4K is becoming increasingly important to those who are buying monitors and TVs. You might not care yet about 4K, but as more and more TV and video are produced with 4K resolution, you might find that having access to 4K matters to you more and more.
Monitors with a screen resolution of 3,840 horizontal pixels and 2,160 vertical pixels are considered to have 4K resolution capability. 4K monitors come in many sizes and shapes as well. This means that you can get most monitor sizes with 4K capability these days without spending that much more.
What is the Difference Between a 4K Monitor and Other Monitors?
Pixel quality is the main difference between a 4K monitor and another type of monitor. This is how the 4K quality is displayed, and without the necessary pixels, 4K will not be available. Most TVs and monitors have a display of 1,290 x 1,080. You can see that this is significantly less than the 4K device. This is why gamers and lovers of streaming services have begun to demand to have 4K quality for their monitor and TV purchases.
4K TVs are usually “smart” TVs as well, and 4K monitors often offer added new technologies that you cannot access in more basic models. This might not matter as much to you as the resolution, but being able to connect all your devices and use all your favorite services and apps with your new monitor can be really nice.
4K is eventually going to be the standard resolution that will be expected by consumers. At this moment, it costs slightly more than a basic monitor to have access to this benefit. Over time, however, the 4K quality that is not standard now will become the new normal.
Streaming content is not reliably produced in 4K at this time, but there has been a lot of movement toward this goal. You should expect to see more and more streaming content and video content offered in 4K as the technology becomes more pervasive. Right now, you might not notice the difference in your TV watching or monitor use without 4K, but down the road, you will be sure to notice the difference.
This matters the most when you think about getting a new monitor or TV. Since these items can last for 10-20 years, you don’t want to miss out on the benefits of 4K for the entirety of the time that your new monitor will be useful to you!
4K Is All About Pixels and Image Quality
The 4K shift allows for better image quality, better color, and improved tracking and movement when gaming or watching streaming services. While 4K is not entirely pervasive yet, it will eventually become the new normal resolution for all kinds of streaming content and for gaming. You can get ahead of the curve by getting a 4K monitor or TV now and reap the benefits down the road when other people are struggling to sell their old devices that are not 4K capable.
This article was last updated on March 6, 2023 .
