The Philips 16B1P3300/27 is a solid portable monitor option if you want to stay well below the $250 price point. It’s also unique in a way since it’s the only 75Hz option in its specific segment. Most portables are a hit or miss, so let’s check the Philips 16B1P3300/27 out to know if it’s worthwhile.
Philips 16B1P3300/27 Specifications
- Screen Size: 16 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 700:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 0.8 Watt)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: USB-C x 1, Mini HDMI 1.4 x 1, 3.5mm jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 14.1″ x 9.1″ x 4.7″
- Weight: 2.27 lbs
Design and Features
The Philips 16B1P3300/27 has a simple aesthetic, so it won’t be as eye-catching as most laptops that it’s going to work with. It has a clean matte black finish, but it can catch fingerprints if you have sweat or oily hands. The display has thin bezels on three sides and a thicker bottom border with the brand name in the middle.
It’s a bit thicker than most, but that’s because it has a flip base built into the chassis. But overall, the monitor isn’t bigger than most laptops, so it should easily slide next to your computer in a laptop bag. The device is quite heavy for a portable, but 2.27 pounds shouldn’t be too much for those who are used to working on the go.
The product’s build quality is fantastic since it barely has any defects or weaknesses. The plastic panels are solid and sturdy, plus there were no gaps or uneven seams on any of its parts. The flip stand is stable, unlike the tri-fold covers other brands use.
The Philips 16B1P3300/27 has buttons for its OSD, which are easy to use, although we think they are awkwardly positioned. The right button opens the OSD and confirms selections, while the other two is for navigating up and down the menus. It’s pretty straightforward, so most users won’t struggle with using it.
The stand built into the monitor only offers tilt, but at least it’s firm and stable, unlike the flip covers on some of its competitors. Philips did include a cover for this monitor, but it’s only meant to protect it from scratches and dents.
Its connectivity layout isn’t as modern as most portables since it still needs its power brick if you use the HDMI slot. It will draw power through the USB-C port if you use it, but that also means it will eat through your laptop’s reserves. There is also a 3.5mm jack, but it doesn’t have built-in speakers.
Display and Performance
The Philips 16B1P3300/27 offers a 16-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 75Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output, while its contrast ratio is listed at 700:1, like some portables we’ve reviewed before. It doesn’t have special features like HDR compatibility since it’s not designed for anything other than business use.
16-inch 1080p displays are still desirable even if larger resolutions are available. The screen’s pixel density is identical to most laptops’, so you won’t struggle with reading or browsing. It’s great even for videos and some gaming, so you don’t have to shell out the extra for the 4K models.
The Philips 16B1P3300/27 rendered 62% of the sRGB gamut, so it’s not the most vibrant out there like the ViewSonic TD1655. The good news is that its color accuracy is decent, with a deltaE average of 2.16, so it’s good to go out of the box. These specs are acceptable for a secondary display, but editors and content creators should go with something like the Asus PA148CTV.
The Philips 16B1P3300/27’s backlight reached 245 cd/m2 at 100%, so it will struggle to compete with glare if you work outside. Its contrast ratio only reached 755:1 at 80% brightness, so it’s incapable of deep blacks like VA or OLED displays. These numbers are normal for portables, but some brands have ventured into using the aforementioned alternatives to get around these issues.
Panel uniformity for the test sample did not have any major issues like backlight bleeding, although there were some minor leaks on the edges. However, the screen is smaller than a regular monitor, so it is going to be harder to see them. Note that it’s possible to get a unit with more issues since there are tolerances in play.
The Philips 16B1P3300/27’s 75Hz slightly boosts the screen’s pixel response time. However, it’s still not as fast as a gaming-grade model, so you can only get away with casual games and movies at best. Fast and contrasting transitions will reveal some trails and smudges, but that’s normal for something that isn’t meant for gaming.
The monitor also doesn’t have FreeSync or G-Sync since it’s not a dedicated gaming display. Some models have it, but 75Hz 1080p doesn’t really need VRR nowadays. We couldn’t measure input lag accurately, but it’s more or less comparable to what a 10 to 15ms monitor feels like.
Thoughts on the Philips 16B1P3300/27
The Philips 16B1P3300/27 is a decent choice if you need a robust secondary display for productivity on the go. It’s not the most vibrant, but its decent accuracy and clarity make it a good choice for expanding your digital workspace. Its solid build quality is nice to have since nobody likes a flimsy monitor that will topple over with a gentle gust of wind.
However, there are some limitations you must consider before buying this product. It is still bound by the flaws of portable displays, such as the poor gamut coverage and contrast. However, these are expected issues, so the Philips 16B1P3300/27 is still a decent buy if you need a secondary screen.
Pros:
- Great Color Accuracy
- Robust Build Quality
- Decent Price
Cons:
- Dismal Gamut Coverage and Contrast
- Single USB-C Slot
About the Author: 
Paolo is 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 and he believes that it’s 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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