At CES 2024, Panasonic has announced its 2024 flagship TVs, switching to Amazon's Fire TV and incorporating Apple's AirPlay. 55-65" Z95A features MLA OLED while the 77" Z93A is without MLA.

First introduced in 2023 with MZ2000, MLA OLED technology (Micro Lens Array) is once again powering Panasonic Z95A. Panasonic's implementation of LG Display's panel includes a multi-layer heatsink developed in-house, which is why the company refers to it as the 'Master OLED Ultimate module'.

Z95A, which represents the start of a new model nomenclature for Panasonic, will compete head-to-head with other 2024 MLA-powered OLED TVs such as LG's G4 as well as QD-OLED TVs. Z93A on the other hand will compete with non-MLA OLED models such as LG C4 and Sony's 80-series,


 Z95A and Z93A. Photo: Panasonic

The small micro lenses (MLA) helps significantly boost brightness on OLED, benefitting especially HDR viewing, although the company has not yet provided any brightness figures for Z95A other than saying that "the panel delivers unprecedented brightness thanks to improvements in the driving technology and this heat management" – FlatpanelsHD is chasing details.

- "At Panasonic, our commitment has always been to produce the most accurate picture quality. This doesn't only come from technical precision but also through collaborations with Hollywood's best colorists. And for the most tailored viewing experience, we've incorporated AI to recognize the type of content you're viewing and adjust both picture and sound settings to perfection," said Akira Toyoshima, President, CEO of Panasonic Entertainment & Communication.


Switching to Fire TV
The biggest change in 2024, however, is that Panasonic is switching away from its own My Home Screen TV operating system used in most previous TV models to Amazon's Fire TV operating system.

You can learn more about what's new with Fire TV in Panasonic Z95A and Z93A in this separate article.

Another significant step for Panasonic this year is that it has partnered with Apple to integrate Apple Home (HomeKit) and AirPlay 2 for the first time, meaning that users can control their 2024 Panasonic TV using Siri voice commands (via an Apple device) and share video, music and photos wirelessly from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.


 Fire TV in Z95A and Z93A. Photo: Panasonic

Panasonic is bringing some of the features from its old proprietary My Home Screen OS over to the 2024 models including the Penta Tuner that supports reception via the Internet (IPTV) and home network (TV>IP) in addition to DVB-C, S2 and T2.

One of the best features from Panasonic's remote control is also available in the form of the user-customizable 'MyApp' button that can be programmed to open an app, channel or a specific voice control command. We have yet to see the new remote control so it remains to be seen if, or how many, sponsored streaming buttons there are.


New chipset, Dolby Vision up to 144Hz
Z95A and Z93A are built on a new chipset (possibly the MediaTek Pentonic but this is not confirmed) that delivers more power. This new chipset enables Dolby Vision beyond 60Hz, which was the limitation in last year's Panasonic OLED TVs, specifically Dolby Vision up to 144Hz.

144Hz support – seen in some competing 2024 OLED TVs, too – will also work with SDR and HDR10 content, but is so far confined to use with PCs as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are limited to maximum 4K 120Hz. For gamers there is still last year's 'True Game Mode' with accurately tuned color and "ultra-low input lag", according to Panasonic. From the 'Game Control Board', a range of game settings can be accessed. You can by the way also program the MyApp button on the remote to open this menu.

There are still only two HDMI 2.1 ports. The other two are limited to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth (maximum 4K 60Hz).


 Z95A and Z93A. Photo: Panasonic

Panasonic's video processor, HCX Pro AI, has been slightly upgraded to a MK II in both Z95A and Z93A, with a new 4K Remaster Engine for upscaling and an improved gradation function to reduce banding in compressed video content. Color is still tuned by Stefan Sonnenfeld, founder of Hollywood color grading studio Company 3, which uses Panasonic OLED TVs as client reference monitors.

The TVs still support Dolby audio up to Atmos but there is no mention of DTS audio support. The integrated '360 Soundscape Pro' speaker system features both up-firing and side-firing speakers for Atmos.


Coming this summer
Panasonic's flagship TVs usually appear quite late in the year towards Q3 or even Q4 in some European markets, but the company tells FlatpanelsHD to expect Z95A a little earlier this year around "summer 2024".

By that time, we will have full details on Panasonic's 2024 TV line-up as more models will be announced later.

For more information and full specifications on Z95A and Z93A, check the TV Database where you can also compare models side-by-side with the orange icon, or click the model names below.

Panasonic Z95A & Z93A – specifications
 FlatpanelsHD