The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG is a surprising new monitor release because of its lower price and amazing OLED panel. It’s a 240Hz 1440p model like the PG27AQDM, but it’s slotted into the Strix lineup instead of the Swift models. Let’s take a closer look to see if it presents improvements or if it’s a sidegrade to its excellent predecessor.
Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: OLED
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500000:1
- Brightness: 275 cd/m2 (1300 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 23.8” x 20” x 8.6”
- Weight: 20.9 lbs
Design and Features
The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG uses a combination of old and new for its aesthetic so it doesn’t look outdated. The monitor has a matte black finish with a discrete RGB lighting to not forget its gaming lineage. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like all OLED models.
Its not as chunky as other models, but it is slightly heavier than its competitors at 20.9 pounds. The more discrete base design only needs 8.6 inches of depth, so it won’t shove your other peripherals out of their spots. The newer helix-shaped bases take up more, but they are more attractive to ROG fans and gamers most of the time.
It may be a cheaper model, but its build quality was not sacrificed in a way that would cheapen it compared to other OLED offerings. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, so they won’t flex or crack under normal pressure. The stand is firm and stable, so the screen doesn’t sag or shake unless you accidentally nudge it with enough force.
The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG has an OSD joystick for easy access to its settings and peripherals. Some may have remotes, but the former is enough for simple and quick manipulation of the menus and whatever is inside. Its located in a more convenient spot versus the back of the right side of the panel, so its easier to reach without leaning in.
The stand includes tilt, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Pivoting wasn’t included, but that’s okay since this was not meant to be used as a secondary portrait display. You can still use VESA mounts, but they are only necessary for very limited desk spaces or multi-monitor setups.
There’s nothing remarkable about its connectivity layout since it only includes the usual suspects. You get DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, two USB-A ports, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones. Other models have HDMI 2.1 for higher outputs over the connector and a USB-C port with charging for more flexibility.
The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG also doesn’t have speakers, but most OLEDs don’t anyway. The thinner chassis leaves no room for them, and most would only be able to put basic 2-watt sets anyway. Its always nice to have extra features, but for focused gaming models like this, its not entirely necessary.
Display and Performance
The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. The panel has a 275 cd/m2 SDR and 1300 cd/m2 HDR output, while the contrast is specified at 1500000:1. This model is HDR 400 True Black certified, making it better at producing HDR imagery than the original HDR 400 tier.
1440p is perfect for all-around use since its increased pixel count won’t be as obnoxious as a 4K screen. You get a good balance between sharpness and visibility, so games are good and detailed, but walls of text are still comfortable to read. It also doesn’t need a flagship card to reach 1440p 240Hz, so you can get away with a lower-tiered GPU and save some money.
The ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG covers more than 100% of sRGB and 95% of DCI-p3 for rich colors in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.95, so it’s a bit more accurate than its predecessor. Most users won’t need to calibrate this monitor further since it already looks great out of the box.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to an impressive 0.65, making it comparable with prosumer models in the same price category. The downside is you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results, and buying one will bring your total above a thousand. We can only recommend it if you will use the monitor for professional applications, but it is unnecessary otherwise.
The OLED panel used in this model reached 301 cd/m2 in SDR but it peaked at 1203:1 when its HDR mode is active. It didn’t reach the advertised maximum, but that’s still plenty for HDR games and movies. Its contrast is infinite as well thanks to the pixel-level dimming of OLED technology.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since there were no backlight leaks due to the panel’s lack of a backlight. There is some clouding in some scenes, but it is not very common across the board. Note that not every OLED panel will be perfect, so it is still possible to get one with some issues.
Another advantage of OLED technology is its near instantaneous pixel response time during fast-paced scenes. It doesn’t rely on a backlight for transitions, so there are no delays or shadows resulting from that. It is great for E-Sports titles, and we can’t help but feel that 1440p OLEDs might be the next format for pro E-Sports events.
The ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, so you won’t have to worry about tearing and stuttering. This is essential so you won’t have to buy a new monitor if you want VRR and swap it to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, making it one of the fastest gaming monitors around.
Thoughts on the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG
The ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG is a more attractive alternative in the contested OLED monitor category because of its amazing price and capabilities. It’s a premium option that’s priced to compete with budget models. It’s also more accurate than the predecessor, even if it’s priced lower.
However, the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG is missing a few key features that could sweeten the deal. It doesn’t have HDMI 2.1 and USB-C, although it is understandable that they were omitted to help with the price. It is still an excellent buy at its price, bringing OLEDs closer to the $500 mark.
Pros:
- Lighting Fast
- Excellent HDR
- Great Accuracy
- OLED Made More Affordable
Cons:
- No USB-C and HDMI 2.1
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 has the 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 and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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