Skip to main content

Sony announces pricing for three new series in its 2016 4K Ultra HD smart TV lineup

Sony XBR-X800D series
At CES in January, Sony pulled a surprising move, opting out of selling lower-end TVs in favor of an all-premium strategy. It doesn’t look as if the company is reversing that decision, but it is offering new TVs at a lower price without dropping key features like 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR).

On Tuesday, Sony announced pricing and availability for three new series in its 2016 smart TV lineup. Less expensive than the flagship models released earlier this year, the new XBR-X800D, XBR-X750D, and XBR-X700D series still offer a premium experience and a price tag to match.

Like other TVs in Sony’s 2016 lineup, every TV in the new series is powered by Google’s Android TV platform, offering built-in support for Google Cast in addition to apps like Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube. The TVs also feature Android TV’s Voice Search, making finding something to watch much easier than fumbling with a remote. Android TV also allows communication with IoT (internet of things) devices, allowing your TV to function as the hub of your smart home.

Unlike the other two series here, the XBR-X800D series features HDR support out of the box for a wider color gamut and improved contrast. Two different sizes are available, with the 49-inch class XBR-49X800D selling for $1,500 and the 43-inch class XBR-43X800D selling for $1,300.

The XBR-X750D doesn’t offer HDR out of the box, but Sony says it will be added in a future firmware update slated for later this year. There is only one model here, and it’s the largest of this recent batch of TVs at 65-inch class. The XBR-65X750D is also the most expensive of the new series, retailing for $2,300.

Like the XBR-X750D, the two models in the XBR-X700D are supposed to get HDR support in a firmware update later this year. The 55-inch class XBR-55X700D retails for $1,500, while the 46-inch class XBR-49X700D will sell for $900.

All of these new TVs are available for pre-sale starting now, and will go on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and other authorized dealers.

Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
There’s a rare deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones today
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones seen in black.

The massively popular Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones rarely appear in headphone deals, so if you've had your eye on them for quite a while, you're in luck because they're currently $51 off on Walmart. From their original price of $400, you'll only have to pay $349, but only if you hurry because we don't expect stocks to last long. You're going to miss out on the offer if you take too long, so don't hesitate -- add the wireless headphones to your cart and check out as fast as you can.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5
The best headphones that you can buy right now are the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, and it's not even close. At the heart is their outstanding wireless sound, supported by top-quality active noise cancellation that uses two processors and eight microphones to block all unwanted sound, as well as crystal-clear hands-free calling using four beamforming microphones and advanced audio signal processing. The wireless headphones also offer Bluetooth multipoint connection so that you can quickly switch between different devices, touch controls for functions like adjusting volume and calling your digital assistant, and Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention features to stop your music and let ambient sound in without having to take them off.

Read more
Sony’s premium soundbars will finally get support for VRR, ALLM
Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar close-up of top panel.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Sony's premium home theater soundbars are set to receive a software update that will add support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM), two HDMI 2.1 gaming features that have been absent since these products launched.

The soundbars in question are the Sony HT-A5000, HT-A7000, and the multi-wireless speaker HT-A9 system. All three are scheduled to receive the update this fall, but Sony has declined to share specific timing, saying only that there will be more information closer to the rollout date.

Read more
What is Roku? The streaming platform explained
A roku powered TV hanging on a wall running Roku OS 12.

How do you get your Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Prime Video fix? Chances are it's through a streaming device or smart TV, and there's a good chance that it's through a Roku device or one running its pioneering streaming operating system. At this point, cord-cutting is old news, and Roku was one of the earliest companies to drive the adoption of web-based streaming with its self-contained, app-driven devices.

Today, watching something "on Roku" is standard parlance and the company's popular platform can be found baked into some of the biggest TV brands in the world as well as in its own lineup of streaming devices sticks, and set-top boxes. Even so, that doesn't mean you totally get what a Roku actually is. What is Roku? How does Roku work? Do you need a subscription to use it? Is it just a device you buy, or is it software?

Read more