Tag: Television

Hisense U6N The Hisense U6N mini-LED TV delivers solid picture quality, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR support and a decent list of gaming and smart features at a fraction of the price of its more premium mini-LED rivals. For Detailed, colorful pictures Full HDR support Very affordable price Against Limited sound quality No 4K 120Hz for gaming Narrow viewing angles Hisense U7N The Hisense U7N mini-LED TV outperforms its price at nearly every level, delivering contrast-rich pictures, a good stock of gaming and smart features and full HDR support including both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. For Great overall picture quality Superb gaming features Incredible value Against Picture requires adjustment Some backlight blooming Limited sound quality Mini-LED TVs have become increasingly popular and more affordable over the years. Once a premium technology, budget brands such as Hisense and TCL have started to offer them for cheaper than ever before. Hisense is at the top of the list when it comes to offering mini-LED TVs that demonstrate excellent value, and no range in Hisense’s lineup does it better than the ULED or ‘U’ series, which are some of the best TVs on the market. I’ll compare the two most entry-level U series models I tested in 2024: the Hisense U6N and the Hisense U7N. The U7N is the step-up model of the two, but what does the extra cost get you? Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 – Cell 0 Hisense U6N Hisense U7N Screen sizes 50 (UK only), 55, 65, 75 & 85 inches (US & AUS only) 55, 65, 75 & 85-inches Screen type Mini-LED with QLED Mini-LED with QLED Refresh rate 60Hz 144Hz HDR support Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Audio support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Smart TV Google TV (US/AUS) VIDAA (UK) Google TV (US/AUS) VIDAA (UK) HDMI ports 4x HDMI 2.0 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Prices & availability The Hisense U6N (Image credit: Future) The Hisense U6N is the entry-level model in Hisense’s ULED range. It comes in 50- to 85-inch screen sizes, though it’s worth noting that the 50-inch model is only available in the UK, while the 85-inch model is not available in the UK. Prices for the Hisense U6N were as follows on release: 50-inch: N/A/ £899 / N/A 55-inch: $599 / £999 / AU$995 65-inch: $799 / £1,299 / AU$1,295 75-inch: $1,199 / £1,699 / AU$1,495 85-inch: $1,799 / N/A / AU$2,995 Since its release, prices for the U6N have fallen across all sizes, with the 65-inch model I tested falling as low as $599 in the US and £799 in the UK, giving incredible value for money.The Hisense U7N is available in 55- to 85-inch screen sizes, with all sizes available in all regions. Prices for the U7N at launch were as follows: 55-inch: $799 / £1,299 / AU$1,599 65-inch: $999 / £1,599 / AU$2,299 75-inch: $1,499 / £1,899 / AU$2,999 85-inch: $2,030 / £2,799 / AU$3,999 Like the U6N, prices have fallen for the U7N, with the 65-inch model I tested falling as low as $649 / £899 / AU$1,395 in the months since its release. The U7N is arguably the better value for money as it has better local dimming performance and more gaming features. Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Features Image 1 of 2 Hisense U6N(Image credit: Future) Hisense U7N(Image credit: Future) The Hisense U6N is a well-featured TV for the money. It has a mini-LED backlight, a solid list of gaming features including VRR, Dolby Vision gaming, and ALLM, and supports both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats. It also has an effective game mode and uses Google TV as its US smart TV platform and Hisense’s VIDAA interface in the UK. So what does the extra cost of the Hisense U7N get you? For starters, more local dimming zones for better contrast (342 zones vs the U6N’s 240 in the 65-inch model I tested) and 4K 144Hz support for gaming. Both sets also support the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats, though the U7N’s 2.1-channel, 40W built-in speakers give an overall punchier sound than the U6N’s 2.0-channel, 10W speakers. The Hisense U7N wins this round not just because it has more features, but because you get those extra features for only a minimal price increase. Winner: Hisense U7N Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Picture quality Image 1 of 2 Hisense U6N(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) When I tested the Hisense U6N, I found that its colors were bright and punchy and it demonstrated decent overall contrast. Blacks did take on a grayish tone, but dimmer movies such as The Batman still looked pretty good. But, it was the U6N’s detail and textures that impressed me the