As technology continues to advance every day, finding the best gaming monitors now involve wading through a plethora of numbers and benchmark tests. In turn, this can make the process of purchasing and setting up your gaming PC incredibly difficult from time to time. While some gamers are more tech-savvy than the rest of us, gaming monitors and their technology have become increasingly difficult over time and can be stressful for the average user. With that said, a 1440p gaming monitor is a good place to start. They offer a higher resolution than a 1080p display and it’s also lighter on the wallet and less power-hungry compared to a 4K panel.
To help you out, I’ve written a guide today that will teach you how to pick the best 1440p gaming monitors for you in the market.
Before 1440p monitors appeared on the scene and quickly gained popularity as consumers discovered the higher image quality they can give, the most common display resolution in the gaming world was 1080p or Full HD. However, because of the significant boost in picture quality a 1440p screen can provide, more and more gamers are leaning towards this type of panel.
Keep in mind that not everyone has the same expectations or standards when it comes to gaming. Some of you may want to prioritize your games’ graphics so you can play them in their max settings. Others merely want displays that will help them to perform at their best with fast refresh rates and response time.
As a result, the discussion over the appropriate gaming display resolution becomes even more complicated. To make the 1080p vs. 1440p debate easier to understand, it’s better to look at individual components representing different resolutions. Running modern AAA games at 1080p is, for example, achievable even with lower-tier current-gen equipment. However, the resolution will be a little lower than a 1440p.
Meanwhile, a 1440p screen will obviously offer better and significantly crisper graphics. But keep in mind, the higher the resolution, the more power it’s going to need from your GPU. It won’t be as demanding as running games on 4K but this is something to keep in mind if you’re on a very tight budget.
With that in mind, if you’re still undecided about which of these displays to acquire for your PC, I’ve compared the two below in various categories to aid you in your selection.
Price Differences
When it comes to choosing between 1080p and 1440p resolutions, the price difference is usually the first thing that most people consider. And you should too. Especially if you’re being mindful of your budget. As you may be already aware, 1440p monitors are generally more expensive than their 1080p equivalents.
There are exceptions, of course. But when we compare the identical specifications and criteria between these two resolutions, 1440p displays are just generally more expensive. When higher refresh rates, like a 144Hz display or higher, are added to the mix, the price goes up. The same can be said about panel technology too.
The most expensive panels are OLEDs. These types of screens will usually hit the thousand-dollar mark. Then, this is followed by IPS and VA panels, and finally TN panels. However, if you’re aiming for an OLED display to get those gorgeous deep blacks, you might be disappointed to know that there is currently no 1440p display on the market that employs an OLED panel.
Anyway, if you’re on a strict budget and want to save money, 1080p displays can be the way to go. If you’re ready to spend a little more, 1440p monitors with a quick refresh rate and low latency are your best options.
A 60Hz 1440p TN panel that performs well can easily outperform a 1080p 60Hz TN panel. For competitive gaming, though, regardless of resolution, it makes more sense for you to have the monitor with the highest refresh rates and response times you can get your hands on.
Gaming Performance
I’m pretty sure you don’t need me to tell you that the higher the resolution, the more power your PC’s GPU and CPU will be required to support it. As a result, your 1440p display may have a negative influence on performance. Unless you have the requisite hardware, games on your 1440p display will not run as smoothly as games on a 1080p panel.
Simply put, running games at 1440p resolution will result in lower frame rates. When compared to a 1080p display, the GPU will have to do a lot more work to drive a 2K display. Maintaining 60 frames per second at 1440p is more challenging than maintaining 60 frames per second at 1080p for your GPU.
But if you have a graphics card that can push 2560 x 1440 resolution at decent frame rates, then you have nothing to worry about. In any case, don’t let this discourage you. While 1080p may be good enough for some of you, once you get a taste of what a 1440p display can deliver, there’s no going back and I promise you, it’s all worth it.
A display’s pixel density is the number of pixels per inch (PPI). It indicates how many pixels are visible on each square inch of the display. The image will be more detailed if this number is higher.
As a result, boosting the resolution to 1440p greatly increases the PPI, resulting in crisper details and sharper images. The primary difference between 1080p and 1440p monitors is this. If the display size remains constant, 1440p will always be crisper. With this in mind, 1440p allows you to increase the size of your display without losing any clarity.
On the other side, smaller screens look best with 1080p. If you go any bigger than 24 inches, you’re going to start noticing some pixelation, which degrades the clarity of the stuff you’re watching or playing. However, 1440p panels allow you to use a much larger monitor while preserving its appropriate sharpness.
In competitive gaming, having better graphics can sometimes be crucial so you can see clearly even the smallest of details so you don’t miss out on anything. The same thing can also be said if you play a lot of open-world games. A monitor with a higher resolution will provide better immersion, picture quality, and an overall better gaming experience.
So if you want to maximize the graphics of your game and appreciate every tiny detail with a bigger display, then a 1440p monitor would be best suited for you.
If you’ve already decided that a 1440p monitor is for you, here are some things to keep in mind before you make a purchase.
Screen Size
Taking into account your available space and gaming desk is usually important when choosing the size of your monitor. Furthermore, when weighed against the potential benefits of larger screens and greater resolutions, gaming on a 27-inch or 32-inch screen with 1440p resolution is ideal for a variety of reasons. Not only are these screen sizes suitable for the majority of setups, but 1440p is crisper than Full HD and places less strain on graphics than 4K panels.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is the number of times the monitor will refresh the screen every second, in case you didn’t know. It’s better if the number is higher. Higher refresh rates benefit gamers by guaranteeing that what you see on the screen is in real-time with what is happening on the computer.
For gaming, a minimum of 60 Hz is suggested. If you’re competitive or primarily play first-person shooters, a 144Hz monitor may be worth considering. Although 60 Hz is widely considered to be the absolute minimum, some 144 Hz displays are now available and highly recommended. If you can go even higher than 144Hz, then that’s even better.
The screen tearing occurs when the monitor displays a piece of one frame and the following frame at the same time. When the sync is disrupted, the image looks to be split, which you’ll notice. This happens because displays are configured to run at a given refresh rate and aren’t always clear what to do when the frame data they receive changes from the specifications they’ve set.
