The latest in a long line of Xbox consoles, the Xbox Series X, was released in late 2020, and allowed players to jump into highly realistic games, while also taking advantage of 4K resolutions! However, those with 8K TVs have long wondered whether it is possible for the Xbox Series X to output at 8K.
Want to enjoy 8K gaming yourself? Let’s find out if it’s possible!
Is 8K Gaming Compatible With Xbox Series X?
Technically speaking, 8K gaming is possible on Xbox Series X, and the components needed to output natively on 8K TVs are all there. However, in order for an Xbox Series X to output at 8K resolutions, the console’s GPU would need to dedicate very significant power just to bump up the resolution.
The Xbox Series X is very powerful, and can easily target 120 FPS gameplay, at 4K resolutions, making it the perfect console to pair with a TV that has a high refresh rate. However, if an Xbox Series X were to output at 8K, it would need to significantly cut down either on frame rate or graphical fidelity in order for there to be enough GPU space.
This is why 8K is not generally available across the board with the Xbox Series X.
Does Xbox Series S Offer 8K Gaming?
Released alongside the Xbox Series X, in 2020, was the more affordable Xbox Series S. In order to retail at a slightly lower price, the Xbox Series S boasts slightly less power, and a more slimline design.
Unfortunately, this slight reduction in power means that the Xbox Series S is totally incapable of offering 8K gaming. The Series S outputs at around 1440p, and has a top frame rate of around 120fps, which is still very strong!
The Xbox Series X is currently capped at a total output of 4K for most content, while the Xbox Series S is capped at around 1440p for most content. It’s unclear whether these caps will ever be raised!
However, the Xbox Series S does have the ability to upscale video content, up to 4K. For instance, if you were to stream content from Netflix on an Xbox Series S to a 4K TV, it will be able to actively upscale the footage to appear 4K.
Which Xbox Series X Games Offer 8K?
Though Microsoft have yet to officially release any games that run natively at 8K for Xbox Series X, there are a small few titles to be found on the Microsoft store that can run at 8K resolutions. These games tend to be very simplistic indie games, such as colourful platformers with 2D graphics. Not likely to blow your socks off, but it is fun to have the option!
Will Xbox Ever Offer Full 8K Gaming?
The Xbox Series X does have the capacity to display some games and visual content at 8K resolutions, however, across most use-cases, the resolution output of the Series X is locked at 4K.
It’s unclear whether The Xbox Series X will ever offer full 8K gaming. If Microsoft were to suddenly remove the 4K cap from Xbox Series X consoles, it is likely that, in order to play 8K games, things like graphical fidelity and frame rate would need to be sacrificed. As such, it is sadly unlikely that the Xbox Series X, as it is, will ever support true 8K gaming.
However, you shouldn’t give up your plans to buy an 8K TV just yet! Microsoft have often been known to release updated versions of their landmark consoles around halfway through each console generation. In November of 2017, Microsoft released the Xbox One X, an updated version of the Xbox One console, with the capacity to play at full 4K resolutions.
If we were to take the release of the Xbox One X as any indication, there is a high chance that Microsoft may just release an updated version of the Xbox Series X at some point, with the capacity to output at 8K, without losing graphical fidelity or frame rate!
Can You Play Xbox Game Pass Games In 8K On PC?
If you have access to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you will be able to play all of your favourite Xbox games from your own PC, or through cloud gaming on a smart device. While this helps to significantly improve the number of options available for players, it is important to note that games accessed through Cloud gaming are capped at around 1080p.
If running Xbox games directly through your PC, and not via cloud streaming, you can easily access 4K Gaming, or even 8K gaming, provided you have an adequate display and the correct settings active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 8K Worth It 2023?
Unfortunately, even in 2023, there is still very little 8K content to take advantage of. Even the top gaming consoles don’t offer 8K output, and most major films are released at a total resolution of 4K. However, 8K TVs are very slowly becoming the standard. So purchasing one for yourself can be great for futureproofing your home entertainment.
Will There Be 16k Resolution?
Many popular TV manufacturers have already experimented with creating 16K displays, with great results. However, it will likely be some time before we see 16K screens being widely adopted across the world. 8K TVs are only just beginning to catch on, so we are still a ways away from the 16K revolution!
Does 5K Resolution Exist?
Yes. 5K resolution TVs do exist, however, you are unlikely to find them often. 4K is the most popular UHD resolution, with 8K being the natural next step. Very few 5K TVs are ever manufactured, because there is simply not much demand for them. After all, you had to take to the internet to find out if 5K even existed!
Is There A 1K Resolution?
Yes. Even though it is not used very often, 1K can actually be used to refer to 1080p resolutions. When you consider that 4K TVs have four times the amount of pixels, this name makes sense. It is unlikely that the term “1K” will ever really catch on, as 4K has long been the standard for high-definition TVs.
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