Huawei 5G 8k UHD TV could usher in new streaming era

Chinese Telecoms giant Huawei’s widely anticipated plan to launch the world’s first 5G TV later this year, could provide the key to unlocking the potential of 8k resolution video.

Sidestepping traditional broadband networking limitations, the inclusion of a 5G module would allow the TV to stream high bandwidth 8k, and download UHD content, at unparalleled speed. Rakuten.tv says it is fast tracking an OTT 8k service.

Any 5G 8k TV launch would be a dramatic statement of intent for the ambitious brand, as it seeks to establish its own ecosystem of consumer electronics products beyond smartphones and smart watches. An 8k Huawei TV display could use panel technology from China Star Optoelectronics Technology, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

The company is determined to take a lead when it comes to 5G, both (controversially) in terms of enterprise infrastructure and home products like its foldable phone and network devices.

5G is seen as a disruptive, rather than evolutionary, technology, offering higher speed, greater capacity, and lower latency than we've seen before. Using 5G (at 10 Gbps), users will be able to download a two hour movie in just 3.6 seconds, compared to 26 hours using 3G (at 384 Kbps) and six minutes using 4G (100 Mbps).

Netflix is looking to 5G to expand its streaming service in India, to an almost exclusively smartphone based audience.

Huawei isn’t a total stranger to the world of TV. Its chip division, Hisilicon Technologies, provides TV chipsets for local brands Hisense, Changhong and Skyworth, and is the second largest vendor after MediaTek. Importantly Huawei is not dependant on third party suppliers for 5G components.

Huawei recently overtook Apple in smartphone shipments, and is currently chasing market leader Samsung.