Panasonic Z95A vs Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Direct comparison

Z95A

Available screen sizes: 55”65”

Available screen sizes: 43”50”55”65”75”

Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Amazon FireTV

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

8.3

5.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    8.7

    4.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    9.0

    4.1

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    8.9

    4.1

  • Gaming on console

    9.6

    5.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.6

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    6.2

    4.0

  • Utility functions

    7.0

    5.1

  • Apps

    6.1

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    8.7

    6.0

Advantages

  • Great picture quality: Thanks to OLED technology with MLA, the image offers deep blacks and infinite contrast

  • Impressive HDR: Brightness of 1760 nits, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Colour reproduction after calibration is truly reference quality

  • Excellent viewing angles

  • 144 Hz and gaming features: Support for ALLM, VRR

  • Low input lag

  • Built-in soundbar with Dolby Atmos: Delivers spatial and dynamic sound

  • Support for user functions: USB recording, AirPlay, PiP and Miracast

  • Google TV system: massive app library

  • Relatively low input lag

  • Good viewing angles: thanks to an IPS panel

  • PC compatibility: excellent font readability (Chroma 4:4:4)

  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz at Full HD resolution

  • Presence of a classic mini-jack output

  • Quite pleasant sound: clear and loud beyond "budget" standard

Disadvantages

No like
  • Problems with tonal transitions

  • No Polish characters in the USB player

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

  • No DTS despite the built-in Soundbar

  • FireTV in development: Inaccurate interface translations and missing several apps

  • Price compared to competing models (e.g. S95D or G4)

  • Very weak blacks and contrast

  • HDR: low brightness (250 nits) and lack of real effect

  • System fluidity: sluggish performance and "dull" remote

  • Motion: total lack of digital smoothers in the menu

  • Image processing: noticeable overscan and motion artifacts

Our verdict

During the Panasonic Z95A tests, we felt like we were holding a television that deserves to be called one of the best on the market. When it comes to picture quality, it is absolutely fantastic! OLED with infinite contrast, perfect blacks, and incredible brightness makes watching movies a pure pleasure. The micro-lens technology (MLA) has really made a difference. Thanks to it, the picture has gained not only brightness, achieving a spectacular 1500 nits in HDR content, but viewing angles have also improved – which are already quite good in regular WOLED panels. As a result, every scene looked so realistic that we felt as if we were part of it. We also checked how it performed in various lighting conditions – it dazzled without exception in both dark and bright rooms. We also couldn't complain about the sound. The built-in soundbar with Dolby Atmos surprised us with its spaciousness and dynamics, which is usually lacking in speakers integrated with the television. It's really solid support for cinematic experiences. The Panasonic Z95A also does not disappoint gamers. We tried out its gaming features – support for ALLM, VRR, a 144 Hz panel, and playing in Dolby Vision at 120 Hz is something every avid gamer will appreciate. Additionally, there are practical extras, such as the ability to record onto an external drive and a PiP function, which make everyday use of the television more enjoyable. Of course, we also noticed some downsides. Amazon's Fire TV operating system, while better than in older models, still has its flaws. The lack of some popular apps, such as Player.pl or TVP VOD, and poorly executed translations in the interface can sometimes be irritating, especially in a television of this price range. The Panasonic Z95A is a television with a capital "P" for premium. It impresses with its picture quality, sound, and functionality. However, its high price may deter some, especially when there are devices on the market offering similar capabilities at a much lower price. If, however, the budget is not an issue, the Z95A is a television that delivers cinematic experiences at absolutely the highest level.

Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a textbook example of a very cheap television that has primarily two major advantages: the Google TV system and an extremely low price. It is these two elements that make it an attractive option for many people. During testing, we also found it has another great use, which is working with a computer. Thanks to exemplary font readability and good viewing angles of the IPS panel, Blaupunkt surprisingly performs well as a budget monitor. However, one must be aware that this device is typically budget-oriented, and that savings are reflected in the image quality. The panel is simply dark, making it difficult to perform well in tougher lighting conditions, not to mention creating any real HDR effect. Additionally, despite the good viewing angles, the black levels on this model leave much to be desired – in the evenings, it will tend to appear dark grey, which is a typical characteristic of the IPS technology used here. From a price perspective, this is a device that aims to compete in the market not on image quality, but rather on the amount on the receipt. Blaupunkt UGC5500S is perfectly suited as a secondary television in the home, equipment for the holiday house, or for a less important room, where the image just needs to be there, and we want to enjoy all the benefits and applications that Google TV offers.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
Other inputs
RCA (Chinch)
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Super Premium
Average
Stand type
Central
Legs
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Swivel
Fixed
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