most. It didn’t have the same near-3D realism as Samsung TVs such as the Samsung QN90D, but the U6N’s picture was still refined and showed good depth. So, what differences are there between the U6N and U7N? The U7N’s higher local dimming zone count improved contrast further, delivering deeper black levels and improved shadow detail, which made objects more visible in dark scenes. The U7N’s colors were also brighter and more vivid. While neither TV’s brightness is going to blow away more premium mini-LEDs such as the TCL QM851G or step-up Hisense U8N, I measured the U6N and U7N’s peak brightness as 651 nits and 1,074 nits respectively. The higher brightness on the U7N was noticeable, giving HDR highlights a more dynamic look. I also found that both the U6N and U7N struggled with motion. Neither TV is going to top the best TVs for sport, but the U7N in its Standard or Smooth motion preset did require less tweaking of settings compared to the U6N. Both of these affordable mini-LED TVs demonstrated some backlight blooming, and contrast faded when viewed off-center. But, once again, the U7N didn’t suffer as badly here as the U6N. The U7N takes the crown and shows that budget mini-LEDs can still demonstrate great picture quality. It’s easily the best affordable mini-LED TV with a picture that outperforms its price. Winner: Hisense U7N Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Sound quality Hisense U7N (Image credit: Future) Straight off the bat, I’d recommend pairing both the Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N with one of the best soundbars, as their limited speaker arrays and limited overall power aren’t going to give you the most cinematic experience. Nevertheless, if you really don’t want to use a soundbar, I found during testing that the U6N demonstrated clear enough speech, though it struggled in other areas due to its limited soundstage and average sound placement. The Hisense U7N didn’t fare much better in my tests, but its subwoofer helped make the bass sound punchier. I also found its directional sound placement to be more accurate. Again, I’d recommend using a soundbar with both of these sets, but when it comes to built-in sound, the Hisense U7N just comes out on top. Winner: Hisense U7N Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Design & smart TV Image 1 of 2 Hisense U6N with VIDDA(Image credit: Future) Hisense U7N with VIDAA(Image credit: Future) Both the Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N have a solid, but basic design. Each comes with an easy to assemble stand and has a trim enough bezel and profile, but their physical design is what you’d expect from a TV in this price range. The built-in smart TV platform will vary depending on your location. In the US and Australia, the U6N and U7N use Google TV as their smart interface, whereas in the UK, both use Hisense’s own VIDAA platform. Google TV is my preferred interface of the two as it feels more responsive and has a tidier home screen, but both offer a good number of picture and sound settings to tailor the experience to your needs. Design and smart TV: Tie Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Gaming Image 1 of 2 Hisense U6N Game dashboard (Image credit: Future) Hisense U7N Game dashboard (Image credit: Future) The Hisense U6N has a decent stock of gaming features at this budget price range, including VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium included), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, which beats the likes of the similarly priced Samsung Q60D. However, the Hisense U7N offers all of this plus 4K144Hz support – a feature we look for in the best gaming TVs that will let you get the most out of PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles, as well as PC gaming. I found during testing that performance when playing Battlefield V was good on both the U6N at 60Hz and U7N at 120Hz, and both are sure to make gamers happy., Both TVs did a great job graphically as well. The U7N’s gaming features make it more future-proof than the U6N and its picture and performance are better overall. If you’re a gamer, the U7N is the better choice. Winner: Hisense U7N Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Value The Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N are both excellent value for money. Both deliver a high-quality picture for less than you’ll find elsewhere, and they also come with a good list of gaming features. The 65-inch model of the U6N costs around $499 / £699 / AU$1,295 and prices for the 65-inch U7N are around $699 / £899 / AU$1,395 at the time of writing. To give some context, compared to the Amazon Omni QLED ($599 / £899), another budget TV, both Hisense