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Sony X950H is the top model of Sony’s 2020 4K LED TV lineup while the X950G is the predecessor, the last year’s flagship. Both of them have great picture quality that can deliver stunning HDR experience full of bright, deep blacks, and vibrant color. They both also have great pixel response, allow them can show fast moving contents like fast sports or fast movies smoothly. Both of them also have good input lags, makes any game feel responsively, even when you play fast paced games that require fast reflexes. In general, both Sony X950G and X950H are great TVs for mixed usage. Additionally, even though they both use VA panel that is close to poor side viewing angle, but some of them have an optical layer called “X-Wide Angle” that can improve their side viewing angle. For the X950G, that has X-Wide Angle is 75 inches (XBR75X950G) and 85 inches (XBR85X950G), while for the X950H, all model have X-Wide Angle except 49 inches.

In the market, the Sony X950G is available on 4 screen size option including 55 inches (XBR55X950G), 65 inches (XBR65X950G), 75 inches (XBR75X950G), 85 inches (XBR85X950G). On the other hand, in addition to the sizes which found on the predecessor (XBR55X950H, XBR65X950H, XBR75X950H, XBR85X950H), the Sony X950H also comes in 49 inches (XBR49X950H). Since some model of them have a bit difference in specs, particularly that influenced by X-Wide Angle, this comparison refer to their 55 inches and 65 inches model where the X950H has X wide angle optical layer while the X950G doesn’t have.

Sony X950H vs X950G Specification

Sony X950H vs X950G Features and Technology

Panel Technology

There are not many changes offered y the Sony X950H over last year’s X950G in panel technology. They both use VA panel technology that usually has excellent native contrast ratio but its side viewing angle is poor. Both of them also use the same backlight technology, which is direct LED backlight with Full Array Local Dimming technology. But unfortunately, there is no official statement that describes how many dimming zones of each of their local dimming technology. Meanwhile, there is a bit change about X-Wide Angle optical layer. For the X950G, the variants which use this optical layer technology are only 75 inches (XBR75X950G) and 85 inches (XBR85X950G), while for the X950H, except its 49 inches variant (XBR49X950H), all variant of the X950H already have X-Wide Angle Optical Layer. Meanwhile, to improve their performance to produce wide color gamut, both of them are already powered by TriLuminos Display Technology.

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Picture Engine

There is no change offered by the X950H over the X950G about their processor. Both of them are powered by the same image processor, which is 4K HDR Processor X1 Ultimate. As we have known, there are some advanced technologies embedded in this processor. For clarity enhancement, there are Dual Database Processing and Object Based Super Resolution. Meanwhile, for contrast enhancement, there are Dynamic Contrast Enhancer and Object Based HDR Remaster behind it. Additionally, for color enhancement, their processor also has Live Color Technology, Precision Color Mapping, and Super Bit Mapping HDR. All of these technologies makes their image processor is powerful when processing HDR images.

Motion Technology

In term of motion technology, both of the Sony X950G and X950H are also powered by the same technology. They both have native 120 HZ refresh rate panel, allow them to support any content with frame rate up to 120 HZ or interpolate lower frame rate content up to 120 Hz. But unfortunately, unlike premium TV of Samsung or LG that already support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, both of the Sony X950H and X950G don’t support any VRR technologies. As we have known, VRR technology is very help to improve game experience with screen tearing-free.

Meanwhile, to dim their backlight, just like most of other LED TVs, they both also use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Dimming system. By default, their dimming frequency is 720 Hz of in all picture modes. Since their dimming frequency is very high, this allows their backlight flicker is almost no noticeable, that means it is good. But on the other hand, this can cause persistence blur. But even so, to minimize persistence blur, they both have an optional BFI mode called MotionFlow. Once this feature is enabled, this will change their dimming frequency to 120 Hz. The result, motion will look smoother on their screen, particularly when they are playing 120 Hz content. But even so, when they are playing 60 HZ content, this can cause some duplication. Unfortunately, both of the Q950H and X950G don’t have 60 HZ BFI mode that can help motion of 60 fps content smoother.

Connectivity

As their major connectivity, both of the Sony X950H and X950G have 4 HDMI ports. Their HDMI ports already support HDMI 2.0 Full bandwidth, CEC, HDCP 2.2, ARC (HDMI 3) and eARC. Additionally, their HDMI ports also already support most of resolution at both 60Hz and 120 Hz such as 1080p @60 Hz, 1440p @ 60HZ, 4K @60 Hz, 1080p @120 HZ, 1440p @ 120 Hz, etc. But a bit unfortunately, they both don’t support any HFR content like 4K @ 120 Hz. Additionally, while most of premium TVs from the competitor already support HDMI 2.1, they both don’t support HDMI 2.1. Additionally, their HDMI ports also don’t support ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).

