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The Vizio P Series Quantum X and Sony X950G are the top model TV from each of their manufacturers in 2019.  The P Series Quantum X is direct replacement of the 2018 P Series Quantum while the X950G is direct replacement of the X900F. They are equally great TVs for any usage. Almost all aspects of picture quality performed by them are great. They both have excellent deep black, excellent local dimming features, outstanding peak brightness, wide color gamut and volume, excellent motion handling, and also low input lags. But just like most LED with VA TVs, since they both have poor side viewing angle, the image will deteriorate when viewed from an angle.

 In the market, the X950G is available on 4 screens sizes options including 55 inches (XBR55X950G), 65 inches (XBR65X950G), 75 inches (XBR75X950G), and 85 inches (XBR85X950G), while the P Series Quantum X is only available in 2 screen sizes option only, which is 65 inches (PX65-G1) and 75 inches (PX75-G1). Meanwhile, with the same screen size (PX65-G1 vs XBR65X950G, PX75-G1 vs XBR75X950G), the Vizio TV is sold slightly more expensive than the X950G. So, which one is superior and better choice between them?

Keep in mind, certain screen sizes of them has difference in specs than the rest like X Wide angle on 75” and 85” model of X950G or difference in the number of local dimming zones between two models of P Series Quantum X, so this comparison refers to their 65 inches model. Expected, the quality and performance of the rest models are not far different to them.

Sony X950G vs Vizio P Series Quantum X Specification

Technologies and Features of the Sony X950G and Vizio P Series Quantum X

Panel Technology

The Vizio P Series Quantum X and Sony X950G both use VA panel technology. As is typical of a TV with VA panel, they both have excellent contrast ratio but at the same time, their side viewing angle coverage is poor. Special for the 75 inches model (XBR75X950G) and 85 inches (XBR85X950G) model, they both have a new optical layer called “X Wide Angle”.  This optical layer can improve their side viewing angle coverage, makes their side viewing angle is better than most VA TVs. But on the other hand, this will reduce their native contrast ratio. Meanwhile, they both are powered by different technology. The P Series Quantum X is powered by Quantum Dot technology called Quantum Color Spectrum while the Sony X950G is powered by TriLuminos Display.

Backlight Technology

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The Sony X950G and Vizio P Series Quantum X both use Direct LED backlighting technology with Full Array Local Dimming (FALD).  The 75 inches model of P Series Quantum X (PX75-G1) has 480 local dimming zones while the 65 inches model (PX65-G1) has 384 dimming zones. Unfortunately, Sony doesn’t clearly reveal how many dimming zones of each screen sizes of the X950G, so we cannot inform in here.

Image Processor

As their image processor, the Sony X950G is powered by 4K HDR Processor X1 Ultimate while the Vizio P Series Quantum X is powered by an Octa Core Processor. The image processor of the X950G provides some features such as Dual Database Processing, Object Based Super Resolution, Precision Color Mapping, Super Bit Mapping HDR, etc. On the other hand, there is no explanation in details about the processor of this Vizio TV. Meanwhile, for allowing you to enjoy non UHD content in 4K quality, the both have good 4K Up-scaling engine called 4K X-Reality pro for X950G and Spatial Scale Engine for Vizio TV.

HDR Supports

Both of them support most of HDR formats that available in the market and HDR formats supported by them are same. They both support HDR10, a license free HDR format by UHD alliance. Both of them also support HDL (Hybrid Log Gamma) a HDR format developed by BBC and NHK for TV broadcast. And finally, they both also support Dolby Vision, a proprietary dynamic HDR format by Dolby Laboratories. But even so, they both don’t support HDR10+, the other dynamic HDR format by Samsung and alliance.

Motion Technology

For maximizing their performance in handling motion, the Sony X950G is powered by X Motion Clarity technology while the Vizio P Series Quantum X is powered by Clear Action 960 technology. Nevertheless, essentially, they both have the same native refresh rate panel which is 120 Hz. This allows them can play any content with frame rate up to 120 Hz. Additionally, the native 120 Hz refresh rate panel also allow them can interpolate lower frame rate content up to 120 Hz. But unfortunately, they both don’t support any VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology like FreeSync, GSync, or HDMI Forum.

