Panasonic TV 2021: Every 4K OLED and LCD TV announced

This guide breaks down Panasonic’s 2021 TV range from its top of the line OLEDs to its more affordable LCD LEDs.

Panasonic scored our Best TV award in 2020, and we’re hoping they can emulate that level of performance again with their latest TVs. We’ll update this page as we get more information and prices for every model that is announced. At the bottom of the page you can read information about the 2020 range, which is still available at reduced prices.

What to expect from Panasonic TV in 2021

At the start of the year Panasonic introduced its JZ2000 flagship OLED and followed that up with announcements about its four-strong OLED line-up, and LCD JX940, JX850 and JX800 4K TVs. For 2021 it’s also bringing three new 48-inch OLEDs to the market.

Expect a focus on gaming as Panasonic has set its sights on matching the likes of LG and Samsung. There’s support for new HDR10+ Adaptive format, and the new AI processor found in the premium sets can enhance picture and sound automatically so viewers won’t need to calibrate the TV themselves.

Smart features have been refreshed, while Panasonic has recognised the current ‘mood’ of the world with its focus on work from home and lifestyle features.

When pressed for details about TVs below the JX800, Panasonic said to Trusted Reviews that it will release more information “in due course”.

HCX Pro AI processor tunes images with Auto AI

The new HCX Pro AI processor is supported all the way down to the JX940. It identifies the type of content displayed – movies, sports, music, news etc – and automatically optimises the picture and sound for the best performance without viewer input.

Auto AI is a separate mode from the other settings, so those who want to calibrate the picture on their own terms can still do so.

Not one, not two, but three 48-inch OLEDs

The JZ1500, JZ1000 and JZ980 OLEDs each gets their own 48-inch model. They all appear to have the same standard OLED panel and are aimed at the gaming audience. Neither the JZ1500 or JZ1000 receive the respective Professional Edition or Master HDR panels seen in the bigger sizes, and there are no 77- or 83-inch OLED displays for 2021.

Other than the 48-inch JZ1000 and JZ980 models getting adjustable stands, there’s little difference between the models. All the OLEDs have been colour tuned by Hollywood colourist Stefan Sonnenfeld, continuing his collaboration with Panasonic for another year.

Adaptive HDR tailors images to your room, whatever the conditions

HDR support extends to Dolby Vision (IQ), HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo and HDR10+, as well as the new HDR10+ Adaptive format.

HDR10+ Adaptive performs the same role as Dolby Vision IQ, optimising the TV’s display so detail and contrast are retained in the image regardless of how bright or dark a room is. IQ will be supported on sets down to the JX940, with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ Adaptive supported down to the JX800.

Filmmaker Mode returns to once again team up with Panasonic’s Intelligent Sensing feature to adjust the brightness of the display in reaction to ambient light levels. Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing is available down to the JX800 model.

Game Mode Extreme takes PC/consoles to the next level

Gaming has been an area where Panasonic has lagged behind their counterparts. The JZ2000 rectifies this with its Game Mode Extreme. The OLEDs incorporate HDMI 2.1 features such as VRR and HFR for a lower latency performance.

Also onboard is AMD’s FreeSync Premium VRR technology. It reduces screen tear and artifacts by synchronising the frame rate of a game with the refresh rate of the TV. Panasonic demonstrated that with its gaming features engaged, latency could be as low as 2.5ms – which sounds insane.

Panasonic also said that its AMD-toting TVs would benefit from improved HDR. We’re trying to get clarity on those details, as our understanding is HDR support is only with the Pro version of FreeSync.

Panasonic has said their TVs will not support the HGiG HDR gaming format, but they do have a feature called HDR Tone Map Clipping Threshold. It can disable the TV tone mapping and allow a manual clipping threshold to be set. This is available on 2020 and 2021 OLEDs.

Panasonic did say that for 4K HFR and 4K@120Hz VRR, their TVs will only display half the vertical resolution at launch. A firmware update will arrive later in the year to fix this. Resolutions such as 1080p and 4K@60Hz VRR, will be supported at launch without issue.

My Home Screen, Android TV and redesigned remote

We’re up to version 6.0 of Panasonic’s My Home Screen interface. The ‘my Scenery’ feature plays a selection of restful images and videos, while the interface has been improved for quicker access to commonly used settings. Also onboard is the Dual Bluetooth Connection, so two headphones can be connected to the TV for private listening.

