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Many families already have 4K televisions as the norm, but 8K versions are beginning to draw more attention. There are five reasons not to buy an 8K TV today, despite how alluring an upgrade may appear. If you enjoy audio-visual technology, some may come as no surprise to you, but others may. In your house, an 8K television set can bring content to entirely new levels, but it can also lead to some pricey difficulties.
Reasons to Avoid an 8K TV
Despite having 8K resolution appearing to be cutting edge technology, the format has been used since 1995. It was on exhibit during the 2014 Winter Olympics before it gained any real popularity, and it has taken even longer to reach the consumer market. A lot of stores already offer 8K TVs for sale online, but there are five considerations you should make first.
4K TV Sets
Are you thinking about replacing your current TV with an 8K model? That kind of improvement would astound your friends and neighbors. Given how far 4K technology has advanced in recent years, it might also be a mistake.
The numerous difficulties with the initial 4K TVs have been resolved. This means that more devices support specialized formats like Dolby Vision. A 4K TV that can stream and has numerous HDMI ports may be found at a reasonable price, and they become more accessible every day.
There are thousands of 4K TVs available to select from, whether you’re looking for an additional TV for your child’s room or want to replace your current television set. Everybody can find a price and a set that they like, and even a terrible 4K TV is an improvement over a high-end HD model.
In a nutshell, a 4K TV gives homeowners the finest overall experience. Despite having a resolution that is nearly half that of an 8K TV, the technology powering those pixels has advanced significantly. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about the following thing on our list, which is a major drawback.
Lack of Content
Today, we avoid 8K TVs mostly due to the technology and availability of 4K TVs, albeit a close second is the dearth of available content. Anyone who intends to buy an 8K TV in order to watch their favorite shows on Netflix or Disney+ may get a rude shock once they launch a streaming app.
The majority of 4K material is produced for streaming services and home media releases. Traditional programming is rarely broadcast in 4K by many firms. However, 4K premium content is produced and streamed by companies like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO, and others. The current benchmark for streaming services is 4K.
In contrast, there is no 8K streaming content available from a major source. Want to purchase a Sci-Fi era classic or the most recent Avatar Blu-Ray in 8K? That is not an option, and it might take 5–10 years before 8K Blu-Ray DVDs are widely distributed by businesses. You will be quite disappointed if you expect to watch anything broadcast or streamed at 7,680 x 4,320.
The only sources of 8K content at the moment are websites like YouTube. Even then, there is not much material. That’s partly because 8K cameras cost so much more than 4K ones, which is prohibitively pricey.
Early Issues
Being the first to use a new piece of technology can be exciting. We all enjoy flaunting the newest technology, whether it’s a big-screen TV or the newest gaming system. The third issue with 8K TV sets today’s technology is brought up by this.
You’ve played the panel lottery if you’ve ever bought a flat-screen TV or monitor and had to return it because of a display problem. It’s a problem that many early adopters have encountered with new technology over the years and is typical of many kinds of devices, from new PCs to televisions. Nobody wants to return an 80-inch TV, and your warranty is only valid for a certain amount of time.
Additionally, it can be challenging to locate these early problems because there aren’t many evaluations that can be trusted. You won’t come across thousands or hundreds of reviews like you would with a well-known 4K TV set. Samsung’s latest QLED 8K televisions are one example. Despite having several sites with excellent evaluations, there are currently fewer than 100 reviews for each model.
You should also keep release dates in mind because many reviews are published after using a product for a week or less. It’s crucial to understand that firmware upgrades can solve many problems with modern technology, such as TVs, but they cannot resolve difficulties with internal components. With a new 8K TV, certain potential problems might not have had enough time to materialize.
Sizing
Want a portable TV you can carry with you? Thanks to the variety of sizes offered on the market today, that is a choice. Flat displays range in size from 13 to more than 80 inches, though the selection starts to get limited with some display technologies.
OLED TVs are intended for home theaters, where greater is preferable, rather than smaller places. Want to purchase a 32- or 38-inch 8K television? That won’t be a possibility any time soon. In fact, the 55-inch Samsung QLED 8K QN700B was the smallest 8K TV set we were able to locate for sale.
The majority of 8K TVs are made for home entertainment systems. Your installation plans can change if you choose one of the more common alternatives, which range from 70 to 80 inches or more. It costs money to hire a professional to mount an 85-inch TV on a wall, but it also costs money to fix damage caused by dropping a new $10,000 TV set while trying to install it.
The Price Tag
For the majority of buyers, one of the most obvious issues with an 8K TV set is the price. If money is an issue, you should think about a 4K TV because 8K ones are incredibly expensive. Smaller sizes resemble a high-end OLED television. For there to be any meaningful sales or discounts, the technology is still too new.
Branding is significant in this context. Samsung is currently the leading firm making 8K TVs that are user-friendly for consumers. There are a few sets from Sony, TCL, and Hisense, and LG isn’t far behind. For an 8K set from TCL or Hisense, you won’t pay as much, but you won’t get the same kind of quality or functionality.
