It is uncommon, however for this evaluate, I examined a 50-inch model of Panasonic’s 2025 W70B Hearth TV. (Often, I check 65-inch fashions.) At $349 for this display dimension, I spent a while testing the W70B, and here is what I can let you know about it.
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As with all TV, I am grateful for a straightforward setup — unboxing the W70B took lower than quarter-hour. I used to be astonished by the tremendous light-weight really feel of this TV. I’d by no means suggest doing this, however I may actually grasp this 50-inch TV on the heart prime of the body and choose it up with one hand. If portability is a necessary think about your determination to purchase a TV, it is a strong possibility.
I’ve examined numerous TVs at ZDNET. To stay goal, I have to mood my expectations after reviewing high-end fashions. I acknowledge that the W70B is taken into account a funds TV, however sadly, I discovered that the W70B’s waiflike weight and lack of density portended a few of its shortcomings.
By its feathery heft alone, the TV feels a bit like a toy, or a purposeful prop on a film set. That sounds sort of brutal, however I am simply being sincere, right here.
Every time I powered on the W70B, it took a number of seconds to current a workable display. Sadly, a number of seconds is an excessive amount of on this planet we dwell in at the moment. With a powerful Wi-Fi connection, there’s little excuse for a sluggish load and bootup, and the seemingly unending “loading” circle.
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I simply need to activate my TV and watch stuff. As well as, the TV wanted to obtain updates, which I used to be notified “can take 1-2 minutes.” After 5 minutes of no response, it was evident that the W70B had frozen. No method of pushing distant buttons made a distinction, so I needed to unplug the unit to revive it to consciousness.
Regardless of not beginning off on the most effective footing, I needed to offer the W70B a good shake. So I did, starting with first impressions and ending with colorimeter check information. A fast sniff check for any TV’s optics includes carefully watching the opening credit for a recent movie as a result of they’re composed of movement graphics.
I opened the free Tubi app and turned on “Jurassic World” for a direct evaluation. The intro graphics regarded OK, however you possibly can simply spot the TV’s low (60Hz) refresh price due to the slight judder trailing alongside transferring pictures. Furthermore, these cell logos are sometimes introduced in entrance of both a black background or the starlit vacuum of area. Instantly, it was evident that deep blacks aren’t taking place on the W70B.
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As a reminder, this isn’t Panasonic’s top-tier mannequin. It lacks the HCX Professional AI Processor MK II discovered of their flagship OLED merchandise. Whereas “Jurassic World” was mastered in 2K, I hoped the W70B would upscale the film to 4K as marketed. I am unable to say it did.
Watching the film, the darkish, distant mountains suffered from what I name blotching. That is when you may see giant clusters of pixilation scattering and shifting because the digicam pans. Most individuals aren’t involved with what’s taking place within the background of a film, but when we’re scrutinizing efficiency, then I have to level this out.
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Switching to ABC Information, the graphics have been clear and vibrant as you’d anticipate from a information broadcast. Sadly, the footage of the speaking heads and “dwell motion” photographs remained grainy. Truthfully, I felt like I used to be watching a TV from 10 years in the past.
With out utilizing delicate lab tools, it is apparent that the W70B is darkish across the edges, and thereby the viewing angles usually are not good. It’s worthwhile to be just about immediately in entrance of the tube for optimum brightness as a result of brightness is one other space the place the W70B struggles. Panasonic claims a peak brightness of 333 nits when displaying an HDR sign. Our assessments confirmed a peak brightness of round 274 nits for SDR content material in Film mode.
Once more, it is a funds TV with a full-panel LED backlight and no native dimming, so its brightness and distinction usually are not as excessive as extra premium fashions with applied sciences like Mini-LED or OLED. I get that.
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Additional, our Customary mode check outcomes point out that the show has problem precisely reproducing colours, notably inside the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 colour areas. Briefly, you get what you pay for.
The excellent news is that the W70B distant comes with batteries. It isn’t backlit, which is one other signal of its low-end high quality. Now, regardless of sluggish loading occasions, the UX is straightforward to navigate and behaves because it ought to. For instance, leaping from one app to a different and shortly resuming your present whenever you bounce again over.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
When you’ve learn this far, you absolutely gathered from my observations that I wasn’t impressed with the W70B. Panasonic makes some nice high-end TVs, however there are different choices in the identical value vary, just like the TCL QM6K, which is cheaper however a greater TV. And even the Vizio Quantum 4K QLED, the place you may reap the benefits of QLED know-how for a similar value.
Suffice it so say, for those who’re searching for a funds 4K LED TV, there are higher choices available on the market, a lot of which we have personally gone hands-on with.
How we check TVs
Whereas testing and researching the TVs featured on this record, I and different ZDNET consultants saved these standards in thoughts:
- Value: Not all budgets are created equal. And for those who’re working with a restricted funds, that should not imply it’s a must to accept a sub-par TV. Every TV mannequin on this record has been chosen throughout a wide range of value factors to assist accommodate completely different wants.
- Display dimension: Crucial issue to think about, after value, when looking for a brand new TV is whether or not or not it is going to match into your area. Every greatest TV on this record was chosen as a result of they’re accessible in all kinds of sizes to go well with completely different rooms.
- Image and audio high quality: A brand new TV doesn’t suggest a lot, even when it prices an arm and a leg, if it would not present an awesome image and clear audio. Every TV on this record has been ensured to help varied HDR codecs, together with HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, in addition to enhanced audio software program like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound.
For a extra detailed look, try our in depth TV testing methodology.
