If you’ve marveled at the deep blacks of OLEDs and the stunning colors of 4K UHD TVs, brace yourself for the next level with the mind-blowing 8K resolution!!
Is 8K better than 4K Ultra HD resolution? Is it better than OLED?
We will clear all the doubts related to 8K resolution in this article. Let’s begin with the pixel count.
How many pixels does an 8K resolution have?
The 4K Ultra HD resolution has four times the pixels of Full HD. Full HD has 1920×1080 pixels, while 4K has 3840×2160 pixels.
Now, let’s unveil the 8K resolution – it’s four times the resolution of 4K, meaning it has twice the number of horizontal and vertical pixels of 4K.
Thus, the pixel count of an 8K TV is 7680×4320, i.e., 33,177,600 pixels in total.
An 8K TV boasts a whopping 33 million pixels, while a 4K TV has about 8 million pixels.
The leap from 4K to 8K in terms of pixel count is immense, but does it translate to such immense leap in picture quality? Let’s find out.
And here’s the big question: Are 8K TVs worth the hefty price tag?
To answer that, let’s compare them to the top technologies of the display world: 4K and OLED.
After all, why shell out for 8K if it doesn’t offer a major leap forward from the existing tech?
Is 8K better than 4K Ultra HD?
The transition from HD to 4K brought about a significant enhancement in picture quality, driven by the substantial increase in resolution.
This shift was further complemented by the introduction of High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut features, which added an extra layer of richness to the visuals.
Fast forward to the leap from 4K to 8K, and we’re met again with a staggering increase in pixel count.
However, the jump in pixel density doesn’t always equate to a proportional improvement in picture quality across the board.
To our surprise, many 8K TVs exhibit picture quality comparable to that of high-quality 4K televisions.
Some 8K models even fall behind the top-tier 4K counterparts, challenging our expectations.
The visible improvement in picture quality with the transition from HD to 4K seemed to align with the assumption that more pixels equate to finer control over different aspects of the image, resulting in superior visual fidelity.
However, the reality isn’t quite that straightforward, as we’ve come to realize.
This realization is rooted in the limitations of the human eye’s ability to discern details within a scene.
After all, what good are excessive pixels if our eyes can’t fully discern them?
Thus, while the transition from HD to 4K allowed for a visible upgrade, the shift from 8 million pixels to 32 million pixels doesn’t always translate to a perceivable leap in quality.
So, the question remains: What is the true impact of this massive leap in pixel count on picture quality, and how does it align with our visual perception?
Is 8K better than OLED?
Did you know that the terms “8K” and “OLED” can actually go hand in hand? It’s true!
An 8K TV can be either an OLED or an LCD TV, depending on the technology used to make its display.
Currently, most 8K TVs on the market are LCDs, possibly because creating 33 million self-lit pixels for an 8K OLED TV, like the LG Z2, is an enormous undertaking, and therefore, it comes with a hefty price tag.
Several 8K TVs are based on cutting-edge LCD technology. They utilize quantum dots with mini LED technology, also known as Neo QLED TVs.
The quantum dot tech makes colors pop while the mini LED backlight creates amazing contrast and peak brightness.
This combination delivers a huge color volume and dynamic range for stunning HDR performance, making the details on the screen look incredibly lifelike.
That being said, when it comes to picture quality, the real magic lies in the TV’s contrast ratio and peak brightness.
The greater the distinction between whites and blacks, the more accurately the TV can differentiate between light and dark areas of the screen.
A TV with high peak brightness and contrast ratio can therefore display the subtle details of a scene with much impressive accuracy.
OLED TVs boast an infinite contrast ratio and are capable of delivering the deepest blacks.
A vibrant 4K OLED TV like the Samsung S90C offers superior HDR performance and more realistic colors compared to many premium 8K TVs, thanks to its wide color gamut and self-lit pixels.
Is there enough 8K content available?
The availability of 4K content is widespread across major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, etc.
This means that there is an abundance of 4K movies and shows to choose from, allowing users to make the most of their 4K TVs by enjoying a variety of content.
However, the same cannot be said for 8K content.
The availability of 8K content is currently quite limited, and it’s not guaranteed that your favorite movies or shows will be available in 8K format.
As a result, you may find yourself watching 4K content on your 8K TV.
While some of the best 8K TVs come with impressive 8K upscaling features that attempt to enhance the quality of 4K content to match 8K resolution, the optimal viewing experience can only be achieved with true 8K content.
The production and transmission of content in 8K format is more challenging compared to displaying it on an 8K TV.
This limitation results in a relatively limited supply of 8K content in comparison to the widespread availability of 4K content.
How much internet speed is required for 8K streaming?
Streaming 4K content on your TV requires a very fast internet connection, typically around 50 Mbps to ensure smooth playback.
If we consider 8K streaming, the required internet speed becomes even more demanding.
Such ultra-fast internet connections are only available to a small percentage of users.
This means that if 8K technology becomes the norm, only a limited number of people will be able to fully utilize its capabilities.
Technology Gap
When we look at 4K technology, we find that many older 4K displays are unable to support the current range of 4K content.
The gap between the manufacturing of early 4K displays and the current state of 4K technology has created compatibility issues.
Similarly, if you were to invest in an 8K TV now, there’s a possibility that it may not be compatible with the 8K content that will be available a decade from now, that’s one thing.
The 4K technology is still not universally accessible, and it will likely take significant time before it becomes mainstream.
Moreover, the dominance of 8K technology in the market is contingent upon the obsolescence of 4K, which is unlikely to happen in the near future.
Should I buy an 8K TV?
You will get a very good 4K TV for only about half of the budget of an 8K TV, which almost matches its performance.
Some 4K TVs even outperform 8K TVs, not with their pixel count, but with their HDR performance and colour accuracy.
Unless you have a huge budget, or you’re an ardent fan of the 8K TVs, don’t even think to buy one.
In future, it may be possible that the 8K resolution becomes more mainstream, 8K content becomes more available and 8K TVs become cheaper.
Then, you can go ahead and buy one.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the 8K TVs.
1. How many pixels are there in an 8K TV?
An 8K TV has about 33 million pixels, which are about four times of the number of pixels present in a 4K TV and about 16 times of that in a Full HD TV.
2. How much internet speed is needed for 8K?
To stream 8K content smoothly, you’ll need an internet speed of around 50 Mbps, which is approximately double the speed required for streaming 4K content.
3. Which type of HDMI cable in used in the 8K TVs?
For 8K TVs, HDMI 2.1 cables are currently used to handle the approximately 50 Mbps bandwidth necessary for smooth 8K content display.
However, as 8K technology progresses, it’s possible that new cables may be required as existing cables could become obsolete.
4. Which frame rate is supported by 8K TVs?
8K TVs generally support variable refresh rates and can display content at 8K@60fps or 4K@120fps.
This capability is important for both watching high-resolution movies and engaging in fast-paced gaming.
