WQHD: what is it exactly and why is everyone talking about it?

WQHD screen WQHD vs 4K WQHD vs QHD

If you've been looking at PC screens for a while, you've inevitably come across this term: WQHD. And as is often the case in hardware, we love to use acronyms, to the point where you start to wonder if it's a revolution or just a new name for an old resolution. In reality, WQHD has established itself as a modern standard, especially among gamers and those looking for a versatile screen. And you'll see that understanding what it means - and especially if it's right for you - is much simpler than it seems.

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Co-founder of DropReference, I'm here to give you the best tips to build the gaming PC of your dreams!

What exactly is WQHD?

Let's start off easy. The WQHD, for Wide Quad High Definition, corresponds to a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels In common language, it is also referred to as 1440p.

Why "Wide"? Because originally, QHD (Quad HD) referred to a format used on smartphones, based on 1440p but not necessarily in 16:9. WQHD is simply the wide version adapted for PC screens.

So if you've ever wondered what wqhd is? → it's simply QHD in widescreen format, which you will see indicated as WQHD on monitors.

And between us: WQHD = QHD = 1440p, they are just different names.

QHD vs WQHD: is there really a difference?

It's THE most common confusion.

You may be wondering: wqhd vs qhd, which one is better?

The answer is simple:

👉 There is no difference.

  • QHD is the standard designation .
  • WQHD is the more "complete" designation used by manufacturers.
  • Both display 2560 × 1440 pixels.

So if you see "QHD", "Quad HD" or "WQHD" in a technical specification, you can consider that it refers exactly to the same format.

wqhd

Why choose a WQHD screen today?

If this resolution has become so popular, it is no coincidence.

A WQHD screen strikes a balance that few other resolutions offer: it is significantly sharper than Full HD, but it does not require as much power as a 4K screen.

Basically, you gain in quality without blowing your budget and without putting your graphics card on its knees.

A WQHD screen will offer you:

  • a image much more detailed than 1080p ,
  • more space to work (ideal for coding, editing, or having multiple windows),
  • a much more enjoyable gaming experience ,
  • a resolution perfectly suited for a 27-inch screen .

All stocks of WQHD in real time

With DropReference, you have access to all the stocks of screens in your country at all retailers. It's ideal for finding all components and peripherals at the best price.

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AOC Q27G42ZE 27" QHD 240Hz Black

AOC Q27G42ZE 27" QHD 240Hz Black

159€

(11 Vendors)
5 (1)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Excellent quality Extreme frequency Standard size
LG UltraGear 27GR93U-B 27in 4K 144Hz

LG UltraGear 27GR93U-B 27in 4K 144Hz

396€

(9 Vendors)
Resolution: 4K (2160p)
Top brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG Black 27 WQHD OLED

ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQDMG Black 27 WQHD OLED

538€

(12 Vendors)
Brand: Asus
Top brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
AOC Q27G42XE 27" QHD 180Hz Black/Red

AOC Q27G42XE 27" QHD 180Hz Black/Red

141€

(9 Vendors)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
AOC AG276QZD2 27" QHD 240Hz Black/Grey

AOC AG276QZD2 27" QHD 240Hz Black/Grey

404€

(10 Vendors)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
TCL 25G64 24.5in FHD 300Hz HDR600 Black

TCL 25G64 24.5in FHD 300Hz HDR600 Black

169€

(3 Vendors)
Refresh Rate: 300
Good brand Excellent quality Extreme frequency Standard size
AOC Q27G4XF 27" QHD 180Hz Black/Grey

AOC Q27G4XF 27" QHD 180Hz Black/Grey

129€

(10 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
AOC Q27G4ZR 27" QHD VRR Black/Red

AOC Q27G4ZR 27" QHD VRR Black/Red

179€

(10 Vendors)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Excellent quality Extreme frequency Standard size
Samsung Odyssey G7 G70B 32" 4K 144Hz Black

Samsung Odyssey G7 G70B 32" 4K 144Hz Black

482€

(7 Vendors)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Excellent quality Good frequency Ultra large
LG UltraGear 34GS95QE-B 34in OLED 3440x1440 240Hz

LG UltraGear 34GS95QE-B 34in OLED 3440x1440 240Hz

645€

(9 Vendors)
Brand: LG
Top brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Ultra large
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDMS 27" QHD OLED 240Hz

ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDMS 27" QHD OLED 240Hz

545€

(10 Vendors)
Brand: Asus
Top brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
Alienware AW3225QF Black 32" 4K 240Hz

