The Biggest Gaming Monitor Trends of CES 2025

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 prominent feature, with major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG unveiling new models. Many featured 4K 240Hz displays with DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity, and MSI even showcased a 1440p 500Hz QD-OLED (MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50). Burn-in protection features, such as Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor (in the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG), are also improving, automatically displaying a black screen when the user is away. While initial pricing remains high, future generations should see price reductions.

Mini-LED: A Viable Alternative:

Mini-LED technology, while not as prevalent, showed promise. MSI's MPG 274URDFW E16M, positioned as a more affordable QD-OLED alternative, boasts 1,152 local dimming zones, 1,000 nits peak brightness, and a 4K 160Hz (or 1080p 320Hz) refresh rate. Its AI-driven dual-mode, however, remains questionable. Mini-LED's advantages—high brightness, excellent contrast, and no burn-in risk—make it a compelling option if pricing remains competitive.

Higher Refresh Rates and Resolutions:

The combination of advanced display technology and powerful graphics cards continues to drive higher refresh rates and resolutions. 4K 240Hz displays are now commonplace, with 1440p 500Hz monitors (like Gigabyte's Aorus FO27Q5P, targeting VESA TrueBlack 500 certification) also emerging. MSI even revived TN panels for an impressive 600Hz refresh rate (MSI MPG 242R X60N), although with trade-offs in color and viewing angles. 5K monitors are also gaining traction, with Acer's Predator XB323QX (5K, 144Hz) and LG's ultrawide "5K2K" (5120 x 2160) Ultragear 45GX950A and 45GX990A models leading the charge. Asus even showcased a 6K (6016 x 3384) ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV aimed at creators.

Smart Monitors Bridge the Gap Between TVs and Gaming Monitors:

Smart monitors, offering built-in streaming services, are gaining popularity. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor (32-inch 4K) and LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA (ultrawide) provide streaming capabilities. Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor, featuring 4K OLED and neural processing for enhanced picture quality and upscaling, also caters to both gaming (165Hz) and entertainment needs.

Conclusion:

CES 2025 demonstrated significant advancements in gaming monitor technology. While 2024 saw impressive releases, 2025 promises even greater innovation, offering consumers a wider range of high-performance displays with improved features and potentially more accessible pricing.