How to Identify Sony TV Model Number

Over the last week, my Sony Smart TV speakers would suddenly lose sound while watching any movie or TV show. Annoyed by the issue, I thought of claiming the warranty for my TV.

While reading the standard warranty guidelines on the official Sony website, I realized that the model name was required before I could get in touch with the Sony Support Team regarding my issue and register for the warranty.

I had no idea about the model name of my TV, so I did a quick Google search about how to identify it. I read the official Sony articles and even scrolled through several relevant discussion threads.

Most people suggested referring to the user manual for the model name. As my TV’s user manual was misplaced, I spent some more time on research to find an alternative.

I finally figured out how to identify the Sony TV model name and also learned how to find the release year of the TV using its model name. Here’s how:

A model name is a combination of letters and numbers indicating the technical information related to your Sony TV. To find the model name of your TV, view the system Information screen available in the TV Settings.

Check your TV’s System Information

A model name is a combination of numbers and letters that enables you to access information and services specific to your TV (For example, KD-55X80J). It is usually required while claiming the TV warranty and for other troubleshooting guides in case you’re facing any software or hardware issues related to the TV.

The easiest way to identify the model name of your Sony TV is by going to the System Information page available in the TV Settings. The process to navigate to the System Information page varies based on your TV model and manufacturing year.

Android TV and Google TV Models

Find and press the HELP button on your Sony TV remote
Now based on your TV menu options, follow these steps:
- Go to Status & Diagnostics or Troubleshooting and System Information option and select System information
- Alternatively, select Contact & Support to view the system information (model name, serial number, and software version)
- For W8 or X7 Series TVs, the system information can be found on the bottom left corner of the screen

In case your TV remote doesn’t have the HELP button, follow these steps:

Press the Home button on your TV remote.
For Google TV models, press the Quick Settings button (gear icon).
Now, choose the next process based on your TV menu options:
- Select Settings > Help and Feedback > Help > Status & Diagnostics > System information.
- Select Apps > Help > System information in the Status & Diagnostics or Troubleshooting and system information Category.
- Select Help > System information in the Troubleshooting and system information Category.
- Select Settings > BRAVIA Settings > Customer Support > Contact & Support.
Check the System Information to find the model name of your TV

TVs Other Than Google TV & Android TV

To identify the model name on Sony TV models other than Google TV and Android TV, including the older LCD TVs, you may need to verify the year of release for your TV model.

For Sony TVs released after 2015:

Press the Home button on your remote control
Go to Settings
Navigate to System Settings or Product Support
Select Customer Support or System Information
Finally, click on Product Information to view the model name of your TV

For TVs released in 2014:

Press the Home button on your remote control
Go to the Help (?) option
Now navigate to Customer Support and select System Information
The system information screen should appear with the model name of your TV

For TVs released in 2013 or earlier:

Press the Home button on the TV remote
Now select Settings
Go to Product Support or Set-up option
Finally, select System Information or Product Information

Note: The system information or product information screens may vary based on your TV model.

Check the Original Packaging of TV

If you’ve been using your Sony TV for a long time, it’s likely that the original packaging may not be available or damaged. However, if you have the original packaging of the TV available and in good condition, you can find the model name written on it.

Search for a combination of letters and numbers (eg. X950B) on the box or under the barcode pasted on the packaging. Additionally, you can also find the model number on the user manual included in the box of your TV.

Locate the Product Sticker

Another way to find the model name of your TV is to locate the product sticker on the back of the TV or engraved on the front TV panel. The product sticker usually has both the model name and serial number on it.

In case your TV is wall mounted, I’d recommend using a hand mirror and smartphone to check the product sticker on the back of the TV.

