It's honestly tough for me to believe this 27-inch Mini LED gaming monitor costs less than $400

As a seasoned tech enthusiast who has gone through countless displays, I must say that the Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini LED gaming monitor leaves me quite impressed! Coming from someone who values both performance and affordability, this monitor seems to strike an excellent balance between these two aspects.

Firstly, the display’s brightness and contrast ratios are simply remarkable. It’s like having the best of both worlds – the vibrancy of IPS LCD displays without compromising on those deep blacks we usually find in OLED panels. The HDR performance and color accuracy make it an ideal choice for gaming enthusiasts, as well as content creators who demand high-quality visuals.

However, like any product, there are some areas where the G Pro 27i could use improvement. For instance, those seeking additional features such as a USB hub or KVM support might find themselves a bit disappointed since the monitor only offers display and audio ports. But let’s be real – if you’re after a gaming-centric monitor that doesn’t break the bank, this minor inconvenience is easily overlooked.

In the grand scheme of things, the Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini LED gaming monitor represents an unparalleled value for money. With its stunning visuals, competitive pricing, and solid gaming performance, it’s a deal that’s hard to resist. As more companies embrace Mini LED technology and drive costs down, we could be on the brink of a revolution in mid-range gaming monitors – all thanks to releases like the G Pro 27i!

So, if you’re looking for a monitor that will make your gaming sessions pop and won’t cost an arm and a leg, the Xiaomi G Pro 27i should be on your shortlist. Just remember, it might not come with built-in speakers or a USB hub – but hey, who needs friends when you have a monitor this good, right? (Just kidding – don’t forget to spend quality time with your loved ones too!)

As a tech aficionado, I’m always on the lookout for the latest advancements in display technology, and one that has caught my eye recently is Mini LED. This newcomer aims to blend the striking brightness levels and comfortable viewing angles of IPS LCD with the rich contrast ratios and vivid colors that OLED offers.

Recently, it was unthinkable to get a quality Mini LED monitor or TV under $1,000, but one brand is making significant strides in the right direction. Xiaomi, a versatile company that manufactures products ranging from lamps to automobiles, has also ventured into gaming monitors, offering the G Pro 27i. This mid-range, 27-inch monitor boasts a Quantum Dot Mini LED display and a swift 180Hz refresh rate, all available for less than $400.

The Xiaomi G Pro 27i offers an incredible value with its Mini LED technology, providing you the advantages of over 1,000 local dimming zones at a significantly lower cost compared to other models. Boasting extreme brightness levels and deep black tones, it’s almost hard to believe the price tag. However, Mini LED technology does come with some unique trade-offs, which are evident in certain aspects of this monitor, suggesting that Xiaomi had to make budget-friendly sacrifices to deliver such an affordable product.

Xiaomi G Pro 27i review: Pricing and specifications

The G Pro 27i retails for $369.99, well under the $400 mark.
That makes it one of the most affordable Mini LED monitors.
You have few accessories in the box, though.

Mini LED screens offer numerous advantages compared to IPS LCD, however, they tend to be pricier. Fortunately, prices have decreased significantly in recent times. One of the best budget-friendly options for a gaming monitor boasting such features is the Xiaomi G Pro 27i. This model can be purchased for just $369.99 on Amazon, and it has global availability, which may not always be the case with Xiaomi, a Chinese company.

This 27-inch monitor boasts a QHD (1440p) resolution, utilizing IPS LCD, Mini LED, and Quantum Dot technologies to enhance brightness, contrast, and color fidelity. To keep costs manageable, it does not include extra features such as additional USB ports or built-in speakers. However, you’ll receive a factory calibration sheet with the monitor for verifying its color precision.

Inside the box, you’ll discover the Xiaomi G Pro 27i, an accompanying stand for mounting, a back panel for concealing ports, and a DisplayPort 1.4 cable. This monitor comes with Xiaomi’s regular 1-year worldwide warranty for your peace of mind.

Xiaomi G Pro 27i review: The good

This two-tone design looks clean and is easy to set up.
Image quality is also quite good, especially when it comes to gaming.
Ridiculously high brightness and contrast levels make HDR great.

As a researcher, I find myself drawn to the unassuming yet striking design of the Xiaomi G Pro 27i monitor. Despite not being the most luxurious model in terms of materials, it boasts a sophisticated two-tone black-and-white aesthetic that catches the eye. The slim bezels on three sides of the display, coupled with a black frame and a white protruding rear housing the internals, ports, and ventilation, create an elegantly minimalist look. Xiaomi thoughtfully adds a detachable plastic rear panel to conceal the ports once setup is complete, and a customizable rear RGB ring light for a touch of personality.

Regarding the setup, the G Pro 27i is quite straightforward, though not the most effortless. The package comes with a traditional triangular stand that easily clips onto the back of the monitor. However, unlike many contemporary monitors, you need to screw on the legs to the stand using four standard screws instead of a tool-free method. It’s worth noting that this monitor may wobble slightly if attached to its stand and you are sensitive to such movements. The G Pro 27i supports VESA mounting with a 75mm compatibility, but unfortunately, the necessary bracket is not included in the package.

Turn it on, and you’ll be met with that 27-inch QHD display. This is an interesting one.

Initially, let’s delve into some key details. The primary display technology in the Xiaomi G Pro 27i is IPS LCD, a common feature found on many mobile devices, computers, screens, and televisions. However, this monitor boasts an impressive 1,152 local dimming zones, which can be visualized as hundreds of miniature IPS LCD displays functioning together to create one large display. This concept is essentially Mini LED technology. Moreover, Quantum Dot technology has been integrated to enhance colors and broaden the color spectrum that the G Pro 27i can cover.

In essence, the blend of technology in this screen offers an exceptional visual experience. Calibrated at both 100% and 99% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces (which the G Pro 27i successfully achieves), it boasts high color accuracy suitable for creative tasks. Furthermore, I observed a peak brightness of 846.5 nits, a level that could potentially strain your eyes and may be excessive in most work environments, but it’s undeniably advantageous to have such an option available.

Regarding its brightness, it’s worth noting that the Xiaomi G Pro 27i offers exceptional contrast levels. With local dimming zones, this monitor can achieve contrast ratios exceeding 10,000:1, which is significantly superior to the 1-3,000:1 ratios found in IPS LCD and VA displays. This means that blacks appear genuinely black, making High Dynamic Range (HDR) content on the G Pro 27i particularly vivid, even though it doesn’t include a Dolby Vision license.

This monitor really excels when it comes to gaming. Its 180Hz refresh rate combined with a swift 1ms grey-to-gray response time makes it a robust choice for a 1440p LCD display at this price point, and its overall performance is top-notch. The visuals and feel of games are superb without any signs of trailing or screen splitting (AMD FreeSync technology is included, though NVIDIA G-Sync isn’t).

Xiaomi offers a variety of customization choices for the G Pro 27i in its On-Screen Display (OSD) settings. These options allow you to fine-tune aspects such as image quality, response time, local dimming, and continuously display refresh rate details on-screen. Navigating the OSD is straightforward, swift, and user-friendly with the thumbstick situated at the back of the monitor.

Having been a tech enthusiast for over two decades now, I must say that this device offers a well-rounded selection of ports. The 65W DC power port with a compact adapter is a game-changer for me, as it allows for faster charging and takes up less space on my crowded power strip. The dual DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 ports provide ample options for connecting multiple displays, which has been a lifesaver during long workdays or gaming sessions. Lastly, the inclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack ensures that I can easily connect my favorite headphones without any fuss. While it may not be packed with every possible port under the sun, this device offers more than enough to cater to most users’ needs, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking versatility in their gadgets.

Xiaomi G Pro 27i review: The bad

Local dimming can cause noticeable halo effects with latency.
Some content, especially web browsing and Office, can display oddly.
You also won’t find any USB ports or additional display cables.

The Xiaomi G Pro 27i performs exceptionally well for gaming, but its performance might not be consistent when handling other types of content. For instance, the display’s brightness levels can be uneven and the local dimming zones control algorithm may falter at times, leading to a strange appearance for static content like web pages, office applications, or productivity tasks. Additionally, text clarity on this 27-inch QHD screen isn’t as impressive compared to other monitors of similar size.

1,152 local dimming zones significantly enhance display contrast, yet you might observe a halo effect around smaller on-screen elements, particularly your computer cursor. This halo effect can be distracting and may spread to other content, potentially causing negative impacts. Additionally, it could introduce latency in moving elements. This is one of the trade-offs between Mini LED’s performance and the “flawless” blacks achieved by OLED panels.

When you first set up the G Pro 27i, it may require some adjustments to suit your preferences. Out of the box, the monitor is not in its optimal “Native” mode, which is the only setting that allows you to tweak various display attributes such as contrast, hue, and saturation. Unfortunately, most other presets restrict access to these settings. Even when High Dynamic Range (HDR) is enabled, you won’t be able to adjust the brightness. This monitor showcases several strong points, but it also has its share of concessions that you’ll need to navigate during setup.

As a tech enthusiast who values versatility and convenience in my devices, I was initially excited about the Xiaomi G Pro 27i monitor. However, upon closer inspection, I found that it falls short of delivering the features I need for my daily work and entertainment activities.

Firstly, the lack of USB data ports means I can’t easily connect my laptop or desktop to the monitor without using a hub or dongle. This may not be an issue for some users, but as someone who frequently switches between devices, it’s a significant inconvenience for me.

Secondly, the absence of USB Type-C display input with Power Delivery means I can’t charge my laptop while using this monitor, which is something I rely on heavily during long workdays. Moreover, the fact that there are no integrated speakers means I’ll need to use external ones, adding clutter to my workspace.

Upon unboxing the monitor, I was disappointed to find only a single DisplayPort 1.4 cable included. For someone like me who often needs to switch between multiple devices, having more display options such as HDMI would have been much appreciated. To make matters worse, even the VESA mounting bracket is not included, which is something I always use for optimal ergonomics and space management.

Overall, while the Xiaomi G Pro 27i may appeal to some users, it didn’t meet my needs as a power user who values versatility and convenience in my devices. If you prioritize these factors too, I would recommend looking elsewhere for a monitor that better suits your lifestyle.

Xiaomi G Pro 27i review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅You want a very bright monitor that still has great contrast ratios

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve always been torn between the brightness of IPS LCD displays and the deep contrast of OLED ones. However, Mini LED technology has stepped in to fill the void, offering a brilliant display that doesn’t compromise on black levels. If you’re one of those folks who crave an ultra-bright screen with rich blacks without breaking the bank, the G Pro 27i is definitely worth a look!

✅You’re mostly planning to play games

Without a doubt, the Xiaomi G Pro 27i truly shines when it comes to gaming, boasting impressive performance and stunning visuals. If you’re searching for a multipurpose monitor within this price point, you might find other suitable options. However, from a gamer’s perspective, it’s challenging to overlook the Xiaomi G Pro 27i due to its exceptional gaming capabilities.

You should not buy this if …

❌You need additional features like a USB hub or KVM support

If you desire extra functionalities like connecting various accessories to your screen or effortlessly switching and controlling multiple devices, unfortunately, the G Pro 27i does not offer such additional features. Instead, it comes equipped with just four display input ports and one audio port.

Just as OLED displays have grown more prevalent and budget-friendly in mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops over the past few years, it’s exciting to witness Mini LED displays becoming increasingly widespread and cost-effective. The Xiaomi G Pro 27i serves as a shining example of how impressive Mini LED technology can be, even when certain compromises are made in its implementation.

As an analyst, I must say that the Xiaomi G Pro 27i gaming monitor leaves me awestruck with its vibrant, high-contrast visuals, top-notch HDR capabilities, and spot-on color accuracy. The 180Hz refresh rate and swift 1ms response time make it a formidable contender in the gaming arena. At its price point, this monitor seems almost too good to be true.

However, it’s a bit of a trade-off when it comes to productivity content, as some minor cracks become apparent on the Mini LED display. Furthermore, sacrifices have been made to reach this affordable price range, which means you might forgo certain luxuries.

The Xiaomi G Pro 27i Mini LED gaming monitor is now up for grabs at Amazon for just $369.99. With an increasing number of companies integrating Mini LED technology and pushing prices lower, it seems that we might be on the brink of a significant revival in mid-range gaming monitors, thanks to releases such as the G Pro 27i.

2024-12-30 17:10

It’s honestly tough for me to believe this 27-inch Mini LED gaming monitor costs less than $400