Fortunately for us, AMD and NVIDIA developed adaptive sync, or variable refresh rate solutions. This allows monitors to maintain smooth playback even when graphics cards produce non-standard frame rates. G-Sync is NVIDIA’s technology, while FreeSync is AMD’s. Both are good in preventing tearing, but only when used with suitable gear.
Response Time
The response time in a gaming monitor is the time it takes for each pixel to transition from one image to the next. The time it takes to go from one shade of gray to the next is usually measured in milliseconds (ms). For gaming, sub-5 milliseconds is excellent, but 2 milliseconds or perhaps 1 millisecond is much better.
A slower response time can cause motion blur or ghosting since the monitor can’t keep up with the game amid high action. At all times, a high refresh rate combined with a short response time will offer a nice, crisp image. These are the features that set a gaming monitor apart from a non-gaming panel.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve finished discussing the basics of what you should know when buying a 1440p gaming monitor, you’re now ready to go shop for your next display. I hope my buyer’s guide was able to help you out and you find one that works for your setup well.
Have you already bought your own 1440p monitor for gaming? Was our buyer’s guide on the best 1440p gaming monitors helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
With more and more people aiming for a higher resolution than 1080p for gaming, 1440p displays slowly dominate the market. As manufacturers continue to pump out their best 1440p monitors, finding the one that will suit your gaming setup the best can be a struggle. To help you out, let me introduce to you the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q.
This particular gaming monitor is one of the newest gaming displays from ASUS’ Republic Of Gamers lineup. It boasts a 1440p 32-inch display with lightning-fast 1ms response times, as well as ASUS’ unique ELMB-sync, which enables simultaneous Motion Blur Reduction and Variable Refresh Rate usage. With that being said, is the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q what you’re looking for? Find out in our review below.
The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q, which has an AU Optronics screen, is without a doubt one of the best 1440p gaming monitors available. It’s a 32-inch 1440p 175Hz monitor with G-SYNC compatibility and handles most tasks admirably.
Response times at 175Hz are less than 5ms on average, leading to exceptional motion clarity. Meanwhile, the availability of variable overdrive ensures that gaming performance remains stable across the refresh range.
For a clean image, Asus includes backlight strobing in this single overdrive setting, and it even works with adaptive sync enabled, but not always with the best results when compared to a static refresh rate. In terms of visual quality, we also get all of the advantages of AU Optronics’ current generation IPS panels. An extraordinarily wide color range, as well as great viewing angles and uniformity, are among the features.
Because the contrast ratio isn’t as good as some of the other gaming monitors on the market, it’s not as good for gaming in low-light circumstances. However, the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is a fantastic choice with a wide range of features and performance that will surely satisfy a lot of gamers.
Unsurprisingly, just like with any ROG product, the Swift PG329Q is the type of gaming monitor that screams the usual “gamer” aesthetic. The overall design has a lot going on. It sports a really chunky stand that has a dramatic twist at the bottom as well as asymmetric legs. The monitor boasts a brilliant RGB illumination and is compatible with Asus’ Aura Sync for synchronization with other compatible peripherals.
From the asymmetric legs of the stand to the bezels that frame the screen, everything is matte black. It’s a couple of centimeters thick on the bottom and a couple of millimeters thin on the sides. But the real highlight of this gaming monitor’s design is what you’ll find on the back.
The two sections of the monitor’s back are separated by a sweeping diagonal, with one side having textured diagonal lines and the other filled with intricate lines to give it a futuristic effect with the huge, glowing ROG logo sitting on the upper right corner of the monitor.
Whether this is a good or bad thing is completely up to you. Some gamers like a very bold and unique design to their gaming setups to dazzle anyone nearby, while others love a more toned-down or minimalistic approach.
However, if you’re the latter and you really want this model, the bold design on the back will easily be covered anyway if you place this against the wall. The glowing light from the logo is barely noticeable too. When it comes to cable ports, the ASUS ROG Swift PG329Q features a good selection. There’s one DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, two USB 3.0 ports, and a headphone jack.
That’s not too shabby and should satisfy most gamers. However, knowing that more people will use these displays as USB hubs, USB-C inputs would have been greatly appreciated if it was included in the hardware. Not to mention, seeing a DisplayPort 1.4 adapted to this monitor will also be a really good addition.
Features
Asus is quite known for packing a lot of features into its products, and the ROG Swift PG329Q is no exception. A built-in crosshair and time, an FPS counter, a sniper mode (which zooms to a tiny area of the display), a plethora of genre-specific image quality preset, Shadow Boost, and Aura RGB backlighting are just among the many gaming-focused features this gaming monitor offers.
Of course, this isn’t a bad thing at all. Lots of gamers will surely appreciate this fact and benefit from it as well. Especially gamers who are very into competitive shooter games, you’ll certainly enjoy these features. If you want to enhance visibility and situational awareness, a crosshair, zoom, timer, and black equalization make for a great configuration.
The PG329Q also offers a number of fine-tuned image quality options. Three particular gamma settings, three hazy color temperature presets, and the ability to adjust RGB color and overall color saturation are all included. This is fine for a gaming monitor, but if you’re a content creator who’s looking to use this for both work and gaming, this might not be enough for you.
Furthermore, the on-screen menu of the monitor is controlled via a joystick. It’s accompanied by four tactile buttons tucked away on the right flank. Apart from the on-screen menu, the buttons aren’t labeled, but they’re large enough that I rarely press the wrong one.
The Asus settings are also pretty simple to follow and configure despite the sheer number of options that may be overwhelming to certain gamers. For most games, the default settings are sufficient, so casual gamers won’t need to spend a lot of time navigating and customizing the menus.
Performance
When it comes to gaming performance, Asus ROG has definitely knocked it out of the park with the PG329Q. It produces a bright image that mainly relies on the wide color range and excellent color accuracy of its sensor. In games like Genshin Impact, which relies largely on bold color and dazzling presentation, you’ll surely appreciate the quality this gaming display provides.
The monitor’s resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 which is ideal for PC gaming. It delivers a higher resolution than your regular 1080p, but it also doesn’t have the ultra-sharp image of a 4K gaming monitor. However, 4k gaming on a PC is not really necessary especially with a 32-inch monitor and you’re going to need a very powerful GPU that can handle that much load anyway.
Apart from that, you might not really notice the difference in the most recent games. Especially if the display is more than three feet away from you if the game has a good anti-aliasing feature. So if you’re on a limited budget, this 1440p display is a good balance between 1080p and 4K.
