The LG 32UQ850V-W offers a vibrant 4K IPS Black panel at a more affordable price than pioneering models like the Dell U3223QE. IPS Black technology offers considerably better contrast, giving VA options a run for their money. It’s priced lower, but it isn’t completely cheap, so let’s take a closer look to discern its value for the prosumer or business market.
LG 32UQ850V-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: 2000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 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 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.1” x 23.5” x 9.4″
- Weight: 15.8 lbs
Design and Features
The LG 32UQ850V-W sports a minimalist design that resembles many of its 4K monitors from the low all the way to the top end. The monitor has a matte white chassis with a silver ArcLine stand that still looks clean after so many years. The display has a bezel-free design, but it still has inner borders like most modern monitors.
It’s larger than most office or business displays, so scoping out your desk to see if it has enough space is a must. The device needs 28 inches of width and 9.4 inches of depth, although there is a lot of space in between the base. The device is lightweight for its size, but extra care is still necessary to set it up.
The LG 32UQ850V-W was made to be more affordable, but its physical quality was not sacrificed. The plastic panels are thick and sturdy, and there were no cosmetic defects on any of its parts. The included stand is firm and stable, although it can still slightly wobble if you nudge it accidentally.
The monitor also has an OSD joystick for easy access to its settings and features. It’s conveniently located at the bottom bezel, so you don’t have to reach toward the sides of the back panel. It also works with LG’s OnScreen display, so there is another layer of convenience for tweaking it.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. It’s easy to get a comfortable viewing angle, so the default setup should be enough to avoid strain during those long hours of work. You can use VESA mounts, but it’s only necessary in select instances, like when you have multiple displays on deck.
The LG 32UQ850V-W’s connectivity layout also stands out amongst what it has to offer. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 for video inputs, along with a 90-watt USB-C port with DP Alt Mode. LG skimped a bit when it comes to the extras since it only included two USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack.
They did, however, include a pair of decent speakers with this monitor that’s usable for basic purposes. They have 5 watts of power per channel, so they are capable of filling a small space with sound. Setting the volume too high can make it distort, but its usable for media consumption or background music.
Display and Performance
The LG 32UQ850V-W sports a 32-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, brought about by the panel type. The monitor is HDR 400 certified, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to performance.
4K looks more comfortable when it is on a 32-inch screen simply because the pixel density isn’t too tight. The higher pixel count is still there, so you don’t actually lose fidelity and clarity. 4K is ideal for productivity since it gives you a lot of room to maneuver and improve your productivity.
The LG 32UQ850V-W covers 99% of sRGB and 93% of DCI-P3 for great color quality in any type of use. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.51, giving us the impression that it had a certain level of factory calibration. Most users won’t need to calibrate it, although those who do editing work and color correction will require it.
Using a colorimeter reduced the dE average to 0.8, making it usable for color-critical work. You will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results, but it’s only worth it if you will use the monitor for work or business. Its impractical otherwise, especially since the monitor is already decent out of the box.
The LG 32UQ850V-W’s brightness reached 384 cd/m2 in SDR and peaked at 425 cd/m2 in HDR. Its contrast reached 1906:1, enabling it to produce better black luminance and gradients than most IPS panels. These results we’ve been getting from IPS Black monitors bridge the IPS-VA gap, but they come at a higher-than-usual price.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues like backlight bleeding. There are some variances in the backlight’s spread, although they only become noticeable under a colorimeter or in extreme circumstances. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better and worse units out there.
The LG 32UQ850V-W’s response time is quite decent for a 60Hz monitor, so it is usable for gaming. Setting the overdrive to its Fast level had a hand in this since it boosted the transitions without adding overshoot. However, we don’t recommend maxing the tool out since doing so will add a noticeable overshoot during transitions.
The LG 32UQ850V-W doesn’t have FreeSync or G-Sync compatibility since it wasn’t designed for gaming. VRR would be handy for those who play games, but it is understandable that it wasn’t included here. Its input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz, so it is fast and responsive enough for any kind of use.
Thoughts on the LG 32UQ850V-W
The LG 32UQ850V-W is an excellent 4K monitor for business or creative purposes. Its 4K IPS Black panel offers excellent contrast and color performance, so it is great for both entertainment and editing work. It is built like a true premium model, and it includes a 90-watt USB-C port, which makes it flexible for users with a multitude of devices.
It’s far from perfect, but most like its limited USB port connectivity, which is understandable when compared to more expensive options. However, the lower MSRP is what makes it very attractive over options from other brands like Dell. It’s a fantastic buy, although we wish it had more features.
Pros:
- Excellent Colors and Contrast
- 90-Watt USB-C
- Lower MSRP Than Competitors
Cons:
- Limited USB Ports
- 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 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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