Panasonic Z95 Series (2024 Model) 65-inch OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart Fire TV

Panasonic’s reentry into the U.S. television market in 2024 marked a significant moment for home entertainment enthusiasts and honestly, it's about time. For years, Panasonic was known for producing some of the best displays in the business, and their absence was definitely felt by those of us who pay attention to picture quality, audio fidelity, and thoughtful design. With the launch of the Z95A OLED TV, they’re not just stepping back into the spotlight, they’re doing it with purpose and precision.

Whether you're a casual viewer who just wants something reliable for movie night or someone who obsesses over color calibration, sound depth, and refresh rates, the Z95A was made to catch your eye. This 65-inch OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart Fire TV is Panasonic’s way of saying they haven’t missed a beat. It’s sleek, powerful, and packed with features that cater to both everyday viewers and hardcore cinephiles. If you’ve been waiting for a TV that balances aesthetic appeal with serious performance, this one deserves a closer look.

The Z95A's design reflects a blend of modern aesthetics and functional engineering. The OLED panel is exceptionally thin at the top, measuring approximately 0.2 inches, which contributes to a sleek profile when viewed head-on. However, the lower section of the TV houses a substantial speaker system, resulting in a total depth of about 2.3 inches. This design choice accommodates the advanced audio components without compromising the visual appeal of the display.

The TV is supported by a sturdy, flat, black metal table stand that attaches via a single cylindrical pillar, allowing for swivel adjustments to achieve the optimal viewing angle. The stand's design facilitates easy access to the rear ports, which is particularly useful for users who frequently connect and disconnect external devices.

At the heart of the Z95A is Panasonic's Master OLED Ultimate panel, enhanced with Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology. This innovation directs more light toward the viewer, resulting in increased brightness and improved viewing angles. The HCX Pro AI Processor MK II further refines the picture by analyzing content in real-time to adjust colors, contrast, and clarity, delivering a cinematic experience that aligns with the creator's intent.

The TV supports a comprehensive range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. This ensures compatibility with various content sources, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks that enhance the overall viewing experience. The Z95A's performance in both SDR and HDR content is noteworthy, offering rich detail and accurate color reproduction across different lighting conditions.

One of the standout features of the Z95A is its integrated 5.1.2-channel speaker system, delivering a total output of 160 watts. This setup includes front-firing, side-firing, and upward-firing speakers, creating an immersive audio environment that supports Dolby Atmos. The sound quality is robust and clear, with dialogue remaining intelligible even at lower volumes. This eliminates the immediate need for an external soundbar, simplifying the home theater setup.

The TV's audio performance is further enhanced by Technics tuning, ensuring that the sound quality matches the high standards set by the display. Whether watching action-packed movies or listening to music, the Z95A delivers a rich and dynamic soundstage that complements its visual capabilities.

Running on Amazon's Fire TV OS, the Z95A offers a user-friendly interface with access to a wide array of streaming services and apps. The inclusion of Alexa voice control allows for hands-free operation, enabling users to search for content, control playback, and manage smart home devices with simple voice commands. The Fire TV platform also supports personalized recommendations and a customizable home screen, enhancing the overall user experience.

The TV includes an ATSC 3.0 tuner, providing access to NextGen TV broadcasts where available. This feature ensures that the Z95A is future-proofed for upcoming advancements in over-the-air television, offering improved picture quality and interactive features.

For gaming enthusiasts, the Z95A is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K resolution at up to 144Hz, along with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and compatibility with both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync. These features ensure smooth and responsive gameplay, reducing input lag and screen tearing. The inclusion of a dedicated Game Control Board allows for quick adjustments to gaming settings, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

While the Z95A excels in many areas, there are some considerations to keep in mind. The TV offers only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is also the eARC port. This limitation may require users to prioritize which high-bandwidth devices are connected directly to the TV. Additionally, some users have reported occasional Wi-Fi connectivity issues upon startup, which may necessitate a brief waiting period before the network stabilizes.

The remote control included with the Z95A has been described as somewhat flimsy, lacking the premium feel expected at this price point. However, the robust voice control capabilities provided by Alexa integration can mitigate this shortcoming, offering an alternative method for navigating the TV's features.

Pros

• Exceptional OLED picture quality with enhanced brightness and color accuracy
• Comprehensive HDR support, including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+
• Integrated 5.1.2-channel Technics-tuned speaker system with Dolby Atmos
• Advanced gaming features with 4K at 144Hz, VRR, and low input lag
• User-friendly Fire TV OS with Alexa voice control
• Future-ready with ATSC 3.0 tuner for NextGen TV

Cons

• Limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports, with one serving as the eARC port
• Occasional Wi-Fi connectivity issues upon startup
• Remote control lacks a premium feel