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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option and don't mind a TV with average performance in various viewing environments, then the Samsung AU8000 may suit your needs, as it is often significantly less expensive. However, if you want better motion handling for sports or gaming along with a brighter screen which is ideal for well-lit rooms, the Sony X85K is superior, although it comes at a higher cost. Neither TV is optimal for very dark rooms, but the Sony will perform slightly better in this aspect as well. Keep in mind that the Sony X85K offers a 120Hz panel which is beneficial for gaming, whereas the Samsung AU8000 has a 60Hz panel which may not be as smooth for fast-paced content. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung AU8000 (LCD)
- The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has no clear advantages over the Sony X85K (LCD).
Advantages of the Sony X85K (LCD)
- Good for bright room
- Good for gaming
- Good for sports
- Very good for news, talk, & other TV
- Very good for cartoons & animation
- Best in class for upscaling
- Best in class motion processing
Key differences
Picture Quality
6.6
7.2
6.71/10
CONTRAST
7.50/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
7.4/10
LED
PANEL TYPE
LED
VA
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Sony X85K (LCD) has good picture quality, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has only fair picture quality.
Movies & TV
5.9
6.4
6.71/10
CONTRAST
7.50/10
6.9/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
6.8/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
No
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
Yes
The Sony X85K (LCD) is only fair for movies & TV, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 struggles with movie and cinematic TV watching primarily due to its lack of local dimming, resulting in poorer black uniformity, which is especially noticeable in dark scenes. In contrast, the Sony X85K performs better with superior color accuracy out of the box and possesses greater contrast, enhancing the viewing experience for these types of content.
Sports
6.5
7.4
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
10.0/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.3/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Sony X85K (LCD) is good for sports, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Samsung AU8000 has a poorer response time and motion processing compared to the Sony X85K, making it less suitable for the fast movement seen in sports. While both TVs handle reflections well and have similar viewing angles, the superior motion handling capabilities of the Sony X85K result in a better experience when watching sports.
Gaming
5.8
7.5
5.9/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
7.6/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.3/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
10.0/10
0.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
0.0/100
5.8/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
7.3/10
The Sony X85K (LCD) is good for gaming, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has poor response time, which affects how quickly the image updates and can make fast action look blurry during gaming, while the Sony X85K has a higher refresh rate and delivers better input lag performance, ensuring smoother gameplay and more responsive control. Additionally, the Samsung AU8000 is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, which is less suitable for fast-paced games compared to the Sony X85K's 120Hz, allowing for a much smoother gaming experience.
Cartoons & Animation
6.9
8.5
6.1/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
7.5/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
7.4/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
7.2/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
9.1/10
6.8/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
7.5/10
The Sony X85K (LCD) is very good for cartoons & animation, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Sony X85K is rated higher for watching cartoons and animation because it displays colors more accurately straight out of the box and has a better color gamut than the Samsung AU8000. This means that on the Sony TV, colors will be more vibrant and true to life, which is particularly important for animated content where color quality greatly enhances the viewing experience.
News, Talk, & Other TV
6.7
8.2
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
The Sony X85K (LCD) is very good for news, talk, & other TV, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Sony X85K is rated higher in upscaling and has better SDR brightness, making it very good for watching news and talk shows, ensuring clearer images and better visibility in various lighting conditions. In contrast, the Samsung AU8000, despite being fair for the same content, has lower upscaling quality and SDR brightness, which may result in less clarity and vibrance, particularly in well-lit rooms.
Bright Room
6.3
7.4
5.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.5/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
5.7/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
7.0/10
7.8/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
7.3/10
The Sony X85K (LCD) is good for bright room, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Sony X85K outperforms the Samsung AU8000 in bright rooms mainly because it has better SDR brightness, which means it can display brighter images that stand out more in well-lit environments, and both TVs are equally good at handling reflections, minimizing the impact of light sources that could wash out the picture. The better brightness of the Sony X85K, coupled with its good handling of reflections, makes it a better option for bright room viewing compared to the Samsung AU8000, even though they share similar performance in other aspects like HDR brightness and color characteristics.
