LG 8K Vs. LG 4K: Which One Wins?

Besides decorating the living room, we use LED TVs for gaming, watching movies, presentations, streaming, and more. Brands like LG keep developing new tech products incorporating the latest technologies, including pixel density, internet connectivity, and more.

TVs with “smart capabilities” are nothing new, but display technology is constantly improving. If you’re looking into a new TV, LG’s latest offerings are worth considering. But what is the difference between LG’s 8K and 4K LED TVs? More importantly, is 8K truly superior? That’s what we are setting out to uncover in today’s post. Stick around for all of the features, pros, and cons!

LG 8K vs. LG4K: Side by Side Comparison

LG 8K vs. LG 4K: 9 Must-know Facts

• LG 8K and 4K are display resolutions, referring to the number of pixels on a screen.
• LG 4K offers 40 pixels per inch, while LG 8K LEDs have 160 pixels per inch.
• LG 8K TVs consume more energy than LG 4K TVs, whether using QNED or Nanocell.
• LG 4K has a factor of 1800 nits, while LG 8K can go up to 2100 nits.
• You need high-end peripherals that can match the higher data rates of LG 8K LEDs
• Many LG 4K LEDs use HDMI 2.0 and 2.0b cables, whereas LG 8K uses HDMI 2.1 cables, which allows for higher data rates.
• Because 8K technology is still in its early stages, not much content is available for LG 8K TVs.
• 8K LED displays require less viewing distance and wider viewing angle, whereas LG 4K displays have a smaller viewing angle.
• LG 8K LED TVs typically cost more than LG 4K displays.

LG 65QNED99UPA Alexa Built-in QNED MiniLED 99 Series 65″ 8K Smart UHD NanoCell TV (2021)

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09/28/2023 07:52 pm GMT

LG 8K & LG 4K: What’s the difference?

LG 8K differs from LG 4K TVs in some ways, but they also share many similarities.

Even though both the LG 8K and 4K TVs have unique features, LG introduced 8K Tvs in 2019 to push the envelope even further on picture quality and pixel density.

Because LG’s 8K TV has up to 33 million pixels, it produces a more realistic image than the 4K’s 8 million pixels. You can get great detail in your visuals on a 4K TV, but with an 8K TV, the extra resolution means details become more sharp, giving you truly cinematic visuals.

Despite this increase in resolution, both types still support HDR and advanced gaming technologies. So no matter which one you choose, it will provide excellent performance for both gaming and movies.

Before making a purchasing decision, we recommend that you evaluate the performance of both TVs on the following criteria.

Resolution

When shopping for a new TV, the resolution is a critical aspect to consider. This is where the buzzwords “8K” and “4K” come into the picture. Simply put, these terms refer to the number of pixels on the screen. 

If you’re looking for a step up from the old 1080P standard, a 4K TV offers double the number of pixels. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate viewing experience, an 8K TV is the way to go. With twice the resolution of a 4K TV, 8K’s screen images are nothing short of breathtaking. They are incredibly detailed, sharp, and lifelike, making everything from your favorite games to Netflix series to virtual meetings a visual feast. 

Screen Size

The size of the LG 8K and 4K screens is the second significant difference.

LG typically produces larger display sizes in 8K screens due to the number of pixels it accommodates. Because of this, LG has introduced a 97-inch 8K display. If you want something subtle for a college dorm or office – this TV is not it. LG’s 8K TVs are massive and feel right at home in a home theater setup, complete with surround sound and a comfy couch to stretch out on.

LG 4K TVs, on the other hand, are smaller in size due in part to fewer pixels per inch. This is why 4K resolution is available in a wide range of sizes. Whether you’re looking for a compact 27-inch display, or something on the larger end, like a 55-inch LG TV, you can easily find a 4K model with the perfect dimensions.

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LG B2 Series 65-Inch Class OLED Smart TV

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• 8 million self-lit OLED pixels for vivid viewing experience
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09/28/2023 04:47 am GMT

Streaming

Streaming is one of the major motivations for purchasing a 4K or 8K, OLED TV. Those who can afford it will always opt for the most recent technological advancement if given the option.

