Ignacy Giżyński
Although Panasonic has officially announced that it is considering selling its television production division, the Japanese brand still shows that it does not intend to withdraw from the fight for customers. Today, the full line of OLED televisions for 2025 was presented, led by the flagship model Z95B. The new series will offer higher brightness, improved sound quality, a redesigned appearance, and full integration with the Fire TV platform!
Panasonic Z95B – Is it a good continuation of last year's Z95A?
The Z95B model is the direct successor to the Z95A and is also the most advanced OLED television in Panasonic's offering this year. The manufacturer focused on refining key elements that determine image and sound quality without radically changing the construction. The most significant change is the use of a new OLED panel called Primary RGB Tandem. Thanks to the change in layer structure, the maximum brightness has been noticeably improved – which is particularly important when watching HDR content. To maintain stable operation of the panel, Panasonic redesigned the cooling system to more effectively dissipate heat during intensive use. (Apparently, they were inspired by the dynamics of racing cars 😉).
Additions in Z95B
The image processing is handled by the new version of the HCX Pro AI II processor. The television also supports features such as Dolby Vision IQ and Prime Video Calibrated Mode, as well as allowing precise calibration through collaboration with the Calman system and support for the ISFccc standard! If you are unsure what the calibration process is, we refer you to the article below.
Sound in Panasonic Z95B
Significant changes have been made in terms of sound – a redesigned 360° speaker system with a stronger subwoofer has been implemented, and everything has been tuned in collaboration with Technics. The result is meant to be better spatiality and greater clarity, especially in movies and games. The Z95B operates in an environment based on the Fire TV system, and although this system is just starting out in Europe, it is somewhat of an upgrade compared to Panasonic's older systems in televisions from years ago.
Panasonic Z90B – flagship technologies in a more affordable edition
The Z90B is one of the main models in Panasonic's new OLED TV series for 2025. In terms of design and functionality, it is very similar to the top-end Z95B, but uses a more traditional WOLED OLED panel – that is, the same technology found in most OLED TVs on the market. Panasonic calls this matrix “Master OLED Pro”, but in reality, it's the well-known WRGB panel produced by LG Display, enhanced with a slightly higher level of brightness. Its competitor, the LG C5, will likely use a very similar panel.
The image is managed by the same processor as in the flagship model – HCX Pro AI MK II – which is responsible for digital image processing and can do this differently depending on the content being viewed. Artificial intelligence automatically recognizes whether we are watching a match, a movie, or content from a streaming platform and adjusts the settings to suit the situation. But how will it perform in reality? Our first tests will reveal this!
Z90B also supports Dolby Vision IQ, Filmmaker Mode, and Intelligent Sensing technology, which uses a light sensor to brighten dark scenes in a bright room or, conversely, to dim the image when the room is dimly lit.
Panasonic Z80B – basic OLED
Z80B is the simplest of the three new OLED models in Panasonic's offer this year. It's meant to be an entry into the world of self-emissive TVs – but despite its "starting position" in the lineup, it still offers many features in common with the more expensive variants. Like the Z90B, it uses a classic WOLED panel. It's the same design that we find in the cheaper models of the competition – without additional layers boosting brightness. Panasonic doesn't use any names like "Master OLED" here, which may indicate the use of a more basic version of the panel, but we're still talking about a true OLED – with deep blacks and high contrast.
The image processing is handled by a simpler processor HCX (without the "Pro AI" designation), which means users get a processor without automatic content analysis and intelligent adjustments. However, the picture can still look very good – especially in Filmmaker Mode or with content compatible with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ – but one has to take into account lower brightness and somewhat weaker control over details compared to more expensive models. The Z80B is also equipped with a surround sound system based on Dolby Atmos and its own Surround Sound Pro chip, with a built-in subwoofer. This is obviously not the sound level of the Z95B, but it is likely sufficient to comfortably watch a movie or play without additional speakers.
Z80B also supports HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate (up to 120 Hz), and AMD FreeSync Premium, making it a reasonable option for gamers with consoles but at a more affordable price than other models.
Which 2025 OLED model from Panasonic will be the best?
The new OLED line from Panasonic for 2025 appears to be a well-thought-out update – not revolutionary, but with specific improvements where it makes sense. The flagship Z95B targets the most demanding viewers, the Z90B combines good picture quality with full functionality in a more accessible form, and the Z80B is a solid entry into the world of OLEDs without unnecessary extras. Each of these models has its place – and it's worth considering which one actually meets your needs. Perhaps the Z80B will be the most sensible choice if you're looking for good picture quality at a lower price? Or maybe the Z90B will prove to be the golden mean? We encourage you to keep an eye on our service – we will be testing the new Panasonic models as soon as the first samples arrive in our laboratory. Time will tell whether the new OLED line delivers on the promises of its specifications!
In the meantime, it’s also worth taking a look at our reviews of the 2024 Panasonic models – perhaps they will turn out to be a more interesting choice for you, especially due to falling prices and still very good picture quality.
