4K vs 1080p: Is UHD Really Better?

As display technologies have progressed, we have developed improved screen resolutions, recording capabilities, and better-quality multimedia. The 4K vs 1080p battle is one of most popular issues in terms of resolution since both of these video resolutions are common and widespread.

One of the greatest leaps forward in digital visual technology was 1080p HD. This saw a great increase in the quality of digital displays, imaging, and recorded content. However, we now have access to something even greater – 4K resolution.

In this article, we look at the differences between 4K vs 1080p and see if it is noticeable. We also look at the pros and cons of each resolution and see if they are both worth the investment.

4K vs 1080p: Understanding resolutions

Before we compare these two terms, you must have a firm understanding of resolutions and what they mean. A resolution is defined as the number of pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Pixels are individual dots of color that form together to create images in digital displays.

Resolution is quoted traditionally as width x height. For example, an 800×600 resolution has a width of 800 pixels, and a height of 600 pixels. The total pixel count is 480,000 (800 x 600). As display technology has improved, we have seen various resolutions and a steady increase in display quality. The following are some of the historical resolutions that presented leaps forward in technology:

Resolution (Width x Height)	Standard	Aspect Ratio
800×600	SVGA	4:3
1024×768	XGA	4:3
1360×768	HD	16:9
1600×900	HD+	16:9
1920×1080	FHD	16:9
3840×2160	4K UHD	16:9

As you can see, as time progressed, display resolutions have increased. This ultimately means better display and recording quality for us. The more pixels we can see, the more detail that is present in displays.

4K vs 1080p: A statistical comparison

So how do these two technologies compare? We have provided a basic statistical table below:

Resolution	Standard	Effective Pixels	Aspect Ratio
1920×1080	FHD	2.07 million	16:9
2560×1080	Other	2.76 million	21:9
3840×2160	4K UHD	8.29 million	16:9

There have been two main versions of 1080p – the 16:9 aspect ratio, and 21:9 aspect ratio. As you can see, the effective pixel count is much higher for 4K UHD. 4K technology is capable of displaying/recording nearly 4x more pixels than 1080p. This obviously represents a huge increase in display quality.

In terms of aspect ratio, there is no difference. Both 1080p resolution and 4K UHD provide a 16:9 aspect ratio which is considered better than the older 4:3 ratio that was used for XGA technology.

1080p vs 4K: which one to choose?

From a purely statistical viewpoint, it is easy to see why 4K resolution is the clear winner. A resolution with approximately 4x the pixel count offers a great increase in display quality. But the benefits of 4K go beyond this. In the section below, we have listed 5 other factors why 4K is superior to 1080p:

1. Quality

Firstly, the statistics obviously show that 4K is superior. But how does this translate to our viewing and recording experience? In short, 4K resolution can show greater detail, contrast, and color – better everything! A higher pixel count means that things like photos and movies will simply look sharper and more detailed.

Also, 4K offers a better viewing experience close-up. With 1080p resolution monitors and TVs, you have to sit a certain distance to get the best effect. For 4K resolution, this distance is much closer. This provides greater flexibility, but also means that 4K monitors are excellent for photo and video editing.

2. Scaling

Secondly, 4K resolution scales much better than 1080p. Oftentimes, things like images and recordings have to be scaled down. For example, you may want to use a free video editing software and scale a 4K video down to a 1080p resolution for use on a specific platform. If you scaled a 4K video down to 1080p, the quality would be better than the original 1080p recording, despite the reduction in size and quality. This gives digital media producers greater flexibility without sacrificing any quality.

3. Future-Proofing

We have touched on this already, but 4K resolution is future-proof. If you invest in 4K technology now – like a 4K monitor or TV, you can be assured that it will be supported for years to come. 4K is becoming the main supported technology, and many services and platforms have native support for 4k resolution.

In contrast, if you invest in 1080p, in a few years this technology could be considered obsolete. It does not have the same level of futureproofing as 4K does.

4. Compatibility

Whilst 1080p is everywhere, so is 4K. You can purchase 4K TVs that support the latest technologies. 4K monitors are readily available. Also, major game consoles like Xbox One S and the PS4 Pro both support full 4K UHD.

Continuing this theme, many game developers are producing their new titles with support for 4K. It is the way that technology is progressing. Even streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime have a wide choice of 4K content.

5. Reduction in prices

One of the current drawbacks to 4K is that the prices are relatively high. 4K monitors, 4K TVs, and 4K cameras are more expensive than their 1080p counterparts.

However, we are already seeing a reduction in prices. As technology becomes more readily available these prices should drop further. Prices are driven by demand and as more content creators, streaming services, and other digital media platforms use 4K resolution, it will become the norm, and prices will reduce.

The same trend was seen when 1080p resolution was first becoming popular.

4K vs 1080p: Conclusion

We may seem a little biased, but the truth is, is that is speaking 4K vs 1080p, 4K is the better choice. Whilst 4K technology may still be more expensive, 1080p is becoming a thing of the past.

Electronics companies, streaming services, and manufacturers are reading the signals. 4K is becoming the norm and 1080p will eventually be phased out. In time, 4K will go the same way as some companies are already utilizing 5K technology too. Display technology and pixel resolution is a continually evolving thing.

However, if you want to benefit from the best display and recording quality, for now, 4K is definitely the better option. Check the review of the best screen recording software for your computer if you’re looking for a way to record both 4K and 1080p videos.