Do I Need a 4K TV for Xbox Series X?

If you are jumping into the realm of next-gen gaming with an Xbox Series X, then you may rightly ask “Do I need a 4K TV for Xbox Series X in the first place?”

After all, Xbox Series X IS designed to support 4K gaming. So is it a mandatory requirement to have a 4K TV?

The short answer is no. You DO NOT need to have a 4K TV accompanying your Xbox Series X.

But, while it is not an absolute necessity, a 4K TV can undoubtedly enhance your gaming experience by improving the fidelity and the immersion of the graphics quality.

In the following text, I will explore this topic in detail.

What Display Modes Does the Xbox Series X Support

There is a list of display modes that the Xbox Series X supports and unlike the PCs where the display modes (resolution and refresh rate) are variable, Xbox Series X has a strict set of display modes.

Xbox Series X supports:

• 1080P at 30Hz, 60Hz, or 120Hz
• 1440P at 30Hz, 60Hz or 120Hz
• 4K @ 30Hz, 60Hz or 120Hz

As such, Xbox Series X does not support any other resolution OR frame rate beyond 120 FPS. As such monitors or TVs with 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, although supported, will only work at 120Hz refresh rate max.

In addition to that, Xbox Series X supports features like ALLM and VRR ONLY if you interface it with a TV or a monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port.

HDMI 2.1 port is often found only on 4K TVs and monitors since FHD and 1440P TVs and monitors have HDMI 2.0 ports at best.

Also Read: Do You Really Need HDMI 2.1 for Xbox Series X?

So Do I Need a 4K TV for Xbox Series X?

The short answer to the question is no. You DO NOT need to have a 4K TV in order to play on your Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X can work quite easily with FHD TV or with FHD/1440P monitors.

But of course, you will be losing out on the maximum potential of what the console is designed to achieve.

Is a 4K TV Worth it for Xbox Series X?

The biggest pros of getting a 4K TV with an Xbox Series X, is of course, the graphics fidelity that is achievable with a very high resolution.

Xbox Series X generally offers two modes for its games. It may offer more but they can be summed up in two:

• Performance Mode
• Quality Mode

Performance favors a higher frame rate as supposed to a higher resolution. So if you are a competitive first-person shooter gamer, then you’d want to probably select this as your preferred gameplay mode.

HOWEVER, the quality mode gives preference to a higher resolution as supposed to a higher frame rate. This is for those who like to simply bask in the glorious and vivid graphical details of next-gen gaming.

If you are of the latter demographic, then a 4K TV is highly worth it for you.

There is a huge list of games on Xbox Series X that are supported at 4K resolution. Albeit not necessarily at 120FPS or even 60FPS since apparently 30 FPS is making a comeback at 4K resolution particularly but that is a topic for another day.

You Will Still Benefit from the Next-Gen Gaming even on 1440P or FHD

So, as clarified, you can plug in the Xbox Series to your FHD or 1440 display and it should work absolutely fine.

Plus, if you are someone who doesn’t care much for very high resolution and you are ok with playing in performance mode, then you may not even find a 4K TV all that useful.

Plus, you will still enjoy the following benefits of the next-gen console even on your FHD or 1440P TV:

1. The Graphics Quality Will Still be BEAUTIFUL

It is worth pointing out here that the graphics quality of a game isn’t all about resolution!

There are many other factors that make the next-gen gaming beautiful. This includes: higher texture, shadow, water, lightning details, and of course improved graphics engines making use of the next-gen hardware.

Resolution is just ONE part of the overall graphics package.

So, even without a 4K TV, you’d still be able to enjoy a much better graphical experience on a FHD or 1440P TV.

2. You Will Still Benefit From Next Gen Hardware

Xbox Series X offers an array of hardware improvements including an SSD, for instance, load times, a better controller, more immersive audio etc.

You will get to enjoy these regardless of whether you have a 4K TV or not. 

3. You Will Still Get To Enjoy Exclusive Next-Gen Games

The ever-growing list of games that are exclusive to the new Xbox Series X generation can still be enjoyed regardless of what TV resolution you have.

When the Xbox Series X first came, there were games being released for both the current and the older-gen consoles (they were released on older-gen consoles with a downgrade) examples include Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

However, as the industry has progressed, games have become too advanced to be supported by the previous-gen consoles and hence you can find so many current-gen exclusives including the upcoming announced:

• Avowed
• Starfield
• Fable
• Forza Motorsport (2023)
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• The Elder Scrolls 6
• Ark 2
• Stalker 2: Heart Of Chornobyl
• Redfall
• State Of Decay 3
• The Outer Worlds 2
• Perfect Dark
• Everwild
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide