Monitor

Volkswagen has announced a collaboration with Lucasfilm/Industrial Light & Magic to promote its latest e-vehicle, the ID. Buzz, in conjunction with the upcoming Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. It consists of promotional material co-created with the studio, as well as new Star Wars-themed special editions of the new minibus.

LG has unveiled the UltraGear 32GQ850, which joins the UltraGear 32GQ950 and UltraGear 4GQ900. The UltraGear 32GQ850 has a 31.5-inch panel like the UltraGear 32GQ950, but one that outputs at up to 260 Hz and in 1440p. LG will begin selling the UltraGear 32GQ850 later this month.

LG has outlined more details about the UltraGear 32GQ950, one of three new large gaming monitors. The UltraGear 32GQ950 has a 31.5-inch panel that outputs at 4K and up to 160 Hz with a 1,000 nit peak brightness. LG will release the UltraGear 32GQ950 in Japan first before bringing it to other markets, including Europe and North America.

LG is expanding its OLED monitor portfolio with a 47.5-inch model specifically designed for gamers. The UltraGear 48GQ900 4K monitor offers unique features like the 138 Hz refresh rate and an anti-glare low reflection coating. The W-OLED panel is HDR10-ready and has a 98.5% DCI-P3 color gamut.

Asus showed off the ROG Swift 500 Hz gaming monitor at Computex 2022. The ROG Swift 500 Hz supports Nvidia G-Sync and Reflex Analyzer and is based on an E-TN 1080p panel targeted at ultra-competitive e-sports gamers. The monitor also has an Enhanced Vibrance mode built into the firmware for vibrant colors.

Huawei has announced the MateView SE, a 23.8-inch IPS monitor that outputs at 1080p and 75 Hz. The MateView SE is available for CNY 799 (~US$120) in China; details about an international launch are pending at this stage.

The Odyssey Neo G8 has arrived, months after Samsung revealed the gaming monitor at CES 2022. The Odyssey Neo G8 is available for £1,298.99 in the UK, although it is expected to launch in the US for close to US$1,500.

Samsung has lifted the lid on the Odyssey G4 series, to be available in 25-inch and 27-inch display sizes. The Odyssey G4 series offers flat-panel gaming at up to 240 Hz with HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.2 connections. Samsung promises 1 ms GtG response times and 1080p native resolutions too, among other features.

Samsung has announced the Odyssey Neo G7, a gaming monitor with a 1000R curvature. The Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 also outputs at 4K and 165 Hz with 1,196 mini LED local dimming zones that deliver up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness. Samsung has included all the ports necessary to connect the Odyssey Neo G7 to a high-end gaming PC or a current-generation games console too.

Reportedly, Apple is no longer a summer release for its first mini-LED and 120 Hz ProMotion external monitor. Dubbed the Studio Display Pro, the 27-inch monitor is now expected to debut after the iPhone 14 series, months after its anticipated WWDC 2022 unveiling.

AOC has introduced the AGON PRO AG274QZM, a 27-inch gaming monitor with mini LED backlights. Launched for £999 and €1,309 in the UK and the Eurozone respectively, the AGON PRO AG274QZM offers 1,200 nits of peak brightness, NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and 576 dimming zones. AOC has included a 2.5K and 240 Hz panel, too.

Acer has introduced the Vero PD2325W, an inexpensive projector that outputs at up to 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. The projector can also reach 2,200 ANSI Lumens and features 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.

Acer's SpatialLabs division aims to bring a 3D stereoscopic experience back in a major way in 2022. To this end, it has brought this technology to portable monitors in the form of the View and View Pro. They are both 4K and weigh under 1.5kg (3.3lb); however, the Pro variant is pitched more strongly at enterprise use-cases with a retail-friendly design and support for popular rendering and editing programs.

Acer has unveiled its new Predator XB273K LV gaming monitor. It features a 27-inch 4K screen clocked at 160 Hz, two HDMI 2.1 ports, one USB-C port and AMD Freesync Premium support. It costs €849 (US$893) and will be available in select regions in Q3, 2022.

The Nitro XV272U RV is Acer's newest mid-range gaming monitor. Its 27-inch QHD (2,560 x 1,440) panel is clocked at 170 Hz, covers 95% of the DCI P3 colour gamut and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified. It will go on sale in October 2022 for US$499.

Are we finally getting the ultimate panel for both gaming and professional editing? The upcoming 240 Hz OLED display seemingly checks off every box on the list to finally supersede IPS, but we still have our concerns about flickering when on lower brightness levels.