models have similar or better features and better picture quality. Of the two, the Hisense U7N demonstrates the better value, thanks to its superior overall picture quality and features. Winner: Hisense U7N Hisense U6N vs Hisense U7N: Verdict (Image credit: Future) While both the Hisense U6N and Hisense U7N are good TVs, the U7N comes out on top in nearly every category. It has a stronger picture with better contrast, detail, and color. It also supports high frame rates for gaming and has a good range of smart features. If you can’t stretch your budget, the Hisense U6N is still very good and delivers plenty of bang for your buck, but the U7N is the better TV and the better value of the two. One thing is for sure – both will feature among Black Friday TV deals. Overall winner: Hisense U7N You might also like

Whether for streaming or watching movies on disc with one of the best 4K Blu-ray players, getting your home entertainment setup right is key, and that means having the best TV that your budget can accommodate. One of the main tech questions in TVs right now is QLED vs OLED displays, so let’s dig into the differences between the two technologies. Both offer impressive advancements in picture quality, yet they rely on very different methods to deliver that performance. In brief, QLED, which was developed by Samsung, builds on traditional LCD displays and uses quantum dots to deliver vibrant colors and high brightness, making it ideal for brighter rooms. OLED, meanwhile, is an entirely different approach that uses organic compounds to emit light directly from each pixel, allowing for unbeatable contrast and “true black” levels that are perfect for well-optimized home theater setups. Neither is completely “better” than the other, but there are pros and cons to each approach. Let’s dive in. The best TV, chosen by our reviewers for all budgets The best OLED TV: stunning sets from LG, Sony and Samsung (Image credit: TCL) QLED vs OLED: What are the key differences? We mentioned above that QLED and OLED offer competing methods on how to power a TV display. The first thing to note is that both of these technologies are a big improvement over plain old LCD TVs. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. QLED, pioneered by Samsung and adopted by other major TV brands in the past few years, builds on traditional LCD tech by adding a layer of quantum dots that enhance brightness and expand color accuracy. OLED, which stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode, takes a different approach by using organic materials to produce light at the pixel level. Due to its display technology, QLED is ideal for brightly lit spaces, such as if your living room gets a lot of sun, while OLED screens can give the viewer unrivaled contrast and deep, true blacks, which are ideal for a cinematic experience in dimly lit rooms. (Image credit: Sonos) QLED vs OLED: Key things to look for Roughly speaking, there are three key areas that separate QLED and OLED: brightness, colour accuracy, and contrast ratios. In terms of brightness, QLED displays generally outperform OLED as QLED’s reliance on LED backlighting – enhanced in some models with mini-LED technology – allows it to reach higher brightness levels. The addition of mini-LED backlighting gives certain QLED TVs a further edge by improving brightness control and reducing blooming, or a visible light halo effect, which enhances detail in bright and dark scenes. Color accuracy and contrast are also crucial to any TV viewing experience. OLED excels at producing deep blacks due to its self-emissive nature, where individual pixels can completely turn off, resulting in what is often called “infinite contrast.” QLED screens, on the other hand, leverage quantum dot technology to achieve a wider color range, making colors look vibrant even in brightly lit conditions. Viewing angles and off-axis uniformity are important factors to consider, especially if you’re watching TV from different positions around the room, and OLED has a clear advantage in this area. As each pixel emits its own light, OLED TVs maintain consistent colors and contrast even when viewed from the side. QLED can struggle with color and brightness shifts when viewed from an angle. However, advancements in panel tech and special filter layers in high-end QLED models have helped minimize this issue. Still, for the best all-around viewing experience across a range of seating positions, OLED remains the more reliable choice of the two. (Image credit: Bose) QLED: Regular LED vs. Mini-LED Traditional QLED TVs use regular LED backlighting, where LEDs illuminate the screen from behind or along the edges, which enables QLED displays to reach high