The color performance of the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is also very good. It’s a wide color gamut display and it can compete with some of the best professional monitors in terms of color accuracy, and it even offers real 10-bit color.
Our Least Favorite Things
Contrast Ratio
While the ROG Swift PG329Q is quite excellent in its own feat, the contrast ratio on this display was pretty disappointing. IPS monitors are notoriously bad at this, but the PG329Q is particularly foggy and bright when rendering situations that should be dark and ominous. This is bad news for games that strive for very realistic visuals. Depending on the game, some scenes may appear blurry and foggy as well.
The PG329Q relies on brightness to convey a sense of contrast and depth because of its weak black levels. It looks fantastic in bright outside scenes, such as those featured in many open-world games, but it falls short once the environment gets darker.
In A Nutshell
Now that we’ve discussed what we liked and disliked about the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this 1440p gaming monitor.
Pros
Incredibly low latency.
Fast response time.
Overall excellent gaming performnce.
Cons
Contrast ratio is just average.
Not the best gaming monitor to use for dark room gaming.
Our Final Verdict
All in all, the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is a terrific gaming monitor with a lot of pros and one major con. Games that rely on shadows for depth or have a lot of dark scenes may be suffocated by this display’s weak black levels. However, if graphics aren’t that important to you and you would rather prioritize a monitor’s responsiveness, fast refresh rates, and intuitive gaming features, then this is a solid display to consider for your PC setup.
Have you already bought your own 1440p monitor for gaming? Did you get the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q? Was our review on this monitor helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Whether you’re looking to upgrade from your 1080p monitor or shopping for the first time for your gaming PC setup, it can be quite difficult to find a model that’s going to check all the right boxes in your criteria. A high refresh rate usually means a lesser resolution of 1080p, sometimes the model you want is out of your budget, or you might have to settle with a smaller screen, or even a cheaper TN panel. Enter the Samsung Odyssey G7. This amazing gaming monitor voids all of these tradeoffs by running at 240Hz on a 32-inch curved 1440p VA panel. If you’d like to find out more, just keep scrolling to read our full review below.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is without a doubt the best 1440p gaming monitor with native FreeSync compatibility on the market. It comes in three sizes: 27″, 28″, and 32″, so you may choose the one that best meets your gaming demands. Although all three sizes operate similarly, they all have the same native resolution. So you can expect the larger units to have lower pixel density and sharpness.
Its refresh rate is lightning fast, resulting in incredibly crisp motions; it’s also incredibly consistent, delivering nearly identical results at lower refresh rates, which is ideal for console gamers; and it has very little input lag, resulting in a very smooth gaming experience. This model supports variable refresh rate technology out of the box, but it’s also G-SYNC compatible, making it a versatile monitor.
While the high contrast ratio is excellent and makes this model perform well even in darker environments, it comes at the expense of limited viewing angles. When viewed from the side, this may cause images to appear washed out. This is something to keep in mind if you play a lot of co-op games.
On the plus side, it has a number of extra features, such as two USB 3.0 ports and a Picture-in-Picture mode that allows you to display data from two different input sources at once. Overall, this is an excellent gaming monitor that will appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Features & Specifications
Brand: Samsung
Available Sizes: 27, 28, 32 inches.
Dimensions: 7.37 x 27.96 x 17.29 inches
Screen Size: 31.5 inches
Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Max Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Response Time: 1ms
Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSync
Pixel Type: VA
Screen Surface: Curved
Inputs: 2 DisplayPort 1.4, 1 HDMI 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, 1 Analog Audio Out 3.5mm
What’s In The Box
Power brick and cable
DisplayPort cable
HDMI cable
Cable management clip
VESA-mount adapter
Manuals
Check Out Samsung’s Preview Of The Odyssey G7 Below.
In terms of looks and design, the Samsung Odyssey G7 certainly nailed it out of the park. It’s nothing new from Samsung and if you’ve been keeping up with their recent releases of monitors, this appears to sport a similar aesthetic. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth appreciating.
This model has almost frameless bezels with an extremely curved surface that just adds to the clean and sleek aesthetic while you can also see a two-legged stand that allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments as well as some front-facing LED lighting at the pivot point to protect you from any glare.
It also has a touch of lighting along with the bottom bezel, which gives it a bit more of a gamer vibe than other Samsung monitors you might come across. However, keep in mind that doesn’t have as many color options as your traditional RGB gear, and it won’t sync with your PC’s lighting, but it has enough colors for you to mix and match.
Aside from that, the style continues around the back with a variety of elegantly flowing lines that nicely highlight the curve of the panels. There isn’t a single straight edge insight. With its turbine-like texture, the pivot ring looks to be moving. The monitor looks super-clean if you attach the input cover and route your cables through the upright.
While the Odyssey G7 is definitely a good-looking piece of hardware, take note that this is also a pretty bulky product. So make sure that you have an ample amount of space on your desk to set this up. The two-legged stand takes up quite a bit of real estate so it’s best to keep this in mind too before buying this.
Performance
When it comes to its overall capabilities, the Samsung Odyssey G7 is as good as it gets in the 1440p market. The extreme curvature of the Odyssey G7 is a huge plus, not only for gaming but also for your everyday use. While the screen ratio might cover more of your peripheral vision, the perfect height of a 32-inch monitor will really draw you in and provide a more familiar shape for your daily duties.
Documents can be positioned in the center of the screen, with utilities to the sides to help you multitask easier. In a word processor, you may view the entire page, or have as many as 60 rows in a single spreadsheet. If you’re worried about image distortion of any kind, the G7 didn’t have any issues at all with that.
With most games, frame rates were adequate, and when combined with the quick panel response, motion and input latency were completely absent. Even if you sat 2 feet away, you won’t be able to see the pixel structure. The image details, such as textures, were improved by Samsung’s superb contrast and perfectly saturated color.
The HDR was also a unique experience. With efficient selective dimming, Samsung’s ultra-curved monitor performs admirably in HDR. It’s a wonderful monitor for playing games late at night in a dark room because it features a VA panel, which has deeper black levels than IPS displays. It did, however, fall short when it came to its contrast ratio. But because of the 600-nit peak brightness, blacks were deep and well-detailed.
