Whatever happened to 8K TVs?
8K TVs sounded like the inevitable upgrade to 4K, but they've barely sold and most companies aren't bothering to make them anymore.
8K TVs, once touted as the next big thing in television, have failed to take off. Despite more pixels being touted as a major advantage, the TV industry and consumers alike failed to see the value in the technology.
At the height of the hype between 2016 and 2022, articles suggested that 8K was the future of TV technology. Yet, by late 2026, 8K TVs remain scarce in homes. The market seems to have moved on, with only one major manufacturer, Samsung, still offering an 8K model in 2026.
The problem lies in the lack of content. There are virtually no movies, TV shows or streaming libraries in 8K, making it difficult for consumers to justify the high price tag of these sets. Additionally, the processing power required to handle the increased pixel count can be a challenge for many home internet connections.
Even if an 8K TV could provide a visual upgrade, the practicality of owning one is questionable. The benefits may only be noticeable on a large screen, viewed from a significant distance. For most consumers, a 4K TV remains the best option, as it offers a solid upgrade from SD and provides a good balance of quality and affordability.
Written by urgent.news from Engadget's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
