Sony has officially halted production of 8K television sets, marking a notable shift in the ultra-high-definition TV landscape. The company's last 8K offerings - the 75 and 85-inch Bravia XR Z9K models launched in 2022 - will remain available only until current inventory depletes.
The tech giant cites limited market momentum as the primary reason for discontinuing its 8K TV line. Despite the format's impressive 7680×4320 resolution capabilities, which pack 33.2 million pixels (double that of 4K), consumer demand has remained tepid.
While stepping back from 8K displays, Sony continues investing in professional 8K camera technology. These cameras capture native 7680x4320 resolution content, highlighting Sony's ongoing commitment to ultra-high-definition video production despite challenges in the consumer TV segment.
The company's upcoming TV releases will focus on 4K resolution models, particularly high-end QD-OLED panels under the Bravia 8 II brand. Sony is also developing new 4K LCD technology featuring RGB LED backlighting.
Even with Sony's exit, some manufacturers maintain a presence in the 8K TV market. Samsung offers large-format 8K displays with microLED technology, while LG recently introduced its QNED 99 Series 8K models in 2024.
The limited availability of native 8K content remains a key challenge for the format. Even Sony's PlayStation 5 Pro, which supports 8K video output through HDMI 2.1, has not sparked substantial consumer interest in 8K displays.
Sony has indicated a potential return to the 8K TV market should industry conditions become more favorable, but for now, the company's ultra-high-definition focus remains on professional video capture rather than consumer displays.