1080p vs 1440p: Which One Is Better? & Why?

When it comes to displays, there are many things to consider: size, resolution, aspect ratio, and more. 

So which one is better: 1080p or 1440p? 

In this blog post, we’ll compare the two resolutions and discuss their pros and cons.

By the end of this post, you should have a good idea of which resolution is best for you.

Quick Answer:

1080p and 1440p are resolutions, with 1440p offering more pixels and thus sharper image quality than 1080p. The choice between them depends on user preferences for clarity and the intended application or device capabilities.

1080p vs 1440p: Which One Is Best For You

1. 1080p

1080p resolution is available in smaller devices, including smartphones, tablets, and standard laptops.

The small size of these devices makes it challenging to incorporate 1440p resolutions in them.

1080p also offers better optimization for streaming videos online due to its compatibility with most internet browsing services.

Pros Of 1080p

1080p displays are easier to carry because they are lighter and take up less space than 1440p ones.

They are ideal for watching videos online or playing mobile games that don’t require much processing power.

Cons Of 1080p

Larger screen sizes typically offer better display quality to provide a more immersive experience when viewing photos or videos.

This is noticeable when using 1080p resolution on larger screens (21 inches or above), where graphics may appear blurry or pixelated, which is not true when using 1440p resolution.

2. 1440p:

1440p resolution helps improve gaming performance due to its high pixel-per-inch count, increasing the sharpness and clarity of images for a better game experience.

In addition, it can help display more detail in objects in front of you, which helps when playing FPS (First Person Shooter) games that require a lot of quick reaction time.

Pros Of 1440p

Higher screen resolutions allow for sharper images and texts. Higher solutions also enable displaying more details on objects on the screen.

As a result, this enhances the quality of visuals in games, especially for fast-paced action games where players must react quickly to what is happening around them.

Cons Of 1440p

Higher screen resolutions can take up more processing power, which may cause some laptops to slow down.

While the difference in performance isn’t too significant for casual gamers, it’s something to keep in mind for those who require as much as possible from their computers.

1080p vs 1440p: Full Comparision

1. Resolution

The monitor resolution is the first and most obvious difference between the two resolutions.

1080p resolution offers a tighter pixel density, resulting in sharper images due to more pixels within the same screen area.

1440p displays have around 45% more pixel count than 1080p screens, which means you can see more details on your screen as you view photos or watch videos.

2. Portability

Another consideration for choosing between the two resolutions is portability.

Larger display sizes usually mean heavier devices that are harder to transport from one place to another because of their weight and physical dimensions.

The 14-inch average screen size of 1440p laptops makes them bulkier and heavier compared with similar spec 1080p models.

The average weight difference between a 1080p and 1440p laptop is around 1.1 pounds or 500 grams.

3. Price

Due to their lower pixel count and larger screen size, 1080p resolution displays tend to be cheaper than their 1440p counterparts.

In general, 1080p screens are more affordable while maintaining decent performance for most casual tasks such as web surfing and watching online videos.

4. Compatibility

Another advantage of 1080p laptops over their 1440p counterparts is that they can play content from all mainstream video streaming services without any issues (provided the internet connection speed is sufficient).

This compatibility ensures you won’t miss out on your favourite TV shows and movies while travelling away from home.

1440p laptops require high-performance graphics cards that can handle the extra load of 1440p resolution.

5. Responsiveness

1440p displays exercise a higher workload on hardware and software, affecting your laptop’s responsiveness—especially when playing games and watching videos online.

However, this difference isn’t noticeable unless you play AAA gaming titles or watch 4K video content on high-definition screens.

1080p laptops deliver satisfactory performance for most casual tasks such as streaming media, surfing the web, and watching movies on Netflix and YouTube (1080p).

6. Low input lag

Although many assume that 1080p resolution screens are more responsive than 1440p displays, there is little to no difference in latency between these two resolutions.

This means both resolution versions will provide equally fast performance for typical tasks such as browsing and watching videos online.

7. Contrast

The contrast ratio of a screen measures its ability to display very dark images alongside extremely bright images without washing out any details.

On average, the contrast ratios of 1080p laptops are around 740:1 (default), which is lower than the 1,000:1 ratio found on most 1440p displays. Consequently, they won’t be able to deliver deep blacks when viewed from an angle. However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a big issue since most people use their laptop screens head-on.

8. Brightness

1080p and 1440p laptops deliver similar brightness outputs, around 230 cd/m2 (candela per square meter).

This metric refers to the intensity of light emitted from every pixel in the screen, meaning that both resolution versions will provide you with a suitable brightness level for indoor use.

9. Size

1080p displays have an average screen size of 14 inches, which makes them small enough to carry around without significantly impacting your daily routine.

The average weight of a 14-inch 1080p laptop is just 1 – 1.4 kg (2 – 3 lbs), making it one of the lightest laptops on the market today.

1440p laptops are larger than their 1080p counterparts, which can cause problems for some people who regularly travel with their laptops.

Conclusion

The main advantage of 1440p laptops is their ability to display detailed visuals due to their high pixel density.

However, this benefit isn’t suitable for casual users who simply want a laptop with above-average performance for surfing the web, watching online videos, and playing some games occasionally.

In addition, most people wouldn’t notice any difference in responsiveness between a 1440p and 1080p laptop.