The battle between OLED and RGB LED heats up in 2026 with the arrival of the Sony Bravia 7 II, a mid-range RGB mini-LED TV that aims to challenge the best OLEDs. Putting it head-to-head with the acclaimed LG C6 OLED reveals distinct strengths and weaknesses for each technology.
Richer colors on LG C6 but the Bravia 7 II excels in warm tones
In tests with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the LG C6 showed more saturated and deeper colors, especially in Mario's red hat and the Lumas' hues. The Sony Bravia 7 II, however, offered superior brightness that enhanced highlights and textures, with yellows and golds particularly brilliant. In desert scenes, the sand reproduction looked more natural on the Bravia 7 II, while the LG C6 tended to shift red. The overall color rendition of the LG C6 appeared bolder and richer, but the Bravia 7 II showed remarkable balance for a backlit TV.
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Deep blacks and superior contrast for OLED, but the Bravia 7 II surprises for an LED
With The Batman, a notoriously dark film, the LG C6 used self-emissive pixels to deliver absolute blacks and very high perceived contrast. The Sony Bravia 7 II, although an LED, demonstrated exceptional backlight control, with very little blooming and impressively deep blacks for its category. In the subway fight scene, the Bravia 7 II revealed more details in Batman's armor thanks to slightly higher brightness, while the LG C6 suffered from minor black crush. In a dark room, the OLED's lack of backlight eliminates clouding entirely, but the Sony defended itself well. The LG C6 wins on pure contrast, but the Bravia 7 II comes closer than any LED before.
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Full-screen brightness clearly favors the Sony Bravia 7 II
Instrumental measurements, despite some anomalies on the tested sample, indicate much higher full-screen brightness on the Bravia 7 II. In scenes like snowy landscapes, the Sony appears significantly brighter, making images more impactful in bright rooms. The LG C6 remains more than adequate for a typical living room, but those seeking maximum brightness for HDR content should consider RGB LED.
Viewing angles and artifacts: OLED still ahead
The LG C6 maintains an advantage in viewing angles, with no color degradation even from extreme lateral positions. The Bravia 7 II, though better than traditional mini-LEDs, still shows a slight drop in contrast and saturation off-axis. Additionally, the Sony occasionally exhibits halos on black backgrounds with bright text, an issue absent on the OLED. For family use with side viewers, the LG C6 is the better choice.
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Ultimately, the choice between LG C6 OLED and Sony Bravia 7 II RGB depends on priorities. If you seek the best contrast and perfect blacks, OLED remains unbeaten. If you value brightness and a more affordable price, the Bravia 7 II is a surprisingly strong option, confirming that RGB mini-LED technology is mature enough to compete seriously. For those interested in the latest tech developments, check our test of Starlink satellite 4G connectivity, and for buying advice, read why you might wait before buying a Google Pixel. For technical details, see the Wikipedia page on OLED.
