Sony is one of the most popular brands in consumer electronics, and it maintains a powerful grasp over the market. Sony continues to be a household name, even as cheaper TV options are trying to get a hold of the market.
But given the high price of a Sony TV, are they worth it?
And how long do Sony TVs last?
About the Lifespan of Sony TVs.
Sony is known for its premium build and durability. With the proper care and maintenance, you can make it last from 7-10 years. With heavy, continuous use, you can expect between four and six years of lifespan with a Sony TV.
What’s the Average Lifespan of a Sony TV?
A Sony TV’s lifespan depends on how you use it and how you take care of it.
Sony claims that their TVs have a lifespan that ranges between four to six years with heavy, continuous use. This means the TV is continuously running at the highest brightness settings.
Light to moderate use will get you ten years, sometimes even longer if you care for your TV well.
Some factors affect longevity, such as frequency of use, brightness, and the TV’s care and maintenance.
What’s the First Thing that Breaks on Sony TVs?
Generally, the first thing that breaks in a Sony LED TV, like all modern LED TVs, is the backlight.
The backlights of any TV are sensitive in general, which is why they usually break first.
The breakage is often rooted in overheating, especially when brightness is set at the highest levels or when dust manages to penetrate the TV and cover the backlights. The latter scenario prevents the backlights from receiving proper ventilation.
That is why proper care and maintenance is needed to preserve the life of your backlights.
For Sony’s OLED TVs, the first thing that degrades is the screen, which is true of all OLED TVs.
For more information on common issues, check out our article 11 Most Common Problems With Sony TVs (Explained).
Do Sony TVs Last Longer than Average TVs?
Sony is known to last longer than budget-level TVs because they use high-grade components.
But if the TV is not properly cared for, you can expect it to have a shorter lifespan.
For more information, check out our article Are Sony TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners).
How Long Do New Smart TVs Typically Last?
Modern smart TVs on the market today are expected to last up to seven years on average.
You can get longer or shorter mileage, depending on how you care for the TV.
How Long is the Warranty on Sony TVs?
Sony offers a one-year warranty for its TVs.
This warranty covers parts and labor, and all TVs measuring 30 inches and above are qualified for home service.
Are Sony TVs Good for Video Games?
Sony TVs won’t disappoint you when it comes to gaming, although your mileage may vary, depending on the model you use.
You can expect better images and more resolution options with the higher-end models.
While Sony TVs are good for gaming, they’re not the best on the market. Sony TVs lack support for a Variable Refresh Rate, which helps render images spontaneously without sputtering during gameplay.
For more information, check out our article Are Sony TVs Good For Gaming? (Explained).
What Are the Most Popular Sony TV Models?
If you think Sony is reliable enough to be the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup, here are some options to consider.
Sony A8H
The Sony A8H is one of the best TVs that you can get from the brand today.
- It comes with a 4k OLED display, which helps render vivid images, especially during late-night, dark viewing. With the ability to turn off individual pixels, you can get sharp blacks, as well as excellent reflection and glare management.
- The good thing about OLED displays is that they don’t use backlights like LED models, which are prone to breakage. They use individual pixels that light up independently, so you won’t have uniformity issues with the A8H.
- You can also expect wide viewing angles, so you get accurate images without any washouts, no matter where you sit.
- The color accuracy of the A8H is already exceptional out of the box. HDR colors are also remarkable on this TV.
- If you are into gaming, the A8H has a near-instantaneous response time and low input lag. There’s also Black Frame Insertion to reduce screen tearing, and it can interpolate low frame content up to 120 fps.
While the A8H is powerful, it also has its share of weaknesses.
- The most notable weak point for the A8H is its risk of burn-in, which is common for OLED TVs.
- The A8H also lacks HDMI 2.1 ports, a standard for higher-end TVs.
- It cannot handle native 4k resolutions using a 120 Hz refresh rate.
- It also lacks support for Variable Refresh Rates.
Sony X950H
Another good option from Sony is the X950H.
- Unlike the A8H, the X950H has a 4k LED panel, which means there’s no burn-in risk.
- The good thing about the X950H is its adaptability for gaming and movie watching.
- The X950H has a high contrast ratio with remarkable black uniformity and full-array local dimming.
- It uses a VA panel and has the X-Wide Angle layer for improved viewing angles.
- For gaming, the X950H has a low input lag and fast response time.
- Color accuracy is also superb out of the box, and the X950H has a wide color gamut for HDR content.
However, the X950H falls flat with its lack of a Variable Refresh Rate, and it also cannot display 4k games at a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Sony X750H
If budget is a consideration, then you should check the Sony X750H.
- The X750H is a pretty straightforward smart TV. If the brand matters to you, but you’re restricted by a budget, then this should do the job.
- The X750H comes with 4k resolution and uses a VA panel that provides remarkable black uniformity and a wide color gamut.
- The input lag is also low, and the response time is remarkable. You can’t go wrong with this TV for casual gaming.
Since the X750H is a budget-friendly TV, you should expect limitations.
First among its weakness is its limited refresh rate of 60 Hz. Glare and reflection handling are also mediocre, and there’s no local dimming for nighttime use or Variable Refresh Rate.
What Can I Do to Prolong the Lifespan?
While Sony may have some budget offerings, their TVs’ price point is not exactly cheap, so you should know how to care for your new investment.
Here are some tips for caring for your Sony TV.
Turn off the TV when not in use
Every time your TV is on, it inches towards degradation, like any other mechanical or electronic device. Therefore, you should make it a habit to turn off the TV when not in use.
Leaving it on for periods for no reason only degrades components inside, particularly the backlights on LED TVs.
The backlights are usually the first thing that breaks in LED TVs and is often rooted in wear and tear.
In the case of OLED TVs, they may not have backlights, but they degrade easily when you leave the TV on. And if you leave the TV on pause for too long, it could cause burn-in for an OLED TV.
You should take advantage of timers built into your TV or a smart home system to help you turn off the TV when not in use.
Keep the TV in a safe place
Keep your TV away from anything that can cause damage to it.
Don’t keep it close to a window where it could get wet when it rains or overheat when the sun shines on it.
Consider using a wall mount
Using a wall mount helps you keep your TV away from anything that can damage it.
There’s less chance of getting knocked over, and a wall mount also improves viewing angles.
Put space to let air circulate
Any TV needs at least two inches of space between its back and the wall and four inches of space on every other side.
That is the bare essential to let air circulate the TV.
Those who use cabinets for their TV’s storage or placement need to have a lot of space around it. Try using fans inside to keep the TV cool.
Dust off the TV
Make it a habit to clean your TV regularly to prevent dust accumulation.
Dust can damage your TV’s screen and even clog the ventilation slots of your TV.
Clean your TV using a dry microfiber cloth and wipe it gently. Don’t use any other cleaning agent, as these can damage your TV.
Don’t set the TV too bright
For TVs that have backlights, don’t set them too high.
Set your TV to a brightness high enough to reduce glare or reflections, but don’t blast them on full all the time. You also don’t need as much brightness when watching in a dim room.
If your TV has presets for brightness, take advantage of them so that you get an optimized setting.
Use an Automatic Voltage Regulator
Sometimes, power surges may happen, and a single jolt is enough to damage your TV.
Investing in an Automatic Voltage Regulator or Surge Protector can go a long way in protecting your TV.
Damages brought on by power surges may be irreparable.
Final Thoughts
Sony TVs are quite durable, and Sony is a highly trusted brand.
But its durability needs to be supplemented with the proper care and maintenance. Without it, your TV will break down faster than usual. Even the most expensive TVs can have short lifespans when not properly cared for.
So if you plan to get a Sony TV, make sure you maintain it so you get the most out of your TV investment.
Sources:
Quick Answer: How Long Should A Sony Bravia TV Last?
Do Smart TVs Break Easily? (Solved & Explained!)
11 Tips to Help Make Your LED TV Last Longer

