Amazon and Panasonic have announced a new collaboration that will see the electronics maker build smart TVs powered by Amazon’s Fire TV streaming video platform.
The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show on Monday, during which Amazon offered a preview of two new Panasonic TV models that will come with its Fire TV operating system built right into the set.
The two models — Panasonic Z95A and Panasonic Z93A — will sport OLED displays, offering some of the best color, contrast and clarity of any smart TV on the market, Panasonic says. Both TVs will support Apple Airplay and Amazon’s forthcoming Matter Casting protocols, and come bundled with an Alexa-powered voice remote.
The Z95A model will sport Master OLED Ultimate panel that will be equipped with a “state-of-the-art Micro Lens Array and a multi-layer heat management configuration developed by Panasonic engineers,” the company said. The Z93A model will utilize Panasonic’s Master OLED Pro Cinema panel. Both will include the HCX Pro AI Processor MK II, the company said, which will utilize artificial intelligence to determine the best picture settings for accurate color and contrast.
“At Panasonic, our commitment has always been to produce the most accurate picture quality,” Akira Toyoshima, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Entertainment & Communication, said on Monday. “This doesn’t only come from technical precision but also through collaborations with Hollywood’s best colorists. And for the most tailored viewing experience, we’ve incorporated AI to recognize the type of content you’re viewing and adjust both picture and sound settings to perfection.”
The Z95A model will come in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes, while the Z93A model will offer a single 77-inch screen size. Both models will offer 144 Hertz (Hz) refresh rates and include Panasonic’s 360 Soundscape Pro speakers tuned by Technics. Like other Fire TV devices, the Panasonic Z95A and Z93A will offer access to thousands of streaming apps through the Amazon App Store, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Plus and YouTube.
“We’re incredibly excited to announce with Panasonic that their new smart TVs will include Fire TV starting in 2024,” Daniel Rausch, the Vice President for Alexa and Fire TV, said in a statement. “This means customers around the world will get to experience all the benefits of Fire TV’s personalized streaming experience and access to Alexa, combined with Panasonic’s best-in-class smart TVs.
Amazon and Panasonic did not say whether the TVs would be available for purchase in the United States. Pricing and global availability of the TVs will be revealed “soon,” according to an Amazon spokesperson.
