Imagine a world where the size of your living room TV isn't dictated by the market's flagship sizes. Welcome to Sony's vision with their A90K model, a true gem for those desiring a compact yet uncompromising viewing experience. Gone are the days of settling for less just because you prefer a smaller size. The A90K, especially in its 48-inch glory, offers a sublime blend of cutting-edge technology and sheer performance prowess, all while maintaining a sleek and premium design that Sony is renowned for.

While it may not boast the Quantum Dot technology of its larger QD-OLED relatives, the A90K is no slouch. Even a year after hitting the shelves, this model stands tall as a testament to Sony's commitment to quality across all sizes. Its OLED panel delivers breathtaking visuals, ensuring that your viewing experience is nothing short of spectacular. So, whether you're into binge-watching your favorite series or diving into the latest blockbuster hits, the A90K brings the cinema right into your living room—no matter the size.

Exploring the Value Proposition: Sony's 48-inch OLED TV Journey

In a surprising move that left enthusiasts puzzled, Sony opted not to unveil a new 48-inch OLED TV in 2021, leaving the A9 (or A9S in the US) to keep the competition at bay for almost two years. This decision came as the market saw an influx of rivals, eagerly awaiting the next big thing from Sony.

Initially hitting the shelves with a price tag of £1899 / $1500 (approximately AU$3350), the 48-inch A90K has seen a price reduction to £1599 / $1400 / AU$2290 as of July 2023. This adjustment makes it a more tempting offer for those looking to bring high-quality viewing into their homes.

Some might wonder why the A90K hasn't been succeeded, considering the tech world's rapid evolution. Sony's strategy, it seems, revolves around a two-year lifecycle for its 'smaller' OLED offerings, meaning the 42-inch and 48-inch A90K models are set to grace our living spaces throughout 2023 and into 2024 before making way for their successors.

Despite its age, the A90K's value proposition remains strong, even when positioned against LG's latest 48-inch C3 model, available for £1499 / $1250 / AU$2595. Furthermore, last year's 48-inch C2 from LG has seen its price drop to an even more appealing £999 / $975 / AU$1900.

Design Excellence

Sony's commitment to sleek, unobtrusive design shines with the A90K. The display is elegantly framed by a slender black bezel—only 8mm thick at the top, with slightly wider 12mm sides and bottom, accented by a dark grey chin featuring a tastefully placed Sony logo on the left. The stand's compact footprint, measuring 50cm in width and 23cm in depth, ensures it fits seamlessly on most surfaces, complementing any room's aesthetic.

The TV's low-rise profile, elevated merely half a centimeter off the surface in its standard setup, offers an elegant solution for space optimization. However, for those who require additional clearance—for a soundbar or gaming peripherals, perhaps—a pair of provided stilts effortlessly increase the gap to about 7cm, ingeniously accommodating your accessories without compromising style.

Though slightly thicker than its rivals at 5.9cm, the A90K's design ingeniously integrates its bulkier components without sacrificing its sleek appearance. The plastic enclosure, encompassing the technological heart of the TV, including processing units and speakers, extends across most of the screen's back. Yet, a segment remains that showcases the remarkable thinness of OLED technology. Aesthetic considerations extend to the rear, where an etched grid pattern adds a touch of sophistication, and provided panels cleverly conceal connections, keeping the design clean and focused on the essential—visual brilliance.

Features

Discover a world of connectivity with the device's versatile ports, including two USBs, an ethernet socket, an optical output, aerial, and twin satellite inputs – perfect for Freesat enthusiasts in the UK. Plus, maximize your convenience with hands-free control made possible by the built-in microphone, all thanks to the power of Google Assistant.

The spotlight shines on the HDMI inputs, boasting a mix of HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 ports, each designed to elevate your viewing and gaming experience. With support for advanced features like 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, these ports are a gamer's dream. However, it's important to note the absence of HGiG mode. But, PlayStation enthusiasts, rejoice! Auto HDR Tone Mapping on Sony’s console ensures an immersive and accurate picture quality.

Xbox Series X and S players might feel left out due to the lack of Dolby Vision game mode, resulting in a rather high input lag. Yet, with a standard Game mode input lag at around 21ms, most gamers will find the performance seamless. A slight caveat – with one of the HDMI 2.1 ports serving also as eARC, audio enthusiasts using a soundbar or AV receiver might find themselves limited to a single HDMI 2.1 input for their gaming setups.

