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The Sony A90J was Sony’s flagship organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV for 2021, and in 2026 it’s worth buying only used or on clearance at a steep discount. Reviewers ranked it among the best TVs of its year for its picture processing, near-perfect blacks, and screen-based sound. Sony has since replaced it twice over, so this Sony A90J review explains what the TV still does well, which models succeeded it, and whether a used or clearance A90J is worth buying in 2026.
Quick verdict: The A90J still delivers a gorgeous, film-like picture with deep blacks, excellent motion, and some of the best upscaling of its generation. It looks dim next to newer quantum dot OLED (QD-OLED) sets, though, and it has only two full-speed gaming ports. Buy one only at a steep discount, with a warranty if possible. Check the Sony A90J price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Sony’s 2021 flagship 4K OLED TV, sold in 55-, 65-, and 83-inch sizes and now discontinued.
- Price: It launched at about $3,000 (55-inch) and $4,000 (65-inch), and today you’ll mostly find it used, open-box, or refurbished (as of fall 2026). Prices change often.
- Main strength: Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR delivers excellent processing, motion handling, and upscaling on top of the OLED panel’s perfect blacks.
- Main weaknesses: It looks dim next to newer QD-OLED TVs, and only two of its four High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports support HDMI 2.1 features.
- Successor: The A95K replaced it in 2022, followed by the A95L in 2023 and the Bravia 8 II in 2025, which remains Sony’s top OLED in 2026.
Sony A90J at a glance
| Spec | Sony A90J |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2021 (now discontinued) |
| Sizes | 55, 65, and 83 inches (XR-55A90J, XR-65A90J, XR-83A90J) |
| Panel | 4K white organic light-emitting diode (WOLED) panel with an aluminum heat sink sheet |
| Processor | Cognitive Processor XR |
| Refresh rate | 120 hertz (Hz) native |
| High dynamic range (HDR) | Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); no HDR10+ |
| High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) | Four ports; two support HDMI 2.1 features (4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR) after a 2022 update, and auto low latency mode (ALLM)); one of those two also handles enhanced audio return channel (eARC) |
| Sound | Acoustic Surface Audio+ (screen actuators plus two woofers), Dolby Atmos |
| Smart platform | Google TV with Google Assistant, Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, and Alexa compatibility |
| Wall mount | Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) 300 x 300 millimeters on the 55- and 65-inch models |
| Launch price | About $3,000 (55-inch) and $4,000 (65-inch); the 83-inch cost much more |
Specs come from What Hi-Fi’s A90J review, Reviewed’s A90J review, and RTINGS.
Is the Sony A90J still available?
Not new from Sony. The A90J launched in 2021 and stayed on sale alongside its successor for a while, but it has long been out of production. Today you’ll mostly find it as a used, open-box, or refurbished set, plus the occasional leftover clearance unit. Here’s how Sony’s top OLED evolved after it:
- A95K (2022): Sony’s first QD-OLED TV, sold in 55 and 65 inches. It traded the A90J’s white OLED panel for a Samsung Display QD-OLED panel with richer, brighter colors.
- A95L (2023): A brighter, more refined QD-OLED that added a 77-inch size. Read our Sony A95L review for the full breakdown.
- Bravia 8 II (2025): Sony’s current flagship OLED. It uses an upgraded QD-OLED panel in 55 and 65 inches, and Sony says it’s far brighter than the A95L. It launched in the US at $3,500 (55-inch) and $4,000 (65-inch), according to What Hi-Fi, though deals have since pushed it lower.
Sony’s 2026 flagship is the Bravia 9 II, but that’s a liquid crystal display (LCD) TV with Sony’s new True RGB backlight, not an OLED. That leaves the Bravia 8 II as Sony’s best OLED. One more change is coming: Sony and TCL agreed to form BRAVIA Inc., a joint venture that TCL will control with a 51% stake. According to 9to5Google, it should begin operating in April 2027 and will take over Sony’s TV development, sales, and customer service. Sony hasn’t detailed what this means for support on older sets like the A90J, which is another reason to prefer a unit with a warranty.