Pricing is one of the main deterrents to an 8K TV, especially when you consider the dearth of content. Do you want to spend $9,000 on a TV that simply upscales and plays 4K content? Most likely not, especially because you can purchase a high-end OLED 4K television set for a lot less money.
Alternatives to 8K Television Sets
Unconvinced by an 8K TV set? If you’re not testing out new technology or don’t mind waiting for new stuff to come, that’s probably a decent option. Here are three great options if you’re still looking for a new TV.
Sony XR55A95K 4K TV
For its gorgeous OLED panels, LG receives a lot of praise. However, it’s difficult to contest the Sony XR55A95K’s position as the best overall choice. The performance and superb images of this set will delight customers looking for a smart 4K TV that can do it all.
With the touch of a button, you can use this smart TV to instantly connect to Netflix, HBO Max, and other services. It supports AirPlay 2, and Alexa may be used to control it. Additionally, you’ll have access to the company’s premium Bravia Core app. This gives your TV set access to new materials and opportunities. Sony’s technology elevates the graphics, and it’s simple to set up and connect to other components through HDMI 2.1.
That’s partly because of the resolution and color palette that their QD-OLED display is capable of. Additionally, it benefits from Sony’s Intelligent Cognitive Processor, which supports HDR and Dolby Vision. This TV set has several features that movie lovers will like, and gamers will also benefit. The Sony XR55A95K has unique features made specifically for the PlayStation 5 and can reduce input lag to 8.5 seconds.
Sony 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD A95K Series BRAVIA XR OLED Smart TV
$2,298.00
- Quantum Dot Color with XR OLED Contrast Pro technology.
- Support for Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced content. .
- Exclusive gaming modes for the PlayStation 5.
- Connect with Alexa, Google Assistant and more.
Samsung UN65CU8000 4K TV
Since the initial models were released, 4K television set prices have decreased dramatically. As a result, some flagship features are now considered standard, making mid-range sets a desirable choice. Samsung’s UN65CU8000 is among the greatest devices in this price range.
This 65-inch TV is loaded with high-end technology. Object Tracking Sound Lite improves the audio, and ConnecTime allows you to make video calls on the TV. Both it and the Solar Cell remote, which has a voice assistant and a solar charging panel, are distinctive features. Have a Samsung soundbar from the Q or S series? If so, you’ll value Q-Symphony technology.
With Mega Contrast and HDR, this smart TV can handle whatever video you throw at it, and the quality will undoubtedly improve. Images come to life on the screen thanks to Dynamic Crystal Color. The content will have a fresh lease on life thanks to the excellent upscaling and 4K resolution. Depending on your demands, this appealing TV is also available in five other sizes, including an 85-inch variant.
SAMSUNG 65-Inch Crystal UHD CU8000 Smart TV with Alexa Built-in
$647.99
- 3D surround sound through Object Tracking Lite.
- Solar charging smart remote control.
- Mega Contrast system for increased depth
- A full array of smart apps including HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+.
TCL 50S446 4K TV
Given the variety of alternatives consumers have today, it can be challenging to choose just one 4K TV set from the budget category. Although TCL and VIZIO are in a close race, we believe that the TCL offers the best value with this 50-inch Class 4 television set.
The 50S446 was created by TCL to function with the Google Assistant system. Google can be used to access movies on demand and manage other home technology that is compatible. There includes access to dozens of streaming apps, like Disney+, Peacock, and Tubi, as well as Chromecast built-in. Dolby Digital Plus audio and eARC are among the features that make the audio and video excellent.
This 4K TV set’s 3,840 x 2,160 resolution puts it on par with other models in terms of pixel density. However, it lacks the depth and range of better Sony or LG panels, and it is not Dolby Vision compatible. This TV can handle HDR10 formats, and Google integration fixed issues with the previous user interface to give users a better overall experience.
Sony 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD A95K Series BRAVIA XR OLED Smart TV
$2,298.00
- Quantum Dot Color with XR OLED Contrast Pro technology.
- Support for Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced content. .
- Exclusive gaming modes for the PlayStation 5.
- Connect with Alexa, Google Assistant and more.
TCL 50″ Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Google TV
$327.99
- 4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR support.
- Powered by Google Assistant and voice controls.
- Built-in Chromecast with access to top streaming services.
- Custom watchlists through Google TV.
SAMSUNG 65-Inch Crystal UHD CU8000 Smart TV with Alexa Built-in
$647.99
- 3D surround sound through Object Tracking Lite.
- Solar charging smart remote control.
- Mega Contrast system for increased depth
- A full array of smart apps including HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+.
The Wrap-Up
The next step in TV resolution, in our opinion, will be 8K, although the market isn’t quite ready for it yet. Consumers were having trouble with 4K TV set costs and quality control difficulties not too long ago. The same issue still affects 8K televisions today, but as consumer demand for these high-end TVs rises, manufacturers will fix it.