Tested: Arzopa's Z3FC portable monitor stands out with a 180Hz refresh rate

Best Prices Today: Arzopa Z3FC

Most transportable displays are meant for primary productiveness, however that’s not all the time true. The Arzopa Z3FC is a big IPS LCD transportable monitor with an 180Hz refresh fee that goals to be of use each for workplace productiveness and gaming. It’s profitable, however its launch worth is an impediment.

Read on to study extra, then see our roundup of the best portable monitors for comparability.

Arzopa Z3FC specs and options

The Arzopa Z3FC is a step up from the price range transportable displays that retail round $100 or much less, and it supplies some upgrades. The Z3FC has 2560×1440 decision which, in fact, is superior to the 1920×1080 decision that almost all price range options present. The Z3FC additionally has a speedy 180Hz refresh fee, which is excessive for a transportable monitor.

• Display measurement: 16.1-inch 16:9 facet ratio
• Native decision: 2560×1440
• Panel kind: IPS-LED
• Refresh fee: 180Hz
• Adaptive sync: Yes, AMD FreeSync
• HDR: None
• Ports: 2x USB Type-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x Mini-HDMI 2.0
• Audio: 2x 1-watt audio system
• Additional options: Built-in kickstand
• Dimensions: 13 x 8 x 0.39 inches
• Weight: 1.72 kilos
• Price: $229.99 MSRP, $199.99 typical retail

The Arzopa Z3FC has an MSRP of $229.99, however I don’t assume it was ever bought at MSRP (which isn’t uncommon for an Amazon product itemizing). It’s extra usually obtainable at $199.99. Even that’s in the direction of the excessive finish of the place I count on this product to land because it ages. Its predecessor, the Arzopa Z1FC, was launched at $259.99 however has bought as little as $96.98. I’d count on the Z3FC will regularly limbo nearer to that determine.

Arzopa Z3FC design

The Arzopa Z3FC combines an aluminum body and rear panel with plastic bezels to provide a gorgeous, sturdy really feel. Despite its extraordinarily skinny profile—it measures lower than 4/10-inch thick—the Z3FC feels strong when dealt with and doesn’t simply present flex. Don’t get me incorrect: You might completely snap this factor over your knee should you wished. But the identical may very well be stated of the iPad Pro. Big, skinny gadgets are by no means bomb-proof, however the Z3FC feels good.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Its skinny profile means the transportable monitor is, nicely, transportable. It weighs in at roughly 1.7 kilos, which is a tad lighter than common for a 16-inch transportable monitor. Arzopa avoids utilizing a bump-out to accommodate the ports and the kickstand retracts totally into the monitor’s case, each of which make the show straightforward to hold. Yet regardless of its small measurement, the kickstand helps use in each portrait and panorama orientation.

A sleeve is included, as nicely. It appears to be like okay however features a flap that’s secured with velcro. While the carrying case largely does its job, it doesn’t supply a lot padding, so I wouldn’t belief it alone to guard the monitor when packing it in checked baggage. The similar will be stated for many sleeves included with transportable displays, although.

Arzopa Z3FC connectivity

Connectivity is a combination bag with the Arzopa Z3FC. It contains two USB-C ports, every with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, and a HDMI port. So far, so good.

The HDMI port is mini-HDMI, although, which is a bummer. While the Arzopa Z3FC does embody a HDMI to mini-HDMI cable, mini-HDMI is way much less frequent general. You might have problem discovering a cable round an workplace, or on the market in a retailer, should you depart the included cable at dwelling.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Of course, you would simply depend on USB-C, which is perhaps simpler. The USB-C ports help Power Delivery to energy the monitor when related to a USB-C port that gives sufficient wattage. The specs don’t state what’s required, however an 18-watt energy supply was enough.

The USB-C ports help energy pass-through. That means you’ll be able to join a USB-C supply with energy to at least one USB-C port, then use the transportable monitor to cost a USB-C machine related to the opposite USB-C port.

A USB-C energy brick will not be included, however might be required should you plan to ship video to the Z3FC over HDMI, or should you use a USB-C video enter that lacks energy. The lack of an influence brick is a minor disappointment, however best transportable displays additionally ship with no energy brick.

The Arzopa Z3FC’s menu system presents a wider vary of choices than most. It contains not solely the everyday brightness and distinction but in addition a number of shade gamut modes, RGB calibration, and a 4:3 facet ratio mode. As easy as these may appear, they aren’t assured on a transportable monitor. Some options solely present brightness, distinction, and sharpness adjustment.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Adjustments are straightforward, too, because the monitor contains two buttons and a quantity rocker. The buttons are used to enter or exit menus and the rocker is used to pick or modify choices. Overall, the Arzopa Z3FC’s menu can’t fairly match that typically provided by Viewsonic, however beats price range transportable displays just like the MSI Pro MP165 E6.

A pair of 1-watt audio system will be discovered on every flank of the Z3FC. They’re weak, offering barely enough quantity even at most. The audio system are okay for a podcast however in any other case of restricted use.

Arzopa Z3FC SDR picture high quality

The Arzopa Z3FC isn’t costly, however I wouldn’t say it’s a price range transportable monitor—a minimum of, not at its present typical retail worth of $199.99. That means the monitor’s picture high quality issues. It scores nicely in a number of areas, although in others it feels stress from OLED competitors.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Brightness is a optimistic for the Arzopa Z3FC. It comes near 400 nits of SDR brightness, which is nice for a transportable monitor.

