Usually, first-generation technology items are more expensive, even when compared to the current generation’s flagship models. Asus continued this grand tradition last week with the announcement of the ROG Swift PG32UQX gaming monitor. It’s the first display in its class to use mini LED backlighting; mini LED displays use a field of tiny (hence the name) LEDs behind the panel to provide backlighting. This is in contrast to older displays, which relied on light sources around the perimeter of the screen or on organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), in which each pixel generates its own light. The latter is commonly used in high-end televisions. In the case of the ROG Swift, the 32-inch display features tiny LEDs organised into 1,152 individual zones that can independently change their brightness.
This is referred to as Full Array Local Dimming (FALD), and it has a few advantages over competing technologies. Individual areas can be turned off entirely, providing a deeper black level than the competition’s edge-lit design. This creates a higher contrast ratio, which enhances the vibrancy of the on-screen image. Additionally, smaller, more specific zones reduce light bleeding from a bright object on screen into dark areas around it.
If you’ve been paying attention to this year’s wave of new devices, you’re probably already comfortable with mini LEDs. Samsung and LG have also incorporated mini LEDs into their latest line of televisions. Apple also incorporated mini LEDs into its new iPad Pro displays, which heavily resemble Apple’s Pro Display XDR.
The Rest of the Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX Specs
Apart from the backlight, the ROG Swift monitor features the majority of the specifications you’d expect from a professional-grade gaming monitor. It features a 4K display with a total resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 across its 32-inch display. Its 144 Hz refresh rate, in conjunction with Nvidia’s G-sync technology, ensures smooth gaming free of screen jitter.
Although it is mainly intended for gaming, Asus added some colour management features that should make it a reasonably capable piece of equipment for designers, photographers, and video editors as well. Asus says that it is factory tuned for accurate colour restoration. It is capable of reproducing 98% of the P3 colorspace, which is important for filmmakers.
The ROG Swift is equipped with a single DisplayPort 1.4 port and two USB 3.0 ports. It features three HDMI ports, but they are HDMI 2.0 rather than HDMI 2.1. To be fair, HDMI 2.1 is still largely absent from gaming monitors, but it would be cool to see it on a $3,000 board.
Since Asus anticipates gamers will use the display for streaming, it has included a tripod socket on the top of the monitor for securing a webcam, which I hope becomes normal now that streaming and video chatting have become such integral parts of our lives.
