Monitors have been a crucial part of human lives for nearly forty years or more. From basic desktops, the scope of monitors has significantly grown. High-quality monitors with advanced features like OLED display, wireless connectivity, thinner design, etc., are taking over the market already.
The following article tries to trace the future and scope of monitors and discusses the recent innovations that happened in the industry.
What’s Next After 4K Monitors?
4K monitors have been one of the most popular display technologies for quite a while. But experts in the industry have already come up with the next best thing, an 8K display technology.
8K display technology was introduced with a monitor prototype in 2018. It features a higher resolution of 7680×4320 pixels. 8K monitors are known for producing pictures with a naturalistic quality.
8K screens can produce more colors and shades, and the visuals vibrantly pop out of the screen. The life-like images created by 8K display technology make it the monitor technology of the future.
Many monitor manufacturers have already started commercially producing 8K monitors. But the high price and the high hardware requirements are the only hurdles these products have to face. Soon, 8K monitors are expected to significantly lower their prices and be accessible to the general public.
Once the prices are low and content creators start making exclusive 8K content, 8K monitors will take over the monitor industry.
Does 8k Look Better Than 4k?
8K provides several advantages and benefits over 4K monitors, especially in the looks and visual quality. 8K monitors offer sharper images and detailed visuals for the viewers. The upscaling abilities of 8K monitors are also mention-worthy.
1. Higher Resolution
8K monitors offer four times more resolution than a 4K monitor. This higher resolution enables viewers to enjoy the visuals more clearly and accurately. The 8K visuals contain more details and, thus, are suitable for immersive gaming experiences.
2. Vibrant Color Palette
The visuals produced by 8K monitors are visually stunning. They have a high pixel density, and thus, the colors appear more vibrant than ever. Also, 8K monitors can show more colors and shades than a 4K monitor.
The high clarity and accuracy maintained by 8K monitors in showing colors benefit while watching nature-related content and other documentaries.
3. High Contrast
The high contrast ratio maintained by 8K monitors lets the viewer experience more dynamic visuals. The viewer gets to watch deep blacks and brighter whites, making the visuals appear life-like.
4. Large Screens
8K technology looks notably better on larger screens. They provide accurate, crisper images on large screens, creating a life-like experience. Experiencing life-like visuals on giant screens enable the viewer to experience an elevated viewing experience.
Is 8K Going to Replace 4K?
8K and 4K are the monitor industry’s latest and most popular display technologies. Most monitor manufacturers promote 8K and 4K models for their higher visual quality.
4K means that the screen has a resolution of 4000 pixels. It is considered to have a four times higher number of pixels than a regular monitor or television set. 8K is an advanced version of the 4K technology. 8K has nearly four times more pixels than a 4K monitor.
To analyze whether 8K is going to replace 4K, it is essential to discuss the pros and cons of both of them.
8K
Pros
- Most advanced form of display technology.
- Detailed pictures with a natural quality.
- Supports 120-degree viewing angle.
- Wider color range is available.
- Rich and clear audio.
Cons
- Relatively pricier.
- 8K content is relatively less.
- In small screens, no quality difference can be noticed.
4K
Pros
- Available at affordable costs.
- Clear and realistic visuals.
- Sharp details on images.
- Relatively more content is available on popular OTT platforms.
- Provides a cinematic viewing experience.
Cons
- Expensive than a standard monitor.
- Uses more power than a regular monitor.
When compared, 4K is much more acceptable among the general public due to its affordable prices. 8K has the upper hand in the visual quality, but it is a bit too pricier for the general public.
The absence of enough 8K content is another issue people associate with 8K technology. People who value picture quality more than budget will indeed be purchasing 8K more. But, it is still impossible to confirm whether 4K will be entirely replaced by 8K soon.
If, in the future, 8K monitors are made available at much more affordable prices, and more 8K content is produced, 8K would surely be replacing 4K monitors. But it seems less likely to happen shortly. It is likely for both 8K and 4K monitors to exist hand-in-hand for quite a while in the future.
Will There Be A Higher Resolution Than 8K?
4K resolution monitors are the most common display technology in use today. 8K is an upgrade from the 4K monitors, and they ensure even higher picture quality with vivid colors and highly realistic images.
Even though 8K technology is still expensive and less accessible to the general public, monitor manufacturers have already begun researching the next-level display technology, naming 16K resolution monitors.
16K display technology is still not in the commercial market. But the research and development efforts are progressing at a much faster pace. 16K is expected to have nearly 16,000 pixels horizontally on the monitor screen.
According to experts, people may have to use a multi-monitor setup to use the 16K display technology. You will have to use combinations of 4K or 8K monitors to achieve the 16K resolution.
An issue with the proposed idea of 16K monitor resolution is its possible huge size. It would at least need 100-inch monitor screens to support 16K resolution. This makes it not suitable for standard-sized monitors.
Summary
The monitor industry is currently experiencing a high demand for 4K monitors. 4K monitors are characterized by high visual quality and clarity. But the next stage of monitor technology, the 8K resolution monitors, are slowly picking up pace in the industry. This technology was introduced in 2018 and is still in its beginning stages.
Soon, 8K monitors are expected to take over the industry. Despite the high-quality 8K technology, researchers have already started developing even higher display technologies like 16K. The 16K display technology is expected to surpass all others and hit the commercial market within the next decade.
FAQs
1. Can You Tell the Difference Between 4k and 8k?
The possibility to tell the difference between 4K and 8K depends on the size of the screen and the distance from which the viewer is watching. Because it is not possible to notice 8K content on a relatively small screen. The visual specifics of 8K content are prominent on a big screen. You must also sit at a shorter distance from the monitor to notice the visual features properly.
2. Is it worth getting an 8K monitor?
If you value visual and picture quality better than anything else, 8K would be an ideal choice for you. But there is only limited 8K content available as of now. Most OTT platforms and other content generation platforms create 4K content. Also, 8K monitors are much more expensive than their counterparts.