CES 2025 Unveils Top Gaming Monitor Trends

There was no shortage of new gaming monitors at CES 2025, and I toured the show scouting out the latest and greatest that the biggest vendors had to offer. The event showcased some genuine surprises and a lot of features being taken to the next level, thanks to advancing display and graphics technology. This makes 2025 one of the most exciting years for gaming monitors in recent memory.

QD-OLED Isn’t Going Anywhere and Should Become More Accessible

If there's an overarching theme to gaming monitors at CES, it's that QD-OLED is here to stay. Major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG all had something to show, with representatives eager to highlight their different burn-in warranties and protection features. The push toward this display technology is set to continue throughout the year.

This trend isn't surprising given the surge we saw in 2024, but these new displays are shaping up to be better than ever. Multiple companies debuted 4K 240Hz QD-OLEDs sporting higher-bandwidth DisplayPort 2.1 connections. MSI even revealed the new 1440p QD-OLED MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50, which clocks to an impressive 500Hz. Other brands showcased their unique takes on these panels, suggesting that we'll see a lot of fast, visually stunning monitors in the future.

Protection features continue to advance, with a standout being the Neo Proximity Sensor that Asus integrated into the upcoming ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG. This addition to its OLED Care suite detects when you're away from the PC and displays a black screen to prevent burn-in and pixel wear. This is a significant improvement over the current need to manually turn off the monitor when away.

As QD-OLED technology matures across multiple generations, prices are expected to decline. While launch prices for these models remain high, savvy buyers can find excellent deals on previous generations throughout the year.

Mini-LED Isn’t Dead, But It Is Tech To Keep an Eye Out For

Although Mini-LED technology didn't dominate the show, it was still present. An MSI representative mentioned that their dual-mode AI mini-LED, the MPG 274URDFW E16M, aims to be a more affordable alternative to QD-OLED. This approach makes sense, and given my experience with similar technologies, I hope MSI succeeds in bringing Mini-LED back to the forefront.

The MPG 274URDFW E16M boasts 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of around 1,000 nits, offering impressive contrast, especially in the brightly lit showroom. It supports 4K resolution at 160Hz for smooth, high-res gameplay, and can bump up to 320Hz at 1080p. However, I remain skeptical about its AI-driven "dual-mode AI" that automatically switches resolutions based on content.

Despite limited options at the show, I expect to see more Mini-LED technology in the future. The fear of burn-in with OLEDs is real, but Mini-LEDs get incredibly bright, look fantastic with the right settings, and have no risk of burn-in. With enough dimming zones (1,152 or more for 27 inches), blooming becomes less of an issue. If brands can keep prices reasonable, Mini-LEDs could be a compelling alternative for those hesitant to spend over $1,000 on a monitor that requires careful handling.

Pricing for this model isn't official yet, but it's expected to be less than its competing flagship QD-OLED counterparts.

Refresh Rates and Resolutions Continue to Climb

As mentioned earlier, with advancements in QD-OLED display technology and more powerful graphics cards, refresh rates are continuing to climb. 4K at 240Hz is now a reality, as is 500Hz at 1440p. Gigabyte's Aorus FO27Q5P impressed me with its sleek design and vibrant visuals, aiming for VESA TrueBlack 500 certification, which promises brighter highlights for enhanced HDR. Other brands offer similar designs, like the MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50 mentioned earlier, providing various options for buyers.

MSI even brought old-school TN panels back to push refresh rates even higher. The MSI MPG 242R X60N boasts a remarkable 600Hz refresh rate, catering to gamers demanding the fastest speeds. While TN panels have trade-offs in color and viewing angles, the speed is undeniably impressive. Whether the average gamer will notice the clarity or latency improvements remains to be seen.

CES 2025 will also be remembered as the year that 5K monitors started to come into their own. Acer showcased the Predator XB323QX, a 5K, 144Hz gaming monitor with Nvidia's latest G-Sync Pulsar tech. LG debuted a pair of new "5K2K" gaming monitors – with a resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 – in an ultrawide 21:9 form factor. The Ultragear 45GX950A features a deep but locked 800R curve, while the Ultragear 45GX990A has a bendable display that can shift from flat to a generous 900R curve.

Outside of gaming, Asus showcased the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV, a 6K (6,016 x 3,384) display targeted at creators. It features a 31.5-inch mini-LED panel priced at a surprisingly reasonable $1,249, compared to competing displays that can cost over $2,000. While not ideal for gaming due to its 60Hz refresh rate, it's a good example of the industry's push toward higher resolutions.

Smart Monitors Bring TVs and Gaming Monitors Closer Together

While I wasn't a big fan of the Samsung G80SD when I reviewed it, smart monitors have an undeniable appeal for many gamers. The ability to use your display as a smart TV with built-in streaming services is particularly advantageous for those in small apartments or dorm rooms, or for anyone looking to take a break from their daily grind.

This year, several new options are on the way. While many smart monitors at the show weren't directly targeted at gamers, it's clear this trend will continue to grow. HP unveiled the OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor, a 32-inch 4K model pre-loaded with streaming apps and the ability to stream to up to four different platforms directly from the monitor. The LG UltraGear 39GX90SA offers an ultrawide option with similar streaming features and a deep 800R curve.

Samsung debuted the M9 Smart Monitor, which uses on-device neural processing to enhance its 4K OLED panel. It can detect and adjust picture settings based on the content displayed and upscale lower-resolution content to 4K. With a 165Hz refresh rate, it's also a decent choice for gaming.

Wrapping Up

As always, CES is a show about looking toward the future. The gaming monitors I explored at CES 2025 pushed the boundaries and offered glimpses into where the industry might head next. Last year was a great, though expensive, year for gaming monitors, but 2025 is shaping up to be even better.