Our Least Favorite Things
Viewing Angles
The viewing angles, like those of most VA panels, were not great, which can be a pain depending on how big your monitor is. Despite the extraordinarily deep curve, it was difficult to get the top and bottom of the screen to look the same on this 32-inch unit, and the sides never exactly aligned up.
However, if you’re only intending to use this monitor for your regular work chores or some casual gaming, this shouldn’t be an issue or a deal-breaker. If you play a lot of co-op games, though, you should look for a 1440p display with better viewing angles.
In A Nutshell
Pros
Incredibly low input lag.
Fast response times.
Terrific contrast ratio, providing deep blacks.
Picture quality is decent even for dark room gaming.
Supports FreeSync and is GSYNC compatible as well.
Cons
Viewing angles could be better, not the best for co-op gaming.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Samsung Odyssey G7 finds the sweet spot for gamers who are looking for the best gaming monitor they can get their hands on without having to settle for a lower 1080p resolution and at the same time, not having to break the bank by splurging on a 4K display with lower refresh rates.
This boasts a native 240Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, while also being G-SYNC compatible. The response time at its maximum refresh rate and at 60Hz are both excellent, resulting in little to no blurring. Because of its restricted viewing angles, it’s not ideal for co-op gaming, although the picture quality does provide deep blacks, making this ideal for some darkroom gaming.
Have you already bought the Samsung Odyssey G7? Or are you still contemplating it? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
1440p monitors have been increasingly popular for gaming in recent years. In fact, before 4K, 1440p was the staple and the standard. Even up to this day, they’re the sweet spot between 1080p and 4K displays. That’s why for today, I’ll be giving you our top picks for the best 1440p monitors for gaming in 2021. These models offer decent resolutions that will allow you to get an excellent gaming performance without having to spend a fortune on your gaming monitor. At the same time, their resolution is also high enough that you won’t miss any of the minute details in your favorite games.
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1440p vs. 1080p: Which One Is Better For You?
Previously, the most popular display resolution in the gaming world was 1080p or Full HD. This was the thing up until 1440p monitors arrived on the scene and quickly gained popularity as consumers realized the superior image quality they can deliver.
Keep in mind that when it comes to gaming, not everyone has the same expectations or standards. For some of you, you may want to prioritize your games to look the best. Then there are others who simply want monitors that will allow them to play the best. As a result, the debate over the ideal display resolution for gaming becomes even more difficult.
To make things easier, it’s preferable to look at individual components representing these resolutions to simplify the 1080p vs. 1440p discussion. For example, even with lower-tier current-gen technology, running modern AAA games at 1080p is pretty possible. Meanwhile, running games at 1440p will necessitate significantly more powerful hardware from your PC setup.
With that being said, if you’re unsure of which of these displays to get for your PC setup, I’ll compare the two below in different categories to help you in your decision.
Costs
When it comes to deciding between 1080p and 1440p resolutions, the price difference is usually the first thing most of you will compare between the two. As you might already know, 1440p displays tend to be more expensive than their 1080p counterparts.
There are exceptions from time to time but if we compare the same specs and criteria between these two resolutions, you’ll find that 1440p monitors are just naturally pricier.
The cost rises when greater refresh rates, such as 144Hz, are added to the mix. It’s the same with panel technology. OLED panels are the most expensive, followed by IPS and VA panels, and TN panels are the least expensive. Though keep in mind that there’s no 1440p display in the market that uses an OLED panel yet.
So if you’re on a really tight budget and want to save money, perhaps, 1080p monitors are the way to go. But if you’re willing to stretch your budget a little bit, consider 1440p monitors with a fast refresh rate and low latency. A good 60Hz 1440p TN panel will easily outperform a 1080p 60Hz TN panel. However, regardless of the resolution, it makes sense to have the fastest panel you can afford for competitive gaming.
PPI
The pixel density of a display is the number of pixels per inch (PPI). It specifies the number of pixels seen on each square inch of the display. The greater this number is, the more detailed the image will be.
As a result, increasing the resolution to 1440p raises the PPI significantly, resulting in crisper details and improved sharpness. This is the main distinction between 1080p and 1440p monitors. 1440p will always be sharper if the display size remains constant. With this in mind, 1440p allows you to expand the display size without sacrificing clarity.
On the other hand, 1080p looks best on smaller screens. If you go any larger than 24 inches, you can expect to see some pixelation, which lowers the quality of the content you’re viewing or playing. 1440p displays, however, enable you to use a considerably larger monitor while maintaining adequate sharpness.
So if you want to maximize the graphics of your game and appreciate every tiny detail with a bigger display, then a 1440p monitor would be best suited for you.
Performance
By now, you don’t really need me to remind you that the bigger the resolution, the more power it will demand from your PC’s GPU and CPU. As a result, you might experience some performance impact from your 1440p monitor. Games on your 1440p display will not run as smoothly as games on a 1080p panel unless you have the necessary hardware.
Simply put, playing games at 1440p resolution will decrease the frame rates as you run them. The GPU will have to do a lot more work to drive a 2K display compared to a 1080p display. Keeping up with 60 frames per second in 1440p is more difficult for your GPU than maintaining 60 frames per second in 1080p.
So if you want to play games that are graphics-heavy at native resolution on your 1440p display with high or ultra-quality settings at 60 frames per second or at higher frame rates, you’re absolutely going to need a more powerful GPU. Getting a 1440p panel makes sense if you have a graphics card that can push 2560×1440 resolution at decent frame rates.
If you’ve decided that 1440p monitors are the one for you, just keep scrolling to read our best picks for this article below.
Our Top Recommendations
1. Samsung Odyssey G7 (LC32G75TQSNXZA)
Overview
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is undoubtedly the best 1440p gaming monitor in the market that has native FreeSync compatibility. It comes in three size variants: 27″, 28″, and 32″. This will allow you to pick the one that best suits your gaming needs. Although all variants perform quite similarly, they do share the same native resolution, which means the larger models might have lower pixel density and sharpness.
Its refresh rate is extremely quick, resulting in exceptionally crisp motions. It’s also incredibly consistent, delivering nearly equal results at lower refresh rates, which is ideal for console gamers. It also features a very little input lag, resulting in a very smooth gaming experience. This model supports variable refresh rate technology out of the box but it’s also GSYNC compatible, making it a flexible monitor.
While its high contrast ratio is fantastic, it comes at the cost of restricted viewing angles. This may cause images to appear washed out when seen from the side. So if you play a lot of co-op games, this is something to keep in mind.
