TV Resolution Explained - 8K UHD vs. 4K vs. QHD vs. FHD

Everything you need to know about TV resolutions.

TV Resolution Explained - 8K UHD vs. 4K vs. QHD vs. FHD TechReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2025

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is TV Resolution?

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Resolution refers to the number of pixels that compose a TV's display. A single pixel is a tiny illuminated dot of color on the screen.

The first number in a resolution indicates the horizontal pixel count, while the second number indicates the vertical pixel count.

For example, a 4K TV contains over 8.3 million pixels with a resolution of 3840 x 2160.

TV Resolutions

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TV Resolutions
Resolution
8K UHD (Ultra HD) 7680 x 4320
4K UHD (Ultra HD) 3840 x 2160
1440p / QHD (Quad HD) 2560 x 1440
1080p / FHD (Full HD) 1920 x 1080
720p / HD (High Definition) 1280 x 720

Is TV Resolution Important?

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TV resolution is important for enhancing image clarity. A higher-resolution display produces sharper, more detailed visuals. However, resolution isn't the most important feature when evaluating a TV.

Image quality depends on multiple factors including resolution, contrast, brightness, viewing angles, black levels, color accuracy, light bleed, refresh rate, and response time.

Which TV Resolution Is Better?

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If you want the absolute best, 8K is currently the highest available resolution.

However, 8K screens offer limited practical benefits since 8K content is scarce, and widespread availability is likely years away.

4K provides sufficient resolution for excellent picture quality. Overall TV quality matters more than resolution alone.

Keep in mind that some streaming services like Netflix require premium tier subscriptions to access 4K content. Most streaming services don't support 8K content yet.

How Much Better Is 4K Than 1080p?

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A 4K TV has more than four times the pixels of a 1080p display. It displays finer details, making text and images noticeably crisper.

If you're considering upgrading, remember that source content must be 4K to fully benefit. For example, a Basic Netflix subscription streams 1080p content, which your 4K TV will automatically upscale, resulting in less clarity than native 4K.

Some TVs feature advanced upscaling technology that enhances 1080p content for better clarity, although native 4K content always delivers superior results.

Our 4K TV Recommendations

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LG C5 OLED TV (Best)

  • This is an exceptional TV for any use, whether for movies, games, sports, or as a PC monitor.
  • Fast refresh rates reduce motion blur and make animations smoother.
  • This TV has wide viewing angles, perfect for many people watching TV together (like most OLED TVs).
  • It has an extreme contrast ratio capable of producing pitch-black scenes without suffering from blooming.
  • This TV offers improved brightness compared to previous generations, making it suitable for most room lighting conditions.
  • This has the fastest response time for smooth fast-moving content, great for games or sports.
  • The LG C5 OLED TV also supports very low input lag and variable refresh rate, both of which are also needed for gaming.
  • It's superb for HDR content due to its extreme contrast ratio and wide color gamut.
  • Check the latest price of the LG C5 OLED TV on Amazon

Sony BRAVIA 8 II TV

  • This TV has superb picture quality with an extreme contrast ratio, perfect for your home theater room.
  • The Sony BRAVIA 8 II TV has excellent color out of the box, so there's no need for color calibration.
  • This TV offers improved brightness performance, making it suitable for various room lighting conditions.
  • This TV has Google TV built-in, allowing you to watch from most of your streaming services quickly and smoothly.
  • The Sony BRAVIA 8 II TV has very low input lag and quick response time, both of which are excellent for sports and gaming.
  • Check the latest price of the Sony BRAVIA 8 II TV on Amazon

Samsung QN90B Neo QLED

  • This is an exceptional TV for any use, whether for movies, games, sports or as a PC monitor.
  • It's the "Neo" QLED variant, which has an excellent contrast ratio and deep blacks.
  • This will also work great in a bright room.
  • The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED also supports low input lag, variable refresh rate, and fast response time, all of which are needed for gaming.
  • Check the latest price of the Samsung QN90B Neo QLED on Amazon

Samsung QN85B QLED

  • This is an excellent Neo QLED TV variant for use in bright rooms while having fantastic response time, low input lag, and vivid natural colors.
  • The Samsung QN85B QLED has wide viewing angles and high brightness to overcome screen glare.
  • It's superb for HDR content due to its high brightness and wide color gamut.
  • A negative to this TV is that it has lower contrast compared to the QN90B.
  • Check the latest price of the Samsung QN85B QLED on Amazon