Sony has officially joined the RGB backlight revolution, unveiling its first "True RGB" televisions — the flagship BRAVIA 9 II and the more affordable BRAVIA 7 II — alongside the entry-level BRAVIA 3 II.
After almost two years of teasing the technology, Sony's new sets replace the conventional white or blue LED backlights found in earlier Mini LED TVs with independently controlled red, green and blue LEDs. The result, according to Sony, is the "largest colour volume ever in Sony's home TV history."
What is True RGB?
Rather than relying on a white or blue backlight filtered through quantum dots, True RGB uses pure red, green and blue LEDs that are individually driven behind the LCD panel. By controlling each colour at the backlight level — and then again at the pixel level — Sony's processing can deliver purer colour, higher peak brightness, reduced blooming and notably wider viewing angles.
"Sony has been advancing LED control for over 20 years, from our first independent RGB light sources in the Qualia 005 through to our flagship Backlight Master Drive premiering in 2016," said Michael Bell, Head of Home Entertainment Business Unit at Sony Australia. "Our new True RGB represents a breakthrough that combines the precision of individually controlled RGB LEDs with the best aspects of both Mini LED and OLED."
It's worth being clear about what True RGB is and isn't: these are not true micro-LED or OLED panels where each pixel emits its own light. They are advanced LCD televisions with a sophisticated RGB LED backlight — and they sit at the premium end of LCD performance. Sony's pitch is that its in-house RGB driver and processing algorithms, borrowed from its professional reference monitors, set it apart from rival "RGB Mini LED" and "Micro RGB" offerings from LG, Samsung, Hisense, TCL and Philips.
BRAVIA 9 II — the new flagship
The BRAVIA 9 II is Sony's premium offering for 2026, built around the new RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro. It features dedicated LED controllers for each small cluster of RGB LEDs, allowing precise colour allocation across the image.
Key highlights include:
- Immersive Black Screen Pro — an anti-glare, low-reflection screen treatment designed to preserve deep blacks even in bright rooms (well suited to typical Australian living rooms).
- Reference-level brightness and high colour volume, with RGB sensing that detects LED performance in real time to optimise the picture.
- Premium audio with up-firing beam tweeters and side-positioned tweeters for immersive, cinematic sound.
- Available in sizes from 65" right up to a colossal 115".
BRAVIA 7 II — premium picture, sharper price
The BRAVIA 7 II is Sony's entry point into True RGB, also powered by the RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro with independently controlled red, green and blue LEDs. It delivers the same core wide-colour, high-brightness benefits in a more accessible package, available in sizes from 55" up to 98".
Shared features across the range
Both True RGB models run on Google TV with Gemini built in, and share Sony's latest picture and sound technologies:
- Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, IMAX Enhanced and DTS:X support
- Studio calibration modes for Netflix, Prime Video and Sony Pictures Core
- Voice Zoom 3, using AI to enhance dialogue clarity
- 3D Surround Upscaling and Acoustic Multi-Audio+
- PS Remote Play for streaming PlayStation games directly to the TV
- A slim, transparent Mirage Stand that gives the TV a floating appearance with concealed cabling
Australian pricing
Sony Australia has confirmed the BRAVIA 7 II starts at $3,999 for the 65" model, while the more premium BRAVIA 9 II starts at $5,999 for the 65". Larger sizes scale up accordingly, with the range-topping 115" BRAVIA 9 II reserved for those building a true flagship home theatre.