The LG 27GS95QE-B was conceived to alleviate the shortcomings of the great yet slightly dimmer 27GR95QE-B. It’s not the fastest model now since we have 360Hz variants, but what’s attractive about this is its lower introductory MSRP. Let’s take a closer look to see if this is a great buy or if we should skip to the faster variants like the Alienware AW2725DF instead.
LG 27GS95QE-B 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
- 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 2.1 x 2, x 1, USB 3.0 x 3, 3.5mm Jack x 1, SPDIF x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 23.8” x 22.6” x 10.2”
- Weight: 16.2 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 27GS95QE-B isn’t aesthetically different than its predecessor, but the design doesn’t look shabby or tacky so its fine. The monitor has a matte black finish with gentle touches of RGB lighting, so it doesn’t look too flashy like the other OLEDs. The display has a bezel-free design so its hard to notice borders while playing.
The dimensions of the monitor did not change as well, so it won’t need too much space from your desk. It needs a total of 10.2 inches of depth, but the base has thin legs so there will be some free space in between. The whole thing is light at 16.2 pounds when fully assembled thanks to the chassis having less bulk than a regular WLED display.
The LG 27GS95QE-B is a premium monitor, so it’s safe to assume that it has excellent build quality. Every piece was manufactured with precision, so there are no cosmetic defects or signs of weaknesses like flexing. The included stand is very firm and stable, so the screen won’t sag or shake while you’re in the middle of an intense session.
This model also has an OSD joystick for easy access to its settings and features.however, you also get a remote with this model so can sit back and tune it as you please. The monitor is also compatible with the brand’s OnScreen Control app so you can directly tweak some settings in your OS with a mouse and keyboard.
The included stand offers tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. It is easy to get a good angle that will help you avoid strain for extended hours of play. You can also use VESA mounts, but those only become necessary in select instances.
The LG 27GS95QE-B’s connectivity layout also remained the same, and we’re disappointed. LG could have added USB-C to this monitor to make it more flexible and complement its DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 combination. You also get a 3.5mm jack and two USB ports, so competitors have it beat when it comes to functionality.
The LG 27GS95QE-B also doesn’t have speakers, but that’s understandable since OLED monitors typically have thinner frames. It’s also a fact that headsets will always be better for immersion and focus versus something that has limited power and range.
Display and Performance
The LG 27GS95QE-B sports a 27-inch QD-OLED panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. Its brightness has been boosted to 275 cd/m2 while the contrast is listed at 1500000:1. This model is DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified, so it’s capable of fantastic contrast and substantially better HDR performance.
27-inch 1440p is still the sweet spot for gaming because these new OLEDs would be 4K if it wasn’t. It’s a very popular upgrade since it doesn’t cost a small fortune to build a system around it compared to 4K, which requires top-end cards.
The LG 27GS95QE-B covers 100% sRGB and 97% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.17, which is considerably better than what we saw in the previous version. Gamers won’t have to do anything but enjoy the monitor once it is out of its box and assembled.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.93, which is slightly better but negligible for most uses. Getting a colorimeter, which is expensive, won’t do much, so it’s not practical and recommended. Those who are into color-critical work might need to prioritize a model that’s better geared for editing instead.
The LG 27GS95QE-B’s brightness got bumped up to 335 cd/m2 in SDR and 618 cd/m2 peak in HDR. That’s a fantastic upgrade compared to the 27GR95QE-B whose limited output was the main complaint its owners had. Contrast is still infinite, so you get deep and true blacks with fantastic HDR performance.
Its panel uniformity was perfect since there was no backlight to cause leaks or bleeding. Some blooming can happen in HDR scenes, but they are barely noticeable compared to what we’ve seen on mini-LED models. The only real issue with OLEDs is burn-in, but that won’t be your problem if you take care of it.
OLEDs are capable of near-instantaneous pixel response times since illumination happens at the pixel level rather than relying on a backlight. Even the fastest WLED monitors still have persistence, and that isn’t an issue here. This monitor is fantastic for fast-paced games like CSGO 2 as much as it is for a graphically intensive title like Helldivers 2.
The LG 27GS95QE-B is compatible with both FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Dual compatibility is essential, so you don’t have to buy a new monitor every time you upgrade to the other GPU brand and would want to keep VRR functionality. Its input lag sits under 3ms at 240Hz, so it is perfect for E-Sports use.
Thoughts on the LG 27GS95QE-B
The LG 27GS95QE-B offers appreciable improvements over its predecessor at a more attractive price point. It’s brighter and has better color quality, plus it’s around $200 to $300 cheaper at launch. It’s designed quite well, and it doesn’t look tacky, so it will be a nice upgrade that you won’t easily get tired of.
However, we’re slightly disappointed that most of the improvements on this new model are only related to the panel. LG could have expanded some important features like connectivity, although we understand that redesigning a refresh might not be economical. It’s still a fantastic buy, but it’s not worth ditching the old model if you already have one.
Pros:
- Better-Priced than Predecessor at $899 MSRP
- Substantially Higher SDR and HDR Brightness
- Great Image Quality out of the Box
- Very Fast and Responsive
Cons:
- No USB-C
- Pricey for 1440p
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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