Peak HDR Brightness | ~770–820 nits | ~450–470 nits | |||||
| Colour Technology | XR Triluminos Pro | Triluminos Pro | |||||
| Colour Volume (DCI-P3 @ 1000 nits) | ~73% coverage | ~58% coverage | |||||
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | |||||
| Operating System | Google TV (Chromecast built-in) | Google TV (Chromecast built-in) | |||||
| HDMI Ports | 4 ports (2× HDMI 2.1) | 4 ports (HDMI 2.0) | |||||
| Price | Higher | Lower | |||||
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The Differences Between Sony BRAVIA 5 and BRAVIA 3
These are the key differences between Sony Bravia 5 and Bravia 3 that matter for real-world viewing:
- Back-light / Panel Technology
The BRAVIA 5 uses Mini LED back-lighting, which allows more precise local dimming zones, deeper blacks, and stronger specular highlights thanks to its blue & green LED system. In contrast, the BRAVIA 3 uses a standard Direct LED system without advanced local dimming, which results in higher black-levels and less punch in HDR scenes. - Processor / Image Engine
The BRAVIA 5 uses the XR Processor, one of Sony’s higher-tier image engines, while the BRAVIA 3 uses the Processor X1™, which is more basic. This means the BRAVIA 5 benefits from more advanced up-scaling, motion processing, and colour/contrast optimisation. - Refresh Rate & Gaming Features
If you play games or want smooth motion, this difference is substantial. The BRAVIA 5 supports up to 120 Hz, HDMI 2.1 features and variable refresh rate (VRR) / ALLM. The BRAVIA 3 is limited to 60 Hz, lacks HDMI 2.1 full bandwidth, and does not include VRR support — meaning it’s less suited for gamers or future-proofing. - Brightness / HDR Peak / Contrast Control
Thanks to its Mini LED back-lighting, the BRAVIA 5 delivers higher HDR peak brightness and better contrast control (more controlled blooming, stronger highlights, deeper blacks). The BRAVIA 3, with its simpler back-lighting, has lower peak brightness and weaker contrast performance. If your room has bright ambient light or you watch HDR movies, the BRAVIA 5 will perform much better. - Colour Technology & Colour Volume
The BRAVIA 5 uses XR Triluminos Pro, a more advanced colour engine, which gives improved colour gamut and colour volume, especially at higher brightness levels. The BRAVIA 3 uses Triluminos Pro (non-XR) — still good for everyday use, but not as sophisticated. A recent measurement showed the BRAVIA 5 achieving DCI-P3 coverage at 1,000 cd/m² window at ~73.2%, while the BRAVIA 3 measured ~58.2% under the same condition (retrieved from independent test data). - Price / Value Positioning
The BRAVIA 3 is priced to be an entry-level Sony 4K HDR smart TV — making it appealing for budget-conscious buyers. The BRAVIA 5 sits above it, asking for a higher price, but delivering significantly better performance. The key question is: when is the extra cost worth it? If you have modest needs (streaming, moderate ambient light, little gaming), the BRAVIA 3 may suffice. But if you want better HDR, gaming, larger size, or future-proofing, the BRAVIA 5 is worth the step-up.
Why Should You Choose Sony BRAVIA 5?
If you’re aiming for better picture quality, the Sony BRAVIA 5 (2025) is the clear winner. Its Mini LED backlight, higher HDR brightness, richer colour volume, and 4K 120 Hz gaming support make it a genuinely more premium TV for movies, sports, and next-gen consoles. It not only looks more impressive today, but is also more future-ready — ensuring you enjoy a brighter, more immersive experience for years to come.
| Sony BRAVIA 5 Prices | |
| 98-inch (K-98XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 85-inch (K-85XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (K-75XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (K-65XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (K-55XR50) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
That said, the Sony BRAVIA 3 (2024) still holds value if you’re on a tighter budget and simply want a reliable TV for everyday streaming and casual viewing. You’ll get a good 4K picture with Google TV convenience, but without the stronger contrast, HDR punch, and gaming performance offered by the BRAVIA 5.
| Sony BRAVIA 3 Prices | |
| 85-inch (K-85S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 75-inch (K-75S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (K-65S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (K-55S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 50-inch (K-50S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 43-inch (K-43S30) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |