The big monitor preview 2026

Samuel Buchmann

1-2-2026

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

LCDs haven’t changed too much, OLEDs are getting brighter. Leading manufacturers LG and Samsung are also showing off panels that can display text better. Let me give you an overview.

Following the CES electronics trade fair, we know one thing for sure: OLED monitors will take a leap forward in 2026. Both LG and Samsung have presented new panels – they’re brighter, richer, denser and sharper. The technological advances they bring are important; improvements compared to the last generation won’t be huge in everyday life, but they’ll still be noticeable. Time for an overview of the trends and products announced.

Most of the new devices can be categorised into three display technology groups: WOLED, QD-OLED and LCD. You can check out the technical basics behind each monitor type in last year’s overview under the first subheading:

WOLED: brighter, sharper and more vivid

LG is bringing Tandem WOLED to more monitors. These panels with an additional luminous layer enable higher brightness levels. For full-screen, that’s around 380 nits instead of 270 as on previous WOLED monitors. This largely eliminates one of the traditional disadvantages of WOLED compared to LCD. Even in bright rooms, 380 nits will be enough, especially given the simultaneously deep black levels.

Tandem WOLED vs. Tandem OLED

LG’s new naming scheme for stacked OLED backlights is a bit confusing: Tandem WOLED is used for large displays such as TVs and monitors. Here, three levels of light-emitting diodes combine to produce a white light, which is then coloured by filters. As a result, the abbreviation using W for White still fits. With Tandem OLED on the other hand – no W – two layers of diodes are stacked on top of each other, emitting red, green and blue light directly. An additional colour filter isn’t required. This principle is used for small displays, such as smartphones or the iPad Pro.

LG is also switching to RGB stripe WOLED for certain panels: classic WOLED monitors have four sub-pixels per pixel – red, green, white and blue (RGWB). This can lead to colour fringing along hard contrast edges, since Windows and macOS optimise content for classic RGB layouts on LCDs. As a result, text is less sharp. RGB stripe WOLED eliminates this problem. Without the white subpixel, light colours also fade less. The downside here is lower brightness. But thanks to the introduction of Tandem WOLED, it’ll stay at around 250 nits (full screen) – but below the 380 nits of the latest generation using an RGWB layout.

QD-OLED: brighter, blacker and sharper

Samsung’s improving its QD-OLED panels in three areas. First, a new structure will increase the maximum brightness (300 instead of 250 nits at full-screen). Second, a new coating aims to improve black levels in bright ambient light. These were previously a decisive disadvantage compared to WOLED, since blacks tend to turn a dark purple when exposed to light. The new coating has different names depending on the monitor manufacturer – BlackShield Film at Asus, for example.

Samsung’s also switching to a classic RGB structure for some panels. QD-OLED subpixels were previously arranged in a triangle. Monitors with the new V-Stripe QD-OLED tech now use three stripes side by side. Since no white subpixel is omitted this way, the layout affects neither brightness nor colours. While LG offers RGB WOLED with 166 pixels per inch (ppi), RGB QD OLED will initially only be available in a panel with 108 ppi.

LCD: less blooming, more pixels

On the LCD front, there’s a trend towards gaming monitors with extreme pixel densities. Both Samsung and LG have presented models with around 220 ppi. Apple also uses this pixel density for its Retina Displays – Samsung’s even offering one of these panels in a monitor with a 3D feature. Not that this has won people over in the past.

Samsung relies on conventional IPS technology without mini LEDs for its high-resolution screens. Apart from extremely sharp images, the picture quality will at best only be average as a result. LG’s panel sounds more promising, since it contains a new generation of mini-LEDs with 2,304 local dimming zones. The South Korean manufacturer states that a shorter distance between panel layers should drastically reduce blooming. Its maximum brightness of 1,250 nits is impressive too.

Other trends: Nvidia Pulsar, DisplayPort 2.1

Nvidia Pulsar isn’t new. Two years ago, the graphics card manufacturer wanted to revive this tech for sharper moving images, but it never found its way into actual devices. This year, things look different: Asus (XG27AQNGV), Acer (XB273U F5), AOC (AG276QSG2) and MSI (272QRF X36) have each announced a 27-inch monitor with Pulsar. They all use the same IPS panel – 2560 × 1440 pixels, 360 hertz.

Pulsar is designed to reduce motion blur in fast-paced games, with backlight strobing simulating more frames per second (fps). Nvidia claims it’ll feel like you’re gaming at 1000 hertz. Unlike similar strobing technologies such as Ultra Low Motion Blur (ULMB), Pulsar doesn’t need variable frame rates (VRR), which prevents screen tearing.

DisplayPort 2.1 isn’t new either. Last year, however, monitor manufacturers rarely used the best version (UHBR20). But in 2026, the connection tech will find a home in almost every model that can use it. This includes 1440p at 360 hertz, 4K with 240 hertz or 5K2K and 165 hertz. To make the most of DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20, you’ll need a graphics card from the Nvidia RTX 50 series.

Do you need DisplayPort 2.1?

DisplayPort 2.1 supports higher data rates than version 1.4 – exactly how much depends on the standard. UHBR10 has 40 Gbps, UHBR13.5 54 Gbps and UHBR20 80 Gbps. Such high data rates are only necessary at high resolutions and frame rates. The image signal can be reduced in size using Display Stream Compression (DSC) – with no visible loss in quality.

39 inches, Tandem WOLED, 5K2K, 165 hertz

The LG 39GX950B was probably the star monitor at CES. The new South Korean flagship brings Tandem WOLED to a 39-inch gaming display, with a 21:9 format and 5K2K resolution (5120 × 2160 pixels). This results in an amazing pixel density of 142 ppi, paired with a full-screen brightness of around 380 nits. To make the 39GX950B this bright, LG dispensed with a new RGB subpixel layout and opted for the classic RGWB tech.

As a result, the monitor is a slightly smaller, but brighter and sharper version of the 45GX950A, which I recently tested. It already won me over across the board, but I thought the strong 800R curvature was too aggressive. Fortunately, the 39GX950B only has 1500R. The frame rate peaks at 165 hertz in full resolution, or 330 hertz at 1080p. In terms of connections, DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20), HDMI 2.1 and USB-C (90-watt power supply) are available.

There’s no price or availability for the 39GX950B yet, but it’ll likely cost at least 1,500 francs at launch. We also don’t know whether LG will sell the same panel to other manufacturers.

34 inches, QD-OLED, V-Stripe, 1440p, 330 hertz

Samsung’s QD-OLED with an RGB layout (V-Stripe) will initially find its way into a classic widescreen. The 34-inch panel with a 21:9 format has a 3440 × 1440 pixel resolution and a top frame rate of 330 hertz. However, its pixel density is only a mediocre 108 ppi. But thanks to the RGB sub-pixel pattern, text should appear sharper than on old OLED monitors at this size and resolution. The full-screen brightness will reach a maximum of 300 nits.

In contrast to the LG models, we already have approximate price and availability figures. Asus’ first model is due to launch in quarter one, while Acer and MSI list a starting price of 1,199 euros for their versions. The following monitors have been announced with a V-Stripe panel so far:

• Asus ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN
• MSI MPG 341CQR X36
• Gigabyte MO34WQC36
• Acer Predator X34 F3

Apart from the panel, the specs are similar for every manufacturer. All have the new coating, designed to improve black levels. Asus and Gigabyte use DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR20, MSI stays at UHBR13.5 and Acer even uses DisplayPort 1.4.

32 inches, Tandem WOLED, 4K, 240 hertz

If you prefer a monitor in the classic 16:9 format, LG also offers the latest generation of WOLED at 32 inches with 4K resolution and 240 hertz. The tandem WOLED panel with an RGWB layout should also achieve a full-screen brightness of around 380 nits here.

So far, only LG has presented a monitor using this panel, the 32GX870B. However, other manufacturers such as Asus will likely only follow as the year goes on. The panel will be available with either a matt coating (like LG’s model) or a glossy one. Prices and sales dates haven’t been announced yet.

32 inches, QD-OLED, 4K, 240 hertz

Samsung also offers the popular combo of 32 inches, 4K and 240 hertz with a new generation of panels. They offer a higher full-screen brightness of around 300 nits and the new coating for better black levels – but no RGB subpixel layout (V-Stripe). The following manufacturers have announced models set up this way:

• Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G80SH)
• Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM3
• MSI MPG 322UR X24
• Gigabyte MO32U24
• Dell UltraSharp U3226Q

The monitors from Samsung, Asus and Gigabyte use DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR20. Asus quotes a starting price of 1,299 US dollars and plans to deliver by quarter one. Dell’s version with a built-in colorimeter will cost 2,599 US dollars and is planned for the end of February. The UltraSharp U3226Q is the only model with a frame rate of only 120 hertz, all others offer 240 hertz.

27 inches, Tandem WOLED, RGB stripe, 4K, 240 hertz

LG will be the first to launch new RGB stripe WOLED tech in a 27-inch panel with 4K resolution. The 166 ppi pixel density combined with the clean display of an RGB layout should ensure text sharpness at the level of a great LCD. It’ll also be interesting to see whether the coverage of HDR colour spaces improves without a white subpixel.

Thanks to a 240-hertz frame rate, the panel is also ideal for gaming. The maximum full-screen brightness is 250 nits, roughly the same as previous WOLED monitors – despite the fact brighter tandem WOLED lighting is used here. However, the additional brightness is eaten up by the RGB layout. Unlike LG’s other panels, Asus is the first and so far only manufacturer to show its model in this case: the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCWM. We don’t know when and at what price the monitor will be available yet.

27, 32 and 52 inches, LCD, 5K and 6K

LCDs with IPS panels and high resolutions from Samsung, LG and Dell were on show at CES:

• Dell UltraSharp U5226KW – 52 inches, 6144 × 2560 pixels
• Samsung Odyssey 3D (G90XH) – 32 inches, 6144 × 3456 pixels
• Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS) – 32 inches, 6144 × 3456 pixels
• Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HF) – 27 inches, 5120 × 2880 pixels
• LG 52G930B – 52 inches, 5120 × 2160 pixels
• LG 27GM950B – 27 inches, 5120 × 2880 pixels

If you’re looking for the optimal Apple pixel density (approx. 220 ppi), you’ll find it in the three Samsung models and the LG 27GM950B. Both mega monitors from Dell and LG only achieve 128 and 106 ppi due to their size. The UltraSharp is designed for office work, and only has a frame rate of 120 hertz as a result. Both 32-inch models from Samsung reach 165 hertz, the G80HF offers 180 hertz and the two LGs 240.

In terms of picture quality, the LG 27GM950B is particularly interesting. If the promises are to be believed, these mini-LEDs deliver a contrast that comes close to OLED thanks to Zero Optical Distance Technology – with a significantly higher full-screen brightness. LG and Samsung have so far remained silent about price and availability. Dell’s mega monitor is already available from the manufacturer for 2,899 US dollars.

Looking to the future

It’ll also be exciting to see whether Apple comes in with one or more new monitors this year. Rumours suggest that at least the 27-inch Studio Display will receive an update. In the past, Apple sourced its monitor panels from LG. This trend could very well continue: the display in the LG 27GM950B with mini-LED and a 5K resolution would fit like a glove.

The RGB subpixel layout is likely to find its way into more monitors over the next few months. In addition, manufacturers will launch more models using the panels already presented – adding their own coating or a different frame rate. Rumours about a 34-inch LG with RGB stripe WOLED and 5K2K resolution are circulating too. This would make sense; such a panel would have roughly the same pixel density as the 27-inch panel with 4K already debuted. Additionally, the production chain’s already in place too. A 32-inch model with 4K resolution and RGB stripe WOLED can also be expected eventually.

There’s less information about Samsung’s plans. It remains unclear how quickly the manufacturer will transfer its V-Stripe QD-OLED to displays with a high pixel density. The absence of really large monitors or ones with mini-LEDs is also conspicuous at Samsung. It’s conceivable that the South Korean company will present something along these lines at Gamescom halfway through the year. It could be a successor to the Odyssey Ark, for example.

Samuel Buchmann

Senior Editor

Samuel.Buchmann@digitecgalaxus.ch

My fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.

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