Paweł Koper
In 2026, Panasonic's offer will look different than usual. The Z85C and its derivative version Z86C are the only new models in OLED technology that this manufacturer will introduce to the market. 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 parameters should we expect from these panels? In this text, we will take a closer look at what Panasonic has prepared for those who are looking for great image quality but 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 of WOLED panels from LG Display. As noted by the FlatpanelsHD editorial team during Panasonic's official presentation in Germany, this model uses a new panel labeled OLED SE. What can the new panel do? According to LG Display's announcements, the new panel can generate brightness of up to 1000 nits. This would represent a noticeable increase of about 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 while maintaining a low price necessitated a certain design compromise.
To maintain an attractive price for the panel, the traditional polarizer was removed from the classic WOLED panel and replaced with a special film. What are the implications of this? The television will struggle more 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 will be ideal primarily for evening gaming, watching series, or movies. As a "day-to-day" television, placed in a very sunny living room for watching breakfast television, it may require thorough room darkening.
Google TV on Z85C – finally!
The biggest change in the Z85C model doesn't concern the panel itself, but the software. This is the first Panasonic OLED in history equipped with Google TV. This is great news for anyone who has had enough of the limited number of apps in the manufacturer's old system or Fire TV. Google TV is currently one of the most intuitive and well-equipped systems on the market. It provides access to thousands of apps – from Netflix and Disney+ to niche streaming platforms, all integrated into one clear interface.
However, it is worth noting some confusion in the naming and regions. Although the matrices are identical, the model Z86C (designed for the UK market) will come with Fire TV. This is exactly the same system from Amazon that we saw in last year's model Z85A. Z86C is technically the same model as Z85C.
Accessories in Z85C: HDR, Features for Gamers
In terms of supported formats, Panasonic does not change its tried-and-true policy. Although Filmmaker Mode is already a "given" in these TVs, it is worth noting that the manufacturer does not forego broad 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 utilizing VRR and ALLM systems, which can provide truly great gaming experiences with an OLED panel.
Design (Appearance) Panasonic Z85C
When it comes to appearance, the Panasonic Z85C strongly resembles last year's Z85A series. We are dealing here with the classic shape of an OLED television: from the front, we are greeted by an extremely thin panel, while the back features the characteristic "bottom" housing all the electronics and connections.
The most interesting element, however, is the base. Looking at the provided photos, apart from the fact that it seems to be made of solid metal in the shape of a semicircle, its design suggests the presence of a rotating mechanism (similar to the Z85A series). This is a fantastic solution that allows for easy adjustment 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 store shelves a bit later. Looking at previous Panasonic TV launches, we can expect Z85C pre-orders in Poland around late May and early June 2026.
As for the price, Panasonic is targeting the so-called "entry-level OLED" this time, which is a segment for people who don't want to spend 10 thousand zlotys on a TV. It is estimated that the starting price for 55 inches 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 Z86C will be offered exclusively in two of the most popular sizes: 55 and 65 inches. We have already seen a similar situation with the Z85A model, which is the direct predecessor from 2024, this year's series. Panasonic consistently sticks to these two options in its "entry-level" OLED line. What accounts for such a narrow size offering? It is difficult to answer this question definitively, as the competition in equivalent price ranges has a wider assortment.
As you can see, the Panasonic Z85C has almost everything to become an extremely attractive proposition 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 wealth of features for gamers, and full support for HDR formats make it a nearly complete product. The Z85C seems to be a contender for the title of best "budget" OLED of 2026, though of course, we will hold off on final judgments until a review unit is in our hands. Let's hope that Panasonic (in cooperation with Skyworth) prices this new product wisely. If the starting price is close to competitive models like the LG B6 or Samsung S85H, Panasonic could capture a significant share of the market and effectively grab your attention.
It is worth noting that there is currently a lack of an affordable OLED TV with the Google TV system on the market. This happened after Philips dropped this software in its 7 series in favor of TitanOS two years ago. Will Panasonic manage to perfectly hit the market trends with this gap? In our opinion, yes, as long as the final price isn't too high.
And what do you think about the new Panasonic Z85C? Are you considering it when planning to buy a new TV in 2026? Let us know in the comments!