This stage of brightness is extreme for many conditions, however transportable displays are possible for use in areas the place you don’t have any management over the lighting, like a convention room or airport lounge. The Z3FC’s excessive brightness will make the monitor extra comfy to make use of in vibrant rooms and close to giant, sunlit home windows.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Contrast, alternatively, is a miss for the Z3FC. Most transportable displays with an IPS-LCD panel wrestle with distinction, and the Z3FC is available in in the direction of the underside of the pack. That means the picture can look flat and boring. It’s not an issue in Microsoft Office, however disappointing when enjoying a sport.

Portable displays with an OLED panel, just like the Innocn 15K1F, are a significantly better selection for leisure. They present a deep, immersive picture that simply stands out.

Keep in thoughts, nevertheless, that price-comparable OLED transportable displays may have a 60Hz refresh fee. That’s a trade-off you’ll must weigh.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Arzopa Z3FC’s shade gamut is nice, or mediocre, relying in your perspective. It covers 99 p.c of sRGB in addition to 78 p.c of DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB.

As the graph exhibits, that’s common to above-average for a transportable monitor with an IPS-LCD show. The Z3FC’s shade gamut is sufficient to present good shade quantity and a vibrant picture.

However, the Z3FC’s shade gamut is way behind the Innocn 15K1F’s OLED panel, and can considerably lag OLED options typically. OLED supplies an extremely wealthy, hyper-saturated look that many will choose.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The Arzopa Z3FC achieved modest leads to shade accuracy. Its common shade error isn’t unhealthy, however the common contains noticeable errors in colours corresponding to blue and cyan. The general impression is that the monitor can look a bit too pink or orange. That’s additionally represented within the monitor’s shade temperature of 6300Okay, which is a bit hotter than the goal of 6500Okay.

Gamma, alternatively, was strong with an on-target gamma curve of two.2. Content usually appears to be like as vibrant because it ought to, and whereas the monitor’s general distinction isn’t nice, it does a effective job of preserving element in darkish areas of a scene.

Sharpness is a spotlight. The 16.1-inch panel has a decision of 2560×1440. That works out to about 182 pixels per inch. That’s a better pixel density than a 27-inch 4K monitor (at about 163 ppi) and significantly better than a 27-inch 1440p monitor (at roughly 110 ppi). High-resolution video appears to be like nice and textual content appears to be like sharp.

So what’s the decision? I feel the Z3FC’s picture high quality is okay, even good. It advantages from an honest shade gamut and excessive brightness, two traits that assist it ship a gorgeous picture when utilized in a vibrant room. It’s much less spectacular in darker rooms, because the restricted distinction ratio turns into extra noticeable.

The primary resolution you’ll must make is whether or not you’d choose an IPS-LCD show with excessive brightness and a quick refresh fee, just like the Z3FC, or an OLED competitor with superior distinction and shade gamut, just like the Innocn 15K1F.

Arzopa Z3FC HDR picture high quality and movement

The Arzopa Z3FC contains HDR, but it surely’s nothing to put in writing dwelling about—or, should you did, you would possibly use language your pen pal wouldn’t admire. While HDR is supported, the monitor’s restricted distinction ratio and brightness means there’s not a lot, if any, profit to utilizing it. The picture appears to be like a bit completely different, however not higher. I like to recommend sticking to SDR.

This will not be an issue unique to the Z3FC, nevertheless. All transportable displays undergo unhealthy HDR to various levels. It’s a direct results of their portability and low pricing. The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED is the one transportable monitor I’ve examined to ship satisfactory HDR—but it surely retails at $519.99.

The Z3FC’s movement readability advantages from the IPS-LCD panel’s 180Hz refresh fee, which is excessive for a transportable monitor with 2560×1440 decision. The next refresh fee interprets to diminished blur in fast-moving and quickly altering photographs, and the development is apparent, significantly when in comparison with a 60Hz various.

Arzopa lists a pixel response time of 9 milliseconds on the monitor’s Amazon web page. That’s not nice—a desktop LCD-IPS gaming monitor will usually quote a response time of 0.5 milliseconds to 5 milliseconds. Overall movement readability is strong for single-player titles and cooperative video games, although esports followers with a essential eye and quick reactions ought to maintain expectations in test.

While the Z3FC’s movement readability isn’t excellent, its portability and worth must be stored in thoughts. Most transportable displays have a a lot decrease refresh fee and, in consequence, have way more noticeable movement blur. OLED options will beat the Z3FC, however these with a 120Hz refresh fee begin round $250 ($50 greater than the Z3FC) and go up from there.

The Z3FC is a price-to-value center floor for individuals who need acceptable movement readability in video games however nonetheless should be conscious of their price range.

Should you purchase the Arzopa Z3FC?

The Arzopa Z3FC is one other strong transportable monitor within the firm’s line-up. It supplies good picture high quality and a quick 180Hz refresh fee for $199.99. It additionally advantages from slim, engaging design and an easy-to-use menu system.

With that stated, pricing doesn’t presently work to its favor. Arzopa’s older Z1FC, which has similarities however has a barely slower 144Hz refresh fee, will be had for $109.99—a significantly better deal general. I count on the Z3FC’s worth will regularly be diminished, however in the intervening time it’s too costly for what it presents.

Still, the Z3FC supplies excessive brightness, first rate shade efficiency, slim design, and good movement readability. These traits make it an interesting general-purpose transportable monitor and likewise helpful for gaming on the go.