Is Glossy OLED Better vs Matte Screen & QD-OLED? (ASUS XG27AQDMG Review)

Summary

The Asus XG27AQ DMG OLED monitor is reviewed, standing out as the world's first natively glossy gaming monitor. It offers higher full-screen brightness, accurate HDR colors, and less posterization compared to its predecessor. Despite its RWGB subpixel layout causing fuzzy text, it excels in HDR presentation, matching Sony's BVM-HX310. It lacks HDMI 2.1 but compensates with a 240Hz refresh rate. Priced at $700 with a 3-year OLED burn-in warranty, it's a top value pick.

Takeaways

• 🖥️ The Asus ROG Swift XG27AQ DMG is the world's first and only natively glossy OLED gaming monitor as of July 2024.
• 🌟 It offers a heightened perception of depth and a premium feel due to its glossy screen, which can enhance the viewing experience.
• 🎮 Despite potential reflections, the monitor provides a more impactful HDR presentation, especially during high APL scenes.
• 🔗 The monitor uses a Micro Lens Array (MLA) OLED panel, which differs from non-MLA panels in light dispersion properties.
• 🏆 It closely matches the Sony BVM-HX310 reference monitor in terms of average brightness, color accuracy, and specular highlight detail.
• 📽️ The HDMI ports on the XG27AQ DMG are HDMI 2.0, not HDMI 2.1, limiting next-gen console gaming to 4K 120Hz.
• 🔍 The monitor has excellent dark uniformity and a clean display, with minor issues that are more noticeable on camera than in actual use.
• 🎮 It supports all three major VRR formats, including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, for smooth gameplay.
• 🛠️ Asus has implemented an OLED anti-flicker setting to mitigate VRR flicker, offering user control over picture stability and gameplay smoothness.
• 💻 The monitor may not be ideal for productivity tasks due to its RGBW subpixel structure, which can appear fuzzier when displaying fine text.

Q & A

What is the main comparison discussed in the video script?

The main comparison discussed in the video script is between glossy coating and matte screen coatings on OLED monitors, specifically comparing the Asus PG27AQM with matte anti-glare coating, the Asus ROG Swift XG27AQDM with a glossy coating, and the Alienware AW2725DF QD OLED monitor.

How does the matte coating on the Asus PG27AQM affect reflections?

The matte coating on the Asus PG27AQM effectively reduces reflections by diffusing light, making the reflections fainter and spreading them across a wider area on the screen.

What is unique about the Asus ROG Swift XG27AQDM's screen?

The Asus ROG Swift XG27AQDM is the world's first and only natively glossy OLED monitor as of July 2024, which is expected to show reflections more clearly compared to matte screens.

How does the glossy screen of the Alienware AW2725DF QD OLED monitor perform under light?

The glossy screen of the Alienware AW2725DF QD OLED monitor turns blacks to gray when hit by light due to the lack of a polarizer, which would otherwise interfere with quantum dot activation.

What is the perceived advantage of a glossy screen according to the script?

The perceived advantage of a glossy screen is the heightened perception of depth and a premium feel, as if one can reach into the screen and touch the objects, due to the reflections that add a sense of three-dimensional depth.

What is the difference between MLA and non-MLA OLED panels as mentioned in the script?

MLA (Micro Lens Array) and non-MLA OLED panels have different light dispersion properties, which can result in a difference in screen glossiness and light reflection characteristics.

How does the Asus XG27AQDM perform in terms of HDR presentation?

The Asus XG27AQDM performs well in HDR presentation, coming closest to matching the Sony BVM-HX310 reference monitor in terms of average brightness, color accuracy, and specular highlight detail.

What are the HDMI capabilities of the Asus XG27AQDM?

The Asus XG27AQDM has HDMI 2.0 ports instead of HDMI 2.1, which means it cannot support 4K 120Hz from next-gen consoles and is limited to a 144Hz refresh rate over HDMI.

What is the OLED anti-flicker setting on the Asus XG27AQDM and how does it work?

The OLED anti-flicker setting on the Asus XG27AQDM is designed to mitigate VRR flicker in certain games by modifying the monitor's EDID to lower the frequency of drastic frame rate fluctuations. It offers three settings: off, middle, and strong, each reducing the VRR range to different extents.

What are the potential drawbacks of the Asus XG27AQDM mentioned in the script?

The potential drawbacks of the Asus XG27AQDM include fuzzy text clarity due to its RGBW subpixel layout and the lack of HDMI 2.1 ports, which restricts it from playing games at 4K 120Hz on next-gen consoles.

What warranty does Asus provide for the XG27AQDM, and what does it cover?

Asus provides a three-year warranty for the XG27AQDM that explicitly covers OLED burning, giving peace of mind to users regarding the longevity and reliability of the monitor.