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.

4K TVs: What to Know

• 4K delivers greater picture detail: With a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels, a 4K TV offers four times as many pixels as Full HD, bringing sharper, clearer images and more detail to your viewing experience.

• Enjoy a more immersive viewing experience: The higher pixel density of 4K is particularly beneficial on larger screens, allowing you to enjoy detailed pictures even when sitting closer to the TV.

• 4K content is widely available: Explore a growing range of 4K films, TV shows and videos through compatible streaming services, online platforms and gaming consoles.

• UHD and 4K are closely related: The terms 4K, 4K UHD and Ultra HD are commonly used interchangeably for TVs with a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels.

• Upscaling enhances lower-resolution content: 4K TVs with upscaling technology can optimise Full HD and other lower-resolution content, improving perceived detail, noise, contrast and colour for a better viewing experience.

What does 4K mean?

4K stands for a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels, also known as 4K UHD (Ultra High Definition). It describes the number of pixels that make up a TV screen, with more pixels creating a sharper, more detailed image. In practical terms, 4K delivers four times as many pixels as Full HD, enhancing picture clarity and making it a great choice for watching films, TV shows and playing games on 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.

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

UHD stands for Ultra High Definition, and the terms UHD and 4K are commonly used interchangeably for TVs with a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels. They describe the number of pixels that make up the screen, delivering four times the resolution of Full HD. In practical terms, a UHD or 4K TV offers sharper, more detailed images, although terminology can vary between manufacturers. Always check the TV’s specifications to confirm its resolution.


Resolution	Pixel count	What it means
HD (720p)	1,280 × 720	Basic picture detail
Full HD (1080p)	1,920 × 1,080	Sharper detail than HD
4K UHD	3,840 × 2,160	Four times the pixels of Full HD
8K UHD	7,680 × 4,320	Four times the pixels of 4K UHD

Is 4K resolution worth it?

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

table
table product	QN80H	QN73H	QN70H
Screen Resolution	3840 x 2160	3840 x 2160	3840 x 2160
Display	50” – 100”	43” – 85”	43” – 85”
Connection Types	HDMI Bluetooth USB	HDMI Bluetooth USB	HDMI Bluetooth USB
Dolby Atmos	Yes	No	No
Game Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes
Refresh Rate	144 Hz VRR (100 Hz Native)	50Hz	50Hz
Film Mode	Yes	Yes	Yes
table item cta

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.