Panasonic’s flagship marks an important return to the US market – and it’s certainly back with an audio-visual bang
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
T3 Verdict
Reasons to buy+Bright yet believable picture quality is of an impeccable standard+Integrated Technics-tuned soundsystem elevates overall propositionReasons to avoid-Two rather than all four HDMI ports are the 2.1 standard-Fire TV’s homepage ads are just ugh-Pricier than many a competitor
Reasons to buy+Bright yet believable picture quality is of an impeccable standard+Integrated Technics-tuned soundsystem elevates overall proposition
Bright yet believable picture quality is of an impeccable standard
Integrated Technics-tuned soundsystem elevates overall proposition
Reasons to avoid-Two rather than all four HDMI ports are the 2.1 standard-Fire TV’s homepage ads are just ugh-Pricier than many a competitor
Two rather than all four HDMI ports are the 2.1 standard
Fire TV’s homepage ads are just ugh
Pricier than many a competitor
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
If, like me, you’ve been invested inthe best TVsover the years then you’ll likely remember Panasonic’s world-leading plasma TVs, which the brand called time on a decade ago now. And, if you don’t, then all you really need to know is that Panasonic was at the top of its game – something the Japanese giant is looking to rekindle with its latest andbest OLED TVrelease, the Z95A.
I’ve been reviewing Panasonic TVs for years now, with the Z95A updating the impressiveMZ2000from last year. Except, if you’re a US-based reader, you won’t likely know about the latter model – as Panasonic pulled itself out of the USA coinciding with the end of its plasma TV reign all those years ago. But now it’s back – and with a bang.
It’s as if the stars have aligned, because the Z95A has a full roster of leading propositions. One, its MLA (Micro Lens Array) panel type means it’s the brightest traditional OLED going; two, its Technics-tuned integrated soundsystem means you needn’t bother addingthe best soundbaras an extra; and three, its integrated Amazon Fire TV setup looks to best itsSamsung S95DandLG OLED G4key rivals.
Panasonic Z95A: Price & Availability
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Panasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all prices
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all prices
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all prices
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV
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The Panasonic Z95A is available in 55-inch (the one I have on review) and 65-inch sizes, the latter being theonlysize for the US market. There are no bigger panel sizes available, so if you’re after one ofthe best 75-inch TVsor greater then your best bet is the 77-inchPhilips OLED 909(unless you’re in the US, where that isn’t available).
Price-wise, the 55-inch Z95A retails for £2999, but is already discounted to £2199 as I pen this review. The 65-inch Z95A, meanwhile, has a lofty £3899 / $3200 price tag – but has already dropped to £3299 / $2999 at the time of writing, and could continue to descend given the not-inconsiderable competition in this market.
While I’d be tempted to call the Z95A ‘expensive’, I always think it’s better to consider ‘value’. This Panasonic TV has a lot going for it, although with the aforementioned Philips model in equivalent sizes being slightly cheaper (and with the excellent addition ofAmbilight), and even theSony A95Lcosting a mite less, it’s the prevalence of Samsung’s S95D and LG’s OLED G4 that will attract with even lower pricing – noting, of course, that neither of those have an integrated soundsystem like the Panasonic.
Panasonic Z95A review: Features & What’s New?
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
It feels like an age ago when I first got to see the Panasonic Z95A, following its reveal atCES 2024,and thereafter having attended a special event at Amazon Studios to get a deep-dive into its picture and Amazon Fire TV details. It’s still a very fresh proposition all these months later, of course, with some eye-catching high-end features.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Software is also a massive part of the Z95A proposition, with fully integrated Amazon Fire TV being a major upsell for this set. Unlike many competitors' weaker Google TV offerings, which often feel like a half-integrated afterthought, this Amazon Fire TV setup is fully integrated, includes all the needed catch-up services, plus Amazon Alexa voice control. Oh, and top-banner ads too, ugh.
Panasonic Z95A review: Design & Setup
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
It’s been a while since I’ve set up a55-inch TV, asthe best 65-inch TVsare my usual go-tos for the T3 test bench. That made the Z95A feelkind oflighter – no surprise when my last TV review was the 65-inch Philips OLED 909, though – but that’s all in my head. As, realistically, the Z95A is thicker than your average – 69mm, but 350mm if considering the stand’s footprint – owed to that integrated soundsystem. That may be less ideal if you’re determined to wall-mount it, but the central swivel stand-mount, as you can see in my pictures, works well on top of an AV cabinet – and makes access to the rear ports nice and easy.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Those ports do pose some minor limitations, though, as is typical for many TVs these days: there are four HDMI sockets, but only two are of theHDMI 2.1 standard, and one of those is used foreARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). You might not need to use eARC for a separates system, given the Z95A’s integrated soundsystem proposition, but if you are then that’s one of your4K resolution at 120Hzoptions out of two used up. Or, indeed, 144Hz – as the Z95A is future-proofed for gaming rigs able to hit such speedy refresh rates too.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Included in the box is an elongated remote control, which has access to all the necessary catch-up apps, Alexa control, and is straightforward enough to use. I found handling the wand during setup was easy enough, but Fire TV often prompts phone-based control for ease of typing to expedite everything.
Getting those services setup on Amazon’s platform is super-easy, I like the way layout can be customised, and for me this feels like one of the better operating system options out there – something that Panasonic hasn’t quite pulled off for some time. The only downside, as mentioned, are the irksome ads – I want to see only promos of new shows from my apps, not washing liquid commercials!
Panasonic Z95A review: Picture Quality
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
The real reason you’re going to want the Panasonic Z95A in your home, however, is owed to its expert handling of picture quality. Just as Panasonic was the master with plasma panels, its ‘Hollywood tuned’ approach with this latest OLED gives it clear strength. If you’re a big cinema fan then you certainly need to pay attention to Panasonic’s latest – because high-quality movies look stunning.
