The resolution that smartphone cameras can capture has steadily been on the rise over the last decade. That’s why it is hardly a surprise that 8K Camera Resolution made its appearance in the industry. It’s been called Higher Resolution, but what is 8K on a smartphone camera?
8K technology on Smartphones is an incredible doubling of the resolution from 4K. 8K allows the camera to capture videos with a resolution of 7680 × 4320 pixels. This video is much more precise and crisper than previous technology like 4K, capturing your subject at a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what 8K on a smartphone camera is, which phones have 8K cameras and whether 8K in your smartphone camera is worth having. So sit back, relax, and read on to find out more. This will undoubtedly be an insightful read for you!
New 8K Video Recording Functionality
Once, a dual rear camera on a smartphone was a considerable choice. Now, it’s a necessity, not a luxury reserved for just those who can afford it. That’s how far smartphone cameras have come in the last few years.
When it comes to the smartphone arena, each advancing year seems to bring increasing varieties of options, especially from the perspective of technology. One significant aspect that is hard to ignore and has had many smartphone enthusiasts all over the world very excited about is the availability of 8K technology.
New smartphones have made their way into the market with the ludicrous and mind-boggling 8K video recording functionality. There have been several announcements of such phones, and a lot of people across the globe are clamoring to get themselves a piece of this technology. But really, what is 8K on a smartphone camera? What does it mean?
What Is 8K on a Smartphone Camera?
8K is a technology that’s been anticipating its turn for a while now. The name came from meaning anything with a width of 8000 pixels. Now, it has been defined as a resolution of 7680 × 4320 pixels. This resolution is four times the resolution of 4K, which itself is four times the resolution of 1080p.
There’s an easier way to understand 8K in terms of megapixels. While 4K (defined as 3840 × 2160 pixels equates to 8 megapixels, 8K equates to 33 megapixels. When put in pure megapixel terms, the perception of 8K instantly changes.
Is 8K a futuristic and pointless addition to the smartphones we see today? Or is it an inevitable piece of technology? With higher resolution and the availability of 8K on mainstream TVs and monitors, please make no mistake about it; 8K is big news in the smartphone industry. Many people worldwide are buying into this technology, and it is fast becoming an important consideration when buying a smartphone.
We discuss 8K Smartphone Cameras in our article “The Future of Smartphones: AI, Wearable Tech, 5G, Robots, 8K.”
Switching From 4K to 8K
Almost every mid-range smartphone that’s available in the world is capable of recording videos in 4K. The next sensible step would be to switch to 8K. But the truth is that not all smartphone manufacturers have invested their time and resources in developing 8K technology for their products. The tech is far from becoming mainstream.
All in all, 8K is a fundamental advancement in smartphone technology, and it’s steadily but indeed taking over the world. It is expected that within a few years, more smartphone companies will take it up and develop it even further.
8K video technology has everything to do with the viewing options. If you have an 8K TV or monitor available, people will watch certain videos or broadcasts in 8K. As 8K viewing, internet, gaming, and 5G transmission become available, it will increase in popularity as 4K did.
Which Smartphones Have an 8K Camera?
If you are looking for a phone that can record 8K videos, several options are available in the market. 8K technology is still relatively new and in its infancy stage. What’s more, it’s hard to find a camera, monitor, or TV on which you can watch 8K videos. There are only a handful of manufacturers who offer models that provide 8K support. But all in all, here are some phones that have 8K capabilities.
1. Samsung S22 Series
In February 2022, Samsung made the S22 Series commercially available. You can currently choose between the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra models. The upcoming Galaxy S23 series is expected in early 2023. The list of features differs from one model to the next, but the good news is that each of them enables you to capture videos in 8K resolution.
Unsurprisingly, however, shooting videos in 8K with these smartphones will take up a lot of storage space. According to Samsung, a minute of 8K footage can take up as much as 600MB of storage. In addition to this, the maximum recording time for 8K videos has been capped at 5 minutes by Samsung. Another thing worth noting is that 8K recording is only possible at 24fps.
