Paweł Koper
In 2026, Panasonic's offering will look different than usual. The Z85C and its derivative version Z86C are the only new models in OLED technology that this manufacturer will launch. This is important news for anyone who has been waiting for this year's premieres. What exactly are these televisions and when can we expect to see them in stores? What technical specifications should we expect from these screens? In this text, we will take a closer look at what Panasonic has prepared for those looking for excellent picture quality but who do not want to spend too much money on a new television.
New OLED SE Panel in Z85C
The heart of the Z85C model is the latest, yet simultaneously the lowest positioned in the hierarchy, WOLED panel from LG Display. As noted by the FlatpanelsHD editorial team during Panasonic's official presentation in Germany, this model features a new panel designated as OLED SE. What can the new panel do? According to announcements from LG Display, the new panel is expected to generate brightness up to 1000 nits. This would represent a noticeable increase of around 10-20% compared to last year's generation of the cheapest OLED panels. This is great news for fans of HDR effects; however, the higher brightness at a low price has necessitated a certain construction compromise.
To maintain an attractive price for the panel, the traditional polariser was removed from the classic WOLED panel and replaced with a special film. What are the consequences of this? The television will perform worse with reflections and light glare during the day compared to more expensive models or previous generations of WOLED panels. For this reason, the Panasonic Z85C is ideal primarily for evening gaming, watching series or films. As a "daily use" television, placed in a very sunlit living room for watching breakfast television, it may require adequate room darkening.
Google TV in Z85C – at last!
The biggest change in the Z85C model, however, does not concern the panel itself, but the software. This is the first Panasonic OLED in history equipped with the Google TV system. This is great news for anyone who was fed up with the limited number of applications in the manufacturer’s old system or Fire TV. Google TV is now one of the most intuitive and well-equipped systems on the market. It provides access to thousands of applications – from Netflix and Disney+ to niche streaming platforms, all integrated into one clear interface.
It is worth noting some confusion in naming and regions. Although the matrices are identical, the model Z86C (designed for the UK market) will be equipped with Fire TV. This is exactly the same system from Amazon that we saw in last year's Z85A model. Z86C is technically the same model as Z85C.
Accessories in Z85C: HDR, Features for Gamers
When it comes to supported formats, Panasonic does not change its tried-and-true policy. Although Filmmaker Mode is already a "given" in these televisions, it is worth noting that the manufacturer does not shy away from extensive HDR support. Unlike Samsung or LG, the Z85C will support ALL HDR standards: from HDR10, through HDR10+ to Dolby Vision and HLG. Gamers have also not been overlooked. The standard here is a refresh rate of 120 Hz and full support for HDMI 2.1. This means smooth gameplay using VRR and ALLM systems, which with an OLED panel can provide really great gaming experiences.
Design (Appearance) Panasonic Z85C
When it comes to the appearance itself, the Panasonic Z85C closely resembles last year's Z85A series. Here we have a classic OLED television shape: at the front, we are greeted by an extremely thin panel, while at the back, there is the characteristic "bottom" housing all the electronics and connections.
The most interesting element, however, is the base. Looking at the provided photos, aside from the fact that it appears to be made of solid metal in the shape of a semicircle, its construction suggests the presence of a rotating mechanism (similar to the Z85A series). This is a fantastic solution that allows for easy positioning of the screen towards the viewer, which is currently virtually unheard of in mid-range televisions.
When is the premiere and how much will the Z85C cost?
Although Panasonic officially presented these models in February 2026, they will hit the store shelves a little later. Looking at previous Panasonic TV launches, we can expect the Z85C to be available for pre-order in Poland around the end of May and June 2026.
As for the price, Panasonic is targeting the so-called "entry-level OLED" this time, which is aimed at those who do not want to spend 10,000 zlotys on a television. It is estimated that the starting price for the 55-inch model should be very competitive, allowing these models to compete for customers with popular series B from LG, 700 from Philips or S85 from Samsung.
Sizes Z85C – why so modest?
According to official announcements, Panasonic has decided on a rather unusual move regarding the availability of screen sizes. The Z85C model and its derivative version, the Z86C, will be offered exclusively in the two most popular sizes: 55 and 65 inches. We have already seen a similar situation with the Z85A model, the direct predecessor from 2024, of this year's series. Panasonic consistently sticks to these two variants in its "entry-level" OLED line. What accounts for such a narrow size offering? It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally, as competitors in the same price brackets have a larger assortment.
As you can see, the Panasonic Z85C has almost everything to become an extremely attractive option in the affordable OLED TV segment. The new, brighter OLED SE panel, a refreshed approach to the operating system through the use of Google TV, a host of features for gamers, and full support for HDR formats make it an almost complete product. The Z85C seems to be a contender for the title of the best "cheap" OLED of 2026, although we will, of course, hold off on final verdicts until the test unit lands in our hands. Let's hope that Panasonic (in collaboration with Skyworth) prices this new model wisely. If the launch price is close to competitive models such as the LG B6 or the Samsung S85H, Panasonic could grab a significant piece of the market pie and effectively attract your attention.
It is worth noting that there is currently a lack of affordable OLED TVs with Google TV on the market. This came about after Philips discontinued this software in its 7 series two years ago in favour of TitanOS. Will Panasonic be able to perfectly hit the market trends by taking advantage of this gap? In our opinion, yes, as long as the final price is not too high.
What do you think of the new Panasonic Z85C? Are you considering it for your new TV purchase in 2026? Let us know in the comments!
