Sony or Xiaomi TV: Which is the best choice in 2026?

Choosing between Sony and Xiaomi TVs is not just about comparing technical specifications, but finding a balance between Japanese excellence and Chinese innovation. Both brands offer models for every budget, but the approaches to image quality, sound processing and even the philosophy of use are radically different. Some Sony is the undisputed leader thanks to decades of experience in display production, and some Xiaomi surprises with a price-performance ratio and smart features for half the cost of competitors.

If you're looking for a 4K HDR movie TV with perfect color rendering, Sony Bravia with Cognitive Processor XR is the best choice. But what if you want a smart ecosystem with Google Assistant, built-in Chromecast and Dolby Vision support for 30-40% less? Here, Xiaomi Mi TV or Redmi Smart TV can outweigh the scales. In this article, we'll break down the key differences between the two brands by 7 criteria, from matrix to proprietary technology, and help you decide which TV is right for you.

Spoiler: There's no clear winner. It depends on your priorities: whether you're willing to overpay for brand and premium quality, or whether you want to get the most features for the lowest possible amount of money, and we'll also reveal a little-known fact about Sony's processors that explains why their TVs are so good at dynamic scenes in games and sports.

Image quality: why Sony is better for movies and Xiaomi is better for everyday viewing

Sony’s main difference from Xiaomi is its approach to video processing: The Japanese brand uses its own XR processors (in top-end models) or 4K HDR Processor X1, which analyze images by zone rather than pixel, which allows for natural color reproduction and smooth transitions even in dark scenes. For example, in high dynamic range movies (HDR10+), Sony TVs show details in shadows that on Xiaomi simply “fall” into black.

Xiaomi, on the other hand, is betting on brightness and saturation, and their TVs often feature color-enhanced arrays (90% of the DCI-P3 in the Mi TV Q2), but the image processing algorithms are losing out to Sony, while Xiaomi has a trump card – support for Dolby Vision even in budget models (for example, the Redmi Smart Fire TV), while Sony ignores this format, preferring its HDR10.

• 🎬 For movie-philes: Sony Bravia X90K technologic XR Triluminos Pro and support IMAX Enhanced – the best choice for watching movies in original quality.
• 🎮 For gamers: Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 75" with 120 Hz frequency and low input lag (~10 ms) will cost less than Sony X90L similarly.
• 💰 Budget option: Redmi Smart TV A55 post 25-30 thousand roubles 4K, Dolby Audio and Google Built-in TV — What Sony is asking for in the 2 more.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a TV in a brightly lit room, pay attention to the brightness of the screen.Budget Xiaomi models (up to) 300 The price of the game will be even lower than the average Sony (400-500 ) due to weak illumination.

2.Sound: Why Sony's built-in speakers sound better (but not always)

Sound is the second front, where Sony has traditionally outpaced the competition. Bravia TVs use Acoustic Surface Audio+ (in flagships) or X-Balanced Speaker technology to distribute sound throughout the body, creating a surround sound effect. For example, in the Sony X95L model, two subwoofers and three tweeters provide clean low and high frequencies, which you will not find even in top-end Xiaomi.

Xiaomi is not giving up, however: the Mi TV Q2 and Mi TV P1 models have Dolby Audio speakers with DTS-HD support. For most users, the difference will be invisible, especially if you connect a sound bar or a home theater. But there is a caveat: in budget Redmi Smart TV speakers often wheeze at maximum volume - this is a typical problem of Chinese TVs up to 40 thousand rubles.

If the sound is critical for you, but the budget is limited, consider buying a separate sound bar. For example, Xiaomi Mi Soundbar for 5-7 thousand rubles will significantly improve the sound of even a budget TV, bringing it closer to the level of Sony.

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Before buying, check for an HDMI ARC/eARC output, which is needed to connect the sound bar without additional cables. Xiaomi budget models may not have one!

3.CPUs and performance: why Sony is better for gaming and Xiaomi is better for smart features

One of the most important technical features is that Sony uses its own Cognitive Processor XR (in flagships) or 4K HDR Processor X1 processors, which are optimized for real-time video processing, especially in dynamic scenes like a football match or a racing game on PlayStation 5, Sony TVs show a smoother picture without artifacts.

Xiaomi, in turn, puts on board processors from MediaTek (MT96xx series) or Amlogic, which are worse at post-processing video, but provide fast interface Google TV or PatchWall (in models for India), for example, Mi TV Q2 on MediaTek MT9611 runs applications faster than Sony X80K on a stripped-down version of X1 Processor.

