Variety names Sony Bravia 9 II its top 4K TV pick for 2026
Variety’s 2026 4K TV roundup spotlights Sony, Samsung, LG, TCL and Hisense models across cinema, gaming, style and value categories.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
A $6,499.99 Sony set sits at the top of Variety’s 2026 4K TV picks, with the publication naming the 85-inch Bravia 9 II “True RGB” model its best overall choice.
The roundup, written by Rudie Obias and published July 17, 2026, is labeled partner content. Variety said it may receive an affiliate commission when readers buy independently reviewed products or services through links on its site.
Variety framed the guide around shoppers trying to sort through 4K TVs that differ by screen technology, audio features, smart platforms, refresh rates and price. The publication said it selected models from brands including Sony, Samsung, LG, TCL and Hisense based on reliability, picture quality and overall use.
Sony takes the top slot
Variety chose the Sony 85-inch Bravia 9 II “True RGB” 4K TV as best overall. The guide lists the 85-inch version at $6,499.99, while noting that prices for the Bravia 9 II line start at $3,599.99 at Best Buy.
According to Variety, Sony’s “True RGB” display technology uses red, green and blue light to deliver brighter color, stronger color accuracy and deeper black levels. The publication highlighted the model for action movies and live sports, where fast-moving scenes can put a television’s picture processing to work.
Samsung and LG fill the premium lanes
For OLED shoppers, Variety picked the Samsung 77-inch OLED S90H 4K Smart TV. The guide lists it at $3,299.99, down from $4,399.98, and points to Dolby Atmos, HDR support, smart home features and streaming apps including Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+.
Variety said the Samsung S90H supports refresh rates up to 165Hz, a feature aimed at smoother motion in games, sports and movies.
LG’s 77-inch OLED evo AI G6 4K Smart TV was named the choice for wide viewing angles. Listed at $3,999.99, down from $4,499.99, the LG set supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, according to the guide. Variety also noted that it ships with webOS 26 with Google Gemini and supports streaming services including Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and Spotify.
Value, versatility, style and gaming
Variety’s value pick is the TCL 75-inch QM7L Series SQD-Mini-LED QLED Smart TV, priced at $1,498 on Amazon. The publication cited HDR10+, Dolby Vision support, thin bezels, Google TV, Bang & Olufsen audio and access to apps including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and Prime Video.
The Hisense 75-inch U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K Smart TV, listed at $1,998 at Walmart, was named best for versatility. Variety said it supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with Google TV and refresh rates up to 165Hz.
For design-minded buyers, Variety selected Samsung’s 85-inch The Frame Pro LS03HW Neo QLED 4K Smart TV at $3,999.99. The guide described its matte display, anti-reflection layer, Art Mode and Wireless One Connect box, which houses cables, power, inputs and other components separately from the screen.
Samsung also landed the gaming pick with its 77-inch OLED S95H 4K Smart TV, listed at $4,299.99, down from $4,499.99. Variety said all four HDMI ports support Auto Low Latency Mode, HDR10+ dynamic metadata and Variable Refresh Rate up to 165Hz. The set also supports cloud gaming apps including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and NVIDIA GeForce Now, according to the guide.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.