Resolution is one of the most defining characteristics of TVs today. A television’s resolution and pixel density are key indicators of how good the image on a TV will be.
As technology continues to advance, we continue to get exciting new features and improvements on existing features. From 720p to 8K TVs, the resolution is one of those things that’s improved significantly over the years.
8K TVs have been making the rounds. They’re advertised as the next best thing, so they must be twice as good as 4k TVs, right? It’s not so simple. Before we answer the question, here are a few things you need to know first.
What is a TV Resolution?
Images on screens consist of pixels, and resolution refers to the number of pixels a TV has at its disposal to create images. Think of your TV screen as a canvas, and the pixels are how much paint you have.
The more paint you have, the fuller, clearer, and more realistic your paintings will be. However, if you have very little paint, they’d be more spread out, and your image may be less practical.
The amount of paint you need for a good painting depends on the size of the canvas; likewise, the size of the TV impacts the pixel count required for a ‘full’ image.
Smaller screens require lower resolutions. This may be a bit of an oversimplification, but it helps explain the premise.
With painting, there comes the point of diminishing return where extra paint won’t improve the image any further, and it may just become a waste of resources. This is the question with 8K TVs.
They cost more than lower-res TVs but are 8K TVs worth it? Can the average person even notice the difference? These are the questions we’ll answer here.
Resolution Types
Before we get started on whether or not 8K TVs are worth your money, let’s first look at the other resolution types and compare them. Resolution is determined by the number of pixels they possess. These are the resolution types available today.
- HD: 1280 x 720
- Full HD: 1920 x 1080
- 2K: 2560 x 1440 (Usual Monitor resolution); 2048 x 1080 (official cinema resolution)
- 4K: 3840 x 2160
- 8K: 7680 x 4320
- 10K: 10240 x 4320
The numbers represent horizontal pixels vs. vertical pixels.
The most common resolution types today are 2K and 4K resolutions. As you may have noticed, the pixel counts increase as we go down the list. Learn more about the other resolution types.
Pixel Density
Pixel count is just one thing to consider. Resolution works hand in hand with the size of the screen. Pixel density refers to how packed together the pixels on the TV are.
While a small screen can produce stunning images with 720p resolution because the pixels are tightly packed, a bigger screen would struggle with a low pixel count because the pixels would be too stretched for the big screen.
What is an 8K Resolution?
An 8K TV is a TV with a screen that can show 7,680 horizontal and 4,320 vertical pixels for a total of 33,177,600 pixels. This is such a massive leap from 4K TVs, and with four times more pixels, 8K TVs seem superior.
The significantly higher pixel count in these TVs should equal fuller and better images. But does it? The answer is, it depends.
As with every other product, a few factors to consider before deciding if they’re suitable for you. We’re not going to tell you what to do, but we will give you all the information you need to make a decision—starting with the things you should consider.
Factors to Consider
Content
Having a high-quality TV is just one side of the equation. To get the best out of a TV, you also need high-quality content to view. For an 8K TV, you’ll need 8K content to notice the difference.
Watching low-res content on an 8K TV would be akin to watching black and white shows on a colored TV; it’s still great, but you won’t get your money’s worth.
The problem with this is that 8K isn’t mainstream yet, and as a result, there isn’t any 8K content for you to choose from. The majority of movies and shows on TV these days are 2K and 4K. For this reason, 8K TVs aren’t worth it right now.
It’s worth noting that you can upscale content. 4K TVs usually upscale 2K content to 4K, thus improving its quality. 8K TVs will implement advanced techniques to upscale low-res content. Although, this isn’t the same as viewing true 8K content.
However, if you have 8K content, that’s a good reason to get an 8K TV.
Internet
Do you know how on YouTube you can select the resolution you want to stream videos? The higher the resolution, the higher the amount of data spent because more information is downloaded. The same applies here if you ever stream with an 8K TV.
Streaming 8K content is going to cost you a significantly higher amount of data. To enjoy seamless streaming on an 8K TV, you’ll also need high-speed internet to keep up with the massive data consumption.
Your Eyes
The human body has limited processing power, and our brains are always choosing what to prioritize. Just like your eyes ignore your nose or how we can’t hear certain frequencies, there are certain things our eyes can’t perceive as well.
A common debate is whether our eyes can even process the level of detail in an 8K TV. If you put a 4K TV next to an 8K TV, you may struggle to tell the difference. To notice any considerable difference, you may need to sit closer to the TV than you usually would.
Size of the Screen
We earlier talked about the implications of pixel density. To truly appreciate an 8K TV, you’ll need a big screen size. There’s practically no difference between 2K and 4K resolutions on small screens because of the pixel density.
8K would also struggle to stand out on a small screen.
8K TVs will show more details than 4K TVs on big screens because of the higher pixel density. If you decide to go big for an 8K TV, consider getting something like a 100-inch TV
8K TVs retail for significantly more than 4K TVs. It’s hard to see how they’re worth all the extra money, considering all the other factors discussed.
Should You Get an 8K Tv or 4K Tv?
8K TVs are much better than 4K TVs. In addition to the high pixel count, they have all the new and exciting features you’d expect with recent releases, such as HDR and high brightness levels.
However, for most people watching regular shows or playing video games at home, the difference between an 8K TV and a 4K TV is quite challenging to spot. Additionally, those exciting new features are also available in 4K TVs.
Ultimately, the answer is no, 8K TVs are not worth it. 8K TVs sound impressive, but there’s no practical reason to get them, except for the fact that they’re new and exciting. In the end, they’re a piece of equipment no one really needs right now.
It’s worth noting that people said the same things about 4K TVs when they first came out, and with time, as more 8K content and products hit the market, our opinions are subject to change.
However, you don’t have to get an 8K TV, but if you want to upgrade your TV and have access to 8K content and have considered what we discussed earlier, you can get one for yourself.
Our 8K TV Top Picks
If you do decide to get an 8K TV, which one should you get? There are a few 8K TVs in the market right now with exciting features, and we’ve created a list of two of our favorites.
1. SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class Neo QLED 8K QN800A Series
The Samsung 8K QN800A is a 65-85-inch 8K TV with impressive features. The TV’s size complements its pixel count for viewing quality images from farther distances than a 4K TV would allow.
In addition, the TV has Quantum HDR, which ensures it delivers stunning visuals with vibrant color and deep contrast on each frame.
This 8K TV has a refresh rate of 120hz, which makes it perfect for gaming. It also has an Object Tracking Sound feature which adds to the immersive feel of gaming on this TV. The QN800A has a sleek and thin design that’s sure to complement the room it’s kept in.
Amazon Alexa is built into the TV for voice-activated controls, and Google Assistant is compatible with the TV.
Specs:
- Size: 65-85 inches
- Display Technology: QLED
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI
- Refresh rate: 120hz
- Weight: 67.9 pounds
2. LG NANO99UPA
The LG NANO99UPA comes in three sizes, 65, 75, and 86 inches. It utilizes Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to deliver an ultra-high image and sound quality.
The TV appeals to gamers with its 120hz native refresh rate. However, it can go up as high as 240 frames per second. It also has a Game Optimizer feature which enables Auto Low-Latency Mode and HGiG for enhanced gaming pictures.
The Tv also obeys voice commands with compatibility for services such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
Specs:
- Size: 65-86 inches
- Display Technology: LED
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI
- Refresh rate: 120hz
- Weight: 70.1 pounds
Conclusion
8K TVs are not even the highest resolution TVs. Sony is working on a 16K resolution TV, but that’s a conversation for another day. If you’ve decided not to get an 8K TV, you can go through our recommendations for the best 4K TVs.
