
Panasonic’s television lineup in the United States may not be extensive, but it offers a diverse range of options in terms of price and performance. Among its offerings is the Panasonic W70B, a budget-friendly LED TV that lacks advanced panel technologies such as QLED or mini-LED. Despite these omissions, the W70B is available in various screen sizes, with the 65-inch model priced at $549.99. The TV can also be found in sizes as small as 43 inches for $299.99 and as large as 85 inches for $1,099.99. While its picture quality may not be groundbreaking, it provides reasonable value for its cost, especially for Amazon enthusiasts, as it runs on the Fire TV platform and includes Apple AirPlay for enhanced connectivity.
This development follows Panasonic’s strategy of catering to budget-conscious consumers while still providing essential features. The W70B competes with other budget models like the Hisense U6N, which offers superior brightness and color for slightly more at $799.99 for the 65-inch variant, maintaining its status as an Editors’ Choice for budget TVs.
Design: Practical and Unpretentious
The Panasonic W70B sports a straightforward design, characterized by a plain black plastic shell that measures over three inches in thickness. This bulk is mostly noticeable from the sides, as the front of the TV features a modern design with no bezels on the sides and top, and a narrow black plastic bezel at the bottom. The TV stands on two narrow, V-shaped metal feet or can be wall-mounted for convenience.
All connectivity ports are located on the back of the screen, about a third of the way inward from the right edge, 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 positioning of these ports makes them accessible but requires reaching in from the side.
Features: Fire TV Integration with Apple AirPlay
The W70B utilizes Amazon’s Fire TV smart platform, offering a comprehensive system that supports major streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, Twitch, and YouTube. It also includes Apple AirPlay, enabling streaming from Apple devices, a feature not typically available on standard Fire TV systems.
Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant is integrated into the TV, allowing users to control the TV and compatible smart home devices, search for content, and access information like weather forecasts. However, the voice assistant requires pressing the Alexa button on the remote to activate, unlike hands-free models like the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED or Panasonic’s flagship Z95A.
Performance: Meeting Basic Expectations
The Panasonic W70B is a 4K LED TV with a 60Hz refresh rate, supporting HDR content in HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats, but not Dolby Vision. It features an ATSC 1.0 tuner for over-the-air broadcasts but lacks ATSC 3.0 for 1080p and 4K broadcasts. The TV’s full-panel LED backlight and absence of local dimming result in modest brightness and contrast levels.
In Movie mode with an SDR signal, the TV achieves a peak brightness of 274 nits with a full-screen white field and a black level of 0.058cd/m2. An HDR signal increases brightness to 333 nits and a black level of 0.074cd/m2, resulting in a contrast ratio of 4,500:1.
Compared to the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series, which has a peak brightness of 283 nits and a contrast ratio of 3,329:1, the W70B performs slightly better. However, the Hisense U6N, equipped with a mini-LED and local dimming, significantly outshines both with a peak brightness of 700 nits and a contrast ratio of 233,333:1.
The W70B’s color accuracy is commendable, with whites and magentas appearing slightly cool, but other colors remain accurate. Off-angle viewing is limited, with colors fading beyond 30 degrees. While the TV’s picture quality is suitable for its price range, it falls short of the vibrant colors and lifelike visuals offered by higher-end models like the Hisense U8QG.
Gaming: Basic But Responsive
As a budget TV, the W70B lacks advanced gaming features such as AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync. However, it offers a responsive gaming experience with an input lag of 10ms at 4K60 in Game mode, making it suitable for most gaming needs.
In conclusion, the Panasonic W70B is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a large-screen TV with essential features. While it may not compete with higher-end models in terms of picture quality and advanced features, its integration with Amazon’s Fire TV platform and Apple AirPlay makes it a versatile option for streaming enthusiasts. As the market for budget TVs continues to evolve, Panasonic’s W70B remains a competitive offering in its price range.