What's the difference between a budget smart projector and a true 4K home theater projector?

Budget 'smart' projectors typically use native 1080p (or lower) panels that merely 'support' a 4K input signal, with modest brightness and built-in streaming apps. True home theater projectors like 4K laser and three-chip models deliver genuine 4K resolution, far higher contrast, accurate color, lens shift and zoom for flexible installation, and frame rates suited to gaming. The price gap is large, and reviewers consistently warn that '4K support' on a cheap unit is not the same as 4K resolution.