10/10

2.2/10

Local dimming function: No

Contrast:

Review Panasonic Z95A Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Panasonic Z95A Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Panasonic Z95A Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Panasonic Z95A Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Panasonic Z95A Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,000:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,100:1

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Contrast and black detail

Result

1,050:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

The contrast and black levels in the television Panasonic Z95A are at a level that captures the attention of even the most discerning viewers. The Z95A, as befits an OLED, delivers outstanding performance in this area. In every test scene, the contrast is practically infinite, resulting in excellent image quality under real-world conditions. During the screening of the film Oblivion, you can see how light sources, such as lamps, fall on the actor, creating an incredibly realistic effect. The Z95A Panasonic reproduces these details in black with impressive precision, ensuring that even subtle differences in brightness and lighting are clear. This gives viewers a sense of depth and naturalness in the picture, which is hard to find in LED televisions that often offer various compromises.

To put it bluntly: when it comes to black levels, it's just very poor. Our measurements on test patterns only confirmed what we could see with the naked eye – a result around 1000:1 is, these days, even in this price range, a disappointing outcome. In movie conditions, that "black" simply doesn't exist. To avoid being all talk, we fired up one of our favourite test scenes – the helicopter flight in "Sicario 2" (you can actually see it in the video we've linked below). Instead of inky, deep night, we got an image that is... navy blue. Everything on the screen that should be dark and mysterious actually glows a dark blue. This is the price we pay for using an IPS panel. On one hand, we get quite decent viewing angles, so if you're watching TV with the whole family from different angles, the picture doesn't lose much in saturation. On the other hand, if you're planning evening screenings with the lights off, this lack of contrast is going to sting your eyes from the very first minute.

HDR effect quality

8.3/10

3.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 98.6%, Bt.2020: 74.5%
DCI P3: 81.8%, Bt.2020: 60.3%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Panasonic Z95A Brightness measurement

Result

1667 nit

Review Panasonic Z95A Brightness measurement

Result

1738 nit

Review Panasonic Z95A Brightness measurement

Result

1792 nit

Review Panasonic Z95A Brightness measurement

Result

1798 nit

Review Panasonic Z95A Brightness measurement

Result

999 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

232 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

245 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

255 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

238 nit

Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S Brightness measurement

Result

252 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Static HDR10

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

HDR luminance chart:

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

Panasonic Z95A

Luminance of RGB colors

Panasonic Z95A shows class when it comes to HDR performance. In luminance tests, it achieves a level of 1800 nits, which has a real impact on movie watching. Scenes from Life of Pi or Gemini Man look fantastic – the television effortlessly reproduces details and the intensity of bright spots, making a strong impression with its power. In more demanding moments, like the final scene from The Meg, you can see how bright light floods the screen. In such moments, brightness drops, which is typical for organic panels. Nevertheless, a result around 1000 nits can still be considered excellent, still providing very good picture quality. Additionally, the television offers great coverage of wide colour gamuts – up to 98.6% for DCI-P3 and 74.5% for BT.2020. This means that colours are not only vibrant but also deeply saturated, allowing full appreciation of the richness of details, especially in HDR scenes. Such coverage makes colours look more realistic, and the HDR effect gains intensity and accuracy. All this impressive HDR effect is thanks to MLA technology, which enables such high luminance and excellent image detail. With it, the Panasonic Z95A offers HDR at a level that truly makes a difference.

We won’t beat around the bush here – if you’re looking for a TV strictly for cinematic HDR experiences, then you’ve come to the wrong place. Unfortunately, the Blaupunkt UGC5500S is not a machine built for such challenges. This is primarily due to its very low brightness, which we measured during our tests. A result of around 250 nits on movie screens speaks for itself. It’s simply too little to even consider any real HDR effect. To be honest, everything displayed in this format can confidently be seen as a somewhat “enhanced” SDR mode. We expected this, as practically every device in this price range falls short in this area, but we feel it’s our duty to warn you. Manufacturers love to brag about HDR compatibility on the boxes, but in reality, this format simply doesn’t exist here – it lacks the “fuel” in the form of brightness.

