ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Panasonic W70B is obtainable for $549 (65-inch) and 6 different display screen sizes.
- It is an entry-level LED TV that will get the job executed.
- Gradual loading occasions and subpar photographs are discouraging.
It is uncommon, however for this evaluate, I examined a 50-inch model of Panasonic’s 2025 W70B Fire TV. (Often, I take a look at 65-inch fashions.) At $349 for this display screen measurement, I spent a while testing the W70B, and here is what I can inform you about it.
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As with all TV, I am grateful for a simple 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 might by no means advocate doing this, however I might actually grasp this 50-inch TV on the middle prime of the body and choose it up with one hand. If portability is a necessary think about your determination to purchase a TV, this can be a stable 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 price range 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 trustworthy, right here.
Every time I powered on the W70B, it took a number of seconds to current a workable display screen. Sadly, a number of seconds is an excessive amount of on the planet we stay in right this moment. With a robust Wi-Fi connection, there’s little excuse for a gradual load and bootup, and the seemingly endless “loading” circle.
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I simply wish 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 one of the best footing, I wished to offer the W70B a good shake. So I did, starting with first impressions and ending with colorimeter take a look at information. A fast sniff take a look at 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 an instantaneous 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 shifting photographs. Furthermore, these cell logos are sometimes offered 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 can not say it did.
Watching the film, the darkish, distant mountains suffered from what I name blotching. That is when you may see massive 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 had been clear and vibrant as you’d anticipate from a information broadcast. Sadly, the footage of the speaking heads and “stay motion” pictures remained grainy. Actually, I felt like I used to be watching a TV from 10 years in the past.
With out utilizing delicate lab gear, it is apparent that the W70B is darkish across the edges, and thereby the viewing angles should not good. That you must 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 exams confirmed a peak brightness of round 274 nits for SDR content material in Film mode.
Once more, this can be a price range TV with a full-panel LED backlight and no native dimming, so its brightness and distinction should not as excessive as extra premium fashions with applied sciences like Mini-LED or OLED. I get that.
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Additional, our Normal mode take a look at outcomes point out that the show has problem precisely reproducing colours, notably inside the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 shade 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 gradual loading occasions, the UX is simple 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
In the event 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 make the most of QLED know-how for a similar value.
Suffice it so say, in case you’re in search of a price range 4K LED TV, there are higher choices available on the market, a lot of which we have personally gone hands-on with.
How we take a look at TVs
Whereas testing and researching the TVs featured on this record, I and different ZDNET specialists stored these standards in thoughts:
- Value: Not all budgets are created equal. And in case you’re working with a restricted price range, 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 totally different wants.
- Display screen measurement: Crucial issue to think about, after value, when purchasing for a brand new TV is whether or not or not it’s 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 swimsuit totally different rooms.
- Image and audio high quality: A brand new TV does not imply a lot, even when it prices an arm and a leg, if it would not present a terrific 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, take a look at our extensive TV testing methodology.
