The Biggest Gaming Monitor Trends of CES 2025

CES 2025 showcased a plethora of innovative gaming monitors, pushing technological boundaries and setting the stage for an exciting year in 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 Enduring Appeal and Growing Accessibility:

QD-OLED technology remained a prominent feature, with major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG showcasing their latest offerings. Many emphasized burn-in warranties and protective features. The emergence of 4K 240Hz QD-OLED monitors with DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity signifies a significant leap forward. MSI's MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50, a 1440p, 500Hz marvel, exemplifies this trend. Furthermore, advancements in protective features, such as Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor (integrated into the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG), automatically activate a black screen when the user is away, mitigating burn-in risks. As the technology matures, price reductions are anticipated.

Mini-LED: A Viable Alternative:

While not as prevalent as QD-OLED, mini-LED technology remains a strong contender. MSI's MPG 274URDFW E16M, positioned as a more affordable QD-OLED alternative, boasts 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, delivering impressive contrast. Its 4K 160Hz (and 1080p 320Hz) capabilities make it attractive, although its AI-driven dual-mode resolution switching remains questionable. The absence of burn-in risk and potential for high brightness with sufficient dimming zones make mini-LED a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers.

Elevated Refresh Rates and Resolutions:

The convergence of advanced QD-OLED technology and powerful graphics cards has propelled refresh rates to new heights. 4K 240Hz and even 1440p 500Hz monitors are now a reality. Gigabyte's Aorus FO27Q5P, with its VESA TrueBlack 500 certification, promises brighter highlights and enhanced HDR. MSI's MPG 242R X60N, utilizing a 600Hz TN panel, caters to gamers prioritizing speed, albeit at the cost of color accuracy and viewing angles. The arrival of 5K monitors, such as Acer's Predator XB323QX (5K 144Hz with G-Sync Pulsar) and LG's UltraGear 45GX950A/45GX990A (5120 x 2160 ultrawide with customizable curvature), marks another significant milestone. Asus even showcased a 6K mini-LED monitor (ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV) aimed at creators.

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

Smart monitors, offering integrated streaming services, are gaining traction. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor (32-inch 4K with multi-platform streaming) and LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA (ultrawide with streaming capabilities) exemplify this trend. Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor, featuring 4K OLED, neural processing for picture enhancement and upscaling, and a 165Hz refresh rate, blurs the lines between gaming and entertainment.

Conclusion:

CES 2025 underscored the continued evolution of gaming monitors, with advancements across various aspects. While 2024 was a significant year, 2025 promises even greater innovation and choice for gamers.