Meanwhile, talking about their USB ports, the Sony X950H has a bit less number of USB ports than the predecessor. If the Sony X950G has 3 USB ports, the X950H has only 2 ports. But even so, they have both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 (USB 1). IN addition to HDMI and USB ports, they both also have 1 Tuner In, 1 Composite In, 1 Ethernet Port, 1 Digital Audio Out (optical), 1 Analog Audio Out (Mini Jack), IR IN (IR Blaster), and both built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connection. They both may have Composite IN, but it requires and adapter. Fortunately, the adapter is not included in its buying package, so to use  this input, you must buy an adapter separately.

Smart TV Platform

Both Samsung X900H and X900G runs Google Android TV as their smart TV platform. But the difference, the X950G runs Android TV 9.0 or Android Pie while the X950G runs Android 8.0 or Nougat. Although their layout is not as simple and easy to use as WebOS of LG or Tizen of Samsung, but its navigation is still pretty simple and easy. Meanwhile, that is most interesting offered by Android TV is about the apps provided. As their pre-installed apps, they both have VoD Service such as YouTube, Amazon Video, Hulu, Netflix, and more, Games, Live TV, Web Browser, etc. If you are less satisfied with the pre-installed apps provided, it also has an app store called Google Play Store that have great selections of apps, games, etc. As we have known, since it is supported by a lot of developed, apps provided by Google Play Store is most complete among apps store from other platforms.  Furthermore, their smart TV platform also has some built-in home apps like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home Kit, etc. And to offer excellent voice navigation, it is powered by Google Voice Assistant.

Remote

As their controller, both of the Sony X950G and X950H comes with Sony Voice Remote. Except their colors, their remote is nearly identical. Their remote is fairly large and have a lot of button. Just like other smart remote, their remote also have built-in microphone for voice navigation and TV’s room correction feature. Additionally, their remotes also have shortcuts to Netflix and Google Play.  Further remote, they both also already support CEC menu that means, they both can be used to be controlled other devices that also support CEC. Meanwhile, just we have mentioned, the main difference of their remote is their colors where the remote of the X950H is black while the X950G is metallic.

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>> Please click here to check the latest price of the Sony X950H on Amazon <<

Sony X950H vs X950G Performance

Black Level and Contrast

Both of the Sony X950G and X950H have good native contrast ratio. But as we have mentioned, the use of X-Viewing Angle optical slightly reduce the native contrast ratio of X950H, makes its native contrast ratio is not as high as the X950G. If the Sony X950G has native contrast ratio of around 4500:1, the native contrast ratio of the X950H is around 3000:1. Additionally, they both also have good local dimming performance that can boost their contrast ratio to at around 4000:1 for the X950H and around 5000:1 for the X950G.This means, the X950G can produce deeper black than the X950H. Nevertheless, even though not as deep as the X950G, black produced by the X950H is still deep enough to make black of images looks really black in a dark environment. Combined to their good black uniformity and good performance of their local dimming in reducing blooming, this certainly makes them have good performance when used in a dark room.

Note: the 75 inches and 85 inches variant of the X950G has X-Wide Angle. That means, their contrast ratio is not much different to X950H. On the other hand, the 49 inches variant of the X950H doesn’t has X-Wide-Angle and is expected to have a higher contrast ratio.

Winner: X950G

Peak Brightness

Both of the Sony X950H and X950G have excellent SDR peak brightness. But just like most TVs with local dimming, their peak brightness varies depending on the scenes. Meanwhile, compare between them, the X950G can hit brighter SDR peak brightness than the X950H. On 2% window (2% of screen is bright while the rest is black), the X950G hits around 1000 nits while the X950H hit around 850 nits.  Meanwhile, they both hit their highest peak brightness is equally on 10 % window where the X950G hit around 1150 nits while the X950H hit around 1050 nits. On 100% window where they hit their lowest peak brightness, the X950G can still hit around 700 nits while the X950H hit around 600 nits. Meanwhile, with real scene, the X950H hit around 500 nits while X950G hit around 700 nits. Can be ascertained, the X950G can produce brighter images than the X950H. But even so, even though not as bright as the X950G, peak brightness of the X950H is still more than enough to fight the glare even in the room with very bright lighting. In general, their SDR peak brightness is equally great and combined to their good reflection handling, this allows you to watch TV in most bright rooms without any issue.

