The AOC CQ32G2S has been around for some time now, but it is still one of the best sellers out there. You get more inches per dollar with it, so its great for those who want a large and immersive display that isn’t priced like a flagship. The newer CQ32G3SU is also around, but let’s check out why the G2 model has excellent staying power in a competitive market.
AOC CQ32G2S Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 165Hz
- Response Time: 1ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 27.9″ x 22.5″ x 9.6″
- Weight: 16.5 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC CQ32G2S has a simple design, but it still looks like it was meant for gamers. The monitor has a matte black finish, but its red accents and gunmetal base indicate that it’s indeed not meant for productivity. The screen has minimal bezels on three sides, but it still has slim inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s a large monitor, so you might want to check out your desk space before pulling the trigger. This model needs almost ten inches of depth, and it might be too wide for narrow, compact desks if you have desktop speakers. It’s not too heavy at 16.5 pounds, but its size could be a hindrance to portability.
It’s a budget model, but its build quality is quite good and comparable with premium counterparts. It has durable materials like the 24G2, and no cosmetic defects exist on any of its parts. The included stand is firm and stable, but it can still wobble if you nudge the screen accidentally.
The AOC CQ32G2S doesn’t have a joystick, so you have to deal with buttons if you want to tweak the monitor. It is not the end of the world, but they take more time and effort to utilize, even if you want to adjust something simple like the brightness. Joysticks are preferable, but we don’t treat this as a deal-breaker.
The stand offers tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included since curved monitors were not intended to be used in portrait mode. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s not necessary unless your space is limited or if you have multiple displays.
There is no letter U in the model name, indicating that you don’t get USB ports with this variant. It has DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones or speakers. That’s more than enough for regular operation, although USB slots would be handy for cable management.
The AOC CQ32G2S also has a pair of 5-watt speakers that are capable of decent volume. They can be used for basic tasks like video, but do not expect deep bass or clarity if you pump the volume up. They are better than most integrated sets, but headphones or gaming headsets will still be better for the product’s intended purpose.
Display and Performance
The AOC CQ32G2S sports a 32-inch curved VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms boosted response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. This model doesn’t advertise HDR certification, but we all know that a high-end backlight is necessary for that to be meaningful.
Large 1440p monitors like this have almost the same pixel density as a 1080p screen, so it is not going to be as crisp. However, the benefits of the higher pixel count are still there, so graphics will still look cleaner and sharper even if you drop anti-aliasing a bit. It’s still very easy to read and write on it, so it’s also usable for school or office work.
The AOC CQ32G2S covers 99% sRGB and 88% of DCI-P3, so it is reasonably vibrant for games and movies. Its default accuracy is excellent since its deltaE average is only at 2.07. Most users won’t need to calibrate the display since it already looks good and balanced out of the box.
Calibrating it improved the dE average to 1.41, which tapers the extra saturation out and brings the color temperature closer to D65. However, a colorimeter will be necessary to achieve this since copying settings and ICC profiles will not guarantee identical results. Each panel has different characteristics, so some readings might be off compared to what we saw.
The AOC CQ32G2S’s backlight reached 231 cd/m2 at 100%, so it might not be able to fight off glare in rooms with lots of windows. However, its contrast reached 3988:1 at 50% brightness, allowing it to produce deep blacks. It’s better for night scenes than IPS variants, although black crush can swallow some objects in select scenes.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some issues due to light leaks at the top edge of the screen. They can become visible against darker backgrounds or all-black images but are otherwise invisible. Note that this can vary between every unit made due to tolerances, so there are better units out there.
The biggest weakness of the AOC CQ32G2S is its naturally slower pixel response time versus IPS variants. Some blurring and persistence can happen in contrasting transitions, like when a missile streaks through the dark. Setting the overdrive to its max is recommended since it is not as strong as some of the implementations in the market.
The AOC CQ32G2S is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, so you are protected from tearing and stuttering. Dual compatibility is a must-have now since it allows you to keep VRR and the monitor if you switch to another GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 165Hz, so there is no need to worry about delays while playing games.
Thoughts on the AOC CQ32G2S
The AOC CQ32G2S is a decent choice for gamers on a budget who want to upgrade their visual experience without spending too much. The large, curved display offers immersive visuals, and it has essential gaming features. It lacks some add-ons like USB slots, but it’s built well and is durable enough to last a few years.
However, there are some flaws that come with the panel type and the low price. Its low brightness limit might be a deal breaker, and avid E-Sports fanatics might dislike its lack of an effective overdrive setting. But overall, these complaints are not deal-breakers, so you are getting more than your money’s worth.
Pros:
- High Contrast
- Great Color Quality (Default and Calibrated)
- Affordable 32-Inch Display
- Adjustable Stand
Cons:
- Prone to Blurring
- Low Brightness
- OSD Buttons
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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