CES 2025 showcased a plethora of innovative gaming monitors, pushing the boundaries of display technology. Key trends included the continued dominance of QD-OLED, advancements in mini-LED, escalating refresh rates and resolutions, and the rise of smart monitors.
QD-OLED's Enduring Appeal and Growing Accessibility:
QD-OLED technology remained a central theme, with major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG showcasing their latest offerings. Many emphasized improved burn-in protection features, such as Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor (integrated into the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG), which automatically dims the screen when the user is away. The availability of 4K 240Hz and even 1440p 500Hz (MSI MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50) QD-OLED monitors signals a push towards higher performance. Furthermore, prices are expected to decrease as the technology matures.
Mini-LED: A Viable Alternative:
While less prominent than QD-OLED, mini-LED technology, exemplified by MSI's MPG 274URDFW E16M, presented a potentially more affordable alternative. With 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, it offers impressive contrast and a 4K 160Hz (or 1080p 320Hz) experience. The absence of burn-in risk and potentially lower pricing makes it a compelling option.
Higher Refresh Rates and Resolutions:
The convergence of improved QD-OLED and more powerful graphics cards led to a surge in refresh rates. 4K 240Hz displays are now a reality, alongside 1440p 500Hz monitors (like the Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q5P, aiming for VESA TrueBlack 500 certification). MSI even revived TN panels for extremely high refresh rates (600Hz in the MSI MPG 242R X60N), though at the cost of color accuracy and viewing angles. The emergence of 5K monitors (Acer Predator XB323QX and LG's "5K2K" ultrawide options) further expands the high-resolution landscape. Asus even showcased a 6K mini-LED monitor (ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV) targeted at creators.
Smart Monitors: Bridging the Gap Between TVs and Gaming Monitors:
Smart monitors, offering integrated streaming services, are gaining traction. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor, LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA, and Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor (featuring 4K OLED and neural processing) illustrate this trend, blurring the lines between gaming displays and smart TVs.
Conclusion:
CES 2025 demonstrated significant advancements in gaming monitor technology, offering a diverse range of options catering to various needs and budgets. The year promises even more exciting developments in display technology, building upon the impressive progress made in 2024.
