The Philips 45B1U6900CH is a premium DQHD super wide monitor that doesn’t cost over a thousand dollars. It is designed more for productivity with its mix of equipment, making it the perfect choice for an in-home workstation. Let’s take a closer look at its output to see if the price is justified.
Philips 45B1U6900CH Specifications
- Screen Size: 45 Inches
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440 DQHD
- Aspect Ratio: 21:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 75Hz
- Response Time: 4ms
- Contrast Ratio: 3000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 400 cd/m² (450 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 5 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB-C PD 100W x 2, USB-C Downstream PD15W x 1, USB 3.2 x 4, RJ45 x 1, 3.5mm Audio Jack x 1, 5.0MP Cam with Mic x 1
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 42.72″ x 20.28″ x 9.37”
- Weight: 28.57 lbs
Design and Features
The Philips 45B1U6900CH doesn’t look too decorative or eccentric, although its unique and massive size gives its specialized nature. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it doesn’t look polarizing when placed beside a workstation PC. The display is bezel-free but still has inner borders and a thicker bottom bezel like most VA monitors.
The first thing you’ll notice with this monitor is its impressive size, which can swallow a 48-inch desk’s width easily. It’s also quite heavy at 28.57 pounds, so some help might be necessary to carry this device around. It doesn’t consume a lot of depth despite its curvature, plus the base is hollow at the center, so it can hold smaller gadgets neatly.
It is built like a premium monitor, so most of its parts feel durable and without any cosmetic defects. The plastic panels are thick enough to withstand cracking, flexing, or fading, so the monitor should look new for quite some time. The stand can keep the massive cabinet upright but can be wobbly sometimes.
We’re disappointed that this monitor still uses buttons for its OSD instead of a joystick. It’s a premium monitor, so it is not exactly cheap, so it and the would-be buyers deserve something more convenient. The button layout is located under the bottom bezel, so at least you don’t have to reach in too much to get to them.
The included stand offers height, swivel, and tilt adjustments for your comfort. Pivoting wasn’t included since extra wide monitors like this model are unsuitable for portrait mode. You can use VESA mounts, but you will have to spend extra on a premium option since the budget models out there might not be able to handle the weight.
The highlight of the Philips 45B1U6900CH is its connectivity layout, which makes it extra flexible compared to other offerings. It has DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 slots, but it also has a pair of USB-C ports with DP Alt Mode and up to 100W of charging. You also get a USB hub with a type-C downstream cable, four upstream slots, an RJ45 LAN port, and a 3.5mm jack for headphones.
The monitor also has a popup webcam with a microphone for virtual meetings and other remote work endeavors. It’s complemented by a pair of 5-watt speakers, so you can easily attend online meetings or collaborate remotely. Not many can say that they have a monitor like this for work-from-home use, but it also has other benefits beyond the extra equipment.
Display and Performance
The Philips 45B1U6900CH sports a 45-inch curved VA panel with a 5120 x 1440 resolution, a 75Hz refresh rate, and a 4ms response time. The backlight has a 400 cd/m2 output and a 450 cd/m2 peak, while the contrast is listed at 3000:1. The monitor is certified for HDR 400, but we all know how limited that is when it comes to true HDR performance.
The DQHD or Dual QHD resolution is literally called such since it is directly equivalent to two 2560 x 1440 monitors set side by side. You don’t have bezels in the middle so that expansive display area will look smooth for multitasking and other workflows. It is not going to be too sharp like a 4K panel, but the viewing area is expanded in a different way.
The Philips 45B1U6900CH covers more than 100% sRGB and 89% of DCI-P3 for decent colors. Its default accuracy had a deltaE average of only 1.31, thanks to the brand’s fantastic factory calibration. Most users won’t need to optimize the screen so it can be enjoyed right away.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 0.78, making it better suited for photo and video editing. The downside is you will need a colorimeter for it, and those are not cheap or easy to come by. We can only recommend buying it if you are using the monitor for editing jobs, but it’s unnecessary otherwise.
The Philips 45B1U6900CH’s backlight reached 479 cd/m2 at 100% and it peaked at 499 cd/m2 when HDR mode is active. Its contrast peaked at 2885:1 at 25%, enabling it to produce deep blacks and convincing dark scenes. It is not enough to produce true HDR performance, but at least you get a wide adjustability range for the backlight.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was surprisingly great despite the size and curvature of the screen. Monitors like this are prone to backlight bleeding, but it was minimal throughout the panel. Note that this can change with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
One weakness of the Philips 45B1U6900CH is its pixel response time. It is not entirely bad, but fast and contrasting transitions will most likely reveal blurring and persistence if you look closely enough. The monitor’s built-in overdrive did not help at all, but that’s acceptable since it is not designed for fast-paced games.
The Philips 45B1U6900CH doesn’t have FreeSync or G-Sync compatibility, but that’s understandable. It was not meant for gaming, but it certainly could be used for smoother visuals. Its input lag sits at 8ms at 75Hz, so it is not terribly sluggish like some business monitors.
Thoughts on the Philips 45B1U6900CH
The Philips 45B1U6900Ch is a great choice if you want more flexibility for the amount you are spending. The large, super-wide screen is perfect for creating continuous workflows or enhancing productivity, but it also helps that it has superb imaging qualities. It is built well with modern essential features, so most will be able to utilize it for years to come.
However, it has some minor limitations that may discourage some customers who are looking for genuine flexibility. Its gaming performance isn’t there because it’s a business model, but it would help make more sales if it did have some specialization in that regard. There are also the OSD buttons, which we find annoying, but beyond that, it’s a decent buy at its sub-$ $1000 price point.
Pros:
- Great Build Quality
- Superb Contrast and Accuracy
- Lots of Features
Cons:
- Expensive
- Prone to Blurring
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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