8K TVs have been slow to emerge due to the lack of 8K media (aside from a few compressed 8K videos on YouTube, there isn’t much available) and their high prices. It’s fair to say that you’ll pay thousands more for an 8K TV than you would for a 4K TV of the same screen size and type.
Some brands flying the 8K flag – LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense – have pulled back on releasing 8K TVs or abandoned them entirely after discovering that sales didn’t match the investment. We asked in late 2023 what happened to 8K TVs as they were set to be the next big thing.
One brand that continues to fly the 8K flag is Samsung, which makes the best 8K TVs available. And while they are still pricey, they are cheaper than the competition. For example, LG’s flagship 8K OLED for 2023, the Z3, launched at $9,999 / £14,999 / AU$15,999, while Samsung’s flagship 8K mini-LED, the Samsung QN900C, launched at $6,299 / £6,299 / AU$8,999. Those prices have since dropped, but there’s still a gap of thousands between them.
I recently tested Samsung’s mid-range 8K mini-LED TV, the QN800D, a model that sits below the Samsung QN900D, a model we loved and rated five stars in our review. I went into testing about 8K TVs with skepticism. However, after spending some time with the QN800D, 8K is starting to win me over.
Detail, accuracy and scaling
When viewing with the QN800D, the image details are front and center. Each source has a crisp, clean look with exceptional textures – even intricate details such as stitching on clothing and imperfections on the skin are clearly visible. When looking The hitterIn a close-up of Batman’s face, I noticed a faint trail of stubble that I hadn’t seen on any other TV.
A lot of this comes down to AI. The QN800D is equipped with Samsung’s NQ8 Gen 2 AI processor, which in addition to a host of AI improvements includes two crucial AI features: Real Depth Enhancer Pro and 8K AI upscaling.
Real Depth Enhancer Pro is also present in the NQ4 Gen 2 AI processor in the Samsung S95D OLED. That TV also blew me away with its impeccable detail, so it’s no surprise that this feature works magic on the QN800D too.
But it’s the 8K AI upscaling that really sets the QN800D apart. The 4K Blu-ray discs I reviewed were taken to a whole new level, not only with improved textures, but also with bold, bright colors and rich contrast that added depth and sharpness to any 4K image.
Demo images on the Spears & Munsil UHD benchmark 4K Blu-ray, a staple for TV testing, showcased the QN800D’s exceptional range. Potentially blinding white in snowy landscapes was expertly handled, a field of red flowers was vibrant without being overwhelming, and close-ups of animals, including owls and lizards, looked so realistic you’d want to touch them. This was all thanks to Samsung’s 8K upscaling.
It wasn’t just with 4K media. When watching HD broadcasts and lower resolution TV broadcasts, the often soft textures were vastly improved and took on a much cleaner appearance – something that isn’t easy on a 65-inch screen.
The QN800D even seemed to add that little bit extra to the picture, which often look good on TVs thanks to the power of today’s consoles and PCs. When playing Battlefield V on Xbox Series
Final thoughts
Am I saying that 8K TVs are a must-have for everyone? No. Despite an exceptional picture, there’s still the issue of price, with Samsung’s 8K TVs costing significantly more than both its 4K mini-LED and OLED models and rivals’ flagship 4K OLED TVs. Even giant 98-inch mini LED TVs from TCL and Hisense can be a better deal.
But while I previously thought 8K TVs were pretty much dead in the water, with Samsung seemingly the only one flying the 8K flag, I now understand. The QN800D showed me that there’s something to be said for 8K upscaling when it’s done right – it adds a whole new layer to 4K and offers a new perspective on movies I’ve seen countless times.
An 8K TV will always be more expensive than a 4K TV due to production costs. But if prices can be lowered, 8K TVs may still have a bright future. In any case, I have become an 8K believer.