After years of anticipation, TV brands are finally rolling out OLED TVs with screens smaller than 55 inches.

Leading the charge was LG with its 48-inch and subsequently the 42-inch OLED TVs. These models have become a hit among gamers and those with limited space. As expected, other brands have followed suit. Enter the TX-48JZ980: Panasonic’s first 48-inch OLED TV. Can this model uphold the premium quality Panasonic is renowned for, or have there been compromises in the design?

Design

Our latest product showcases an exceptional design that stands out in both functionality and aesthetics. Crafted with precision, this innovative design integrates seamlessly into your lifestyle, offering both convenience and elegance.

Innovative Features

• Ergonomic Build: Comfortable and easy to handle, our product is designed with the user in mind.

• Modern Aesthetics: Sleek, contemporary appeal that fits perfectly in any setting.

• Durable Materials: Constructed from high-quality materials to ensure longevity.

The design journey was driven by our dedication to enhancing user experience. Every detail, from the texture to the intuitive layout, is a testament to our commitment to excellence. It's not just a product; it's a statement of style and reliability.

Usability

Ease of use is at the core of our product's design. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or someone who prefers simplicity, you'll find our product exceedingly user-friendly. Here's how:

• Quick Setup: Start using your new gadget within minutes, thanks to straightforward instructions and minimal setup.

• Intuitive Interface: Navigate effortlessly with a user interface designed for all levels of tech savviness.

• Smart Integration: Syncs smoothly with your existing devices for a cohesive tech ecosystem.

We believe technology should simplify your life, not complicate it. Our product is engineered to make every interaction intuitive and enjoyable.

Considering the TX-48JZ980 from every angle, this TV is quite unique. Along its edges, it’s impressively thin, showcasing just how sleek a screen can be without an external backlight. However, a few inches in from the edges, it becomes one of the thickest OLEDs we've come across.

While this might affect its wall-mount appeal, it's not something you'll notice when viewing from the front, even at sharper angles. The two slot-in feet may seem a bit retro, but the TV still presents a modern, attractive facade.

The TX-48JZ980 comes with a full-sized remote control that has a premium feel, though its layout is somewhat complex compared to many of today's streamlined ‘smart’ remotes.

Panasonic’s latest My Home Screen smart engine has also caught up with Samsung by offering the option to display artworks or photos as screen savers, so you don’t have to deal with a 48-inch black screen when the TV is idle.

Features

Our latest product is packed with an array of features designed to elevate your experience. From seamless integration to user-friendly design, every aspect has been crafted with precision.

Seamless Integration

Enjoy effortless connectivity with all your devices. Whether you're at home or on the go, our product ensures you stay connected without any hassle.

User-Friendly Design

Our intuitive design means you spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the benefits. The sleek interface is not only attractive but also functional at every level.

Performance

Experience unparalleled performance with the latest technology under the hood. Our product is built to handle all your needs, delivering high-speed results every time.

Reliability

Count on our product for consistent performance. Engineered for durability, it stands up to the rigors of daily use, ensuring longevity and dependability.

Customer Support

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer support. Our team is always ready to assist you with any questions or concerns, making sure you get the most out of your purchase.

Discover why our product is the top choice for users everywhere. Visit our website to learn more and see how it can transform your daily routine.

The TX-48JZ980 packs an impressive 4K resolution into a 48-inch screen, showcasing OLED's renowned strengths like self-emissive pixels and superior local contrast. Thanks to OLED technology, you also get much wider viewing angles compared to traditional LCD TVs.

Panasonic continues its inclusive approach to high dynamic range (HDR) technology by supporting both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision formats, alongside the standard HDR10 and HLG. This ensures optimal quality from any HDR source, unlike many rivals that support either HDR10+ or Dolby Vision, but not both.

Connectivity is robust for a smaller TV, featuring three USB ports, wi-fi and Bluetooth, and four HDMI ports. Two HDMI ports support key gaming features such as 4K at 120Hz, VRR (with AMD Freesync Premium), and ALLM. While Dolby Vision gaming runs at 60Hz, not 120Hz, it's still a great feature for the latest games.

One downside is that one of the two wide-bandwidth 2.1 HDMI ports also functions as the eARC output. If you need eARC for your audio setup, you’re left with just one high-bandwidth port for gaming consoles or cutting-edge PCs.

In Game mode, the input lag drops to a very competitive 14.5ms, making it more than adequate for fast-paced games like Call Of Duty.

Being part of Panasonic’s more affordable OLED range, the TX-48JZ980 doesn’t feature the ‘pro-edition’ high brightness panels. Although it does include Dolby Atmos decoding, its audio setup comprises two speakers with 15 watts each.

Smart features are powered by Panasonic’s My Home Screen 6.0 platform, which includes voice support via Google Assistant and Alexa, and Google Chromecast for easy device mirroring. Recent updates have added Disney+ and Apple TV+ to the already robust lineup of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

The TX-48JZ980 boasts the same HCX Pro AI processor as the more premium Panasonic OLED models. This processor, developed with real Hollywood professionals, ensures images are true to how they were intended during production. Panasonic also offers a variety of picture presets catering to different viewing preferences for those less concerned with absolute accuracy.

