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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
The Sony Bravia 10 is the TV I'm most excited to see in 2026 — and it could make OLEDs look obsolete
Sony makes some of the best TVs on the market, but its most exciting yet isn't bound for debut until 2026 with a model called the Sony Bravia 10. This next-generation TV leverages RGB LEDs to deliver exciting performance enhancements over its rivals. It will purportedly take advantage of MediaTek's MT9131 chip alongside Sony's XR Backlight Master Drive algorithm to deliver exceptional results in color handling, contrast, and brightness. The special RGB backlighting, which we saw in person at an event hosted at Sony's Tokyo HQ, could be the secret sauce needed to elevate Mini-LED TVs to ever-new heights. If so, the Sony Bravia 10 could far surpass even some of the best OLED TVs in the market. But with so much hype swirling around it, can the Bravia 10 ultimately deliver next year? And, more importantly, are RGB Mini-LED TVs truly the future of OLED killers, as claimed? RGB Mini-LED TVs are gaining popularity rapidly, but remain largely unknown at present. Hisense unveiled its own version at CES 2025, calling its technology TriChroma LED, and Samsung has also developed its own RGB display, which kicked off its production nearly two months ago. But, they're both essentially the same technology Sony is working into its Bravia 10. How it works is a bit complex if you're not already familiar with the makeup of a QLED TV. Both traditional QLEDs and Mini-LED TVs rely on an LED backlight, which often sports either white or blue LED lights in conjunction with quantum dot filters that produce colors on a display. Sony's RGB Mini-LED design drops those colored filters and instead uses tri-colored red, green, and blue LED lights — hence, "RGB LED" — built directly into the backlight. These then act as the color source for content displayed on the screen, ensuring colors (and brightness) can be controlled across all dimming zones. This means that colors and brightness can both act uniformly. It's quite a remarkable feat of engineering when you think about it, offering some impressive results with the help of Sony's XR Backlight Master Drive algorithm and, purportedly, the MediaTek MT9131 processor. The latter is what will control the RGB Mini-LED backlight in the Bravia 10, which Sony confirmed in a press release. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. But what does this all mean for the consumer? And how exactly does it relate to the long-standing OLED vs Mini-LED debate? Sony explained to Tom's Guide during its event in Tokyo earlier this year that the prototype Bravia 10 had a color volume four times larger than the Sony Bravia A95L OLED TV. Color volume can best be described through the lens of the color gamut tests we approach each TV with in our reviews, and how well those colors are maintained at various brightness levels. This means the Bravia 10 could not only boast more colors but also more accurate colors in both SDR and HDR content. Managing editor Kate Kozuch, who was at the event and saw Sony's prototype RGB Mini-LED TV side-by-side with the A95L, explains it best: "...I witnessed in real-time how the RGB version keeps colors rich and saturated even in darker areas. It also maintained detail in shadows where traditional displays tend to lose it." I witnessed in real-time how the RGB version keeps colors rich and saturated even in darker areas. It also maintained detail in shadows where traditional displays tend to lose it. It's not just making colors more realistic and life-like. Sony also claims its RGB Mini-LED TV will have better off-axis viewing, too. This has proven a major boon for many QLEDs over the years, often being the make-or-break aspect in many of our TV reviews, right next to glare mitigation. Poor off-axis viewing is also most notable in larger screen sizes, which have ballooned in popularity over the past two years. Brands like TCL and Hisense have made a name for themselves in the 75-inch and up range, offering budget prices on large-screen TVs with some of the worst off-axis viewing potential. However, the Bravia 10 aims to put these woes to bed by limiting the gradation of color across the screen. Sony explained it as a byproduct of the Bravia 10's cell structure, which includes components like its LCD panel, transistors, and the RGB backlight in question. Herein is the promise not just in the Bravia 10 itself but RGB Mini-LED TVs on the whole: larger screen sizes with improved off-axis viewing. But the biggest obstacle these TVs, most especially the Bravia 10, will face is pricing. It's widely known that Sony's TVs take cinematic presentation seriously. Look no further than the Sony Bravia 8 II, which just secured the crown as king of OLEDs in Value Electronics' annual TV shootout. But Sony TVs aren't exactly known for their budget pricing. In fact, Sony