Acer Unveils Next-Level OLED Gaming Monitors

[TheLostSwede]

Acer today announced three new gaming monitors in its Predator lineup, designed to appeal to professional gamers and gaming enthusiasts who want reliable machines for everyday use. The new models include the Predator X27U F3, Predator X34 X5, and Predator X32 X3 featuring brilliant OLED displays, high refresh rates, and ultra-smooth performance.

These powerhouse monitors are NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible to eliminate stuttering, flicker, and visual artifacts for a smooth and tear-free experience. The monitors also seamlessly integrate AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to eliminate ghosting, provide fluidity and ensure that every frame is rendered flawlessly. With true 10-bit color depth, they deliver cinematic visuals with stunning contrast and vibrant colors further enhanced by DCI-P3 99% color gamut and Delta E<1 color accuracy. In addition, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 ensures deep blacks and incredible brightness for lifelike visuals.




Predator X27U F3: A Speed Demon for Serious Gamers
The Predator X27U F3 is a 27-inch OLED gaming monitor built for breakneck speed and ultra-smooth gameplay with a blistering 480 Hz refresh rate and a 0.01 ms pixel response time. It brings gamers into a world of stunning visuals with WQHD (2560x1440) resolution for sharp details. Outfitted with Type-C and two HDMI 2.1 ports, it supports both console and PC gameplay and includes a tripod mount socket on the monitor stand allowing gamers and streamers to attach accessories such as a webcam or screen light.

Predator X32 X3: A 4K Powerhouse for Stunning Visuals
The Predator X32 X3 offers a large 31.5-inch 4K UHD (3840x2160) OLED display with a 240 Hz refresh rate and 0.03 ms (GTG) response time to ensure super-fast and fluid gameplay. With Dynamic Frequency and Resolution, gamers are empowered with the versatility to prioritize either refresh rate or resolution, tailoring their gaming experience to their needs. They can opt for stunning 4K UHD at 240 Hz or smooth FHD at 480 Hz, depending on the demands of the game and their current task. Featuring Type-C and two HDMI 2.1 ports, the Predator X32 X3 ALSO offers versatile connectivity for both console and PC gamers.

Predator X34 X5: Massive Curved Display and Blazing Speed for a Competitive Edge
The Predator X34 X5 is designed to dominate the battlefield with its mammoth-sized display and first-rate performance. Gamers craving an immersive and responsive experience will be blown away by the monitor's expansive view, 1800R curvature, and UWQHD (3440x1440) OLED panel. For seamless gameplay at lightning speed, the monitor delivers a blazing fast 240 Hz refresh rate and a near-instantaneous 0.03 ms (G to G) response time. Two HDMI 2.1, a DisplayPort, and Type-C support gamers with excellent connectivity options.

Predator OLED Monitors: Reliable Gaming Companions
For maximum comfort, the new monitors offer adjustable tilt, swivel, and height, allowing gamers to find the perfect viewing angle for any environment. They also come with two 5-watt speakers for quality audio, and a built-in KVM switch to effortlessly switch between two PCs with a single keyboard and mouse setup. Designed for marathon gaming sessions, they feature BlueLightShield Pro, flickerless, low-dimming, and ComfyView technologies to help prevent eye fatigue. Acer has also implemented several OLED screen protection mechanisms to help extend the monitor's lifespan and maintain image quality; Display Saver (always on) for automatic dimming when inactive, Constant Brightness, plus Image Retention Refresh and Screen Move (always on) to minimize stuck pixels and images.

Pricing and Availability
The Predator X34 X5 will be available in North America in Q4, starting at USD 1,099.99; in EMEA in Q4, starting at EUR 1,399, and in China in Q4, starting at RMB 7,999.
The Predator X32 X3 will be available in North America in Q4, starting at USD 1,199.99; in EMEA in Q4, starting at EUR 1,399, and in China in Q4, starting at RMB 7,999.
The Predator X27U F3 will be available in North America in Q3, starting at USD 1,199.99; in EMEA in Q3, starting at EUR 1,199, and in China in Q3, starting at RMB 6,999.
Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region.



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[Vayra86]

Seems to be QD-OLED? They seem to be doing a major effort to hide that.

 

[the54thvoid]

Seems to be QD-OLED? They seem to be doing a major effort to hide that.

On the website, there is no mention of it being a Q(uantum Dot) LED. But it is weird, because an OLED has an infinite contrast ratio. I also thought by design, OLED's were slower with response time.