Panasonic has introduced the LZ800, LZ980, LZ1000 and the LZ1500, OLED Smart TV series that build on the LZ2000 series. Panasonic's OLED Smart TVs range from 42-inch to 77-inch screen sizes, which all output at 4K and 120 Hz. The new TV series support HDMI 2.1 and HDMI VRR too, among other features.

The Lepow C2S offers better colors and a more reliable kickstand than other budget portable monitors we've seen. However, cut corners had to be made elsewhere to keep the price as low as it is.

Prices for the first generation of QD-OLEDs are already comparable to what LG offers, but these could further be reduced by introducing thinner panels with single glass substrate, at the same time improving yields and cutting production costs.

LG plans to match Samsung's QD-OLED peak brightness with the addition of a microlens layer for next year's OLED.EX panels. This way, LG hopes to boost the brightness from ~900 nits up to 1500 nits and also improve energy efficiency, leading to reduced burn-in probability.

If you're not a fan of multi-monitor setups, then investing in a single large monitor instead can get you a lot of the same benefits of a multi-monitor desktop. This 40-inch Innocn has a similar PPI as two 22-inch 1080p monitors side by side.

The Gigabyte S55U is a monstrous gaming monitor with a 54.6-inch VA panel. With a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 functionality, the Gigabyte S55U should be suitable for console and PC gamers who want to add a TV-sized gaming monitor to their setup.

TCL has just released its financial report across all of its operations, its consumer display and audio divisions included, for 2021. It concludes that the OEM's net profits went up by over 100% compared to 2020, ending the year with such takings of US$2.59 billion. TCL also notes that sales of its mid-to-top-end TVs (such as those with mini-LED panels) exhibited "significant" year-on-year (YoY) growth.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Redmi Smart TV A75, a 75-inch TV that outputs at 4K. Available in China for an equivalent of US$515 (CNY 3,399), the Redmi Smart TV A75 runs MIUI TV based on Android TV and has dual 10 W speakers, among other features.

There are hardly any alternatives to the Apple Studio Display that combine a 5K resolution with a built-in webcam. However, Luke Miani has repurposed an old 27-inch iMac as an external monitor, creating a cheaper version of the Studio Display in the process.

The Philips Momentum 8000 27E1N8900 is a 27-inch external monitor that the company has aimed at professional users. As such, the Momentum 8000 27E1N8900 eschews gaming features like a high refresh rate. However, it does have an OLED panel, outputs at 4K and has 0.1 ms G2G response times. The Philips Momentum 8000 27E1N8900 contains plenty of ports too, including a USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C connection for recharging devices at up to 90 W.

According to reports, Samsung is developing 49-inch and 77-inch QD-OLED panels. Currently only available at 55-inch and 65-inches, these 49-inch and 77-inch QD-OLED panels could make their way to Samsung-branded TVs within a year's time as the company attempts to best LG's excellent OLED TV range.

Xiaomi has introduced the OLED Vision, an OLED-based Smart TV that has a 55-inch panel. The OLED Vision 55 Smart TV is also one of the few TVs that offers Dolby Vision IQ which should improve HDR playback. Xiaomi's latest TV relies on Android TV 11 too, along with eight speakers and Wi-Fi connectivity.

ASUS has confirmed that it will release the ProArt Display PA147CDV this quarter in North America. Ahead of the display's release, ASUS has included the ProArt Display PA147CDV in its NAB 2022 showcase in Las Vegas.

HiSense has presented the 120L9-Pro, its highest quality laser TV to date. As its name suggests, the 120L9-Pro creates up to 120-inch images that are colour-accurate and up to 4K in resolution. The Hisense Laser TV 120L9-Pro retails for CNY 119,999 (~US$18,291) and can output in 4K.

The emerging microLED sector is now tipped to gain ground now that the effects of the pandemic are abating. It was worth only US$56 million in 2020; however, this value is now though to reach the multi-billion level at the start of the next decade. This growth might be driven by demands for devices such as TVs as well as large-scale displays with the technology.

The GT Neo3 is Realme's first-ever smartphone rated to charge at up to 150W. Now, the OEM has announced it is bringing that top-end spec with it when it lands in India later in April 2022. It will launch alongside the Mini version of Realme's first-gen Android tablet, as well as a new TV and more.

According to new rumours, Xiaomi plans to introduce a new Smart TV soon with a 4K OLED panel running Android TV 11. Not only will the Xiaomi OLED Vision Smart TV support Dolby Vision, but it will also be capable of meeting the newer Dolby Vision IQ standard. Accordingly, The Xiaomi OLED Vision Smart TV should do a better job of displaying HDR content than its predecessors, particularly in bright environments.

