A comprehensive overview of Sony's TV and home theater offerings for 2026.

      Sony believes it may have found the solution for home theater this year. The company is not merely launching new TVs, but is redefining the way televisions produce color with a new technology called True RGB, while also expanding its home theater range with products like the BRAVIA Theater Trio. An early preview of the lineup in New York highlighted why Sony considers True RGB could be a major highlight of its 2026 offering.

      The technology was the focus of Sony’s presentation, but the broader implications were equally compelling. The company stated that many premium TVs are still designed for optimal viewing conditions rather than the environments where most people actually watch TV. Data shared by Sony indicated that only about 13% of viewers watch in settings akin to a cinema or professional grading suite, while the remaining 87% view content in bright living rooms, open floor layouts, and areas with variable lighting throughout the day.

      Why Sony believes current TVs fall short

      Sony’s claim is simple: most premium TVs are tailored for ideal viewing scenarios rather than real-world situations. This can explain why a TV may look stunning at night but less impressive during the day when there's competition from sunlight, reflections, and ambient light. True RGB, according to Sony, is engineered to tackle this issue by enhancing how displays generate and maintain color in everyday viewing settings.

      What makes True RGB different

      Sony explained that traditional premium TVs generate color through a filtered light source, be it blue or white, which is processed to display colors on the screen. In contrast, True RGB employs independently controlled red, green, and blue diodes directly within the backlight system, producing the necessary colors at the source before they reach the LCD layer.

      According to Sony, this method of color creation leads to cleaner and more accurate color reproduction. The company showcased the technology through various side-by-side comparisons, emphasizing three notable advantages presented during the demonstration.

      Three key advantages from Sony’s presentation

      The first advantage highlighted was color volume. Sony claims the new True RGB system offers approximately double the color volume of the original BRAVIA 9 Mini LED and up to four times that of the BRAVIA 8 OLED. This means bright scenes can remain vibrant instead of becoming washed out as brightness increases, resulting in richer images without distorting colors.

      Viewing angles were another significant aspect. Sony noted that because color is produced through both the backlight and LCD layers, image quality is more consistent from various seating positions. This consistency is especially crucial in larger living rooms where viewers aren't always directly in front of the screen.

      The third benefit showcased was smooth gradation. By melding its image processing technology with independent RGB control, Sony claims it can minimize visible color banding, providing smoother transitions in scenes that rely on subtle color shifts, like skies, sunsets, and extensive gradients.

      Sony’s position in the OLED versus Mini LED debate

      The OLED versus Mini LED topic generates extensive discussion among TV enthusiasts. OLED is recognized for its deep blacks, high contrast, and excellent viewing angles, while Mini LED excels in brightness, especially in environments with considerable ambient light. Sony asserts that True RGB can combine the best qualities of both technologies.

      The company argues that True RGB offers OLED-like viewing angles and contrast while preserving the brightness advantages of Mini LED. Much of the presentation focused on this idea, portraying the technology as an attempt to overcome the traditional trade-offs that have required consumers to choose between different strengths.

      The flagship BRAVIA 9 II

      At the forefront of Sony’s 2026 TV lineup is the BRAVIA 9 II, the company’s top True RGB display. Available in sizes of 65, 75, 85, and 115 inches, this TV is crafted to closely align with the performance and creative vision of Sony’s professional mastering monitors used by filmmakers and studios. Sony states that the BRAVIA 9 II epitomizes the premium application of True RGB technology in their lineup.

      The BRAVIA 7 II for broader access

      Sony is also launching the BRAVIA 7 II, which brings True RGB technology to a wider audience. Offered in sizes from 50 to 98 inches, this model serves as a more accessible entry point into Sony’s latest display technology while retaining many benefits highlighted during the demonstrations.

      OLED continues to play a role

      While True RGB may be the standout technology this year, Sony is also advancing its OLED offerings with the BRAVIA 8 II and the standard BRAVIA 8. These models were presented alongside the new True RGB products, providing buyers with multiple options based on their preferred display technology and budget.

      Introducing the BRAVIA Theater Trio

      Additionally, Sony unveiled the BRAVIA Theater Trio, a new audio solution for home theaters aimed at addressing one of the most frequent complaints about modern televisions. Despite continual improvements in picture quality, audio performance often lags behind.

      The Theater Trio features a compact center-channel soundbar along with dedicated left and right speakers. Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology can create up