Panasonic’s television lineup in the United States may not be extensive, but it offers a range of options that cater to different budgets and performance levels. Among its offerings is the Panasonic W70B, a budget-friendly LED TV that, while lacking advanced panel technologies such as QLED or mini-LED, provides a practical choice for consumers prioritizing affordability. Available in various sizes, the 65-inch model is priced at $549.99, with options ranging from 43 inches at $299.99 to 85 inches at $1,099.99.
The W70B’s picture quality may not be groundbreaking, but it delivers satisfactory performance for its price point. It operates on the Fire TV platform, making it an appealing choice for Amazon enthusiasts, and it includes Apple AirPlay for enhanced connectivity. However, when compared to competitors like the Hisense U6N, which offers superior brightness and color for $799.99, the W70B faces stiff competition in the budget segment.
Design: Simple Yet Functional
The Panasonic W70B sports a straightforward design typical of budget televisions. Its black plastic shell is over three inches thick, yet this bulk is only noticeable from the sides. The front of the TV features a modern, bezel-less design on the sides and top, with a narrow black plastic bezel along the bottom, textured to mimic brushed metal. While it doesn’t exude luxury, it avoids looking overly cheap. The TV stands on two narrow, V-shaped metal feet or can be wall-mounted for convenience.
Connectivity is ample, with most ports located on the back of the screen, facing right. These include four HDMI ports (one with eARC), two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm composite video input, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an optical audio output, an Ethernet port, and an antenna/cable RF connector. The remote control is reminiscent of Fire TV media streamers, featuring additional buttons for TV functions and dedicated service buttons for popular streaming services.
Features: Fire TV Platform with Apple AirPlay
The W70B leverages Amazon’s Fire TV smart platform, providing access to a comprehensive suite of streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and more. The inclusion of Apple AirPlay allows streaming from Apple devices, a feature not standard on Fire TV by default. Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, is integrated but requires the use of the remote’s Alexa button for activation, unlike the hands-free capabilities found in higher-end models like the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED or Panasonic’s flagship Z95A.
Performance: Adequate for Its Price
The Panasonic W70B is a 4K LED TV with a 60Hz refresh rate, supporting HDR content in HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats, though it lacks Dolby Vision support. The TV’s performance is typical for its class, with a full-panel LED backlight and no local dimming, resulting in moderate brightness and contrast levels.
In Movie mode with an SDR signal, the W70B achieves a peak brightness of 274 nits with a full-screen white field and a black level of 0.058cd/m², leading to a contrast ratio of 4,500:1 with HDR content.
While these figures surpass the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series, they fall short of the Hisense U6N, which boasts a mini-LED backlight and significantly higher contrast ratios. The W70B’s color accuracy is respectable, though it doesn’t fully cover the DCI-P3 color space in HDR, a limitation shared with other budget models.
Viewing angles are standard for this price range, with color and contrast remaining stable up to 30 degrees off-center. For viewers seeking wider viewing angles, upgrading to a model like the TCL QM7K could be beneficial.
Gaming: Basic Yet Responsive
The W70B is not equipped with advanced gaming features such as AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync, but it offers a responsive gaming experience with an input lag of 10ms at 4K60 in Game mode. This makes it suitable for casual gaming, although serious gamers might prefer a TV with higher refresh rates and additional gaming features.
Overall, the Panasonic W70B provides a solid viewing experience for budget-conscious consumers, especially those integrated into the Amazon ecosystem. While it may not rival the performance of more expensive models, its combination of price, size options, and smart features make it a compelling choice for those seeking an affordable 4K TV.
