Sony KD-55X7053 Review, A Comprehensive Look at This 4K TV
by Samuel Kalenga on Sep 25, 2024
Picture Quality: Delivering a Visually Stunning Experience
Picture quality on the KD-55X7053 is its big selling point. For a TV this cheap, the picture is better than you have any right to expect. First off, the 4K resolution allows for an almost absurd level of detail and definition in images, revealing fine details, textures and three-dimensionality that brings everything to life. Closer-ups and busier scenes especially benefit from the increased level of detail. HDR support adds balance to the image, creating the deepest depth of the three. The change in its dynamic range delivers deeper blacks, brighter whites, and a higher colour gamut that creates images that look more realistic and alive as HDR content should be. Most impressive is the company’s 4K X-Reality PRO upscaling engine.
The TV will analyse virtually any lower-resolution source and reconstruct lost image detail, and provide a far crisper and more detailed image – making standard-definition TV broadcasts and older movies appear a great deal closer to 4K than they actually are. Sure, this might not be as wide as some of the more expensive models, but unless you have a very wide viewing area, or you sit right at the extreme edge, and you greatly prefer dynamic range to colour fidelity, you'll have to pay for it with colour shifting or light dimming. But for most people, under most circumstances, viewing angles will be just fine.
Motion Clarity: Capturing the Fluid Movement of Action
In particular, motionflow XR 240Hz technology does a great job of reducing motion blur for action content and fast moving images, improving the motion quality and making the image smoother and more natural to follow. It helps viewers to immerse in the scene without loss of detail or motion at high speed, which is very suitable for watching sports matches, action movies, fast-moving conte nt or playing video games. While Motionflow XR allows for an improved viewing experience overall, there may, in certain instances, be people who find the artificial motion smoothing somewhat overbearing. If you want something closer to a natural, film-like viewing experience, there are options to lower the level of Motionflow if not turning it off entirely, which again is something that no similar technology currently offered in the market today principally allows you to do.Sound Quality: A Solid Foundation for Everyday Viewing
At this most basic level I have no problem with the KD-55X7053’s sound quality. The only speakers built into the TV unit are perfectly adequate for the majority of viewers. They deliver balanced, clear and – for everyday content – satisfactory audio. It’s not a system that will tie your stomach into knots with powerful, bass-heavy explosions or plunging helicopter sounds. However, for everyday use, DVDs, watching TV and family movie nights, that’s probably more than good enough.
If sound quality is less of a deciding factor, but you still seek a modern and cinematic experience with the circular screen, the onboard speakers could still suit you. For those with a particular interest in higher quality and surround sound quality, nothing beats adding an external soundbar at the very least, or a home theatre system if you are a true audiophile. The audio quality is easily three times better with rich, nuanced sound, amazing impact and an immersive experience. Although you will certainly pay a little more for the external system. The KD-55X7053 can connect to a variety of external audio setups, including but not limited to speakers.
Smart TV Features: Android TV's User-Friendly Interface
The TV runs an Android TV operating system, an easy-to-use platform that provides access to a plethora of apps, streaming services and content through its extensive library; TV lovers can find their show without any hassle, movie aficionados develop endless hours of entertainment, and gamers can enjoy their title without much setup. You’ll also find the Android TV interface to be quite intuitive: very similar to what you’d find on a standard Android mobile phone or tablet, so it’s easy to use. And thanks to its logically laid-out menus and responsive, thoughtfully designed remote, finding your way to your preferred content is a breeze.
You’ll have easy, quick access to all of your favourite streaming platforms, too: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and more, with a huge selection of games, music services and other apps available to you as well. The voice control, integrated with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, deserves a special mention here. It will make your TV life even more interesting. You can control your TV by your voice to search for favorite content, volume control, inputs switching, or even control other home appliances.
Pros and Cons: A Balanced Perspective
Pros:
- Excellent picture for the price: 4K and HDR enhance the viewing experience significantly more than you’d expect for a mid-range television. 4K X-Reality PRO upscaling engine Intelligent processing that enhances the resolution of lower-resolution content.
- Motionflow XR 240Hz technology: reduces motion blur, providing a smoother, more premium feeling to action sequences, especially when watching fast-paced content. bulleted list
- Android TV: your access to the widest array of apps and streaming services, offering a world of entertainment.
- Voice control with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa: for hands-free control, a more immersive user experience, and improved ease of use. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for streaming, downloading and connecting wirelessly with your favourite devices.
Cons:
- Limited range of viewing angles: Colour shifting and dimming can be noticeable at extreme viewing angles, particularly when you’re looking at a large area.
- Sound quality is good, but could be better for audiophiles: The built-in speakers are adequate for casual viewing, but they won’t meet the needs of those who prefer high-definition audio. An external soundbar or home entertainment system would greatly enhance the audio experience.
- Motionflow XR can be a bit too aggressive for some: As with all film modes, motion can look unnatural and overly smooth for those who are used to a more film-like look. The ability to adjust Motionflow settings gives you this flexibility.
Who Should Consider the Sony KD-55X7053?
Picture quality and a good smart experience at a low price: that’s exactly what the Sony KD-55X7053 is for! With this TV, we quickly fall into a habit of casually clicking on apps and services while we enjoy our favourite TV show or game. It is perfect for most consumers in the market for an inexpensive TV set as it combines several advantages at a good price point. The picture quality is excellent for the price range and the user experience with Android TV and the integrated voice control make it is an easy to use option too. The KD-55X7053 is here for those users who just want to relax in front of the TV. The ideal option for people who stream their content, formed by a mixture of apps and services that jump out at the user in the Android TV interface.Alternatives to Consider: Exploring Other Choices
If you're considering alternative models, here are some TVs that are worth exploring:
- Sony KD-55X80J: Stepping up in picture quality and features, this TV has a bit higher brightness and better motion handling. If you’re comfortable paying just a little bit more for a substantial upgrade in performance, then go for this one.
- Sony KD-55X80K: This model shares more or less the same panel and features with the X80J, but is slightly sleeker with a few tweaks to the design and some of the features. This is another great offering from Sony.
- Samsung QN55Q60A: QLED offers outstanding colour reproduction and viewing angle Unlike the other LED TVs mentioned here, the Q60A Samsung has a QLED set of display tech. This offers outstanding colour reproduction and functionality, and chooses a minimum VA angle to maximise contrast while maintaining a generous viewing angle. A good contender if you are generally pro-Samsung – they make some good TVs – and feel like experimenting with a slight technology curveball.
- LG OLED55C1PUB: Superb picture, amazing blacks, unbeatable black levels and a superb range of popular and little-known features – if you’re prepared to pay for the pinnacle of TV technology, this is the OLED TV to splash out on. 55 inches is large enough to watch sports and movies without the blow-up feeling, but is still small enough to not dominate the living space (though depending on your living room layout, the viewing distance could be a bit close).
