The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is unimaginably affordable simply because it has mini-LED technology embedded for the price. It’s a 180Hz gaming monitor like the AOC AGON Pro AG274QXM which bridges the gap between regular displays and OLED in HDR performance. Let’s take a closer look to see if it’s a competitive option in a hotly contested market.
Xiaomi G Pro 27i Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 QHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 180 Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
- Brightness: 1000 cd/m² Peak
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes, 100 x 100
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 24.1″ x 20.8″ x 6.7″
- Weight: 15 lbs
Design and Features
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i looks flashier than most budget monitors, so it will match themed setups nicely. The monitor has a matte white and black combination which makes us think that it resembles some of Alienware’s offerings. The screen has a three-sided bezel-free design, so it looks very modern, even if it has inner bezels.
The whole device has modest dimensions, so it should be manageable even if you have a compact desk. It only needs 6.7 inches of depth, so it won’t push off your other peripherals incase your table is shallow. The whole device only weighs fifteen pounds so its very portable for a 27-inch model.
Xiaomi is less known in the monitor market since it’s fairly new in the US. However, its build quality doesn’t disappoint, considering its low price. The included stand is firm and stable, and there were no signs of cosmetic defects on any of its parts.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i has an OSD joystick at the back for easy access to its features and settings. Its accessible from the right side of the screen, so its very easy to reach even if you don’t see it. The monitor’s menus are straightforward, but its pleasing to have a solution that makes the ordeal of adjusting something on the fly less painful.
The included stand offers tilt, pivot, swivel, and height adjustments for your comfort. It’s easy to get a comfortable viewing angle, so you can game without pain for hours on end. You can use VESA mounts, but they are mostly unnecessary unless you have multiple screens.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i’s connectivity layout is simplified to help with the price cut. You do get two slots each for HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. There are no USB-C or type A slots, but that’s understandable due to the price of the device.
The monitor also doesn’t come with speakers since those typically add more cost to the product. That’s okay this time since monitors like this often deserve an immersive gaming headset to maximize its capabilities.
Display and Performance
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i sports a 27-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. The mini-LED backlight has a 1000 cd/m2 peak while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model has over a thousand mini-LED zones, which enable HDR 1000 performance, so it will be substantially better than edge-lit models.
1440p is the perfect budget-friendly upgrade since it doesn’t require much and has become rather affordable in the past few years. You can get fantastic options like this model for less than $400 now, and you won’t need a flagship card for it. It also has excellent visibility and legibility compared to 4K, so it’s more comfortable to use for reading and typing.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i covers 97 % sRGB and 100% DCI-P3 for stunning color in games and movies. Its default accuracy isn’t as great since its dE average reached a high 3.71. That happens with uncalibrated wide gamut monitors, but its not a massive concern for gamers who often prefer the oversaturation.
Calibrating the monitor reduced the dE average to 2.31, so its not worth doing it and considering the product for color-critical work. It also has built-in presets for the common gamut standards, but they do not have sub-dE 2.0 scores. We recommend going with better-tuned alternatives if accuracy is a prority.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i’s backlight reached 957 cd/m2 when its HDR mode does its magic. The contrast reached 1244:1, but it also expanded exponentially when the mini-LEDs were doing their local dimming magic. Only OLEDs are better in this regard, and those cost more than twice at least.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was decent, but there is some backlight leaking and clouding in some instances. Contrasting scenes can reveal this issue, but that’s a limitation of the technology. Only OLEDs are better since local dimming is at a pixel level.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i’s refresh rate isn’t the highest, but it is still decent when it comes to motion clarity. You only need a decent amount of overdrive for effective blur reduction without adding overshoot. It’s great for competitive games, although the disadvantage is noticeable if you’ve already used a 240Hz or higher variant.
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Dual VRR compatibility is essential if you want to save money since you won’t have to buy a new monitor if you switch GPU brands. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, so its just as fast as the mainstream options out there.
Thoughts on the Xiaomi G Pro 27i
The Xiaomi G Pro 27i is an excellent choice for the budget conscious gamers who want great HDR performance. The price includes mini-LED and HDR 1000 capabilities, so its capable of fantastic visuals despite its limitations. Its designed quite well and it looks attractive, so you aren’t losing out in that regard either.
Some omissions, like its lack of USB ports or higher calibration potential, are expected. Products that are made extra affordable often have caveats, but that’s okay for the most part. It’s a great buy, but there is definitely some room for improvement.
Pros:
- Fantastic Gamut Coverage
- Low-Priced Mini-LED
- High Brightness and Expanding Contrast
- Attractive Design
Cons:
- No USB Ports
- Dismal Accuracy
- Poor Calibration Results
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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