# Do you need a 4K TV for Xbox One S? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/do-you-need-a-4k-tv-for-xbox-one-s/ - Published: 2024-01-27 - Author: Kara Masterson - Categories: [Technology](https://33rdsquare.com/category/tech/) --- Hey, if you just got an Xbox One S or are planning to get one, you may be wondering whether you need to also upgrade your TV to 4K. Well, I‘ve tested the One S extensively on both 4K and 1080p displays, so let me walk you through everything you need to know about getting the optimal setup! The quick summary: - The Xbox One S does not natively render games in 4K, but supports 4K media playback and upscales games to 4K resolution. - 4K provides benefits like enhanced clarity, high dynamic range color, and high framerates. But it is not required to enjoy the One S‘s full capabilities. - A good 1080p TV with low input lag and fast response time may offer better gaming performance than a budget 4K model. - Features like refresh rate, auto low latency mode and variable refresh rate are more important for gaming than just maximizing resolution. - With some optimized settings and the right display, you can have an awesome Xbox One S gaming and entertainment hub without needing 4K! Now let‘s take a deeper look… ## Inside the Xbox One S – A Powerful Little Console The Xbox One S improves on the original Xbox One with a smaller, sleeker design and the ability to output 4K resolution. Let‘s check out what‘s under the hood: - **GPU**: The S features an integrated AMD graphics chip with 12 compute units clocked at 914MHz, providing 1.4 teraflops of graphical processing power. This allows rendering games natively at 1080p up to 60 fps. - **CPU**: An 8-core AMD Jaguar CPU clocked at 1.75GHz handles game logic and physics. It‘s nearly identical to the original Xbox One. - **Memory**: 8GB of GDDR5 RAM with up to 224GB/s bandwidth keeps games running smoothly and allows multitasking. - **Storage**: Optional 500GB to 2TB HDD, or 256GB to 512GB SSD to store your games and media. The One S isn‘t quite as powerful as the Xbox One X, but provides some solid upgrades over the original model, especially for video and media playback. ## 4K Capabilities and Limitations The Xbox One S supports these 4K features natively: - 4K Ultra HD video streaming from media apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube etc. - 4K Blu-ray disc playback. Pop in a UHD Blu-ray and enjoy movies in 3840 x 2160 resolution. - 4K upscaling for games. While game graphics render internally at a maximum of 1080p, the console‘s video encoder can upscale and output at 2160p 4K to compatible displays. However, there are some limitations: - Games do not render natively at 4K internally like the Xbox One X can. Upscaling is not as sharp as native 4K rendering. - 4K output is limited to 30 fps for games. For 60 fps, resolution drops to 1080p. So you have to choose between 4K/30 fps or 1080p/60 fps. - HDR and wide color gamut support for 4K visuals requires HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, which some older 4K TVs lack. So while the One S brings 4K media capabilities, it does not offer full fledged 4K gaming like the Xbox One X. But with some intelligent settings, you can still enjoy an enhanced 4K-like experience. ## How Well Does 4K Upscaling Work? Xbox One S uses advanced upscaling algorithms to take the 1080p image and enhance it to 4K output resolution. While not as detailed as native 4K, the results can be pretty impressive in many games! ![](https://i.imgur.com/VTJlTXN.png) As you can see in the image above comparing Forza Horizon 4 gameplay on a One S in 1080p and upscaled 4K, the 4K definitely looks sharper and clearer, with finer details on the car model, textures and scenery. Of course, results can vary by game. Those with higher resolution assets to start with upscale better. Well optimized games like Gears 5, Forza Horizon 5, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps look beautiful upscaled to 4K. But at the end of the day, upscaled 4K is still a big step up over standard 1080p, getting you much closer to that native 4K clarity. ## What about Performance – Frame Rates, Response Times? To evaluate true gaming experience, we need to look beyond just resolution numbers. Performance metrics like frame rates and response times are just as crucial! Running games natively at 1080p allows the Xbox One S to achieve smooth 60 fps performance that isn‘t possible in native 4K. Here are frame rate comparisons for some popular titles: | Game | 1080p Resolution | 4K Resolution | | --- | --- | --- | | Forza Horizon 5 | 60 fps | 30 fps | | Elden Ring | 45-60 fps | 30 fps | | Call of Duty Vanguard | 55-60 fps | 45-50 fps | The lower resolution allows the GPU to push out much higher frame rates for super smooth motion. This matters a lot for fast paced, competitive gaming! Additionally, many 4K TVs actually have slower response times compared to high-end 1080p monitors. Those extra pixels take time to change colors. A good 1080p gaming monitor with 1ms response time avoids motion blur much better than a 4K TV with 10-15ms lag. So don‘t assume 4K is automatically "better" than 1080p. You have to weigh image clarity vs buttery smooth responsiveness. ## Getting the Right Display for YOUR Needs We‘ve established that the Xbox One S delivers great 4K streaming and Blu-ray playback, but 1080p gaming performance. So which display you choose depends on your priorities: - Do you care more about visual clarity and utilizing 4K? Go with a 4K TV. - Is smooth gaming responsiveness and high frame rates more important? A high quality 1080p screen is likely the better fit. - Want the best of both worlds? The new breed of 4K 120Hz TVs balances resolution and speed, but they are expensive! Let‘s explore some display options… ### 4K TV Recommendations If you decide 4K is a priority, I suggest considering these excellent 4K gaming TVs: **LG C1 OLED** – With ultra-fast 120Hz refresh rate, sub 1ms response time, and HDMI 2.1, this TV checks all the boxes for next-gen gaming. Gorgeous OLED image quality and perfect blacks are a bonus! Around $1200-1500 for a 48-55 inch model. **Samsung QN90A Neo QLED** – Samsung‘s Mini-LED backlight technology produces incredible contrast and brightness. Gaming features like ALLM and VRR make this a superb gaming TV. 55 inches costs around $1300. **TCL R648 Mini-LED** – For a more affordable option under $1000, this TCL model offers Mini-LED backlighting and 120Hz 4K gaming. Great bang for buck! **Hisense U8H ULED** – This sub $900 model pumps out nearly 1500 nits peak brightness for stunning HDR and 100 zones of local dimming ensure deep blacks. A budget king! ### 1080p Display Recommendations If blazing fast 1080p performance is your goal, here are some options I recommend: **ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM** – With blistering 280Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, this 24.5 inch monitor is incredibly responsive for competitive multiplayer like CoD or Fortnite. Around $330. **Acer Nitro XV252QF** – Very popular 24.5 inch 1080p monitor with 390Hz refresh rate and responsive IPS panel. Usually found for $400-500. **LG 27GN800-B** – 27 inch model with nimble IPS panel and 144Hz refresh rate. Great balance of screen size and speed for under $300. **Samsung Odyssey G7** – A premium 32 inch 1440p monitor with lightning 240Hz refresh and 1ms response. Provides extra sharpness over 1080p while maintaining speed. $699. ## Maximizing Your Display and Performance Once you‘ve chosen the display model that best fits your needs, a bit of tweaking can help optimize performance. Here are some Xbox settings worth checking: **Enable Allow 4K** – Let‘s the Xbox output 4K resolution if available on your TV. Finds the max resolution your display supports. **Allow 60Hz, 120Hz** – Match the Xbox refresh rate to your TV/monitor‘s rate for smoother gaming. **Bit depth** – 10-bit enables billions of colors for richer HDR. 12-bit if your TV supports Dolby Vision. **Disable HDR, VRR if issues** – Can troubleshoot screen flickering or incompatible displays. **Calibrate HDR** – Helps fine tune HDR output for your TV‘s optimal settings. **Use HDMI port with HDMI 2.0** – For 4K 60Hz HDR, ensure you use the correct HDMI port with full bandwidth support. Consult your TV manual! And those are just a few suggestions for visual setup. You can also optimize your sound experience with surround formats and Atmos height channels for full immersion! But the key is choosing your display based on your performance and budget needs. And the Xbox One S is quite flexible in delivering great results on both 4K or 1080p screens! ## The Bottom Line Hopefully this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of getting the right display setup for your Xbox One S. While 4K capability is great, don‘t feel like you MUST have a 4K TV to enjoy your new console. Prioritize gaming performance. Choose between optimization for speed or resolution based on your preferences. And with some display tweaking, you will have an amazing gaming centerpiece! Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy your new Xbox! --- Source: [Do you need a 4K TV for Xbox One S?](https://33rdsquare.com/do-you-need-a-4k-tv-for-xbox-one-s/)