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An 8K TV's staggering pixel count of 33 million means enjoying even 4K content with new eyes. Image Credit: Shutterstock

It's in the name - an 8K television leaves your modest 4Ks and 2Ks in the dust. You'll enjoy content with a clarity you've never seen before, because it's the highest resolution in the market today. This means epic movie and game nights upscaled to 8K for you.

Video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo already offer some native 8K content, and the rest are catching up. It's the future of televisions, which is why prominent manufacturers, such as Sony and Samsung, are not shying away from mass-producing these cinematic gems. We spoke with experts to help you lock in your decision, given how pricey 8K screens can get.

Is 8K really better than 4K?

An 8K screen quadruples the pixels that make up a 4K display - 33 million pixels in total - so its image density stays sharp and vibrant no matter how zoomed in a subject is.

"Televisions with 8K resolution represent a significant advancement in visual technology," said Fazal Imam, founder of servicing and repair company, Dubai Repairs, whose team has extensive experience servicing televisions.

Imam notes some key distinctions you'll find between 8K TVs and regular screens: "They offer four times the pixel count of 4K for enhanced clarity, and the heightened resolution contributes to a more immersive visual experience, [almost as if] the visuals are stepping out of the screen. 8K TVs position themselves as the future standard as content production evolves."

When densely packed together, the pixels in an 8K are indistinguishable from the thickness of a hair strand, adds Shahid Khan, an LED TV technician at Mirza Ijaz Electrical Devices Repairing in Dubai, with 14 years of experience in 4K and 8K TV maintenance. The obvious uptick in image quality is also matched by excellent audio and an updated operating system, he adds.

Which features should I look for in an 8K TV?

It's a relatively new technology, so shopping advice for an 8K TV slightly differs from that of standard televisions. Since 8K content is not as widely available as 4K, it's important to look for a TV that can upscale non-native content, says Imam.

Another tip, he adds, is to pick a screen size that's optimal for this ultra-high definition (UHD) TV. "Larger screens maximise the benefits of 8K resolution," explained Imam. This means that the bigger you go, the more your high pixel count shines.

You might consider the display technology as well, whether to opt for an OLED (organic light-emitting diode), QLED (quantum-dot LED) or LED TV in 8K. While the difference between OLED, deeper contrast, and QLED, high brightness, is negligible, Khan cautions that the latter comes in very slim screens and warrants extra care.

"Make sure to install the TV away from any AC unit or potential humid zones with a lot of moisture. Water can easily destroy screens. Loose wiring can also cause sparks," said Khan. 

Editor's tip
Select televisions are up to 20 per cent off on Amazon right now, so take your pick from Samsung, Sony, Hisense and other popular brands.

We've gathered a list of 8K TVs worth purchasing according to our experts, who highlight Samsung, Sony and LG in particular. Get an Amazon Prime subscription to get free, same-day delivery, and enjoy discounts right now.

1. Best Overall: Sony Bravia 75-Inch 8K Android TV

Pros

  • Bright Full Array LED panel
  • Great contrast with HDR Pro for 8K
  • Android TV offers access to a large content library
  • Netflix-calibrated TV
  • Equipped with Dolby Atmos and Vision

Cons

  • Older 2020 model

Cost-effective and superb quality, Sony Bravia's 75-inch Z8H TV is a miracle with 8K resolution on a large screen. This life-like imagery is maintained with a powerful Sony X1 Ultimate processor, which upscales 2K and 4K content automatically. It uses a Full Array LED panel that independently lights up zones of LEDs to create more realistic contrast - this is further enhanced by High Dynamic Range (HDR) Pro made for 8K picture. The Z8H model carries several well-loved Bravia features, like voice zoom, acoustic multi-audio (speakers integrated into the frame) and motion clarity that keeps fast action scenes clear. With 4K content, you can enjoy a higher frame rate, like gaming at 120fps on the PlayStation, but the 8K Game Mode is still there to blow your previous graphics out of the water. Let's not forget its most important feature, Android TV software for total smart TV freedom. You'll be pleased to know that this TV is also calibrated for Netflix, meaning faster app launch times and extra features. The results in UHD are unbelievable, say reviews, adding that the screen gets very bright, making it ideal for sunlit rooms.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh829.17 for 12 months with select banks. 

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh567, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh949, and a two-year accidental protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh1,210.

