Despite the problems in the global economy, the technological revolution of consumer electronics continues successfully. The segment of high-tech TVs convincingly confirms this trend. The progress of TV panels is especially impressive.
The breakthrough in image quality of the LCD TVs was mainly due to two technologies:
– quantum dot (QD) technology expanded the color gamut, increased brightness and color accuracy by improving the quality of white before the RGB filter.
In fact, the TV itself generates white from blue, green and red. This effective scheme captivates with its elegant simplicity. The blue flow is directed from the panel with blue LEDs to the film with deposited microparticles. Their size corresponds to the wavelengths of green and red. Behind the film, the partially transmitted blue combines with the re-emitted red and green, forming a high-quality white.
– mini LED backlight has radically increased contrast.
Replacing conventional LEDs with miniature ones has allowed developers to increase their number to tens of thousands.
Combined into arrays with independent control, they have become the basis for a sharp increase in the local dimming performance, the number of zones of which already reaches a thousand in some 65-inch models. In turn, their huge number has allowed developers to sharply increase the accuracy of backlight intensity control in different areas of the frame depending on the content, and, as a result, the overall contrast.
Of course, OLED TVs developers have not wasted time either. Their evolution over the past few years is also impressive.
OLED evolution
– in 2016 white OLED or WOLED replaced traditional OLED panels, eliminating the problem of different degradation rates of red, blue, and green subpixels. In these panels, white from an additional layer passes through color filters to produce separate red, green, and blue light, and a fourth subpixel with no filter passes it through directly;
– at CES 2021 LG introduced the G1 with a new OLED Evo (Evolution) panel, which provided increased brightness by optimizing the software and hardware of WRGB OLED displays. In addition, OLED EX technology using the third layer of green emitter and deuterium instead of hydrogen in blue emitters also allowed developers to increase the peak brightness of the panel by increasing the voltage.
As a result, the peak brightness of the G1 exceeded 1,000 nits (cd / m²) for the first time;
– G2 (2022) with Brightness Booster technology used a heatsink on the back of the TV.
Additional heat dissipation allowed developers to further increase the brightness of the panel without the risk of pixel degradation due to overheating. In particular, the peak brightness of the C3 and G3 (2023) already reached 850 and 1,500 nits, respectively;
– MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology has become the next step in improving OLED technology. It increased the panel brightness due to additional focusing using micro lenses between the glass and the OLED panel.
– in 2022, Samsung Display introduced a hybrid QD-OLED panel that uses a blue OLED layer as a light source instead of a white OLED layer, and the Quantum Dots printed in a separate layer above it. They convert blue light to red and green. As is known, unlike traditional filters, they work without loss of light flux, reducing the requirements for radiation intensity.
4-stack OLED technology
This year, LG surprised experts a little by introducing the flagship G5 and wireless M5 with the new Primary RGB Tandem four-layer OLED panels based on 4-Stack technology.
The new structure uses two layers of blue elements and two independent stacks of red and green elements. The 3rd gen panels used red and green elements in a single yellow layer. According to the developer, this innovation increases peak brightness to 4,000 nits in a 3% window for Vivid mode. For reference, the max brightness of the previous generation panels does not exceed 3,000 nits. The max color brightness has also increased to 2,100 nits. In full-screen mode (100% APL), the panel brightness reaches 400 nits vs 250 nits with the 3rd gen. Moreover, the company claims a 20% reduction in power consumption.
In fact, the new panel eliminates the brightness limitation, which was one of the main problems of OLED technology.
However, the South Korean giant has already received formidable competitors. The new Panasonic Z95B uses a similar panel. Moreover, Sony may introduce the Bravia 10 with 4-stack panel this summer. In fact, this year may become the birthday of a new segment of premium OLED TVs, which already has several names, including RGB mini LED or LG Primary RGB Tandem. Moreover, the presented at CES 2025 116-inch Hisense 116UX TriChroma mini LED TV also uses the new RGB Local Dimming Display technology, the concept of which is very close.