brightness levels, but can also lead to “blooming”, or a halo effect where bright areas bleed into dark areas due to less precise control over individual light zones. While regular LED backlighting is good for overall brightness, this blooming effect can reduce contrast, especially in scenes with a mix of light and dark elements, and just doesn’t look good on a big TV. Mini-LED technology has brought a significant improvement to QLED’s backlighting as they are much smaller than standard LEDs, allowing for significantly more to be packed in. This increase in individual LEDs enables QLED TVs with mini-LED backlighting to have higher brightness and more dimming zones, resulting in finer control over light and dark areas on the screen. The end result is reduced blooming and improved contrast, as mini-LEDs can adjust lighting in smaller, more precise sections of a screen. While mini-LED backlighting doesn’t completely eliminate blooming like OLED with its self-emissive pixels, it narrows the performance gap, making QLED a more competitive choice for viewers who want deeper contrast in a bright room. (Image credit: TCL) QLED vs OLED: Anything else to consider? Good question. There are a few other details to consider when choosing between QLED and OLED for your next TV: response time, durability, and power consumption. OLED’s pixels respond to input almost instantaneously, giving it a fast response time that’s perfect for fast-motion content like sports and gaming, with minimal motion blur. QLED displays, although slower, have made strides in reducing motion blur, particularly in higher-end models, in recent years, and that’s been helped along by higher TV refresh rates such as 120Hz and 144Hz. When it comes to durability, QLED has the advantage since it relies on inorganic materials. QLED screens are less prone to long-term image retention or burn-in, which can affect OLED displays if static images remain on the screen for extended periods, such as when you leave a show paused. Some newer OLED models have added features to mitigate burn-in, improving their longevity. In terms of power consumption, OLED is generally more energy-efficient, especially in darker scenes where fewer pixels are active. This efficiency not only reduces energy costs but also aligns with eco-friendly practices, making OLED a solid choice for viewers conscious of environmental impact. You might also like

Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Two minute review The Panasonic Z85A OLED TV is one of the entry-level models in Panasonic’s 2024 TV lineup, sitting below the Panasonic Z95A and Z90A. Along with the flagship OLED Panasonic Z95A OLED and W95A mini-LED, it is one of the first Panasonic TVs available in the US in over a decade. The Panasonic Z85A sells for $1,599 / £1,599 and $1,799 / £1,999 for its 55 and 65-inch models, respectively, putting it in the same price range as some of the best OLED TVs such as the LG C4, Sony Bravia 8 and Philips OLED809. Panasonic uses a standard W-OLED panel in the Z85A, which features the same HCX AI Pro II Processor found in step-up Panasonic models including the Panasonic Z95A. While its brightness levels are only average and there is some black crush in darker scenes, the picture quality on the Z85A is up there with the best TVs, with rich contrast, vibrant yet natural colors, deep blacks and realistic textures and details. Sound quality on the Z85A is good overall. It won’t beat the best TVs for sound, but it does deliver punchy bass, clear dialogue and accurate placement of effects. Those looking for a cinematic experience may want to add one of the best soundbars, but for day to day viewing, the Z85A’s built-in sound is perfectly fine. The Panasonic Z85A uses Fire TV as its built-in smart TV platform, and it’s a welcome change from Panasonic’s own my Home Screen interface used on previous TVs. There are fewer picture settings, but menus are more user-friendly, navigation is smoother and Amazon features such as Ambient Experience help make the Z85A feel like the complete package. The Z85A carries many of the features we look for in the best gaming TVs. There are only two HDMI 2.1 ports, but 4K 120Hz, VRR (including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia Gsync) ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming are all supported. Smooth performance and stunning graphics make the Z85A a fantastic OLED gaming TV. The Panasonic Z85A is marginally pricier than rival mid-range OLEDs but mostly justifies its price thanks to its fantastic features and the sheer brilliance of its picture. Textures and details on the Panasonic Z85A are very realistic. (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Prices & release date Release date: October 2024 55-inch Z85A: $1,599 / £1,599 65-inch: Z85A: $1,799 / £1,999 The Panasonic Z85A is one of the entry-level models in Panasonic’s 2024 OLED TV lineup. It is available in 55- and 65-inch sizes in both the US and UK. Panasonic TVs are not sold in Australia. The Panasonic Z85A has similar specs and tech as the LG C4, Sony Bravia 8 and Philips OLED809, but is priced slightly higher than those models. Prices have since dropped, however, with the 55-inch model now available for $1,499 / £1,299 and the 65-inch model available for $1,699 / £1,699, making it more competitive with its rivals. Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Screen type: OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Audio support: Dolby Atmos Smart TV: Fire TV HDMI ports: 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) Built-in tuner: ATSC 3.0 (US) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Benchmark results The Panasonic Z85A comes with a good number of connections, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Features W-OLED panel Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive support Fire TV smart TV platform The Panasonic Z85A features a W-OLED panel similar to that found in TVs such as the LG C4 and Sony Bravia 8 as opposed to the micro lens array (MLA) panel – a type that yields higher brightness – found in the step-up Panasonic Z95A. Unlike other OLED TVs in the US, it supports both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats. The new Panasonic HCX Pro AI MKII processor, which analyzes the picture on screen to adjust color, contrast and clarity on the fly, is used by the Panasonic Z85A, and It also has AI features that can be activated to monitor picture and sound quality and adjust based on the content being shown onscreen and the viewing environment. For sound, the Panasonic Z85A has a 2.1-channel speaker array totaling 50W of power. It supports Dolby Atmos but not DTS. There also aren’t as many sound features or presets as you’ll find on the flagship Panasonic Z95A, though the Z85A does support Theater Surround Pro and has a port for connection to an external subwoofer for those wanting more bass. The Panasonic Z85A features only two HDMI 2.1 ports but otherwise has an extensive list of gaming features. It supports 4K 120Hz, VRR (both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia GSync), ALLM, and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming and also has a True Game Mode to optimize picture settings and a Game Control Board where those settings can be customized. The Z85A’s Fire TV smart TV platform replaces the my Home Screen interface – the company’s own smart TV platform – found on previous Panasonic TVs. It supports major streaming apps including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, along with Max in the US. In the UK, you get Freely, the free TV service that allows you to stream broadcast TV live over Wi-Fi rather than relying on an aerial, and it supports UK-based streaming apps including BBC iPlayer and ITVX. In the US, it additionally comes with an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Features score: 4/5 The Panasonic Z85A has incredible contrast and very good shadow detail when viewed in dimmed conditions (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Picture quality Realistic textures and details Outstanding contrast and shadow detail Dynamic, vibrant colors Since the Panasonic Z85A uses a standard W-OLED panel rather than the MLA OLED panel found in the Panasonic Z95A (and LG G4) or the Samsung S95D’s QD-OLED panel, I expected it to have peak brightness levels more in line with the LG C4, B4, Sony Bravia 8 and Philips OLED809. The Z85A’s results were roughly what I anticipated if not a little low. Measuring brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern, the Panasonic Z85A produced 697 nits in Standard mode and 778 nits in Filmmaker Mode. Those results put it above the LG B4’s 656 nits on the same test but below the likes of the Philips OLED809’s 927 nits and the Sony Bravia 8’s 817 nits. When measuring the Z85A’s grayscale and color accuracy by taking an average of its Delta-E values (the margin for error between the test pattern and what’s shown on screen), it achieved phenomenal results of 1.1 and 1.2, respectively (we typically look for below 3). After cycling through the Z85A’s picture presets, I landed on Filmmaker as its most accurate mode, though True Cinema mode was an excellent picture preset as well. Both provided incredible detail and contrast, but I opted for Filmmaker due to its higher brightness. When watching both lower-resolution and high-definition (HD) TV shows, the