This $1,300, 240Hz OLED gaming monitor would be perfect if something didn't keep falling off

As someone who has spent countless hours gaming and reviewing monitors, I must admit that the ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDM) left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, this monitor is an absolute beast when it comes to performance, offering a smooth and sharp gaming experience like no other. The 4K resolution at 240Hz is truly a game-changer, making every frame pop with stunning clarity.

For a long time, anyone looking to purchase a brand-new monitor had to make a choice… Should I prioritize resolution or refresh rate?

As an analyst, I’ve noticed a significant shift in monitor technology over the years. Traditionally, gaming monitors have prioritized faster and more responsive refresh rates, often at lower resolutions such as 1080p or 1440p. This was done to provide smoother gameplay, but it came at the cost of image sharpness.

This particular gaming monitor shares an OLED screen with others, offering 4K resolution and a swift 240Hz refresh rate to gamers, designers, and everyone in between – all for the first time. The ROG Swift OLED 32 is a top-tier gaming monitor that doesn’t skimp on quality, and its display is nothing short of exceptional. However, being at the forefront of display technology can come with a hefty price tag, and some minor inconveniences might make that cost seem more substantial.

ROG Swift OLED 32 review: Pricing and specifications

This $1,300, 240Hz OLED gaming monitor would be perfect if something didn't keep falling off

Pricing highlights

The ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDM) retails for $1,299.99, which is right in line with similarly equipped premium gaming monitors.
The highlights of this monitor is its 31.5-inch OLED display with a UHD resolution and 240Hz refresh rate.
The PG32UCDM also supports Keyboard, Video, and Mouse (KVM) and Picture-in-Picture (PiP), with multiple onboard USB ports.

It’s quite evident that the latest top-tier OLED gaming monitors offering high resolutions and fast refresh rates don’t come with budget-friendly price tags. Specifically, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDM) is priced at $1,299.99 at Best Buy, a cost that mirrors other monitors featuring this display panel. This high price point naturally narrows down the potential pool of buyers, but make no mistake, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 is undeniably competent.

As an analyst, I’m excited to share that the display I’m reviewing offers a 31.5-inch Quantum Dot-OLED screen with a stunning 4K resolution, boasting a rapid 240Hz refresh rate and swift 0.3ms response time for smooth gameplay. It comes packed with additional features like a USB hub, KVM and Picture-in-Picture (PiP) support, High Dynamic Range (HDR), variable refresh rate and adaptive sync, and the most advanced display input ports available.

Inside the box, you’ll discover the ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDM) monitor, an accompanying stand, a VESA mounting plate for easy wall installation, a power adapter and its necessary cable, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 cables for connections, a USB Type-B to USB Type-A data cable, as well as a pair of USB Type-C cables. Additionally, you’ll find a cable organizer pouch to keep excess cables tidy, along with a 3-year warranty that includes protection against pixel burn-in.

ROG Swift OLED 32 review: The good

The pros highlights

A 4K resolution and 240Hz refresh rate really does feel like the ideal combination, and the PG32UCDM excels as a gaming monitor.
Picture quality is excellent and performance is flawless, and ASUS invests a lot in preserving the long-term health of its OLED displays.
A premium design and conveniences like KVM support and extra USB ports also help seal the deal.

From a design perspective, the ROG Swift OLED 32 appears very similar to ASUS’ other ultra-premium OLED gaming monitors. It’s a sleek, matte black, and metal, with a protruding custom heatsink on the rear. This heatsink includes a unique graphene film layer to be even better at keeping the OLED display panel cool and safe, but this is also where the mounting mechanism and ports are housed.

In summary, the PG32UCDM exudes a premium feel without any doubt, boasting a stylish and functional design. Installation is effortless due to ASUS’ swift-attach mounting system, and this ease continues even when attaching it to a VESA-compatible monitor stand, such as the HUANUO HNSS7 for instance.

What really matters is how good the display looks, though, and in this department the ROG Swift OLED 32 is… Almost perfect. I say ‘almost’ because it does just fall short of what I’ve come to expect at this price point, but I want to state for the record that this is a stunning display whether you’re gaming, watching movies, creating, or just working.

This 31.5-inch, flat, anti-glare screen offers ample workspace, boasting a sharp 4K resolution for clear visuals. The Quantum Dot OLED technology delivers rich colors and an infinite contrast ratio, making it visually impressive. However, it may not meet the stringent requirements some users might expect, as factory calibration for peak color accuracy is not guaranteed. In my tests, each color profile covers approximately 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, slightly falling short of the 99% claimed by ASUS.

