By: CE Critic Score

A Legacy Rekindled

For decades, Panasonic held a prominent position in the global television industry. From the early days of CRTs to the rise and eventual decline of plasma displays, Panasonic consistently pushed technological boundaries, setting benchmarks for picture quality and innovation. In particular, their plasma TVs gained cult status for their deep blacks and vibrant colors, captivating videophiles and home theater enthusiasts alike.

However, the company faced significant challenges as the market shifted towards LCD and LED technologies. The rise of Korean giants like Samsung and LG, along with fierce competition from Sony and other established players, squeezed Panasonic's market share. In 2013, the company made the difficult decision to cease production of plasma TVs, marking the end of an era. By 2016, Panasonic had exited the U.S. TV market altogether, leaving a void for consumers seeking the brand's signature picture quality and technological prowess.

The Return of a Champion

In 2024, after nearly a decade-long hiatus, Panasonic announced its triumphant return to the U.S. TV market. The company is launching a focused lineup comprising two OLED models, the Z95A and Z85A, and a Mini LED model, the W95A. These premium offerings leverage Panasonic's extensive expertise in display technology, audio engineering, and image processing, aiming to reclaim a significant share of the competitive U.S. market.

Z95A: The Flagship OLED

The Z95A sits at the pinnacle of Panasonic's 2024 OLED lineup, representing the culmination of the company's relentless pursuit of picture perfection.

• Display Technology: The Z95A boasts a 65-inch 4K OLED panel sourced from LG Display, renowned for its self-emissive pixels that deliver perfect blacks and infinite contrast. Panasonic further enhances the panel with its proprietary Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which boosts brightness and color accuracy by focusing light more efficiently.

• Picture Processing: The TV's HCX Pro AI Mark II processor leverages advanced algorithms to optimize picture quality in real-time. It enhances clarity, color reproduction, and motion handling, ensuring a visually stunning experience regardless of the content source. Panasonic claims the Z95A has been meticulously calibrated by Hollywood colorists, delivering a picture that faithfully reproduces the creator's intent.

• HDR Support: The Z95A supports a wide array of HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. It also features Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive, which dynamically adjust picture settings based on ambient light conditions, ensuring optimal HDR performance in any environment.

• Audio Performance: The Z95A sets a new standard for TV audio, leveraging Panasonic's renowned Technics audio brand. The 360 Soundscape Pro system comprises multiple upward-firing, side-firing, and front-firing speakers, creating an immersive soundstage that envelops the viewer. The built-in subwoofer delivers powerful bass, while advanced audio processing algorithms ensure clarity and intelligibility.

• Smart TV Platform: The Z95A runs on Amazon's Fire TV platform, providing seamless access to a vast library of streaming apps, games, and other content. It also supports hands-free Alexa voice control for convenient navigation and smart home integration.

• Gaming Features: With a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, and features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), the Z95A delivers a responsive and immersive gaming experience.

• Pricing and Availability: The Z95A is available in a single 65-inch size, priced at $3,199.99.

Z85A: The "Core" OLED

The Z85A offers a compelling blend of performance and value, making it an attractive option for consumers seeking a premium OLED experience without the flagship price tag.

• Display Technology: The Z85A features a 4K OLED panel available in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes. While it lacks the MLA technology of the Z95A, it still delivers the exceptional contrast and color accuracy inherent to OLED displays.

• Picture Processing: The Z85A utilizes the same HCX Pro AI Mark II processor as the Z95A, ensuring impressive picture quality with advanced clarity, color, and motion handling enhancements.

• HDR Support: Like the Z95A, the Z85A supports a wide range of HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. It also features Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive for dynamic picture optimization.

• Audio Performance: While not as elaborate as the Z95A's audio system, the Z85A still delivers respectable sound quality with its stereo speakers and built-in subwoofer.

• Smart TV Platform: The Z85A also runs on Amazon's Fire TV platform, providing access to a wealth of streaming content and smart home features. It supports Alexa voice control via the remote but lacks the always-listening microphone found in the Z95A.

• Gaming Features: With a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, and features like VRR and ALLM, the Z85A is well-equipped for gaming.

• Pricing and Availability: The Z85A is available in two sizes: 55-inch ($1,599.99) and 65-inch ($1,799.99).

W95A: The Flagship Mini LED

The W95A showcases Panasonic's mastery of Mini LED technology, offering exceptional picture quality and a compelling alternative to OLED for consumers seeking a larger screen size.

• Display Technology: The W95A features a 4K Mini LED panel available in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch sizes. Mini LED technology leverages thousands of tiny LEDs for precise local dimming, delivering deep blacks and high peak brightness.

• Picture Processing: The W95A employs the HCX Pro AI Mark II processor, ensuring stunning picture quality with advanced clarity, color, and motion handling enhancements. Panasonic's Local Dimming Ultra technology further optimizes contrast performance.

• HDR Support: The W95A supports a wide array of HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. It also features Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive for dynamic picture optimization.

• Audio Performance: The W95A shares the same audio system as the Z85A, comprising stereo speakers and a built-in subwoofer.

• Smart TV Platform: The W95A runs on Amazon's Fire TV platform, providing access to a wealth of streaming content and smart home features. It supports Alexa voice control via the remote but lacks the always-listening microphone found in the Z95A.

• Gaming Features: With a 144Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, and features like VRR and ALLM, the W95A is well-suited for gaming.

• Pricing and Availability: The W95A is available in four sizes: 55-inch ($1,299.99), 65-inch ($1,799.99), 75-inch ($2,499.99), and 85-inch ($2,999.99).

Impact on the U.S. TV Market

Panasonic's re-entry into the U.S. TV market is poised to disrupt the established order, particularly in the premium segment where LG, Samsung, and Sony currently dominate. The Z95A's combination of cutting-edge OLED technology, exceptional audio performance, and advanced smart TV features positions it as a formidable competitor to LG's G3 and Sony's A95K. Meanwhile, the Z85A and W95A offer compelling value propositions, potentially attracting consumers who prioritize picture quality and performance but are hesitant to invest in the flagship models.

Panasonic's focus on picture accuracy, HDR support, and audio innovation could resonate with discerning consumers who value a cinematic viewing experience. The company's legacy of technological excellence and commitment to quality could also play a significant role in rebuilding brand recognition and market share.

Conclusion

Panasonic's return to the U.S. TV market marks a significant milestone for both the company and consumers. The Z95A, Z85A, and W95A showcase the brand's renewed focus on innovation and performance, offering a compelling alternative to established players. With their cutting-edge display technologies, impressive audio capabilities, and advanced smart TV features, these TVs are poised to make a significant impact on the U.S. market. As Panasonic continues to expand its product lineup and refine its offerings, consumers can expect even more exciting developments in the years to come.