LG 8K OLED TV typically has a higher resolution, better contrast, increased brightness, and improved refresh rate. 8K is still gaining momentum, and there isn’t much 8K content available on the market. So, buying an LG 8K OLED needs some thought.

4K is a standard in many streaming platforms. Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney Plus, and others natively generate and support 4K content. Moreover, many consumer electronics and other electronics favor 4K technology, which keeps it in demand. Many popular TV shows and movies are often in 4K format.

Undoubtedly, 4K is still the market leader in this category. However, when more 8K equipment and content become available, LG 8K OLEDs will someday dominate the market. 

Gaming 

Aside from streaming, gaming is another reason to look for a dazzling, high-resolution display. While PC gamers can enjoy high-refresh-rate or specialized gaming monitors, console users are not so lucky. While you can technically use a PC monitor on a console such as the Xbox or PS5, it is more fun on a bigger screen. That’s where LG’s gigantic TVs come in.

Gaming has slightly different requirements than streaming, such as a higher refresh rate, higher resolution, more colors, and better detailing. All these are possible with LG 8K displays. Unfortunately, 8K games haven’t come out yet. Even still, the faster refresh rate and higher pixel density of an 8K display can potentially make it a “future-proof” choice for gamers.

Viewing Distance

When comparing the LG OLED with 8K resolution or any other product line such as QNED or NanoCell, it’s not easy to tell their differences unless you’re viewing them at the proper distance and angle. The image quality depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of equipment used, the size of the image, and so on. All these mean nothing is you can’t notice the difference.

In this case, an LG 4K or 8K screen is equivalent. The best distance for a six-by-six eye is one that allows you to easily identify all of the details in an image. In other words, whatever is most comfortable for you!

LG 8K and LG 4K: Recent Updates

LG has made a few updates to their 8K and 4K TVs since February 2023. Some of the updates are:

• New AI processor: The α9 Gen6 AI Processor uses artificial intelligence to improve the picture quality of 8K and 4K content.
• Improved upscaling: The upscaling technology produces even sharper images.
• New features: Several new features have been added to LG TVs, which includes Filmmaker Mode. Support for the latest HDMI 2.1 features, such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Quick Media Switching (QMS), has been added.
• New design: LG TVs have a new, sleeker design that includes thinner bezels.

LG 8K and LG 4K: What’s Next?

LG is always working on advancing the technology of their TVs. Here are some advances we might see for the 8K and 4K in the next six to 18 months:

• Improved upscaling: We can expect to see improved upscaling in the coming months. Watching older movies and TV shows will be more enjoyable with stunning details.
• Wider color gamut: Wider color gamut is possible with new technology, resulting in more realistic colors on the screen, especially for HDR content.
• Improved HDR performance: Better HDR performance is expected from LG. This would make it possible to see more detail in shadows and highlights, as well as see a wider range of colors.
• New features: We might see new features such as improved AI upscaling, object-based audio, and even more immersive VR experiences.

LG 8K vs. LG 4k: Which one is better?

LG 4K LEDs have been on the market since 2012, but the manufacturer only introduced the 8K product line in 2019. Since then, 4K and 8K technologies have grown in popularity, but for many, the differences will be negligible. On paper, we can pick out a clear winner, and that’s 8K.

8K OLEDs come out on top due to superior picture quality, pixel count, detailing, and so on. However, a few flaws will make you think twice before upgrading to these TVs. Aside from the cost, limited content, energy consumption, and space requirements are potential put-offs. 

Just because LG 8K TVs boast higher specs, does not mean you’ll notice the quality improvements. A wide range of content is available in 4K, with many flicks not even available in 8K. The result? You won’t be able to use that shiny new 8K TV for everything. Not many streaming platforms or gaming titles have released 8K formats, so you will be in the dark for some time if you’re holding out for maximum pixel-density entertainment.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock.com.