On the plus side, it does include a number of extra capabilities, including two USB 3.0 connections and a Picture-in-Picture mode that allows you to display data from two different input sources at the same time. Overall, this is a fantastic gaming monitor that will appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.
The UltraGear series from LG is typically a good choice for gamers looking for higher-end features. And this 27-inch 1440p model from the same lineup delivers exactly that. The Nano IPS screen is ideal for QHD detail, and it comes with G-Synch and FreeSync Premium support, as well as HDR10 for additional forms of optimization.
Where the 27GP850-B truly shines though is with its response time. With a 4.7ms average response time at 180Hz and 4.6ms across the refresh range, this is one of the fastest monitors in its class. Apart from that, this model also has a working sRGB mode.
So even though DCI-P3 is widely supported, you don’t have to worry about oversaturation while watching common content like YouTube videos, and you get a wonderful mix of game performance and color accuracy.
The UltraGear 27GP850-B also has a sturdy design that lets you change the height, tilt, and pivot the monitor for any adjustments according to your preference. There are also HDMI and DisplayPort ports available as well as a few fascinating play modes to try out, such as Black Stabilizer and Dynamic Action Sync.
Features & Specifications
Brand: LG
Available Sizes: 27 and 32 inches.
Dimensions: 24.2 x 11.5 x 22.7 inches
Screen Size: 27 inches
Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Max Refresh Rate: 165Hz
Variable Refresh Rate: NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible with AMD FreeSync Premium
Pixel Type: Nano IPS
Screen Surface: Flat
Pros
Excellent build quality.
Terrific viewing angles.
Amazing response time.
Supports both GSYNC and FreeSync.
Cons
Poor contrast ratio.
Not the most suitable for dark room gaming or dim environments.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Where Can I Buy The LG 27GP850-B Ultragear Gaming Monitor?
The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q, which features an AU Optronics screen, is another outstanding 1440p gaming monitor. It’s a 32-inch 1440p 175Hz display that performs admirably in most situations. At 175Hz, response times average less than 5ms, resulting in excellent motion clarity. Meanwhile, gaming performance is consistent across the refresh range thanks to the presence of variable overdrive.
Asus also adds backlight strobing to this single overdrive mode for a clean image, and it even works with adaptive sync enabled, though not necessarily with the best results when compared to a static refresh rate. We also receive all of the benefits of AU Optronics’ current generation IPS panels in terms of image quality. The list of features includes an unusually wide color gamut, as well as great viewing angles and homogeneity.
The contrast is somewhat mediocre, so it’s not as good as some of the other gaming monitors in this list that are ideal for gaming in low-light conditions. But overall, the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is a terrific pick with a lot of variety in terms of features and performance.
When it comes to 1440p gaming monitors that have native G-SYNC support, the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG is definitely one of the best you can get your hands on. It has a 27-inch IPS panel with wide viewing angles, so graphics are fairly accurate even when seen from the side, making this monitor ideal for co-op gaming.
Apart from that, the XG270QG also offers excellent motion handling, with a lightning-fast response time at the maximum refresh rate with virtually no visible blur even in fast-paced settings. It also offers a low input lag, resulting in a very responsive gaming experience.
This gaming monitor also ensures a steady gaming experience even if the frame rate dips or the refresh rate changes thanks to its native G-SYNC monitor with support for variable overdrive. It is also worth noting that this works with FreeSync displays as well, making this ideal for you if you own an AMD graphics card or you play with an Xbox console.
The XG270QG also features a backlight strobing feature that can be used to improve the illusion of motion, but it can’t be used at the same time as VRR. It does a good job of handling reflections and gets bright enough to prevent glaring in most settings.
Unfortunately, this unit’s contrast ratio is low, and black uniformity might be a little disappointing. On the plus side, it includes a pair of inbuilt speakers and a plethora of USB 3.0 connections. Overall, the ViewSonic Elite XG270QG is a fantastic gaming display that will appeal to a lot of gamers.
For those looking for a 1440p gaming experience on a budget, there is a slew of terrific options. So, if you’re searching for an affordable 1440p gaming monitor, I definitely recommend the Gigabyte M27Q, which provides excellent value for money and a wide range of gaming capabilities. It’s a 27-inch 1440p 170Hz IPS monitor with a KVM switch and a Sharp panel that delivers a solid gaming performance.
Naturally, the M27Q falls short of the finest 1440p monitors listed above in terms of response time, but that doesn’t imply it’s a bad monitor. This unit can still provide a decent gaming experience for a lot of casual gamers.
Overall image quality is also pretty good on the M27Q. While the contrast ratio isn’t as good as VA models, it’s better than average for an IPS display. The viewing angles are excellent and the display has a wide spectrum of 93 percent DCI-P3 coverage. Not to mention the fact that this monitor comes with a height-adjustable stand, which isn’t something you always see from an affordable gaming monitor such as this one.
Now that we have discussed our top picks for the best 1440p monitors for gaming this 2021, here is a quick guide on what else you should look for when shopping for a 1440p display.
Screen Size
Usually, when it comes to deciding the size of your display, taking into account your available space and gaming desk matters. As for resolution, you’ll have a wide range of options to choose from. You can get the standard Full HD (1080p), 1440p, or even a 4K display.
Some would even opt to go as far as 8K but I don’t feel like that’s the best way to go. At least not until a few years when more games are available to be played at 8K. A bigger screen is obviously better, while a higher resolution provides a sharper, more detailed image to your games.
Your screen size will likely determine your resolution. If you are opting for something smaller, a 24″ Full HD display will suffice. If you’re going for a bigger display, a 32″ monitor with a 4K resolution is your best choice. However, if you want something that’s the perfect balance between the two, then a 1440p screen is the sweet spot you might be looking for.
Even when compared to the potential advantages that come with larger sizes and higher resolutions, gaming on a 27-inch or 32-inch screen with 1440p resolution is optimal for several reasons. These screen sizes are not only appropriate for most setups, but 1440p is sharper than Full HD and puts less load on graphics than 4K monitors.
There are obviously other possibilities and things to consider, such as 4K 27″ and QHD 32″ screens, as well as anything outside of these sizes, resolutions, and aspect ratios, but these are just a few options you might want to keep in mind.
