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GPT-5 wasn't the game-changer OpenAI hyped it up to be. At least it feels faster and more useful.

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano resumed erupting Friday by shooting an arc of lava 100 feet into the air and across a section of its summit crater floor.

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The Gunners host Daniel Farke's newly promoted team at the Emirates.

• Apple may stick with the Camera Control button
• Previous rumors suggested it wouldn't be on the iPhone 18
• We may see a simpler button on future iPhones

Last week we heard a rumor that the iPhone 17 would be the last to sport the Camera Control, which was only introduced last year with the iPhone 16 – but a fresh leak suggests the button will live on, albeit in a different form.

The new rumor comes from well-known tipster Instant Digital (via MacRumors), which states that Camera Control components are in production for the iPhone 18. That refutes the idea that Apple would get rid of it as it's not seeing a lot of use.

There is a twist though: Apple is apparently removing the capacitive sensor next year to cut down on costs. That's the sensor that detects any kind of touch or swipe, enabling users to gradually change settings like exposure or zoom.

That will leave only the pressure sensor, detecting distinct touches of different strengths. We'll have to wait and see how that might affect the different functions of Camera Control – some of them might be remapped or replaced, with the help of iOS.

Mixed reactions

We're expecting Apple CEO Tim Cook to introduce the iPhone 17 next month (Image credit: Getty Images)

When the Camera Control was introduced with the iPhone 16 models, Apple described it as a feature that "elevates the camera experience" and which is "packed with innovation" – offering easier access to various camera controls and Visual Intelligence.

In our iPhone 16 review, we described it as "major enhancement" for the Apple handsets, and in fact the "best addition" to the 2024 handsets. However, it didn't make an appearance on the iPhone 16e that Apple launched the following February.

Despite our enthusiasm for the small button, it's fair to say the reaction overall has been mixed. Some have struggled to find a real purpose for the Camera Control, but it seems that some time and effort investment is required to make the most of it.

What seems clear is that we'll get the standard Camera Control button back again with all four iPhone 17 handsets in September – including, if the leaks are to be believed, the iPhone 17 Air that's supposedly replacing the iPhone 16 Plus this year.

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The Goal Zero powerstation lineup is impressive, especially since their merger with BioLite. According to Goal Zero, the Yeti Pro 4000 is their most remarkable power station yet. It boasts a high output, high capacity, high weight, and a high price to match.

There are several different setups that this power station can support. First, there are Haven Setups that provide additional capacity and a home connection point, allowing a home to function as a battery backup. Second, there is an option to integrate solar power, enabling recharging from the sun. Lastly, there is an escape system that can either convert a towable RV into a system powered by the Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000 or a drivable kit that transforms an adventure vehicle into a system backed by the Yeti Pro 4000.

No matter what the use case is, if you need a large amount of reliable power, high output, and you're willing to pay for quality gear, this system could be the right fit for you. Goal Zero's goal with the Yeti Pro 4000 was to replace noisy and messy traditional gas generators - and they've done it.

I will note here that I have seen some notes about reliability issues that some have had with this unit, though I have not experienced that myself. So far, I haven't had any problems.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // TechRadar Pro)Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000: Pricing & Availability

The Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000 is available on Goal Zero's website for just under $4000. There are other retailers selling, including Amazon.com.

You can pick up an expansion battery to extend the capacity for another $2000, and there are other accessories to outfit this even further.

Worth noting that I'm seeing limited availability outside the US right now.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // TechRadar Pro)Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000: Design & build qualitySpecs

Battery: ~3,994 Wh (LiFePO₄), 4,000+ cycles
Power: 3,600 W continuous; 7,200 W surge
Recharge: 1,800 W AC inlet; up to 3,000 W solar

The Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000 is not a compact device. It's pretty cumbersome, so it has a wheeled base that comes with the standard purchase to facilitate more effortless movement.

However, what it misses in ease of mobility, it makes up for in pure power. The output is phenomenal for this size, and the choice in port layout makes sense. All of the inputs are on the back of the unit, plus the inverter you would use if you are plugging into the Haven system, for example.

All of the output ports are on the front, making it super simple if you want to set this unit up and leave it somewhere for an extended period. You can set it and forget it, and still you're able to plug in everything you may need to without moving the unit around, unless you are changing primary inputs, which is less familiar to change around than outputs.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // TechRadar Pro)Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000: In use

The Yeti Pro 4000 by Goal Zero is designed to carry a heavy load, all without any issue. It's intended to be a home backup, a primary power system on the road, or even a primary system for an off-grid building.

It's rated to run a residential fridge for 1-2 days, while also running a Wi-Fi Setup, basic lighting, and other essentials. If you connect to solar, depending on the sun, you can keep things running for longer. You recharge with the sun and then run off the battery when the sun is not out, and recharge via the solar panels.

