What is 4K TV?

Looking for a new TV and wondering whether 4K is right for you?
Maybe you’re confused about what 4K resolution is? Or not sure how
it differs from a UHD TV? Read our guide on 4K TVs and how they positively impact your viewing experience.

What does 4K mean?

Simply put, 4K refers to the resolution of a TV screen. Resolution is a term that tells you just how densely the pixels (tiny dots of light), are put together on the display. Individual pixels collect together to make up the image you see on the screen, so the higher the pixel count, the higher the resolution, and the better the image quality. With an increasing number of TV shows, films and games being created with higher resolutions in mind, 4K is the resolution to consider when buying a new TV.

What resolution is 4K?

A 4K TV is a TV set with 4K resolution. That means the TV has 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels, for a total of about 8.3 million pixels. On TV product specifications, resolutions are usually shown as "3840 x 2160" for 4K TVs.

Resolution is a term that tells you just how densely these tiny dots, the pixels, are put together on the display. Individual pixels collect together to make up the image you see on the screen, so the higher the pixel count the higher the resolution. The "K" in 4K stands for Kilo (1000), meaning a TV that has achieved a horizonal resolution of about 4,000 pixels.

What resolution is 4K?

A 4K TV has 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels, equating to around 8.3 million pixels in total. The "K" stands for Kilo (1000), meaning a 4K TV has achieved a horizontal resolution of about 4,000 pixels. On TV product specifications, resolutions are usually shown as "3840 x 2160" for 4K TVs.

Is a UHD TV the same as a 4K TV?

UHD stands for Ultra High Definition and 4K is a type of UHD resolution. However, the picture quality is slightly superior on a 4K TV as the resolution pixel count is 4096 x 2160 which is 256 pixels wider than UHD. It’s worth noting that different brands use various expressions to say the same thing, such as Ultra HD, 4K TV, Ultra High Definition TV and 4K UHD TV, therefore, it’s always worth checking the specific resolution of the TV you’re interested in. Today most manufacturers and distributors use the term 4K or 4K UHD for a TV with a 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution.

How good is 4K quality?

4K TVs have four times more pixels than traditional Full HD (1920 x 1080) TVs. Even on TV screens of the same size, the 4K TV picture quality ends up being more vivid and detailed thanks to the greater pixel density.

This difference is especially obvious on big screen TVs. For example, if you compare the quality of a traditional 65" Full HD TV to a 65" 4K UHD TV, you'll notice a difference in the pixels that make up the screen. For high-resolution TVs, the pixels are smaller than in a lower-resolution TV of the same size, so you can enjoy a more immersive experience without restrictions on viewing distance and watch from up close without noticing the individual pixels.

What 4K content is available

There is a wide range of 4K content now available, from 4K broadcasting and streaming services, to gaming consoles that support 4K content and much more. In fact, platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Vudu and Rakuten offer a wide range of 4K films, TV series and documentaries. Plus, With 4K video recording now readily available on premium smartphones, you’ll discover a lot of unique 4K content on video sharing platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo. So, you’re free to explore whatever catches your interest.

Learn more about what the difference is between 4K TV and 8K TV.

What is 4K upscaling?

When you watch lower-quality FHD content on a 4K TV, upscaling is the technology that increases its resolution, then converts and optimises it to fit the display panel of a 4K TV. In other words, it doesn't just stretch the image — it upgrades it for the 4K display. Upscaling automatically analyses the resolution of what you’re watching to reduce noise, improve details and provide optimum contrast and colour so that you can view content in 4K-like quality, and since every brand does upscaling differently, be sure to choose the one that does it the best.

Samsung’s best 4K TVs

Screen Resolution
Display
Connection
Dolby Atmos
Game Mode
Refresh Rate
Film Mode

NEO QLED 4K QN90C

Screen Resolution : 3,840 x 2,160
Display : 43” - 85”
Connection : HDMI 4, USB 2, eARC & Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos : Yes
Game Mode : Yes
Refresh Rate : 120Hz
Film Mode : Yes

QLED 4K QN85C

Screen Resolution : 3,840 x 2,160
Display : 55” - 85”
Connection : HDMI 4, USB 2, eARC & Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos : Yes
Game Mode : Yes
Refresh Rate : 120Hz
Film Mode : Yes

QLED 4K QN95C

Screen Resolution : 3,840 x 2,160
Display : 55” - 85”
Connection : HDMI 4, USB 2, eARC & Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos : Yes
Game Mode : Yes
Refresh Rate : 100Hz
Film Mode : Yes

What’s the difference between a 4K and 8K TV?

Exactly in the same way that 4K differs from a HD TV, 8K has four times as many pixels as a 4K TV does - and even more impressively, up to 16 times as many pixels compared to a 1080p TV. Ultimately, more pixels results in a sharper, clearer image and 8K offers up an impressive 160 pixels per inch (PPI), delivering a truly smooth and crisp image.

Learn more about what the difference is between a 4K and 8K TV here.

Explore our
4K TVs

If you’re looking to enjoy sharp details, vibrant colours, and more immersive viewing, then you won’t be disappointed with the clarity that a Samsung 4K TV brings.

Explore the full range of 4K TVs here or find out more with our comprehensive TV buying guides.