Refresh Rate
When shopping for a gaming monitor, refresh rate and response time are the two most important things to consider. If you’re unaware, the refresh rate is the number of times the monitor will refresh the screen every second. The higher the number, the better. Higher refresh rates aid gamers by ensuring that what you see on the screen matches what is happening on the computer in real-time.
Basic screens and televisions operate at a frequency of roughly 30 Hz, with some going as high as 60 Hz. As a bare minimum, 60 Hz is recommended for gaming. However, if you’re competitive or mostly play first-person shooters, then you might want to consider a 144Hz monitor. Although 60 Hz is generally regarded as the very minimum, several 144 Hz displays are already available.
For serious gaming, 144Hz is a must-have. The difference between 60 and 144 Hz is easily be discerned, and this difference can help you improve your own response times. This can be crucial in certain games and sometimes even be the difference between winning and losing. If you want to go all out, there are also 240 Hz monitors available but personally, 144Hz is enough to satisfy most casual gamers.
However, if your GPU and CPU are incapable of achieving these high frame rates, you will not profit from having a high-refresh-rate display. So you have to make sure your internal hardware can handle the resolution and refresh rates you want. As a tip, you can also increase frame rates by lowering the resolution in the settings menu.
Response Time
Moving on to response time, this is the time it takes for each pixel to transition from one image to the next. From one shade of gray to another, this is generally measured in milliseconds (ms). Sub 5 milliseconds is ideal for gaming, but 2 milliseconds or even 1 millisecond is even more preferable.
Because the monitor can’t keep up with the game in high action, a slower response time can create motion blur or ghosting. A high refresh rate combined with a quick response time will ensure a pleasant, crisp image at all times. These are the characteristics that distinguish a gaming display from a non-gaming monitor.
Variable Refresh Rate
You’ve probably seen frame rates fluctuate depending on the action on screen if you’ve seen any frame-rate benchmarks for games and gaming computers. Frame rates spike when there’s little activity, but they plummet when there’s a lot of it. This may result in screen tearing if no smart technology is available to assist.
When the monitor displays a portion of one frame and the next frame at the same time, this is known as screen tearing. You’ll notice it because the image appears to be split when the sync is interrupted. This occurs because displays are programmed to run at a specific refresh rate, and they aren’t always sure what to do when the frame data they receive differs from their hard-wired parameters.
Adaptive sync, or variable refresh rate solutions, have been created by AMD and NVIDIA to enable monitors to retain smooth playback even when graphics cards are producing non-standard frame rates. NVIDIA has G-Sync, while AMD has FreeSync. Both perform an excellent job of preventing tearing, but only with compatible gear.
Panel Type
Some gamers would place a lot of stress on the panel type, but you don’t really need to worry about it as long as you meet the other requirements you’re looking for. IPS or In-Plane Switching panels have superb color reproduction, good contrast, and fast response times, but they might be expensive if you want advanced capabilities.
Meanwhile, TN or Twisted Nematic panels offer lower prices in exchange for faster response times and refresh rates. However, they are less color accurate and have narrower viewing angles. Although VA or Vertical Alignment panels have a high contrast ratio, they generally fall short in terms of gaming-critical performance when compared to TN and IPS panels and aren’t recommended.
Inputs & Outputs
We’ll start with the most common monitor inputs: HDMI and DisplayPort. These days, HDMI is the most common input. It’s all over these days, but DisplayPort doesn’t stray far behind either.
DisplayPort has traditionally proven more efficient due to higher refresh rates and resolutions. Though the latest HDMI versions have caught up, DisplayPort still has an edge with its locking connector, which prevents inadvertent disconnects. In any case, most monitors include both.
DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 are most likely to be found nowadays. Both of these are dependable and have sufficient throughput for 4K resolutions and refresh rates of 60 Hz, or even higher if lesser resolutions are used. DisplayPort 2.0 and HDMI 2.1 will be introduced in the future, allowing for even greater resolutions and frame rates, such as 4K at 120 Hz or even 8K pictures.
USB Type-C or ThunderboltTM 3 are new options as well. These are technically different connections, although they appear to be the same. Both of them can transmit essentially the same formats as DisplayPort and HDMI with the help of adapters. You can utilize USB and/or ThunderboltTM to transmit data, video, and power with a single connection if you have a suitable PC.
Other factors to consider are audio output, USB ports for general usage, and the number of connections available. If you only intend to use your display with one computer, you won’t have to be concerned. However, if you want to connect a desktop, an occasional laptop, and a game console to one monitor, you might want to plan more thoroughly with the monitor you’re choosing.
Conclusion
As you can see, when it comes to PC gaming, your options in the market are practically endless. There’s no shortage of gaming monitors readily available and if you look thoroughly enough, you’re sure to find the one that will suit your PC setup the best. Hopefully, our top picks were able to help you in finding what you’re looking for.
Have you already bought your own 1440p monitor for gaming? Did your pick make it into our list? Is our article of the Best 1440p Monitors For Gaming 2021 helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Are you confident in selecting the TV panel technology that’s right for you when shopping for your next TV? Are you able to tell which is which? How about the specs and features? If you’re unsure, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed or confused. Understandably so, not everyone is a tech expert. But not to worry! Our OLED TV buying guide is here to help you out to make sure you’re well-equipped with the right knowledge for your next shopping trip. From knowing the suitable specs for you to reasons why you should certainly go for an OLED panel. To learn more, just keep scrolling!
If you’re still unsure which type of screen panel technology you should choose for your next TV, let me give you a few reasons why an OLED TV is your best choice.
When you’re shopping for a TV, you’ll see a handful of different panel technologies in the market. These particular panels are divided between your standard LEDs, the OLEDs, and the relatively new QLEDs from Samsung. If you’d like to know the differences between these panel technologies, we’ll be getting to that in a bit.
In case you’re unaware, OLED panels are a kind of panel technology that brings images to life on your television. However, unlike the LEDs, it is now the most advanced and widely-used technology available when it comes to TVs. Since recent years, more and more people are now switching and upgrading to OLED TVs due to the stunning visuals and vibrancy they bring.
While standard LED displays use a backlight to create a picture, OLED TV pixels use electricity to produce their own organic light. To put it simply, an OLED display allows you to control visuals at the pixel level because each pixel self-illuminates and can also be turned on and off separately. This method employs less electricity to provide increased brightness while also allowing for total black.
As a result, any film or content with both darkness and brightness, such as a star-studded night sky, will appear realistic. This means you’ll be getting the whitest whites and the darkest blacks, as well as everything in between with limitless contrast.
This particular aspect of OLED has made a huge impact in terms of the visuals they create in your televisions. OLED is truly pushing technological boundaries in terms of color accuracy and visual responsiveness, as well as physical characteristics and energy efficiency.
OLED Vs. QLED & LED
Now if you’re still contemplating choosing OLED for your next TV, here are some brief comparisons between these TV types.
LED & QLED
LED panels, which use light-emitting diodes to illuminate the LCD screen and can be incredibly small, account for the vast majority of televisions being sold today. A huge advantage they have is that they are the more budget-friendly option among these panel technologies, which is why a lot of consumers opt for this type of TV.
Active dimming, also known as local dimming, allows many of these TVs to dynamically light up select sections of the screen while dimming others to better portray a scene’s mix of light and dark areas. Additionally, backlighting is a concealed feature that distinguishes inexpensive LED TVs from the more premium and high-end models.
However, despite full-array backlighting, you can’t expect LED screens to reach the deepest black levels the way OLEDs can. That said, the colors don’t appear punchier or more vibrant in comparison. Some shadow detail also gets lost because the pixels aren’t individually lit.
Another LCD technology, quantum dots (also known as QLED), is gaining popularity, owing to HDR’s necessity for a wider range of colors and increased brightness. An LCD with quantum dots features an additional layer, or “rail,” of nanocrystal dots of various sizes that light up when the LED backlight strikes them. As a result, the color range is expanded and the brightness is boosted.
If you’re on a budget and unwilling to spend thousands of dollars on an OLED panel, a QLED might be a good balance between your regular LCDs and pricy OLED TVs. However, despite the fancier terms and similarities with OLEDs, always keep in mind the QLEDs are still essentially LED panels.
OLED
As stated before, OLED TVs outperform full-array LED TVs due to their dozens of illumination zones. To achieve pure black and astonishing levels of contrast, OLEDs use a layer of organic LEDs controlled at the pixel level instead of a backlight. As a result, Expect vibrant colors and, more importantly, lightning-quick response times.
OLED panel manufacturing is also less harmful to the environment than regular panel manufacture. LCD panels, on the other hand, require the greenhouse gas Nitrogen Trifluoride in their manufacturing, but OLEDs do not. So, if you want to conserve the environment while improving picture quality, an OLED television may be the way to go.
However, there are also a few disadvantages to OLED. One is that they can be quite expensive, and second, there’s always the risk of permanent burn-in.
4K TVs are becoming more widely available these days. As a result, Ultra HD 4K televisions are becoming more affordable. Not to mention, in terms of visual quality and fidelity, the greatest 4K TVs on the market today can also easily compete with the top gaming monitors on the market.
Small items on the screen have more detail, including crisper typography, which is the main advantage of 4K TVs. Images appear richer and more lifelike than on the average HDTV, but the differences are minor. Larger TVs are more comfortable to view in a regular-sized home since the crisper picture allows you to easily observe the screen from a shorter distance.
Moreover, Netflix, Amazon Video, and even YouTube have begun to provide 4K material, making smart TVs with online streaming apps your best choice for accessing 4K movies and shows.
On the other hand, if you thought 4K resolution was impressive, wait till you see 8K, which boosts the detail even further with 7680 x 4320 pixels. It’s incredible to see, and it’s the next big thing in televisions for consumers. However, any good TV buying guide should advise you that it’s not worth your money just yet. They cost a fortune and it’s better to wait a few years or more until the prices go down.
On top of that, 8K is also still missing one crucial component: content. There are no 8K movies available for purchase yet in the market, and streaming 4K content is already stressing many people’s internet connections.
HDR stands for high dynamic range and is a new feature of 4K televisions. It refers to the capacity to produce more colors, contrast levels, and brightness. HDR is essentially a 4K, or Ultra HD, format update.
The UHD Alliance, an industry trade association, has established HDR10 as the basic standard for high-dynamic-range videos. Because dozens of firms implement this fundamental HDR compatibility criteria, you’ll see “HDR10” or “Ultra HD Premium” on an increasing number of TVs this year.
Dolby Vision is another form of HDR developed by the same people that brought us Dolby noise reduction and surround sound. To display HDR material, a Dolby Vision set must meet a tighter set of criteria. As a result, Dolby Vision has led the market in proprietary HDR formats so far.
There is still considerable HDR skepticism. HDR10 is presently compatible with any HDR-enabled TV on the market, however, Dolby Vision is only available on sets that match Dolby’s technical requirements and pay license costs. Despite this, Dolby Vision has fast become the HDR industry standard.
Due to numerous lockdowns and quarantines, plenty of households and consumers turned to games to get through the ongoing pandemic. From the past months, demand and prices for gaming consoles and PC parts have skyrocketed due to the scarcity of supply. However, that still doesn’t stop people from investing in the newest next-gen consoles or getting their hands on the latest AAA titles.
So if you’re planning to use your TV as your gaming monitor, finding a model that has great gaming-friendly features should be one of your top priorities. From low input lags, VRRs, and quick response times, these are just some of the gaming features in a TV to look out for. Thankfully, a lot of manufacturers and brands nowadays are making sure that their TVs can offer these qualities to meet your needs.
If you’re unsure or confused with these terms, I’ll be explaining them below to help you out.
Our Final Verdict
All in all, OLED TVs are just simply superior when it comes to TVs. Aside from the obvious reasons for better visual quality, choosing OLED also means a better gaming experience as well as saving the planet from the dangerous production of certain chemicals. They’re definitely worth investing in and the best models in the market can surely last you for a handful of years (or even more) before you realize it’s time for an upgrade.
Have you already bought your own OLED TV? Did our OLED TV Buying Guide help you in choosing the right model for you? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Our review of the Sony Bravia A9S shows that it is a great TV that delivers stunning picture quality in almost any form of material. It can generate inky blacks, just like all OLEDs, providing you with a wonderful darkroom viewing experience. It boasts an ultra-fast response time and an optional Black Frame Insertion feature, which delivers smooth motion in fast-moving scenarios.
