Samsung’s first 8K resolution smart TV to launch in October
Newly unveiled Q900R packs an AI system that upscales lower-quality images to 8K
Samsung has taken the wraps off its first 8K resolution smart TV - and buyers will be able to get their hands on the hi-tech device within weeks.
Unveiled at this year’s IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin) tech conference, the Q900R TV features resolution of 7,680x4,320 pixels, double that of a 4K panel.
The Korean tech giant will release the pixel-packed smart TVs in mid-October, with a choice of four sizes of QLED panels, measuring 65, 75, 82 or 85 inches. All models feature a “very impressive 4,000 nit peak brightness”, as well as HRD10+ technology, bolstering contrast ratios for a more lifelike picture, says Gizmodo.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, as The Verge notes, “there is basically zero content available to watch in 8K”, since the resolution is still in its infancy.
Samsung has got around that problem by developing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can “upscale” the resolution of 1080p and 4K content to resemble 8K footage.
This feature works well, with 4K resolution images appearing sharper, says Expert Reviews.
The AI also has an “uncanny ability” to remove jagged lines from 2K and 1080p resolution images, which helps “clean up” compressed videos online, the tech reviews site adds.
The company has yet to announce prices for the Q900R, but given that the current crop of 8K TVs cost upwards of $10,000 (£7,700), expect the new smart TV to come with a similar price tag.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The real story behind the Stanford Prison Experiment
The Explainer 'Everything you think you know is wrong' about Philip Zimbardo's infamous prison simulation
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Is it safe for refugees to return to Syria?
Talking Point European countries rapidly froze asylum claims after Assad's fall but Syrian refugees may have reason not to rush home
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 14 - 20 December
Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
How cybercriminals are hacking into the heart of the US economy
Speed Read Ransomware attacks have become a global epidemic, with more than $18.6bn paid in ransoms in 2020
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Language-learning apps speak the right lingo for UK subscribers
Speed Read Locked-down Brits turn to online lessons as a new hobby and way to upskill
By Mike Starling Published
-
Brexit-hobbled Britain ‘still tech powerhouse of Europe’
Speed Read New research shows that UK start-ups have won more funding than France and Germany combined over past year
By Mike Starling Published
-
Playing Cupid during Covid: Tinder reveals Britain’s top chat-up lines of the year
Speed Read Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Dominic Cummings among most talked-about celebs on the dating app
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
Brits sending one less email a day would cut carbon emissions by 16,000 tonnes
Speed Read UK research suggests unnecessary online chatter increases climate change
By Joe Evans Published
-
Reach for the Moon: Nokia and Nasa to build 4G lunar network
Speed Read Deal is part of the US space agency’s plan to establish human settlements on the lunar surface
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
iPhone 12 launch: what we learned from the Apple ‘Hi, Speed’ event
Speed Read Tech giant unveils new 5G smartphone line-up
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Russian agency behind US election meddling ‘created fake left-wing news site’
Speed Read Facebook says real reporters were hired by fake editors to write about US corruption
By Holden Frith Published