The situation is further complicated for Blaupunkt, as we’re dealing with a panel that has very basic coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, reaching only about 80%. You won’t find any advanced coatings to expand these capabilities (like quantum dots), which means scenes that are supposed to burst with richly saturated colours appear simply underwhelming on this screen. Therefore, we have a particular piece of advice for you: don’t force HDR mode on this model. If you have the option in the streaming app settings – just turn it off. By sticking to the classic SDR mode, you’ll be sure that the TV won’t try to “enhance” something that it can’t handle hardware-wise.

Factory color reproduction

8.3/10

4.8/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best picture mode on the Panasonic Z95A is undoubtedly the Filmmaker mode. This mode offers quite good image reproduction, but it is not without certain flaws that need addressing. Primarily, the white balance, for both 4K and HD content, tends to be dominated by red and blue hues. This leads to a slight pink tint in the image, particularly noticeable in bright, white scenes. Such discrepancies can be seen in the comparative image below, which illustrates the issue well. The Colour Checker test also confirms these inaccuracies, showing slight shifts of dots towards the mentioned shades.

In terms of gamma brightness characteristics, it performs very well, with only minor issues when brightening small details. A greater challenge arises with the EOTF curve, which is responsible for controlling brightness in 4K HDR content. Here, there is a slight boost in brightness above the reference value, which sometimes makes the image overly bright, especially in more demanding scenes. While the Filmmaker mode is definitely the best choice on the Z95A, these aspects require refinement to fully harness the television's potential.

We also took a close look at how Blaupunkt handles colours in movie mode, and here the matter is, to put it simply, twofold. We must once again clearly separate what we see in the standard SDR format from what happens when HDR is switched on, as they are two completely different worlds. Let's start with the better side of the coin. If you're planning to watch traditional TV, YouTube, or older films on this television, you can count on really well-tuned colours. In our test sample, the white balance in movie mode performed exceptionally well, which honestly surprised us. Of course, to avoid being too rosy, we noticed some drawbacks. Looking at the gamma charts, we observed that the processor struggles with properly dimming the image in its brightest areas. Additionally, there is quite a strong, at times overly aggressive, red saturation, which resulted in visible errors in reproducing certain shades. Despite this, overall, the image in SDR is simply solid and watchable without a grimace on your face. Unfortunately, the magic fades when we re-enter the world of HDR. Here, Blaupunkt behaves as if we suddenly switched it to store mode, and in its worst rendition. The excess blue in the white balance is so significant that it’s glaring, ruining any realism in the scene. Furthermore, the television interprets brightness very loosely, which, upon analysing the EOTF curve, clearly showed that for most of the time, colours simply appear washed out and lacking depth. This is also perfectly evident in the colour errors that become apparent in this mode. Once again, we are left with the same conclusion: Blaupunkt in SDR mode looks significantly better and more natural than in HDR, which seems to be forcefully added without proper refinement.

Color reproduction after calibration

9.4/10

6.4/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

After calibration, Panasonic Z95A showcases its full potential, delivering an almost perfect image. The television offers extensive adjustment capabilities, which we have fully utilised. The white balance post-calibration is absolutely flawless, and the errors in SDR content at 0.5 are at an exceptionally reference standard. The same goes for 4K HDR content – the screen tint has been completely eliminated, and the white balance is now exemplary.

The colour palette and Colour Checker test confirm the excellence of the calibration. Errors below 2 are a result that will satisfy both professional calibrators and cinema-quality image enthusiasts. Significant changes have also occurred in the brightness characteristics – the EOTF curve has been aligned, eliminating previous issues with excessive brightness. Additionally, a small error in gamma has been reduced.

Before calibration, the image was acceptable, but now it's in a completely different league. It's a true feast for the eyes, and the quality is hard to compare to anything else. Once fine-tuned, the Panasonic Z95A becomes a true master of colour reproduction.

