CES 2023 has brought some exciting new developments in the world of gaming monitors, and OLED technology is leading the charge. LG's new 1440p 240Hz OLED panel has allowed for advancements in display technology, and it's being used in the latest monitor offerings from top companies. With almost instantaneous response times and perfect contrast, OLED panels offer a gaming experience unlike any other. And now, with prices becoming more accessible to consumers, it's time to take a closer look at the latest OLED monitors on the market. In this article, we'll compare the top offerings from leading companies that use LG's new OLED panel, and help you decide which one is right for you. Get ready to upgrade your gaming setup with the best OLED monitors on the market.
LG 27GR95QE-B
The LG 27GR95QE-B was announced late last year, debuting LG’s new 1440p@240Hz panel which we’re now seeing used in several monitors from top manufacturers. While all of the monitors featured in this article are using the same panel, each manufacturer’s implementation may have different features.
In this monitor, we’re getting HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 for the video inputs, with the typical LG UltraGear gamer design. While the information available at the moment is quite limited, we’re told it will offer FreeSync Premium and G-SYNC Compatible certifications, with no DisplayHDR certifications likely due to its 200 cd/m² brightness rating.
It also features a simple USB hub with two USB A ports and a 3.5mm audio output, along with some built in on-screen features like a FPS counter, crosshair, and Black Stabilizer.
Dough Spectrum OLED
Dough’s announcement closely followed LG, with their latest model featuring the new OLED panel. While it’s set to ship in July, you can get a significant discount by pre-ordering at just $649, and we have a lot of information on the monitor’s capabilities.
The main distinctive factor is its unique glossy coating, which ensures you can take full advantage of OLED’s perfect contrast compared to the other monitors using a matte coating that reduces contrast by diffusing light into the whole monitor. While a glossy coating is often preferred by users, it is especially important with OLED monitors, as some reviewers have shown contrast levels worse than IPS on OLED monitors using a matte coating.
Dough is advertising a 150 cd/m² typical brightness rating with a 3% peak of 1,000 cd/m² in HDR, achieving a DisplayHDR 400 True Black certification. Paired with its FreeSync Premium Pro and G-SYNC Compatible certifications, you’ll be getting a completely immersive gaming experience.
The Spectrum offers the best array of ports, with two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB C input that allows you to run the display’s USB hub and charge the source device at up to 100W. The built-in hub, which works with the dual-source KVM, offers two USB C and two USB A ports.
The monitor offers some additional features like pixel-perfect integer-ratio upscaling, individual factory color calibration, a built-in FPS counter and crosshair, and user-upgradeable firmware which may allow additional features to be added after release.
Asus ROG PG27AQDM
While Asus has announced their OLED monitor, they have provided very little information regarding ports, connectivity, and additional features, so we’ll have to wait until the release is near.
We’ve been told Asus has designed a special heatsink to ensure the best brightness performance from the monitor without overheating, reaching a 3% peak of 1,000 cd/m² like the Dough Spectrum and Acer Predator models. While other brands have not provided any details on this, it is safe to assume the monitors’ design will ensure optimal performance, and tests will be conducted to optimize the housing.
Acer Predator X27U
We don’t have an official release date for Acer’s X27U OLED monitor, but we’ve been told the release pricing will be $1,099. While the X27U offers some nice connectivity features, like 90W USB C charging and a KVM switch, it unfortunately falls short of the Spectrum’s dual USB C and USB A ports. Acer also decided to offer only HDMI 2.0 instead of the newer HDMI 2.1 offered by the other monitors.
Conclusion
Overall, the new OLED monitors released at CES this year offer some exciting advancements in display technology for gaming. With fast response times, perfect contrast, and a range of features and connectivity options, these monitors offer an immersive and high-quality gaming experience. While each monitor has its own unique features and pricing, all of them showcase the potential of OLED technology and what it can offer gamers. As the market for OLED monitors continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how these monitors compare and how they might shape the future of gaming.