By Dell, the company that owns Alienware, is undoubtedly one of the firms most to blame for the deluge of OLED monitors that reached the market in 2025. It now has 14 screens in its catalog, including 5 OLED monitors.
On the OLED ladder, the Alienware AW2725D is at the bottom. This 27-inch QD-OLED monitor has a maximum refresh rate of 280 Hz and a resolution of 1440p. It costs only $549.99 at retail. This makes it a simple option if you’re looking for a mid-range OLED gaming monitor.
Specs and features
You might be surprised to learn that the Alienware AW2725D has entry-level specs for a contemporary QD-OLED monitor if you don’t keep up with the latest models. The AW2725D is an entry-level QD-OLED panel with a fast refresh rate of 280 Hz and a reasonable resolution of 2560 x 1440.
- 27-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Resolution in native: 2560 x 1440
- Type of panel: OLED
- Rate of refresh: Up to 280 Hz
- Adaptive Sync: Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, yes, Complementary
- Indeed, VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black supports HDR. Two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, one USB-B 5Gbps upstream port, one USB-A 5Gbps downstream port, and one USB-C 5Gbps downstream port with 15 watts of charging power are all certified ports.
- No audio
- Cost: $549.99 MSRP
Additionally, it supports Adaptive Sync, officially supporting both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. In contrast, VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certification accompanies HDR capability.
However, the true motivation for purchasing the AW2725D is its cost. It has one of the lowest retail MSRPs of any QD-OLED monitor at just $549.99. It is comparable to or better than Amazon Prime Day sales on rivals such as the Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q2 and Samsung Odyssey OLED G6, which are older QD-OLED displays with a refresh rate of 240 Hz.
Design
For 2025, Alienware completely revamped its lineup of monitors, but the changes weren’t positive. A curving, organic design has taken the place of the brand’s previous five-year-old retro-futuristic aesthetic. Strangely, all Alienware monitors are the same color—a dark navy-blue—and the polymers used no longer feel or seem as high-end as they once did.
For 2025, Alienware revamped its whole range of monitors, albeit not in a positive way. The brand’s curving, organic style has replaced the retro-futuristic aesthetic it has been using for the last five years. The materials used no longer feel or seem as high-end as they once did, and oddly, all Alienware monitors are the same shade of dark navy blue
However, it’s not all terrible news. A new stand that is smaller than the eye-catching wing-like stands that came with many prior Alienware monitors (and still come with the Alienware AW3225QF, which was released in early 2024 despite its moniker) is part of the design update. The full lineup of Alienware’s 2025 monitors fits neatly on a desktop..
Connectivity
Gaming displays that lack crucial interfaces, such as USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, have frequently angered me. However, Alienware called my bluff this year. They reduced their costs and chose not to include USB-C video input or power in the Alienware lineup.
I’ve often raged against gaming monitors that fail to include important ports, like USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery. But this year, Alienware called my bluff. They decided to skip USB-C video input and power across the Alienware range—and dropped their prices.
Your needs will determine if that works for you or not. Naturally, since USB-C is rarely utilized for video input, it is not an issue for the majority of gaming desktops. However, you’ll probably want to seek elsewhere if you were hoping to connect a lightweight, thin laptop that’s easy to power via USB-C, maybe because you use one in addition to your gaming PC.
However, this decision appears to have assisted Alienware in achieving a very competitive price. At $549.99 MSRP, the AW2725D is comparable to previous QD-OLED displays with a refresh rate of 240 Hz and a resolution of 1440p.
Menus and features
Additionally, the Alienware AW2725D has a few features. Quick access to the monitor’s menu system is made possible via a joystick that is concealed in the middle of the lower bezel. As an alternative, owners can adjust the monitor settings in Windows by using Alienware’s Command Center program.
But there isn’t much to alter. The display lacks color temperature settings that aim for particular values. Although only in a few select settings, like Creator, does it offer gamma correction. Only the Custom Color option allows for the most substantial color changes. Such limitations are typical of gaming monitors. However, content producers who are clear about their preferences could find it difficult to adjust and calibrate the monitor.
SDR image quality
The AW2725D has a brightness advantage straight out of the gate. As the graph illustrates, it reached a maximum sustained SDR brightness of 272 nits, which is among the highest values observed in modern OLED displays.
Even in bright spaces, brightness can be a problem. For an OLED display in SDR, 272 nits is a lot, but when it has to compete with windows that receive sunlight, it may appear dim. Additionally, the AW2725D’s highly shiny display coat intensifies reflections.
However, the AW2725D is superior to most if you want to switch to OLED, and SDR brightness is an issue.
Though it’s just as good as anticipated, there isn’t much to say about contrast. Because OLED monitors can reach a minimum luminance of 0 nits, they are able to achieve a practically infinite contrast ratio. Therefore, compared to LCD panels with an LED backlight, OLED monitors appear richer, deeper, and more immersive.
Once more, the AW2725D is advantageous in terms of pricing. In this regard, all OLED monitors are essentially the same. Alternatively, you won’t get any better results by spending twice as much on a high-end competitor.
Motion Performance
The refresh rate of the Alienware AW2725D is likely one of its less appealing aspects and a major factor in its low cost, yet it still manages to deliver a refresh rate of 280Hz, which seems a little ridiculous.
Compared to more costly 1440p QD-OLED displays, which usually reach at least 360Hz, it is slower. Many people will still require more than 280Hz, though. Recall that you can only fully benefit from an enhanced refresh rate if the game you’re playing can reach that or a higher frame rate. Otherwise, when Adaptive Sync is enabled, the display will refresh more slowly to match the game’s frame rate.
Great motion clarity and buttery smooth gameplay are features of the AW2725D. Low contrast examples can still be difficult to see, but scrolling text is often understandable, and fast-moving objects are easy to see. Please understand that there is a discernible advantage to a greater refresh rate. However, 280Hz still looks fantastic.
Adaptive Sync is supported by the AW2725D, which is officially compatible with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Although formal support is still preferred, the majority of monitors that declare compatibility with any of these standards will function with all three. You may complain to Alienware if Adaptive Sync doesn’t work with your visual card, which is a pleasant extra assurance.
Conclusion
The Alienware AW2725D confirms what I said earlier this year: the type of OLED you purchase isn’t very important. Samsung is the source of all QD-OLED panels, and although there are some minor variations in HDR brightness and refresh rates, overall, they are far more alike than dissimilar.
The AW2725D will benefit from that. At only $549.99, it offers the majority of the advantages of more costly QD-OLED monitors at a tempting price. If you want a gaming monitor that can also be used as a productivity display, the AW2725D’s absence of USB-C and fairly restricted image quality tweaking choices are its only significant drawbacks. However, the AW2725D’s cost helps to offset that, making it a simple monitor to suggest.
