Sony impressed us earlier this year with its OLED flagship, the Master Series A90J. The X95J, Sony’s LED equivalent to this model, offers some useful features like Google Assistant integration as a hands-free device as well as Apple AirPlay and Google Cast support. However, its high price competes with strong rivals like the Hisense U8G, LG C1, and Samsung QN90A, all of which won Editors’ Choice Awards for various reasons like price, black level, and picture quality. The X95J lags behind them all in contrast and color; while it’s a good TV, it can’t quite keep up.
The minimalist X95J has a nearly bezel-less design; a tiny chrome band outlines the sides and top of the screen, while a narrow strip of brushed metal defines the bottom edge. The TV sits on two flat, angular metal feet that you can attach to either raise the screen a few inches or make the bottom edge of the screen almost flush with the surface it’s standing on. The feet are very wide, so check your measurements for where you want to place the TV to make sure you have enough room.
The power cord is permanently attached and is located on the right side of the back of the TV. All other connections are on the left side facing out, including an HDMI port, two USB ports, a 3.5mm composite video input, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 3.5mm port for an IR receiver, as well as a switch for the built-in far-field microphone. Three more HDMI ports, a third USB port, an optical audio out, a 3.5mm RS-232C port, an Ethernet port, and an antenna or cable port are on the bottom.
The included remote is a long, thin black stick with rubber buttons. In the center is a circular control pad, as well as a number pad and four colored buttons for quick access to video streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube. Below the directional pad are the volume and channel rockers, as well as the playback controls. If you prefer, you can manually invoke Google Assistant via a dedicated button and speak directly into the remote instead of using the TV’s far-field microphones. The remote connects wirelessly to the TV, so you don’t need a direct line of sight to control it.
Sony uses Google TV for its smart TV platform, which means the X95J acts as if it were a Chromecast connected to Google TV. The Google TV platform provides access to all major streaming services including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Twitch and YouTube. The interface is able to track most of these services for content search, suggestions, and live TV summaries. Google TV also offers thousands of different apps and other services. Thanks to Google Cast support, you can mirror your Android device, Chrome tab, or PC screen on the TV. In addition, the X95J supports Apple Airplay 2 for mirroring iOS devices and Macs.