Design and stand
The A90J has razor-thin bezels, a slim metal frame, and a clean, minimalist look. The stand uses two feet that you can mount in different positions. In the standard position, the feet sit wide, so the 55-inch model needs a TV stand at least 51 inches wide, according to What Hi-Fi. Flip the feet to the soundbar position and the footprint narrows slightly while the screen rises a little, leaving a gap of only about 7 centimeters (under 3 inches). That’s enough for a low-profile soundbar, but not a tall one. Reviewed notes that the 83-inch model adds a third stand position.
If your furniture is narrow, a wall mount solves the problem. The 55- and 65-inch models use a VESA 300 x 300 pattern, and our guide to the best TV wall mounts for 65-inch TVs covers compatible options.
Picture quality
Like every OLED, the A90J lights each pixel on its own and turns pixels fully off for true black. That gives it essentially infinite contrast, no blooming around bright objects, and wide viewing angles, which makes it superb for movies in a dark room.
The A90J uses a white OLED panel, the same basic type LG Display supplies for LG’s own OLEDs: each pixel combines red, green, blue, and white subpixels. Sony paired it with an aluminum heat sink sheet so the panel can run brighter for longer, a feature Sony calls XR OLED Contrast Pro. Reviewed measured an HDR peak of about 723 nits on a 20% window, which was strong for an OLED in 2021. Even so, reviewers called it dim next to high-end LCD TVs, and today’s QD-OLEDs, including the Bravia 8 II and the Samsung S90F, are noticeably brighter.
Processing and upscaling
Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR analyzes the image in zones, identifies the area your eyes will likely focus on, and adjusts color, contrast, and detail to look more natural. Whatever you think of the marketing, the results impressed critics: What Hi-Fi gave the A90J five stars for picture, and reviewers widely praised its upscaling of 720p and 1080p sources, smooth motion handling, and natural skin tones.
Gaming performance
The A90J is a capable gaming TV with a fast OLED response time and low input lag in Game Mode, but it launched with real limitations. Only two of its four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1 features, and one of them doubles as the eARC port, so a soundbar user effectively gets one 4K at 120Hz port. VRR was missing at launch; Sony added it through a firmware update in 2022. What Hi-Fi also reported that Dolby Vision turned off in 4K at 120Hz mode.
Owners of a PlayStation 5 get extra perks, such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, which arrived through later updates. If gaming is your priority, see our guide to the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox, since newer TVs offer four HDMI 2.1 ports and 144Hz support.
Sound: Acoustic Surface Audio+
Instead of hiding speakers along the bottom edge, the A90J vibrates the screen itself with actuators, so dialogue seems to come from the actors’ mouths. Two woofers on the back add bass. The TV supports Dolby Atmos, and it can calibrate its sound to your room using the remote’s microphone. You can also connect it to a compatible Sony receiver or soundbar and use the TV’s speakers as the center channel.
What Hi-Fi rated the sound clearly better than most TVs but still recommended a dedicated sound system for a movie-night setup. A Dolby Atmos soundbar or the speakers in our Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review will give you fuller sound.
Smart features
The A90J runs Google TV, which pulls shows from your streaming apps into one interface. It has a built-in hands-free microphone for Google Assistant, works with Amazon Alexa devices, and supports Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2. It also includes Sony’s movie streaming service, originally called Bravia Core and now Sony Pictures Core, which streams high-bitrate Sony films. Bluetooth lets you pair wireless headphones.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Perfect blacks and essentially infinite contrast
- Excellent processing, motion handling, and upscaling
- Accurate, natural colors
- Impressive screen-based audio with Dolby Atmos
- Google TV with Google Assistant, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2
- Often available far below its launch price
Cons
- Dimmer than modern QD-OLED and Mini LED TVs
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one shared with eARC
- No HDR10+ support
- Wide stand footprint
- Discontinued, so warranty and long-term support are uncertain
- Burn-in risk with static content, as with any OLED
Is a used or clearance Sony A90J worth it?