It's a lie if it is a QD panel. QD is LCD (no matter what marketing speak they use).

 

[claster17]

Given their refresh rates, 27" and 32" should be W-OLED. QD-OLED currently tops out at 360 Hz for 27" QHD and the 32" UHD isn't available with a 480 Hz FHD mode.

The pictures seem to indicate a matte coating, another sign for W-OLED.

 

[Onasi]

God, why the massive stand? Come on, Acer, even Asus went back to ones that take less space, at least for the 27 inch models. There really is no reason for massive spread out ones on those.

And yea, I realize that the reason is most likely just cost efficiency so that a single stand can be produced for multiple models at multiple screen sizes, but it’s still annoying.

 

[Chrispy_]

I still haven't seen a single OLED survive a long-term test as a desktop monitor unscathed. RTINGS, Monitors Unboxed, LTT, THG - all have issues with regular desktop usage on OLED after just 1000-3000 hours. I usually sell my personal displays on whilst they're still in good condition and still relevant in the secondhand market and they typically have 5000+ power-on hours. If every single long-term OLED test ever published has shown that they're suffering in far less time than this, they're simply not ready yet.

Perhaps the Alienwares with the 3-year burn-in guarantee are worth looking at - but having dealt with Acer's monitor warranty department before, I will never trust Acer monitors again. Burnt three times by them (once personal purchase, twice for work) and rank them barely above Asus in terms of overpriced warranty costs for low-quality workmanship and designed-to-fail ewaste with built-in-obsolescence.

 

[Calenhad]

It would appear these are a mix of WOLED and QD-OLED on first glance? And those prices are a bit weird. I am also curious if these are full spec HDMI 2.1 ports, or the discount bin 2.0 where the 0 is painted over with a 1. But for now it is not really important anyway, this is a paper launch for at least half a year anyway.

On the website, there is no mention of it being a Q(uantum Dot) LED. But it is weird, because an OLED has an infinite contrast ratio. I also thought by design, OLED's were slower with response time.

*near infinite . OLED have, by design, insanely fast response time compared to VA/IPS/TN panels. Which any serious monitor review will show you. It is of course not a flat 0.03ms, just like any IPS panel claiming to do 1ms and so forth.

It's a lie if it is a QD panel. QD is LCD (no matter what marketing speak they use).

Considering these are not mutually exclusive, I fail to see your point. Are you trying to say that because there are coloured filters between your eyes and the OLED pixels, they somehow stop being organic? By that logic any display claiming to be OLED is not, because all displays have multiple layers of different filters.

I seriously hope we are not talking about the whole QLED bs Samsung is doing.

 

[the54thvoid]

I seriously hope we are not talking about the whole QLED bs Samsung is doing.

I think I probably am. My mistake.

 

[noel_fs]

Seems to be QD-OLED? They seem to be doing a major effort to hide that.

qdoled is better lol what are you even talking about no one is trying to hide that

 

[Chrispy_]

qdoled is better lol what are you even talking about no one is trying to hide that

I'm not following OLEDs too closely but as long as it's BRG or RGB it's good. WOLED (RGBW) is just awful for monitors - and I'm not sure I even like it on TVs. LG compromised every single pixel on the display just to get a higher peak brightness number which is pure marketing lies baked into the panel as a permanent unwanted compromise if it cant' do that for all the colours.

Presumably the worry here is that Samsung have been obfuscating which of their TVs use Samsung's own QD-OLED and which TVs outsource OLED panels from other vendors like LG. For monitors, I doubt the same worry exists, as this isn't a Samsung TV, so Acer have specified that it *is* a Samsung panel, and therefore QD-OLED. (At least, I think that's what it means...)

 

[Vayra86]

qdoled is better lol what are you even talking about no one is trying to hide that

The perception is clearly that WOLED is the superior form of OLED, so far, so that would be a reason to hide it, if its not WOLED.

QD-OLED has its little drawbacks and the only advantage over WOLED is higher brightness capability. Something I don't personally think is required at all. Its funny and strange to me Chrispy_ is thinking something else entirely, as I wouldn't want a pixel matrix with fringing risk, but I frankly don't know what's the truth behind it.

The fact remains, the article speaks of every spec except the actual display technology, which to me smells fishy. Why go into all that detail and specify nowhere what the actual panel tech is?

