Technology

Panasonic Z95A 55-inch OLED TV review: Scorching premium screen a hot choice for movies and gaming

Panasonic Z95A OLED TV in living room

Panasonic has gone all out to impress with its new luxury OLED 4k TV, the Z95A. This ambitiously specified model, also known as the TV-55Z95AEB, is available in 55- and 65-inch screen sizes and unites Panasonic’s cutting-edge display technologies with Amazon’s Fire TV smart platform, an Internet TV tuner, and integrated Dolby Atmos cinema sound system. 

Our review focuses on the 55-incher. Priced at £2,999, this high brightness, OLED powerhouse promises to impress cinephiles, gamers, and casual viewers alike. 

Panasonic Z95A design and features: Freely and Fire TV go upmarket

The Z95A is the first high-end Panasonic flatscreen we’ve seen to incorporate Amazon’s Fire TV smart platform, marking a significant departure from its previous in-house designed interface. Fire TV will be familiar to many, and gives users access to major streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and YouTube, as well as Amazon Alexa voice control.

But perhaps the most groundbreaking addition to Panasonic’s feature roster, for UK buyers at least, is the integration of Freely, the nation’s first IP-delivered TV service that provides public broadcast channels without the need for a traditional TV aerial. 

Freely has previously appeared on budget models from the likes of Bush and Toshiba, but with its introduction on this premium set, Panasonic opens up new installation possibilities. If you want to put a high-end TV into a room with no aerial or satellite dish connectivity, Freely solves the problem.

Visually, the Z95A embodies modern, minimalist aesthetics, with an ultra-thin bezel and a sleek circular swivel stand that allows for easy adjustment. Its design is simple yet striking, making it a perfect choice to match any home décor.  

The Z95A offers a solid selection of connectivity options, with four HDMI inputs (two of which support High Frame Rate gaming), an optical digital audio output, Ethernet, three USB ports, and a CI card slot. There are also two satellite inputs and a traditional TV aerial jack for users who still prefer to use them for terrestrial channels.

Incidentally, you can tune in and mix both Freely and Freeview aerial signals – this option will give you the most free to air channels.

The substantial remote control,  includes dedicated buttons for key streaming services and a customisable apps button, making navigation easy. Alexa voice control is built in, and the TV also works seamlessly with Apple Home and AirPlay, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of smart home devices.

Panasonic Z95A performance: Ideal for movies, built for gaming

The Z95A employs Panasonic’s latest Master OLED Ultimate panel, which uses Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology for improved brightness and light control. Paired with the brand’s HCX Pro AI Processor MK II processor, this TV offers a sublime cinematic experience.

I was impressed with its picture nuance, colour fidelity and HDR performance.

When it comes to HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, the Z95A supports Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG; an ambient light sensor adjusts picture settings based on room lighting conditions. 

During testing, peak HDR brightness measured over 1800 nits in Dynamic mode, a performance which ensures the specular highlights in HDR streaming TV shows are all faithfully displayed. Even using the Normal image preset, the Z95A clocked in at around 1600 nits, proving its ability to handle real-world HDR material effortlessly.

There are other high end TVs out there capable of brighter HDR peak brightness, and colour luminosity, but none offer quite the same breath-taking balance.

The set shines when it comes to colour fidelity and texture handling. Complex backgrounds, rich hues and skin tones, are all rendered with eye-catching accuracy, making this TV an ideal choice for watching everything from nature documentaries to the latest 4k UHD streaming shows.

Whether you’re using the Normal or True Cinema image presets, this OLED screen shows off its best qualities with minimal calibration required.

Panasonic has matched the Z95A’s visual prowess with an equally impressive audio system. The 360 Soundscape Pro setup combines forward-facing speakers, side-firing drivers, and an upward-firing array for height effects, all powered by 150W of amplification.

Tuned by Technics, the sound system offers deep, immersive sound without the need for a separate soundbar or home cinema amplifier. The  delivers Dolby Atmos multichannel audio that pulls you right into the heart of the action.

Whether you’re watching a movie, gaming, or streaming a TV show, the Z95A’s soundstage is spacious, dynamic and well-balanced, offering an immersive cinema experience without the need to deliver any other loudspeakers in your room.

Ironically, the sound system is also one of the best reasons not to shortlist the Z95A. If you already have a Dolby Atmos sound system, be it an AV receiver and loudspeaker package, or a high-end soundbar, you really don’t need the 360 Soundscape Pro system, which is contributing a fair amount to the overall cost of the TV.

Panasonic hasn’t forgotten about gamers. The Game Mode Extreme supports 4k gameplay at 120Hz, while also offering Dolby Vision at 144Hz for PC gamers, making it one of the most advanced gaming TVs available. 

Input lag is low, measured at 12.08ms in Game mode (1080/60), ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. Additionally, the Z95A is NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium certified. Whether you’re a console gamer or PC fan, you’re covered.  

Console-friendly refinements include the ability to tweak HDR tone mapping at the source, along with a new game mode that allows users to optimise settings for different game genres, whether it’s enhancing dialogue in RPGs or emphasising sound cues in first-person shooters.

On the downside, only two of the set’s HDMI inputs support 4k @ 120Hz. If you’re an avid gamer, you might be better served by a rival OLED brand that offers four inputs equipped for High Frame Rate sources.

Panasonic Z95A verdict: an exceptional viewing experience

With the Z95A, Panasonic has thrown down the gauntlet to rival flagship TVs. The combination of its Master OLED Ultimate panel, enhanced HCX Pro AI Processor, and impressive 360 Soundscape Pro audio system makes this TV a formidable contender for the best in class. 

Its adoption of Fire TV and the inclusion of Freely for IP-delivered broadcast TV ensure it also has the smarts to match its brawn. This is a very easy set to live with.

For cinephiles, gamers, and anyone who appreciates top-tier picture and sound quality, the Panasonic Z95A justifies its £2,999 price tag. Whether you’re watching the latest movie blockbuster, or diving into an immersive gaming session, this set delivers an experience that’s hard to beat.

The Panasonic TV-55Z95AEB sells for £2,999; the 65-inch model is priced at £3,899.

Amazon enters gallery TV arena with design-led Ember Artline Fire TV range

Amazon is looking to carve itself a lucrative slice of the booming lifestyle TV market, with the announcement of the Amazon Ember Artline Fire TV series. The Ember Artline marks Amazon’s debut in the fast-growing gallery TV sector. The category is currently led by Samsung’s long-running The Frame series. Like its inspiration, the new model…

From Snow White to Moana 2: Disney unveils epic 62 movie animated classics Blu-ray box set

Disney is releasing the Disney Classics Complete 62 Movie Collection Box Set, a sweeping archive of every feature from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Moana 2. For animation fans, collectors, and Disney obsessives, it’s an irresistible proposition: 87 years of cinematic history distilled into one hefty, deluxe Blu-ray package.  The collection arrives at…

Unknown's avatar

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK