By Are you looking for a monitor that can be used as a mirror while the display is off, has a contrast-rich finish, excellent motion clarity, and OLED image quality? You might want to consider the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG.
With a dual-mode display that can refresh at up to 330 Hz and a TrueBlack Glossy finish that improves immersion, it puts its all into gaming. Although such advantages have drawbacks, for many people, the balance between the two will be favorable.
Specs and Features
Although the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG is essentially just another 32-inch 4K display, the specification sheet contains some intriguing information. It makes use of a slightly less popular LG WOLED panel than Samsung’s QD-OLED. Furthermore, it is a dual-mode display, which means that it has native resolution modes of 1080p and 4K. The refresh rate can reach 330 Hz in 1080p, while it only reaches 165 Hz in 4K.
Additionally, Asus claims that the TrueBlack Glossy display cover on the panel enhances perceived contrast. In the review, there will be more on that.
- 31.5-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Native resolution: 1920 x 1080 or 3840 x 2160
- Type of panel: WOLED
- 165 Hz or 330 Hz refresh rate (in 1080p mode)
- Adjustable synchronization: Indeed, G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro are Complementary
- HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black, HDR10, yes
- Ports: 1x USB-B, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C upstream with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 15 watts of power delivery, and 2x HDMI 2.1. Three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream and 3.2 Gen 1 upstream
- No audio
- Extra features: Nearby sensor and dual-mode screen
- Price: $899 at first retail, $999 at MSRP
The monitor also provides a decent bit of connection, including USB-C with DisplayPort and three downstream USB-A ports. This indicates that it functions effectively as a USB hub. Additionally, some OLED panels are beginning to include a proximity sensor, a new feature designed to decrease picture retention by immediately shutting off the screen as you walk away.
Design
Despite appearances, the design is useful. An ergonomic stand with a minuscule base is included with the monitor. With good cause, Asus emphasizes this feature since the compact base reduces the monitor’s footprint and makes it simpler to place on your desk.
The stand can be adjusted in height, tilt, and swivel; however, its range is a little bit constrained in some places. For instance, it only has an 80mm height adjustment, whereas some of its rivals have 110mm or, at most, 130mm. Still, for the majority of configurations, 80mm works well. Although it’s not particularly uncommon for a 32-inch OLED panel, the stand can only tilt a few degrees for small adjustments rather than into portrait mode.
The Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG has a very simple front-end design with small black bezels on both sides. The only elements that set it apart are the proximity sensor and the bright red ROG logo on the bottom bezel.
When flipped about, the monitor seems a little more distinctive because of the large RGB-lit Asus ROG logo and the striking two-tone black style common to many ROG displays. It is unmistakably a gaming monitor, even if its design tends to be more subtle than most gaming monitors.
Naturally, the monitor also has a 100x100mm VESA mount, which allows you to mount it to external monitor arms or stands to extend its adjustment range.
The XG32UCWG, like the majority of OLED displays, requires an extra power brick, which you will need to set up beneath your desk. However, at 240 watts, it’s a little brick by comparison.
Connectivity
The connectivity of previous Asus ROG monitors hasn’t always been particularly noteworthy, but the ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG provides a respectable selection. There are a total of four video inputs: two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate Mode. A little more than the standard three video inputs, that is.
The USB-C connector isn’t a total gain because it can only give 15 watts of electricity, which is insufficient to run a connected laptop (unless it’s a MacBook Air, perhaps, assuming you’re not using it at full load). Nonetheless, it is helpful that the USB-C port offers upstream access to three downstream USB-A connections. You probably won’t be using USB-C if you’re using a desktop, but those USB-A ports can also be reached via an upstream USB-B connection.
Some rivals, including the HP Omen Transcend 32, provide superior overall connectivity. However, the Asus is less expensive than the HP, and some competitors, like Alienware, have recently offered fewer ports. For those who desire good connectivity without spending a lot of money, the XG32UCWG offers a compromise.
SDR image quality
The LG WOLED panel is included in the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG. In comparison, the Samsung QD-OLED panel is more widely used. The XG32UCWG is not an exception to the rule that WOLED panels perform marginally worse in terms of color than QD-OLED. Nonetheless, WOLED’s color spectrum coverage is approaching that of QD-OLED, and its overall SDR performance is very good.
Brightness comes first. With a maximum sustained SDR brightness of 286 nits, the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG performs admirably in this regard. After the far more costly Asus ProArt PA32UCDM, it is the second-best OLED result.
ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG (32 Inch 4K UHD Gaming Monitor, Dual Mode 4K at 165 Hz, FHD at 330 Hz, 0.03ms, Sync-Tech, HDR 400 TB, QD-OLED,
Although measured contrast is not always improved by the True Glossy Black finish, subjective contrast is. Because OLED panels are so successful at producing a perfect black level of 0 nits, they all achieve an almost infinite contrast ratio.
However, because of the True Glossy Black panel finish, you might require that brightness. Although this finish is already very reflective, its purpose is to increase visual contrast. In fact, it’s practically a mirror because, even in rooms with modest lighting, it’s easy to see very clear full-color reflections. As a result, I can only suggest the XG32UCWG in a space with excellent light management.
Motion Performance
This dual-mode monitor is the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG. This indicates that it can display 1080p at up to 330Hz or 4K resolution at up to 165Hz. Your priorities will determine whether or not that matters.
Even though I can see that the motion clarity is better at 330Hz, I personally wouldn’t play at 1080p to enjoy 330Hz. On a 32-inch screen, 1080p’s diminished crispness is simply too much. However, the 1080p/330Hz mode’s improved smoothness and motion clarity would probably be appreciated by extremely competitive gamers.
The versatility this can offer is the true key. In the past, to achieve high refresh rates, competitive gamers had to use lower resolutions. That works well for Counter-Strike 2, but it won’t work as well for competitive gamers who want to launch Cyberpunk 2077 during their downtime. The finest of both worlds is provided by the XG32UCWG.
But there are sacrifices involved. A 4K/240Hz monitor might be a better option at this price. Therefore, you have to choose between 4K at 240Hz continuously or the ability to switch between 4K at 165Hz and 1080p at 330Hz. Although I can understand why some people would choose the latter, I would always choose the first option.
The motion clarity of the XG32UCWG is superb, regardless of your preference. OLED monitors maximize their high refresh rates and minimize blur because of their low pixel response times. Together with AMD and Nvidia video cards, the XG32UCWG offers official compatibility for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync for fluid frame pacing.
Conclusion
A formidable competitor in the fiercely competitive field of 32-inch 4K OLED monitors is the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG. Strong connectivity, a contrast-rich display, good SDR and HDR performance, and dual-mode capabilities at 1080p/330Hz or 4K/165Hz are among its advantages.
On the downside, the display is priced to compete with monitors that can give 4K/240Hz, its color performance doesn’t quite equal QD-OLED, and its incredibly shiny surface will cause controversy. I think that last point hurts the most. If I had the money, I would choose the MSI MPG 32URXW. At the very least, I would if it were available at MSRP, which it isn’t at the moment.
Regarding MSRP, it’s important to note that the XG32UCWG is reasonably priced. Although its MSRP is $999, according to Asus, it will launch for $899 for a “limited time.” That’s highly competitive, and as long as the monitor remains at or close to that price, it deserves a place on any short list of 32-inch 4K OLED screens.
Hardcore gamers who value motion clarity will be the main target audience for the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWG because of the 1080p/330Hz mode. However, when playing more immersive and graphically demanding games, competitive players can still opt for 4K resolution.
