Panasonic TVs return to the US with a huge 85-inch Mini LED screen

Panasonic's TVs are returning to the US, starting with a small lineup that includes both OLED and Mini LED models. The company stopped selling its TVs in the US in 2016, three years after ending production of its well-regarded plasma screens. The company is now bringing its TVs back to meet the demands of "consumers seeking the highest possible picture quality."

Three models are now available in the US: 55- and 65-inch OLED options and a Mini LED TV that goes up to 85 inches for those wanting to go big. Panasonic already sells them internationally with "minor regional differences," but in the US, they will continue to run Amazon's Fire TV OS.

The flagship model is the Panasonic Z95A OLED 4K TV, and it's only available in a 65-inch size for $3,199.99. It features an OLED panel from LG that's been upgraded by Panasonic with a Micro Lens Array and a "multi-layer heat management configuration" to boost its brightness. It supports refresh rates up to 144Hz and multiple HDR video formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus, as well as HDR10 Plus Adaptive and Dolby Vision IQ, which optimize the picture based on the brightness in the room.

The Z95A may appeal most to those without dedicated sound bars or surround sound setups. The company leveraged its Technics audio brand to tune the TV, which features speakers that fire forward, upward, and to the sides, in addition to a built-in subwoofer. Using software tricks, you can even direct the TV's audio to a specific spot in the room.

The Z95A originally debuted at CES 2024 in January and was recently reviewed by Vincent Teoh of the YouTube channel HDTVTest, who calls it one of the best OLED TVs you can buy in 2024 thanks to its color accuracy, shadow detailing, and extensive support for the most popular HDR formats.

The Panasonic Z85A OLED 4K TV is a step down from the Z95A. It lacks the flagship's elaborate speaker array and Technics audio tuning, as well as the Micro Lens Array to boost panel brightness. Its refresh rate is also limited to 120Hz, but it does offer the same HDR modes as the Z95A, including automatic picture adjustment capabilities, and stereo speakers paired with a single subwoofer.

The Z85A is now available in the US market in two sizes: 55 inches for $1,599.99 or 65 inches for $1,799.99 - a whole $1,400 cheaper than the 65-inch Z95A. It could be an option for Panasonic fans on a budget or those prioritizing privacy because, as Wired points out, the Z85A doesn't have an always-listening microphone for Alexa and Fire TV.