QLED and 4K are two different things. Resolution, meaning HD Ready, Full HD or 4K Ultra HD, tells you how many pixels the screen has. QLED tells you how the light behind those pixels is converted into colour. You choose them separately: first the size and the resolution that goes with it, then the panel type.
QLED is not a resolution
A misunderstanding we come across regularly: QLED on the box does not automatically mean 4K. QLED is about the way the screen creates colour, resolution about the number of pixels.
Among the televisions we currently sell, you will find QLED on the 43QLEDTV, the 50QLEDTV, the 55QLEDTV and the QLED55UV. Those four have 4K Ultra HD, with 3840 x 2160 pixels. There are also 4K models with a regular LED panel, such as the SMART55TV and the FOD55UV. So 4K does not require QLED, and QLED is a choice you make on top of the resolution.
Think of resolution as the number of tiles in a mosaic, and of QLED as the way those tiles are lit. More tiles means more detail, better lighting means purer colour.
The three resolutions side by side
With the current models, each resolution belongs to a fixed size:
- HD, also called HD Ready: 1366 x 768 pixels. On 32 inch, such as the 32GOOGLETV.
- Full HD: 1920 x 1080 pixels. On 40 inch, such as the 40GOOGLETV and the FOD40TV.
- 4K Ultra HD: 3840 x 2160 pixels. On 43 up to and including 65 inch. That is four times as many pixels as Full HD.
The bigger the screen, the more pixels you need to keep the picture sharp at a normal viewing distance.
What QLED does do
A QLED television is an LCD screen with LED backlighting and an extra layer of quantum dots. That layer converts the blue light from the LEDs into purer red and green. This gives a wider colour gamut, so colours come across richer. The QLED55UV also has a brightness of 300 cd/m², so the picture remains easy to follow during the day in a bright room.
Underneath the quantum dot layer, it is still an LCD screen. QLED does not replace that technology; it improves the colour the backlight produces. That is why QLED is independent of the number of pixels.
When you see the difference between Full HD and 4K
Whether you notice more pixels depends on the screen size and how close you sit to it. With 4K you can sit closer without seeing individual pixels. As a guideline for viewing distance, 4K Ultra HD calls for 1.2 to 2.0 times the screen diagonal, Full HD 1.5 to 2.5 times. On a 55 inch screen, with a diagonal of 139.7 cm, that works out at 1.7 to 2.8 metres for 4K.
So measure the distance from your sofa to the wall first before choosing on resolution. You will find more worked examples in the article which TV size suits your viewing distance.
Refresh rate and the source of your picture
The specification sheet also lists a refresh rate, in hertz. That is the number of times per second the screen redraws its picture. The 4K models we currently sell work at 50 Hz, and the QLED55UV can also process a 60 Hz signal. The FOD40TV works at 60 Hz.
What you see also depends on what you play. A 4K screen shows 4K detail if the source delivers it, such as a streaming service with 4K content. The common streaming apps are already available on the smart TVs, so you actually use the resolution you buy.
How to choose, in order of importance
- First the size. Measure the space in your cabinet or on the wall and the distance to your seat.
- Then the resolution that goes with it. With the current models, that is HD at 32 inch, Full HD at 40 inch and 4K Ultra HD from 43 inch.
- Then the panel type. If you want richer colours and often watch during the day, choose a QLED model. If you want an LED panel with high contrast, the SMART50TV and SMART55TV have a contrast ratio of 5000:1.
Every television comes with a 24-month manufacturer's warranty and you have a 30-day cooling-off period, so you can calmly check at home whether the size suits the room. All sizes can be found under televisions.
Frequently asked questions
Is QLED the same as 4K?
No. QLED is about how the screen creates colour, 4K about how many pixels there are. There are 4K televisions with and without a QLED panel.
Which resolution goes with which screen size?
With the current models, 32 inch is HD (1366 x 768), 40 inch is Full HD (1920 x 1080) and 43 up to and including 65 inch is 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160).
Which QLED televisions are available?
At the moment the 43QLEDTV, 50QLEDTV and 55QLEDTV on Android TV and the QLED55UV on VIDAA. All four have 4K Ultra HD.
How far should I sit from a 4K television?
Allow 1.2 to 2.0 times the screen diagonal. At 55 inch, that is 1.7 to 2.8 metres.
What does 50 Hz or 60 Hz mean?
That is the number of times per second the screen redraws its picture. The 4K models work at 50 Hz, the FOD40TV at 60 Hz.