Meanwhile, to dim their backlight, they both use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Diming system. But even so, they use different diming frequency.  The Vizio P Series Quantum X use 120 Hz of dimming frequency while the Sony X950G uses 720 Hz of dimming frequency. The result, fast motion will look clearer on the screen of Vizio P Series Quantum X, but this will cause some duplication. Additionally, for people who sensitive to flickering, this can also bother them.  On other hand, with 720 Hz flickering pattern, flicker is almost no noticeable on the screen of the X950G, but motion doesn’t look as crisp as on the screen Vizio TV.

The both actually also have an optional BFI mode that can help motion looks crisper. For the X950G, if its BFI mode is activated (by setting MotionFlow to “Custom” and adjusting “Clearness” slider), this will cause its dimming frequency change o 120 Hz and makes motions looks a bit crisper. But on the other hand, this will cause some duplication, particularly when it is playing 60 fps content like sports or video games. Meanwhile, for the P Series Quantum X, if its BFI mode is enabled ( By setting “Clear Action” to “on”), its dimming frequency will change to 60 Hz. This can help make motion looks crisper, but on other hand, this will makes its backlight’s flicker is more noticeable, particularly for most people who sensitive judder. This means, disabling or enabling their BFI mode is depending on your comfort. If you include the people who sensitive to flicker, you can disable their BFI mode. On the other hand, if you don’t sensitive to flicker, enabling BFI mode is better.

Inputs

As their major inputs, the Sony X950G is equipped with 4 HDMI ports while the Vizio P Series Quantum X is equipped with 5 HDMI ports. All of their HDMI ports support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and CEC. One of their HDMI ports also support CEC (X950G is on HDMI 3 and Vizio’s TV is on HDMI 1). A bit advantage of the X950G, it also supports eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), allows them can accept higher audio quality like Dolby Atmos via TrueHD, DTS:X via DTS-HD MA, etc. On the other hand, the Vizio P Series Quantum X doesn’t support eARC and Dolby Atmos. Additionally, the flaw of the Vizio TVs is that it doesn’t support 1440p resolution.

Meanwhile, the X950G has 3 USB ports where 2 ports are USB 2.0 and 1 port is USB 3.0 (USB 1). On the other hand, this Vizio’s TV has 1 USB port only. In addition to HDMI and USB ports, they both have 1RF In (Tuner In), 1 Composite In (Shared), 1 Digital Audio Out (Optical), 1 Analog Audio Out (RCA for Vizio TV and Mini Jack for X950G), 1 Ethernet port, and USB. The difference, the P Series Quantum X has component in while the X950G doesn’t have.

Smart TV Platform

Just like other models of Sony’s 2019 TV lineup, as its smart TV platform, the Sony X950G runs Google Android 8.0 Oreo, the latest version of Android TV. Its interface is well organized and very responsive. Just we have known, the Android TV has excellent selection of pre-installed apps. And the excellence thing is about Google Play Store, the most complete app store that provides tons of downloadable apps, games, and others. Additionally, it also already supports Apple Airplay 2, Google Voice Assistant, Alexa, and many more. It also has built-in voice command, allow you to make a voice command via its remote.

Meanwhile, as its smart TV platform, the Vizio P Series Quantum X runs Smart Cast 3.0. It has intuitive interface. But unfortunately, the apps provided is limited and there is no way to add news app. But even so, even though the apps provided are not as many as other platform, it still provide most popular apps like Netflix, Amazon Videos, YouTube, CBS News, Live TVS, and more. Additionally, it also has built-in ChromeCast and supports AirPlay2, Siri, and Google Home. This TV actually also already supports navigation. But unfortunately, it doesn’t have built-in navigation and its remote is not equipped with built-in microphone. This means, to make a voice command to this TV, you need additional compatible devices like smart phone, Alexa Devices, and others.

Vizio P Series Quantum X vs Sony X950G Performance

Contrast and Black Level

Vizio P Series Quantum X has slightly higher native contrast ratio, which is around 5500:1 while the native contrast ratio of the Sony X950G is around 4500:1. But essentially, their native contrast ratio is equally great. And just we have mentioned, they both also have Full Array Local Dimming. But even so, in improving their contrast ratio, the local dimming of the P Series Quantum X is better than the X950G. With local dimming enabled, the contrast ratio of this Vizio TV is boosted significantly up to 15000:1. Its contrast ratio is similar to P Series Quantum 2018 or Samsung Q9FN and including one of the best that ever.  On the other hand, with local dimming enabled, the contrast ratio of the X950G might be also improved, but the improvement is not too significant, only to just around 4800:1. The result, the P series Quantum X can produce much deeper black than the X950G.

