Human Eye’s Resolving Power Exceeds Previous Estimates, suggesting Current TV resolutions May Be Excessive
New research indicates the human eye possesses a greater ability to discern detail than previously understood, raising questions about the necessity of continually increasing television and display resolutions. A team led by researchers at the University of Bern has resolute the eye can resolve details corresponding to approximately 600 megapixels – far exceeding the capabilities of even the most advanced commercially available displays. However, the study also highlights the trade-offs associated with ultra-high resolutions, including increased power consumption and computational demands.
While the eye’s theoretical resolving power is substantially higher than current display technology, the research doesn’t suggest an immediate need to downgrade existing televisions. Instead, it provides crucial data for manufacturers and developers to optimize display technology, balancing visual fidelity with practical considerations like energy efficiency and processing power. This impacts not only televisions but also a wide range of devices featuring displays, from smartphones and virtual reality headsets to automotive dashboards. The findings,published in Nature Communications,offer a benchmark for determining the point of diminishing returns in resolution increases.
The study involved measuring the eye’s ability to distinguish fine details under ideal conditions. Researchers found the limit is determined by the density of photoreceptor cells in the retina and the optics of the eye, resulting in the 600-megapixel equivalent. Increasing resolution beyond a certain point yields no perceptible benefit to the viewer, while simultaneously increasing energy consumption and the strain on computing resources needed to render the image.
The research team’s work is available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-64679-2#Abs1.