and "premium" go hand in hand. Given its technological advancements, it stands to reason that the Bravia 10 could be the TV to beat next year, and that comes with an unfortunate side effect. Pricing on this RGB Mini-LED TV could make it a tough sell, even if it's better than most OLEDs. It's a similar problem in the realm of MicroLED TVs, which were also referred to as the "OLED killers" for the longest time. Today, major players in the MicroLED sector, primarily Samsung, have dramatically slowed production on these TVs, which often start at over $100,000. Hopefully, the Bravia 10 doesn't come anywhere close to that, but knowing Sony, it could be in the $40,000+ range, depending on size variations. For reference, the 116-inch Hisense UX RGB Mini-LED TV launched at a whopping $30,000— but, hey, at least you can get it for $24,999 on Best Buy right now. We don't know if Hisense aims to make similar TVs in smaller sizes, but that could prove to be the thorn in Sony's backside next year. If Hisense can deliver RGB Mini-LED TVs at a similar cost to its more conventional Mini-LED TVs, Sony and Samsung will have a lot to worry about. That's all to say that Sony's Bravia 10 will have its run of competition, and its most debilitating aspect could be its breakout price. We'll just have to wait and see how RGB Mini-LED TVs shake up the market next year, and CES 2026 might be where we'll get our first taste of these next-gen displays. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Tom's Guide
The Sony Bravia 5 is slashed by $100 on Amazon right now — but you should buy this TV instead
Sony TVs often come with a hefty premium, which is largely due to their general performance gains against most rivals. This is evidenced in the fact that its Bravia 8 II OLED TV was recently crowned king of OLEDs. But, the good news is you don't have to spend over $2,500 to get great performance even when looking at Sony TVs. Right now, the 65-inch Sony Bravia 5 Mini-LED TV is available for $1,398 on Amazon. While that's an okay deal on a great TV, I personally recommend going with its more powerful brethren in the Bravia 7 instead. The 65-inch Sony Bravia 7 Mini-LED TV is available for $1,498 on Amazon, offering a bit more performance and features over the Bravia 5 for just $100 more. The Sony Bravia 7 Mini-LED TV takes the best of what makes Sony displays so sought-after and makes it value-intensive. It's the cheapest Mini-LED in Sony's 2024 TV lineup, which makes it perfect for some incredible savings. The Bravia 7 comes kitted with an ATSC 3.0 tuner for NextGen TV access, plus support for almost all of the HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. The Bravia 5 is Sony's cheapest Mini-LED TV, offering stellar 120Hz visuals with some incredible motion processing thanks to Sony's XR processor. It's built with AI, so expect some upscaling chops and serious performance in color. As with all Sony TVs, the Bravia 5 also has some exclusive PS5 features that make it a surefire bet if you're a PlayStation gamer. The Bravia 5 and Bravia 7 are both excellent TVs with tons of value baked into their designs. While the Bravia 7 debuted in 2024, Sony brought it over to its 2025 lineup alongside its Bravia 8 and Bravia 9. It's a stellar display, one we have four stars in our Bravia 7 Mini-LED TV review. While the Bravia 5 might boast a cheaper price right now (albeit just a mere $100), the real story is in general performance. The Bravia 5 lends itself more to the budget realm, meaning it requires a few compromises to make give it that value. Limited processing, poor glare mitigation, worse audio, and a so-so panel all factor in here. While we don't have any testing on the Sony Bravia 5 Mini-LED TV just yet, we did get a hands on demo with it at a special event in Tokyo. You can already see some poor glare mitigation even with it set in the more ambient room on display, plus managing editor of Tom's Guide Kate Kozuch did note poor off-axis viewing angles. Put these concerning elements up against our testing of the Bravia 7, and that extra $100 proves totally worth it. The Bravia 7 doesn't have eye-searing brightness metrics like some of the better QLEDs out there from TCL or Hisense, but with an HDR luminance of 1,507 nits, it does the job well enough. It also has a Delta-E score of 1.5, with lower scores meaning better color accuracy. This means you can rest assured that the colors you're seeing displayed on the Bravia 7 are true-to-form, which is often the case for Sony displays given its years of designing some of the most advanced reference monitors used by film editors. If it were me, I'd be going with the Bravia 7 Mini-LED TV over the Bravia 5. It simply has better contrasts, picture performance, and motion processing. Plus, its color volume is off the charts. You could pay $100 less for the Bravia 5, and maybe that's a better decision for your budget, but you'll get a far better return on the Bravia 7 for the price.