Transitioning from gaming to the pinnacle of picture technology, Sony's pioneering Cognitive Processor XR introduces a 'Depth Map' feature that accentuates foreground details and subtly diminishes the background, dramatically enhancing depth perception. Moreover, Sony's advancements in color technology, particularly the Flexible Colour Contrast Control, intelligently boost color vibrancy and clarity, promising a visual feast without compromising naturalness.

The A90K stands out as an XR OLED Contrast Pro model, ingeniously combining various factors such as high luminance panels and precise control mechanisms to outshine its competitors in brightness levels. While Sony remains coy about the use of LG's latest OLED.EX panel, it hints at embracing the most advanced panels available, indicating a commitment to exceptional quality.

Revamping Your Viewing Experience with the Latest in TV Technology

When it comes to finding a TV that balances vivid colors with real-world detail, the conversation often lands on screen size and technology. While larger screens have their appeal, the compact 42-inch and 48-inch models pack a punch, displaying an array of colors and details that bring content to life, despite some limitations in brightness due to their dense OLED construction.

Case in point: the immersive world of 4K Dolby Vision content shines on these models, especially when set to Dolby Vision Bright mode. Imagine diving into the latest season of Stranger Things through Netflix, where the depth and vibrancy of the picture pull you into the heart of the action, without compromising on the natural beauty and authenticity that real-life visuals offer.

The subtle interplay of light and shadow, the lifelike skin tones, the meticulous detail captured in every frame - all these elements combine to create a viewing experience that's both rich and nuanced. The TV’s ability to balance dark scenes with bright, vivid highlights offers a contrast that’s simply striking, making every moment on screen feel alive and engaging.

Moving beyond the specifics of OLED and embracing the prowess of Sony’s processing technology, we find an image quality that remains exceptionally sharp and dynamic, even through fast-paced action scenes. This superior motion processing keeps the picture smooth and detailed, avoiding common pitfalls like ghosting or the unwanted 'soap opera effect' that can detract from the viewing experience.

And the excellence doesn't end with Dolby Vision. The transition to HDR10 content doesn’t disappoint, with films like Interstellar retaining their cinematic warmth and richness. The leap from 4K to lower resolutions like 1080p, and even standard definition, showcases the TV's remarkable upscaling ability, ensuring that everything from the latest blockbuster to the earliest seasons of Peep Show looks crisp, clear, and surprisingly vibrant.

In essence, these TVs are not just about watching. They're about experiencing, immersing, and seeing the world in all its detailed glory. Whether you're exploring the vastness of the universe in a sci-fi adventure or diving deep into the intrigue of a thriller, the picture quality remains consistently impressive, ensuring that every scene is as captivating as the next.

Unleashing Sound Quality in Compact TVs

It's common knowledge that smaller TVs can struggle to hit those deep bass notes, and that holds true for the A90K. The robust beats of the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack come across as underwhelming, lacking the richness one might hope for. Despite this, the sound does boast a clarity and detail that’s admirable, delivering direct and articulate audio quality.

Thanks to Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, the A90K offers an immersive audio experience that's hard to find in other models. This innovative approach vibrates the screen, making it seem as though sounds are emanating directly from the image itself, offering a unique layer of realism. While it may not envelop you in sound as larger TVs do, it breaks free from its physical borders, offering a semblance of cinematic breadth—especially noticeable when sitting close to the screen.

In light of its size, the A90K’s audio performance is impressive, standing out within its category. Nonetheless, to fully realize its potential and enhance your viewing experience, adding a soundbar like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is highly recommended. This simple addition can elevate the soundstage, providing the depth and fullness that built-in speakers often lack.

Verdict

Let's dive into the world of top-notch TV viewing with the 48-inch Sony A90K OLED. For gamers, especially those with a PS5, this TV offers an amazing experience, despite being a step behind LG OLEDs in terms of gaming features. But where it truly shines is in its unparalleled picture quality. It’s rare to find a TV of this size delivering such an impeccable viewing experience.

Yes, it does come with a higher price tag compared to its predecessors like last year's LG C2 and the more recent C3, making it a consideration for those on a strict budget. However, for the discerning buyer looking for unmatched quality, the Sony A90K stands out as a superior choice.