When most buyers think of a “budget” 55-inch TV, it usually means around ₹50,000, give or take a flashy deal. But then Sony waltzes in with the Bravia 2 II and calls ₹75,000 a budget buy. Sure, it’s a premium brand with serious street cred, but let’s not pretend this is a steal. Now, this isn’t an OLED dazzler or a Mini LED showstopper. But what the Bravia 2 II does offer is dependable performance, crisp visuals, and a smart TV experience that checks most of the right boxes for binge-watchers, casual viewers, and even the occasional gamer. On paper, it’s solid.
Speaking of which, on paper, the Bravia 2 II reads pretty much the same as last year’s Bravia 2. Add to that, considering how most of Sony’s TVs are priced, there are bound to be a few compromises on the Bravia 2, some more noticeable than others. But despite the corners Sony may have trimmed, the Bravia 2 II still packs a solid 4K panel, Google TV smarts, PS5-friendly features, and the brand’s trusted image processing under the hood, alongside some new improvements. So, the big question: Is it actually worth it in a market flooded with QLEDs, mini-LEDs, and every other kind of LED? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Design and Build Quality
Out of the box, the Sony Bravia 2 II doesn’t scream for attention, and that’s a good thing. The design is minimalist and clean, with slim bezels that make the 55-inch screen feel even more expansive. It won’t win design awards, but it blends well with most living room setups without looking cheap or bulky. It’s also slightly slimmer and thinner than the previous version, though most folks won’t be able to notice the difference.
The build is mostly plastic but feels sturdy. The back panel has a subtle textured finish, and the TV sits on two simple feet that are widely spaced, which is something to keep in mind if placing it on a narrow TV unit. Wall mounting is also an option and works well with its relatively slim profile.
As for the box contents, you get the essentials: the TV itself (obviously), a pair of feet stands, the remote control with batteries, a user manual with setup guides, mounting screws, and the power cable. It’s a pretty standard package that covers everything needed for a basic setup. As for mounting, if you opt for Sony’s free installation, you can choose either the desk stands or the wall mount. However, do keep in mind that if you opt for the installation at a later date, standard charges for the accessories will be applicable. I think it’s a good idea, since most consumers are already decided on where and how they wish to place the TV in their home, so making a choice shouldn’t be that hard.
Ports and Connectivity
Despite being one of Sony’s more affordable offerings, the Bravia 2 II doesn’t hold back when it comes to connectivity. Unlike the previous model, all the ports this time around are on the side, including four HDMI inputs for your PS5, set-top-box and other devices, and two USB ports are also included for media playback or plugging in accessories. Beyond that, there’s an optical audio output, an Ethernet LAN port for wired internet, as well as RF and IF ports for cable TV.
The Bravia 2 II also includes eARC support on HDMI 3, which is great for high-quality audio passthrough to a soundbar or receiver. On the wireless side, there’s Wi-Fi 6, a nice step up from the previous generation, and Bluetooth, making it effortless to pair headphones, controllers, or stream content from smartphones and laptops. Whether it’s a fully loaded entertainment hub or a simple weekend movie setup, the Bravia 2 II covers all the bases without fuss.
Display Performance: SDR and Upscaling
Let’s start with the everyday stuff. Think regular DTH channels, Full HD YouTube videos, or your favourite sitcoms from five years ago. The Sony Bravia 2 II absolutely holds its own here, thanks to the brand’s trusted 4K X-Reality Pro engine. This upscaling tech does a solid job of cleaning up lower-resolution content and making it look close to 4K without going overboard on sharpening or introducing weird artefacts. Faces look natural, text remains crisp, and there’s enough detail in the background to make older content still feel fresh.
The overall picture quality is also quite clean and engaging, especially for casual viewing. It’s also worth pointing out the motion handling here. Thanks to MotionFlow XR, fast-moving content like sports or action scenes remains fluid, without that dreaded soap opera effect. I watch a lot of football on my TV, and most budget TVs generally struggle with applying motion smoothness on those fast-moving frames, but the Bravia 2 does handle it exceptionally well. It’s not just about resolution, it’s also about how smartly the TV handles all kinds of source material, and Sony nails it.
Display Performance: HDR
Moving on to HDR performance, the Bravia 2 II supports HDR10 and HLG formats, but notably skips Dolby Vision. Still, for a mid-range LED panel, the HDR performance is surprisingly respectable. Bright scenes come to life with impressive clarity, and there’s a decent amount of highlight detail, whether it’s sunlight bouncing off water or the glow from neon signs in a nighttime cityscape. Sony’s tuning does a good job of keeping the image balanced, so you’re not losing shadow details in darker areas, nor are the bright spots blowing out into white blobs.
