What is an 8K TV and why should you buy one?
Looking to upgrade your TV to an 8K resolution? We have laid out everything you need to know before buying the best 8K TV.
TV is an essential piece that complements your home. If you are looking to make your TV great again, here we laid out everything you need to know about an 8K TV and why you should upgrade to one.
8K resolution explained
When we talk about TV resolution, we are referring to the total numbers of pixels across the width and height of a display. An 8K TV has a resolution of 7,680 horizontal pixels times 4,320 vertical pixels, which is four times the pixels of a 4K UHD TV and 16 times the pixels of a Full HD TV. But what does this really mean?
Basically, an image that you see on the TV consists of thousands of pixels or tiny dots that make up an entire picture on the screen. The more the dots are in the picture, the higher the resolution of a TV, and the better the picture quality.
| Resolutions | Horizontal x Vertical pixels | Also known as |
|---|---|---|
| 720p | 1280 x 720 | High Definition (HD) |
| 1080p | 1920 x 1080 | Full HD |
| 4K | 3840 x 2160 | Ultra HD |
| 8K | 7680 x 4320 | None |
These pixels are divided into a two-dimensional grid to determine its resolution. So, when you multiplied the horizontal and vertical pixels in an 8K TV there is a total of 33 million pixels rendering a single image on the screen as compared to the 8 million pixels on a 4K TV.
When comparing an image on a 4K TV and 8K TV side by side, you will see the difference in terms of picture clarity because a single pixel in a 4K resolution becomes 4 pixels in an 8K resolution.
Is 8K content available as of today?
There is still very limited 8K content the streaming services are offering since the debut of Samsung 8K TV, one of the first 8K tvs on the market. Although we are seeing the rise of 4K HDR content into the mainstream TV, here are some of the content service providers that are already adopting 8K technology into their contents.
YouTube
Being the second largest search engine, YouTube is among the first content service providers to have introduced native 8K videos. Just head over to the site and type "8K" in the search bar you will be presented with a vast list of 8K footage of animals, landscapes, cities, independent movies, vlogs, games and more.
It is easy to watch YouTube on a Samsung Smart TV. All you need to do is go to the Smart Hub on your Samsung 8K TV and search for the YouTube app, then you can sign in to your account and begin streaming your favourite channels. You can also share YouTube content from your mobile phone to the TV via screen mirror or screen cast.
8K-ready games
We can expect 8K games to take a centre stage in the next few years with more and more TV manufacturers pushing 8K TV to the storefronts as the new standard TV. As of today, next-gen gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 (PS5) are offering native 4K content and can output 4K games to the TV via HDMI 2.1 port.
However, there are still very limited games that are in pure 4K resolution. You can still play the low definition content on your 4K TV but it will be the upscaled version. The 4K TV will employ the AI Upscaling to stretch the low resolution content to fit the display resolution to make the image look almost 4K-like. 8K TV will also use machine learning to upscale low-quality images to fit an 8K screen.
To truly enjoy gaming in pure 8K resolution you would need a complete ecosystem which consists of the display (8K TV), the content (8K content), the external source (8K gaming consoles), and the 8K support (HDMI 2.1).
Create & watch in 8K with S22 Ultra & Z Fold4
A great pair to your 8K TV will be devices that can output and playback 8K video. The latest Samsung Galaxy flagship models that are released in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold6, can shoot video in UHD 8K resolution (7680 x 4320) at 24fps.
These flagship smartphone models have advanced camera technologies such as the Video Digital Image Stabilisation (VDIS) that reduces the level of distortion from unsteady movement, and Super Night Solution that limits noise in each frame when you're recording videos in a low-light environment.
If you want to take your videography skills to a pro level, installing the Expert RAW app within your S24 Ultra or Z Fold6 smartphone can give your content a greater clarity and wider dynamic range than regular raw files or any compressed file formats. Once you have finished with the masterpiece, share it on your 8K TV for a truly 8K experience.
How to enjoy content in pure 8K TV?
You are going to need these four elements to see 8K image quality on your TV: 8K display, 8K content, 8K source, and 8K support.
An 8K display is the TV that is certified by the 8K Association. 8K content is like movies, games, TV programs that are produced in 8K resolution. 8K source is the external devices or services that support content in native 8K, which can be streamed on the 8K display that has HDMI 2.1 port via a ultra high speed HDMI cable (8K support).
Samsung best 8K TV models
One of the best 8k TVs you can buy is the Neo QLED 8K TV line-up such as the QN900B and QN800B. These latest 8K TV models are launched in 2022 and come in three TV sizes from 65 inch to 75 inch and 85 inch.
QN900B's best features
1. Quantum Matrix Technology Pro
2. Neural Quantum Processor 8K
3. Infinity Screen
4. Dolby Atmos
QN800B's best features
1. Quantum Matrix Technology Pro
2. Neural Quantum Processor 8K
3. Infinity One Design
4. Dolby Atmos
Why wait for 8K TV to be mainstream and 8K content to be fully available when you can take advantage of the AI upscaling? Compare our 8K TV prices, specifications and features now. Head over to Samsung Malaysia official store to buy an 8K TV with offers and discounts. You can also check out our TV simulation tool that can help you to find the right TV for your home space.
