If you‘ve shopped for a new monitor lately, you‘ve probably come across specs and acronyms like "FHD" and "IPS" without a clear grasp of what they mean or how to choose between them. That‘s completely understandable – the world of display technologies can get complex fast!
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through the key things you need to know about FHD and IPS monitors in plain English so you can pick the right display for your needs and budget.
FHD and IPS: A Quick Definition
First, let‘s cover what exactly FHD and IPS refer to:
FHD stands for "Full High Definition". This is a display resolution standard that offers 1920 x 1080 pixels. It‘s also referred to as "1080p".
IPS stands for "In-Plane Switching." This refers to a type of LCD (liquid crystal display) panel technology. IPS panels offer improved color accuracy and viewing angles compared to standard TN panels.
So in summary:
- FHD is a resolution spec
- IPS is a display panel technology
This means you can have a monitor that uses an IPS panel AND has a 1080p FHD resolution. The two terms are not mutually exclusive.
Now let‘s look at how they compare in a few key areas:
FHD vs IPS: Resolution and Viewing Angles
When it comes to resolution, FHD or 1080p offers a very solid modern standard at 1920 x 1080 pixels. This resolution is perfectly fine for most general usage.
IPS panels do not define resolution – you can have IPS monitors with 1080p resolution or higher resolutions like 1440p.
For viewing angles, IPS panels are the clear winners. They allow you to view the screen clearly even from sharp side angles with minimal color shifting. Standard TN panels show more pronounced color and contrast shifts when viewed off-center.
So if you need wider viewing angles – like if you have a monitor set up for meetings or presentations – IPS would be the preferred choice.
Color Accuracy and Reproduction
IPS panels really shine for color reproduction and accuracy. Colors appear more vibrant and lifelike on IPS displays when compared to standard TN panels.
This makes IPS monitors a great choice for visual creative work such as photo/video editing, graphic design, and other color-critical applications. The enhanced color accuracy ensures the final image translates properly to other mediums.
Response Times and Refresh Rates
One area where IPS panels used to lag behind standard TN panels was response times and refresh rates.
- Response time measures how quickly a pixel can change from black to white or one color to another. Faster response means less motion blur.
- Refresh rate is how many times per second the display updates. Higher refresh rates (120Hz, 144Hz etc.) offer a smoother, more fluid motion.
In the past, IPS panel monitors tended to have slower response times and were limited to 60Hz refresh rates. But the technology has caught up substantially, and plenty of modern IPS monitors aimed at gaming now offer 1ms response times and 120 – 165Hz refresh rates.
That being said, blazing-fast TN monitors optimized primarily for competitive esports gaming still edge out IPS panels slightly when it comes to response and refresh rates. Serious esports gamers may still prefer TN for this reason. But IPS monitors offer a stellar experience for most gaming needs these days.
Ideal Use Cases: IPS vs TN Display Tech
Given the differences in display technologies outlined above, here are some guidelines for ideal use cases:
IPS monitor best for:
- Photo/video/graphics work where color accuracy is vital
- Wide viewing angle is needed – like presentations or meetings
- General use for crisp, vibrant visuals
- Gaming that prioritizes good graphics over fastest response
TN monitor well-suited for:
- Competitive, fast-paced gaming where quick response time is critical
- Work setups where multiple monitors help productivity
- Budget-focused shoppers – TN panels carry lower costs
Of course, there are always exceptions, and you can find TN panels with great color or IPS options with impressive refresh rates. But in general terms, those are good starting guidelines.
Pricing: IPS vs TN Display Costs
One definite disadvantage of IPS monitors compared to standard TN panels comes down to pricing. Because IPS requires more advanced technology to achieve those viewing angles and color accuracy benefits, IPS monitors command higher prices.
You can find very affordable 1080p monitors in the $100-150 range – but these are almost always TN panel displays.
Solid IPS monitors often start around $200, with high-end IPS displays aimed at gaming and creative work running $400+. And keep in mind you still have to pay extra if you want features like 4K resolutions or curved screens even with IPS models.
However, IPS pricing continues to become more affordable, and value-focused lines from Acer, LG, Lenovo and others offer robust IPS monitors while keeping prices low. So you can definitely find IPS monitors to meet most budgets – you just may sacrifice some features compared to pricier models.
Getting the Best of Both: IPS + FHD Combinations
Thankfully, you don‘t necessarily have to choose between IPS panel tech vs higher resolution FHD displays. Plenty of monitors combine both IPS panels AND 1080p FHD resolutions to offer a great overall viewing experience!
For example, the LG 27QN600-B combines IPS color accuracy and viewing angles together with crisp QHD 2560 x 1440 resolution (better than 1080p FHD) at a very fair price point. It‘s an excellent all-around choice for both work and entertainment needs.
Dell also makes some outstanding UltraSharp monitors pairing professional IPS panels with FHD or 4K UHD resolutions while keeping costs reasonable.
You can enjoy all the visual perks IPS provides while still getting excellent 1080p+ resolutions!
Beyond FHD and IPS: Exploring Your Display Options
I‘ve focused this guide on explaining key factors around IPS vs TN display tech, as well as how IPS fits into the context of FHD 1080p resolution.
But modern monitor shopping doesn‘t begin or end there! Here are 3 other display specs and options worth considering:
1. Higher Resolutions – While 1080p FHD still looks great, higher resolutions like 1440p QHD and 4K UHD offer even more pixels and visual detail. Curved widescreen monitors are also fun.
2. VA Panels – VA panel technology competes with IPS providing vibrant color and contrast, albeit with lesser viewing angles. VA is another option aside from IPS vs TN.
3. Refresh Rates – Don‘t forget refresh rates alongside response times! Look for 144Hz+ rates for a smoother experience gaming or watching movies.
To wrap things up, here are some core things to remember:
- FHD/1080p resolution still looks fantastic and suits most general usage
- IPS panels offer best-in-class color reproduction, accuracy and viewing angles
- IPS monitors cost more than TN panels but provide vibrant visual upgrades
- You can find monitors combining IPS panels and FHD 1080p resolutions
- Focus also on size, refresh rate, connectivity – not just IPS vs TN!
I hope this IPS vs FHD monitor guide has helped decode some of those key monitor specifications for you. Ultimately you need to match the right display features with your budget, needs and goals. Keep these points in mind while shopping and you‘ll land the perfect monitor!