Z85A did a solid job of upscaling them to 4K. Moving onto 4K movies and TV shows, the Panasonic Z85A demonstrated spectacular color reproduction. Watching a scene where the ship arrived in Numenor in season 1 of Rings of Power on Prime Video (watched in Filmmaker Mode HDR), the blues and whites of the sea and rocky landscapes dazzled while maintaining a natural look, and the gold of armor and buildings glistened in the bright sunlight. A Dolby Vision stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi via Disney Plus also demonstrated the Z85A’s excellent color reproduction. The reds of the throne room fight scene looked bold and vibrant, but accurate, and lightsabers had a dynamic punch. They didn’t quite have the same glossy HDR sheen as on brighter OLEDs such as the Samsung S95D, but the Z85A’s colors were nonetheless glorious. I opted for the Dolby Vision Dark picture mode here as I felt it was more accurate, but those looking for more brightness can switch to Dolby Vision IQ mode. When measuring the Panasonic Z85A’s HDR color gamut coverage in Filmmaker Mode, it yielded results of 98.2% for UHDA-P3 and 73.6% for BT.2020. Both of these are excellent results, and they slightly top the 97% and 72.5% achieved by the flagship Panasonic Z95A. The Panasonic Z85A’s color and detail are stunning (Image credit: Future) Black levels, shadow detail and contrast were also superb. Watching a 4K Blu-ray of The Batman in Dolby Vision Dark picture mode, light sources and lamps looked perfectly balanced with the gloomy surroundings in the opening crime scene. I did note occasional black crush in some scenes, with objects losing the odd detail, but overall The Batman looked incredibly accurate on the Z85A. The Z85A had superb contrast in the black-and-white scenes in Oppenheimer, with an excellent balance between dark and light tones with a perfect range of grays in between. One thing worth noting is that the Z85A fared better in dimmed or dark viewing conditions when watching darker movies since reflections could be seen on its screen in a bright room. Panasonic’s OLEDs typically excel in showing details and textures, and the Z85A is no different. Whatever was on screen, the Z85A displayed it in a realistic manner that gave an incredible sense of depth to the image. Watching Top Gun: Maverick, close-ups of pilots revealed every facial feature – sweat, hair, pores. The natural landscapes in Rings of Power also had a 3D-like quality thanks to the intricate, fine details in the waves and mountains. As you’d expect from OLED, the Z85A’s motion handling is very good overall. When watching a stream of a soccer game, I found that most picture modes worked well, though I stayed away from the Sports mode due to its oversaturated colors. The most effective was Normal mode with the IFC (Intelligent Frame Creation) in picture settings set to Min (with Mid, Max and Off being the other levels). With these active, long, panning shots up and down the pitch were generally handled very well with only incredibly minor stutter from time to time. Motion handling with movies was excellent throughout, even with motion settings turned off. WatchingTop Gun: Maverick, swooping camera shots during training missions and Maverick’s bike rides through the desert were displayed with no visible judder. Picture quality score: 4.5/5 The Panasonic Z85A has decent sound quality and does well with movies like La La Land, but it struggles with Dolby Atmos reproduction (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Sound quality Punchy bass Accurate sound placement Sound confined to screen The Panasonic Z85A’s 2.1-channel, 50W speaker array is a significantly smaller system than the one found in the flagship Panasonic Z95A, which boasts a 5.1.2-channel speaker system totaling 160W. There is still support for Dolby Atmos and something that Panasonic calls Theater Surround Pro, but more advanced sound features such as the Z95A’s Space Tune are not featured in the Z85A. One thing I found interesting is that there is no preset intended for movies among the Z85A’s sound modes. Instead, I opted for the Stadium preset which promised the biggest sound. The Z85A’s dynamic bass made the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine in the car chase scene in The Batman come through with plenty of power and punch, and plenty of control as well. Dialogue was consistently clear and well-presented and sound placement was accurate, with the sounds of swerving cars and tire screeches in The Batman and soaring jets in Top Gun: Maverick directly connected to the action on screen. I did find the Samsung QN90D and Samsung S95D’s sound presentation to be more accurate when I tested those TVs, however