For home use, this is an easy option. Set it, forget it, keep it tucked away, hooked up to your house with a Haven backup system. If your home requires more power, you can add more tanks, which adds capacity to run off-grid for longer.

For those who are looking for an RV/Van Life/Off-Grid Camper solution, you can have this unit in the corner of your setup, or tucked away and have it plugged in with the Escape system to have an integrated screen and complete system, meaning you'll never even have to touch this unit, or if you don't want to do that, you can plug anything and everything you need into the front of this unit, have any solar input plugged into the back, and then you can run things that way.

If you do choose to add the Escape System, you can then add an integrated screen wherever you want in the vehicle or trailer to control all aspects of the Yeti Pro 4000 while the unit itself is tucked away. Add this to a system where you have outlets placed where you want them throughout your off-grid home on wheels, and it will feel like you're in a standard home when it comes to power convenience.

Some people don't need a semi-permanent setup, and they want something that can be brought out for job sites, one-off jobs, or similar projects. The Yeti Pro 4000 can be great for this, too, as long as you have a good way to transport it there. But, if you work at a job site and you want to be able to swap out the traditional generator for a portable power station to recharge tools, run a table saw, or similar tasks, this is a great solution.

Goal Zero Yeti Pro 4000: Final verdict

No matter your potential solution, this power station is a serious one worth considering. It could power you for days on the road if used reasonably, and it could back up essentials in your home in the case of a power outage. The Yeti Pro 4000 has a great set of offerings for expansion, and it is built to last. If you're looking for a high-powered, high-capacity, and highly reliable power station, the Yeti Pro 4000 is one worth considering - keep in mind that it's not easy to move.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Hefty, robust.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for heavy users

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Expensive

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For more power solutions, we've tested and reviewed the best portable power stations.

I've been a happy iPhone owner since the 3GS way back in 2009, and yes, I have upgraded since then. Not once in those 16 years have I been genuinely tempted to switch to Android or a Pixel phone. But watching the Google Pixel 10 launch this week was the first time in a while that I've started to at least entertain a non-Apple future.

Google's new Pixels are far from perfect, and I'm still a long way from switching. But it was the overall tone of the event (from a tech perspective, rather than the celebrity cringe-fest) that left me sensing a momentum shift in smartphones. Pixels will continue to be niche compared to iPhones, but Google knows that AI is its era – and the Pixel 10 launch showed that its bullishness is well-founded.

The Pixels are the most iPhone-like phones on Android – rather than flashy specs and benchmark battles, they're all about features. And it's those features, plus Google's surprise push into repairability and fun accessories, that caught my eye as a long-time Apple fan.

Here are the five things that I think Apple needs to respond to at its iPhone 17 launch in September.

1. Genuinely useful AI features

The big asterisk here is we don't know exactly how well Google's new AI features, like Magic Cue, are going to work in practice. And I've also lost count of the number of times Google has promised us seamless AI wizardry, only for it to fall apart on contact with the real world.

But my impression from the Pixel 10 launch is that Google has some great ideas and, most importantly, is in the best position to pull them off. Take Magic Cue, for example – it's billed as the AI smartphone assistant we've all wanted for the past few years, popping up with relevant files or calendar entries when we're messaging or phoning friends.

(Image credit: Google)

Even as an iPhone user, I'm still very much in Google's world as a user of Calendar, Maps, and Gmail. I even use the Gmail app instead of Apple Mail on my iPhone. So the idea of an AI assistant that can make connections between all those services is an appealing one – and I don't really see Apple Intelligence doing that better than Gemini anytime soon.

Obviously, there are privacy concerns, and it'll likely be a slow-burn feature initially, but a lot of Google's AI features, like voice translation, work well on-device. It's long felt like Apple is playing catch-up in the AI spaces that appeal to me most, which aren't Genmojis and Image Playground. And the Pixel 10 launch really rammed that home.

2. Foldable first steps

Google knows it isn't a leader in foldables, but I like the fact that it's willing to at least throw its hat into the ring and iterate. As our hands-on Google Pixel 10 Fold review concludes, it isn't a reinvention and remains a few steps behind the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 due to its inferior weight, thickness, and cameras.

But the foldable's existence makes the Pixel 10 lineup feel more exciting. If I were on Team Pixel rather than Apple, I'd be comforted in knowing that while Google isn't a foldables champion, it's at least refining its craft and getting the real-world feedback it needs to make a great Pixel Fold one day. Maybe.

(Image credit: Google)

After so many years with Apple, I know that isn't how it rolls with new technology. It waits for others to publicly iron out the kinks before leapfrogging everyone with the polished version they've been stumbling towards. In theory, at least.

Am I confident it'll do this with foldables? Not particularly, if the Apple Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence are anything to go by. The iPhone Fold is rumored to be solving a lot of foldable issues (screen creases, weak hinges, and more), but by the time it launches, I might be more excited about screen-less AI gadgets that'll make foldables look like a Psion Organizer.

