Panasonic has just unveiled its 2026 TV range, and it's not what we were expecting.
While there is a new OLED model, it's not a replacement for the flagship Z95B, or even the step-down Z90B. Both of those models will continue through 2026.
Instead, it's an all-new Z86C model (Z85C in mainland Europe), which Panasonic says features "a new OLED panel".
Our working theory is that this new panel is the budget-oriented OLED SE panel that LG Display introduced last month at CES.
When we put that to a Panasonic representative, they said, “LG display has launched a new panel; this is that panel”, which feels like confirmation to us.
The use of an OLED SE panel would position the Z86C as an entry-level OLED. Perhaps even at a similar level of affordability as last year's Philips OLED760 and Toshiba XF9F.
We're working on getting pricing information out of Panasonic.
The Z86C has a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support, so it could be a good option for gamers, though the number of HDMI 2.1 sockets it has is yet to be confirmed.
All flavours of HDR are supported, so that's HLG, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos is also on board.
Amazon's Fire OS provides the Z86C's smarts, whereas mainland Europe's Z85C features Google TV.
Both TVs will be available in 55- and 65-inch sizes.
QD Mini LED sets galore
While there's just one new OLED TV on the way from Panasonic this year, there is an onslaught of Mini LED models – but they're not all coming to the UK.
The Mini LED range starts with the flagship W97C and W95C, which differ only in the colour of their casework. These models are limited to mainland Europe.
They feature a 144Hz panel, "more than" 1000 dimming zones, and a claimed peak brightness of 1500 nits.
They also feature what Panasonic is calling "Glare Free Ultra", which is designed to reduce reflections and improve viewing angles.
The W97C and W95C will be available in sizes ranging from 55 to 86 inches.
Definitely destined for UK shores is the W94C, which will come in 55-, 65- and 75-inch sizes.
This looks on paper to be very similar to the W97C and W95C, thanks to its 144Hz panel and Glare Free Ultra anti-reflection tech, but it isn't clear whether it has the same number of dimming zones or brightness.
The W94C does feature the Amazon Fire OS, though, whereas the W97C and W95C are Google TVs.
The final UK-bound Mini LED model in Panasonic's 2026 range is the W91C. Interestingly, this is a Roku TV, rather than a Google or Amazon-powered one.
This model has just a 60Hz refresh rate, but it does feature the Glare Free Ultra tech, HDMI 2.1 sockets and support for VRR and ALLM.
All of Panasonic's new Mini LED sets feature Quantum Dots for added colour vibrancy, but there is also a range of QLED TVs with non-Mini LED backlights, too, as well as some entry-level LCD models.
Our man on the ground, Lewis Empson, will be getting hands-on time with some of Panasonic's new TVs later today, so stay tuned for his first impressions pieces.
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