When they come to HDR content, they both can hit brighter peak brightness than when with SDR content. But just like their SDR peak brightness, their HDR peak brightness is also depending on the scenes. On 10% window where they both hit their highest peak brightness, the X950G can hit around 1200 nits while the X950H hit around 1150 nits. Meanwhile, on 100% window where they both hit their lowest peak brightness, the X950G can still hit around 750 nits while the X950H hit around 700 nits. And with real scene, the X950G hits around 1150 nits while the X950H hit around 1000 nits. This means, just like with SDR content, the Sony X950G can also produce brighter HDR images than the X950H.  But even so, ignoring their difference, their peak HDR peak brightness is equally great. Their pea brightness is bright to show fantastic HDR images with highlight that pops, as is expected from HDR content.  Even in certain scene, they both can show small highlight brighter than the target of 1000 nits intended by the content creator.

Winner: X950G

Color Performance

While in term of contrast ratio and peak brightness, performance of the Sony X950H is not as good as its predecessors, in term of color gamut, it offers slightly better color gamut than the X950G. In DCI P3 xy color space, color gamut of the X950G cover 87% while the X950H can cover around 91%. Additionally, in DCI P3 uv color space, color gamut of the X950G cover around 93% while the X950H can cover around 96%. Meanwhile, in Rec.2020 color space where Dolby Vision contents are mastered, the X950G cover around 63% of Rec.2020xy and 69% of Rec.2020 xy color space while the X950H cover around 67% of Rec.2020 xy and 73% of Rec.2020 uv color space. In addition wider color gamut, the Sony X950H also has better color volume than X950G. They both may be able to produce deep black fairly well due their good contrast ratio, but in producing saturated colors and fill out their gamut, the X950H is better than the X950G. In general, their color reproduction is good. No matter they are showing HDR images that mastered in DCI P3 like HDR 10 or in Rec.2020 like Dolby Vision, color of HDR images can be shown fairly accurate.

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While color gamut and color volume of the X950H is better than the X950G, in term of color gradient, their performance is almost and in general, they both have outstanding color gradient. Their color gradient is even including the best among the competitors. In dark green and grays, there may be some little banding, but this should not be noticeable in normal content. Nevertheless, if you still feel bothered with the banding that may be visible, enabling “Smooth Gradation” on their picture setting can remove of it. But keep in mind, enable this feature can cause the images lose some fine details.

Winner: X950H

Side Viewing Angle

The Image is only an illustration

The use of X-Wide Angle optical layer make the Sony X950H has better viewing angle than most LED TVS with conventional VA panel including the X950G (except 75 inches or 85 inches variant).  If on the screen of the X950G, black will rise started at around 15 degrees off center and front, on the screen of the X950H, black can be maintained up to around 70 degrees. Meanwhile, the X950H also can be maintained the color accuracy of the images better than the X950G. If on the screen of the X950G, color will start washed out at around 25 degrees, on the screen of the X950H, color can be maintained at around 40 degrees. And lastly, brightness level can also be maintained better on the screen of X950H than X950G. If on the screen of the Sony X950G, brightness level will start to drop at around 35 degrees, on the screen of the X950H, brightness level will start to drop at around 50 degrees. The result, when viewed from the side, the picture displayed on the screen of the Sony X950H will look more consistent than on the screen of the X950G.

Note: this comparison is not as true to 49 inches variant of X950H and 75 inches and 85 inches variant of X950G.

Winner: X950H

Motion Handling

Both of the Sony X950H and X950G have great performance in handling motion. They both have excellent pixel response time and their response time is almost similar, which is around 10 ms. Its certainly low enough to make fast scenes looks clearly with almost no visible blur. There may be still some short ghosting trail following fast moving object, but this should be hard to notice by most people. Additionally, as we have discussed above, both of them also have an optional BFI mode that can help to make motion smoother. But unfortunately, the lowest frequency of its flickering pattern is 120 Hz that means it is only effective for 120 fps content. To enable this feature, you just need set “Motion Flow” to Custom and adjust the “Clearness” slider to your liking. Meanwhile, for 60 fps content, this feature may be also able to make motion smoother, but on the other this will caused some duplication.

Both of the Samsung X950G and X950H can also do a great job when handling judder of 24p movies. regardless the source is native 24p movies like DVD or Blu-Ray movies, 24p movies via 60i signal like movies from satellite TV, 24p movies via 60p signal like movies from streaming devices, or 24p movies from native apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video, etc, all of them will be shown clearly and smoothly with judder-free. If the source is native 24p content, you don’t need do anything. But if the source is 60 fps or native apps, you must set “CineMotion” to “Auto”, “MotionFlow” to “Custom”, and both “Clearness” and “Smoothness” sliders to “Minimum”.

