Why are 8K TVs still not really necessary in 2024?

With the development of new technology, the desire to buy the newest and coolest things appears. But is an 8K TV worth buying? In 2024, probably not.

What is 8K?

Sharp revealed the first consumer 8K TV at CES 2012. Since then, 8K TVs have been available on the market, but adoption has been slow.

It is currently the highest resolution available on the consumer market, with a pixel ratio of 7680 x 4320 or an approximate width of almost 8,000 pixels. When comparing 4K to 8K, 8K UHD TVs have 4 times more pixels.

Consider price

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Price is one of the biggest issues when buying an 8K TV in 2024. Because 8K TVs are relatively new technology, the cost compared to a 4K or 1080p TV will be exponentially greater. It's possible to get a 4K TV for a few hundred dollars, but an 8K TV will cost you thousands.

As 8K technology becomes more popular, the price of 8K TVs will most likely decrease. For this reason, if you don't really need a new TV right now, it's probably better to wait a few years to buy an 8K TV when the price is more suitable.

Realistic visual impact

Although the number of pixels of an 8K TV is much larger than that of a 4K TV, that does not guarantee a better picture when used. Many factors affect the actual resolution and viewing experience that a TV provides.

With 8K TVs, a large screen size is needed so that the human eye can feel the difference in image quality compared to 4K resolution with the same frame size. This problem will certainly continue to occur as TVs with 16K resolution are developed.

Entertainment options are limited

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One of the biggest drawbacks to buying an 8K TV in 2024 is the lack of available 8K entertainment content. There are no mainstream streaming services that offer 8K content, with only YouTube, Vimeo, and other niche platforms offering content.

For those who like to use console games with their TVs, there are no standout games currently optimized for gaming at 8K resolution. So, while it's possible to enjoy movies, TV shows or games on an 8K TV, users won't be able to see the picture quality that's worth the high price tag of an 8K device.

Requires system support

It's important to note that buying an 8K TV doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a better experience than other TVs. If you choose to invest in an 8K TV, be prepared to ensure you can maintain the correct bandwidth to support it.

8K streaming requires download speeds of at least 100 Mbps, a significant increase over the 4K streaming requirement of just 25 Mbps.

8K is overkill in 2024

Overall, in 2024, the larger pixel count of 8K TVs does not offset the significantly higher purchase cost. In the future, when there is more content to watch in 8K, the cost may be worth it. However, due to the lack of gaming and streaming options as well as the high price, consumers are better off buying a 4K TV.

Kareem Winters

Update 26 April 2024