It can be, at the right price. A healthy A90J still produces a better picture than most budget LCD TVs, especially in a dark room. Before you buy, keep these points in mind:
- Compare it with a new OLED. New midrange OLEDs, such as LG’s B and C series, now sell for much less than flagship prices and come with a full warranty, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and years of software support. A used A90J should cost clearly less than those.
- Check for burn-in. Ask the seller for photos of full-screen gray, red, green, and blue test patterns, and look for faint logos or ticker bars.
- Confirm the firmware. Make sure the TV has the 2022 update that added VRR if you plan to game.
- Look for a warranty. Certified refurbished units or retailer protection plans reduce the risk on an older OLED panel.
If the price gap is small, a newer model makes more sense. Our Sony A80L review covers a cheaper Sony OLED that followed the A90J, and our LG B3 review looks at a budget OLED alternative.
Sony A90J vs. newer premium OLED TVs
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries Sony’s current OLEDs alongside top rivals from LG and Samsung. Here’s how they compare with the A90J:
Compare similar premium OLED TVs on Amazon
| TV | Panel type | Sizes | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony A90J (2021) | White OLED (WOLED) | 55, 65, 83 inches | Discounted used or clearance buyers | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 8 II (2025) | Quantum dot OLED (QD-OLED) | 55, 65 inches | Best Sony picture quality | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 8 (2024) | WOLED | 55, 65, 77 inches | Sony processing for less | Check price |
| LG G5 (2025) | WOLED with brightness boosting layers | 48 to 97 inches | Bright rooms and wall mounting | Check price |
| LG C5 (2025) | WOLED | 42 to 83 inches | Best all-around value | Check price |
| Samsung S90F (2025) | QD-OLED or WOLED, depending on size | 42 to 83 inches | Gaming and vivid color | Check price |
- Sony Bravia 8 II: The A90J’s true modern successor offers far higher brightness and Sony’s latest processing. See the Bravia 8 II on Amazon.
- LG C5: It gives you four HDMI 2.1 ports, 144Hz gaming, and a full warranty for much less money. See the LG C5 on Amazon.
- Samsung S90F: A strong gaming OLED with bright, saturated color. Read our Samsung S90F review for details.
If you prefer a bright LCD instead of an OLED, our Sony X93L review covers a Mini LED Sony that handles sunny rooms better.
Who should buy the Sony A90J?
Buy a used or clearance A90J if you watch mostly movies and TV in a dim room, love Sony’s natural picture processing, and find one at a price well below a new midrange OLED. Skip it if your room gets a lot of daylight, if you need several HDMI 2.1 ports for consoles and a soundbar, or if you want a long warranty. In those cases, the Bravia 8 II, LG C5, or Samsung S90F is the smarter buy.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Sony A90J come out?
The Sony A90J came out in 2021 as Sony’s flagship OLED TV. The A95K replaced it at the top of the lineup in 2022.
Does the Sony A90J support VRR?
Yes, the Sony A90J supports VRR, but only after a firmware update. Sony added VRR to the A90J and other 2021 Bravia XR TVs in 2022, on the two HDMI 2.1 ports.
What replaced the Sony A90J?
The Sony A95K replaced the A90J in 2022, followed by the A95L in 2023 and the Bravia 8 II in 2025. The Bravia 8 II remains Sony’s top OLED model in 2026.
Does the Sony A90J have a burn-in risk?
Yes, the Sony A90J has a burn-in risk. Like all OLED TVs, it can develop permanent burn-in from long periods of static content, such as news tickers or game interfaces. Its pixel refresh and panel protection features reduce the risk, and varied viewing habits keep it low.
Final verdict
The Sony A90J earned its reputation as one of 2021’s best TVs, and its picture still holds up beautifully in a dark room. Its age shows in brightness, gaming ports, and long-term support, and Sony’s Bravia 8 II now does everything better. If you find an A90J in good condition at a deep discount, it’s a lovely movie TV; otherwise, put your money into a current OLED. Check the current Sony A90J price on Amazon.