Samsung lets you watch 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays now with new player

Though Panasonic was first to announce a 4K Blu-ray player for Australia, its far-off September release date has been beaten to the punch by Samsung, which has just announced that its UBD K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is apparently on sale now at leading Australian retailers (admittedly, we've yet to find a local online listing for it).

And, if you’re expecting a ridiculously high launch price, think again – Samsung’s UBD K8500 player has an RRP of $599. While Panasonic’s player does not have local pricing yet, its £599 price point in the U.K. leads us to believe it will be upwards of $1100 when it arrives on our shores.

Samsung’s player will feature HDR functionality, and has been has been certified as ‘Ultra HD Premium’ by the UHD Alliance.

It will also provide access to 4K streaming services such as Netflix, which is great for people whose 4K TVs don’t already allow you to access those apps natively.

Stephen primarily covers phones and entertainment for TechRadar's Australian team, and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming in both print and online for over a decade. He's obsessed with smartphones, televisions, consoles and gaming PCs, and has a deep-seated desire to consume all forms of media at the highest quality possible.

He's also likely to talk a person’s ear off at the mere mention of Android, cats, retro sneaker releases, travelling and physical media, such as vinyl and boutique Blu-ray releases. Right now, he's most excited about QD-OLED technology, The Batman and Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga.