Can iPhone Playback 4k Video: 10 Answers You Should Know

Written by Al Shariar Apon in Gadgets

You may have heard that the new Apple iPhone 11 can playback 4k videos, but does this mean you can watch 4k videos on your iPhone? The answer is no, but there are other ways to enjoy these high-resolution videos.

Apple’s iPhone X and the later iPhones versions can play 4K video. However, iPhone can shoot 4k videos, but the display of your iPhone resolution is UHD (3840×2160) not 4k (4096×2160). It is important to note that not all videos are capable of being played in 4K resolution videos.

Read this article for 10 answers about the iPhone play 4k videos you need to know now.

Table of Contents

Which iPhones Can Playback 4k Video?

  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 Mini
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13 Mini
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max

All older iPhones and iPads that run iOS 10 or later can play 4k video on compatible files, such as videos purchased from iTunes, downloaded from websites that offer paid subscription to their content and recorded by your device’s camera using the UHD setting (which records at a rate of 24 megapixels per second).

Apple recommends you use an Internet connection with a download speed of at least 15 Mbps to stream movies in 4K resolution and 20 Mbps for HDR video playback.

What is HEVC and How Does it Work

The H.265 video format is a successor to the H.264 codecs that are common in digital cameras and streaming encoders, though H.265 was developed to meet these growing needs by providing greater compression efficiency at lower power consumption. It also offers improved coding efficiency where it can encode more video information in a smaller bandwidth in comparison to previous oral codecs.

The Difference Between H264 and HEVC Codecs

Apple introduced new video formats with the release of iOS 11.4 called H264, HEVC, and HEIF which are designed to reduce data size while maintaining quality. Apple’s adoption of these new formats is likely to cause problems for users because it means that they cannot switch back to previous iOS versions without giving up the new formats.

iOS 11.4 and HEVC Codecs: What You Need to Know

The release of iOS 11.4 brings the ability to shoot videos in new formats called H264, HEVC, and HEIF which can help improve photo quality while reducing file size by half. It’s a win-win situation for any user who takes advantage of this feature but there is one drawback: you cannot revert back to an earlier version on your iPhone without giving up these new features. As such, we recommend against updating until you know if your favorite apps will still work with iOS 11.4 or not.

Can iPhone 6, and 6s Playback 4k Video?

The iPhone 6s is not capable of playing a 4K video. The iPhone 6s features the A9 chip that was developed by Apple in-house. The A9 chip can decode 4K video at 60P with H264 videos. Of course, it is important to note that this depends on the internet connection. If you have a fast connection, then you should be able to play high-quality video on your iPhone 6s.

Can iPhone 7, and 7 Plus Playback 4k Video?

Apple iPhone 7, and 7 Plus cannot play 4k video. There is a new Apple product called the iPad Pro that can play 4k video. The iPhone SE and iPhone 6S also cannot run 4k videos.

Can iPhone 8, and 8 Plus Playback 4k Video?

Your iPhone 8, 8 Plus cannot playback 4K video. However, to do so you must purchase the right cables and accessories. The iTunes store does not currently offer any 4K content but Apple has said it will be coming soon.

When it arrives, you’ll need to update your device’s software so that it can properly playback these files. You should also be aware that if you’re streaming or downloading this sort of media on your phone, there’s a chance some frames will be lost during transmission because they are too large for the network connection speed at the moment of transmission.

Can iPhone X Playback 4k Video?

The iPhone X has been out for a few weeks now and one of the most common questions we’ve received is “can I play 4k video on my iPhone X?” The answer to that question, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. So let us help!

The iPhone X supports 4k video. It also supports a high frame rate (HFR) or 60 fps video up to a resolution of 1080p. Furthermore, the iPhone X has an impressive Super Retina Display that packs in almost 2 million more pixels than traditional HD displays for sharper images and crisper text.

With all of this being said, there are some limitations surrounding playing back 4k on your device that you should know about before purchasing the latest smartphone from Apple.

Can iPhone XR Playback 4k Video?

Yes, iPhone XR can playback 4k videos. iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have the same camera specs as the iPhone XR so they will also support 4K video recording and playback.

Can iPhone 11, 12, and 13 Series Payback 4k Video?

4k video is a great way to capture the world around you. But what if your phone doesn’t support it?

The iPhone 11, 12, and 13 series all have 4k 60fps recording capabilities. They also come with three different camera lens options: 12MP wide-angle lens, 12MP telephoto lens, or 12MP zoom lens. This gives you plenty of flexibility to find the best shot for every occasion.

The iPhone 11, 12, and 13 series can all play 4k videos without any issues. Just open your video in the Photos app and it will playback just fine.

However, you might have to switch between different lighting conditions for optimal playback. Some videos are noticeably darker when played on devices with LCD displays because of lower contrast ratios in comparison to OLED screens. For example, watching these videos in direct sunlight with an LCD display results in a completely washed-out picture.

If you want to enjoy 4k 60fps videos without worrying about brightness levels, it’s recommended to use Apple TV or other external devices that are capable of playing 4k resolution content at this framerate.

Playback 4k Video: Check Your iPhone Resolution Now

Because Apple Is Changing Everything. Let’s start with the basics 4k is just one form of ultra high definition (UHD), also referred to as “4K” or “2160p.” It’s four times the resolution of 1080p HD, which means it’s around four thousand pixels wide.

That’s a big difference! 4k provides much sharper image quality than standard high definition (HD), which is what most people use their TVs for. Your cable box probably doesn’t even support 4K yet, but your iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will soon change that.

Apple released an update today to back up its claims that the new phones are capable of shooting video in 4k at 24 FPS. They’ll even shoot slow-motion shots at 120 FPS, double the framerate of their last generation iPhones or any other smartphone currently on the market for that matter.

Here is a 4k resolution youtube video. Check your iPhone playback compatibility.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you learn more about what your iPhone will and won’t be able to do. We also wanted to share some of the best 4k video recording apps for iPhones, which are worth checking out if you want a quick solution that doesn’t involve an external device like Apple TV or Chromecast. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out – we’re happy to help!

Al Shariar Apon

I am a tech enthusiast and love gadgets like Elon musk. When I was very young, I used to love to read books that were about building robots and crazy inventions. My WireTechy Blog helps you to identify problems and give you better solutions.

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