ASUS Unveils Next-Gen OLED Gaming Monitors with Innovative Subpixel Technologies

ASUS recently showcased several cutting-edge OLED displays at CES, drawing considerable attention to two new gaming monitors incorporating 'RGB stripe' subpixel technology. Interestingly, these two devices employ distinct OLED panels, one from Samsung and the other from LG, each with its unique characteristics.

Specifically, ASUS has unveiled a 34-inch ultrawide monitor utilizing Samsung's advanced QD-OLED panel technology. Concurrently, a 27-inch 4K model featuring LG's latest panel innovations was also announced. Both monitors share the commonality of RGB stripe subpixels, a design choice aimed at enhancing display quality. Historically, Samsung's QD-OLED panels utilized a triangular subpixel arrangement, a departure from the traditional vertical stripes prevalent in most LCD monitors. LG's OLED technology, known as WOLED, traditionally featured vertical stripe subpixels augmented by an additional white subpixel. The absence of a standard RGB stripe subpixel configuration in previous iterations could lead to rendering issues, particularly noticeable with text and fonts.

The ASUS ROG Swift PG34WCDN, the 34-inch ultrawide model, integrates the Samsung QD-OLED panel, mirroring the technology found in a recently reviewed MSI monitor. This display offers impressive specifications, including 300 nits of full-screen brightness, a peak HDR brightness of 1,300 nits, and a 360 Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it features a new panel filter designed to mitigate contrast issues often encountered by QD-OLED technology in bright ambient light. The ROG Swift PG27UCWM, a 27-inch 4K model, utilizes LG's panel, which LG now refers to as 'Tandem WOLED.' This new nomenclature clarifies that the 'W' signifies the underlying white OLED source lights, which are filtered to produce individual subpixels, rather than indicating the presence of a separate white subpixel. While full specifications for this model are still forthcoming, it is confirmed to support a 240 Hz 4K resolution with an alternative 1080p mode at 480 Hz. Initial reports suggest a full-screen brightness of 250 nits, possibly due to the removal of the white subpixel that previously boosted brightness.

The competition between LG and Samsung in RGB stripe OLED panel technology is intensifying. It is anticipated that Samsung's QD-OLED will maintain a competitive edge due to its long-standing use of pure RGB technology and its recent advancements in addressing ambient light challenges, likely resulting in a more vivid visual experience. Nevertheless, the evolution of LG's technology, particularly the elimination of the white subpixel, could significantly improve its performance, addressing previous concerns about image clarity. The timeline for the broader adoption of these new panel technologies across various form factors and resolutions remains uncertain, though the introduction of 32-inch 4K panels with Samsung's latest QD-OLED technology is expected later this year. ASUS also announced the ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Gen 3, a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED panel that includes the new BlackShield ambient light filter but foregoes the new RGB stripe subpixel technology. The rapid and complex advancements in monitor technology necessitate careful evaluation of the specifications for any new OLED display.