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But even so, ignoring the superiority of P Series Quantum, essentially, black produced by them is equally deep enough to make blacks looks really black in a dark room. Additionally, their black is also dark make details in dark scene of HDR images pops the way they should in HDR. And combined to their good black uniformity and the excellent performance of their local dimming in minimizing blooming, this certainly makes their performance in a dark room is really excellent.

Keep in mind: the 75 inches and 85 inches model of the X950G (XBR75X950G and XBR85X950G) have a viewing optical layer called “X wide Angle” that caused their contrast ratio is not as high as the smaller model.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

SDR Peak Brightness

Both the Sony X950G and Vizio P Series Quantum X have outstanding peak brightness.  With real content, the X9050G can hits around 700 nits while this Vizio TV is around 650 nits. But even so, their local dimming makes their peak brightness varies depending on the scene. They both hits their brightness peak brightness is equally on 10% window (10% of the screen is white while the rest is bright) where the X950G hit around 1200 nits while the Quantum X hit around 1700 nits. Meanwhile, on 50% window , the P Series Quantum still can hit brighter peak brightness which is around 900 nits while the X950G hit around 700 nits. But on 100% window or when they are showing the entire screen is bright, X950G can hit brighter peak brightness which is around 700 nits while the Quantum X hit around 600 nits.

With this behavior, the X950G can show slightly brighter SDR images, but in showing small highlight, the P Series Quantum is brighter. But even so, ignoring their difference, their SDR peak brightness is equally outstanding and can easy to fight the glare in most bright room, even in very bright room with a lot of lights or windows.

Winner: X950G is brighter with real scene, while the Vizio P Series Quantum can show brighter small highlights

HDR Peak Brightness

With HDR content, the both can hit much brighter peak brightness than their SDR peak brightness. With real content, the Sony X950G hits around 1100 nits while the Vizio P Series Quantum X is able to hit around 1400 nits. But just like their SDR peak brightness, their HDR peak brightness also varies depending on the scene due to their local dimming. They both hit their brightest peak brightness is equally on 10% window where the X950G hits around 1250 nits while the Quantum X hit around 1700 nits. Even for a short time, the P Series quantum is able to hit around 2400 nits. Meanwhile, on 100% window where they hit their lowest peak brightness, the X950G is still able to hit around 750 nits while the P Series Quantum X is around 600 nits.

With this behavior, both of them are able to show HDR images as bright as they should be. Their peak brightness is bright enough to make details of HDR images pops. Even in certain scenes, they both are able to show highlights at 1000-4000 nits of the brightness range the way the content creator intend.  Meanwhile, even though their peak brightness is dimmed in larger bright scene, bright scene of HDR images is still can be shown fairly bright on their screen.  And ignoring their difference, their HDR peak brightness is equally remarkable and there are not many TVs are able to match their HDR peak brightness.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

Color Gamut and Color Volume

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Both of them can deliver wide color gamut. But compared among them, the Vizio P Series Quantum X can deliver wide color gamut than the X950G. The color gamut of the P Series Quantum X can cover around 98% of DCI P3 uv color space and around 85% of Rec.2020 color space. On the other hand, the color coverage of the X950G in DCI P3 uv is around 93% and in Rec.2020 is around 70%. This means, in certain colors, the P Series Quantum X can show colors of HDR images more accurate than the X950G, regardless they are playing HDR content that mastered in DCI P3 like HDR10 or in Rec.2020 like Dolby Vision. Additionally, the P Series Quantum X also has better color volume than the X950G. This Vizio TV can well produce their wide colors gamut almost at its entire brightness range. On the other hand, although the X950G is able to produce deep dark and bright colors fairly well, but it cannot produce saturated colors fairly well. Nevertheless, ignoring their difference and in general, they both can show colorful HDR images with vivid colors.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

Color Gradient

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While the Vizio P Series Quantum X has better color gamut and color volume, the color gradient of the X950G is much better. The X950G is able to show HDR images with very smooth color gradient. Even though in dark green and medium grey, there is still some banding, but it has a feature called “Smooth Gradation” that can be used to correct it by setting this feature to “Low”. On the other hand, the color gradient of the P Series Quantum is only decent. There is little banding is almost on all shades of colors and significant banding in dark grays and greens. Just like the X950G, it also has “Smooth Gradation” feature called “Reduce Noise”. But unfortunately, this feature cannot do a lot in correcting banding, so the banding cannot be reduced at all.

