Tested: Asus' XG32UCWG OLED puts a high gloss on dual-mode performance

Price When Reviewed

$1,099.99

Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG

$1099.99

Want a monitor with nice movement readability, OLED picture high quality, and a contrast-rich end that may additionally double as a mirror when the monitor is turned off? The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG could be for you.

It goes all-in on gaming with a dual-mode show that may refresh at as much as 330Hz and a TrueBlack Glossy end that enhances immersion. Those advantages include downsides however, for a lot of, the professionals and cons will web out to be constructive.

Read on to be taught extra, then see our roundup of the best gaming monitors for comparability.

Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG specs and options

At its core, the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG is one other 32-inch 4K monitor, however there are a couple of attention-grabbing particulars on the spec sheet. It makes use of LG’s WOLED panel, which is a bit much less widespread than Samsung’s QD-OLED. On prime of that, it’s a dual-mode show, that means it affords each 4K and 1080p native decision modes. In 4K, the refresh fee goes as much as 165Hz, however in 1080p it might probably attain 330Hz.

The monitor additionally has what Asus calls a TrueBlack Glossy show coat, which allegedly improves perceived distinction. More on that later within the evaluation.

• Display measurement: 31.5-inch 16:9 facet ratio
• Native decision: 3840×2160 / 1920×1080
• Panel kind: WOLED
• Refresh fee: 165Hz / 330Hz (in 1080p mode)
• Adaptive sync: Yes, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro & G-Sync Compatible
• HDR: Yes, HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C upstream with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 15 watts of energy supply, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 upstream, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream
• Audio: None
• Additional options: Proximity sensor, dual-mode show
• Price: $999 MSRP / $899 preliminary retail

The monitor additionally supplies a good bit of connectivity, together with USB-C with DisplayPort and three downstream USB-A ports. That means it really works nicely as a USB hub. There’s additionally a proximity sensor—a brand new characteristic beginning to seem in some OLED displays—meant to cut back picture retention by robotically turning off the show whenever you transfer away.

Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG design

The design of the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG is sort of reserved from the entrance, with slim black bezels on all sides. The solely notable distinction is the glowing crimson ROG emblem on the underside bezel, which additionally homes the proximity sensor.

Flip it round and the monitor appears a bit extra distinctive, with a big RGB-lit Asus ROG emblem and the visually attention-grabbing two-tone black look widespread to many ROG displays. It’s clearly a gaming monitor, nevertheless it leans towards the extra refined finish of typical gaming monitor design.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Looks apart, the design is sensible. The monitor ships with an ergonomic stand that has a particularly small base. Asus highlights this as a characteristic, and for good cause, because the small base makes it simpler to place the monitor in your desk and reduce its footprint.

The stand helps tilt, swivel, and top adjustment, although its vary is a bit restricted in some areas. For instance, it adjusts solely 80mm for top, whereas some opponents supply 110mm or, in the very best case, 130mm. Still, 80mm is ok for many setups. The stand doesn’t assist pivoting into portrait orientation and as an alternative can pivot only a few levels for minor changes, although that’s not too uncommon for a 32-inch OLED monitor.

Of course, the monitor additionally supplies a 100x100mm VESA mount, so you’ll be able to connect it to third-party monitor arms or stands to extend its vary of adjustment.

Like most OLED displays, the XG32UCWG makes use of an exterior energy brick, so that you’ll want to position that below your desk. It’s a small brick as these items go, although, and rated at 240 watts. 

Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG connectivity

Past Asus ROG displays haven’t all the time stood out for connectivity, however the ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG affords a great vary of choices. The video inputs embrace two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode, for a complete of 4 inputs. That’s a bit greater than the standard three video inputs.

The USB-C port isn’t a whole win, because it solely supplies energy supply as much as 15 watts, which gained’t be sufficient to deal with a related laptop computer (except it’s a MacBook Air, perhaps, for those who’re not operating at full load). However, the USB-C port does present upstream entry to a few downstream USB-A ports, which is helpful. Those USB-A ports will also be accessed by way of an upstream USB-B connection for those who’re utilizing a desktop, through which case you probably gained’t be utilizing USB-C.

