Buzz
If you've ever shopped for a computer monitor or TV, you've likely encountered both of these terms. Today, we'll dive deep to provide you with all the information you need to know about screen resolution and aspect ratio so you can make the best decision when selecting a suitable monitor.
What is screen resolution?
Apart from screen type, size, refresh rate, etc., screen resolution is often one of the first technical specifications considered when purchasing a new monitor. Screen resolution describes the visual size of any given screen. Presented in width and height, screen resolution consists of a specific number of pixels.
In the case of a Full HD 1080p standard industrial resolution screen, this screen has a resolution of 1920 x 1080. This means the screen will have a width of 1,920 pixels while the height of the screen is 1,080 pixels. This results in a total of 2,073,600 pixels on the screen.
The higher the screen resolution, the more detailed the image because a higher-resolution screen will have more pixels than a lower-resolution one. However, this depends on the resolution of the content you're viewing. Additionally, more content may fit better on a computer screen with higher resolution than one with lower resolution.
What is a pixel?
A pixel, or picture element, represents the smallest physical point on a screen and is a fundamental component. Therefore, pixels form the building blocks of any image you see on the screen. Pixels and resolution are directly correlated, with higher resolution equating to more pixels on the display.
To visualize this, we can think of pixels as puzzle pieces; each contributes to a small part of a larger picture. Moreover, screens with more pixels display more detailed images.
What is DPI / PPI?
DPI (dots per inch) indicates the number of dots found in a line per inch of the scanning or printing process. For screens and displays, DPI is replaced by PPI (pixels per inch) for better accuracy. While PPI is the precise term when referring to screens and other displays, both terms are often used interchangeably.
PPI or DPI describes the pixel density of your display screen. A higher pixel density means more pixels packed into each square inch of your screen.
Pixel density is crucial as it determines the image quality, where higher pixel density generally provides better images. However, pixel density also depends on the screen size.
PPI and screen size
Imagine this – you have two screens side by side, both with Full HD 1080p resolution. This means both have 1,920 pixels horizontally and 1,080 pixels vertically. Now imagine one screen is 32 inches, while the other is 25 inches. Now you can see how pixel density plays out because you'll have the same number of pixels spread out over the larger screen with the 32-inch display. Therefore, the smaller screen will have a denser pixel density, resulting in smoother lines and sharper images.
Is higher pixel density always better?
Well, the answer is both yes and no. While generally higher pixel density is better, there's a diminishing return. As pixel density increases, the notable benefits of higher pixel density become less significant. This ultimately leads to a point where your eye can't discern the benefits of higher pixel density anymore.
In the example above, a 25-inch screen would have a pixel density of about 88 ppi, while a 32-inch screen would have a pixel density of about 69 ppi. In this scenario, there may be a noticeable difference in image quality between the two, with the 25-inch screen providing a better image. To go even further, modern smartphones typically have pixel densities ranging from 300 ppi to over 500 ppi.
The issue here is the exact point at which higher PPI becomes indistinguishable, which is a matter of debate. Some argue that the optimal pixel density is around 400 ppi, while others suggest that the pixel density detectable by the human eye is closer to 1000 ppi. Since this is a matter of personal preference, it's best to test the screen yourself before deciding on which one to purchase.
What are some common screen resolution solutions?
The following list ranks some of the most common screen resolutions found in the market today from the lowest to the highest resolution.
720p Resolution
Also known as: HD, HD Ready, Standard HD
Regarding 720p resolution: 720p resolution, or 1280 x 720, is a progressive-style screen resolution. This is the lowest resolution among HD-capable resolutions and is used by all popular HDTV stations.
1080p Resolution
Also known as: Full HD, FHD
Introduction to 1080p Resolution: 1080p, or 1920 x 1080, is a non-interlaced screen resolution sold in the market as the first resolution to fully utilize the capabilities of HD. 1080p is currently the standard resolution for television, internet streaming services, gaming, and smartphones.
1440p
Also known as: 2K, WQHD, QHD
About 1440p Resolution: 1440p is a progressive resolution containing 2560 x 1440 pixels. Known as 'Quad HD,' 1440p is four times stronger than the basic HD variant. While not entirely widespread, 1440p can mostly be found in the realm of computers and smartphones, including offerings from renowned companies like HTC, Samsung, ViewSonic, and Apple.
4K Resolution
Also known as: UHD, Ultra HD, 4K UHD
About 4K Resolution: 4K resolution is named so due to its horizontal pixel count, although for screens, 4K resolution equals 3840 x 2160 pixels. 4K resolution also has over four times the pixel count of 1080p. While the market share of 4K resolution has increased over the years since 2014, its application to date remains largely limited to internet video streaming, video projection, and commercial TV.