Winner: Sony X950G

4K Up-Scaling

They both have 4K Up-scaling engine that allows you to enjoy any resolution video content in 4K quality. For this case, the Vizio P Series Quantum X is powered by Spatial Scaling Engine  while the Sony X950G is powered by 4K X-Reality Pro.  When they sources is 4K content, the images displayed on their screen looks great. Additionally, when the source is 1080p content, they both can show them excellently, almost as good as native 4K content. But even so, when the source has 720p resolution like videos from cable box or 480p resolution like DVD movies, the X950G can do a better job than the P Series Quantum X. On the screen of the X950G, the 4800 or 720p content can be shown in 4K resolution without obvious up-scaling artifacts or over sharpening and fine details are still well preserved. Meanwhile, on the screen of the P Series Quantum X, the up-scaled image appears a bit more blocky and a bit worse than the X950G.

Winner: X950G

Side Viewing Angle

As is typical of LED TV with VA panel, their side viewing angle coverage is very disappointing. At around 15 degrees off center and front, their black level starts to rise. Additionally, their colors also lose its accuracy at medium angle, started at around 25 degrees. Not only that, at around 35 degrees, the images will also start lose their brightness. And from the wider angle you watch TV, the image quality will deteriorate significantly, makes the picture will look inaccurate when viewed from the side. This certainly make them is not suitable for you who have a room with wide seating arrangement.

Just we have mentioned, the 75 inches and 85 inches model of the X950G (XBR75X950G and XBR85X950G) has an optical layer that can improve its side viewing angle coverage. The result, their side viewing angle is better than most VA TVs. But even so, this is still worse than IPS TVs or OLED TVs. On the other hand, the Vizio P Series Quantum X has a feature called “Enhanced Viewing Angle’” that expected can improve its side viewing angle. But in reality, unlike “X Wide Angle” on the X950G”, enabling this feature cannot improve its side viewing angle significantly.

Winner: Draw

Motion Handling

The Vizio P Series Quantum X and Sony X950G have very fast pixel response time and their response time is almost similar, which is around 10 ms. The result, when they are playing fast moving images like fast movies, sports, etc, motion looks very clear with almost no blur visible. Following fast moving object, there is only very short ghosting trail that should be hard to notice. Meanwhile, blur that may be visible is more due to persistence. But just we have discussed on Motion Technology Section above, they both have an optional BFI mode that can help to make motion crisper. Special for the X950G, its BFI mode may be able to make motion slightly crisper, but since the lowest flicker pattern of its BFI is 120 Hz, this will cause some duplication, particularly when it is playing 60 fps content like sports or video games.

Meanwhile, when playing 24p movies, the Sony X950G can do a better job than the Vizio P Series Quantum X. They both may be able to do the same good job in handling judder when playing native 24p source like Blu-Ray or DVD movies or 24p movies from native apps like Netflix, or others. But when playing 24p movies via 60p or 60i source, the X950G can remove judder completely while “the P Series Quantum X cannot.  To remove the judder, on the X950G, you just need set “MotionFlow” to “Custom”, CineMotion to “Auto” and “Smoothness” to “Min”, while on this Vizio TV, you don’t need to do anything.

Winner: X950G has better 24p judder handling, P Series Quantum X has lower flickering pattern of  BFI

Input Lags

The Vizio P Series Quantum X has a bit lower input lags than the Sony X950G. But in general, their input lags are equally excellent. In Game mode, with 60 fps content, its input lags are around 20 ms, regardless the resolution is 1080p, 1080p@4:4:4, 1440p, 4K, 4K with HDR, and others. Meanwhile, with 120p fps, its input lag is around 11 ms on 1080p resolution.

On the other hand, the input lags of HDMI port of the Vizio P Series quantum have different behavior to X950G, even most other TVS.  If on the X950G, the low latency mode is served by “Game Mode”, on P Series Quantum X, the low latency mode can be applied to any picture mode by enabling “Low Latency” setting. Additionally, if on the X950G the low latency port is applied to all ports, on the P Series Quantum X, the low latency port is applied to HDMI 5 only. Nevertheless, its HDMI 5 doesn’t support 4:4:4 and HDR. On its HDMI 5, with 60 fps content, its input lags is around 15 ms on both 1080p and 4K resolution and with 120 fps content, its input lag is around 10 ms. Meanwhile, outside HDMI 5, with 60 fps content, its input lag is around 26 ms on both 1080p and 4K resolution and around 30 ms with 120 fps content.

