Summary of "Huge WOLED Improvement! - Asus ROG Strix XG27AQWMG Review"

Asus ROG Strix XG27AQWMG

27” 1440p 280Hz 4th Generation W OLED Gaming Monitor

Main Features

Panel Technology: 4th generation LG W OLED with primary RGB tandem emissive layer (blue, green, blue, red stack), replacing the previous blue-yellow-blue stack. This enhances brightness, color volume, and power efficiency.
Resolution & Refresh Rate: 2560x1440p at up to 280 Hz.
Adaptive Sync: Supported (variable refresh rate).
HDR: DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, surpassing competing QD OLED True Black 400.
Screen Coating: ASUS True Black glossy coating with 0% haze, reducing ambient reflections and improving clarity compared to previous matte finishes and third-gen W OLED coatings.
Subpixel Layout: RGWB (Red, Green, White, Blue) for improved text clarity over previous RWBG layouts.
Connectivity:
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4 (with DSC)
- 2x HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps)
- 2-port USB hub
- No USB-C or KVM switch.
OSD Controls: Directional toggle located behind the ASUS logo on the front.
Burn-in Protection: Industry-standard 3-year burn-in warranty plus ASUS NeoProximity sensor that turns off the screen when the user is away.
Motion Performance: Approximately 0.3 ms response time, no overshoot artifacts, consistent across refresh rates. Supports ELMB (black frame insertion) at 120 Hz to simulate 240 Hz clarity (with some limitations).
Input Lag: Sub-1 ms at max refresh rates; 23 ms at fixed 60 Hz (not ideal).
Power Consumption:
- 28% more efficient on full white compared to previous W OLEDs
- 12% better in mid APL gaming scenarios
- Overall the most efficient OLED monitor tested.
Color Gamut: 99.8% DCI-P3, 83.8% Rec. 2020 (wider than previous W OLEDs and QD OLED competitors).
Factory Calibration: Good but not perfect; oversaturation in SDR default mode; excellent sRGB calibration modes available.
Brightness:
- SDR full white: 331 nits (26% brighter than previous W OLED)
- HDR peak brightness: Up to ~1400 nits at 1% window size; ~1200 nits at 2% window
- Higher brightness and better behavior in high APL scenes than competing QD OLEDs, with no panel dimming issues.
Uniformity: Good white uniformity; gray uniformity still shows some banding and dirty screen effect.
HDR Performance: Excellent per-pixel local dimming with deep blacks and minimal blooming. Better HDR brightness handling than QD OLEDs, especially in high APL scenes without dimming.
Color Brightness: Improved 8-20% for primary colors over previous W OLED, but still behind QD OLED in color brightness.
Additional Features: OLED anti-flicker mode (reduces VRR flicker by narrowing refresh rate range), ELMB black frame insertion, NeoProximity sensor.

Pros

Significant brightness improvement over previous W OLEDs and QD OLED competitors.
Excellent HDR performance with deep blacks and minimal blooming.
True Black glossy coating reduces ambient reflections better than QD OLED’s glossy coating.
Very fast OLED response times and low input lag at high refresh rates.
Wide color gamut with improved Rec. 2020 coverage.
Efficient power consumption.
Burn-in mitigation features including proximity sensor and 3-year warranty.
Feature-rich OSD and factory calibrated sRGB modes.
Compact, stable, and premium-feeling stand design that saves desk space.
Supports 10-bit color at 1440p 280 Hz over DisplayPort and HDMI.

Cons

No USB-C input or KVM switch.
Moderate potential for flicker due to VRR gamma shifts.
Some banding and dirty screen effect in gray uniformity.
Glossy coating can cause distracting direct reflections in certain lighting setups.
Input lag is high at fixed 60 Hz.
Color brightness still lags behind QD OLED in some scenarios.
The monitor’s name is confusingly similar to previous ASUS OLED models, making it hard to distinguish.
ELMB black frame insertion only works at 120 Hz with several restrictions.
Price at $699 USD is higher than expected and may be considered expensive compared to upcoming competitors.

User Experience

Text clarity improved with RGWB subpixel layout, though still not quite as sharp as IPS LCDs.
Glossy coating offers excellent clarity and black depth in darker or moderately lit rooms, but reflections can be an issue in bright environments.
Burn-in risk remains inherent to OLED; suitable for gaming and mixed use but less ideal for heavy static productivity work.
NeoProximity sensor works well to reduce burn-in risk by turning off the display when the user is away.
Motion clarity is excellent at native refresh rates, with ELMB providing a niche option for enhanced clarity at 120 Hz.
Calibration modes and color management in Windows 11 improve SDR accuracy significantly.
HDR modes offer flexible options with adjustable HDR brightness, though some over-brightening occurs in midtones.

Comparisons

Vs Previous W OLED (e.g., XG27AQDMG)

Brighter (26% SDR, 12-15% HDR peak).
More efficient power consumption.
Wider color gamut.
Improved subpixel layout.
Better coating.
Longer lifespan claimed.

Vs QD OLED (e.g., Dell AW2725D 280 Hz, 500 Hz models)

W OLED offers higher brightness in high APL scenes without panel dimming.
Better ambient reflection handling due to True Black glossy coating.
QD OLED has better color brightness and slightly higher color volume.
QD OLED reduces direct reflections better but suffers from raised blacks in bright rooms.
W OLED’s motion and input lag performance comparable.
Overall, W OLED edges out QD OLED in brightness, HDR behavior, and ambient light handling.

Vs LCDs

OLED’s response times and contrast far exceed LCDs.
Brightness still lower than top LCDs.

Pricing & Availability

MSRP: $699 USD.
Considered a bit expensive; Gigabyte’s upcoming model at $500 may offer better value.
ASUS model expected availability early Q4.
Price places it in competition with 360 Hz monitors, making buyer preferences important.

Verdict / Overall Recommendation

The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQWMG is the best 1440p 280 Hz OLED gaming monitor currently available, showcasing a major leap forward with LG’s 4th generation primary RGB tandem W OLED panel. It delivers significantly improved brightness, wider color gamut, excellent HDR performance without panel dimming, and an outstanding True Black glossy coating that handles ambient light better than QD OLED alternatives.

While some minor issues remain—such as gray uniformity banding, potential flicker, and a somewhat confusing product name—the monitor’s strengths in motion clarity, color accuracy (especially in calibrated modes), and burn-in protection features make it an excellent choice for gamers seeking top-tier OLED performance.

At $699, it is somewhat pricey, so buyers may want to compare with upcoming alternatives before purchasing. However, for those prioritizing OLED gaming performance with strong HDR and brightness in a 27-inch 1440p form factor, this is likely the definitive option on the market right now.

Additional Notes from Multiple Speakers

One speaker expressed frustration over the confusing naming scheme.
Another highlighted the NeoProximity sensor as a genuinely useful burn-in prevention feature.
Both agreed the True Black glossy coating is a significant improvement and a better choice for most users than matte or QD OLED glossy coatings.
The reviewer cautioned that OLED burn-in risk remains, especially for heavy static desktop use.
Pricing was a point of contention, with some expecting a lower MSRP and recommending waiting for competitor models.

Summary

The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQWMG is a feature-rich, high-performance 4th gen W OLED gaming monitor with impressive brightness, color, and HDR capabilities that outperform QD OLED rivals in many respects. It is highly recommended for gamers who want the best OLED experience at 1440p and 280 Hz, provided the price aligns with their budget.