Sony XBR-X950G series: Does going all-in on Google make a good TV?

Sony’s 2019 TVs have more Google smarts than any TVs since, well, Sony’s original Google TV nine years ago. The XBR-X950G boasts the latest version of the Android TV smart TV system and, unlike past iterations, it works quickly and allows plenty of customizations. And Sony is the only TV maker so far to offer <a website Assistant voice control hands-free, without having to touch the remote. Saying, “Hey Google, turn on the TV” is sweet indeed. 

But since you can get great streaming and app features, and even voice control, from <a website number of cheap external devices, the real question remains: “Hey Google, how good is the picture quality for the price?” I may not have access to Google Assistant’s algorithms and scads of user data, but I can tell you the answer myself: not great. The XBR-X950G costs more than rivals like the Samsung Q70R, Vizio M8 and TCL 6 series, yet it didn’t perform as well as any of them in my side-by-side comparisons. The Sony has its strengths, including a bright HDR picture and accurate color, https://www.gusjavar.com/ (www.gusjavar.com) but less impressive contrast and local dimming spoil the deal.