Panasonic TV 2026: Worth Buying? Discontinued? Vs Samsung
Oliver Jackson Hayes Reed • 2026-05-15 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer
Few TV brands stir up as much debate as Panasonic in 2026 — especially in Ireland, where the name still carries weight but the company behind the sets has changed. Panasonic stopped manufacturing its own televisions in 2022 and now licenses the brand to TPV Technology, yet high-end OLED models like the Z90B and Z95B continue to earn top marks from reviewers’ top marks.
Years Panasonic has manufactured TVs: Over 70 (since 1952 · Year Panasonic stopped plasma TV production: 2013 · Year Panasonic ceased in-house TV manufacturing: 2022 · Current TV production partner: TPV Technology · Average lifespan of Panasonic LED TV: 7–10 years
These details summarise Panasonic’s current TV business structure and popular local models.
Headquarters
Osaka, Japan
Parent company
Panasonic Corporation
First TV release
1952
Current TV manufacturing
TV manufacturing
Licensed to TPV Technology since 2022
OLED panel supplier
LG Display
Popular models in Ireland (2026)
TX-50JX600B, Z90
Is Panasonic TV worth buying?
Value for money compared to competitors
Panasonic’s high-end OLED models, such as the Z95B, command a premium price — £1,699 at Currys — but deliver picture quality that The Independent (UK consumer test lab) calls best overall. For the same money, Samsung’s S95F OLED offers a brighter QD-OLED panel, though RTINGS (expert review lab) notes that Panasonic’s colour accuracy out of the box is superior. Budget buyers may find better value in 2025 sets, as Business Insider (consumer tech authority) points out.
“The licensing deal is a strategic retreat from a market where Panasonic was losing ground. But at the high end, the Z95B shows they can still out-engineer competitors.”
— Consumer electronics analyst, Omdia
Picture quality and features
The Z95B uses a Tandem OLED panel with ThermalFlow cooling, enabling sustained brightness that outperforms previous Panasonic models (The Independent). Both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are supported. However, smart TV capabilities lag behind: Panasonic’s My Home Screen platform offers fewer apps than Samsung’s Tizen or LG’s webOS, as TechRadar (electronics review authority) observes.
Long-term reliability and support
Panasonic historically ranks among the most reliable TV brands, but since manufacturing was since manufacturing was handed to TPV Technology in 2022, questions about long-term software support remain. A community YouTube analysis (low confidence) notes that Panasonic’s app store is barebones, though hardware reliability is still considered good.
Bottom line: Panasonic OLEDs deliver reference picture quality. Buyers who value colour accuracy over app selection will get their money’s worth.
The takeaway: for colour-focused movie enthusiasts Panasonic’s OLEDs are a compelling choice, but for heavy streamers Samsung or LG may be more practical.
Panasonic TV vs Samsung TV: Which One Should You Choose?
Picture quality: OLED vs QLED
Panasonic uses LG Display’s OLED panels, while Samsung relies on its own QD-QLED and QLED technology. In the 48-inch class, the Panasonic Z90B won over Samsung’s equivalent (What Hi-Fi? audiovisual test lab). For larger sizes, Samsung’s S95F OLED is the top pick from RTINGS. The trade-off: Panasonic offers more natural colours, Samsung higher peak brightness.
Smart TV platform: My Home Screen vs Tizen
Panasonic’s My Home Screen is clean but limited compared to Samsung’s Tizen, which supports Apple AirPlay. TechRadar (consumer electronics reviewer) notes that platform is more feature-rich.
Price and value across size ranges
Samsung offers a wider range from budget 43-inch to premium 85-inch. Panasonic focuses on mid-to-high-end; the 55-inch Z90B is often priced similarly to Samsung’s QN80F ($1,299 at launch according to TechRadar). In Ireland, models like the TX-50JX600B offer competitive 4K LED, but Samsung sales volume leads to more frequent discounts.
Bottom line: Gamers and app lovers should lean Samsung; movie enthusiasts who prioritise colour accuracy will prefer Panasonic OLEDs.
Implication: the choice depends on whether you weight colour accuracy (Panasonic) or ecosystem breadth (Samsung).
Is Panasonic TV discontinued?
What happened to Panasonic’s own TV manufacturing
Panasonic stopped making TVs in 2022 and licensed the brand to TPV Technology (RTINGS brand guide). The company still designs high-end models but production is now handled by the same contract manufacturer that produces Philips and Sharp sets.
“Panasonic will stop in-house TV production and license the Panasonic brand to TPV Technology. This move allows us to focus on higher-value areas while ensuringquality.”
— Panasonic official statement, 2022
Current status: brand licensing and sales
Panasonic-branded TVs remain on sale globally Ireland via retailers: Harvey Norman, DID Electrical, Richer Sounds, and Expert. The Z95B and Z90B are widely available. The Independent confirms the Z95B is in stock at Currys.
Impact on warrant and customer support
Customer support and warranties are handled by Panasonic Europe. However, long-term firmware update commitments are less certain than for brands that control manufacturing (YouTube community analysis).
Bottom line: Panasonic TVs are not discontinued – sold under license. Expect high hardware quality but monitor software support.
The catch: the shift to licensing introduces uncertainty about post-purchase support longevity.
The TX-50JX600B is a popular 4K Smart LED in Ireland, offering solid HDR support and user-friendly interface.
Best for gaming: Panasonic OLED with HDMI 2.1
The Z90B supports 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM. RTINGS notes that while Samsung’s S95F has lower input lag, Panasonic’s colour accuracy gives an advantage for single-player advantage for single-player titles.
Bottom line: For high-end buyers, the Z90B; budget the JX600 series.
The pattern: the best choice depends on budget and primary use case – gaming vs. movie watching.
Which TV brand has the fewest problems?
Reliability rankings: Panasonic vs others
Panasonic a strong reputation. RTINGS places Panasonic among best brands for along with Sony and LG. Consumer reports often rank Sony and Panasonic top for fewest repairs.
Common issues with Panasonic TVs
Limited app selection and occasional software bugs on older models. Hardware failures are less frequent. A community YouTube roundup notes build quality remains solid.
Longevity: LED vs OLED lifespan
LED TVs generally last 7–10 years, longer than OLEDs due to lower burn-in risk. Panasonic OLEDs use LG panels with improved durability improved.
Bottom line: Panasonic ranks among most reliable, but software support under the licensing model is evolving. Buyers wanting maximum longevity should pick LED.
The implication: if you plan to keep a TV for a decade, a Panasonic LED is the safer option.
Comparison: Panasonic vs Samsung TVs
Three key differences separate the two brands, with implications for your choice.
Feature
Panasonic
Samsung
Panel technology
OLED (LG Display) LED
QLED, QD-OLED, and LED
Smart TV platform
My Home Screen (Fire TV on some)
Tizen
Top model 2026
Z95B OLED (best overall per The Independent
S95F OLED (best per RTINGS)
Colour accuracy
Excellent — reference
Very good but less both
Brightness
High (Tandem OLED)
Higher (QD-OLED peak)
App selection
Moderate
Apple
Gaming features
4K 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALL
4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, lower
The trade-off
Panasonic wins on colour accuracy and movie reproduction; Samsung on brightness, app ecosystem, and gaming latency. For Irish film enthusiasts with a 4K Blu-ray player, Panasonic OLEDs are the way.
