The AOC U32P2 is an ideal pick for today’s social climate where a majority of users stay indoors to consume media and work from home. This model uses VA technology, unlike many new releases which often go with IPS for its popularity and panel properties. The AOC U32P2 is quite affordable for 32-inch 4K variant, so let’s check out what you can expect from it.
AOC U32P2 Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 3 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.2 x 4, 3.5mm Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.14” x 19.86” x 10.83″
- Weight: 22.27 lbs
Design and Features
The AOC U32P2 is designated as a home and office monitor, so it looks the part by going with a simple aesthetic. The chassis has a matte black finish all over so it’s easy to maintain and it will not go out of style for years. The display is bezel-free on three sides, but you will see panel borders which are normal with modern monitors.
It’s worth noting that the AOC U32P2 is quite a large monitor, so preparing your desk or setup to accommodate it is a wise move. The device needs 11 inches of depth and 28 inches of width, so it might interfere with peripherals such as large bookshelf speakers. It’s also quite heavy at 22.27 pounds, so extra care when handling it is advised.
Build quality for the AOC U32P2 is excellent since it’s well-reinforced and it uses thick plastics that won’t crack or flex. The device doesn’t have cosmetic defects as well, and every gap or seam is even and straight. The stand’s attachment point is firm and there is no wobble on the screen even if you type heavily on your desk.
One of the downsides you will immediately notice on the AOC U32P2 is its OSD buttons which are cumbersome compared to joysticks. The layout is located on the bottom bezel with discrete labels so you don’t have to lean in to reach them. However, the small keys are prone to wrong inputs so it can become annoying and time-consuming, especially if you calibrate a lot.
The stand included with the AOC U32P2 offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments which make getting a comfortable view accessible. Its base is quite big, but it’s squarish and flat so it isn’t as intrusive as other designs. You can remove this part to use a VESA mount, but we don’t think it’s necessary unless you have multiple monitors or a small desk.
The AOC U32P2 includes a DisplayPort 1.2 slot and two HDMI 2.0 ports for video inputs, along with a total of four USB 3.2 connectors for peripherals. Two of the latter are at the side for easy access with one slot having fast-charging capabilities. What’s missing here is a USB-C connector, but it’s acceptable this time since the device is quite affordable.
The AOC U32P2 squeezes in a pair of 3-watt speakers for convenience or as a secondary audio solution. They don’t have the power and details of a desktop variant or headphones, but they can be useful for background music or conference calls. We usually don’t expect built-in speakers for budget models, so it’s nice to have them in this affordable package.
Display and Performance
The AOC U32P2 boasts a 32-inch VA panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms response time. The backlight is rated to go up to 350 cd/m2 while the contrast ratio is at 3000:1 like most VA panels. This model doesn’t offer special features like HDR certification since it’s more a business display rather than one designed for entertainment.
32-inch 4K screens are widely considered to be better for your eyes than the more common 27-inch variants. The extra pixels offer excellent sharpness and space, but small objects like text do not look microscopic since they are stretched out a bit over a larger area. Games and movies will look divine with this model, especially since it innately has a high contrast ratio.
The AOC U32P2 renders more than 100% sRGB and around 87% DCI-P3 for rich colors in games and movies. However, its default accuracy could use some improvements since its deltaE average is too high at 3.63. some shades like reds and oranges look oversaturated, so tweaking the OSD or using a colorimeter is necessary.
The AOC U32P2 does quite better when calibrated with its deltaE average reduced to 1.34 which is better since it balances out the screen. Some users can get away with a few tweaks, but a colorimeter was used to achieve this score. Take note that these results will vary between every unit since panels are panels aren’t completely identical.
The AOC U32P2 reached as much as 410 cd/m2 at 100% brightness while its contrast ratio averages at 2511:1 at 40% backlight. The screen can fight off a decent amount of glare and it can produce deep blacks. The monitor is great for movies and games with low-light scenarios, unlike IPS or TN which suffers in this regard.
Panel uniformity for the AOC U32P2 is decent since there were very minor clouding issues at the top and bottom edges of the screen. The flaws become visible when an all-black image is displayed, but it’s not disturbing while playing games or watching movies. Take note that this aspect also varies between every unit due to manufacturing tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
Responsiveness isn’t the AOC U32P2’s strongest characteristic as well due to the nature of its panel technology. You need to set its overdrive to its Fastest level to reduce the smudges and persistence on the screen without adding overshoot. It’s not ideal for competitive gaming, but those who enjoy slower-paced titles won’t have an issue.
The AOC U32P2 supports FreeSync, but it’s not G-Sync Compatible like other monitors in the market. It’s becoming less common to encounter monitors that do not work both ways, and it’s usually a 4K model that has the issue. Input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz, so there is no need to worry about delays or de-synced instances during use.
Thoughts on the AOC U32P2
The AOC U32P2 is a well-designed all-around monitor with all the right physical features at a very attractive price. Its VA screen is capable of rich colors and contrast, but it needs a bit of tweaking to get a balanced output. It’s also highly suitable for users who want to enjoy games and movies while having a reliable daily driver for work from home use.
However, the AOC U32P2 isn’t as color-accurate as some of the brand’s value-oriented models. Its availability is also quite limited, so many users can’t readily buy it without paying for massive shipping costs. it’s a great value monitor, but we wish AOC would expedite the model’s reach into the global market.
Pros:
- Vibrant VA Screen
- Excellent Brightness and Contrast
- Crisp and Clear
- Affordable
- Durable and Flexible Stand
Cons:
- Mediocre Default Accuracy
- Doesn’t Work with G-Sync
- Limited Global Availability
About the Author: Paolo is 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 and he believes that it’s 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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