Rating: 4/5
The Panasonic LX850 Series 65-inch 4K TV delivers vibrant colours, strong smart features, and premium build quality at Rs 1,29,990, making it a compelling option for living room entertainment.
Key Takeaways
- Excellent colour reproduction with Hexa Chroma Drive technology
- Bright 450-nit display performs well in various lighting
- Comprehensive Android TV platform with voice control
- Premium metal stand and clean design aesthetics
- Built-in speakers may require soundbar for better audio
Design and Build Quality
The Panasonic LX850 features a sophisticated design with purple-black bezels framing the 65-inch display. The metal pedestal stand provides solid stability while adding a premium touch that complements modern living spaces. Connectivity options are conveniently positioned on the side panel for easy access.
The TV includes three HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, optical audio output, RJ-45 Ethernet, and composite AV input. The remote features dedicated Netflix and Prime Video buttons, along with Google Assistant voice control support.
Display Performance
With 400 nits typical brightness (450 nits peak), the Super Bright Panel Plus ensures clear visibility even in well-lit rooms. The 4K LED panel uses Panasonic’s Hexa Chroma Drive technology, adding cyan, magenta, and yellow to traditional RGB for more natural colour reproduction.
During testing, nature documentaries showed vibrant greens and blues without oversaturation. While streaming “The Crown,” colour accuracy was generally good though skin tones occasionally appeared slightly warm.
The TV supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, delivering good contrast in compatible content like “Dune.” However, the lack of local dimming means blacks appear slightly grey in dark scenes. Multiple picture modes include Vivid, Standard, Sport, and Movie – with Movie mode offering the best accuracy for films.
Viewing angles are excellent at 178 degrees, maintaining picture quality even from the sides. We did notice occasional minor flickers during testing.
Audio Experience
The 20W stereo speakers (two 10W units) support Dolby Atmos and DTS formats, though the hardware limits their capabilities. Dialogue comes through clearly for everyday viewing, but action sequences in films like “Top Gun: Maverick” lack punch and bass response.
At higher volumes, some cracking noises were noticeable. Music playback through streaming services revealed similar limitations, with instrumental tracks sounding flat. The Bluetooth Audio Link feature works well for connecting wireless headphones during late-night viewing.
Software and Smart Features
Running Android-based Google TV, the interface provides smooth navigation and access to extensive app libraries including pre-installed Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. Voice control through Google Assistant works reliably for launching apps, searching content, and adjusting volume.
Chromecast built-in allows seamless casting from mobile devices. The TV takes about 45 seconds to boot from cold start, while app switching is quicker at 3-5 seconds.
Connectivity
Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) with 802.11ac support ensures stable streaming of 4K content from Netflix and Prime Video. The three HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K content, though 120Hz refresh rates aren’t specified. USB playback supports multiple file systems for viewing photos and videos from external drives.
Verdict
The Panasonic LX850 Series offers an impressive premium viewing experience with its colour-accurate display, comprehensive smart features, and polished design. While the audio may require a soundbar for movie enthusiasts, the overall package represents solid value for those seeking large-screen entertainment with excellent streaming capabilities.