And regardless their difference, their input lags are equally low enough to make them very responsive for any games, even for fast paced games that require fast reflexes. But unfortunately, the both don’t have any VRR feature that can improve their game experience.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

Conclusion

For Watching Movies

Both the Sony X950G and Vizio P Series are impressive TV for watching movies in a dark room. They both can deliver very deep dark and has excellent black uniformity, make their performance in a dark room is really impressive. Additionally, they both also have excellent local dimming performance that can improve their performance in a dark room. Fast moving scene also looks great thanks to their excellent pixel response time. Their local dimming feature can also help to minimize blooming when they are showing small highlight like subtitle on the movies. Meanwhile, compare between them, the Vizio P Series Quantum X is bit better than the X950G because it can deliver deeper black and has better local dimming performance. But even so, it cannot show low resolution movies like DVD movies as good as the X950G.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

For Watching Sports

Both of them are also good TV for watching sports. Combination of their good SDR peak brightness and good reflection handling allows you to watch movies in most bright rooms without distracted by the glare. Additionally, their excellent pixel response time also allows you to watch fast sports such as MotoGP or Formula 1 with smooth and crisp motion and almost no blur visible.  But unfortunately, they both have poor side angle, so if you watch a big game with a group of family or friends, some of you may get less accurate picture. Meanwhile, compare between them, the P Series Quantum X is better due it has better reflection handling, albeit their performance is actually not far different.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

For Playing Games

Their performance when used for playing games is equally excellent. Combination of their excellent motion handling and low input lags allows you to play fast paced games responsively with smooth and crisp picture quality. Additionally, combination of deep black, good black uniformity, excellent peak brightness and good reflection handling also makes them looks great in a room with any light condition.  But unfortunately, they both don’t have any VRR feature that can improve their game experiences. Additionally, their poor side viewing angle also makes them are not suitable when used for playing game together with a group of your family or friends. And since the Vizio TV has lower input lags and a bit lower pixel response time, this makes it is a bit better than the X950Gwhen used for playing games.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

HDR Experience

The Vizio P Series Quantum X offers a bit better HDR experience. This is due to it has deeper black, better local dimming performance, brighter HDR peak brightness, wider color gamut, and better color volume. This allows it is able to show HDR images with vivid colors and popped details in a dark scene and bright scene. Additionally, it is also able to show highlight of HDR images very bright, the way the content creator intend. But a bit flaw is that its color gradient is not as good as most TVs. On other hand, although not as excellent as P Series Quantum X, the X950G also has excellent HDR performance. It also has deep black, allow it is able to show shadow details of HDR images excellently. Combination of its wide color gamut and good color gamut also make it is able to show colorful HDR images with vivid colors. Additionally, though not as bright as P Series Quantum X, the X950G also has excellent peak brightness and is able to show small highlight very bright at 1000-4000 nits of brightness range intended by the content creator.

Winner: Vizio P Series Quantum X

Summary

Overall, both of the Vizio P Series Quantum X and Sony X950G are great TVs for mixed usage. Regardless you use them for watching movies, watching sports, TV Shows, or playing games, their performance is really excellent. Their HDR performance is equally great. Their deep black and bright peak brightness allows them are able to make HDR details in both dark scene and bright scene pops.  In some certain scene, they both even can show highlights of HDR images as bright as the content creator intent. Additionally, their deep black and peak brightness is also dark enough and bright enough to make their picture quality consistent in a dark or bright room. The major flaw of both is that they both have poor side viewing angle coverage that certainly make them are not suitable when used in a bright with wide seating arrangement.

Overall, the Vizio P Series Quantum X is better than the Sony X950G. It has deeper black, brighter peak brightness, wider color gamut, better color volume, and lower input lags. On the other hand, the X950G is better in 4K Up-scaling engine especially when the source is 480p or 720p movies, better in color gradient, and has more impressive smart TV platform. So, which is a better choice between them? As we have mentioned, with the same screen size, the Vizio P Series Quantum X is sold more expensive than the X950G. Now, the decision comes back to you according to your own preferences.  But keep in mind, all of this comparison doesn’t apply to the 75 inches and 85 inches of X950G (XBR75X950G and X85X950G) due it has “X Wide Angle” optical layer that has impact on their contrast ratio and side viewing angle.