What's more, it has been seen that OLED implementations not from Samsung or LG itself have been very prone (even Samsung's own products at the beginning, btw) to lacking pixel saving tech, as in, pixel refreshers not activating at the required intervals or being driven by an algo that effectively doesn't work proper, simply lacking some techs in that area, etc. OLED monitors are clearly moving to the realm of 'any company can do it' which also means its moving to the realm of highly sought after differentiation and cost reductions. Ergo, due diligence required.

 

[LabRat 891]

I'd have hoped Acer out of all the brands, would've at least attempted to make an 'affordable' OLED.
$500-700 is a bit easier to swallow for something you expect will wear out vs. $1k+.

 

[Vayra86]

I'd have hoped Acer out of all the brands, would've at least attempted to make an 'affordable' OLED.
$500-700 is a bit easier to swallow for something you expect will wear out vs. $1k+.

Give it time, the market is clearly adjusting. TV's also went down over time.

 

[rv8000]

It will be interesting to see if they have some tech to match the new oled flicker reduction ASUS just released on new firmware - I’ve yet to see any flicker in the majority of games I’ve noticed it before.

If other monitor companies don’t have competing firmware/software, I’ll sadly not recommend ever getting an OLED monitor but from ASUS, however much I dread supporting them and the ASUS tax.

 

[HOkay]

I'm not following OLEDs too closely but as long as it's BRG or RGB it's good. WOLED (RGBW) is just awful for monitors - and I'm not sure I even like it on TVs. LG compromised every single pixel on the display just to get a higher peak brightness number which is pure marketing lies baked into the panel as a permanent unwanted compromise if it cant' do that for all the colours.

Presumably the worry here is that Samsung have been obfuscating which of their TVs use Samsung's own QD-OLED and which TVs outsource OLED panels from other vendors like LG. For monitors, I doubt the same worry exists, as this isn't a Samsung TV, so Acer have specified that it *is* a Samsung panel, and therefore QD-OLED. (At least, I think that's what it means...)

Both the latest gen OLEDs (QD-OLED & WOLED) have new subpixel layouts which pretty much solve the text clarity problem, at least that's what Tim from Hardware Unboxed tells me, & I believe him.

The perception is clearly that WOLED is the superior form of OLED, so far, so that would be a reason to hide it, if its not WOLED.

QD-OLED has its little drawbacks and the only advantage over WOLED is higher brightness capability. Something I don't personally think is required at all. Its funny and strange to me Chrispy_ is thinking something else entirely, as I wouldn't want a pixel matrix with fringing risk, but I frankly don't know what's the truth behind it.

The fact remains, the article speaks of every spec except the actual display technology, which to me smells fishy. Why go into all that detail and specify nowhere what the actual panel tech is?

What's more, it has been seen that OLED implementations not from Samsung or LG itself have been very prone (even Samsung's own products at the beginning, btw) to lacking pixel saving tech, as in, pixel refreshers not activating at the required intervals or being driven by an algo that effectively doesn't work proper, simply lacking some techs in that area, etc. OLED monitors are clearly moving to the realm of 'any company can do it' which also means its moving to the realm of highly sought after differentiation and cost reductions. Ergo, due diligence required.

I think you've got things flipped. Whilst it's splitting hairs a bit, reviewers seem to agree that the QD-OLEDs have wider color gamut and better color volume, with most other things being fairly equal. So to me, WOLED is the one to hide if anything. Though as mentioned above, the 32" 4k one is definitely WOLED since it can do the latest LG WOLED panel signature move of having a 1080p 480Hz mode which the QD-OLEDs don't have - at least none have yet anyway.

 

[Vayra86]

Both the latest gen OLEDs (QD-OLED & WOLED) have new subpixel layouts which pretty much solve the text clarity problem, at least that's what Tim from Hardware Unboxed tells me, & I believe him.

I think you've got things flipped. Whilst it's splitting hairs a bit, reviewers seem to agree that the QD-OLEDs have wider color gamut and better color volume, with most other things being fairly equal. So to me, WOLED is the one to hide if anything. Though as mentioned above, the 32" 4k one is definitely WOLED since it can do the latest LG WOLED panel signature move of having a 1080p 480Hz mode which the QD-OLEDs don't have - at least none have yet anyway.

Fast moving market and lots of conjecture... I'm not one to believe reviews that easily on that front, especially when Samsung and LG's (but especially Samsung's) immense marketing budgets are involved. They're buying reviews and positivity like no tomorrow. Also, there is 'measurable' and 'visible' differences. I can see fringing on QD-OLED, but can I see a slightly wider color gamut? I doubt that. No complaints on the gamut of WOLED...

