Although there were plenty of Mini LED TVs announced at CES last year, Sony was not one of the brands unveiling models with the tech. For 2022, though, it has joined the bandwagon with a range of Master Series Z and Bravia X models.

There are two models in the 2022 range that feature Mini LED technology starting with the Bravia X95K which offers 4K at 65-, 75-, and 85in sizes. Then the Master Series Z9K jumps to 8K in sizes of 75- and 85in.

If you’re new to Mini LED then the technology uses, as the name suggests, much smaller LEDs to make up the backlight. It means more (thousands) can be fitted into the same space giving more control of the lighting and therefore the picture.

While Sony’s implementation is fundamentally no different to rivals, the firm has put work into reducing blooming – the halo type area of light around objects or text you can get even on Mini LED.

Dubbed XR Backlight Master Drive and powered by the Cognitive Processor XR, it’s a local dimming algorithm that controls the LEDs with “absolute precision and independence, delivering extraordinary brightness, impressive dynamic range, deep blacks, and beautifully natural mid tones.”

All of Sony’s Mini LED TVs support 4K gaming at 120Hz via HDMI 2.1, along with auto tone mapping when used with a PS5, plus an auto low-latency mode.

Sony is also shipping them with variable refresh rate (VRR) and the firm, like Philips, is sticking with Google TV as the built-in operating system with features such as hands-free voice commands and Apple AirPlay 2.

As with all other TVs announced at CES such as ranges from LG and TCL, pricing and release dates will be announced later on.

Sony QD-OLED

In other Sony TV news from CES this year, the Japanese firm has announced one of the world’s first QD-OLED 4K TV.

Sony usually uses OLED panels from LG Display but the Master Series A95K will come with a QD-OLED (Quantum Dot organic light emitting diode) panel manufactured by Samsung Display.

Samsung has been using its Quantum Dot technology on LCD TVs for many years and although was rumoured to announce a QD-OLED model at CES, did not. This means Sony has got the spotlight using Samsung’s new tech.

In a nutshell, the panel aims to provide the best of both worlds combining the infinite contrast of OLED and the brightness and colour reproduction of Quantum Dot LED TVs. Sony says it can “panel boosts colour brightness by up to 200% compared to conventional TVs.”

Sony Bravia Cam

Sony also unveiled the Bravia Cam, which comes bundled with many high-end sets such as the A95K. It sits atop the television but this is more than just a webcam for video calls. In a sort of Xbox Kinect-style way, you can control the TV with gestures like turning it off by closing your fist or waving your hand to control the volume.

There’s more, as the camera can detect if someone (probably your kids) is sitting too close and will turn the screen black until they are not. Furthermore, the Bravia Cam offers “viewing distance compensation,” to adjust the brightness, voice emphasis and even left/right audio channels depending on where you’re sitting.

Leave the room and the Bravia Cam can turn your TV off automatically after a period of time you choose. That’s one way to avoid screen burn.

Looking to buy a TV? Then read our guide to the best TVs.