Winner: Draw

Input Lags

Although not as low as the competitors like Samsung Q80T or others, both of the Sony X950G and X950H also have low input lags in PC mode With 60 fps content, their input lags is around 20 ms. This may be not as low as the input lags of the competitor, but it is still low enough to play games responsively.  Meanwhile, their input lag at 120 Hz is even much lower, which is around 11 ms, makes them are very responsive when used for playing 120 fps games. But even so, its input lag is still not as low as the competitors like Samsung Q90T that has around 6 ms of input lag at 120 Hz. And a bit unfortunately, with 120 fps content, it is only support 1080p resolution and doesn’t support 1440p and 4K resolution. Additionally, they both also don’t support any VRR technology that can improve their games experience.

Winner: Draw

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>> Please click here to see the price of the Sony X950H on Amazon <<

Conclusion

For Watching Movies

Both of the Sony X950H and X950G are great TVs for watching movies in a dark room. They both have good contrast ratio that makes black still look really black in a dark room. Additionally, they both also have full array local dimming feature that can further improve their performance in a dark room. Their 24 judder handling is also great, allow you to watch 24p movies with judder free from any source. Meanwhile compare between them, the X950H is a bit better than X950H. The Sony X950G may have a bit higher contrast ratio that make it can produce slightly deeper black than the X950H, but on the other hand, the local dimming feature of the X950H can work better than the X950G. Additionally, the X950H also has wider color gamut and better color volume, makes colors of images displayed on its screen looks more vibrant than on the screen of the X950G.

Winner: X950H

For Watching Sports

When used for watching sports, performance of the Sony X950G and X950H is also equally great. They both have low pixel response time that allows you to watch fast sports with almost no motion blur. Additionally, they both also have good SDR peak brightness, allow you to watch sports in most bright rooms without any serious issue. They both may have an optional BFI mode that can help motion looks smoother, but the lowest frequency of their BFI mode is 120 Hz that means it is only effective for 120 fps content, while most sports have 60 fps of frame rate. Meanwhile, compare between them, the X950H is a bit better than the X950G. The Sony X950G may have brighter peak brightness that makes the picture displayed on its screen looks more obviously when they are set in a very bright room. But the Sony X950H has better reflection handling. Additionally, it also has wider viewing angle coverage, ensure all of you to get the best viewing when you watch a big game with a group of your family or friend.

Winner: X950H

Video Games

In addition they both have great performance when used for watching movies or sports, their performance when used for playing games are also good. They both have good pixel response time, ensure the fast games looks clearly and smoothly on their screen. Additionally, their low pixel response time also ensure you to play any games responsively, even for fast games that require fast reflexes. But unfortunately, they both don’t support any VRR technology such as FreeSync or G-Sync that can improve their game experience. Nevertheless, overall, their game performance is equally good.

Winner: Draw

HDR Experience

Both Sony X950H and X950G has great performance when used for HDR experience. Combination of the deep black, good black uniformity, and good local dimming performance makes shadow details of HDR images can be shown excellently with details in shadow can be revealed excellently.  Additionally, the combination of their wide color gamut, good color volume, and smooth color gradient makes HDR images displayed on their screen can be shown with vibrant color and smooth gradient. And their excellent HDR peak brightness makes HDR images can be shown fairly bright in most bright room with highlight that pops. Even in certain scenes, they are able to show highlight of HDR images brighter than 1000 nits, as bright as what intended by the content creator. And compare between them, in certain aspect, the X950G may be better, but in other certain aspect, the X950H is better. The Sony X950G has better color reproduction and local dimming feature while the X950G can produce slightly deeper black and has brighter peak brightness.

Winner: The X950G is better in peak brightness while the X950H is better in color reproduction

Summary

Overall, both of the Sony X950G and X950H are great TVs for any usage. No matter you use them for watching movies, sports, HDR content, or playing video games, their performance is great. So, which is a better choice between them? As we have discussed about, in certain aspects, the X950H may be better than the predecessor, in other certain aspects, its performance is not as good as the X950G. Now, the decision certainly comes back to your own preferences refer to our discussion above.  But even so, in my personal opinion, the X950H as a newer model is a better choice than the predecessor. In addition to it is a newer model, its shortcomings to its predecessor is not too significant.

>> Please click here to see the price of the Sony X950G on Amazon <<

>> Please click here to see the price of the Sony X950H on Amazon <<