The LG 27UQ850-W is the latest evolution of the mixed-use monitor that gained popularity for its decent price and pro-level performance. It now comes with an IPS black panel for better contrast compared to its best-selling predecessors like the LG 27UK850-W. That upgrade did raise the price, but let’s check if it’s worth the extra dollars.
LG 27UQ850-W Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 4K UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS Black)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 5ms
- Contrast Ratio: 2000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1 3.0 x 2, USB-B Upstream x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand (WxHxD): 24.2” x 22.4” x 9.4″
- Weight: 12.5 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 27UQ850-W’s aesthetic hasn’t changed much when compared to the older models. It still has the matte white chassis and silver ArcLine stand, which aesthetically sets it apart from your typical office or business monitor. The screen has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It is sized moderately for a 27-inch monitor, even if it needs 9.4 inches of depth. The arc-shaped base leaves a lot of room in the middle anyway so that you can place smaller peripherals like a mini soundbar on the blank space there. The device only weighs 12.5 pounds, so it is very easy to move around.
LG’s build quality has not waned despite several revisions to both the design and pricing of its products. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects of any sort. The stand is firm and stable, although there is some wobbling if you hit the cabinet accidentally.
The LG 27UQ850-W has an OSD joystick at the bottom for easy access to its features and settings. You don’t have to reach in blindly for it, so it is even more convenient to utilize for adjustments on the fly. It’s also compatible with LG’s OnScreen Display app, which adds another layer of convenience for its users.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustments for your comfort and convenience. Swivel would have been helpful for multi-display setups, but it’s also fine if it isn’t since the monitor can be easily placed for that. You can use VESA mounts, but that extra purchase only becomes necessary for special setups.
The LG 27UQ850-W’s connectivity layout is better equipped than what its standard 4K monitors offer. It has DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 slots, and a 90-watt USB-C port with DP Alt Mode. It also has a USB hub followed by a 3.5mm jack. It’s missing extra options like ports for daisy-chaining or LAN connectivity, so the Philips 27E2F7901 beats it in that regard.
It also has a pair of 5-watt speakers, which are loud and clear enough for media consumption and casual gaming. They are incapable of the deep and punchy bass but are good enough as backups in case headsets become too hot or uncomfortable.
Display and Performance
The LG 27UQ850-W sports a 27-inch IPS Black panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 2000:1 due to the panel type’s enhancements. This model is HDR 400, although we know how limited that is even if it has an improved contrast.
4K is desirable now for gaming, media consumption, and professional use because of the sharpness it offers. It can cause strain when reading or working documents, so some scaling might be necessary for that. Gaming, on the other hand, will require a more powerful GPU since 4K is still quite demanding, even if games have been optimized for it in recent times.
The LG 27UQ850-W covered 100% sRGB and 97% DCI-P3 for impressive color punchiness in any setting. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.15, so it is decently accurate out of the box for an extended gamut display. Most users won’t need to make any major adjustments to it before use because of this.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.78, making it usable for professional imaging and content creation. It is not as accurate post-calibration as some of its direct competitors, but it’s still within what you can expect from a premium model. However, adding a colorimeter to the purchase will bring the total to over a thousand, so it is only worth it for work or business use.
The LG 27UQ850-W’s backlight reached 377 cd/m2 in SDR, but it peaked at 451 cd/m2 when its HDR mode was active. Its contrast ratio was at 1553:1 at 40% brightness, creating deeper blacks and more convincing dark scenes. It is not as deep as it would be on a VA or OLED panel, but the improvement is appreciable when compared to a regular IPS display.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since there were no major issues like backlight bleeding. There are some variances in the backlight’s spread, but it was only noticeable in select instances. Note that this may vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so it’s possible to get a unit with worse symptoms.
It’s not the most responsive 4K monitor out there for gaming, but that’s expected since it’s a 60Hz variant. Setting the overdrive to its Faster setting helped, but using the max level of overdrive will induce overshoot. It is great for immersive or casual play, but E-Sports fans need to look elsewhere.
The LG 27UQ850-W is not compatible with FreeSync or G-Sync, but that’s okay since it’s not for gaming. VRR is essential for playing at this resolution, so we recommend going for a more specific variant if that’s your primary purpose. Its input lag sits at 9ms, so it is still responsive enough to not feel sluggish during any type of use.
Thoughts on the LG 27UQ850-W
The LG 27UQ850-W is an excellent 4K monitor for professionals who want great color performance and improved accuracy. It is built and equipped quite well for its intended purpose, especially for professionals who also use workstation laptops like MacBook Pros. It’s also reasonably priced compared to its closest competitors, although most of them have come down in price as well.
We don’t have major complaints about this model, although its competitors have slightly better spec sheets. It’s also not affordable like the first few variations, but that’s understandable since IPS Black monitors are still quite expensive. Overall, it’s a fantastic upgrade that will make projects and all other work tasks more pleasing and bearable.
Pros:
- Excellent Color Quality
- Extended Contrast
- Robust Design and Features
- 90-Watt USB-C
Cons:
- Expensive
- No VRR
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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