Sony BRAVIA 5 K98XR50 98"

The Sony BRAVIA 5 K98XR50 is a monster 98-inch MiniLED TV that sounds as good as it looks. The bargain-basement pricing is gone, but at $3500-$4000 it's still one of the best giant-screen values against a fresh crop of competitors.

What surprised us most is the audio. A TV this thin usually sounds like a tin can, but Sony's 40W speaker system with Dolby Atmos support and Voice Zoom 3 actually delivers clear dialogue and decent punch. It's in the top tier of built-in audio (92nd percentile in our database), so unless you're a bass-head, you might skip the soundbar. The picture quality is strong, with the MiniLED backlight providing impressive brightness and solid HDR pop, though it sits at the 78th percentile overall. That's not the absolute best, and hardcore videophiles might spot some blooming in tricky scenes, but for everyday watching and gaming, it's a gorgeous panel.

The giant-screen arena got crowded. The TCL QM7K Series 98QM7K is the new budget bully, delivering MiniLED brightness at a price that undercuts Sony by a mile. If raw value rules, TCL wins. The Samsung Neo QLED QN900F counters with an 8K panel and eye-searing brightness, but you'll pay a premium. Sony's own BRAVIA 9 K85XR90 shrinks the screen to 85 inches but upgrades the processing and contrast, making it the smarter pick if you sit closer than 10 feet. And then there's the LG OLED evo G5 97-inch, which is the absolute endgame if money is no object. It destroys everything here on black levels and viewing angles, but costs as much as a used sedan. The Hisense U7 75-inch is the wildcard: much smaller, but a killer value if you realize you don't actually have room for a 98-inch beast.

The value story shifted. The floor price jumped from $2596 to $3500, which wipes out the crazy refurb steals we used to see. At $3500, this is still a solid deal for a 98-inch Sony MiniLED, but it's no longer the no-brainer bargain it was six months ago. The mid-to-high range now brushes against the Samsung Neo QLED QN900F and Sony's own BRAVIA 9 85-inch, both of which bring better brightness and processing. If you can snag the K98XR50 under $4000, it's a strong buy. Above that, you need to cross-shop hard.

The Sony BRAVIA 5 K98XR50 is the kind of TV that makes you rethink your living room wall. It's 98 inches of MiniLED goodness with Sony's excellent processing, and the whole package just works. The bright HDR picture, surprisingly capable built-in audio, and smooth Google TV interface all add up to a theater experience that you'll actually enjoy using without an extra soundbar. But the price floor has risen lately, and with the floor now sitting around $3500, the deal-hunting game has changed. It's still a massive screen for the money, but the bargain-bin days are behind us.

Home theater enthusiasts who worship black levels and watch in a completely dark room should steer clear. This TV's MiniLED backlight can't match OLED contrast, and you'll notice blooming in starfields or moody HDR scenes. If that's you, go for the LG C4 77-inch instead. Also, if you're setting this up on a bright patio or deck, the outdoor score is dismal, so look at a Samsung The Terrace or something weather-resistant.

Grab the Sony BRAVIA 5 if you have the wall space and can find it between $3500 and $4000. It's a big, bold television that handles movies, sports, and gaming with confidence, and the audio is so competent you might not need a separate audio system. The price hike stings, but it's still a strong pick against the TCL and Samsung alternatives. Skip it if you're a dark-room cinephile who demands OLED-level black levels, but for everyone else, this is an outstanding home theater centerpiece.