The LG 32UP83A-W is a reasonably-priced 4K IPS monitor with a large screen that’s perfect as a daily driver. It’s a large 32-inch 4K screen, so you get plenty of room and a balanced level of sharpness that’s ideal for both productivity and entertainment. Let’s take a closer look to know if this should be your next workstation or daily-use monitor for the home and office.
LG 32UP83A-W Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 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: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 350 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD60W x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.1” x 23.5” x 9.4″
- Weight: 18.3 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 32UP83A-W has a simple aesthetic that has existed on older monitors over the span of a few years. The monitor has a white and silver finish like the 27UK650, so it suits more than just a regular office setup. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s larger than most 4K monitors, but that’s part of the charm, even if it may be a predicament for some. It only needs 9.4 inches of depth, but it’s wider than most monitors, so narrow desks with speakers and all might not be able to accommodate it. It’s slightly heavier at 18.3 pounds, but it’s not too much to handle for most people.
It’s not the tip-top model in LG’s lineup, but it still features the same level of build quality as the high-end models. The plastics used are tough and sturdy, so they won’t crack or flex with a modest amount of force. The included stand is firm and stable, so the large screen won’t sag or shake under normal use.
The LG 32UP83A-W has an OSD joystick and LG’s OnScreen Display app for easy access to the monitor’s features. Other models in the same price range still use buttons, so having easy-to-use solutions is heaven-sent. On the other hand, high-end models have remotes, but those are not as necessary for daily use.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustment for your convenience and comfort. It’s easy to get an angle that will get you through a long shift or movie binge, so it’s always a plus to get decent ergonomics. You can use VESA mounts, but they are not always necessary for typical setups.
The LG 32UP83A-W’s connectivity has been upgraded compared to what the older sub-$500 4K monitors had. You get DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, but it now also has a 60-watt USB-C port. That’s not a lot of power for today’s laptops, but it can still provide decent charging for popular notebooks like the MacBook Air.
You also get two USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm jack, and a pair of 5-watt speakers with MaxxAudio. The latter can get loud, although it’s obvious that it’s missing the oomph an additional woofer can offer. However, the limitation is understandable, so we’re happy with what it has to offer based on its price.
Display and Performance
The LG 32UP83A-W sports a 32-inch IPS panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 5ms response time. The backlight has a 350 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t list HDR certification, but the spec sheet does mention that it’s HDR10 compatible.
4K’s sharpness is undoubtedly its main selling point, but it can be too much for some users. Small objects like text might be too small, so scaling, which isn’t always ideal, will become necessary. However, that’s not as big of an issue on a larger screen like this, so we highly recommend going with a 32 instead of a 27-inch model.
The LG 32UP83A-W covers 99% sRGB and around 92% DCI-P3 for great colors in any type of use. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of only 1.76, indicating that there was a semblance of factory calibration before it shipped out. It is fantastic for all-around use out of the box, and users don’t need to do much to it before using it.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 0.81, which is excellent for a mixed-use model that wasn’t originally intended for editing work. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results. It’s only worth getting one if you will use the monitor for work or business, but it’s a waste otherwise since the default setting is already good enough.
The LG 32UP83A-W’s backlight reached 371 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so it can fight off a lot of glare in well-lit rooms. Its contrast is probably its most underwhelming imaging characteristic since it only reached 973:1. This means that it is incapable of deep blacks and profound HDR performance, but we knew that already based on the specs above and the panel type’s characteristics.
Panel uniformity for the sample wasn’t the best since it had some backlight bleeding on the top edge of the screen. They are noticeable in dark scenes, but white backgrounds, like browsers, are not as affected. Note that this varies with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
It isn’t the fastest when it comes to pixel response time, so you can’t rely on it for competitive games. However, that’s acceptable since it wasn’t designed for such, and it is limited to 60Hz, unlike the other models. It is decent for casual or immersive play, but games like Warzone are not ideal on this monitor.
The LG 32UP83A-W is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync via DisplayPort for tear-free gaming. VRR isn’t a big part of productivity applications, but it can be useful for those who play games after work. Its input lag sits at 10ms at 60Hz, so it’s still as responsive as most modern monitors on the market.
Thoughts on the LG 32UP83A-W
The LG 32UP83A-W is a practical choice if you need a 4K monitor as a daily driver for work or entertainment. It has great color quality out of the box, more so if it’s calibrated with a colorimeter. It’s designed quite well, and it now includes a USB-C port, unlike LG’s old monitors, which are in the same price range.
It is not the most sophisticated monitor out there, so some might find it lacking in some departments. However, that’s a characteristic of most general-purpose products since they were intended as a sweet spot rather than a precise tool. This monitor is an excellent buy for that kind of use, but gamers or designers might need to spend more to get a more fine-tuned option for their respective purposes.
Pros:
- Excellent Colors
- Crisp and Clear
- Reasonable Price
Cons:
- Limited Contrast
- USB-C Limited to 60W
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