It may sound like a joke – pulling out professional measuring equipment for a TV that costs around a thousand złoty / 250 dollars, but we wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t check it. The question is: does such cheap gear give us any leeway in terms of calibration? To your surprise, the answer is: yes, absolutely. In the Blaupunkt UGC5500S menu, we found surprisingly many options that allowed us to effectively work on the picture. These aren't just empty sliders; these are concrete tools that enabled us to make use of our measurement sensors and software. In SDR mode, the effects were visible to the naked eye. We successfully eliminated the problem we mentioned earlier – that excessive, almost artificial saturation of reds. We also fixed the issue with the incorrect dimming of the brightest parts of the image. After calibration, the picture in standard format became significantly more balanced and simply correct. When it comes to HDR, the situation was more complicated again. While we managed to “tame” that aggressive blue tint in the white balance, it was clear that we were fighting a bit of a losing battle. Even after changing the settings, the TV still tried to interfere with the picture in its own way, as if the electronics knew better than we did how the scene should look. To top it off, there's the hardware barrier that no slider can overcome – colours in HDR still remain undersaturated. This simply results from the quality of the panel itself; it physically cannot produce the most vivid colours. To summarise this point: if any of you ask whether it’s possible to calibrate a TV for “a grand”, we respond with complete conviction: it is possible.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

6.5/10

6.4/10

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

The tonal transitions in Panasonic Z95A are not terrible, but in this class of devices, you can expect more. The television struggles with smoothly blending colours, both in dark and light shades. In more demanding scenes, minor imperfections are noticeable, which can affect the visual experience, especially for more discerning users. While this is not a disqualifying factor, it is an aspect that requires improvement, especially considering the price and aspirations of this model.

Looking at our test photographs, it’s really hard to pick at anything. Most of the colours in the attached images blend together almost perfectly, creating smooth gradients without noticeable "jaggies". And indeed, in most scenes where we took these shots, it looked surprisingly good. However, the problem arises when we stop analysing still frames and start simply watching the films. In motion, the situation changes dramatically. During dynamic scenes on screen, artefacts begin to pop up, which are a direct result of simply having a poor image processor here. Unfortunately, a static photo can't capture that "tearing" of colours, but you have to take our word for it: what looks clean and smooth in the photo can really stand out and simply irritate during viewing. This is where our rather low rating in this category comes from.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7.4/10

2.5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
No
Smooth transition function
OK
No

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

In the case of lower quality materials, the "Gradation Smoothing" function is responsible for smoothing tonal transitions. The best results are achieved with an intermediate setting – while they are not spectacular, the function works correctly and does not introduce unwanted effects into the image. It can be evaluated as average, but sufficient for improving the quality of tonal transitions.

As for digital processing, or upscaling, the picture looks surprisingly good. It is flexible and pleasant to the eye, which makes lower quality content, such as standard television or YouTube, look quite decent. However, minor issues can be observed, such as "aliasing" on edges, e.g. branches in the background. Nevertheless, this does not significantly affect the overall viewing experience, and the television handles these materials in an acceptable manner.

If you're hoping that the processor in this model will magically "fix" the poor quality signal from your cable TV or old movies from YouTube, we must disappoint you. The capabilities of this television end at absolutely basic upscaling, which is simply stretching the image to a higher resolution. It does this correctly in that the image is not blurry, but there is no mention of any intelligent sharpening or adding details. Worse still, Blaupunkt is completely devoid of any functions to reduce unwanted tonal transitions. If the material being viewed shows what is known as banding (ugly "steps" instead of a smooth transition of colours, e.g., in the sky), this television will display them in all their glory. Additionally, the television has a tendency to slightly crop the edges of the image. Instead of displaying 100% of what the source sends, Blaupunkt slightly zooms in on the frame, causing us to lose details that are at the very edges of the screen. In summary: in the category of digital "enhancement" of the image, Blaupunkt simply performs poorly. We receive a raw, unprocessed signal, with all its flaws.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

3.7/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
No
Blur reduction option
OK
No
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
-
BFI function 120Hz
No
-
Brightness drop with BFI
49%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Panasonic Z95A, with a 144 Hz panel, offers excellent image smoothness. For movies, there is an "Intelligent Frame Creation" feature that allows for improved smoothness and reduction of blurring. Users have two sliders at their disposal: "Motion Blur Reduction" – responsible for clearer and sharper details in fast-moving scenes. "Film Smoothness" – adds smoothness by creating additional frames between the originals, making motion appear more fluid and natural with the effect of "soap opera"

As a result, viewers can adjust the settings to their own preferences. Movies and less dynamic content look smooth and natural, which should satisfy most users.