The white balance on this display may have a slight inaccuracy, causing it to appear slightly warmer than anticipated; adjusting it to the “ideal” 6,500 Kelvin will yield 6,100-6,300K instead. However, this minor discrepancy is only significant for the most discerning of potential buyers, as the PG32UCDM offers a visual and tactile experience superior to that of most monitors available on the market.

The contrast ratios in all brightness levels of this display are as impressive as anticipated, but unfortunately, the PG32UCDM faces a common issue among OLED screens: its maximum brightness could use improvement, peaking at approximately 300nits according to my tests. ASUS claims the monitor can reach up to 1,000nits of peak brightness for HDR content over specific screen areas, but the PG32UCDM is still bound by the VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 standard, making it relatively dim and less effective in showcasing HDR content, especially with its Dolby Vision support.

I’ll save any downsides for later discussion, but let me focus on the fantastic aspects of this monitor instead. It’s simply the best gaming monitor I’ve ever encountered. The 240Hz refresh rate provides a seamless and uninterrupted movement of content across the screen, while its 0.3ms response time ensures that even fast-paced games won’t be able to outpace this display. ASUS has integrated a variety of gaming features, such as an option to restrict the usable display size if you prefer a smaller play area in specific games, which enhances the gaming experience. These features work smoothly with the optional ASUS DisplayWidget Center software for added convenience.

As an analyst, I can confidently say that when it comes to picture quality, the ROG Swift OLED 32 barely misses the mark of perfection, scoring a near-perfect 9/10. However, its performance surpasses the conventional “10/10” standard, leaving me with no complaints in this regard.

Regarding ports, the PG32UCDM comes equipped with three standard USB Type-A ports to enhance your connected devices. You can access these through either the USB Type-B upstream or USB Type-C display port. Notably, these ports support Keyboard, Video, and Mouse (KVM) functionality, allowing you to control multiple devices using a single set of peripherals. Additionally, it offers Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture modes for simultaneous use if desired. What’s more, the USB Type-C port provides 90W Power Delivery, enabling it to charge any laptop connected to this monitor.

ROG Swift OLED 32 review: The bad

The cons highlights

Aside from the slight display weaknesses, the ROG Swift OLED 32 is also afflicted with various other minor issues.
The power cable randomly falls out over time, the cable to the adapter is far too short, the USB hub randomly turns off at times, the pixel refreshing feature randomly kicks in when you’re in the middle of working.
Some features that you may expect from a $1,300 monitor are also missing, like integrated speakers or an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness.

As a tech enthusiast, I was eagerly anticipating the exceptional image quality promised by this premium ASUS gaming monitor, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. However, if the rest of the user experience had been flawless, I could have easily overlooked this shortcoming. Regrettably, a series of minor glitches accumulate into something more annoying with the PG32UCDM, making the overall experience less enjoyable than I had hoped.

Instead of the usual two or three-prong power cables found in most monitors, TVs, and electronic devices, this particular model uses a barrel DC plug for power. However, due to its simplicity, the plug can come loose under the influence of gravity, causing the monitor to become unplugged on several occasions during my usage of the PG32UCDM.

Apart from that issue, the cable linking the monitor to its bulky power adapter is frustratingly short, leaving no room for it to comfortably rest on the floor as intended. Instead, the adapter must be positioned on a shelf due to the lack of slack in the cable. Fortunately, the cable from the adapter to the outlet is appropriately long, but this arrangement seems backwards. On a positive note, the built-in USB hub functions well when it’s powered on. However, it occasionally shuts off unexpectedly, causing my connected USB devices to disconnect. To resolve this issue, I have to manually toggle and re-toggle the USB hub within the monitor’s settings.

ASUS OLED monitors include an automatic pixel refresh function designed to prolong display life, which may activate approximately every eight hours of usage. Usually, it will prompt you for confirmation, but occasionally, it can occur unexpectedly without notice. If you’re working or gaming, this feature might interrupt your activities as it requires five minutes for the monitor to cycle through colors before resuming use. Unfortunately, there’s no way to disable or postpone this function except by turning off and on the power, or setting a schedule so that it only happens when you’re asleep or not using the monitor.

This monitor occasionally encounters minor, seldom occurring problems, yet these issues combined make it somewhat annoying to use on occasion. Moreover, at its price point of $1,300, one would expect additional perks such as built-in speakers, an automatic brightness feature using an ambient light sensor, a webcam, and other advanced functionalities commonly found in premium models.