3. AI health coach

Health and fitness is the area where I'm most excited about AI's personalized potential. While I've long been a fan of open-water swimming and triathlons, I've never been a true data nerd with BPM and VO2 max – so that's why Google's new AI health coach really appeals.

Unfortunately, we didn't hear much in the way of specifics, but the concept is exciting – a personal AI health coach, trained on your exercise, sleep, and nutrition data, that can make little tweaks to your plans based on your metrics and how you're feeling.

I've always struggled with the tension between training plans and real life, with injuries, poor sleep, and other events often clothes-lining my good intentions, and leading to prolonged breaks. In theory, the new AI health coach for the redesigned Fitbit app could solve this – for example, letting me conversationally chat with the assistant about exercises for my stiff back or the best alternative workout for my sleep-deprived body.

Is Apple making something like this? Almost certainly, with rumors about Project Mulberry recently suggesting that an AI health coach will be part of a revamped Apple Health app. But I'm again not convinced that Apple is best-placed to win here – Google's AI coach is powered by Gemini, and so far Apple Intelligence features have been underwhelming.

4. Camera consistency

I've long been a buyer of Pro model iPhones, because cameras are important to me – but I don't see why telephoto cameras should be reserved for pricier models anymore. The Pixel 10 series has done away with this disparity, with even the base model now coming with a 5x telephoto camera.

This reflects well on the Pixel series as a whole. They're much friendlier to the average photographer than iPhones, which are rumored to again be keeping their telephoto cameras restricted to Pro models on the iPhone 17 range. Even as a Pro owner, that feels a bit mean.

(Image credit: Google)

This sense of making photography accessible to everyone is also behind Camera Coach, a new AI feature that tells you how best to compose and shoot photos. It isn't a feature I'd use, but I like the concept and I'm glad that it exists.

That said, I'm not a fan of all of Google's AI camera features. Its new 100x Pro Res Zoom feature (not to be confused with Super Res Zoom) sounds like it's overstepping the mark when it comes to how much AI-created detail is in our photos. It doesn't yet work on people, and Pro Res Zoom photos are tagged as 'edited with AI tools', but it still feels like a slippery slope for a default camera app to me.

5. The Pixel Watch 4's repairability

I'm a longtime Apple Watch owner, but the new Pixel Watch 4 has beaten it to a very cool feature. As long as you have a Torx screwdriver, you can replace its battery or display at home.

Impressively, this much-needed feature doesn't affect the smartwatch's waterproofing. The only downside is that Google has had to move the charging pins to the side of the device, which means yet another new charging dock. Still, that dock also looks pretty cool, and the repairability is overall a big net win.

(Image credit: Google)

While I'm expecting the Apple Watch to match the Pixel Watch 4's other big upgrade –phone-free satellite connectivity for emergencies – I'm less confident we'll see any major design changes to this year's Apple Watch 11.

The rumors are pointing to a major redesign for the Apple Watch 12, but there's still nothing in the speculation about repairability. It's another area where it again feels like Apple is lagging behind and happy to rest on its 'Carbon Neutral' laurels, but I hope I'm pleasantly surprised come September.

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• 13 things we saw at the wild Google Pixel 10 launch – including the best Pixel phones yet
• Google has ditched Battery Share on the Pixel 10 – but for a good reason
• The Google Pixel 10 Pro might be even worse for gaming than the Pixel 9 Pro

Dietitians share their advice on how to reduce all of those intrusive food thoughts.

Months after his explosive meeting at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned this week wearing a black blazer. His dress last time invited criticism from Trump supporters.

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The rainbow crosswalk in front of Orlando's Pulse nightclub was removed by Florida transportation officials. The crosswalk was a memorial for those killed in a 2016 mass shooting at the gay bar.

International students from around the world are arriving on American college campuses after a very rocky summer.

Not all USB-C cables or ports are the same.

The Bees look to bounce back from their opening weekend defeat as they host Unai Emery's Villains.

This bidet seat delivers comfort and a snug fit for most toilets, making it an easy upgrade without the guesswork.

I've tested LED floodlights from every brand. Here are the smartest and most useful inside or outside of your home.

Panasonic Z95B: Two-minute review

The Panasonic Z95B is the latest flagship TV to enter what is turning out to be a very competitive OLED TV market in 2025. Whereas some of those models – specifically those from Samsung and LG – are making a bet on high brightness to distinguish themselves among the best TVs, Panasonic is pushing accuracy with the Z95B, and the effort can be seen in its refined, natural, and finely detailed picture.