Time and mostly, experience will tell. So far there are several other QD-OLED issues yet unresolved, that WOLED doesn't have. The latest 'daily vibe' about it doesn't interest me as much.

 

[HOkay]

Fast moving market and lots of conjecture... I'm not one to believe reviews that easily on that front, especially when Samsung and LG's (but especially Samsung's) immense marketing budgets are involved. They're buying reviews and positivity like no tomorrow. Also, there is 'measurable' and 'visible' differences. I can see fringing on QD-OLED, but can I see a slightly wider color gamut? I doubt that. No complaints on the gamut of WOLED...

I trust Hardware Unboxed to give me the truth as much as I trust Wizzard. I don't know how to put that any stronger tbh!

 

[Vayra86]

I trust Hardware Unboxed to give me the truth as much as I trust Wizzard. I don't know how to put that any stronger tbh!

I trust my own eyes and experience only. Reviews are guides at best, so I can start comparing the right products myself. Especially on the display front... there's SO MUCH nonsense going on...

A lot of the things you see in specs are deceiving, because our eyes/brain adjusts to any panel we sit in front of, too. Consider motion blur/clarity. Some need BFI to fix that, others can't stand it. Similar things occur with brightness of a screen. Some want to stare at sunlight, others can't stand it and calibrate towards the low end of the brightness slider. This also accounts for differences in ambient situations. Static Contrast, is another such thing. QD Oled has a higher black point, and it has issues with brightly lit rooms, where the screen will turn into a red hue in blacks; if you use it in a dimly lit room, this issue doesn't come into play, but your blacks are still not as great as on WOLED, but the difference is so small, will you actually notice? Etc. etc. etc.

 

[HOkay]

I trust my own eyes and experience only. Reviews are guides at best, so I can start comparing the right products myself. Especially on the display front... there's SO MUCH nonsense going on...

That sounds like a sad way to live tbh. I totally agree that you shouldn't trust anyone blindly, but trust is earned, & there's a few outfits in the tech sphere that have earned my trust. But a key point for me is there's always consumer protection so if I buy something based on reviews & I don't like it myself I can always return it.

 

[Vayra86]

That sounds like a sad way to live tbh. I totally agree that you shouldn't trust anyone blindly, but trust is earned, & there's a few outfits in the tech sphere that have earned my trust. But a key point for me is there's always consumer protection so if I buy something based on reviews & I don't like it myself I can always return it.

I edited above, for some more context. But yea, trust IS earned.

Samsung... has damaged trust several times, especially on the display front, but not only there. LG's track record is a lot better. Samsung is also very desperate to finally keep its competitive OLED tech in the market, a good thing on the one hand because they're investing in it, but OTOH, they're very prone to oversell and overestimate their products' capabilities. This has also happened with AMOLED, with their SSD's, with their chip process node (Ampere became a shitshow because of it), and the list goes on - and that's just the last ten years worth of obscene lies. Microled was and is still happening they say, but every time they show a panel its full of yield issues and broken pixels, badly joined separate panels that form one screen, etc. It just reeks of desperation.

The trust factor with Samsung is below zero, honestly, and if yours isn't, it should be.

In my book, companies earn trust for consistent quality. That's key. Consistency. And Quality. Not many companies therefore truly earn my trust, especially not on the tech front.

 

[HOkay]

I edited above, for some more context. But yea, trust IS earned.

Samsung... has damaged trust several times, especially on the display front, but not only there. LG's track record is a lot better. Samsung is also very desperate to finally keep its competitive OLED tech in the market, a good thing on the one hand because they're investing in it, but OTOH, they're very prone to oversell and overestimate their products' capabilities. This has also happened with AMOLED, with their SSD's, with their chip process node (Ampere became a shitshow because of it), and the list goes on - and that's just the last ten years worth of obscene lies.

The trust factor with Samsung is below zero, honestly, and if yours isn't, it should be.

But why do I need to trust Samsung if I'm looking at trusted reviewers' assessments of the products & I have a warranty to fall back on if anything goes really wrong? I'm more thinking of TVs here where every retailer gives you 5 or even 6 year warranties, but monitors are different, you need to trust the brand to honour whatever their warranty says for those.