The Z85A’s sound demonstrated a good balance when watching La La Land, reproducing the bright, jazzy score and the more delicate piano-led moments with the same level of detail. Due to its more limited speaker array, Dolby Atmos soundtracks weren’t given the same level of accuracy or space as on the step-up Panasonic Z95A. Pounding rain in The Batman was rarely audible throughout my viewing, and while the sound did extend beyond the screen on occasion, it still seemed somewhat contained. Sound quality score: 4/5 The Panasonic Z85A has a light, sleek design but its stand feels a little cheap. (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Design Solid, yet lightweight build Stand feels a little cheap Dated remote The Panasonic Z85A’s design is solid and dependable, if not a little safe in places. While the top of its frame is trim enough, the bottom part is on the bulkier side to accommodate the larger built-in subwoofer. Its screen lacks the bezel-less design of other premium OLEDs but is still suitably trim. It feels sturdy when installed with its stand but is also very light for easy movement. Speaking of the stand, the Z85A’s is a mixed bag. While it has a sleek look that blends well with dark furniture and is well-made, the plastic and metal materials don’t feel as premium as on rival OLEDs, its predecessor the Panasonic MZ1500, which comes with a weighty, swiveling, all-metal stand, included. The Z85A’s supplied remote continues what has become a somewhat sore subject for me with Panasonic TVs. It is long, bulky, covered in a load of buttons, and feels outdated. While better than the standard Fire TV remote provided with the flagship Panasonic Z95A, it still doesn’t look or feel like the premium remote you expect for an OLED TV like this – especially when compared to the USB-C rechargeable, light-up, metal remote that Philips stocks with its TVs like the Philips OLED809. Design score: 4/5 Panasonic Z85A uses Fire TV as its smart TV platform, replacing my Home Screen 8.0 (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Smart TV & menus Fire TV smart TV platform Intuitive and responsive navigation A good number of picture settings for calibration Panasonic has opted to switch from its own my Home Screen smart TV platform in favor of Amazon’s Fire TV in the majority of its TVs this year and while the number of settings for picture and sound have taken a hit, the experience overall is an improvement. Signing in with an Amazon account means the home page provides not only recommendations for movies and TV shows but an easy way to jump back into viewing, with the ability to sign in with and switch between multiple profiles for a more customized home screen. Unsurprisingly, these recommendations are almost entirely centered on Amazon’s Prime Video platform. Thanks to the Z85A’s faster processor, navigation of different menus and apps is smoother than my experience with the Amazon Omni QLED TV and also easy and intuitive. The Panasonic Z85A comes with other Amazon features such as Alexa voice control and the Ambient Experience (a similar concept to Samsung’s Ambient mode on its TVs) which lets you display static and dynamic images and videos on the screen when the TV enters idle mode, rather than turning off. You can add your personal photos after uploading them via the Amazon Photos app on your phone, and widgets for weather, news, sports and more can be added to the Ambient screen as well. Despite not having as many picture or sound settings as the previous my Home Screen interface, there are still a good number of settings for those looking to tweak their TV’s picture. Smart TV & menus score: 4/5 The Panasonic Z85A has a good number of gaming features and great performance. (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Gaming 12.7ms input lag time Extreme Game Mode featuring Game Control Board Only two HDMI 2.1 ports The Panasonic Z85A has only two HDMI 2.1 ports but is otherwise a well-equipped TV for gaming, supporting 4K 120Hz, Dolby Vision gaming, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia GSync) and ALLM. Similar to other Panasonic TVs, the Z85A has the Game Control Board, where settings such as Shadow Enhancer allow for easy customization while playing. For non-Dolby Vision games, there are also two game picture modes, Game and True Game, with True Game serving as the Filmmaker or Movie picture mode equivalent by opting for a warmer color palette and more accurate textures that will better suit certain games. Gaming on the Z85A is responsive and smooth, with fast-paced gameplay well handled. When playing Battlefield V at 4K 120Hz, targeting, movement and animations were all fluid and seamless. It doesn’t