Katarzyna Petru
The monitor market is becoming increasingly interesting. Asus and LG are showcasing their new 6K models – and these are not ordinary screens. Asus PA32QCV is already available for around 1300 USD, while LG 32U990A will debut in September, priced at around 1500 euros. Both have IPS LCD panels and 32 inches, but… it's not the same panel at all.
Two Different 6K – They Seem the Same, but They’re Not
LG offers a resolution of 6144×3456, while Asus provides 6016×3384. This is because there are two different 6K panels on the market, and each manufacturer has opted for a different one. Asus boasts a contrast ratio of 3000:1, while LG with Nano IPS typically reaches 2000:1.
Both monitors operate at 60 Hz, cover 98% DCI-P3, and have a matte finish. Perfect for work, but not necessarily for everything.
Thunderbolt – 4 vs 5
It gets interesting here. Asus is betting on Thunderbolt 4, while LG enters the history books as the first monitor with Thunderbolt 5. This means three times the bandwidth of the previous version – it will handle both data and video with a single cable.
It's a pity that LG got a bit carried away with the renders at CES – the thin bezels in the graphics were quite exaggerated. In reality, the monitor has fairly noticeable borders.
HDR? Rather not…
And here we come to the crux of the matter. Neither Asus nor LG has miniLED or LED zoned backlighting, so there’s no real hope for true HDR. The DisplayHDR 600 certification is marketing, not actual experience. In this respect, both models are more reminiscent of Dell's 6K than Apple’s Pro Display XDR.
If someone is looking for authentic HDR for photos or films – they will have to wait longer. And if the priority is HDR in games and films, it’s better to look towards QD-OLED and WOLED monitors. The effect there is incomparably better, although they are not perfectly suited for graphics.
In short: Asus and LG finally give us alternatives in the world of 6K monitors, but if you’re counting on the “wow” effect in HDR – it’s still not the moment.