On the topic of which specs matter to different people, everything you said I've seen covered by reviewers, where they talk about which situations a product is better suited for & which it isn't. For example I'm a darker room, lower brightness kinda guy so I know that some of those downsides to QD-OLED don't matter so much for me. & I'm totally with you on these ridiculous brightness levels battle btw, I find the eye searing brightnesses actually uncomfortable! But then a friend of mine can't get enough brightness so he always buys whatever can top that spec.

 

[Vayra86]

But why do I need to trust Samsung if I'm looking at trusted reviewers' assessments of the products & I have a warranty to fall back on if anything goes really wrong? I'm more thinking of TVs here where every retailer gives you 5 or even 6 year warranties, but monitors are different, you need to trust the brand to honour whatever their warranty says for those.

On the topic of which specs matter to different people, everything you said I've seen covered by reviewers, where they talk about which situations a product is better suited for & which it isn't. For example I'm a darker room, lower brightness kinda guy so I know that some of those downsides to QD-OLED don't matter so much for me. & I'm totally with you on these ridiculous brightness levels battle btw, I find the eye searing brightnesses actually uncomfortable! But then a friend of mine can't get enough brightness so he always buys whatever can top that spec.

Your warranty is... 2 years? 3? I expect monitors to last for 10

Not saying you're wrong - I'm just saying I view this differently, and approach purchases differently.

Both the latest gen OLEDs (QD-OLED & WOLED) have new subpixel layouts which pretty much solve the text clarity problem, at least that's what Tim from Hardware Unboxed tells me, & I believe him.

I didn't pick up on this earlier, is that so? Got a link?

 

[HOkay]

Your warranty is... 2 years? 3? I expect monitors to last for 10

Not saying you're wrong - I'm just saying I view this differently, and approach purchases differently.

Yep that's totally fair! I'm at the point in my life that a monitor breaking would be slightly annoying but I'd just use one of my other ones &/or buy a new one if it breaks. So I'm much quicker to jump into a purchase these days. I'm not sure about these Acer monitors but I think most of the currently announced new OLED monitors have 3 year warranties. I also have very different usage patterns now, since I don't work from home much & have kids so my desktop PC monitors get very light use so I fully expect them to last much longer than warranty periods which I'm sure will target pretty heavy usage patterns since they don't want to replace / refund too many units.

 

[Minus Infinity]

Both the latest gen OLEDs (QD-OLED & WOLED) have new subpixel layouts which pretty much solve the text clarity problem, at least that's what Tim from Hardware Unboxed tells me, & I believe him.

I think you've got things flipped. Whilst it's splitting hairs a bit, reviewers seem to agree that the QD-OLEDs have wider color gamut and better color volume, with most other things being fairly equal. So to me, WOLED is the one to hide if anything. Though as mentioned above, the 32" 4k one is definitely WOLED since it can do the latest LG WOLED panel signature move of having a 1080p 480Hz mode which the QD-OLEDs don't have - at least none have yet anyway.

Not quite, the next gen WOLED are moving to a more sensible RGWB away from the stupid RWBG that Windows cleartype doesn't really support. A lot of (maybe all) the brand new just released WOLED monitors are still on the old sub-pixel layout. From what I've read, the next gen panels aren't being used until well into 2025. I have no interest in OLED for a desktop monitor because I use it more for productivity rather than gaming, but if I bought one now it would be QD-OLED full stop.

 

[HOkay]

Not quite, the next gen WOLED are moving to a more sensible RGWB away from the stupid RWBG that Windows cleartype doesn't really support. A lot of (maybe all) the brand new just released WOLED monitors are still on the old sub-pixel layout. From what I've read, the next gen panels aren't being used until well into 2025. I have no interest in OLED for a desktop monitor because I use it more for productivity rather than gaming, but if I bought one now it would be QD-OLED full stop.

Oh I need to check up on that then! I've currently got a 42C2 as my main monitor & the subpixel layout means it is truly awful for productivity use, so any old subpixel WOLEDs are dead to me! I had assumed anything with the 1080p 480Hz mode would be a new subpixel layout, this is what I get for making lazy assumptions & not checking!

Edit: just checked the TFTCentral LG panel update from the end of last year, not sure if I can share the link but I'll try:

That spells out which ones will be the new subpixel layout with a very useful chart that he fills up as he goes (the complete 2024 roadmap is there by around 12 minutes). I was right on the 480Hz thing at least, any LG OLED panels that support 480Hz are the new subpixel layout so those should be ok for text rendering!