Michał Stekla
Is it possible that the first true 8K/120 Hz monitor won't be from Samsung, but from the Chinese company BOE? Everything indicates so. The company, which supplies panels for Dell, Asus, and LG, has just showcased a 31.5-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 8K and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. And it wasn’t just a dry announcement — the equipment was operational and looked really decent.
8K 120Hz. Finally makes sense?
Do you remember the 8K monitor from Dell in 2017? It had super resolution, but... only 60 Hz. So for any action — completely useless. Meanwhile, BOE has shown a screen that not only operates at 120 Hz at full 8K but can also switch to 240 Hz at 4K. Technically? Impressive.
On paper, it looks like a really strong contender. We have full 8K, which means a resolution of 7680 × 4320 pixels, enclosed in a 31.5-inch IPS LCD panel. Additionally, there is a solid contrast of 3000:1 and full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, which means faithful color reproduction – an absolute necessity for working with video, graphics, and color.
However, the biggest impression is made by the smoothness. The panel supports 120 Hz at full 8K, and when switched to 4K, it jumps to 240 Hz. So: one screen, two operating modes – ultra-sharp and very smooth. And although gamers might light up at the thought, we see this screen more in the hands of professionals – editors, colorists, VFX people, and advanced editors. For them, this panel is a work tool, not a gadget.
Samsung and TCL... still quiet
TCL (the LCD supplier for Samsung monitors) and Samsung Display announced 8K/120Hz earlier — TCL Mini-LED, Samsung QD-OLED. But so far: zero specifics, zero market premieres. BOE may overtake them and launch its panel this year. And with mass production. The thing is, BOE doesn't make monitors on its own — it is a panel supplier. The finished equipment depends on partners: Dell, LG, Asus, etc.
What about gaming?
If you’re thinking about playing in 8K 120 Hz, then... stop. Besides the monitor, you’ll need a GPU costing thousands of dollars, and DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.2, or Thunderbolt 5. In other words: a good setup for CSGO? No. For DaVinci Resolve or Unreal Engine 5? Definitely more so.
BOE talks about “mass production as early as 2025.” Realistically? If everything goes smoothly, we might see the first monitors before the holidays. But that’s not certain.
