Upscaling can make lower-resolution video look sharper on a big screen, but it isn't the same as true higher resolution.
Upscaling is processing built into most modern TVs that takes a lower-resolution picture and stretches and sharpens it to better fill a higher-resolution screen.
The TV analyzes the incoming picture and uses processing to smooth edges and estimate additional detail, aiming for a cleaner result than simply stretching the image.
Upscaling can't recreate detail that was never in the original video — it's an estimate, not a true increase in resolution. For a genuinely sharper picture, the source content itself needs to be higher resolution to begin with, which our 4K and HDR requirements guide covers.
Most TVs let you adjust the intensity of upscaling and sharpening in the picture settings menu — see our guide on TV picture settings that improve streaming quality for a starting point.
Compare subscription options and device support to find the plan that fits your household.