ROG Swift OLED 32 review: Competition

The ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDM) isn’t the sole premium gaming monitor with a 31.5-inch, 4K, 240Hz QD-OLED screen; numerous brands have introduced their own versions. Main distinctions lie in design and additional features. At present, LG (the panel manufacturer), ASUS, HP, Alienware by Dell, and Samsung are the top competitors in this field.

Among the options available, ASUS, HP, and Alienware appear to be the standout choices, as there have been some concerns about the quality control of LG’s and Samsung’s versions. Windows Central has only evaluated one of these monitors thus far, but let me discuss the leading contenders: the HP OMEN Transcend 32, priced at $1,299.99 on Best Buy, boasts an eye-catching two-tone design with vibrant RGB lighting and a multitude of USB ports. It also integrates seamlessly with the existing HP OMEN ecosystem. However, ASUS is renowned for its long-term OLED display durability, and the PG32UCDM’s custom heatsink may prove beneficial in the long run.

Additionally, the Alienware QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor 32 (AW3225QF), available at Best Buy for $1,199.99, is another option that comes with a $100 lower price tag. This monitor boasts a 1700R curved panel, ideal for those who prefer such design. Alienware’s standing in the gaming monitor market is outstanding, and its performance is likely top-notch. However, ASUS might surpass Alienware when it comes to overall image quality.

Lastly, you might want to check out the ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDP), available at Best Buy for $1,299.99. This model shares many design and feature similarities with the PG32UCDM, but there are some variations. For instance, it employs a White OLED panel rather than Quantum Dot, which results in a more authentic white balance at the expense of slightly less vibrant colors. Additionally, this monitor has a matte finish instead of an anti-reflective one, which may further impact color intensity (although some users prefer the matte surface). In return, this display offers the flexibility to switch between its default 4K/240Hz setting and a 1080p/480Hz mode for those seeking top-tier competitive gaming performance.

ROG Swift OLED 32 review: Final thoughts

You should buy this if …

✅You’ve been waiting for 4K monitors to gain actually high refresh rates

In this cutting-edge period for premium gaming monitors, you no longer need to compromise between resolution and refresh rate. One of the finest in its class has been designed by ASUS. This monitor boasts a seamless smoothness matched with exceptional sharpness. It delivers excellent clarity, image quality, and overall performance without a hitch.

✅You want a QD-OLED monitor with the most vibrant colors possible

The PG32UCDM ranks high in terms of image quality and color accuracy, but it falls slightly short of the absolute best. Nevertheless, this is an exceptional QD-OLED screen that offers outstanding contrast and some of the richest, deepest colors you’ll see on any gaming monitor.

You should not buy this if …

❌You want an all-in-one monitor that does it all

Although I haven’t found a monitor that can excel in every aspect, the PG32UCDM comes remarkably close to being a jack-of-all-trades. Yet, it appears to be geared more towards gamers and casual users rather than professionals in the creative field or office workers. It slightly falters when it comes to achieving ideal color accuracy, and lacks additional features such as built-in speakers or a webcam.

In this review, I’m examining my third ASUS OLED gaming monitor, hoping it would impress me yet again with its outstanding quality, performance, and reliability. Although it meets my desired specifications regarding resolution, screen size, and refresh rate, the PG32UCDM slightly falters towards the end, allowing other brands to potentially claim the number one spot.

The 31.5-inch, 4K QD-OLED display is stunningly beautiful, yet its color accuracy and white balance could use some improvement for professional artistic tasks. Colors are rich and blacks are deep, but the panel could be brighter to fully appreciate HDR content. The performance, however, is top-notch, showing no flaws. This monitor stumbles slightly on a few minor, occasional inconveniences or absences that become more apparent in a $1,300 model, such as a loosely attached power cord and bothersome screen refresh mode.

The ASUS ROG Swift OLED 32 (PG32UCDM) is priced at $1,299.99 in Best Buy, which can be a substantial amount if one is looking for minimal compromises. However, despite its flaws, this monitor stands out as my preferred gaming monitor, boasting an exceptional 4K, 240Hz QD-OLED display that offers unmatched sharpness and smoothness. While it’s not the absolute best, its unique blend of features makes it my personal favorite. Keep in mind that the balance between clarity and fluidity often comes at a cost, so assess how much you’re prepared to invest for this ideal combination.

2024-10-23 18:40

This $1,300, 240Hz OLED gaming monitor would be perfect if something didn’t keep falling off