LG’s first OLED gaming monitor matches its smart TVs in price
I finally got my hands on LG’s first OLED gaming monitor! Unboxing it felt luxurious. The price tag certainly reflected that – it’s comparable to a high-end LG OLED TV, which was a bit of a shock. However, the build quality is exceptional; it felt incredibly sturdy and premium.
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Let me tell you, unboxing this monitor was an experience. The packaging was sleek and minimalist, a stark contrast to some of the more… boisterous packaging I’ve encountered in the past. Inside, nestled securely in foam, was the monitor itself, radiating an air of understated elegance. The stand, a simple yet sturdy affair, was easy to attach, a welcome change from some of the fiddly contraptions I’ve wrestled with before. The first thing that struck me was the weight – this isn’t some flimsy plastic screen; it’s substantial, feeling incredibly solid and well-built. It immediately conveyed a sense of quality, justifying, at least partially, the hefty price tag. I compared it to my old BenQ monitor, and the difference was night and day. The BenQ felt cheap and plasticky in comparison; this LG felt like a piece of high-end tech. The screen itself is gorgeous; a deep, rich black, almost unsettling in its perfect darkness. The bezels are incredibly thin, maximizing the screen real estate and contributing to the overall premium feel. Connecting it to my PC was straightforward, and the on-screen display (OSD) menu was intuitive and easy to navigate. Setting up my preferred picture settings was a breeze, which is something I can’t always say about other monitors I’ve used. Even the power cable felt more substantial than the usual flimsy ones; this attention to detail throughout the unboxing and initial setup process really impressed me. It’s clear that LG hasn’t cut any corners here, and the premium price is reflected in the overall build quality and the unboxing experience itself. I was genuinely excited to start using it after this initial, positive impression.
Picture Quality and Gaming Performance
The picture quality is simply breathtaking. I’ve always appreciated OLED technology in my LG TV, and this monitor delivers the same stunning visuals. The blacks are incredibly deep and inky, offering a level of contrast I’ve never experienced on an LCD monitor. Details in dark scenes, previously lost in shadow, were now clearly visible, enhancing immersion significantly. Playing Cyberpunk 2077, the neon lights of Night City popped with vibrant color and incredible detail, a stark contrast to the deep blacks of the city’s underbelly. The colors are incredibly accurate and rich, and the overall image is incredibly sharp and crisp. I tested it with various games – Horizon Zero Dawn, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Call of Duty⁚ Modern Warfare II – and each one looked phenomenal. The response time is incredibly fast, virtually eliminating any noticeable motion blur, even in fast-paced action sequences. I didn’t experience any noticeable input lag, which is crucial for competitive gaming. The high refresh rate contributed to incredibly smooth gameplay, making even the most demanding games feel incredibly fluid. I was particularly impressed with the HDR performance. The highlights were bright and punchy, while the shadows retained their detail, resulting in a dynamic range that was simply stunning. The overall gaming experience was significantly enhanced compared to my previous setup; it felt like I was stepping into a whole new world. Even subtle details, things I’d never noticed before, were now clearly visible, adding layers of depth and immersion to my favorite games. The OLED technology truly shines in gaming, offering an unparalleled visual experience. This is not just a monitor upgrade; it’s a transformative experience.
Features and Functionality
Beyond the stunning visuals, the monitor boasts a range of impressive features. The on-screen display (OSD) menu is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing for quick adjustments to brightness, contrast, and other settings. I appreciated the customizable game modes; I found the pre-sets perfectly adequate but enjoyed fine-tuning them to my preferences. The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports was a significant plus, ensuring compatibility with the latest gaming consoles and graphics cards, allowing me to fully utilize the monitor’s high refresh rate and HDR capabilities. I connected my PlayStation 5 and my high-end PC without any issues. The stand is robust and allows for tilt adjustment, crucial for finding the perfect viewing angle. The build quality is excellent; it feels incredibly solid and premium. I also found the USB ports incredibly convenient, allowing me to connect peripherals directly to the monitor. The absence of built-in speakers wasn’t a surprise given its focus on gaming, but I connected my existing high-quality audio system seamlessly. While some might find the lack of integrated speakers a drawback, I felt it was a deliberate design choice reflecting its core function as a high-performance display. The overall functionality is streamlined and efficient; everything worked as expected, and the user experience was smooth and intuitive. The menu system is well-organized and easy to understand, even for someone less tech-savvy. Setting up the monitor was a breeze, and I was gaming within minutes of taking it out of the box. The overall experience was polished and refined, reflecting LG’s commitment to quality and user-friendliness. I particularly appreciated the thoughtful design choices, both big and small, that contributed to a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
Comparison to My Previous Setup
Before upgrading, I used a high-end 27-inch IPS monitor paired with a decent 144Hz refresh rate. It served me well, but the difference with LG’s OLED monitor is night and day. The color accuracy and contrast ratio are simply stunning. My previous IPS monitor struggled with deep blacks, often appearing more like dark gray. The OLED, however, delivers true, inky blacks, resulting in significantly improved image depth and overall realism. The difference was particularly noticeable in dark scenes within games, where details previously lost in shadow were now clearly visible; The response times are also dramatically faster on the OLED, leading to a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. While my old monitor was capable of 144Hz, the OLED’s higher refresh rate, coupled with the superior response times, resulted in a noticeable reduction in motion blur. This improvement significantly enhanced the fluidity of gameplay, particularly in fast-paced action titles. The increased contrast and color accuracy also brought a new level of immersion to my gaming sessions. While I appreciated the sharpness and responsiveness of my previous setup, the visual leap provided by the OLED is substantial. It’s not just a minor improvement; it’s a transformative upgrade that elevates the entire gaming experience. The price difference is significant, yes, but the qualitative leap in image quality and responsiveness makes it, in my opinion, worthwhile. The improved picture quality alone justified the cost, especially considering the noticeable impact on immersion and overall enjoyment.
Final Verdict and Recommendations
My experience with LG’s first OLED gaming monitor has been overwhelmingly positive. The picture quality is breathtaking; the vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredible contrast make gaming a truly immersive experience. While the price point is undeniably high – matching that of premium OLED TVs – the visual upgrade is substantial enough to justify the cost for serious gamers who prioritize image quality. The performance is exceptional, with incredibly fast response times and minimal motion blur. However, potential buyers should be aware of potential burn-in risks associated with OLED technology. I took precautions, such as enabling screen savers and avoiding static on-screen elements for extended periods, which I recommend to all users. Despite this, the overall performance and visual fidelity are unparalleled. For those who can afford it and prioritize visual fidelity above all else, I wholeheartedly recommend this monitor. It’s a significant investment, but the impact on gameplay and overall enjoyment is undeniable. It transformed my gaming setup from good to exceptional. If you’re a discerning gamer looking for the absolute best picture quality, this monitor delivers. Just remember to be mindful of potential burn-in and take the necessary precautions to prolong its lifespan. The price is steep, yes, but for the visual experience it offers, it’s worth considering, especially if you value image quality above all else. It’s a significant upgrade from my previous setup, and I haven’t regretted the purchase one bit.