That said, the lack of local dimming does limit how deep the blacks can get. However, unless you’re watching in a pitch-dark room and specifically hunting for flaws, it won’t stand out as a major issue. Colours are punchy without looking unnatural, and skin tones retain that signature Sony realism. Then again, it does depend on the kind of content you’re watching. For instance, in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the colours do tend to be a bit on the oversaturated side. Then again, it’s a movie that throws multiple colours on the screen at once. If you go for more cinematic experiences like Avengers: Endgame or Interstellar, the colours are well-balanced and quite accurate.
While the absence of Dolby Vision is a bummer for enthusiasts, most streaming platforms still look fantastic in HDR10, and the experience is immersive enough for most buyers. It’s not flagship quality, but it’s also not trying to be. For its class, the HDR performance is more than satisfactory.
Display Performance: Gaming
As far as gaming is concerned, I tested the TV both with my Sony PlayStation 5 and a dedicated gaming rig. The Bravia 2 II might not boast a 120Hz refresh rate or VRR, but it makes up for that with a surprisingly responsive and enjoyable gaming experience. Thanks to Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), the TV automatically switches into Game Mode when it detects a console, reducing input lag to around 10 milliseconds. Pairing it up with a PS5 feels almost natural, and Sony has clearly optimised the experience for its own console. The TV supports HDR tone mapping that aligns well with PS5 titles, making games like Spider-Man 2 or God of War Ragnarok look rich and vivid.
As for PC, 4K at 60Hz gaming is smooth and stutter-free, provided your hardware can keep up. That said, the lack of 120Hz is bound to disappoint most gamers. Then again, if you’re only into playing casual titles, the motion handling is good, ghosting is minimal, and the overall responsiveness makes this TV more than capable of holding its own as a budget-friendly gaming display. While I wouldn’t recommend it for online multiplayer on PC, the Bravia 2 II keeps things smooth, snappy, and visually impressive, especially for console gaming.
Audio Performance
For a TV in this price range, the Sony Bravia 2 II delivers surprisingly decent audio performance. It features two open-baffle speakers rated at 10W each, and while that might not sound impressive on paper, the tuning really helps elevate the experience. Dialogue remains crisp and clear, even at lower volumes, which makes it ideal for late-night streaming or background news playback. The stereo separation is respectable, and the soundstage feels wider than expected from a mid-range LED TV. It also gets loud enough to comfortably fill a medium-sized room without distortion, although, as expected, the bass is limited. Explosions and heavy music might lack punch, and that’s where external audio gear can make a difference.
The TV supports Dolby Audio and can pass through Dolby Atmos via the HDMI eARC port, which is a big plus if planning to connect a soundbar or home theatre system. Unlike many TVs where the eARC port is also the only high-bandwidth HDMI port, here you won’t be sacrificing refresh rate performance by using it for audio. So if sound quality is a priority, whether you’re an audiophile or just someone who enjoys a good action movie, you’ll definitely benefit from hooking up a dedicated soundbar via eARC. That said, for everyday streaming, casual YouTube sessions, or watching live sports, the built-in speakers are more than capable of getting the job done.
UI and Remote Control
On the software front, the Bravia 2 II runs on Google TV, which is essentially Android TV with a facelift and better recommendations. As for casting, it comes with built-in Chromecast, Google Assistant, and support for Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. The interface is clean, fast (for the most part), and offers quick access to Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, SonyLIV, and a ton of other apps.
The remote is a standard Sony job, meaning it’s functional and not too flashy. It’s got dedicated app buttons (Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube), a built-in mic for voice control, and IR+Bluetooth operation. I did find the buttons to be a bit on the softer side and not feel very premium, but then again, it is to be expected. The good news is that everything works as it should, and Sony hasn’t compromised on the reliability factor of its budget offering at all.
Verdict
So, at the end of the day, does the Sony Bravia 2 II justify its price tag? Let’s be clear, this TV isn’t about gimmicks. It’s not going to flash 144Hz refresh rates or claim QD-MiniLED glory. What it does offer, however, is consistent performance, strong upscaling, clean HDR visuals, and solid smart features. All coupled with the reliability and brand value of Sony, but at a sensible price point. Sure, it’s missing Dolby Vision and 120Hz support. But for ₹75,000 (or less during sales), those are fair compromises, especially for the refined experience that this TV offers.
That said, if you do want all those features, there are plenty of brands that offer them, and then some. For ₹60,000, there’s the Lumio Vision 9 that offers a Mini-LED panel, or the Xiaomi FX Pro that offers a 55-inch QLED panel with all the bells and whistles. Or, if you want a more reliable and household name, there’s the Samsung Q7F, which also offers a 55-inch QLED panel for ~₹65,000. Then again, Sony is Sony, and you can’t really go wrong with the Bravia 2 II either.
Editor’s Rating: 8.3 / 10
Pros:
- Sharp 4K picture quality with great upscaling
- Clean and responsive Google TV UI
- Good audio tuning despite tiny speakers
- Optimised for gaming with PS5
Cons:
- No Dolby Vision support
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