Although input lag is greatly reduced compared to its predecessors, it still lacks support for changing refresh rates. It also lacks HDMI 2.1 connectors and is unable to display a 4k at 120Hz. This may disappoint some of you who are searching for a TV to complement their next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
With that being said, if you’d like to find out more, just keep scrolling to read our in-depth review of the Sony Bravia A9s.
Because of its amazing picture quality, class-leading Acoustic Surface Audio system, and beautifully slim bezel design, the Sony Bravia A9s OLED TV is the only 48-inch model that can genuinely compete with LG’s smallest CX TV. However, if you’re interested in bigger screens, this particular OLED TV is also available in bigger size variants of up to 77 inches.
Image clarity is excellent because of the brand’s acclaimed X1 Ultimate picture processor, which is known for its realistic HDR images. In addition, a Pixel Contrast Booster is employed to boost color and contrast in bright areas. Sony’s excellent X-Motion Clarity picture interpolation technique handles motion, which we believe makes the screen a good pick for sports fans as well.
All of the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision formats are supported. While there’s no Dolby Vision IQ or Filmmaker mode aboard, Sony’s Ambient Optimization technology comes close in terms of performance.
A built-in sensor additionally improves picture and sound quality by automatically altering picture brightness in reaction to the room’s ambient light levels. It can also detect sound-absorbing or sound-reflecting objects in your room.
Speaking of the A9S’ sound quality, the Acoustic Surface Audio feature turns the screen into a speaker by vibrating it softly with stereo actuators. Plus, a subwoofer built into the back of the television provides you with deep bass. Overall, the sound system is excellent, offering crisp, clear, and powerful audio. If you pick this one up, you won’t need to purchase a separate soundbar to amplify the sounds.
Just like any premium OLED TV, the Sony Bravia A9s is stunning when viewed from the front. It looks sleek, minimalistic, and would certainly look gorgeous in any part of your house. The screen’s frame is extraordinarily thin and rests in the same plane as the picture, giving the impression of an almost bezel-less panel.
Apart from that, the screen lies so low on its heavy-duty, centrally mounted stand that it looks to keep itself upright without the assistance of a stand from any normal viewing distance. The screen’s outer edges are also only a millimeter deep and this exterior trim contrasts sharply. However, the centerpiece of the back seems to protrude more than the backsides of most recently released televisions.
The hefty pieces of the A9 don’t detract much from the overall incredibly exquisite aesthetic unless the set is going to be displayed on a wall.
At first glance, you might think that there aren’t any forward-facing speakers on the A9S. Except for the fact that it actually does. Despite the 48-inch variant being Sony’s smallest OLED TV to date, the A9S nevertheless employs the company’s patented Acoustic Screen technology, which uses perfectly placed actuators to transform the screen into a speaker.
On top of that, the 48-inch A9 has plenty of ports as well. There are four HDMI ports, three USB ports, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless communication compatibility.
Picture Quality
When it comes to picture quality, Sony certainly doesn’t disappoint. Even if you’re planning to get the smallest 48-inch variant, you’ll still get the same high-end X1 Ultimate processor you’ll find in its larger OLED siblings, along with all of its well-known advantages.
Sony’s Pixel Booster technology is included in the system, which improves contrast by better sharing power between individual pixels in the A9S’ OLED panel, while Sony’s famed MotionFlow processor helps smoothen movements in certain scenarios. If that’s not enough, there’s also a new option that inserts partial black frames into the image to give a more authentic-looking 24 frames per second movie experience without the brightness loss that black frame insertion generally causes in other TV models.
Furthermore, it can convert sub-4K inputs to 4K using a massive dual database of image analysis to provide you with pleasing results in real-time. A Super Bitmap method for smoothing striping out of HDR color blends is also an available feature, as is a Triluminos color system that uses precise color mapping to deliver a wider spectrum of color tones more accurately.
Lastly, the A9S supports three HDR formats: the regular HDR10 system, the HLG format, and the premium Dolby Vision format, which adds more scene-by-scene picture information to compatible TVs so that they can offer more realistic images. Unfortunately, there is no support for HDR10+ technology, but I don’t really see this as a necessity if you already have Dolby Vision.
Smart Features
Unlike its predecessors, the Android TV interface on the A9S is now developing to the point where you can appreciate the amount of content available on this particular TV.
Sony’s implementation includes Apple TV in addition to the usual streaming services and apps like Netflix, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Rakuten, and others. If you’re in the UK, you’re in luck as major UK broadcasters are covered by the excellent YouView app, which is included on the A9. This software combines all of the UK streaming providers into a single, well-designed, easy-to-navigate umbrella app.
Although there is still some fine-tuning to be done with the A9S interface, it is now something that isn’t actually a chore to use, which is a big step forward! It’s also worth noting that Android TV comes pre-loaded with Chromecast functionality, as well as Google Assistant speech recognition and voice control.
Our Least Favorite Things
Gaming Features Could Be Better
Despite the Sony Bravia A9S’ wonderful qualities, it has its shortcomings too. The casual consumer might not see this as a problem. But if you’re a gamer who is planning to get your hands on the next-gen consoles or already have them sitting in your living room, you might be disappointed with the fact that none of the HDMIs can handle enough data to support 4K streaming at 120Hz or variable frame rates (VRR).
It’s totally disappointing, to say the least. To put it in simpler terms the A9S is unable to handle the two most essential new features of the latest gaming consoles like the PS5 and the Xbox Series X as well as PC graphics cards.
Which I find a little funny, given that Sony produces one of those game consoles. You’d think that they would make sure that their latest OLED TVs will be pretty compatible running their other products without a fuss.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have discussed the things we liked and disliked about the Sony Bravia A9S, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this particular OLED TV.
Pros
Picture quality is pretty great.
Sound performance is amazing.
Stunning design.
Cons
Input lag might be a little high for more hardcore gamers.
60Hz refresh rate only.
No VRR.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Sony Bravia A9S is a fantastic OLED TV. Its OLED display has a near-infinite contrast ratio along with great black uniformity, making it an excellent choice for movie watching especially in a dark room setting. It’s also ideal for watching TV shows or any fast-paced content because it can upscale lower-resolutions and provides wide viewing angles as well.
However, if you’re a gaming enthusiast, keep in mind that this TV lacks VRR support and the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz at 4k. If you’re aiming for something higher than that, you might want to look for other OLED TV options.
Have you already bought the Sony Bravia A9S? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
