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Panasonic unveiled a new VIERA X97C TV series that brings SQD Mini LED technology to Panasonic's lineup. The models are designed to deliver an exceptionally wide color gamut, high contrast and screen sizes of up to 98 inches. Interestingly, this is Panasonic's first home TV with a screen larger than 90 inches in about 18 years. The new series includes four models with diagonals of 65, 75, 85 and 98 inches, all with 4K resolution. The key innovation is SQD Mini LED (Super Quantum Dot) technology, used in panels the manufacturer calls Real Color Panel.
SQD Mini LED. How does it differ from traditional backlighting?
Unlike RGB Mini LED, which uses separate red, green, and blue LEDs, SQD Mini LED is based on a blue backlight whose light is partially converted into red and green by a special quantum dot layer.
Panasonic says the solution enables a color gamut with coverage approaching 100% of the BT.2020 color space. Precise color reproduction is handled by Hexa Chroma Drive Ultra technology, which uses a 3D LUT (three-dimensional color lookup table). The manufacturer also implemented Mini LED local dimming and an additional layer that improves brightness and viewing angles. However, the exact number of zones and the peak HDR brightness were not disclosed.
Up to 98 inches. How much do the new TVs cost?
The TVs use Fire TV and an enhanced 360 Spatial Sound System, which is designed to provide spatial sound without additional speakers.
The VIERA X97C series will arrive in Japanese stores in mid-November 2026. Prices start at about 415,800 yen for the 65-inch model (approx. 10,000 zł), while the largest, 98-inch model costs 930,600 yen (approx. 23,000 zł).
So far Panasonic has not confirmed a European release. The question remains whether the new SQD Mini LEDs will also make it to Poland.
Sources: Panasonic, PRAD
