CES 2025 showcased a plethora of innovative gaming monitors, pushing the boundaries of display technology. Key trends included the continued dominance of QD-OLED, advancements in mini-LED, escalating refresh rates and resolutions, and the rise of smart monitors.

QD-OLED's Continued Reign and Increased Accessibility:

QD-OLED technology remained a central theme, with major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG showcasing their latest offerings. Many emphasized enhanced burn-in protection features, such as Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor (featured in the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG), which automatically dims the screen when the user is away. The availability of 4K 240Hz and even 1440p 500Hz (MSI MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50) QD-OLED monitors signals a move towards higher performance and more affordable options in the future.

Mini-LED: A Viable Alternative:

While less prominent than QD-OLED, mini-LED technology, exemplified by MSI's MPG 274URDFW E16M, presented a potentially more affordable alternative. With 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, it offers impressive contrast and a 4K 160Hz (or 1080p 320Hz) experience, albeit with some reservations about its AI-driven dual-mode functionality. The absence of burn-in risk and the potential for reasonable pricing makes mini-LED a technology to watch.

Higher Refresh Rates and Resolutions:

The convergence of advanced display technology and powerful graphics cards resulted in even higher refresh rates and resolutions. 4K 240Hz displays are now a reality, alongside 1440p 500Hz monitors (like the Gigabyte Aorus FO27Q5P, achieving VESA TrueBlack 500 certification). MSI even resurrected TN panels with the MPG 242R X60N, boasting an impressive 600Hz refresh rate, though at the cost of color accuracy and viewing angles. The emergence of 5K monitors, such as Acer's Predator XB323QX (5K, 144Hz) and LG's UltraGear 45GX950A and 45GX990A (5120 x 2160, ultrawide), marks another significant step forward. Asus even showcased a 6K mini-LED monitor (ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV) aimed at creators.

Smart Monitors: Bridging the Gap Between TVs and Gaming Monitors:

Smart monitors, offering integrated streaming services and smart TV functionality, continue to gain traction. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor (32-inch 4K) and LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA (ultrawide) offer this functionality, while Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor (4K OLED, 165Hz) utilizes neural processing for enhanced picture quality and upscaling.

Conclusion:

CES 2025 demonstrated a significant leap forward in gaming monitor technology. While last year saw impressive advancements, 2025 promises even more compelling options, pushing the boundaries of performance, features, and affordability.