Picture

Picture quality matters, and it shows in every frame. Our expert analysis brings you the most stunning visuals with clear, sharp details and vibrant colors. Whether you're watching your favorite movie or streaming the latest series, experience every scene in breathtaking clarity. Discover how superior picture quality can transform your viewing experience!

Concerns that shrinking its OLED prowess down to 48 inches might affect Panasonic's renowned picture quality are quickly dispelled by the TX-48JZ980.

The most remarkable aspect of this model is its brightness. Although this 48-inch version lacks one of Panasonic's high-brightness OLED panels, its images routinely appear brighter than many rival ‘regular’ OLED panel designs. Notably, its average brightness level is consistently and substantially above that of our benchmark Philips 48OLED806.

This brightness advantage is evident across all of the JZ980’s picture presets. Even in its accuracy-focused Filmmaker mode, the brightness is significantly higher than the same mode on the Philips.

The TX-48JZ980's brightness enhances the HDR experience, revealing exemplary shadow detail in dark scenes. Unlike some OLED rivals, which crush details in the darkest parts of the image, the JZ980 maintains control, showing only the subtle detailing intended to be visible, without exposing unwanted content noise.

The JZ980’s dark area handling indicates that its brightness hasn’t compromised OLED’s renowned black level performance. Black areas remain deep and neutral. Additionally, Panasonic’s expertise at handling near-black content ensures smooth and detailed dark areas without rough or blocky artifacts.

Colors on the JZ980 are also reasonably rich and vibrant, without losing the naturalism that’s Panasonic’s trademark. The processing excels in delivering subtle color tone differentials, contributing to an image that looks impressively three-dimensional and textured.

The JZ980’s pictures don't appear as aggressively sharp in any of its picture modes, compared to the non-Filmmaker modes on the Philips 48OLED806. However, this is more a strength of Philips’ image processing, and at no point does the Panasonic feel lacking in true detail terms.

There are some areas for improvement. Motion processing is prone to unwanted side effects on all but its weakest setting, yet that weakest setting leaves a bit more hardware judder than some might be comfortable with.

Additionally, the Philips 48OLED806 delivers much more vibrant and rich-looking colors in some of its presets compared to any of the Panasonic’s presets. Occasionally, the Panasonic's brightness causes certain color tones to appear slightly faded and leads to mild clipping in the brightest HDR picture areas.

However, Philips' approach to color in some presets can make tones appear forced and unnatural, unlike the consistency offered by the Panasonic.

Ultimately, the JZ980’s consistency is its most significant strength. Whether watching films or TV shows, once the motion processing is adjusted, the immersive quality makes it easy to forget you're testing a TV. This is precisely the experience desired from a relatively affordable model.

Sound

Experience the impeccable sound quality that sets our products apart. Immerse yourself in a symphony of clarity and depth, whether you're listening to your favorite tracks or catching the latest podcast. Our cutting-edge technology ensures a balanced, rich soundscape that brings every note to life.

Whether it's the booming bass or the crisp treble, our sound systems deliver an auditory experience like no other. Perfect for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, our products are designed to elevate your listening experience to new heights.

The TX-48JZ980’s 2 x 15W audio system might not sound groundbreaking on paper, but it delivers a surprisingly satisfying audio experience. This small TV from Panasonic has an impressive audio range, spreading left, right, and even above the screen, thanks to its built-in Dolby Atmos decoder.

During scenes like Agent K’s arrival at Sapper Morton’s protein farm in Blade Runner 2049, the JZ980’s speakers create a soundstage that extends beyond the screen. You can even hear K’s spinner fly in over Morton’s head and descend off-screen to the left, adding to the immersive experience.

The speakers offer high detail levels, and dialogue is exceptionally clear. It seems to come directly from the screen, maintaining clarity even during intense moments. The power and dynamic range ensure the sound remains robust during action scenes, avoiding any flattening or fall-off.

The only downside is its bass reproduction. It doesn’t reach the depths achieved by some competitors, which can lessen the impact of big movie moments. However, the Panasonic avoids any interference or buzzing in bass-heavy scenes, maintaining clarity throughout. Pushing for more bass might have compromised the overall sound quality.

Verdict

Panasonic’s first 48-inch OLED TV is a triumph. Extending OLED to smaller screens doesn’t diminish the technology’s stunning picture quality. Panasonic joins the ranks of LG, Sony, and Philips in proving this point. Panasonic’s top-notch processing and ‘as the director intended’ philosophy shine just as well on a 48-inch screen as they do on the larger 55 and 65-inch models.

For gamers, this TV offers decent support, making it a great ‘crossover’ screen for both video and gaming needs. Additionally, the 48JZ980 comes with an impressive sound system that outperforms the average, making it an ideal all-in-one AV solution for those with space constraints.