Tomasz Wadowski
This is the end of a certain technological ambition. Sony has officially confirmed in a conversation with the portal FlatpanelsHD that it does not intend to produce 8K televisions anymore. After the Z9K model, presented in 2022, the company has no plans for further devices with this resolution. Furthermore – the Z9K has already been withdrawn from stores, and Sony's 8K line has practically been phased out.
8K in retreat, but not without reason
For many, this may come as a surprise, but Sony's decision really is not shocking. The company has never chased competition with annual releases – instead, it has adopted a calmer two-year update cycle. The Z9K has remained on the market exceptionally long, lasting as much as three years, covering the 2023 and 2024 seasons as well.
But the lack of 8K content is taking its toll – apart from a few videos on YouTube, it is hard to find meaningful material today that actually utilises this resolution. Even the PlayStation 5 consoles, although promoted with 8K support, do not have any games that natively utilise such a high resolution. Sony, while heavily promoting its new console PS5 Pro with 8K support through HDMI 2.1, knows well that 8K games are more of a marketing gimmick than a real necessity.
Time for 4K, QD-OLED and Mini-LED
Instead of 8K, Sony is now focusing on improving 4K televisions. Later this year, a new Bravia 8 II model based on QD-OLED technology will be released, featuring an intelligent AI-based processor designed to enhance colours and image precision. Next year, the company plans to debut its first Mini-LED televisions with proprietary RGB LED backlighting, providing even more precise local dimming, something that could significantly improve contrast in LCD televisions.
Samsung sticks to 8K, but the rest are pulling back
Sony thus joins the ranks of companies that are moving away from 8K resolution; similar decisions were previously made by, among others, LG and several other manufacturers. The only major player still actively developing and promoting 8K TVs is Samsung, which will introduce as many as two new models with that resolution in 2025. This includes the successor to the QN900D we tested.
8K is also still being produced by some Chinese brands, but they do not reach the European market due to energy restrictions.
Will 8K return in the future? Sony has not completely closed the door, but everything suggests that for the next few years the company will focus on technologies more useful for everyday use – better OLED panels, strong Mini-LEDs, and proprietary image algorithms.
Source: FlatpanelsHD