• 🎮 For gamers: Sony X90L supportive 4K@120Hz, VRR and ALLM — perfect companion PS5 Xbox Series X.
• 📱 For smart functions: Xiaomi Mi TV P1 Google TV Chromecast is more convenient for streaming from your phone.
• 🐢 Weak Link: Budget Sony (Series) W800) Use outdated processors that slow down when switching channels.

4.Smart Features: Where Xiaomi Wins Unquestionably

If you want to integrate with the smart home ecosystem, Xiaomi is leaving Sony far behind. All of today's Mi TVs and Redmi Smart TVs run on Google TV or PatchWall (in Asia), support Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and have a built-in Chromecast.

• 🎤 Control your TV with your voice through the Xiaomi Smart Speaker.
• 📱 Duplicate the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone without additional adapters.
• 🏠 Connect the TV to the Mi Home smart home system for automation (for example, turning on the TV when opening the door).

Sony, in turn, offers Google TV only in 2022 and later models. Older TVs run on Android TVs with an outdated interface. Plus, Sony does not have its own ecosystem of smart devices, so integration with other gadgets is limited by Google standards.

⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi TVs for the Chinese market (e.g., prefixed models) CN In the name of the company, you can check the region before buying: the European versions have a full Google Play and support for all streaming services.

5. Design and Assembly: Japanese Quality vs Chinese Practicality

Sony TVs are distinguished by their premium design: thin bezels, metal stands and minimalist appearance. Flagship models (such as the Sony A95K) have an almost bezel-less screen with Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, where the speakers are hidden behind the panel. Even in the mid-range segment (Sony X85K), plastic is used high quality, without backlashes and creaks.

Xiaomi saves on materials: in budget models (Redmi Smart) TV) The frame is wide, and the body is made of glossy plastic that collects fingerprints, but Xiaomi has a chip — a modular stand in the Mi models. TV Q2, And the Chinese brand is also experimenting with design, like Mi. TV LUX transparent OLED-The screen that Sony doesn’t have.

Thickness of frames (the thinner, the more modern the model)

Material of the stand (metal is preferable to plastic)

Clearances between the panel and the housing (there should be no gaps)

Remote build quality (Sony often has rubber buttons, Xiaomi has touch buttons)-->

6.Price and Price/Quality: Where Xiaomi knocks Sony out

The main advantage of Xiaomi is the price tag. For example, Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 55" with a matrix of QLED, 120 Hz and Google TV costs about 50-60 thousand rubles. For the same money, Sony offers Bravia X80K with a conventional LED-matrix, 60 Hz and an outdated processor. The difference in image quality will be noticeable only to an experienced user, while the difference in functionality - immediately.

However, there are pitfalls:

• 🔧 Xiaomi Warranty Centers are not in all cities, and spare parts can wait for months.
• 📉 Depreciation: Sony TVs keep the price on the secondary market, and Xiaomi through 2 lose 50-60% cost.
• 🔄 Updates: Sony supports TVs 4-5 years, Xiaomi - maximum 2-3 year-end.

⚠️ Note: If you buy a Xiaomi TV abroad (e.g. on AliExpress), check the power voltage.Many models are designed for 110 V (US/China) and can burn from Russian 220 V.

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If the budget is limited to 40-50 thousand rubles, then Xiaomi offers the best price-performance ratio, but if you plan to use the TV for 5+ years, it is better to pay extra for Sony - it will last longer and will not become obsolete.

7. Gaming Opportunities: Which TV to Choose for PS5 or Xbox

For gamers, the choice is obvious - Sony. TVs in the Bravia X90L series and above support:

• 🎮 4K@120Hz (for) PS5 Xbox Series X).
• 🔄 VRR (smoothness).
• 🕒 ALLM (automatic switching to game mode).

Xiaomi also offers models with 120 Hz (for example, Mi TV Q2), but there are nuances:

• ❌ No support. VRR most models.
• ⚠️ Input lag higher (~15 ms against ~10ms at Sony).
• 🔌 HDMI 2.1 is only available in flagships (e.g. Mi). TV Master).

If you play on new-generation consoles, it is better to choose Sony X90L or X95L. For PC games or retro consoles (for example, Nintendo Switch) suffices and Xiaomi Mi TV Q2 – the difference in input lag will be uncritical.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Sony and Xiaomi TVs