Cost
$648
$1,098
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has a price of $648 and the Sony X85K (LCD) costs $1,098.
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How the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and the Sony X85K (LCD) compare to other TVs
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung AU8000 (LCD) | Sony X85K (LCD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$648 | $1,098 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 4, 2021 | May 4, 2022 | |
Full name | |||
Full name | UN65AU8000 | KD-65X85K | |
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 65" | 65" | |
Screen Resolution | |||
Screen Resolution | 4K | 4K | |
TV FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Tizen | Android TV | |
Sound Quality Score | |||
Sound Quality Score | 6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
NextGen Ready | |||
NextGen Ready | No | Yes | |
HDMI Ports | |||
HDMI Ports | 3 | 4 | |
Coax Ports | |||
Coax Ports | 1 | 1 | |
DISPLAY QUALITY SCORES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Picture Quality Score | |||
Picture Quality Score | 6.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Bright Room Score | |||
Bright Room Score | 6.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Movies & TV Score | |||
Movies & TV Score | 5.9/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Sports Score | |||
Sports Score | 6.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D) | |||
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D) | 32.7" x 57.1" x 1" | 32.9" x 57.2" x 2.8" | |
Dimensions with Stand (H x W) | |||
Dimensions with Stand (H x W) | 34.4" x 57.1" | 35.6" x 57.2" | |
Weight without Stand | |||
Weight without Stand | 46.1 lbs | 48.5 lbs | |
VESA Mount | |||
VESA Mount | 400 x 300 | 300 x 300 | |
DISPLAY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Color Depth | |||
Color Depth | 10 bit | 10 bit | |
Black Frame Insertion | |||
Black Frame Insertion | Yes | Yes | |
Auto Low Latency Mode | |||
Auto Low Latency Mode | Yes | Yes | |
Contrast | |||
Contrast | 6.7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Local Dimming | |||
Local Dimming | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Speaker Setup | |||
Speaker Setup | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
Speaker Power | |||
Speaker Power | 20 W | 20 W | |
Dolby Atmos | |||
Dolby Atmos | Bypass only | Yes | |
DTS:X | |||
DTS:X | No | Up to DTS Digital Surround, Bypass only | |
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Samsung AU8000 (LCD)
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USA Today
Michael Desjardin | April 2023
"To put it directly: you’d never see a mid-range 4K TV hitting this black levels half a decade ago. AU8000 plays the part of a higher-end TV thanks to its sleek design. If you’re upgrading to a smart TV for the first time, the software is a great way to dip your toes in the streaming water."
Get a great deal on the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) or the Sony X85K (LCD)
About Samsung
Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, holds the title of being the largest global TV vendor in terms of units sold. They offer a diverse lineup of TV products that cater to various budget ranges. A notable achievement in recent years is the development of Quantum Dots, a technology that enhances color reproduction, resulting in richer and more vibrant hues. Samsung TVs are well-regarded for their high manufacturing quality and user-friendly software, making them an excellent choice for consumers seeking an intuitive viewing experience.
About Sony
Sony stands as a highly experienced and widely trusted TV manufacturer, earning a reputation that surpasses all others. A Japanese company, Sony has been making TVs for far longs than it has been making Playstation game consoles. Sony's high-end TVs are often regarded as the ultimate choice for videophiles, representing the epitome of quality, albeit at a premium price point. Renowned for their advanced and precise motion handling, as well as their cutting-edge local dimming algorithms, Sony consistently delivers unparalleled performance in these areas. They include Google TV software with all their TV sets, which grants access to the largest selection of apps available and they also include Bravia Core which is a movie streaming platform specifically for Sony TVs that offers higher picture quality by using more bandwidth.
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