Gaming monitors have been growing in size, and unfortunately, so has the price tag attached to them. The ASUS ROG Swift PG48UQ OLED Monitor is no exception, retailing at a hefty £1499. However, this monitor justifies its high price with an impressive array of features, making it a tempting choice for avid gamers.
The standout feature of the PG48UQ is its massive 47.5-inch 4K OLED display. This display boasts a refresh rate of 138Hz (overclocked), a lightning-fast response time of 0.1ms, and G-Sync compatibility for tear-free gaming. The monitor also supports HDR10 and offers a peak brightness of 900 nits, delivering stunning visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks. Additionally, it comes with HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing seamless connectivity with the latest gaming consoles.
In terms of design, the PG48UQ is undeniably a beast. Though its stand design allows for a relatively close placement to a wall, its large size can be overwhelming if you’re accustomed to smaller monitors. Setting it up might require assistance due to its weight of 16.2kg. The monitor features a pleasingly basic design, devoid of the usual Republic of Gamers RGB lighting. The thin black bezel and metallic finish of the stand give it an elegant look, focusing your attention on the impressive display rather than unnecessary lighting effects.
It’s important to note the difference between input lag and response time. While response time refers to how quickly a display can change pixels, input lag is the delay between a command and its execution on-screen. The PG48UQ excels in both areas. With an OLED panel, it achieves an incredible response time of 0.1ms, eliminating ghosting and tearing even at an overclocked refresh rate of 138Hz. During testing, the image quality was exceptional, passing all the benchmarks with flying colors. The 4K resolution enhances the clarity of text and the richness of colors, and the HDR support further elevates the visual experience.
To combat the risk of screen burn, which is a concern with OLED technology, ASUS has implemented helpful features. The Screen Protection settings offer options such as the auto static brightness limiter (ASBL) that dims the screen when static images are detected. Pixel Cleaning provides a screen cleaning option, and Screen Move slightly adjusts the screen periodically. Adjust Logo Brightness helps prevent static and bright logos from causing burn-in issues.
In terms of audio, the PG48UQ surprises with its decent built-in speakers. While they can’t match a dedicated speaker system or headset, the 2 x 10W speakers and 15W woofer provided by Harmon/Kardon offer a satisfactory listening experience.
Despite its steep price, the ASUS ROG Swift PG48UQ OLED Monitor delivers exceptional performance and an impressive set of features. The combination of a massive 4K OLED display, an incredibly fast response time, an overclocked refresh rate, and G-Sync support makes it a compelling choice for gamers seeking a premium gaming experience. The monitor also includes screen protection features to address OLED screen burn concerns. With its wide range of connections, including HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K console gaming, it caters to diverse needs. The inclusion of a remote control is a welcome addition, simplifying menu navigation. If you have the budget and desk space, the PG48UQ is definitely worth considering for its superb performance and immersive gaming possibilities.
One aspect that may be a drawback for some users is the limited adjustability of the stand. The PG48UQ lacks height and pivot functions, offering only a slight tilt adjustment. However, it is VESA mount compatible (300 x 300), allowing users to explore alternative mounting options. Even without the stand, the monitor weighs a substantial 15kg, highlighting the robust build quality.
In terms of connectivity, the PG48UQ offers a generous selection of ports. With HDMI 2.1 compatibility, you can easily connect the latest gaming consoles to enjoy the full 4K gaming experience. The inclusion of DisplayPort 1.4 DSC ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices, further enhancing its versatility.
Navigating the monitor’s menu system is made more convenient with the addition of a remote control. This eliminates the need to rely solely on the joystick control, which can be fiddly at times. However, if you enjoy the challenge of mastering the joystick control, it is still available for those who prefer a more traditional approach.
Although the price tag of £1499 may seem daunting, the ASUS ROG Swift PG48UQ OLED Monitor excels in performance and features across the board. The combination of its massive 4K OLED display, blazing-fast response time, overclocked refresh rate, and comprehensive color reproduction provides a truly immersive gaming experience. The inclusion of screen protection features demonstrates ASUS’s commitment to addressing the potential drawbacks of OLED technology, further enhancing the monitor’s appeal.
If you have the financial means and sufficient desk space, the PG48UQ is a top-tier choice for gamers who prioritize exceptional visuals, responsiveness, and immersive gameplay. While it may stretch the budget for some, the investment is rewarded with a monitor that delivers on its promises and elevates the gaming experience to new heights.
- Exceptional Image Quality:
- The 4K (3840 x 2160) OLED panel delivers perfect black levels, infinite contrast, and vibrant colors with 98% DCI-P3 gamut coverage and true 10-bit color depth.
- Pre-calibrated with Delta E < 2 for accurate colors, ideal for gaming and creative work.
- HDR10 support with up to 900 nits peak brightness enhances detail in bright and dark scenes, making it excellent for HDR gaming.
- The 4K (3840 x 2160) OLED panel delivers perfect black levels, infinite contrast, and vibrant colors with 98% DCI-P3 gamut coverage and true 10-bit color depth.
- High Performance for Gaming:
- Overclockable 138Hz refresh rate (default 120Hz) and 0.1ms gray-to-gray response time ensure smooth, low-latency gameplay, suitable for fast-paced titles.
- G-SYNC compatibility and support for HDMI-VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium reduce screen tearing.
- HDMI 2.1 ports (2x) support 4K 120Hz gaming on consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X.
