CES 2023 is now just days away and there’s already one standout category we’re particularly excited about: 240Hz OLED gaming monitors.
In general, OLED panels can achieve better image quality and faster response time than their LED or IPS equivalents, but historically they’ve lacked the ability to match them in delivering high refresh rates. There were some exceptions – such as the Alienware AW3423DW, a QD OLED that runs at 175 Hz – but now OLED gaming screens have finally reached the optimal 240 Hz refresh rate prized by gamers specializing in eSports and FPS titles.
Several 240Hz OLED displays (that we’re aware of) will be showcased at the CES 2023 conference. One of the more innovative offerings is the Corsair Xeneon Flex, a 45-inch OLED with adjustable curvature and a $1,999 price tag. Squeezing the screen allows you to switch between flat and 800R curved display modes, making it ideal for both work and play.
We managed to get our hands on a pre-release version of the Corsair Xeneon Flex for an early review, and even that left a great impression. You get that all-important 240Hz variable refresh rate and 1440p resolution, alongside AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility and a snappy 0.03 millisecond response time.
Meanwhile, LG Display will showcase its 45-inch Ultra-Wide OLED and 27-inch OLED UltraGear monitors, which are already available for pre-order at $999 and $1,699, respectively. Both screens are 1440p and have a response time of 0.03 ms. LG Display has also confirmed in one press release that these OLED panels will be used in premium monitors from other brands, such as Corsair and Asus.
Speaking of Asus, we also know there’s a new one 27-inch ROG OLED gaming monitor will be unveiled at CES 2023, though details are thin before that. A teaser for the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM posted on Twitter earlier this month indicates this will also run at 240Hz and have a resolution of 1440p, but otherwise there’s no word on pricing or a release date.
Dough will also use a glossy version of the aforementioned LG Display OLED panel in its own 27-inch Spectrum OLED monitor running at 240Hz at 1440p resolution, though we haven’t heard of it being showcased at CES 2023 If you’re happy to take the plunge, anyway, pre-orders start at $649and implementation is expected around July 2023.
We’re excited to see what these new gaming monitors are capable of, but we’re still going to nitpick – literally in this case. Both LG UltraGear OLED displays claim an average brightness level of just 200 nits, and the Corsair Xeneon Flex has a measly 150 nits average. OLED screens to be usually weaker due to power requirements, heat and the risk of burn-in, but if you’re used to something like the Samsung Odyssey G9 (which has a typical brightness of 420 nits), then these displays can feel quite understated.
The standard brightness for a monitor is around 300 and 350 nits
The lack of 4K resolution options could also be a deal breaker for some, although it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll need an extremely powerful gaming PC to run most titles at that resolution and take full advantage of it. making a refresh rate of 240 Hz. A current-generation console won’t be up to snuff either. Overall, 1440p is the sweet spot that offers great picture quality without sacrificing refresh rate and therefore frame rates.
The imminent introduction of 240Hz OLED screens to the market could be a game-changer for people who like to switch between fast-paced competitive shooters and beautiful, graphically demanding titles. It’s a shame some of the prices we’re seeing are so high, but that’s to be expected with new technology. Who knows, maybe I can afford one of the above models by the time the next generation of OLED gaming monitors can hit 500Hz.
