Has the 4K OLED TV jungle found a new king? The new Sony flagship A95L screen has been eagerly awaited since it was announced earlier this year. Combining a second-generation QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display with the latest suite of Sony image processing technologies, it clearly has the potential to set the bar high for premium TVs in 2023.

But it's been an elusive beast outside of a few pre-production teases - at least until now. Sony finally offered a sample for closer inspection at its European HQ in Weybridge, Surrey, and StereoNET was one of the first to spend some quality time with this early sample.

So does this new range-topper justify the early hype? In a nutshell, yes, but there are caveats…

MINIMALIST DESIGN

Up close, the A95L looks reassuringly premium. Build quality and finish are high. Embracing the brand's familiar One Slate design, the screen's dark aluminium edge bezel is entirely seamless. There are two thin feet, which can be conveniently set low or high to fit a soundbar beneath, and placed either wide or narrow to better fit furniture.

The A95L comes in three screen sizes: 55-, 65- and 77-inches (XR-55A95L, XR-65A95L and XR-77A95L). The model I got to spend time with was the 65-incher, although the 55-inch model was on hand and looked extremely nice.

The smart platform of choice used here is Google TV. A more content-focused variation of the more familiar Android OS, it comes with a rich supply of streaming services and works with voice search.

UK buyers also benefit from YouView-delivered catch-up TV services for all key channels (including BBC iPlayer, ITVx, All4, and My5). Additionally, for big names like Netflix and Disney+, there's BRAVIA Core, Sony's own Pure Stream high bitrate (as much as 80mbps) movie service. The set comes with ten credits that can be used to watch new release films and 24 months of free streaming of library movies.

​The A95L also ships with a BRAVIA CAM camera as standard. This sits on top of the TV, enabling video calling with friends and family. Personally, I don't like how it breaks the line of the set. This can also be used for Ambient Optimization Pro. This wasn't available to test, so I'm still determining if I'd just leave it in the box.  

There's some big news beneath the hood in the form of an update to the brand's Cognitive Processor XR technology. The all-new XR Clear Image has been designed to improve noise reduction with motion, thereby reducing subjective blur.

Sony is gunning hard for gamers this year. The A95L is just one of several models in the Sony fleet to offer compatibility with the PlayStation 5, automatically recognising the console's Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre picture modes.

Gamers should note, though, that only two of the set's four HDMI inputs support 4K 120HZ, and one of these is also the eARC connection. The only real option for those of us that want to run several consoles in 4K 120Hz is to invest in a soundbar or AV receiver which can act as a source component hub.

I spent a short time stumbling around in a colourfully frantic Real Time Strategy Game, which allowed me to check out the Game Menu. This pop-up allows quick access to relevant features, including VRR, Motion Blur Reduction and Black Equalizer. The latter lightens shadows to better see hidden nasties.

PICTURE PERFORMANCE

The A95L's images are bright. Not just when it comes to peak HDR highlights but also average picture level. Hues explode out of the screen.

The new Quantum Dot OLED panel is spectacular, offering stunning colour vibrancy and massive dynamics. Sony attributes this to XR Triluminos Max technology and says colour performance is approximately twice as bright as last year's A95K model. It absolutely pops. But the A95L doesn't just slap you in the face; it's subtle too. There's lots of lovely shadow detail and tonal nuance in its images.

HDR support covers Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10. Unfortunately, there's no DOLBY Vision IQ or HDR10+ Adaptive to take advantage of the light sensor built into the screen. This is mainly used to adjust the set's Standard picture setting to better match colour reproduction to ambient light conditions. This works well and makes for a more cinematic presentation.

To provide some context for the A95L's performance, Sony sandwiched it between an LG G3 and a Samsung S95C, plus a diminutive Sony BVM-HX310 master monitor for reference. The A95L often got uncannily close to this pro display, inspiring confidence in its cinematic prowess.

The set's RGB light sensor is something of a surprise. When used in Standard mode, it retains the brightness you might expect of that preset but actually starts to ape the master monitor regarding colour and tone. It's not as accurate as the Pro mode, but it gets surprisingly close, and I rather like it.