For the Panasonic Z95B, the company opted to use the same Primary RGB Tandem panel OLED display found in the LG G5. This new panel tech has a ‘four-stack’ structure, with separate red and green OLED layers sandwiched between two blue layers, and it accounts for the Z95B’s rich color display and high brightness capability – I recorded brightness measurements as high as 2,107 nits, though brightness is considerably more limited in several of the TV’s picture presets such as Filmmaker Mode, which is a quirk I'll dig into later in the review.

The Z95B’s predecessor, the Panasonic Z95A, distinguished itself as one of the best TVs for sound with its powerful 5.1.2-channel built-in speaker array. This same '360 Soundscape Pro tuned by Technics’ system carries over to the Z95B, though Panasonic has made improvements to the speaker drivers, speaker layout, and woofer output. The result is one of the best built-in TV speaker systems you can buy, with sound that’s clear, powerful, and immersive enough that you could easily get away with not using an external soundbar.

Those speakers on the Z95B are concealed behind a gray mesh fabric that runs along the TV’s top, bottom, and sides, and gives it a solid, dignified appearance. A pedestal stand that swivels in either direction to accommodate a range of seating positions is a bonus, though the included, basic remote control seems at odds with the TV’s premium design.

Panasonic uses Amazon Fire TV as its smart TV system, and it's a serviceable, but ad-driven platform that really would like you to be a Prime Video subscriber and devotee of other Amazon services and products. Fire TV’s Live TV portal is particularly friendly to users of the best indoor antennas, though, and the Z95B supports ATSC 3.0 broadcasts for viewers in the US.

Gaming is well supported on the Z95B, with 4K at 144Hz, Dolby Vision gaming, and variable refresh rate, including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, all accounted for. HDMI 2.1 ports supporting those features are limited to two, rather than the four HDMI 2.1 ports we look for on the best gaming TVs, but the Z95B’s powerful built-in speaker system makes that less of an issue than it normally would be.

Panasonic OLED TVs are typically priced higher than their Samsung and LG counterparts, particularly in the UK, but the Z95B was priced around the same as its competition at launch, and has already seen discounts. Given its impressive picture and sound quality, it’s one of 2025's best OLED TVs, and a very good overall value among premium TVs.

Panasonic Z95B review: Price and release date

The Fire TV Ambient Experience lets you choose images and artworks to display when the TV is in standby mode (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: June 2025
• 55-inch: $2,599 / £2,499
• 65-inch: $3,399 / £2,999
• 77-inch: $4,699 / £3,999
  

The Panasonic Z95B is available in 55-, 65-, and 77-inch screen sizes, with that last option an expansion on last year’s Z95A series, which was only available in 55- and 65-inch sizes. Prices for all Z95B series TVs have dropped since launch, with all screen sizes now selling for several hundred less in both the US and the UK.

At the reduced price, the Z95B series is now priced in line with its premium OLED competition from LG, Samsung, and Sony. For example, the 65-inch Panasonic is now selling for around $3,000 in the US. In that same screen size, you’ll find both the LG G5 and the Sony Bravia 8 II priced around $3,000, and the Samsung S95F at $3,299.

Panasonic Z95B review: Specs

Screen type:

Primary Tandem RGB OLED

Refresh rate:

144Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos

Smart TV:

Fire TV

HDMI ports:

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 3.0 (US)

Panasonic Z95B review: Benchmark resultsPanasonic Z95B review: Features

The Z95B's four HDMI ports, including two inputs with 4K 144Hz support (Image credit: Future)

• Primary RGB Tandem panel OLED display
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
• 360 Soundscape Pro tuned by Technics speaker array

The Panasonic Z95B uses a new Primary RGB Tandem panel OLED display with a notably higher brightness capability than the Master OLED Ultimate panel with micro lens array tech used in its Panasonic Z95A predecessor. Panasonic additionally uses a ThermalFlow aerodynamic cooling system that helps to maximize peak brightness by improving airflow through the TV.

Panasonic has carried over the same HCX Pro AI Processor MK II from the Z95A to the Z95B. This advanced picture processor uses dynamic 3D LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to ensure accurate colors across a range of picture brightness levels and provides 4K Fine Remaster and Smooth Motion Drive Pro features to improve detail and motion handling.

Panasonic models continue to be the only OLED TVs in the US to support both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats (Philips OLEDs in the UK have the same capability), and in the Z95B, that’s supplemented by Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive for automatic picture brightness adjustments across a range of lighting conditions. Picture presets include Filmmaker Mode and Panasonic’s True Cinema and True Game modes, along with Netflix and Prime Video Calibrated modes for automatic picture optimization when streaming from those services.

The Panasonic Z95A quickly earned a spot as the best option for built-in sound quality in multiple TechRadar best TVs lists, and the new Z95B also features a '360 Soundscape Pro tuned by Technics' built-in 5.1.2-channel 160W speaker system – this time with redesigned speaker drivers and speaker layout, and higher bass output. This differs from the built-in speaker arrays found on most other TVs in providing a dedicated center channel speaker, along with side-firing and upfiring speaker drivers for enhanced immersion.

