Panasonic Returns to Reclaim TV Glory at CES 2025

Panasonic:

Panasonic is back in the spotlight with its latest flagship OLED TV, the Z95B, proving it can compete with high-end giants like Sony, LG, and Samsung. After re-entering the U.S. TV market last year, Panasonic has quickly made waves, and the Z95B stands out as a CES 2025 highlight. It’s a remarkable comeback for a brand beloved by home theater enthusiasts during the plasma TV era.

Z95B OLED:

The Z95B OLED will be available in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch sizes, utilizing LG Display’s latest four-layer tandem OLED panel. This new technology surpasses the brightness of last year’s LG G4, even without the micro-lens array (MLA) tech Panasonic previously employed. The Z95B strikes a balance between cost and performance, offering a premium alternative to Samsung’s QD-OLED S95F flagship. With increasingly brighter and more vivid OLED displays, the Z95B is a showstopper, impressing CES attendees with its stunning visuals.

Gamers will appreciate its 144Hz gaming support, though competitors like LG and Samsung have pushed the bar to 165Hz. The Z95B also boasts an integrated Dolby Atmos speaker array, fine-tuned by Technics, featuring side-firing and upward-firing speakers concealed behind elegant fabric panels. While the TV is thicker than most OLEDs due to its robust audio hardware, many users may forgo a separate soundbar thanks to its impressive sound quality.

Additionally, Panasonic has introduced a reworked cooling system to extend the panel’s longevity. However, the Z95B does come with one downside: it runs Amazon’s Fire TV OS, which isn’t the most beloved platform. Though Fire TV OS offers some features, such as ambient mode widgets, its ad-heavy interface detracts from the overall experience. Still, many users bypass built-in software in favor of external streaming devices like Apple TV or Nvidia Shield.

With competitors like LG introducing AI-driven features, such as chatbots and Microsoft Copilot, Panasonic focuses on delivering an exceptional home theater experience. While Fire TV OS might not be ideal, it doesn’t overshadow the Z95B’s strengths in picture and sound quality. Panasonic’s return to the high-end TV market signals more competition, benefiting consumers at all price points. From budget-friendly options by TCL and Hisense to Panasonic’s premium offerings, the Z95B exemplifies what’s possible for those seeking a luxurious upgrade.