2. Best 85-Inch TV: Samsung 85-Inch TV Neo QLED 8K 

Pros

  • Latest 2023 model in 8K
  • Large 85-inch display in 8K
  • Upscales to 8K and HDR from SDR
  • Anti-glare film on screen
  • Game mode with FreeSync Premium Pro

Cons

  • Heavy TV at 57.7kg, say reviews
  • Expensive

Go bigger with Samsung's latest 85-inch television, running on the Neural Quantum Processor 8K. This chip upscales all your content to 8K using artificial intelligence and turns Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content into HDR-like quality. Between our best overall and the Samsung QN800C model, there is a difference in the display type, but Neo QLED performs pretty much the same in terms of purpose, which is to enhance contrast. Still, the smaller, finer LED particles in Neo QLED offer greater control over lighting zones. As for the design, it's more streamlined than the Z8H, with a minimalist slim profile. The screen is treated for reflections, so there's no glare distracting you from your favourite content in bright rooms. Samsung TVs don't run on Android, but you get access to hundreds of apps on the Tizen software. It's also game-ready with 4K@120fps and tear-free Freesync Premium Pro technology, while the standard 8K resolution moves just as smoothly at a 100Hz refresh rate. Reviewers who previously come from 4K models are impressed by the upgrade, even without playing any native 8K content. The darks on the Neo QLED nearly rival that of OLED, they add, after playing movies with dim and dark visuals.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh1,664.08 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh1,897, and a two-year accidental protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh2,420.

3. Best for 8K Gaming: LG QNED TV 75-Inch 8K QNED99 Series

Pros

  • Run by LG's most advanced AI processor
  • Upscales any content to 8K, even games
  • Uses mini LEDs to control the backlight better
  • Comes with FreeSync Premium

Cons

  • Users experience some blooming against dark scenes

You have another 75-inch option in LG. This QNED99 Series TV features its mini-LED technology to also display deeper blacks and higher brightness by using quantum nano-emitting diodes so small that they control light zones precisely. The Alpha9 Gen5 AI Processor 8K is hard at work to upscale any movie or game title from any resolution, though usually better results are seen with 4K content than 1080p, for instance. You'll find minimal tearing and stuttering in games, thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium technology, with a refresh rate of 120Hz in 4K. Other features you can expect at this price include HDR10 Pro, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos for upgraded picture and sound across a wide range of content.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh1,056.50 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh1,233, and a one-year extended warranty for Dh737.

4. Best 65-Inch TV: Samsung 65-Inch TV Neo QLED 8K TV

Pros

  • Great picture contrast and quality from Neo QLED technology
  • Bezel-less design
  • Comes with FreeSync Premium Pro
  • Anti-glare film on screen

Cons

  • Too heavy to move from room to room, when needed

If you're space-conscious, 65 inches of 8K resolution isn't a tough compromise. It's still a big screen for big blockbusters, especially on Samsung's QN900B Neo QLED TV. Released in 2022, this model also runs on the Neural Quantum Processor 8K and upscales your TV shows. The design is incredibly slim with non-existent bezels for an even more immersive experience. The QN900B shoots refresh rates up to 120Hz in 4K gaming, with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to help you cruise through gameplay without stutter or tear. Despite its smaller screen, the TV still weighs heavy at a whopping 30.5kg, so you might need more pairs of hands for assembly. Reviewers, once again, find the Neo QLED technology comparable to OLED, and love the anti-glare coating on the screen. 

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh624.92 for 12 months with select banks. Add wall mounting service for free.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh426, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh712, and a two-year accidental protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh908.

5. Best Budget: Samsung 65-Inch Q800T QLED 8K Smart TV 

Pros

  • Budget-friendly 8K in 65 inches
  • Upscales to 8K with AI
  • Adjusts TV brightness according to the viewing environment
  • Decent QLED picture quality
  • AMD FreeSync for gaming

Cons

  • Has Dolby Digital Plus, not Atmos
  • Only two USB ports

You could opt for a cheaper 65-inch in an older range by Samsung. The Q800T is a 2020 model that uses the Quantum Processor 8K to upscale with AI and adjust brightness levels to the viewing environment. This is not a Neo QLED, so the LEDs or lights are larger, but the technology still delivers impressive contrast and details, especially with Quantum HDR10+. Instead of the Premium Pro, the TV comes with AMD's standard FreeSync integration that smooths over most lags in gaming. Your Dolby audio options are no longer Atmos but Digital Plus, and though reviewers don't find any fault with it, you can always pair it with a soundbar. Like our picks above, the TV comes with four HDMI but only two USB ports, instead of the standard three. HDMI Port 4 is luckily equipped with 4K gaming at 120Hz. Buyers confirm the 8K resolution as they're endlessly impressed with how clear 4K content looks. Individual pixels are practically invisible to the eye up close, they say.

Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh608.33 for 12 months with select banks. Add wall mounting service for Dh89.10.

Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh426, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh712, and a two-year accidental protection plus one-year extended warranty for Dh908.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.