- Overclockable 138Hz refresh rate (default 120Hz) and 0.1ms gray-to-gray response time ensure smooth, low-latency gameplay, suitable for fast-paced titles.
- Anti-Glare and Burn-In Mitigation:
- Features an anti-glare micro-texture coating to reduce reflections, improving visibility in various lighting conditions.
- Built-in screen protection features like pixel cleaning, screen move, and auto static brightness limiter (ASBL) help mitigate OLED burn-in risks.
- Features an anti-glare micro-texture coating to reduce reflections, improving visibility in various lighting conditions.
- Robust Connectivity:
- Offers extensive ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, 4x USB 3.2, 1x USB Type-B, S/PDIF out, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Includes a tripod socket for webcam mounting, enhancing streaming setups.
- Offers extensive ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, 4x USB 3.2, 1x USB Type-B, S/PDIF out, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Impressive Audio:
- Built-in 2.1 speaker system (2x 10W speakers + 15W woofer) with Harman Kardon tuning provides rich, high-quality sound for a monitor, suitable for gaming and media consumption.
- Built-in 2.1 speaker system (2x 10W speakers + 15W woofer) with Harman Kardon tuning provides rich, high-quality sound for a monitor, suitable for gaming and media consumption.
- Versatile Features:
- Supports multiple aspect ratios (24″, 27″, 34″) for smaller display sizes, adjustable vertically for flexibility.
- Includes a remote control for easy menu navigation and settings adjustments.
- Custom heatsink reduces panel temperatures by up to 8%, enhancing OLED longevity.
- Supports multiple aspect ratios (24″, 27″, 34″) for smaller display sizes, adjustable vertically for flexibility.
- Award-Winning Design:
- Won the Taiwan Excellence Award 2023 and Good Design Award 2022 for its innovative design and performance.
- Won the Taiwan Excellence Award 2023 and Good Design Award 2022 for its innovative design and performance.
Cons
- Large Size and Weight:
- At 47.5 inches and 16.2kg (with stand), it requires significant desk space (1068 x 686 x 266mm) and may be impractical for smaller setups.
- Setup can be challenging due to its size and weight, often requiring two people.
- At 47.5 inches and 16.2kg (with stand), it requires significant desk space (1068 x 686 x 266mm) and may be impractical for smaller setups.
- Limited Stand Adjustability:
- The stand only offers tilt adjustment (±5 degrees), lacking height or pivot options, which may require makeshift solutions like propping it up.
- The stand only offers tilt adjustment (±5 degrees), lacking height or pivot options, which may require makeshift solutions like propping it up.
- High Price:
- Priced at approximately £1499 or $1499, it’s expensive compared to alternatives like the LG 48C2 OLED TV, which offers similar performance for less.
- The high cost may not justify the monitor-specific features for some users, especially when OLED TVs are cheaper.
- Priced at approximately £1499 or $1499, it’s expensive compared to alternatives like the LG 48C2 OLED TV, which offers similar performance for less.
- OLED Burn-In Risk:
- Despite mitigation features, OLED panels are susceptible to burn-in with prolonged static images, a concern for PC use with taskbars or HUDs.
- Users must be cautious with static content to avoid long-term damage.
- Despite mitigation features, OLED panels are susceptible to burn-in with prolonged static images, a concern for PC use with taskbars or HUDs.
- Firmware Issues:
- Early firmware versions (e.g., V032) had HDR and power-related issues, requiring updates (e.g., V040) to fix washed-out HDR colors.
- Some users reported color accuracy problems, particularly with SDR content in HDR mode.
- Early firmware versions (e.g., V032) had HDR and power-related issues, requiring updates (e.g., V040) to fix washed-out HDR colors.
- Matte Coating Trade-Off:
- The anti-glare matte coating reduces reflections but may slightly dull contrast compared to glossy finishes, potentially affecting vibrancy in bright conditions.
- Some users prefer glossy coatings for sharper reflections and contrast.
- The anti-glare matte coating reduces reflections but may slightly dull contrast compared to glossy finishes, potentially affecting vibrancy in bright conditions.
- Power Consumption:
- Consumes up to 300W, higher than the 42-inch PG42UQ (<220W), which could impact energy costs.
- Consumes up to 300W, higher than the 42-inch PG42UQ (<220W), which could impact energy costs.
- Text Fringing Concerns:
- While the sub-pixel layout improves text clarity, some users report minor text fringing, which may affect programming or text-heavy tasks.
- While the sub-pixel layout improves text clarity, some users report minor text fringing, which may affect programming or text-heavy tasks.
- Not Ideal for Close-Up Use:
- Due to its size, it’s better suited for console gaming from a distance (e.g., a few meters) rather than close-up PC use, which may cause eye strain or discomfort.
- Due to its size, it’s better suited for console gaming from a distance (e.g., a few meters) rather than close-up PC use, which may cause eye strain or discomfort.
Summary: The ASUS ROG Swift PG48UQ is a top-tier gaming monitor with stunning OLED visuals, fast performance, and robust features tailored for both PC and console gaming. Its large size, excellent color accuracy, and high refresh rate make it ideal for immersive gaming setups, but its high price, limited stand adjustability, and burn-in risks may deter some users. It’s best suited for those with ample desk space and a budget for premium OLED technology, but alternatives like the LG 48C2 may offer better value for similar performance.
ROG Swift PG48UQ OLED Gaming Monitor Specification
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