Maciej Koper
The CES 2026 exhibition in Las Vegas brought many innovations, but it was the MSI booth that captured our particular attention. We had the opportunity to take a close look at two of the latest monitors – the MPG 341CQR and the MEG X. These devices could be groundbreaking for anyone who has previously complained about the quality of text on OLED panels.
New QD-OLED Panel Under the Microscope
The biggest change we noticed right after entering the stand is the use of the latest generation (5th) QD-OLED panel from Samsung. Unlike older panels, this year's models utilise an RGB Strip subpixel structure. In practice, this means that fonts in the operating system are finally sharp and free from annoying coloured fringes. The manufacturer was so confident that they provided magnifying glasses with the monitors – we made use of them and must confirm that the issue of image fragmentation with text has essentially been eliminated.
During our first impressions on site, we were struck by the 360 Hz refresh rate. Although there are already panels on the market with higher values, when combined with the almost instantaneous response time of OLED, the sharpness of the image in motion is truly stunning. We tested how the monitor performs with dynamic scenes, and in our opinion, it delivers a significantly better effect than IPS matrices with refresh rates of 500 or even 1000 Hz. Completing the whole is the glossy screen coating, which does an excellent job of maintaining deep blacks, even in the challenging lighting conditions of trade fair halls.
Connectors and AI Support
We also took a look at the back of the case, where we found the latest DisplayPort standard UHBR20. This is key information as it allows for the transmission of images at full 360 Hz without the need for lossy DSC compression. For those using laptops, MSI has prepared a USB-C port with Power Delivery of 98 W. Notably, the MEG X model is equipped with artificial intelligence features, including the AI Tracker system and automatic brightness restoration after the player is blinded by, for example, a flashbang in CS2 😉. Although these features raise controversy regarding fair play online, the manufacturer suggests their use primarily in single-player modes, where AI can also dynamically change the case lighting based on our hero's health level.
A visit to the MSI stand confirmed our belief that 2026 will belong to refined OLEDs. Certainly in the world of monitors. Would you like to see monitor tests done by us? Let us know in the comments!