When it comes to motion fluidity, Blaupunkt has nothing to defend itself with. A 60 Hz panel at this price is standard, so none of us expected a perfectly sharp image in fast action scenes or during a match. However, the biggest drawback of this model is that you won’t find any digital motion smoothers in the menu. The manufacturer hasn’t given us any room for manoeuvre – nothing can be smoothed out or the image adjusted to our personal preferences. The picture is always "raw" and we receive it exactly as it is transmitted by the source. For fans of cinematic "jumping" images, this might be good, but the rest simply has to get used to the lack of any motion enhancement.

Console compatibility and gaming features

10/10

3.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    No
  • VRR range
    40 - 144Hz
    No
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    No
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    No

Panasonic Z95A this year shows that the manufacturer has made a huge leap forward in support for gamers. The television offers practically everything you can expect from a device in this range. Support for ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) ensures smoothness and no tearing in dynamic games. The 144 Hz panel allows for incredible fluidity, and the additional support for resolutions other than 4K provides greater flexibility, which is a big plus for gamers using various configurations.

Also noteworthy is the unique and rather specific "Game Bar." Its bubble interface stands out from the competition and allows quick adjustment of key settings such as VRR, brightness level, or picture mode, without the need to interrupt gameplay.

However, in this class of devices, there has been a slight disappointment – Panasonic Z95A only offers two HDMI 2.1 ports instead of four. This is definitely too few for a premium television, especially in times when many people have more than one device requiring full HDMI 2.1 support, such as a next-gen console or a high-end computer. In this category, it's hard to accept, especially given the high aspirations of this model. Despite this, the television is an excellent choice for gamers, offering versatility and functionality at the highest level.

When it comes to gaming on the Blaupunkt, we weren’t expecting miracles and indeed – the list of features isn’t very long. However, there are two interesting points worth mentioning, as they might be significant for some of you at this price. The first advantage is that the TV quite smoothly detects the connected console. Thanks to the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature, the device knows when you start gaming and automatically switches to low latency mode. This is convenient because you don’t have to fiddle with settings every time to ensure input lag doesn’t spoil the fun. The second point is a real curiosity that surprised us. Despite it being a 60 Hz panel, the Blaupunkt can display a 120 Hz image at Full HD resolution. Sure, we lose 4K details, but for those playing more dynamic, online shooters where smoothness is more important than resolution, this is a really nice and unexpected addition in such an affordable device. Other than these two points, you won’t find anything more here. There are no advanced smoothness enhancement systems for gamers or extensive gaming menu bars. It’s a simple screen for occasional gaming.

Input lag

10/10

8.6/10

SDR

1080p60
14 ms
36 ms
1080p120
5 ms
25 ms
2160p60
14 ms
13 ms
2160p120
5 ms

HDR

2160p60
13 ms
12 ms
2160p120
5 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
13 ms
2160p120 DV
5 ms

Panasonic Z95A impresses with an outstanding level of input lag, making it one of the best choices for gamers in its class. Regardless of the mode, the television achieves results of around 13 ms at 60 Hz and just 5 ms at 120 Hz, ensuring an incredibly smooth and responsive gaming experience. Moreover, Panasonic allows gaming in Dolby Vision mode without significant delays. Well done!

An important point for every gamer is, of course, input lag, which is how quickly the television responds to our movements on the controller. Here, Blaupunkt has something to boast about, although the results are quite specific. At 4K resolution, the lag is only 12 ms. That's an excellent result. With such a lag, gaming is simply phenomenal, and the response is almost instantaneous. However, it's a bit disappointing that the situation changes when switching to 1080p. Here, the input lag increases to around 30 ms. Just to be clear: that's still not a terrible result. For most people, it will be "more than acceptable," and during casual gaming, you probably won't even notice it. Nevertheless, it's a pity that such good parameters couldn't be maintained as we saw with full 4K. Nonetheless, in the overall assessment, as a budget screen for console gaming, Blaupunkt really performs admirably in this regard.

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
5ms
13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
RWBG
RGB
Max refresh rate
144Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
Yes
No

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

Panasonic Z95A works brilliantly with computers, offering full support for chroma 4:4:4, which translates to very good font readability. However, it’s important to keep in mind the characteristic display method of WOLED panels with a white subpixel, which can be noticeable during prolonged work with documents or while browsing websites. This is something to consider if the television is to be used as a monitor for work.

Additionally, the support for G-Sync technology is a great bonus for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards. As a result, the Z95A provides smooth gameplay without tearing and delays, making it a versatile device for both work and play.