Search for a hand mirror that can easily fit behind the TV
Try to find the product sticker on the back of your TV. It is usually located on the bottom center or right bottom corner of the back of the TV
Hold the mirror behind the TV in a way that you can properly read the label from the side or front of the TV
Now you can use your smartphone camera to click a picture of the product sticker visible in the mirror
Finally, using the edit feature on your phone, flip the picture so it’s properly readable to find the model name of the TV

Find the Technical Specifications of Your Sony TV

Each model name provides technical specs including the type of operating system, screen size, processor, and model type.

The first two letters provide information related to the TV processor and the region where it is manufactured.

XR- Cognitive Processor XR, OS Google TV used from 2021
XBR- The premium line of TVs, a designation used for TVs with high performance. From 2015 onwards, all 4K TVs in the North American market have the XBR
KD- TV with a standard processor, UHD (4K) resolution
KDL- TV with a standard processor with Full HD resolution or less
XRJ- Cognitive Processor XR, TV for Japan
KJ- TV for Japan

The number after the initial two letters indicates the screen size of your TV.

To determine if your model type is high-end, low-end, or mid-range, check the letter in the model name followed by the screen size:

R- low-end TVs with minimal features.
W- mid-range TVs with optimal parameters.
S- mid-range TV
X- premium TVs.
Z- TVs with 3D before 2017, and after 2017 indicate a TV resolution of 8K.
A- OLED

Consider an example of a Sony TV with model name, KD- 55X85J

Based on the above information:

KD indicates that the TV is equipped with a standard processor and comes with an Ultra HD 4K resolution.
55 indicates the screen size of the TV in inches
X indicates that the TV comes under the premium category

Find the Model Year of Your Sony TV

As discussed above, the model name of your TV is a combination of letters and numbers indicating specific details related to your TV. The model name also consists of a letter that helps determine the year your TV was released.

Usually, Sony releases a particular TV model for about one year starting from the second quarter of that year to the second quarter of the following year.

As an example, the letter J in the Sony TV model name XR-65A90J indicates that the TV was released in 2021. It also implies that the TV was produced from the second quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022.

Based on the last letter of the model name, here’s how to find the year of your Sony TV’s release:

A- 2013
B- 2014
C- 2015
D-2016
E-2017
F-2018
G-2019
H-2020
J- 2021
K-2022

No More Guesswork in Identifying The Model Name

Sony TV model name contains technical specifications, screen size, and other information related to a specific TV. It can be found through the System menu available in the TV settings.

Open the System Information or Product Information screen available in the TV Settings to find the model name, serial number, and software version of your TV.

While a model name is a combination of letters and numbers (e.g. KD-55XB5J) describing the technical specifications of the TV, a serial number consists of numbers only (e.g. 6007041). Every serial number is unique to a specific TV and acts as an identification factor for a single device.

You can also find the model name of your Sony TV by checking the original packaging or locating the product sticker on the TV. The product sticker is usually located on the back of the TV or engraved on the front TV panel.

Except for the technical specifications, the last letter in the model name indicates the year your Sony TV model was released. For the TV model KD-55XB5J, the letter J means that the TV was released in the year 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify my Sony TV model?

You can identify your Sony TV model by checking the label on the back of your TV or by going to the settings menu on your TV and finding the model number under the “System Information” or “Product Information” category.

What do Sony TV model numbers mean?

Sony TV model numbers typically indicate the series and year of the TV’s release, and model type. The first few characters usually indicate the TV’s type and screen size of the TV in inches, while the remaining characters indicate the model number and the year the TV was released.

What is the difference between the Sony TV model name and serial number?

A Sony TV model name is a combination of letters and numbers (e.g. KD-55XB5J) describing the technical specifications of the TV. It also contains the TV’s year of release and model type. Alternatively, a serial number consists of numbers (e.g. 6007041) and is unique to a specific TV or any single Sony device.

How can I find the user manual for my Sony TV model?

If you’ve lost the user manual of your Sony TV, you can find it based on your Sony TV model by going to the Sony support website and entering your TV’s model name. The user manual for your TV should be available for download in PDF format.