beat the best 120Hz TVs such as the LG C4, but the Z85A’s 12.7ms input lag time is still very good and below the 15ms threshold most gamers look for. Graphically, the Z85A carries across the same picture quality it brings to movies, with plenty of vibrant color, rich contrast, realistic textures and fine details that give games an extra sense of realism. Gaming score: 4.5/5 Panasonic’s remote, shown here, feels outdated compared to other remotes supplied with OLED TVs (Image credit: Future) Panasonic Z85A OLED TV review: Value Prices have dropped since launch Still slightly pricier than rival mid-range OLEDs Very good picture for price range Since launching at $1,599 / £1,599 for the 55-inch model and $1,799 / £1,999 for the 65-inch model, the Panasonic Z85A’s prices have dropped to $1,499 / £1,299 for the 55-inch model and $1,699 / £1,699 for the 65-inch model. That’s still pricier than other mid-range OLEDs such as the LG C4 ($1,199 / £1,199 for 55-inch and $1,499 / £1,599 for 65-inch) but generally fair value for the picture quality and performance you’re getting. Although a brightness boost similar to the mid-range LG C4 would have been nice, the Panasonic Z85A is still an excellent OLED that delivers in key areas. It still may exceed some budgets, but its picture quality and gaming features alone make it a worthy mid-range OLED contender. Value score: 4/5 (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Panasonic Z85A OLED TV? Swipe to scroll horizontally Panasonic Z85A Attributes Notes Rating Features Full HDR support along with a stacked list of gaming and smart features 4/5 Picture quality Excellent detail, color and contrast with some minor black crush in dark scenes 4.5/5 Sound quality Punchy, clear and accurate sound but Dolby Atmos soundtracks feel contained 4/5 Design Light and sleek design with trim bezel and profile. Stand feels a little cheap and remote is outdated 4/5 Smart TV and menus Fire TV is intuitive enough and offers Ambient Experience. Picture and sound settings have taken a hit but there’s still a good number 4/5 Gaming Excellent gaming features and good performance, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports 4.5/5 Value Slightly pricier than rivals but fairly priced for performance and features. 4/5 Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Header Cell – Column 0 Panasonic Z85A LG C4 Sony Bravia 8 Philips OLED809 Price (55-inch) $1,599 / £1,599 $1,299 / £1,299 $1,399 / £1,499 £1,299 Screen type OLED OLED OLED OLED Refresh rate 120Hz 144Hz 144Hz 120Hz HDR support Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG Dolby Vision//HDR10/HLG HDR10+/HDR10/HLG Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG Smart TV Fire TV webOS 24 Google TV Google TV HDMI ports 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) 4 x HDMI 2.1 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Panasonic Z85A OLED TV Tested in varying lighting conditions Tested using both SDR and HDR sources Measurements were taken using Portrait Displays’ Calman calibration software Before testing, I did some casual viewing with the Panasonic Z85A to establish the most accurate picture mode and after scrolling through presets, I decided on Filmmaker Mode as the most accurate, with True Cinema mode a close second. After this, I began my critical testing using SDR sources, such as broadcast TV and standard Blu-ray and HD movies, and HDR sources, such as 4K streaming and 4K Blu-rays. 4K Blu-rays were played using the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player. For critical testing, I used reference scenes from movies and TV shows. I tested picture quality, focusing on color, contrast, black levels, motion, detail, and upscaling, as well as the audio quality of the built-in speakers. I also tested the Panasonic Z85A’s gaming features and performance using an Xbox Series X. After subjective testing, I moved onto objective testing, taking measurements using specialized equipment. This consisted of a test pattern generator, a colorimeter and Portrait Display’s Calman calibration software to record the measurements. The measurements taken included HDR and SDR brightness, measured on white window patterns ranging from 1-100% in size, with a focus on 10% for peak brightness and 100% for full-screen brightness. I took measurements for HDR color gamut, analyzing the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color spaces. I also took measurements for color accuracy and grayscale in HDR, taking an average of each’s Delta-E values (the margin for error between the test pattern and what’s shown on screen). Finally, I measured the Z85A’s input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester.