[dante21]

How big of an issue is the raised blacks (blacks turning purple) on QD-OLED monitors? Does a side window cause as much of a problem as direct/ceiling lights?

Sometimes i game on a room with some natural light in it, and because of that i’m still trying to decide between that Asus glossy w-oled, which you reviewed, and one of the multiple qd-oleds out there

[PCM2]

Hi again dante21,

I cover this as best I can in the QD-OLED reviews (the latest of which is the AOC AG276QZD2). I’d also recommend looking at the images and commentary in the Dell Alienware AW3423DW review, which shares my impressions and gives some visual examples in a range of lighting conditions. As with so many things when it comes to monitors “it’s subjective” – and too subjective to say whether it will be an issue and how much of an issue for you personally.

With that said, it is definitely most annoying in bright lighting and in particular when you’ve got light striking the screen directly or bright walls behind you reflecting light. A window to the side is potentially less problematic, but it depends on the angle of the monitor relative to the window, the distance and how much light it brings into the room. If you have bright light streaming in from a window to the side of you and it brightens up the room sufficiently (and brightens up objects such as walls that may reflect on the screen surface) then it would be an issue. If you have some control of that light with blinds or it doesn’t brighten the room up substantially then it will be less of an issue. As I describe in the AOC review (and a few others), my setup includes an anti-glare blind to my left and doors I can close elsewhere to control lighting, which minimises this issue during daylight hours.

[dante21]

Looking at feedback online, some say you have to be in an absolute cave, others say that you can still have some light in the room

Do blacks on QD-OLEDs get as black as on W-OLEDs, or will there always be some minor purple/grey?

Because having pure inky blacks is the main reason i want to get into OLED (as far as monitors go, because i have OLED screens on my phone and the Nintendo Switch).

[PCM2]

You can certainly still have some light in the room, those who claim you have to be in “an absolute cave” are exaggerating or don’t understand how to control their lighting environment appropriately. In a dark or dimly lit room (ideally with lighting behind the monitor and avoiding illuminating walls or bright objects behind you) the perceived black depth is comparable to WOLED. In moderately bright conditions WOLED will have an advantage. But in conditions which cause significantly raised black depth on QD-OLEDs you will also observe diffuse hazing on matte OLEDs or distinct reflections on current glossy WOLED monitors – which isn’t ideal either.

[dante21]

You felt a bit lukewarm on the XG27AQDMG, which is one of the three monitors i’m looking at

Despite that, do you think anyone would be happy with its colors, performance, HDR?

[PCM2]

Definitely. It might not have quite hit the spot for me in some ways due to my own subjective preferences and sensitivities, but it’s a very unique monitor that some people absolutely love.

[dante21]

I’m still in the process of selling my 4K IPS

Once that’s done, i’ll make sure to use your affiliate links

Btw, the other two monitors i’ve considered are the Gigabyte FO27Q2 and the MSI MAG 271QPX

But I’m inclined towards the Asus

[dante21]

There’s another thing that’s been bugging me, not related to OLED

I have a 4K monitor to play games on PS5. Let’s assume i play a game that runs natively at 1200p without any upscaling

Which one will look sharper? the 4K or the 1440p monitor?

and how much of a gap is it between the two. that’s my only fear moving from 4K to 1440p

[PCM2]

I’m not sure to be honest. I wouldn’t expect there to be much difference given there’s a mismatch in both cases between the native resolution and the render resolution. And the screen will just be running at its native resolution so its own interpolation or scaling capabilities don’t even come into play. Perhaps the more important factor would be the sharpness controls offered (if any) as that adds flexibility (and we cover this when looking at scaling in reviews).

[dante21]

I think i’ve made my decision, despite some folks on reddit and Discord wanting me to believe that W-OLED is “trash” compared to QD-OLED, to the point of someone saying W-OLED looks like TN.
Will never understand “tech loyalty” or these tech wars between two sides

[PCM2]

I assume you’ve settled on the XG27AQDMG?

Yeah, those folks are probably just trying to reinforce their own preference for QD-OLED by sensationalising and unfairly degrading WOLED. The image provided by a WOLED monitor is beautiful in many ways and I can’t understand how anybody could seriously liken it to the image of a TN LCD. I think the comments are disingenuous and you’re right not to take them seriously.

[dante21]

Yes, i’ve settled on the Asus, but don’t know if i’ll buy it just yet. Haven’t decided if i’ll buy it now or wait for new games that will take advantage of the monitor

In the meantime i’ve donated 5€ to the channel/website for taking your time

[PCM2]

Your support is appreciated. 🙂

[dante21]

Add this link to your affiliate links, as the one you have takes me to a search page with a lot of other monitors

[Mod edit: link now updated, hopefully directs properly now – thanks for pointing out it just linked to a search page]

[dante21]

Three certainties in life: death, taxes and having a hard time buying a monitor

Asus Xg27aqdmg: like you reported, many others are also having bad color banding and other bugs

MSI 271QPX: only supports firmware updates through DP, which i don’t have. Would miss some features (like turning off power light. And renting a laptop with DP here is like 70 bucks

Alienware AW2725DF: too expensive compared to others

Aorus FO27Q2: some poor design decisions, like those massive clown feet, and a ridiculously high stand that you can’t unsee once you lower the screen

[PCM2]

No truer words were spoken. 😉

[dante21]

Since of have a lot more experience than me, how much do you value brands and brand recognition when buying a monitor?

Found the Aorus FO27Q2 for 100 quid less than the MSI. Is the MSI brand name worth 100 more?

And should i trust all brands equally?

[PCM2]

I’m pretty brand agnostic and prefer to focus on the products themselves. The QD-OLEDs seem to be pretty solid across all the main brands so it can be difficult justifying paying more for one over the other, unless there are specific features are styling elements you’re keen on. I wouldn’t personally pay 100 quid more for an MSI equivalent to the Gigabyte AORUS FO27Q2.

[dante21]

Got the Aorus two days ago

You were right, raised blacks is not such a big deal if i control the lighting. Can have a good experience even with some light in the room

What’s a big deal for me, though, are stuck/dead pixels lol. Last time i bought my 4K Dell, not a single dead/stuck pixel. 1440p, boom, there it is.

Asking for a refund. Don’t know if the likelihood of getting another defect is the same if i choose another brand

[PCM2]

Well I’m glad you were satisfied with the black representation with appropriate lighting, but those defective pixels are very disappointing to see! I haven’t actually observed any pixel defects on any of the 8 QD-OLEDs I’ve reviewed so far (including those I purchased from retail – the AW3423DW and AW3225QF), so I don’t know if it’s “unlucky” or there really is some kind of QC issue with the Gigabyte AORUS models.

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