As with picture settings, the Z95B features a wide range of sound settings. Key among these is Space Tune, for automatically tuning the TV’s sound output using the remote control’s built-in mic, and Sound Focus, which lets you adjust the directionality of the TV’s sound using beam-forming to accommodate off-center seating positions.

Panasonic switched to the Amazon Fire TV smart TV interface back in 2024, and Fire TV on the Z95B features optimized voice control features for content discovery and navigation, a hands-free control option, and an interface that can be personalized for multiple users. Live TV channels, including ones pulled in by the TV’s ATSC 3.0 tuner, can be integrated into the smart interface for browsing and also customized for a ‘personalized Live-TV Experience.’

Gaming features on the Z95B include a True Game mode with latency reduction, a Game sound mode, and a Game Board onscreen menu for making quick adjustments while gaming. Two of the TV’s four HDMI ports also support HDMI 2.1 features such as 4K 144Hz and VRR, including AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync.

• Features Score: 4.5 / 5

Panasonic Z95B review: Picture quality

Ambient Experience options include full-motion and AI-generated images plus information widgets (Image credit: Future)

• High brightness capability for an OLED TV
• Brightness is limited in Filmmaker and other picture modes
• Rich color and excellent detail

The first thing to say about the Panasonic Z95B’s picture is that, while the TV is capable of high brightness, it’s not as bright as its premium OLED TV competition when its most accurate picture presets – Filmmaker Mode, True Cinema, and Cinema – are used and left at their default settings.

That’s because Panasonic is prioritizing picture accuracy over brightness here, and those modes limit peak brightness based on the maximum mastered brightness level of the source – typically 1,000 nits for most content.

Correspondingly, I measured Z95B’s peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode at 992 nits, while its fullscreen brightness in that mode was 347 nits. After bumping up the luminance level of my test pattern source, peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode jumped to 2,107 nits, and the TV’s EOTF (the equivalent gamma for HDR) also remained accurate at that brightness level.

Viewers not wanting to deal with any brightness limitations could instead opt for the Standard picture preset, which had a measured peak HDR brightness of 1,835 nits, and 327 nits fullscreen brightness. Panasonic also provides settings in the TV’s HDR submenu that let you manually set HDR tonemapping and luminance clipping levels, and these can be used to help optimize brightness. Needless to say, this is great news for tweakers, but a potential source of annoyance for others who don’t like to sift through menu settings.

As for other numbers, the Z95B’s coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces in Filmmaker Mode measured 99.9% and 79.1%, respectively – both impressive results. The average Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen, with a result lower than 3 being undetectable by the human eye) for color point accuracy was 2.6, and it was 3.2 for grayscale accuracy.

The Z95B has high peak brightness capability, but brightness is limited by default in specific picture modes, such as Filmmaker Mode (Image credit: Future)

For most of my Z95B evaluation, I viewed it in dimmed lighting, and such conditions allowed the Panasonic’s picture to fully shine. The set does use an anti-reflection screen, and while this works to a degree, I could still see mirror-like reflections from lamps and overhead lights, and picture contrast was also lessened with my room lights on.

After watching the recent movie Weapons in the theater, I was motivated to stream the director’s earlier movie, Barbarian (on Netflix in 4K), and the Z95B did an excellent job of displaying the deep black of the house’s basement and fleshing out shadows in the corridors of the creepy, dungeon-like space. For this movie, I used Netflix Calibrated Mode, which by default made it too dark, but the TV’s multiple black level adjustments allowed me to tweak the picture for a more balanced look.

Wild Robot was up next, and I streamed it in 4K with Dolby Vision using the TV’s Dolby Vision Dark preset – one that I’m happy to report turned off motion smoothing by default. The jungle and creatures in this animated movie were displayed with rich, vivid color. The picture also looked fantastically detailed and clean, with the textures in the computer-generated images giving the picture a near-3D quality.

I like to use the Netflix series Ripley in TV evaluations because of its sumptuous cinematography (by frequent Paul Thomas Anderson collaborator Robert Elswit). The Z95B certainly did not disappoint here, displaying the wide range of fine gray tones in the black and white images of Italian villages and villas with an impressive level of subtlety.

Dolby Vision Dark mode proved to be a good match for Ripley, but in this case, when I switched to Netflix Calibrated mode, the picture retained both its subtle grayscale and contrast punch.

No Time to Die is one of my go-to reference 4K Blu-rays, and when I watched the scene where James Bond walks across a craggy hillside cemetery, the Z95B’s picture looked impressively solid, with only a minimal level of judder. I often find myself applying some level of motion adjustment to TVs after checking this scene, but the Z95B’s motion handling was good enough that I didn’t feel any need to.