Just a few opponents present higher total connectivity, such because the HP Omen Transcend 32. On the opposite hand, some rivals like Alienware have not too long ago provided fewer ports, and the Asus is cheaper than the HP. The XG32UCWG’s connectivity is a center floor for individuals who need first rate connectivity with out paying an excessive amount of for it.

Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG menus, options, and audio

The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG’s menu system is managed by a joystick hidden behind the ROG emblem on the underside bezel. The menu is simple to navigate thanks to obviously labeled choices and decently sized textual content. Alternatively, you need to use Asus’ DisplayWidget Center to regulate monitor settings instantly in Windows or macOS. It’s an important possibility for making fast changes and principally makes the joystick pointless—except you merely want to make use of it.

Asus additionally supplies a couple of attention-grabbing options that may sway some buyers. The monitor affords vital facet ratio controls, letting the 32-inch panel behave like a 24.5-inch or 27-inch show. Most individuals will persist with the default settings—a 32-inch show space, 4K decision, and 165Hz refresh fee—however you could possibly additionally run it as a 24-inch, 330Hz show for sure esports titles. There’s an OLED anti-flicker mode that may cut back flickering, which OLEDs typically exhibit, particularly when displaying sure grayscale tones.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Of course, you additionally get the standard gaming extras like FPS counters and crosshairs. Asus has added some AI branding right here, calling it an AI assistant, which suggests sure options are dynamic. For instance, Dynamic Shadow Boost can robotically brighten darkish areas of a scene to make enemies simpler to identify, with out affecting brighter areas. Personally, I not often use these options, however I can see how they could be useful for those who typically depend on crosshairs or shadow boosting for a aggressive edge.

Asus can be all-in on display safety options to forestall OLED burn-in. The monitor has a proximity sensor to robotically flip off the display whenever you transfer away from the monitor, then flip it again on whenever you return. There’s additionally a variety of options that robotically detect eventualities that may trigger burn-in, like a shiny emblem on a darkish picture (or vice versa), and try to compensate. I can’t touch upon how efficient these options might be long-term, since I solely had the monitor for a few weeks, however I anticipate the proximity sensor, in any case, might be useful.

On prime of all this, the monitor supplies a great vary of picture high quality adjustment. It consists of gamma and colour temperature modes that concentrate on exact values, not obscure presets, plus colour calibration. Though not offered as a monitor for artistic professionals, it may work in a artistic capability for many individuals.

Speakers, however, are absent. That’s a tad disappointing, nevertheless it’s widespread amongst OLED gaming displays, as monitor makers sometimes assume players will need to use a headset.

Asus’ ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG SDR picture high quality

The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG has an LG WOLED panel. This contrasts to the extra widespread Samsung QD-OLED panel. WOLED panels are likely to have barely inferior colour efficiency to QD-OLED, and the XG32UCWG isn’t any exception. However, its total SDR efficiency is extraordinarily good, and WOLED’s colour gamut protection is getting nearer to QD-OLED.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

First up is brightness. The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG does nicely right here with a most sustained SDR brightness of 286 nits. That’s the second-best outcome from an OLED, behind solely the far more costly Asus ProArtwork PA32UCDM.

You might have that brightness, nevertheless, as a result of True Glossy Black panel end. This end is supposed to boost perceived distinction, nevertheless it’s already extraordinarily reflective. Indeed, it’s just about a mirror, as extremely distinct full-color reflections are simple to make out even in reasonably lit rooms. Because of that, I can solely advocate the XG32UCWG in a room with superb gentle management.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The True Glossy Black end enhances perceived distinction however not essentially measured distinction. That’s as a result of OLED panels all hit an successfully infinite distinction ratio anyway on account of their success offering an ideal black degree of zero nits.

So, what does higher perceived distinction imply in observe? It signifies that darkish areas of the picture have an extremely inky, deep look. This is just not as a result of the pixels themselves are dimmer however, reasonably, due to how gentle scatters throughout the show.

I occurred to evaluation the Samsung Smart Monitor M9, an OLED panel with a matte end, simply earlier than the XG32UCWG. The distinction is stark. The XG32UCWG appears dramatically extra contrast-rich and vivid, significantly when viewing high-contrast content material. A darkish alley in Cyberpunk 2077 is an effective instance.

However, as simply talked about, the XG32UCWG is extremely reflective. The Smart Monitor M9 is just not. Personally, I’d reasonably have the Smart Monitor M9’s matte coat than the XG32UCWG’s shiny coat. This, nevertheless, is a matter of non-public choice. Glossy OLED followers will love the XG32UCWG.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

The XG32UCWG’s colour gamut outcomes are attention-grabbing. It coated 100 % of sRGB, 96 % of DCI-P3, and 88 % of AdobeRGB.

As the graph exhibits, this places the XG32UCWG barely behind the curve for an OLED monitor—as the entire current 32-inch shows PCWorld has examined have been QD-OLED panels. On the opposite hand, this colour gamut is objectively stable, defeating most displays that lack quantum dots.

I feel the XG32UCWG’s colour gamut is greater than ample for many conditions, however for those who really need the very best colour gamut attainable, QD-OLED nonetheless has the sting.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

It’s an analogous story in colour accuracy. The measured common colour error of 0.97 is technically in the direction of the underside of this heap of OLED displays. However, a colour error this low is great by any commonplace, and definitely greater than adequate for gaming. It’s additionally price point out, once more, that the XG32UCWG has an unusually wide selection of picture high quality changes for a gaming monitor, which suggests you are able to do extra to calibrate and tune the monitor to your wants than with some opponents.

The monitor’s colour temperature and gamma efficiency was common. I measured a default colour temperature of 6600Okay which, although barely above the goal of 6500Okay, isn’t going to be noticeable normally. The gamma curve was a bit excessive too, at 2.3 when set to 2.2 (different gamma presets have been additionally excessive). That means the picture appears a bit darker than it ought to. I do discover this to be barely noticeable in comparison with a spot-on IPS-LCD show, however most OLED displays have the identical quirk.

Sharpness is a perk, in fact, because the monitor’s most decision of 3840×2160 works out to about 140 pixels per inch throughout the 31.5-inch show. That is an identical to different OLED displays, so there’s no main benefit right here. The excessive decision, together with enhancements to OLED panel know-how, largely banish the sharpness problems with earlier panels. It appears tack-sharp although, in fact, no extra so than the competitors.

The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG’s total SDR picture high quality is stable, although not distinctive for an OLED monitor. It scores higher than most in brightness, although additionally offers up some floor in colour gamut. Contrast is outstanding and perceived distinction is enhanced by the extremely shiny show coat, although at the price of annoying reflections in even reasonably lit rooms. Gamers who can recover from the extremely shiny end, or want it, will discover the monitor’s SDR picture high quality is top-notch.

Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG HDR picture high quality

Asus backs up the ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG’s wholesome SDR efficiency with HDR efficiency that, whereas not class-leading, is actually robust and among the many higher causes to purchase the monitor.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

As the graph exhibits, the XG32UCWG delivered nice HDR brightness throughout the board. Its HDR brightness most was about 807 nits in a 3 % window, that means 3 % of the display was displaying a shiny white HDR picture. That’s a stable outcome.

Subjectively, HDR content material seemed glorious. The monitor has the brightness, distinction, and colour efficiency required to ship excellent outcomes. Highlights, like explosions in video games, have been remarkably shiny and vivid.

Asus additionally advantages from offering a great vary of HDR changes. You can alter the brightness or activate the dynamic brightness mode to spice up most brightness (this mode was used for testing). While these will technically cut back the accuracy of the picture, I discover they’re virtually important for PC displays. Most HDR content material is mastered on the idea it will likely be seen on a big show with the viewer many ft away, which isn’t the standard use case for a monitor.

Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG movement efficiency

The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG is a dual-mode monitor. That means it’s designed to show 4K decision at as much as 165Hz, or 1080p at as much as 330Hz. Whether that issues will rely in your priorities.

Personally, I’d not play at 1080p to get pleasure from 330Hz, despite the fact that I can discover the improved movement readability at 330Hz. The lowered sharpness of 1080p on a 32-inch show is simply an excessive amount of. However, extremely aggressive players will probably admire the added smoothness and movement readability of the 1080p/330Hz mode.

The actual secret’s the flexibility this may present. Traditionally, aggressive players needed to go for decrease resolutions to achieve excessive refresh charges. That’s nice in Counter-Strike 2 however much less so if a aggressive gamer desires in addition up Cyberpunk 2077 of their down-time. The XG32UCWG affords the very best of each worlds.

It’s not with out sacrifice, nevertheless. At this value, you could possibly purchase a 4K/240Hz monitor as an alternative. So, you could resolve: 4K at 240Hz on a regular basis, or the choice to flip between 4K/165Hz and 1080p/330Hz? I’d all the time go for the primary possibility, however I can see why some would like the latter.

Whichever you’d want, the XG32UCWG’s movement readability is great. OLED displays have low pixel response instances, which reduces blur and makes essentially the most of their excessive refresh charges. The XG32UCWG additionally supplies official assist for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync for easy body pacing alongside AMD and Nvidia video playing cards.

The XG32UCWG additionally helps Extreme Low Motion Blur. This is Asus’ title for a backlight strobing characteristic that inserts black frames between commonplace frames. Due to quirks of human persistence of imaginative and prescient, this has the impact of lowering perceived movement blur. ELMB reduces brightness, is barely in sure picture modes (together with a refresh fee as much as 165Hz), and may trigger a “double image” impact. But, on the plus facet, it’s profitable in noticeably growing movement readability. The XG32UCWG additionally mitigates some ELMB downsides. It has a shiny panel for an OLED, so lowered brightness with ELMB on is much less of a priority, and ELMB’s double picture impact is much less obvious than another backlight strobing schemes I’ve witnessed.

Overall, the XG32UCWG represents the vanguard of movement readability and responsiveness in a 32-inch gaming show. The 1080p/330Hz mode is extraordinarily crisp, and the 4K/165Hz isn’t unhealthy, both. I feel that, for a lot of, the shopping for determination will come right down to movement readability. If 1080p/330Hz and ELMB sound rad, the XG32UCWG is a stable selection. If not, a 4K/240Hz QD-OLED might be the best way to go.

Should you purchase the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG?

The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG is a powerful contender within the extremely aggressive battle between 32-inch 4K OLED displays. Its perks embrace stable connectivity, a contrast-rich panel, good SDR and HDR efficiency, and assist for dual-mode performance at 4K/165Hz or 1080p/330Hz.

On the draw back, the panel’s extraordinarily shiny floor will show divisive, its colour efficiency doesn’t fairly match QD-OLED, and the monitor is priced to compete with displays that may present 4K/240Hz. That final level stings most, in my view. If it have been my cash, I’d go for the MSI MPG 32URXW. Or, at the least, I’d if it was in inventory at MSRP (it’s at present not).

Speaking of MSRP, it’s price point out that the XG32UCWG is just not too costly. It carries an MSRP of $999, however Asus says it will likely be $899 for an “initial period” at launch. That’s very aggressive, and the monitor is price a spot on any 32-inch 4K OLED quick listing for so long as it stays at or close to that value.

The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG will enchantment most to hardcore players who actually care about movement readability, as they’ll see the good thing about the 1080p/330Hz mode. At the identical time, aggressive players can nonetheless select 4K decision when enjoying extra graphically demanding and immersive titles.