It uses harnesses clusters of tiny lenses, each reacting to red-, green- and blue-colored LEDs.
LG G5 vs Panasonic Z95B
LG G5 includes 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 97-inch options. Panasonic Z95B will come in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes.
The LG G5 only offers wall mount and comes without stand. However, it can be purchased separately. The Panasonic Z95B comes with a swivel stand as standard.
The new ThermalFlow cooling system slightly changed the traditional ‘boxed’ design.
Of course, the new fourth-generation four-stack OLED panel is the most significant upgrade. LG Display specifies an unprecedented peak brightness up to 4,000 nits. Moreover, the new panel has received new ultra-low reflection technology. The new coating blocks 99% of surface reflections and re-reflected light inside the panel. According to the developer, it provides perfect black and up to 100% color accuracy even in bright daylight conditions.
LG uses its Alpha 11 Gen 2 processor, advanced AI Super Upscaling for lower resolution content and Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro for HDR optimisation. Panasonic comes with HCX Pro AI MK II – based 4K Remaster Engine, which with AI and mathematical models improves picture quality and provides noise reduction.
Both TVs support HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision formats, but the Panasonic Z95B is also compatible with HDR10+ and offers Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail, which uses data from the ambient light sensor.
AI, Sound and Gaming
LG’s AI recognizes the user by voice and automatically loads individual settings for picture and sound. In theory, several family members in the room would create a problem, since the AI will select the profile of the first speaker. But perhaps the developers have thought of this aspect.
The Z95B runs Amazon’s Fire TV platform, offes Prime Video Calibrated Mode with Calman and ISFccc support for professional calibration. Moreover, the Japanese flagship also serves up pre-calibrated modes from Hollywood colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld.
But the LG G5 is preferable for gamers. The G5 supports Dolby Vision gaming at up to 165Hz, the range of the Z95B is limited up to 144Hz. In addition to higher refresh rate, it has more HDMI 2.1 ports (4 vs 2). Of course, both models support AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync with VRR (variable refresh rate), and 4K@120Hz gaming on the latest consoles with minimal latency.
The LG G5 retains Virtual 11.1.2 up-mixing and expands AI Sound Pro processing.
New Voice Remastering feature uses AI to enhance dialogue clarity. In addition, it analyzes content in real time and optimizes the audio profile, focusing on dialogue enhancement and spatial audio processing.
The new Japanese flagship supports Dolby Atmos and has a revamped 360 Soundscape Pro. The line array side-firing and height speakers are integrated directly into the TV’s edges. Compared to previous models, the output power of the subwoofer system has increased from 20 W to 30 W. In addition, the developers have enhanced bass response due to the addition of a passive radiator. According to a company, the new configuration should double the soundstage.
Conclusion
The LG G5 is available now. The launch price of the 65-inches model is $ 3,400. The Panasonic Z95B series will launch in early summer 2025. Pricing information is not yet known. But given the launch price of the previous model, it is unlikely to differ significantly from $ 3,500 for the 65-inch version.
LG offers more sizes, higher refresh rate (165Hz vs 144Hz) and has more HDMI 2.1 ports (4 vs 2).
In addition to wall mounting, Panasonic Z95B comes with a swivel stand, has innovative ThermalFlow cooling system and offes Prime Video Calibrated Mode with Calman and ISFccc support. Like LG, it supports HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision formats. In addition, the Japanese flagship is compatible with HDR10+ and offers Dolby Vision IQ with Precision Detail, which uses data from the ambient light sensor.
Overall, the Panasonic Z95B seems slightly preferable, but of course, its price will be the main criterion. If they are equal, the choice will depend on secondary factors, including service, discounts and personal attitude to brands. However, Sony Bravia 10 with a similar panel can add uncertainty.
In any case, consumers can enthusiastically welcome the expansion of the line of superb TVs with the latest technology.
The video presents the new flagship Panasonic Z95B 4K TV.