2. LG V60 ThinQ
The LG V60 ThinQ is the first LG smartphone to be unveiled that has 8K capabilities. It is capable of recording 8K videos, which is a first for LG phones. This phone features 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal memory that can be expanded to 2TB. So you need not worry about storage space for all the 8K videos you will likely record using this phone.
In the camera front, the device packs two rear cameras, a 64MP primary sensor, and a 13MP wide-angle lens, supporting 8K video recording. In the front is a 10MP selfie camera.
3. Asus ZenFone 7
This Asus ZenFone 7 Smartphone is a competent video recording tool with its motorized flip-up camera cluster. It can capture videos in 8K resolution at 30fps with its main camera. In addition to this, it can capture up to 60fps with both the primary and ultra-wide modules. 8K footage from the ZenFone 7 is detailed, but not as well as the Samsung Galaxy S20 series.
4. Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
Rated as the best new phone, you shouldn’t buy in the U.S. by PC Magazine. Like the Samsung S20 series, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is equipped with 108MP quad cameras capable of capturing 8K resolution videos. You can choose either the 8GB or 12GB RAM options. They come with 256GB or 512GB of memory cards. This amount of memory means that you can shoot 8K videos without having to worry about using up too much storage space.
This phone performs remarkably well in both the photo and video departments, making it a perfect choice for all users who would like to produce quality videos and images. Besides offering the 8K option for capturing videos, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro also enables you to record 4K footage.
Some other phones with 8K capabilities include Redmi K30 Pro, Vivo X50, Vivo X60, Nubia Z20, and Xiaomi Mi 11.
Is 8K on a Smartphone Camera Worth Investing In?
With the introduction of the 8K technology on some smartphones and its popularity slowly on the rise, it’s only natural to wonder whether all this is worth it. Smartphones with 8K technology will generally cost you more than regular smartphones with 4K resolution. But can their price compare to the usefulness of 8K? Is it a good investment?
This is a yes and no answer question. Yes, because you can shoot high-quality, crisp, and clear footage using just your smartphone. On the other side of the spectrum, there are several reasons why enthusiasts are skeptical of 8K technology smartphones. Here’s why!
The 4K option is yet to popularize, and we already are after 8K on our smartphones. When 4K video recording on smartphones debuted, it came with a myriad of problems.
8K Smartphone Limits?
In the same light, is history doomed to repeat itself with the introduction of 8K. These problems include overheating and shutting down. Once you enable 8K, there will be a lot of data throughput, stressing the phone’s memory, the sensor, and the chipset. All these components will be working in unison in a cramped space and generate a lot of heat.
Majority of the smartphones that allow 8K video recording also has a recording time limit. Most of them limit recording to a maximum of 5 minutes due to overheating of components. This limitation makes it quite a hassle if you have to tap on the record button over and over again.
Also, with increased resolution comes an increase in the storage space required per recording session. According to Samsung, you will use 600MB per minute when recording with the 8K 24fps option. If the frame rate increases from 24 to 30, then even more space is required. So if your smartphone doesn’t have enough space, it could become clattered up quite fast.
Worth Mentioning
Another thing worth mentioning is that it may take a while before we get other features with 8K technology. This technology is still in its infancy stages, and it will take time to develop it up to a point where it’s fully functional and with no hiccups. Some features like OIS support, auto-focus, video effects, and bitrate adjustments will take a while before they are developed for 8K.
To sum up, it depends on you and your goals. 8K still has some gray areas we have discussed. To some people, like professional photographers and videographers, it absolutely may be worth it. To others, like the regular smartphone user, maybe not. Either way, this technology still needs time for proper development to enable users to get the most out of it.
If there is anything we have learned from our constant study of technology is that it is always changing and improving in diverse ways. Because we do not know what the future holds for Human and technological interfaces, we will take a wait-and-see attitude with 8K technology. The potential is great, and the fact is that it will improve in the future!
References:
https://filmora.wondershare.com/8k/best-8k-resolution-phones.html