Android TV OS is coming to the JX800, picking up from last year’s Android based HX700. No word yet on whether it’ll get the Google TV upgrade. Panasonic has said its in ‘active’ discussions about getting Disney+ on the platform too.

Other new features include HDMI Signal Power Link, which enables automatic power on from standby and input switching. It will do so for devices that are not CEC compatible, such as a PC. This is available down to the JX850.

Panasonic also revealed that built-in Alexa and Google Assistant will be supported down to the JX850. The JX800 will have just Google Assistant built in. Panasonic has also (finally) re-designed its remote control to be more ergonomic and easier to hold.

Panasonic TV 2021 availability

Panasonic’s 2021 TV range is due to go on sale ‘Summer 2021’. We’ve added prices and widgets to models that are already available below.

Panasonic TV 2021

Panasonic TV 4K OLED

JZ2000

• TX-65JZ2000B
• TX-55JZ2000B

The JZ2000’s Master HDR OLED Professional panel is reportedly the same as the HZ2000, sporting high levels of peak and average brightness for brighter and punchier HDR. Stefan Sonnenfeld, the colourist behind films such as Wonder Woman 1984, has again tuned the colour profile of the OLEDs. The new Auto AI mode works for both picture and sound, and the JZ2000 is the only TV in the range to have this functionality.

The upfiring speakers are back but in a new configuration. As well as speakers that fire upwards, the TV has side-firing speakers. Tuned by Technics, Panasonic claims that its 360° Soundscape Pro system can deliver a Dolby Atmos experience “with a spatial soundstage and powerful bass”. If true, that could mitigate the need to pair this TV with a separate sound system. The system is down on power with its 125W compared to the HZ2000’s 140W.

• HCX Processor AI Pro
• Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel (55-, 65-inch models)
• 360° Soundscape Pro
• Auto AI
• Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing
• Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo
• Dolby Atmos
• HFR, ALLM, VRR, eARC
• Game Mode Extreme
• AMD FreeSync Premium
• my Home Screen 6.0

JZ1500

• TX-65JZ1500B
• TX-55JZ1500B
• TX-48JZ1500B

Like the JZ2000, the JZ1500 benefits from the Master HDR OLED Professional panel. Panasonic says performance is similar to the JZ2000, but haven’t revealed how. We assume the step-down OLED won’t have quite as high a peak brightness, but that’s a guess on our part.

There aren’t any upfiring speakers on the JZ1500 after Panasonic responded to customers requests for a high brightness OLED panel that doesn’t feature an advanced sound system. The system’s 50W output is less than the JZ2000, but features a built-in subwoofer over the JZ1000 model.

The JZ1500’s 48-inch OLED misses out on the Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel seen in the 55- and 65-inch sizes. The design also differs from the other 48-inch models with its central stand, which will likely help placement on more restricted surfaces.

• HCX Processor AI Pro
• Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel (55-, 65-inch models)
• Auto AI
• Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing
• Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo
• Dolby Atmos
• HFR, ALLM, VRR, eARC
• Game Mode Extreme
• AMD FreeSync Premium
• my Home Screen 6.0

JZ1000

• TX-65JZ1000B
• TX-55JZ1000B
• TX-48JZ1000B

The third OLED looks similar to the JZ1500, but gets the Master HDR OLED panel. That will likely mean a less emphatic HDR performance than the above models.

This series also gets a 48-inch model. The design differs from the JZ1500 in utilising feet that can be adjusted to narrow or wide configurations. We’re intrigued as to what it will offer, especially in terms of pricing.

Audio support includes Atmos with the audio system outputting 30W. It’s a safe bet you’ll want a sound system to beef up its performance.

• HCX Processor AI Pro
• Master HDR OLED panel (55-, 65-inch models)
• Auto AI
• Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing
• Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo
• Dolby Atmos
• HFR, ALLM, VRR, eARC
• Game Mode Extreme
• AMD FreeSync Premium
• my Home Screen 6.0

JZ980

• TX-65JZ980B
• TX-55JZ980B
• TX-48JZ980B

The JZ980 is the entry-level OLED. The HCX Processor AI Pro chip is supported, as are the AI skills and gaming performance.