Tom's Guide
09-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
Forget the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — the ‘Classic' model is the real star of the lineup
Samsung's new lineup of Galaxy smartwatches has officially been unveiled for 2025 as part of the Unpacked July 2025 event. While there's no Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 — we did get a new 'Titanium Blue' color option — Samsung did announce not one, not two, but six Galaxy Watch 8 configurations. The most petite Galaxy Watch 8 model is 40mm and comes with or without LTE connectivity. A larger 44mm also offers optional LTE for a little extra cash. Then there's the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, the largest of the series at 46mm (with or without LTE). Despite also being the priciest of the bunch, it's easily the star of the new Galaxy Watch 8 lineup (which my colleague Kate Kozuch just went hands-on with). Here are the five biggest reasons why the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the standout smartwatch from Unpacked. First and foremost, the most obvious reason the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is superior to the non-classic options is the bi-directional 'clicky' bezel around the screen. This physical feature, a blend of classic horology design and modern convenience, allows you to easily browse/navigate the device without using the touchscreen or buttons. It's also a lot of fun to play around with. Speaking of buttons, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic sports three along the side of the case — just like the flagship Galaxy Watch Ultra — compared to two on the standard Watch 8 models. The third button, located near the three o'clock position, can be customized to launch a small but useful selection of features in an instant, like workout tracking or the flashlight. Depending on your connectivity configuration, the starting price for the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic model is $150 more than the 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 and $120 more than the 44mm model. What does that extra cash spent get you outside of a fidget-friendly bezel and added button? Extra storage, baby. The Classic boasts 64GB of storage, the same as all new Galaxy Watch Ultra models that you can buy going forward. (The Ultra initially launched with 32GB of storage, but that's changed as of today.) By comparison, the standard Watch 8 series offers 32GB. Greater onboard capacity means more room for your favorite apps, music, conversations, memes — you name it. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, as the largest model in the series, also boasts slightly greater battery capacity than its siblings. While the smaller Galaxy Watch 8 sports a 325mAh battery and the larger 44mm model has a 433mAh capacity battery, the Classic bests both with 445mAh of battery capacity. Now, this doesn't necessarily mean a longer-lasting smartwatch, but given the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features the same 1.34-inch screen size as the smaller, 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 — the 44mm features a 1.47-inch display — there's a good chance it will offer an advantage in the longevity department. For what it's worth, Samsung says that all versions of the Galaxy Watch 8 should last between 30 hours (with the always-on display) and 40 hours (in low power mode). Then again, Google made similar claims about the Pixel Watch 3 last year. However, in my testing, the new larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3 model ended up lasting twice as long as its smaller 41mm sibling. Finally, greater heft aside, I'd argue that the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic offers a superior design to the standard Galaxy Watch 8 models in two key areas. First, the Classic sports a comparably more durable stainless steel case design. The standard Watch 8 models, in contrast, are aluminum. Second, the Galaxy Watch 8 makes far better use of the series's updated cushion case — borrowed from the Ultra line — thanks to the inclusion of the aftformentioend bezel. Without it, the standard Watch 8 looks oddly chunky at the corners where the screen meets the case, giving the impression of wated space. What are your thoughts on the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series? Is the Classic the model to get? Is the standard cushion case, sans-bezel, actually gorgeous? Let me know in the comments below.