The 12-inch and 13.3-inch monitors serve as space-saving alternatives to traditional external monitors by attaching directly to the laptop itself. The extenders are compatible with a range of laptop models between 13-inches and 17-inches.

Samsung has shared an unboxing of the Monitor M8, its 32-inch and much cheaper alternative to the Apple Studio Display. The Monitor M8 contains plenty of smart features and even a Height Adjustable Stand (HAS), plus a removable webcam.

TCL has now launched its latest C- and P-series Google TVs in the European market. These units are all 4K, although the OEM's miniLED technology is reserved for the new C93 and C83 lines. However, even the QLED C63 models feature HDMI 2.1 and ALLM, whereas those of the C73 level and higher feature improved variable refresh rates (VRRs) and gaming features.

Sony has announced pricing of the Bravia XR 2022 series in Europe. Ranging from €1,049 to €6,499, the Bravia XR 2022 series also includes models with Mini LED backlights. In Germany, Sony is offering free PlayStation consoles with some Bravia XR models, too.

The 15.6-inch portable monitor is now available for $270 USD or slightly higher than most other portable monitors of its size. Its OLED panel, however, offers a much better colors and deeper contrast than the usual IPS solution. We go over a few pros and cons during our time with a test unit.

AOC and Porsche Design have unveiled the AGON Pro PD32M, a stylish external monitor that also packs plenty of gaming-focused features. Not only does the AGON Pro PD32M operate natively at 4K and 144 Hz, it also has mini-LED backlights to ensure a high peak brightness.

TCL has set a date on which its newest 4K TVs and soundbars will be unleashed on the international market. The OEM has revealed that there will be at least 2 products from either product category to preview during the show ahead of their release, some of which have won 2022 Red Dot Design Awards for their esthetics and "innovative" features already.

Finding another 34-inch curved monitor with the same set of features as this Gigabyte in this price range would be tough. The VA panel and 1440p native resolution may turn off some buyers depending on the usage scenario.

Apple's Studio Display, which currently costs from US$1,599, is a weird mix of professional and consumer features that kind of put it in a class entirely on its own - too consumer-grade for professionals and too professional for most consumers. There is little direct competition, but knowing your needs can help you find a better solution.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Redmi Curved Monitor 30", an ultra-wide monitor with a 200 Hz refresh rate and a WFHD resolution. The gaming monitor offers high colour space coverage too, along with AMD FreeSync Premium support and HDMI 2.1 connectivity for high refresh rate gaming.

Xiaomi’s massive new smart TV from its Redmi brand, the Redmi MAX 100”, has now gone on pre-sale in China. For just 1,000-yuan (US$158) deposit, fans can secure one of the 100-inch sets for their living space. The Redmi MAX 100” is a 4K (3840x2160) smart TV that measures 2,235 mm (88 inches) in overall length and weighs 64.6 kg (142 lbs.).

Dell has now made available the previously announced UltraSharp U2723QE and U3223QE 4K monitors today. These monitors offer a host of connectivity features with a USB-C hub and support wide color gamuts and DisplayHDR 400. The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE and U3223QE are the world's monitors to feature LG's new IPS Black technology that offers a 2,000:1 contrast ratio.

Samsung's high-end Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor can be bought on Amazon for US$1,940, US$500 less than its asking price of US$2,499. It features a 49-inch mini LED panel with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, 1,000R curvature and addressable RGB lighting.

Available in four modern colors, the new Smart Monitor M8 by Samsung features a SlimFit Cam and comes with support for services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV via Wi-Fi (no PC or TV needed). The model already up for pre-order globally, namely the M80B, has a 32-inch 4K UHD display.

Teardown experts iFixit have got to the bottom of the Mac Studio and the state of its upgradability. The website has also investigated the Studio Display, which shares a few similarities with the 24-inch iMac.

Samsung is throwing in a free 165 Hz 32-inch Odyssey curved gaming monitor for those who pre-order the upcoming Galaxy Book2 Pro laptop before April 1. The monitor retails for about $329 USD while the Galaxy Book2 Pro retails for $1050.

Huawei has started selling the Vision S in Europe, a TV series available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes. While well-equipped, the Vision S 55" and Vision S 65" are also relatively cheap. Both TVs have 4K and 120 Hz panels that offer 5,000:1 contrast ratios and high colour space coverages.