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ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQX gaming monitor review
ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQX is the world’s first Mini-LED gaming monitor. This explains why it is also one of the most expensive, at a heartbreaking $3,700. For context, this is $1,000 more than an excellent 65-inch LG C1 OLED TV, which may be the best competitor of this display. But a lot of things have happened here, which can form a very effective software package that can attract professional consumers/game players.
For starters, Mini-LED uses thousands of micro LEDs to provide full array local dimming (FALD), which is different from traditional LED displays that use rough edge lighting. This means that by opening and closing the LED area, the panel can more accurately control the brightness of the picture. For example, PG32UQX has 1152 independent LED areas, which can transform from an almost perfect black to a dazzling 1,400 nits.
ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQX specifications
Panel size: 32 inches
Panel technology: IPS mini LED
Original resolution: 3840 x 2160
aspect ratio: 16:9
Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Response time: 4 ms
High dynamic range: VESA DisplayHDR 1400
colour: 10 bits (98% DCI-P3)
brightness: 500 nits
Video input: DisplayPort 1.4, 3x HDMI 2.0
Suggested retail price: USD 3,799 | 3,299 GBP
The end result is that PG32UQX is one of the best panels I have ever used. The colors are vivid and accurate, and the crazy brightness has won the DisplayHDR 1400 certification for PG32UQX. However, since these are LED areas and not self-luminous pixels like OLED, you won’t get those crazy blacks with infinite contrast.
In addition, since the Mini-LED becomes very bright, unfortunately, you will see some obvious halos around the bizarre bright spots (such as the mouse cursor or certain HUD elements in the game). This is not common, but it is there. Thankfully, everything else looks so beautiful that there is never really a delay in daily use and gaming.
PG32UQX has 10-bit color, 160% Adobe sRGB coverage and 98% DCI-P3 wide color gamut. Delta E<2 makes it a creator’s dream. Compared with the MacBook Pro 16 Retina display I calibrated, the clarity and vitality of the PG32UQX far exceeds it. At 32 inches, PG32UQX provides the right pixel density to enjoy its 4K resolution.
ASUS also supports Nvidia G-Sync Ultimate, and there is also VRR that can be used with Xbox Series X|S, but unfortunately Playstation 5 does not support it. All in all, this provides an extremely gorgeous display for work and games. I have re-obsessed with Destiny 2, and despite all its shortcomings, it is still one of the most beautiful games in HDR.
The colors are full of vitality, and the darkness hides ominous enemies, allowing you to kill while looking for the latest trophies. Of course, in most AAA games, under 4K, you need a hell gear to get a frame rate higher than 60fps; let alone 144fps. I did let Doom Eternal use RTX 3080 to cross the 144Hz barrier in 4K HDR, which is really great.
PG32UQX has three HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports, you can connect everything and kitchen sinks to it. Two USB 3.1 ports are added to it, and another USB 2.0 is located on the top of the display to connect your webcam. There is also a threaded screw for easy installation of the camera. A headphone jack is also provided, but since the monitor does not provide anything like DAC to improve the sound, I ignored it.
The controls of the PG32UQX are pleasing, thanks to the thick tactile dial located on the lower bezel of the display. On both sides of the dial are two contextual buttons, making navigation and changing settings a breeze. The menu is easy to understand and allows you to access all the functions of ASUS Game Visual and Game Plus.
Also on the bottom bezel is another cool, but ultimately gimmicky LiveDash OLED display. The monitor can display almost anything you want, from frame rate to CPU temperature, and even custom logos. It is useful for monitoring, but mainly distracting. This is a fail-safe measure to prevent aging, but the cycle is too frequent.
In terms of design, PG32UQX doesn’t look much from the front, except for the gorgeous LiveDash panel and the textured bottom border. But the etched pattern on the rear panel and the glowing ROG logo are quite beautiful. It’s a shame because you rarely see the back, but I think this is cool for tournaments and offices where dental floss can be used.
I also like the beautiful stand, which comes in two shades of copper and matte gray finishes. The V-shaped feet do not take up much desk space, and are strong enough to prevent the PG32UQX from shaking. The stand also has an RGB light that can project an image of your choice onto your desktop, making some real gamers feel redundant, but hey, you did pay more than three for this.
In the end, PG32UQX is one of the best 4K gaming monitors money can buy, and an exciting prospect for the future of gaming monitors. After using it, I no longer desire OLED. Of course, Mini-LED is still in its infancy, so it is far from perfect, but the only way left is to go up, and we all support it. But first, make it cheaper. Much cheaper.