If you're planning to connect a computer to this television, it's absolutely crucial to find and enable the PC compatibility option in the menu. Once you do this, magic happens – the implementation of Chroma 4:4:4 and font readability jump to an exemplary level. The readability of text is simply excellent here. Of course, our editorial diligence wouldn't let us pass this equipment without taking a look "under the hood." In very specific tests with thin, dark text, we noticed that the horizontal and vertical matrix masks differ slightly in brightness levels. However, we want to reassure you: this phenomenon is so subtle that, during normal use, writing emails or browsing the web, you won't be able to notice it with the naked eye. We maintain our opinion that as a monitor strictly for dynamic gaming on PC, it isn't the ideal choice (as we mentioned in the context of the 60 Hz refresh rate), but if any of you are wondering whether you can comfortably work on such a Blaupunkt – we say: yes, it absolutely can be done.

Viewing angles

9.7/10

5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
8%
71%

The viewing angles on the Panasonic Z95A are outstanding, thanks to the use of an OLED panel with MLA technology. This means the image remains sharp, full of detail, and free from visible colour shifts even at steep angles. In practice, this means that regardless of where we are watching the TV from, the picture quality stays at the highest level.

In this regard, the Z95A ranks among the very best, competing for the title of leader with TVs based on QD-OLED panels (Samsung and Sony). It's hard to find anything better on the market, making this model an ideal choice for larger rooms or movie nights with family and friends, where everyone can enjoy a perfect picture.

Here it's really very good. Whether we were sitting straight on or on the edge of the couch, the colours didn't lose their saturation. This is a big plus if you're planning to watch matches or movies with a larger group – no one will complain that the picture looks worse for them. Although IPS panels are known for their good viewing angles, in this particular model, when viewed from a sharp angle, the picture noticeably loses brightness. Interestingly, the colour saturation still remains in place, but the screen simply becomes darker. It's not something that disqualifies this television, but it's worth knowing.

Daytime performance

6.2/10

4/10

Panel finish
Glare
Satin
Reflection suppression
Good
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Average
Good

Panel brightness

Blaupunkt UGC5500S: 245 cd/m2

Panasonic Z95A: 493 cd/m2

Panasonic Z95A is equipped with a glossy panel that does quite well at reducing reflections. However, due to the use of micro lens array (MLA) technology, black levels in bright environments can take on a slightly cherry hue, which is particularly noticeable in heavily lit rooms. In terms of brightness, the average SDR value is around 500 cd/m², which comfortably allows for enjoyable TV viewing in most living rooms. It should be noted, however, that in very sunlit conditions or under intense artificial lighting, this brightness may prove inadequate to completely eliminate reflections and maintain ideal contrast. Nevertheless, in typical home conditions, the Z95A performs very well.

In terms of daytime performance, Blaupunkt is simply average. It all comes down to the low brightness of the panel, which – as we mentioned, hovers around 250 nits. That’s definitely too low for the screen to comfortably "cut through" the strong light coming into the living room. As a result, in bright sunlight, the image loses its clarity and appears somewhat washed out. However, there is one bright spot in this category: the satin coating of the panel. Thanks to this, we don't have to deal with the mirror effect, which often means instead of watching a movie, we're seeing our own couch reflected. The satin nicely diffuses reflections, which somewhat saves the situation. Nevertheless, we can’t cheat physics: while the coating bravely fights against reflections, the low brightness ultimately capitulates in the face of the sun's rays. If you plan to watch something in the middle of the day in a very bright room, prepare yourself for the necessity of drawing the curtains.

Panel details

Backlight Type
White LED
Software version during testing
FIRE OS 8.1.1.2
RTM9.241015.007
Image processor
m7332 2GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Panasonic Z95A TV Panel details
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV Panel details

Panasonic Z95A

Blaupunkt UGC5500S

TV features

7/10

5.1/10

  • HDMI inputs
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • Other inputs
    RCA (Chinch)
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    No
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    Yes
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    No
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    No
    No

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    No
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    No
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review Panasonic Z95A TV features
Review Panasonic Z95A TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features
Review Blaupunkt UGC5500S TV features

Panasonic Z95A introduces a new operating system, which we think is a very good move compared to last year's MZ2000 model. The system is called Fire TV and was created by Amazon. It is a novelty in the Australian market, standing out for its fluidity and responsiveness, providing comfortable navigation and quick performance in everyday use.