The panel is simply described as ‘OLED’, indicating there have been no adjustments to boost performance. Unlike the JZ1500 and JZ1000, this design does not have a swivel stand so the screen can’t be tweaked to avoid glare and reflections.

Like the JZ1500’s 48-inch OLED, the feet can be adjusted to narrow and wide positions, with the wider stance extending the TV’s height. It matches JZ1000’s 30W audio, and with its adjustable feet a compact soundbar can be paired with the 48-inch model.

• HCX Processor AI Pro
• Auto AI mode
• Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing
• Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo
• Dolby Atmos
• HFR, ALLM, VRR, eARC
• AMD FreeSync Premium
• Game Mode Extreme
• my Home Screen 6.0

Panasonic TV 4K LCD LED (premium range)

JX940

• TX-75JX940B
• TX-65JX940B
• TX-55JX940B
• TX-49JX940B (European model)

We arrive at Panasonic’s LCD LED range of TVs – or its ‘Premium’ range. Features are similar to the OLEDs above with the AI processor and Auto AI picture mode. HDR support includes adaptive formats in Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive onboard.

49-inches is the smallest size so if you’re after an even smaller TV, the JX850 series will serve you better. All the gaming technologies are present, so a fast gaming performance is on the table if you own a top-end PC (with AMD graphics card) or PS5/Xbox Series X.

We presume both the ‘Premium’ LCD LEDs will be edge-lit panels. If so they’ll benefit from good colour reproduction, contrast and wide angles but slightly less enthusiastic black levels. The 120Hz panel marks itself out as good option for sports, with Panasonic’s Intelligent Clear Motion smoothing the image for a flicker-free experience.

The flagship 75-inch model features a central pedestal stand, while the other sizes utilise feet that in their wide positions raise the TV higher for a soundbar to be placed below. Panasonic’s SC-HTB490 seems tailor made for that purpose.

• HCX Processor AI Pro
• HDR Cinema Display Pro
• Auto AI
• Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo
• Dolby Atmos
• HFR, ALLM, VRR, eARC
• AMD FreeSync Premium
• Game Mode Extreme
• my Home Screen 6.0

JX850

• TX-65JX850B
• TX-58JX850B
• TX-50JX850B
• TX-40JX850B

The JX850 looks like it bears more in common with the 2020 HX800, with its thin design indication wall-mounting as an option. We imagine the lack of any mention of full-array local dimming means this too is an edge-lit panel. The HDR Bright Panel Plus is designed to stand up well to bright rooms, said to deliver crisp colours and images full of contrast.

Dolby Vision IQ is dropped, though HDR10+ Adaptive hangs on. The JX850 also loses the Game Extreme Mode so expect its performance to be less zippy and not quite as smooth, especially with its lack of VRR support.

AI skills are retained but its the HCX AI chip rather than the advanced HCX AI Pro version. There is a variant in the JX870B model and that’s exclusive to John Lewis & Partners.

• HCX AI Processor
• HDR Bright Panel Plus
• Auto AI
• Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG, HLG Photo
• Dolby Atmos
• ALLM, eARC
• Game Mode
• my Home Screen 6.0

Exclusive to John Lewis & Partners

• TX-65JX870B
• TX-58JX870B
• TX-50JX870B
• TX-40JX870B

Panasonic TV 4K LCD LED (core models)

JX800

• TX-65JX800B
• TX-58JX800B
• TX-50JX800B
• TX-40JX800B

For the time being, the JX800 is the last stop on Panasonic’s 2021 TV range. It doesn’t get the HCX AI processor seen in the above models, but that means there’s room for last year’s HCX processor to make its way to the core models, bringing Panasonic’s expertise in colour science to its affordable sets.

The JX800 gets the JX850”s HDR Bright Panel Plus and also gets a “very wide range” of streaming services that Panasonic says will make it an “ideal budget-friendly TV” for the family. Presumably this is in reference to its Android OS support. Speaking of, this model will have built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant, with Android OS working on tandem with Panasonic’s my Home Screen operating system.

Audio is described as “Surround Sound” for a wider, spacious presentation. We’re certain this translates to “buy a soundbar”.

• HCX Processor
• HDR Bright Panel Plus
• Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG
• Surround Sound
• ALLM
• Game Mode
• Android TV

That’s all the info we have on the upcoming range.

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