'QLED 8K TVs to become mainstream in 2019'

Han Jong-hee, president of the visual display business at Samsung Electronics, speaks during a media conference at the firm's headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Friday, announcing the firm's vision to lead the 8K television market. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Jun Ji-hye

The large-screen, premium television market with 8K resolution will expand at an explosive pace in 2019, despite a gloomy forecast by a global electronics market researcher, according to the head of Samsung Electronics' visual display division.

In January, IHS Markit forecast that the 8K TV market would grow at a slower than previously-expected pace, slashing the sales forecast for this year to 338,000 from the previous 430,000.

Skepticism toward 8K TVs is mostly centered on concerns that the products are too expensive while there is not much content currently available.

But Han Jong-hee, president of Samsung's visual display business, showed confidence, saying, “Sales of 4K TVs accounted for more than 60 percent of the total TV sales in five years since its release. Sales of 8K TVs will reach that level faster as technological advancements accelerate.”

He made the remarks at a media conference held Friday at Samsung Digital City, the firm's headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

An 8K TV has four times more pixels than a 4K UHD TV, and 16 times more pixels than a full HD TV, bringing pristine colors and images to life.

Samsung Electronics said it will expand sales of 8K quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) TVs to 60 countries this year.

A Samsung Electronics researcher gives a demonstration of the firm's new 8K QLED TVs to reporters at the firm's headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

The firm began sales of the premium TVs in Korea, the United States, Europe and Russia in late 2018.

The 8K QLED TVs to be released this year will be available in six sizes ranging from the 55 inches to 98 inches.

“Samsung Electronics is always making efforts to lead in new technologies and suggest next-generation standards,” Han said. “We will continue to work hard to lead the 8K TV market and offer consumers the best TV viewing experience.”

The company highlighted the “Quantum Processor 8K,” a feature that analyzes resolution of content and upgrades those of lower-quality to appear close to 8K resolution, which will address concerns over the lack of available content.

Other global companies such as LG Electronics and Sony as well as Chinese firms have joined the competition in the 8K TV market, showcasing their latest products during the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January.