Not that it’s limited to movies: I’ve been obsessing overHBO’s latest masterclass,The Penguin, which in typical gothic Gotham style leans towards the darker tones – both figuratively and literally. But that’s no fuss for the Z95A, a panel which can take an almost limitless approach to black tones in a way that few others can manage – it outsmarts, say, theLG C4 OLEDin this regard. Various shots of Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobb (purists might say Cobblepot, but it’s changed for the show) against the shadows reveal all the light and shade of the image and, indeed, his character.
Image1of5(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Image1of5(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
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(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
That’s an echo of the Z95A’s picture quality overall: it has character, thanks to great detail and depth-of-field that gives images depth, yet it always appears authentic. Colour doesn’t stray from the path, in a way that gives the inimitable Sony A95L a run for its money. And if you have a preference to warmer or cooler viewing palettes then anything can be adjusted – whichever mode you’re in, whether Filmmaker, True Cinema, or one of the more conventional selections.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
If there are any complaints it’s that colour banding isn’t completely banished from some scenes and that default motion control needs to be downgraded from ‘Max’ to stop everything looking over-smoothed.
Loading up a much brighter scene inDuneon 4K Blu-ray, the sky showed some banding separation – it’s slight, but when you’re fishing through near-perfect image quality for any downsides, this is one of the minor ones to point out.
Panasonic Z95A review: Sound Quality
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Sound is a massive sell for the Panasonic Z95A, so it’s almost ironic that I’ve also been testing some ofthe best soundbarsduring this TV’s temporary tenure in my home. Having removed said soundbar, however, I must say that the Panasonic does sound exceptional in the context of ‘a TV’ – but it’s not got quite the same slap-bang-wallop of a full separates system. Still, it’ll see away most of its paper-thin competition with ease.
The speakers are arranged across the front bar, including side-firing outputs behind the panel (those are the ‘5’ of the ‘5.1.2’ equation), alongside up-firing speakers (the ‘.2’ part) and an embedded woofer (that’s the ‘.1’ piece of the puzzle). Front-on, however, you can’t see those speakers, per se, so it makes for a neat-looking arrangement – and that in itself will be reason enough to consider this TV as an option for many.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Setting up the TV gives a variety of options to run through, including sound tuning to get things reflecting perfectly based on the room in which the Z95A is setup. This works really well, delivering an impressive soundstage that feels frontally immersive and tall – and while the overhead channels are great for height, true psychoacoustic ‘surround sound’ doesn’t quite give the impression of being behind the listener. It’s still great for gaming, though, with three-dimensional audio capabilities really able to utilise the full strength of those speaker positions.
Bass levels are strong, which is great, with my weekly BBC Sounds Pete Tong sessions having the necessary low-end for those thumping kicks. It’s not going to beat a subwoofer, mind, but there is a separate output if you want to add one into the mix. As it is, though, the balance of low-end to high-end sounds super to my ears – and it’s adjustable if you want to tweak things on a basic bass/treble slider, or even expand/truncate the listening field to your preference.
Panasonic Z95A review: Verdict
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
After a hiatus in the US, Panasonic is back into the TV world with a bang – the Z95A delivers rip-roaring picture quality that plasma-lovers of times yore will love, just as any modern viewer will. It’s an impeccable sound and vision package for cinema-lovers.
The integration of a Technics-tuned soundsystem is a great touch, meaning you won’t need an additional soundbar, for a neat one-stop-shop setup that not only looks but sounds great too. It can’t quite unseat a better soundbar setup for true three-dimensional audio, but it still does a grand job compared to many typical TVs.
Sure, Panasonic’s asking price is towards the higher end, but with picture quality this good – it’s so very adept with brightness and black-level nuance – and one of the better-integrated software systems in Amazon’s Fire TV, the Z95A is worth every penny (or, indeed, cent).
Also consider
With price being such a critical factor, there’s a lot to be said of thePhilips OLED 909– which adds Ambilight, has a superb integrated Bowers & Wilkins soundsystem, but happens to cost even less. That’d be the most apt 55- or 65-inch rival to consider.
Or, if you don’t care for the Z95A’s integrated soundsystem, and are willing to pay out for a separate soundbar, then theLG OLED G4is the obvious traditional OLED competitor – with a much lower price tag now (unless you blow the difference onthe best soundbar for LG TVsanyway).
Somewhere in the middle, with impressive sound even without a soundbar, is theSony A95L. It’s aT3 Awards 2024 winnerand very worthy alternative contemplation – so long as your AV cabinet is wide enough to accommodate its edge-positioned feet anyway!
Today’s best Panasonic Z95A OLED TV, Panasonic Z95A 65-inch, Panasonic Z95A 55-inch, Philips 65OLED909, Philips 55OLED909, Philips 77OLED909 and Philips OLED909 dealsPanasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Panasonic Z95A OLED TV, Panasonic Z95A 65-inch, Panasonic Z95A 55-inch, Philips 65OLED909, Philips 55OLED909, Philips 77OLED909 and Philips OLED909 dealsPanasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Panasonic Z95A OLED TV, Panasonic Z95A 65-inch, Panasonic Z95A 55-inch, Philips 65OLED909, Philips 55OLED909, Philips 77OLED909 and Philips OLED909 dealsPanasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Panasonic Z95A OLED TV, Panasonic Z95A 65-inch, Panasonic Z95A 55-inch, Philips 65OLED909, Philips 55OLED909, Philips 77OLED909 and Philips OLED909 deals
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all prices
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all prices
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV$2,499.99ViewSee all prices
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV
Panasonic Z95A OLED TV
$2,499.99View
$2,499.99
$2,499.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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