Despite numerous advantages, the system still has a few shortcomings. Some popular applications, such as SkyShowtime, as well as Australian streaming services like Player.pl or TVP VOD, are not available. Another drawback is the quality of the interface translation – many functions have been translated in a rather imprecise way, giving the impression that the translation was done "on the fly." Some names are unclear, especially for those who have not previously interacted with other televisions, which may hinder the use of the device.

In terms of user functionality, the Z95A performs very well. It includes options such as USB recording, support for PiP (picture in picture), AirPlay, and Miracast. Because of this, the television offers versatility and meets most demands of modern users, although the Fire TV system still requires refinement to fully compete with more established solutions on the market.

In terms of Smart TV functionality, the Blaupunkt UGC5500S is a classic example of a device where the system is both its biggest asset and its greatest flaw. On one hand, we have full Google TV, which is a huge plus at this price point. We gain access to a massive library of apps and basically all the functionality we know from brands using this software. Nothing has been cut out forcefully, which is really refreshing in such an inexpensive TV. Unfortunately, it must be honestly admitted that in the case of Blaupunkt, this system operates quite clumsily. This is a typical issue with low-budget TVs running Google TV – the processor barely keeps up with the software. Navigating through the menu isn’t as smooth as we would like, and the remote can react with noticeable delays, giving the impression of being "dull." Of course, once you launch a specific app and start a movie, everything works steadily, but just browsing through the interface requires a bit of patience.

When it comes to classic TV features, Blaupunkt offers nothing extraordinary. It’s a simple device for basic tasks. The remote is a plus, featuring a traditional numeric keypad, which is just convenient for hopping through cable channels. We also have Bluetooth, so you can easily connect wireless headphones or a speaker. The TV also has a physical mini-jack headphone output. At a time when manufacturers are mass-eliminating this connection, the presence of a "jack" is a nod to those with older audio equipment or simply those who prefer classic wired headphones. It’s a small thing, but it’s appreciated.

Apps

6.1/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
No
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
No
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
No
SkyShowtime
No
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
No
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
No
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
No
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
No
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

3.1/10

9.3/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
PNG
Yes
Yes
GIF
Yes
Yes
WebP
No
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

As we mentioned earlier, the Fire TV system in the Panasonic Z95A has some issues with supporting the Polish language, which unfortunately is also noticeable when playing files from a USB memory. The built-in media player does not allow for the correct display of Polish characters, such as "ź", "ć" or "ł", which can be burdensome for users relying on local subtitles for movies. If correct display of Polish characters is important to the user, it may be necessary to use an external application available in the Amazon store or to stream content through other devices.

In terms of playing files from USB, Blaupunkt performs quite solidly. We tested several of the most popular formats and basically everything that matters worked without any fuss on the factory player. So you're not forced to immediately download additional software right after pulling the TV out of the box, because the equipment is simply self-sufficient ‘out of the box’. Nevertheless, taking advantage of the charms of Google TV, we still recommend installing some external software, like VLC or Kodi. The factory player is adequate, but it's in those external applications where you'll find the most configuration options, better subtitle support, or just a more convenient interface. Since the system gives you that freedom, it's worth taking advantage of it to get as much as you can out of your multimedia.

Sound

8.7/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    -
    85dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    No
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
    No
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    No

The sound in Panasonic Z95A is one of its strong points, mainly due to the built-in soundbar that provides impressive audio experiences. Support for Dolby Atmos makes the sound spacious and full of depth, perfectly fitting into the cinematic experiences. Both dialogues and sound effects sound clear and dynamic, which will satisfy even the most demanding users. Unfortunately, there is a lack of support for the DTS format, which may be disappointing for those using movies or content that require it. Nevertheless, the overall sound quality in Z95A is at a very high level and successfully replaces external audio systems (at a reasonable price) in most home applications.

In terms of audio, Blaupunkt performs really well, especially considering it's a typical budget television. You can see, or rather hear, that the brand hasn't forgotten its roots and for such an inexpensive build, the sound is actually superb. Of course, there's a noticeable lack of bass, but overall it's loud, and surprisingly clear. What matters most to us – even at higher volumes, the sound isn't heavily distorted, which is rare and a pleasant surprise at this price point.

Sound Quality Test

No sound test video

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data

85dBC (Max)

75dBC