Alienware AW3225QF Black 32" 4K 240Hz

888€

(7 Vendors)
Brand: LG
Top brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Ultra large Powerful GPU
MSI MAG 275QF 27 inch WQHD 2560x1440 180Hz Black

MSI MAG 275QF 27 inch WQHD 2560x1440 180Hz Black

196€

(4 Vendors)
Brand: MSI
Good brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
BenQ EX2710S 27 FHD 165Hz Black

BenQ EX2710S 27 FHD 165Hz Black

121€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: BenQ
E-sport Reference Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
Gigabyte MO27Q28G 27 inch QHD OLED 280Hz

Gigabyte MO27Q28G 27 inch QHD OLED 280Hz

569€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: Gigabyte
Good brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
MSI MAG 271QP QD-OLED X24 26.5in WQHD 240Hz Black

MSI MAG 271QP QD-OLED X24 26.5in WQHD 240Hz Black

595€

(4 Vendors)
Display Type: QD-OLED
Good brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
MSI MAG274QF X24 27in QHD 240Hz

MSI MAG274QF X24 27in QHD 240Hz

187€

(6 Vendors)
Brand: MSI
Good brand Excellent quality Extreme frequency Standard size
LG 27G850A-B.AEU 27" 4K 240Hz Black

LG 27G850A-B.AEU 27" 4K 240Hz Black

419€

(9 Vendors)
Brand: LG
Top brand Excellent quality Extreme frequency Standard size Powerful GPU
ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG 27in Black QHD 360Hz

ASUS ROG Strix XG27ACDNG 27in Black QHD 360Hz

642€

(13 Vendors)
Brand: Asus
Top brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
AOC CU34G4 34-inch 3440x1440 180Hz

AOC CU34G4 34-inch 3440x1440 180Hz

229€

(10 Vendors)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Good for immersion Good frequency Ultra large
AOC U27G4R 27 FHD 144Hz Black

AOC U27G4R 27 FHD 144Hz Black

269€

(12 Vendors)
Brand: AOC
Good brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 G50SF 27" QHD 180Hz

Samsung Odyssey OLED G5 G50SF 27" QHD 180Hz

399€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Incredible quality Good frequency Standard size
Samsung Odyssey G6 S27DG600SU 27-inch QHD Gray

Samsung Odyssey G6 S27DG600SU 27-inch QHD Gray

551€

(12 Vendors)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Incredible quality Extreme frequency Standard size
MSI MAG 274QF 27" QHD 180Hz IPS

MSI MAG 274QF 27" QHD 180Hz IPS

139€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: MSI
Good brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size
FeuVision FSID27EQ3 27in QHD 180Hz Black

FeuVision FSID27EQ3 27in QHD 180Hz Black

133€

(1 Vendors)
Brand: DELL
Top brand Excellent quality Good frequency Standard size

WQHD vs 4K: which one is really made for you?

We reach the point where players hesitate the most: wqhd vs 4k , what do I choose?

The 4K (3840 × 2160) obviously offers more pixels , more finesse and a spectacular rendering on large screens. But it has two flaws:

  1. It is more expensive,
  2. She is much more greedy.

For gaming:

  • in WQHD, you play more comfortably with a mid/high-end graphics card ;
  • in 4K, you will have to aim for a strong card , style RTX 5080 or 5090, if you want to play in Ultra at more than 60 FPS.

For pure productivity or editing:

  • if you work in UHD, 4K keeps the advantage;
  • if you are looking for a balanced screen that remains smooth everywhere, the WQHD is more consistent.

It's really a matter of use:

  • Do you play a lot? → WQHD.
  • Do you want an ultra-thin image on a 32-inch screen? → 4K.
  • Do you want a good screen without overpaying? → WQHD.
double-ecran-pc

Comparative table of screens

Size Resolution Number of pixels Recommended Usage
Full HD (1080p) 1920 × 1080 2.07 MP Office automation, competitive
WQHD / QHD / 1440p 2560 × 1440 3.69 MP Gaming, versatility
4K UHD 3840 × 2160 8.29 MP Assembly, large screen, cinema
Swipe to view more

So, WQHD: a good choice for 2026?

Quite frankly, yes. This is the format that meets the needs of the majority of gamers and workers.

It gives you real comfort of use without forcing you to invest in an expensive configuration.

It is also a resolution that will age well: current GPUs are calibrated for 1440p , and the next ones will be even more so. You will be quiet for several years.