The HDMI Forum, which oversees the HDMI standard, has confirmed that it will unveil HDMI version 2.2, offering improved specifications compared to version 2.1. The new version is expected to deliver increased bandwidth, allowing for higher resolutions and refresh rates.
To take advantage of these advancements, users will need to purchase a new cable that meets the updated standards set by the Forum. The official details will be revealed on January 6, 2025, just one day before CES kicks off.
There’s speculation that HDMI 2.2 could be compatible with upcoming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 and/or AMD Radeon RX 8000 graphics cards, alongside HDMI 2.1, as part of the broader graphics card advancements.
While the HDMI Forum has emphasized the need for a new cable to fully access the improved technology, it’s unlikely that the connector itself will change. This means users can continue using their old cables on supported devices, though they may not achieve the full potential of the new standard until they upgrade to the compatible cables.
Natural evolution to HDMI 2.2
The HDMI Forum is planning to transition to HDMI 2.2 soon, as version 2.1 has only received incremental updates since its release in 2017. HDMI 2.1 currently supports 48Gbps bandwidth, a 120Hz refresh rate, and resolutions up to 10,240×4,320.
In comparison, DisplayPort 2.1 offers a higher bandwidth capacity of 80Gbps (UHBR20). Leaks surrounding the upcoming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 GPUs suggest that these cards will support this faster speed, making DisplayPort 2.1 a likely contender for the new generation of GPUs.
Similarly, the AMD Radeon PRO series, as well as the AMD Radeon RX 7000 and Intel Arc Battlemage GPUs, support the UHBR13.5 standard, indicating that these technologies will be key players in the upcoming GPU and display developments.
