RGB TVs have develop into the discuss of the TV world this yr, with nearly each model releasing their very own RGB mannequin. Whereas the tech remains to be in its infancy, having been launched by Hisense in 2025, the tech is being touted as an OLED-killer, delivering a lot larger brightness and bolder colours akin to a mini-LED, whereas additionally delivering the distinction and black tones of an OLED.
To this point, I’ve examined the Hisense UR8 RGB mini-LED side-by-side with the Samsung QN80H (a standard mini-LED), the place the UR8’s coloration didn’t wow me, however its distinction and backlight management did. I’ve additionally examined the Sony Bravia 7 II RGB mini-LED side-by-side with one among 2026’s best TVs, the LG C6 OLED, and whereas the C6 got here out on high, the Bravia 7 II confirmed actual potential for RGB tech.
However, how do two RGB TVs examine? I’ve swapped out the 55-inch Bravia 7 II for a 65-inch Bravia 7 II and, due to some lucky timing, the flagship Samsung R95H Micro RGB TV has landed in our testing lab on the identical time. For context, a 65-inch Bravia 7 II prices roughly $2,599 / £1,999 / AU$3,995, whereas a 65-inch R95H prices $2,999 / £3,099 / AU$5,295. So, whereas costs are comparatively shut within the US (while you’re spending this a lot cash), they’re in numerous value brackets within the UK and Australia.
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One observe right here: because the Samsung R95H has a matte display, this may trigger a purple tint in pictures that is not seen in-person.
Colours
Watching The Tremendous Mario Galaxy Film, with each TVs of their Film modes (Film for the R95H, Cinema for the Bravia 7 II), I seen that of their default settings, the R95H seemed to be overblowing its brightness, leading to some clipping of vivid objects. I discovered that dropping the R95H’s brightness from its default 50 (max) right down to 45 or 40 was higher for the image. The colour luminance was actually spectacular on the R95H although, with the Lumas’ colours wanting extraordinarily vivid and vibrant on display. The Bravia 7 II’s colours had extra depth and richness to them, having much more boldness that jogged my memory of an OLED.
Each TVs’ coloration accuracy for the purple and inexperienced of Mario and Luigi’s overalls respectively, and the vivid pink of Peach’s gown, have been superb, however there’s no denying the R95H has way more pop on display. The R95H’s colours can look somewhat washed out subsequent to the Bravia 7 II at occasions, because the latter has such richness in its coloration profile. Whereas the R95H delivered the brightness of the animation, it was arduous to disregard how wealthy and deep the Bravia 7 II’s colours have been.
Transferring to Pace Racer, a real-world film with equally cartoon-ish vibrant colours, the Bravia 7 II as soon as once more showcased richer, deeper colours, giving extra element to the gaudy outfits and decor of the Sixties-inspired aesthetic. The R95H as soon as once more delivered on the brightness, which actually did make colours explode on display.
On the floor, the R95H appeared to sacrifice some coloration accuracy in favor of the pop on display and in some instances this labored. The orange partitions and flooring of the Racer dwelling and Pops Racer’s shirt have been way more vivid on the R95H, however had that good readability on the Bravia 7 II. Yellow nonetheless, comparable to Mother Racer’s apron, was a lot bolder on the Bravia 7 II.
Switching between image modes, the Bravia 7 II’s Cinema and Skilled (its equal Filmmaker Mode) have been constant of their coloration depth and quantity, however Cinema mode suited the extra colourful films. On the R95H, whereas Filmmaker Mode had a pleasant accuracy to it, the colours have been a bit lifeless compared to Film mode. Whereas the R95H’s Film mode did generally sacrifice accuracy, its sheer brightness was higher for Pace Racer.
Distinction and backlight
Firing up the opening scenes of The Batman, an usually difficult disc for backlit TVs, with each fashions set to their extra correct Filmmaker modes (Skilled for the Bravia 7 II), they do a wonderful job. Distinction was sturdy on each TVs, with an ideal stability between gentle and darkish tones, comparable to wall lamps and darkish wooden partitions in Mayor Mitchell’s home, or the overhead lights with the black partitions of the Batcave. Within the default settings, the R95H once more demonstrates its larger brightness, which ends up in stronger perceived distinction in comparison with the Bravia 7 II.
Darkish tones have been pleasingly wealthy on each TVs as effectively, and there was little or no signal of blooming when considered head-on. From an angle nonetheless, each TVs did present some indicators of blooming throughout darkish scenes, with the R95H’s extra apparent than the Bravia 7 II’s. The Bravia 7 II did generally present some black crush, leading to element loss in objects, whereas the R95H did a greater job sustaining these particulars, comparable to the feel in Batman’s armor and the lapel of Gordon’s coat.
Each TVs did an ideal job with shadows, however throughout The Batman, the Bravia 7 II forged deeper, inkier shadows throughout folks’s faces. Switching to Darkish Metropolis, which options loads of these excessive distinction shadow pictures, this was really reversed. The R95H forged darker shadows that delivered the next perceived distinction in comparison with the Bravia 7 II.
Black ranges seemed nice in Darkish Metropolis on each units, though apparently, in a shot the place Murdoch talks to the lodge clerk, I seen the R95H was topic to black crush this time and the Bravia 7 II really had higher shadow element. Some darkish scenes within the film did reveal some extra blooming, moreso on the R95H when considered from an angle.
Attempting out some black and white content material, the R95H’s larger brightness creates a better dynamic vary and better distinction in black and white films. Watching Lifeless Man, any scene through the day has way more punch on the R95H, due to the aforementioned brighter whites. Each TVs do reveal deep darkish tones although, with a great vary of grays in between. The 4K disc is in SDR and when switching from Filmmaker to Film, the Bravia 7 II has a major brightness improve over the R95H, although the R95H’s brightness is far decrease by default on this mode.
Brightness
Beginning off with measurements, the R95H is considerably brighter with each TVs set to HDR Film mode. The R95H clocked in at 1,960 nits HDR peak brightness, whereas the Bravia 7 II hit 1,163 nits. It’s an identical story in Filmmaker/Skilled mode, because the R95H hits 1,977 peak HDR brightness and the Bravia 7 II hits 1,114 nits.
Fullscreen HDR brightness, nonetheless, is the place issues get fascinating. In Film/Cinema mode, the R95H clocks in at 607 nits, whereas the Bravia 7 II measures 830 nits. This implies the Sony ought to show bigger vivid areas on display with extra punch and vibrancy.
Watching real-world content material, the R95H demonstrates a lot larger brightness than the Bravia 7 II, particularly in Film mode and with HDR content material on display. Watching Lawrence of Arabia, particularly the desert scene the place Lawrence and his information fetch water from a effectively, the R95H demonstrates considerably larger perceived brightness, with the white sands and blue sky wanting way more vibrant on the R95H. Whereas the Bravia 7 II exhibits extra element in brighter areas, such because the patterns within the floor, the R95H clearly wins within the brightness battle right here. That is fascinating provided that the Bravia 7 II had the upper HDR fullscreen brightness.
The identical is true with extra colourful films. Going again to Pace Racer, the R95H exhibits a lot punchier highlights, such because the lights of the Mach 5, in addition to glossier whites of the Mach 5 and Pace’s helmet. I did discover that switching to every TV’s respective Filmmaker Mode resulted in a lot nearer brightness, although the R95H’s peak areas have been nonetheless somewhat brighter.
As for vivid room viewing, the R95H exhibits how efficient its anti-glare, matte display is. Even with darker films comparable to The Batman, there’s no signal of mirror-like reflections at any level. For the Bravia 7 II, vivid room viewing is extra of a problem. With a brighter scene, such because the desert one from Lawrence of Arabia, the Bravia 7 II does a great job in a vivid room. Any darker or high-contrast scenes, and mirror-like reflections are clearer.
One of the best purchase
Which TV you can purchase from these two actually comes right down to what area you’re in and your price range. Within the US, it’s an in depth contest, whereas within the UK and Australia, the Bravia 7 II is less expensive. When it comes to precise efficiency, each TVs did effectively. Each TVs rendered difficult darkish scenes precisely, with hints of blooming on each (although they have been generally extra apparent on the R95H). Each TVs confirmed glorious coloration copy, with the R95H displaying larger coloration luminance, the place the Bravia 7 II confirmed extra coloration quantity.
It’s troublesome to decide on between these two TVs, and whereas I most well-liked the Bravia 7 II in some reference scenes, particularly with coloration, the R95H carried out higher in darker, extra contrast-y scenes. Whereas it is a battle of a mid-range RGB (Bravia 7 II) vs a flagship RGB (R95H), the Bravia 7 II places up a heck of a struggle and is the higher worth choice for the price range aware. If nonetheless cash isn’t a difficulty, the R95H is the TV to select.
Do both of those TVs topple OLED? For my cash, not fairly but, however the Bravia 7 II delivers some critically spectacular colours and the R95H exhibits once more what RGB tech can do for backlight management. OLED, it is undoubtedly time for it to start out taking observe.
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