8K Resolution
Also known as: 8K UHD
About 8K Resolution: 8K resolution measures 7680 x 4320 pixels and is currently the highest screen resolution available. This technology is relatively new, so commercially available 8K UHD TVs and broadcasts are now available. In the market, 8K is currently being integrated into TVs, computer monitors, and broadcasting cameras.
The Relationship between Resolution and Aspect Ratio
720p vs. 1080p
In terms of pixel count, 1080p provides double that of 720p, making it sharper and clearer. Among other factors, while both are considered part of the HD standard, 1080p has been the industry standard for screens for a while. 720p resolution has reached its peak popularity and is gradually declining.
Comparison of PPI for 27-inch screens:
- A 27-inch 720p screen has a pixel density of about 54 ppi
- A 27-inch 1080p screen has a pixel density of about 81 ppi
1080p versus 1440p
With just over 3.6 million pixels, 1440p is approximately 1.77 times smoother than 1080p. However, 1080p is the most popular screen resolution currently on the market, while 1440p is just beginning to gain ground.
Comparison of PPI for 27-inch screens:
- A 27-inch 1080p screen has a pixel density of about 81 ppi
- A 27-inch 1440p screen has a pixel density of about 108 ppi
1440p versus 4K
Although 1440p, or WQHD, has over four times the pixels of 720p, 4K, or Ultra HD, provides four times that of 1080p. 4K is gaining acceptance much faster than 1440p, with a projected 50%+ market share in the US by the end of the decade. Conversely, 1440p still exists in the smartphone industry for over a decade.
Comparison of PPI for 27-inch screens:
- A 27-inch 1440p screen has a pixel density of about 108 ppi
- A 27-inch 4K screen has a pixel density of about 163 ppi
4K versus 8K
In today's market, 8K leads the way. With over 4 times the strength of 4K and 16 times that of 1080p, 8K is truly a significant advantage. However, with the technology prowess of 8K lacking commercial availability, as it is 'new'. Conversely, 4K is making significant strides towards becoming the standard in some markets.
Comparison of PPI for 27-inch screens:
- A 27-inch 4K screen has a pixel density of about 163 ppi
- A 27-inch 8K screen has a pixel density of about 326 ppi
What is the aspect ratio of a screen?
The aspect ratio of a screen, like any ratio, is a representation of ratio expressed by two separate numbers separated by a colon. In the case of screens and monitors, the aspect ratio describes the relationship between width and height. Common screen ratios include 4:3, 16:9, and 21:9.
Aspect ratio 4:3
Also known as 'full screen', the 4:3 aspect ratio used to be the standard for movies, broadcasts, and computer screens in the 20th century. With the advent of HD resolution, the 4:3 ratio is no longer common.
Aspect ratio 16:9
The 16 x nine aspect ratio, also known as 'widescreen', has become the international standard for all things high definition. Having surpassed the 4:3 ratio in popularity, 16:9 can now be found in DVDs, TVs, cinemas, and video games.
Aspect ratio 21:9
The twenty-one by nine aspect ratio is a marketing term used to describe 64:27. As a logical next step from 16:9, the current international standard, 21:9 has not fully penetrated the market yet. So far, its use has been limited to ultra-wide computer monitors, TVs, and widescreen projectors in cinemas.
Comparing aspect ratios
4:3 versus 16:9
When viewing content, the full-screen experience of the 4:3 aspect ratio lends a more 'box-like' screen, whereas the widescreen of the 16:9 ratio results in a letterbox interface. Overall, 4:3 gives a more immersive feel at the expense of being cropped, while 16:9 leads to black bars displayed at the top and bottom of the screen.
16:9 versus 21:9
Considering its current novelty, 21:9 lacks widespread utility, with compatibility limited to ultra-wide products. Compared to the 16:9 aspect ratio, 21:9 lacks black bars on the screen when viewing content. You can read our comparison of ultra-wide and dual monitors to learn more about the differences between ultra-wide and standard aspect ratio monitors.
Which aspect ratio is best?
While having a high-resolution monitor is a good starting point, it doesn't mean you can enjoy all your content at that resolution. This is because the resolution of the image you see on the screen also depends on the resolution the content you're viewing is recorded in.
So, if a video is recorded in 1080p but you have a 4K monitor, the highest resolution you can watch that video in will be 1080p. Conversely, if you have a 1080p monitor and your video content is recorded in 4K, you can still watch the video but the video's resolution will be limited to 1080p.
Fortunately, there's an increasing amount of content recorded in higher resolutions, and video streaming services like Netflix provide plenty of 4K content for you to choose from.