• Picture quality score: 5 / 5

Panasonic Z95B review: Sound quality

The Z95B features a rear-mounted subwoofer with dual passive radiators (Image credit: Future)

• 5.1.2-channel, 160W speaker array
• 360 Soundscape Pro tuned by Technics
• Sound Focus feature adjusts for off-center seating

The Z95B features a built-in 5.1.2-channel, 160W speaker array, with the front-facing left, center, and right-channel speakers contained in a soundbar-like enclosure at the screen’s bottom. Along with these, there are newly designed line-array speakers positioned at the sides and top surface of the TV, along with a subwoofer and dual passive bass radiators located around the back.

This ‘360 Soundscape Pro tuned by Technics’ Dolby Atmos sound system is more elaborate than what you’ll find on most TVs, and its performance is good enough that you can easily use it in place of one of the best soundbars. Panasonic has also introduced enhanced two-channel and 5.1-channel upmixing on the Z95B which it says can “deliver immersive rear sound without rear speakers,” though the TV’s virtual processing comes short of delivering on that claim.

As with the picture, there are extensive sound presets on the Z95B, along with settings for customizing the sound. After using Space Tune, a feature that uses the remote control’s built-in mic to calibrate the TV’s sound output for your viewing environment, I found that many of the presets sounded too bright for my taste and opted for the User preset, which provides Sound Field and Bass Boost settings to customize the sound, along with an eight-band EQ adjustment.

Once adjusted, dialogue projected clearly and sounded natural, and even music sounded good, as I confirmed when watching Queens of the Stone Age Alive in the Catacombs, an acoustic performance by the band recorded in the catacombs beneath Paris. The sound effects in action movies like Mad Max: Fury Road had a high level of spatial precision, and the TV’s powerful speaker array delivered a strong impact on engine roars and crashes during the movie’s many vehicle chase scenes.

Another key Z95B feature is Sound Focus, which uses beam-forming processing to change the direction of the speaker output to accommodate off-center seating positions. You can choose Pinpoint, Area, Spot, or Ambient settings, each of which provides a different level of soundfield width. Testing this, I used the Pinpoint setting to aim the sound at the far end of my sofa, and the TV’s soundstage clearly shifted 30 degrees off from center.

• Sound quality score: 5 / 5

Panasonic Z95B review: DesignImage 1 of 2

The Z95B's swiveling pedestal stand (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

The mesh fabric grille covering the TV's top- and side-mounted speakers (Image credit: Future)

• Swiveling stand
• Wide range of input and control ports
• Flimsy remote control
  

With its two-inch depth, the Z95B, while slimmer than its Z95A predecessor, is still on the bulky side for an OLED TV. That girth is a necessity given the TV’s substantial built-in speakers, however, and the Z95B still manages to maintain a sleek look when viewed straight on.

An attractive dark gray fabric mesh covers both the front-facing and side- and top-firing speakers, and the TV’s sturdy aluminum pedestal stand can be swiveled – a useful feature to accommodate a range of viewing positions.

The Z95B’s extensive connections include four HDMI ports (with two HDMI 2.1) and both optical digital audio and a 3.5mm headphone output that can also be configured for connecting an external subwoofer. An ATSC 3.0 tuner connection can be used for viewing ‘NextGen’ digital TV broadcasts in the US, and there are also powered USB and Ethernet ports, and an IR blaster output.

Panasonic hasn’t changed the flimsy remote control that previously shipped with the Z95A for the Z95B. And while that’s disappointing given this TV’s premium price, it mostly does the job and features a built-in mic for Alexa voice commands.

There’s no input select button on the US remote for changing inputs – one of my pet peeves with TV remotes – but you can configure one of the controls to switch to a specific input on the TV, along with a range of other options such as selecting a specific streaming app.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Panasonic Z95B review: Smart TV and menusImage 1 of 2

The main Fire TV home screen (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

The Live TV guide screen on Fire TV (Image credit: Future)

• Amazon Fire TV smart TV platform
• Live program grid with broadcast channels customization
• Extensive array of picture and sound adjustments

Panasonic TVs use Amazon Fire TV for a smart TV system, and the version you’ll see on the Z95B is essentially the same as what’s found on Amazon’s own Fire TV lineup. The top half is occupied by ads, many for Amazon streaming and VOD offerings, while a horizontal bar cutting across the center contains input selection, My Stuff, search, and Live TV tabs, along with a customizable row of streaming apps and a gear icon for advanced menus.

The bottom section contains a grid of recommended program options culled from free TV and subscription apps, and if you scroll down, you’ll see a seemingly endless range of these, with everything from political news to the latest cooking videos.

Fire TV’s Live TV portal features a grid guide option that lets you browse channels grouped in a range of categories such as Antenna Channels, Sports, News by Fire TV, and more. Digital broadcast stations can be arranged into lists, with the option to favorite your regularly watched channels, and to hide ones like home shopping networks that you’d prefer to shut out.

