Katarzyna Petru
Asus has once again made a move that will be talked about. At Gamescom 2025, they showcased something that looks like the new king of e-sports monitors. The ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W is a 26.5-inch QHD 2560 × 1440 screen that boasts a 540 Hz refresh rate as standard. Sounds like space? That's just the beginning, as the panel has a dual-mode and can switch to 720 Hz at 1080p. These numbers, which just recently seemed absurd, are now making their way to the forefront.
720 Hz vs the rest of the world
Of course, Asus is not the only one reaching for such speed. Koorui and HKC have already thrown out claims of 750 Hz, but we are talking about TN panels there. Poor colours, worse brightness, limited viewing angles – classic compromises that OLED does not know. Asus offers something that these brands do not have: the ability to choose between maximum speed and higher resolution when you don't need full turbo.
OLED, but not just any OLED
The most interesting thing is that Asus has not opted for an ordinary OLED. This is a next-generation OLED tandem, meaning a panel that should deliver higher brightness in HDR and longer lifespan than previous designs. Additionally, it features a glossy coating – a risky choice, as every gamer fears reflections, but Asus claims that even in a bright room, this issue doesn’t exist. The result? Even more vivid colours and even deeper blacks, as if the OLED itself wasn’t good enough already.
Design that you want to watch
The appearance of the monitor also plays a role. In a world where everything is black and predictable, Asus has come out with a silver-transparent design. A bit retro, a bit futuristic, but definitely unusual and bold. Sure, the stand in the shape of a huge three-bladed propeller takes up half the desk and that is a compromise, but it is hard not to appreciate that Asus has actually gone in a direction that is different from the rest of the industry.
Technology that fights against burn-in
OLED has long been associated with burn-in, but Asus has managed to tackle it. The new model features a Neo Proximity Sensor that detects whether you are sitting in front of the screen. If you move away, the monitor automatically switches to a black screen mode, which reduces the risk of burn-in. Additionally, a three-year warranty and protective mechanisms from LG Display and Samsung Display ensure that this issue is no longer a genuine cause for concern, provided that the safeguards are not excessively aggressive.
Premiere and price – still unknown
However, this is where the good news ends. Asus has not yet announced either the price or the release date. It's not hard to guess that it will be an expensive piece of equipment – a pioneering panel, new design, and a host of technological solutions always drive up the price. At the same time, the company also showcased the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG, a monitor with the same tandem OLED but slower – 280 Hz and standard HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC. The flagship, on the other hand, received DisplayPort 2.1a with a bandwidth of 80 Gb/s, which further emphasises that we are dealing with a premium class.
Does 720 Hz make sense?
And now the question that everyone asks themselves: does anyone really make use of 720 Hz? The mathematics suggests that the gains from each subsequent hundred Hz are diminishing, but Asus demonstrates that this is about more than just numbers. It's a demonstration of capability, showing direction, and – let’s not hide it – the desire to get ahead of the competition. And if we add to that an unconventional design and fresh technology, then even if the price stings, Asus has just set a very strong reference point for the entire market.
Source: The Verge
