There's a clear shift happening in the premium TV market in India as more people are looking to have a cinema-like experience at home. These customers aren't just looking for big screens anymore; they're chasing cinema-grade experiences at home. Whether it’s about replicating the scale of a theatre or having a living room that doubles up as a private screening lounge, the demand for ultra-large televisions is on the rise. With this in mind, Sony has launched its first-ever 98-inch Mini LED TV in India under the BRAVIA 5 series, priced at ₹6,49,990.
This isn't just about adding a few extra inches to a standard big-screen TV. The Sony BRAVIA 5 (model K-98XR55A) brings serious upgrades in both scale and substance. It's powered by Sony's Cognitive Processor XR, and more importantly, features XR Backlight Master Drive, a precision lighting system that controls thousands of Mini LEDs to deliver superior local dimming, brighter highlights, and deeper blacks. The combination allows this screen to handle challenging lighting conditions effortlessly—whether it’s a sunlit room or a dark theatre-like setup.
While most brands like LG, Samsung, and Xiaomi offer OLED or QLED panels in this size category, Sony is among the first to bring Mini LED tech at 98 inches in India. Mini LED combines the brightness advantage of QLED with some of the contrast finesse of OLED to offer a good middle ground, especially in larger panels where OLED can struggle with uniform brightness and burn-in risks. For screen sizes this big, Mini LED is being pegged as a smarter and more practical choice.
Until now, TCL was the only brand offering a 98-inch Mini LED TV in India, but Sony's entry into this niche puts real weight behind the category. For premium buyers, especially those looking to "flex" their entertainment setups, brand value and picture processing matter just as much as screen size. And this is where Sony plays to its strengths. The BRAVIA 9 series, for example, has been Sony's flagship Mini LED range. Sadly, this series maxes out at 85 inches in India, priced around ₹5.99 lakh. With BRAVIA 5, Sony not only extends the size portfolio but also introduces new creator-calibrated features like Prime Video Calibrated Mode, Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, and Sony Pictures Core, delivering near 4K Blu-ray-quality content across popular platforms. Another brand that offers Mini LED TVs in India is Haier and it is also available in only 65- and 75-inch for now.
Another option that most people eyeing this large TV have in mind is a home projector. While the projector market in India is comparatively smaller than in other countries, it seems to be gaining popularity. Projectors still offer the largest image sizes for the price, but they typically require dark rooms, dedicated spaces, and expensive sound systems to match the immersion. A TV like the 98-inch BRAVIA 5, meanwhile, is a far more plug-and-play solution, more suited for novices who want to enjoy great content without being hassled with setup. It offers consistent brightness, superior upscaling, and integrated audio enhancements like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos with multi-directional sound staging.
What makes this launch even more consumer-friendly is Sony's special three-year warranty, a ₹25,000 cashback offer, and ₹19,995/month EMI option, making it slightly easier to step into this ultra-premium segment.
As screen sizes continue to expand and home entertainment becomes increasingly immersive, the definition of a luxury TV experience is evolving. Whether offerings like the BRAVIA 5 will shape the future of big-screen viewing or remain a niche indulgence is something the market will reveal in time.