Fire TV provides a greater range of customization for browsing both free broadcast and streamed TV channels than most other smart interfaces, so it’s a good option for antenna users.

The Fire TV Ambient Experience provides a wide assortment of still and motion images that can be displayed when the TV is in standby mode. (It can also be accessed at any time by pressing and holding the power on/off button on the remote.) Along with the supplied content library, you can access personal photos (you’ll first need to upload these using the Amazon Photos app on your phone).

You can also use Alexa voice commands to create AI-generated images for your Ambient Experience library, though, as I found when experimenting with this feature, political content is not permitted.

Panasonic provides a much wider range of picture and sound adjustment options in the setup menus than most other TVs. I hit the high points for sound in the Sound Quality section above, but the Z95B’s picture menus include an almost over-the-top array of advanced adjustments.

To list just a few, the Brightness menu has multiple advanced settings for configuring black levels, and there’s an HDR submenu that lets you set EOTF type, HDR tonemapping, and luminance clipping levels. For color, you can switch between Rec. 2020, DCI-P3, Adobe, and Rec. 709 color gamuts.

The reason for all these adjustments is that Panasonic’s OLED TVs are used in post-production facilities as reference monitors, but in the majority of instances, you’ll want to leave things set to Auto.

• Smart TV & menus score: 4 / 5

Panasonic Z95B review: Gaming

The Z95B's Game Bar menu overlay (Image credit: Future)

• Two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support
• FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync VRR
• 12.7ms input lag is average

The Z95B’s gaming features include two HDMI ports with 4K at 144Hz, FreeSync Premium, and Nvidia G-Sync VRR support, and Dolby Vision gaming. There’s a True Game picture and a Game sound mode, and Panasonic’s Game Board onscreen menu can be called up to make quick and easy adjustments to parameters like dark visibility, sound mode, and variable refresh rate.

Input lag measured with a Bodnar 4K meter was 12.7ms, which is an average level for a TV. The best gaming TVs can hit the 9ms range, but the Z95B’s input lag is minimal enough that the vast majority of gamers will find it more than acceptable.

• Gaming score: 4 / 5

Panasonic Z95B review: Value

The Z95B's remote control is flimsy and lacks backlighting and an input select button (Image credit: Future)

• Priced the same as top OLED competition
• Built-in sound enhances value
• Less extensive gaming features than competition

The Panasonic Z95B is currently priced on par with, or even less than, its premium OLED competition from LG, Samsung, and Sony. Choosing between this year’s top OLED TVs is tougher than ever, but I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with the Z95B’s picture, though the Samsung S95F and LG G5 may be better options for those wanting to view in bright rooms.

One thing that enhances the Z95B’s value is its powerful sound. For that reason, you could consider using this TV without a soundbar, though the built-in speakers aren’t necessarily a match for the best Dolby Atmos soundbar systems with separate rear-channel speakers and a subwoofer.

An argument could be made that the Z95B is a lesser gaming TV than the Samsung S95F and LG G5, both of which feature four HDMI 2.1 ports, lower input lag, and cloud-based gaming from apps including Xbox. But the Z95B’s lower HDMI 2.1 port count won’t be an issue if you're using its built-in speakers, and as a Fire TV, there is Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming app, which features popular games like Fortnite.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Panasonic Z95B?

(Image credit: Future)Panasonic Z95B

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

A fine selection of features led by sound processing modes for room tuning and off-center seating accommodation

4.5 / 5

Picture quality

Capable of high brightness for an OLED, but many of the TV’s preset picture modes favor a more subtle, balanced, and accurate images

5 / 5

Sound quality

Powerful built-in 5.1.2-channel speakers distinguish the Z95B from other TVs and is good enough that a soundbar isn’t exactly needed

5 / 5

Design

A slightly bulky form factor due to its built-in speakers, but otherwise a sleek design with a swiveling pedestal stand. Remote control could use work

4 / 5

Smart TV and menus

Amazon Fire TV isn’t the best smart TV platform, but it does the job for streaming and Amazon subscribers and Alexa users will find it useful

4 / 5

Gaming

A good set of gaming features and solid overall gaming performance

4 / 5

Value

A very good value compared to other premium OLED TVs, and its value is enhanced by its excellent built-in sound

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the best TV for movies
With its refined, colorful, and accurate picture, the Z95B is an excellent choice for those who want movies on Blu-ray and streaming services to look their best.

You don’t want to use a soundbar
The Z95B’s 5.1.2-channel built-in speaker array is powerful and immersive enough that you could easily get away with not using a soundbar.

You’re an Amazon fan
The Z95B’s Fire TV smart TV platform is very much aimed at Prime Video subscribers, and its built-in Alexa support makes it a perfect match for viewers who live in the Amazon Alexa ecosystem.

