We reviewed both to help you make the best choice for your entertainment needs.
Overall Findings
Full High Definition 1080p resolution.
1,920 x 1,080 pixels.
Samsung
Common for small televisions.
Includes 4K UHD and 8K UHD resolutions.
4K UHD: 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
Samsung
8K UHD: 7680 x 4320 pixel.
Technically, 4K UHD is not 4K resolution, but it’s close enough.
(4K resolution is 4096 x 2160.)
Samsung
4K UHD includes four times as many pixels as, or twice the resolution of, FHD.
Uses progressive-scan display for accurate motion rendering.
Common for large televisions.
By all measures, UHD delivers a higher-quality, higher-resolution image than FHD (1080p).
The trade-off is that UHD costs more.
If you’re more concerned about your budget than resolution, FHD offers a perfectly fine viewing experience.
UHD (4K) slightly elevates that experience, especially on larger screens.
A 1080p TV is an FHD TV.
That equates to 2,073,600 total pixels or about 2 megapixels.
UHD stands for Ultra HD or Ultra High Definition.
It is sometimes referred to as 4K, although UHD resolution is not necessarily4K resolution.
Two common types of UHD are 4K UHD and 8K UHD.
Both are progressive-scan displays, but 4K UHD is more common and more affordable.
4K UHD resolution is 3,840 x 2160, which equates to 8,294,400 pixels, or about 8 megapixels.
The resolution for 8K UHD is 7680 4320 pixels or about 33 megapixels.
4K is more accurately 4096 x 2160 pixels, which is slightly wider with the same height.
The total number of pixels is 8,847,360.
This standard is used in commercial cinema.
UHD has four times the pixels (or twice the columns and rows) as FHD.
That means four FHD images can fit into the space of one UHD image, doubling the overall resolution.
UHD TVs primarily use LCD (includingLED/LCD and QLED) orOLEDtechnologies.
Content Availability: FHD vs. UHD
Blu-ray disc: Blu-ray content is 1080p.
Mobile devices: Some high-end smartphones and many tablet devices have full 1080p resolution.
UHD Blu-ray disc: To watch 4K Blu-ray content, you need a UHD Blu-ray player and discs.
For satellite networks, UHD content is limited but available through both Direct TV and Dish internet.
UHD streaming: Netflix, Fandango at Home, and Amazon Prime Video offer some UHD content.
The same goes for UHD.
Most broadcast and cable TV content is not available in either 1080p/FHD or 4K/UHD.
Most stations and cable providers broadcast in 720p or 1080i HD.
A Full HD TV can display lower resolution signals viavideo upscalingor processing.
Upscaling is not the same as true FHD but provides a better image.
Upscaling quality varies by brand and model and is available in both TVs and video game consoles.
FHD vs. UHD: What Kind of Cables and Connections Can Be Used?
Component Video (restricted to SD resolution after 2011).
Chromecast/Amazon Fire TV Stick.
(Requires fast speeds.)
Chromecast/Amazon Fire TV Stick.
(Requires fast speeds.)
Whether wired or wireless, video signals require proper connections to deliver content in their natural format.
Most displays have a host of other connectivity options.
Wired Connections
HDMI: HDMI is the standard wired connection for FHD and UHD source devices.
Composite video connections cannot pass HD analog or digital video signals.
Component Video: This connection uses three RCA connectors with red, green, and blue ends.
Component video connections were developed to transfer resolutions up to 1080p.
Since 2011, however, they have been restricted to standard definition (SD).
USB: Many FHD and UHD TVs provide at least one USB port.
Some TVs may include this only for service use.
However, most allow playback of still images, video, and audio files via plug-in flash drives.
Wireless Connections
Wi-Fi: Most Smart FHD and UHD TVs offer Wi-Fi connectivity.
For streaming UHD content, the faster the service, the better.
Connection speeds are more inconsistent with Wi-Fi than with Ethernet.
So, unless there is a very speedy connection, UHD content may stream at lower resolutions.
Especially slow connections can reduce FHD content as well.
Because casting devices work over Wi-Fi, sufficient speeds are required to render high-resolution content.
However, FHD is still a high-quality viewing experience, one that many people find exceptional.
If you’re deciding between the two, keep the following in mind:
