LG Halts 8K Panel Production Amidst Market Decline, Leaving Samsung as Primary Manufacturer
LG has halted the production of 8K LCD and OLED panels for its 8K televisions, a move that reflects a broader decline in the 8K TV market.
This decision positions Samsung as the primary remaining major manufacturer of 8K televisions. The cessation follows a period of low market adoption, challenges related to content availability, and the high cost of 8K technology.
LG Exits 8K Panel Production
LG has confirmed the suspension of 8K OLED panel development, effectively exiting the 8K OLED TV market. LG Display has stated that development is currently on hold, with potential for resumption if market conditions change. Production of the LG Z3 8K OLED model has ceased.
While LG's QNED99, an 8K LCD TV, remains available through some retailers, no new 8K LCD models have been announced for 2026, suggesting a broader withdrawal from 8K TV production. LG initially introduced its 8K LCD (SM99) and OLED (Z9) TV models in 2019.
Market Landscape and Declining Adoption
The 8K TV market has seen several manufacturers discontinue their offerings. TCL stopped releasing 8K TVs in 2023. One source indicates Sony ceased 8K TV production in 2025, while another reports it stopped in April of the previous year with its Z9K model.
The 8K Association, established by Samsung in 2018 to define 8K standards, has experienced a reduction in membership, falling from 33 companies in 2022 to 16.
Market data from Digitimes Asia illustrates the limited penetration of 8K TVs. Initial projections anticipated sales of over 3.75 million units in 2021. However, actual sales reached approximately 387,000 units in 2022 and further declined to 136,800 units in 2025, accounting for less than 0.1% of all TV sales for that year.
Key Challenges to 8K TV Adoption
Several factors are cited as contributing to the low adoption rate of 8K technology:
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Perceived Visual Difference:
At typical TV sizes and viewing distances, the visual distinction between 4K and 8K resolutions is often described as minimal.
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Lack of Native Content:
- Physical 8K media is not available.
- Streaming 8K content requires substantial bandwidth, up to 100Mbps per stream, which can be a barrier for many users.
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High Cost: 8K televisions have maintained a high price point. For example, the 77-inch LG Z3 was priced at approximately £14,999 / AU$15,999 (around $20,660).
Samsung Remains the Sole Major Player
Samsung remains the sole major TV manufacturer actively producing 8K TVs. The company continues to offer models such as the QN900D, which was priced at £6650 / $6299 / AU$8999 at launch. New Samsung 8K models, the QN990F and QN900F, were released in the past year. The QN990F has been noted for its color reproduction and upscaling capabilities.
Future Outlook: Niche Applications?
While the 8K TV market faces challenges, the technology may find applications in smaller displays, such as desktop monitors, where increased resolution could enhance screen real estate. However, graphics processing units (GPUs) currently face difficulties in effectively handling 8K gaming.
For instance, while Nvidia's RTX 3090 (released in 2020) offered situational 8K gaming, the RTX 5090 (projected for 2026) is still anticipated to struggle with effective 8K gaming, even with upscaling and frame generation technologies. Data indicates that over 50% of gamers continue to use 1080p resolution.