Tom's Guide
09-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Meet the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — the first Android smartwatch with Gemini AI built in
The new Samsung Galaxy Watch is the world's first smartwatch with Gemini AI built in, with no need for a paired phone to take advantage of it. All you need is a Wi-Fi or LTE connection. The new watch comes in two styles: a standard edition and a "Classic' edition, which means, yes, everyone's favorite smartwatch clicky bezel is back. The Galaxy Watch 8 also represents a full-on embrace of the cushion case design, first introduced on the Galaxy Watch Ultra a year ago. Speaking of that model, there is no new Galaxy Watch Ultra update for 2025, but there is a new color option. More on that below. The Watch 8 series ships with a plethora of new fitness and wellness tools built in, including a personalized digital running coach, Bedtime Reminders to help you optimize sleep, and improved heart health monitoring. Now for the bad news: Samsung is raising the starting price for the Galaxy Watch 8 to $349, an increase of $50 over the Galaxy Watch 7. That makes it the same starting cost as the Google Pixel Watch 3, but still $50 less than the Apple Watch Series 10. The new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349 for the 40mm Bluetooth version and $379 for the larger 44mm Bluetooth edition. Meanwhile, the 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 with LTE is $399, while the 44mm LTE model is $429. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic comes in a single 46mm size, and you'll pay $499 for the Bluetooth version or $549 for the LTE edition. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. All versions of the Galaxy Watch 8 will be available for preorder starting today (July 9), with units expected to ship out before July 25. Those who preorder the Galaxy Watch 8 are eligible for $50 in savings. In addition to the new Galaxy Watch 8 models, Samsung also announced a new 'Titanium Blue' edition of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra with double the storage of the standard model (64GB instead of 32GB) for the same price: $649. It's also available for preorder today and expected to ship before July 25. It also sounds like Samsung will be doubling the storage for all Galaxy Watch Ultra versions (Silver, Grey and White) going forward — again, at no added cost. The standard version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 comes in your choice of Silver or Graphite, regardless of which size you choose, 40mm or 44mm. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is only available in 46mm in either stealthy Black or flashy White. Samsung is kissing the circular watch face goodbye. Love it or hate it, the 'cushion" case introduced with the original Galaxy Watch Ultra has now been fully absorbed into the main Galaxy Watch line. The purpose of this, according to Samsung, is to give the Galaxy line a 'unique identity.' The Galaxy Watch 8 is the thinnest Galaxy Watch ever at 8.6mm thick; that's an 11% slimmer profile than the Galaxy Watch 7. However, my colleague Kate Kozuch reports that the new cushion case IRL gives the appearance of wasted space on the non-Classics versions. In addition to a case redesign, Samsung reengineered the internal aluminum frame for better durability. While the standard Galaxy Watch 8 is made of aluminum, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a more durable stainless steel case material. That said, all versions of the Galaxy Watch 8 boast scratch and shatter-resistant sapphire screens. The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has three physical buttons on the case, compared to two on the standard model. The 'Quick Button' at the 3:00 position on the Classic can be customized to open a supported app of your choosing, similar to Apple's Action Button. All Galaxy Watch 8 models offer a maximum screen brightness of 3,000 nits, up from 2,000 nits on the Galaxy Watch 7 and the same brightness as the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2. This will mean easy visibility even in the brightest of conditions. This spec increase also gives the Galaxy Watch 8 lineup a notable advantage over its nearest competitor, the Google Pixel Watch 3, which maxes out at 2,000 nits. The days of Samsung Galaxy Watches working with standard watch straps are sadly over. The new 'Dynamic Lug System' promises better comfort and a more streamlined look/smaller gap, but to me, it seems more like an Apple-esque cash grab than anything else. The new strap apparently results in 11% more accurate heart rate tracking, though. Samsung is also working with third-party strap makers, and additional options to those launched by Samsung with the Galaxy Watch 8 will be available shortly after the device's release. The latest One UI 8 software should make the Galaxy Watch 8 a more helpful digital companion and capable multitasker. Multi-Info Tiles allow users to access their six favorite apps from the homescreen, a function I eagerly welcome. You'll also be able to view pertinent app information at a glance, like upcoming events or flight delays, via the new "Now Bar," located at the bottom of the homescreen. Samsung says the Galaxy Watch 8 is the first smartwatch with a Gemini AI voice assistant built in, but how useful is it? The feature requires an internet connection, either Wi-Fi or LTE, but not through a paired smartphone. Gemini should be able to handle basic inquiries like, 'What was my most recent running pace?' or "When's my next haircut?" as well as simple tasks like setting a timer, starting a playlist or dictating a message. The AI voice assistant should even be able to execute multi-step tasks, like turning on fitness tracking and a specific pump-up playlist at the same time, Samsung says. Of course, reliability and latency will play a huge