Don't buy it if…

You don’t want to dim the lights
While the Z95B is capable of putting out a bright enough picture to compete with daylight, many of its picture modes are tuned for viewing in dimmed lighting conditions, and its anti-reflection screen isn’t the most effective one we’ve seen.

You don’t like to tweak settings
The Z95B is a tweaker's delight, with an exhaustive list of advanced settings for configuring its picture and sound. You can ignore these, but in some cases, tweaking is necessary to get the best performance.View Deal

You already own a good soundbar
The Z95B’s built-in 5.1.2-channel is meant to replace a soundbar. If you already own a good Dolby Atmos soundbar, especially one with a subwoofer and rear speakers, this TV’s sound capabilities are overkill.

Panasonic Z95B: Also consider...

Panasonic Z95B

LG G5

Samsung S95F

Sony Bravia 8 II

List price (65-inch)

$3,399 / £2,999

$3,399 / £3,299 / AU$5,299

$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299

$3,499 / £2,999 / AU$4,999

Screen type

Primary Tandem RGB OLED

Primary Tandem RGB OLED

QD-OLED

QD-OLED

Refresh rate

144Hz

165Hz

165Hz

120Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision/HDR10+/HLG

Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG

HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

DolbyVision/HDR10/HLG

Smart TV

Fire TV

webOS

Tizen

Google TV

HDMI ports

4 (2 x HDMI 2.1)

4x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

LG G5
The LG G5 also has ‘four-stack’ display panel and delivers exceptional brightness levels for an OLED TV. It has superior gaming features and a better smart TV platform, though its built-in sound isn’t nearly as good

Here’s our LG G5 review

Samsung S95F
Samsung’s flagship OLED TV also delivers high brightness levels, and its Glare Free screen does quick work of eliminating screen reflections when viewing in bright rooms. Similar to the LG G5, it has superior gaming features and a more advanced smart TV platform.

Here’s our Samsung S95F review

Sony Bravia 8 II
Sony’s flagship OLED TV offers up a refined picture with very good brightness and also has powerful built-in sound. Gaming features are about the same, and it has a somewhat better smart TV platform in Google TV.

Here’s our Sony Bravia 8 II review

How I tested the Panasonic Z95B

Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)

• I spent about 15 viewing hours in total, measuring and evaluating
• Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
• A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-the-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments. I next select the most accurate preset (usually Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.

Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak and fullscreen light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the TV can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources.

For the Panasonic Z95B, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from HBO Max, Netflix, Apple TV+, and other services.

• First reviewed: August 2025
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

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• Cadence tool helps Nvidia model Rubin GPU power demands across billions of cycles
• Early analysis will help Nvidia improve chip efficiency and power consumption levels
• Nvidia and AMD hardware both contribute to Cadence emulation and prototyping platform

Cadence Design Systems has created a Dynamic Power Analysis tool designed to handle very large chip designs, including Nvidia’s Rubin GPU which carries more than 40 billion gates.

eeNews Europe reports the software operates on the Palladium Z3 emulator, allowing engineers to examine with incredibly high accuracy how energy is consumed across billions of cycles in only a few hours.

This is especially useful for AI accelerators like Rubin, where workloads vary widely and can stress different areas of the design at different times.

Addressing early bottlenecks

Power modelling is increasingly important as chips grow larger and energy demands rise.

Rubin could draw around 700W for a single die, with multi-chip configurations consuming up to 3.6kW. By running early simulations, design teams can size networks more accurately, spotting and addressing bottlenecks before the chip even reaches production.

eeNews says Rubin has been reported to require a respin. It taped out with TSMC in June on its 3nm N3P process, but Nvidia is looking to further boost performance in preparation for a battle against AMD’s upcoming MI450.

This could delay the first Rubin samples into 2026, although shipments are still expected to begin towards the end of that year.

The Cadence DPA app will play a central role in navigating these challenges, eeNews says. The emulator can reportedly handle up to 48 billion gates, supporting chip-level estimation of peaks and averages in power draw.

This enables developers to balance performance with efficiency while also limiting risks of delay from underpowered or oversized networks.

The Palladium Z3 platform itself uses Nvidia’s BlueField data processing unit and Quantum Infiniband networking to connect with the Protium X3 FPGA prototyping system.

The Protium platform is based on AMD Ultrascale FPGAs, which can run RTL models of designs, enabling early software testing before silicon is available. In this way, both Nvidia and AMD hardware are involved in supporting Rubin’s design cycle.

Cadence first introduced a DPA app in 2016, but the rising complexity of AI processors has since made such tools essential.

In Rubin’s case, the analysis and prototyping platforms will help engineers manage power demands at a scale not seen before, and the lessons learned here are expected to filter down into consumer products as the technology matures.

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