The A95L also has excellent edge detection. Fine details, like foliage, look naturalistic. There's a smoothness, a depth to the picture that's achieved without losing overall detail. Heavy-handed processing can look flat, a trait of over-sharpening. That's not the case here.

When watching movies, I suggest using the newly christened Pro image preset. This used to be called Custom, but I'm told it was renamed because consumers found that moniker confusing. It's best thought of as a Kick Ass Movie mode. Here, it can still exploit the colour depth available yet remains filmic. Blacks are inky, shadows deep, and HDR highlights punch through.

One worry with the Standard picture preset is that it often just pumps too much brightness into the image. Using a sequence from Matt Reeves' The Batman, I compared the Sony A95L with the Samsung S95C.

The Riddler is about to commit his first murder. Clad head to toe in black, he stands in the shadows of the Gotham City mayor's apartment; the scene is dimly lit and heavily shadowed. On the Sony, said serial killer blends into the background, unseen before he strikes. However, on the Samsung, the creepy villain is obvious and would have left the mayor wondering who this nut job was standing motionless in the middle of his lounge. A quick call to the cops and the movie would have been over.

It's worth noting that Sony does not offer a Filmmaker mode. There is a Netflix Adaptive Calibrated mode, though, and the set has IMAX Enhanced certification.

I did note some blue tinting on whites and skin tones (which was not present on the rival sets), so that'll be something to look at when the final review sample ships.

That said, to really take this set for a spin, you need to watch it in its Vivid mode. Here the set makes full use of its extended colour gamut and has sensational contrast and HDR delivery. Purists will grumble, but if you're buying a Ferrari, sometimes you really need to put the pedal to the metal.

I wouldn't think twice about using Vivid for anime (the backlit remote control now comes with a dedicated Crunchyroll button) or studio-based TV fare. It looks fabulous.

Motion artefacts? Yes, I noticed a few. But these elements will undoubtedly come under extra scrutiny in due course.

Sony's Cognitive processing technique, which takes a naturalistic approach to image enhancement, made quite an impression on its debut, and here it gets what appears to be a worthwhile update. Movie enthusiasts are going to be enamoured.

SUPERIOR SOUND

Audio quality from this big Sony can be considered a cut above its rivals. Much like its predecessors, the A95L uses an Acoustic Surface Audio+ system which comprises actuators placed on the back of the panel, which vibrate to produce sound.

As these face forward, there's a directness to dialogue and clarity, which screens that use downward-facing railtrack drivers just can't match.

Rather cutely, an Acoustic Center Sync feature can be used to synchronise the TV's audio system with the centre channel of a compatible Sony soundbar, enhancing dialogue clarity. I demoed the set with a Sony HT-A7000 Dolby Atmos soundbar with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology, coupled wirelessly to an SA-SW5 subwoofer and two wireless SA-RS5 up-firing rears, and the results were thrilling. A run-through of Top Gun Maverick (the early, reckless sound barrier flight) and then the drone attack sequence from Angel has Fallen had me completely engrossed.

THE EARLY VERDICT

My initial time spent with the A95L has left me hungry for more. This could well be the best 4K OLED yet released by Sony, and it's clearly going to be a front-runner for Best TV of the Year. That said, the lack of adaptive updates for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ is disappointing, and the limited high frame rate HDMI support will be a deal breaker for many.

But home cinema fans will still be chomping at the bit. The set's Acoustic Surface Audio+ sound system gives it a clear sonic edge over rivals, and the ability to integrate with a compatible Dolby Atmos soundbar could well have film fans debating if they even need an AV amp.

Sony has yet to confirm global pricing for the A95L, although US pre-orders list $2,800 for the 55-incher, $3,500 for the 65-inch model and $5,000 for the 77-inch screen.

UK PRICE UPDATE: The A95L will get a UK launch in early September. The 55-inch XR55A95L will sell for £2,999, the 65-inch XR65A95L for £3,699 and the 77-inch XR77A95L will cost £5,999.

Visit Sony for more information