Roku Plus Series 55" vs Sony A80L 65" (OLED)
The Verdict
Sony's A80L OLED delivers superior picture quality with perfect blacks, exceptional contrast, and 1000 nits peak brightness compared to Roku's 700-nit QLED panel. Gaming performance heavily favors Sony: 8ms input lag, 120Hz refresh rate, and full VRR support versus Roku's 13ms lag and 60Hz ceiling. Audio is dramatically better on Sony with 50W Acoustic Surface Audio+ featuring multiple actuators versus Roku's modest 20W 2.0ch setup. Roku Plus excels at value and accessibility,delivering solid 4K HDR viewing, Roku OS simplicity, and Wi-Fi 6 at a fraction of the cost. Sony's 65-inch OLED screen provides meaningfully more viewing real estate. For cinephiles and gamers demanding premium visuals and responsiveness, Sony is the clear winner. Budget-conscious buyers prioritizing streaming and casual viewing will find Roku Plus genuinely impressive at $399.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Roku Plus Series 55" if…
- →Roku OS is the simplest, cleanest smart TV platform available
- →Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AND Dolby Atmos decoding — unusual at $399
- →Works with every voice assistant: Alexa, Google, Siri (via AirPlay)
Buy the Sony A80L 65" (OLED) if…
- →Sony's legendary image processing with XR Cognitive Processor is unmatched
- →Acoustic Surface Audio+ vibrates the screen as a speaker — immersive and unique
- →Superb motion handling makes it the best TV for film and sports content
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Roku Plus Series 55"
Pros
- Roku OS is the simplest, cleanest smart TV platform available
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AND Dolby Atmos decoding — unusual at $399
- Works with every voice assistant: Alexa, Google, Siri (via AirPlay)
- Wi-Fi 6 for reliable 4K streaming
- QLED color enhancement is visible versus basic LED panels
Cons
- 60Hz panel — no 120Hz or gaming features
- 700-nit brightness is okay but not impressive for HDR highlights
- Roku's ad-supported free channels are prominently pushed in the UI
- No VRR for next-gen console gaming
Sony A80L 65" (OLED)
Pros
- Sony's legendary image processing with XR Cognitive Processor is unmatched
- Acoustic Surface Audio+ vibrates the screen as a speaker — immersive and unique
- Superb motion handling makes it the best TV for film and sports content
- Google TV platform has the widest app selection of any smart TV OS
- Perfect blacks with no blooming — inherent OLED advantage
Cons
- Only 2 of 4 HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1 — limiting for multi-console setups
- Wi-Fi 5 in 2023 is a disappointing omission
- $1,999 is pricier than LG C3 and Samsung S90C at the same size
- Burn-in risk with OLED for static content use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Roku Plus Series 55" | Sony A80L 65" (OLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Body | ||
| VESA mount | 200 x 200mm | 300 x 300mm |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs | 44.1 lbs |
| Dimensions (w/ stand) | 48.4 x 30.6 x 10.2 inches | 57.1 x 35.0 x 11.8 inches |
| Dimensions | — | 57.1 x 33.3 x 2.1 inches |
| Audio | ||
| Output (watts) | 20 | 50 |
| Speakers | 2.0ch | Acoustic Surface Audio+ (2 actuators + 2 subwoofers) |
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Gaming | ||
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | ||
| ALLM | ||
| Input lag (ms) | 13 | 8 |
| Display | ||
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| Size | 55" | 65" |
| Type | QLED | OLED (WOLED) |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) | 3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 700 | 1000 |
| Smart TV | ||
| Os | Roku OS | Google TV |
| Voice assistant | Roku Voice, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 | Google Assistant, Alexa (via Works with Alexa) |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Quad-core | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Ethernet | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| USB ports | 1 | 2 |
| HDMI ports | 4 | 4 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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