The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W promises crisp image quality with fantastic colors brought about by its Nano IPS Black panel and ATW polarizer. It also includes a calibrator, so you can always tweak it on the fly. The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W could give the Dell U3223QE a run for its money, so let’s see how it compares.
LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-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 – Yes
- 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, USB Upstream x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 28.1” x 24.7” x 9.4″
- Weight: 15.4 lbs
Design and Features
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W’s aesthetic is similar to what we normally see on most of its business and prosumer variants. It has a silver stand and a matte white and black chassis, so it looks clean and sophisticated. The display has very thin borders, so it’s less distracting and aesthetically appealing.
It’s a 32-inch model, so users with compact desks might feel the need to upgrade if they have other large peripherals. The device needs 9.4 inches of depth, which is reasonable by today’s standards. It’s not too heavy at 15.4 pounds, but extra care in carrying or moving it around is still necessary.
The product’s overall build quality is great thanks to LG’s premium craftsmanship and material selection. The plastic panels are flawless and durable, indicating that the manufacturing process had excellent quality control. The included stand is firm and stable, although the large cabinet can still wobble if you nudge it with enough force.
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W has an OSD joystick under the LG logo, but what makes it special is its calibrator and LG Calibration Studio software. The latter gives you access to better color consistency on the fly, so you don’t have to spend more on an aftermarket option. The monitor is also compatible with LG’s OnScreen Control app, which lets you manipulate some of its key features.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, and height adjustments for your convenience. Swivel becomes necessary for multi-screen setups or if you want to position the screen to the side, but we think most will survive without it. You can use VESA mounts, but it only becomes necessary in some select instances.
Its connectivity layout includes DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, and a 90-Watt USB-C slot with DP Alt Mode. You also get two USB 3.0 ports for peripherals, a 3.5mm jack, and a dedicated USB 2.0 slot for the calibrator. The Dell U3223QE has more options, but this model’s setup is just as good as a modern workstation setup.
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W rounds it up with a pair of 5-watt speakers that have enough juice to keep you entertained. Their bass response is rather limited, but they can get loud enough for basic use.
Display and Performance
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W sports a 32-inch Nano 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 maximum, while the contrast ratio is listed at 2000:1, just like Dell’s IPS Black monitors, which use the same panel. This model is HDR 400-compliant, but we all know that the secret to true HDR performance is not included in this model.
4K is more comfortable to view on a 32-inch screen when it comes to desktop use since the looser pixel density doesn’t turn everything into microscopic particles. However, you don’t lose the extra sharpness from the high pixel count because they are still there. It is great for any kind of task, but gaming will be demanding for most systems.
This model has the IPS Black branding which entails enhanced contrast which usually results in a noticeable difference. It’s a must-have for any IPS monitor, but it’s still limited to higher-tiered products at the time of this review. We’ve seen its benefits on prosumer products, but we’d love to enjoy it on gaming variants as well.
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W covers 100% sRGB and 98% of the DCI-P3 gamut for stunning colors in any situation. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of 1.65 which is fantastic for a wide-gamut display that doesn’t have a gamut filter or preset activated. Most users won’t feel the need to calibrate the monitor right away, although that option is readily available with this variant.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 0.85, making it better for creators or editing work. We like that it already includes a colorimeter with the package at this price range. The software takes some getting used to, but it’s really easy to use and understand, even for beginners.
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W’s backlight reached 405 cd/m2 at 100% brightness, so it can fight off a decent amount of glare. Its contrast ratio is its most impressive quality since the IPS Black panel reached 1791:1 at 30% brightness. This resulted in a lower black luminance score, making the monitor better at portraying night scenes.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was excellent since there was no IPS bleeding on its edges. There are variances in the illumination’s spread, but they weren’t noticeable while viewing. ATW polarizers help in this regard, but it’s still possible to get a unit with worse symptoms due to the nature of IPS technology.
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W’s pixel response time isn’t the fastest, but that’s understandable since it was designed for creators. Fast-paced games can create persistence or trailing in some instances, but its not particularly bad like it is on some VA monitors. Casual gamers or those who enjoy slower-paced categories like RPGs will not be bothered by it, but E-Sports fanatics will notice the difference.
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W is compatible with FreeSync, unlike its more expensive counterpart from Dell. VRR is essential for gaming, especially with a demanding 4K screen which will make most GPUs sweat bullets. Its Input lag sits at 9ms at 60Hz, so it is still snappy and free from a delayed or sluggish feel while being used.
Thoughts on the LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W
The LG Ultrafine 32UQ85R-W is a fantastic choice thanks to its superb imaging performance and specifications. Its extended contrast solves the perennial weakness of IPS variants, and we wish it spread out to other display categories ASAP. Monitors with colorimeters usually cost thousands of dollars, but LG could accomplish it at under $600.
However, its HDR performance is still rather unimpressive, although that’s understandable because it lacks local dimming. The latter is usually found on high-end monitors, but we won’t be surprised if the tech becomes more affordable to compete with OLED variants in the future.
Pros:
- Fantastic Colors and IPS Contrast
- USB-C Connectivity
- Calibrator Included in the Package
- Great Price
- USB-C with 90 Watts
Cons:
- Limited HDR Performance
- Needs more USB Ports
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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