factor in Gemini's success on board the Galaxy Watch. However, if the Gemini assistant works as intended, it could make Samsung the smartwatch brand to beat when it comes to AI. The Galaxy Watch 8 sports the same holistic sensor array as its predecessor but introduces a bunch of new wellness and fitness features, some of which are inherited by the Galaxy Watch 7, while others are not (as noted below). Bedtime Reminders are based on two user factors: Cicadian rhythm and 'Sleep Pressure,' your growing need for sleep throughout the day. Users will receive a Bedtime Reminder — which isn't a specific time but a window — roughly two hours ahead of time. The Galaxy Watch 7, 8 and Ultra all support this feature. Designed to help you train for an upcoming running event, this free feature asks users to participate in a 12-minute trial run to analyze their ability on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being 'marathon-ready.' Depending on your goals and skill level, you'll be presented with a custom four to six-week training program. Users get guidance, motivational messages, insights and real-time feedback. Like Bedtime Reminders, Running Coach is supported on the Galaxy Watch 8, as well as the Watch 7 and Ultra via a firmware update. This new holistic feature keeps tabs on how much stress your cardio system is taking on. The watch measures this while you sleep over a three-night period. If your Carido Load is determined to be too high, you'll receive a notification with suggestions for ways to bring it down. This feature will only be available on the Galaxy Watch 8 and Ultra series, not the Galaxy Watch 7 or earlier. This new holistic feature uses the existing photosynthetic light sensor to measure a user's antioxidant levels through the skin. If those levels are low, users will receive recommendations on how to improve and start healthier habits. Similar to Cardio Load, this feature is also for the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 8 series. The Galaxy Watch 8 sports a larger capacity battery than the Galaxy Watch 7; however, Samsung is keeping battery life expectations for the devices the same as the previous generation— 30 hours when the always-on display is active and 40 hours when it's not. The Galaxy Watch 8 in 40mm now sports a 325mAh battery compared to a 300mAh battery on the Watch 7 in 40mm. The larger Galaxy Watch 8 has a 435mAh battery versus a 430mAh battery on the 44mm Galaxy Watch 7. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic has a 445mAh battery, the biggest of the bunch; however, battery life is rated the same as the other models. I'm not excited to see Samsung hiking the starting price of the Galaxy Watch 8 series by $50, making it a match with the Google Pixel Watch 3. However, if Google ends up similarly hiking its starting price later this year for the rumored Pixel Watch 4, Samsung will go back to being the more budget-friendly, full-featured, Android-compatible smartwatch brand. I'm not sold on the cushion case. On the standard Galaxy Watch 8, it gives the illusion of wasted case space around the corners. Visually, I think the case design works a lot better with the bezel-sporting Classic model. The new holistic and fitness features sound promising, specifically, Bedtime Reminders, Running Coach, and Cardio Load, if, of course, they work as advertised. I'm less impressed by what I've seen from the Antioxidant Index screening feature after my colleague Kate Kozuch tested it in a demo. The watch's advice? Eat a carrot. Of the rumored Galaxy Watch 8 upgrades I was most excited for, the only one that didn't largely come to fruition is improved battery life. That said, last year's Pixel Watch 3 wasn't advertised as having vastly better battery than the Pixel Watch 2, but in testing, the larger model ended up humming along for a full 48 hours (double Google's estimates). Here's hoping the same is the case for the Galaxy Watch 8. Stay tuned for my full review.
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I've tested dozens of fitness trackers, but I'd still snap up this Oura Ring Prime Day deal in a heartbeat
I've tested dozens of fitness trackers over the years, but the Oura Ring is still one I'd recommend if you want something small, comfortable, and packed with smart health insights. Right now the new Oura Ring 4 is 15% off for Prime Day at Amazon, which is pretty rare since these rings don't often drop in price outside of big sales like Prime Day or Black Friday. When you buy the Oura Ring 4, you get a sleek smart ring that tracks your sleep, heart rate, and readiness, plus period predictions if you want them. The most affordable Oura Ring 4 deal right now is the black version, which still looks sleek and has the same thin, comfortable design. Other colors like gold or silver are also available but the price can vary. I've tested the original Oura Ring and appreciated how it offers a much gentler and less obtrusive way to track fitness and health compared to some of the more hardcore sports tracking watches out there. So when my colleague Kate Kozuch tested the Oura Ring 4 and called it 'the new gold standard for smart rings", I knew I had to keep an eye out for it going on sale. She highlights in her review of the ring its all-titanium design and recessed sensors that make it comfortable enough to wear day and night. Kate also points out the expanded size range and multiple finishes that help you find the right fit. One important thing to know is that the Oura membership, which costs $5.99 a month, unlocks the full range of insights, including daily readiness scores, sleep and stress tracking, and period predictions. But with this Prime Day deal, the $52 savings on the black Oura Ring 4 could cover nearly nine months of membership. Be sure to visit our Prime Day live blog for top deals and discover all the free stuff available on Amazon this Prime Day.
