The Biggest Gaming Monitor Trends of CES 2025

CES 2025 showcased a plethora of new gaming monitors, highlighting advancements in display and graphics technology. The show revealed exciting surprises and significant improvements across the board, making 2025 a landmark year for gaming monitors.

QD-OLED's Continued Dominance and Increased Accessibility

QD-OLED technology solidified its position as a leading force. Major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG all presented QD-OLED offerings, emphasizing enhanced burn-in warranties and protective features. The trend toward this display technology is expected to continue strongly throughout the year.

Building on the 2024 surge, these new QD-OLED displays are superior. Several companies unveiled 4K 240Hz models utilizing high-bandwidth DisplayPort 2.1. MSI even showcased a 1440p QD-OLED, the MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50, boasting a remarkable 500Hz refresh rate. The variety of panels and approaches from different brands ensures a wide selection of high-speed, visually stunning monitors.

Advancements in protective features are also noteworthy. Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor, integrated into the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG, automatically displays a black screen when the user is away, preventing burn-in. This is a significant improvement over manually turning off the monitor. As the technology matures, prices are expected to decrease, making previous generations of QD-OLED monitors more affordable.

Mini-LED: A Technology to Watch

While not as prevalent as QD-OLED, Mini-LED technology remains relevant. MSI positioned its MPG 274URDFW E16M, featuring dual-mode AI mini-LED, as a budget-friendly alternative to QD-OLED. This 4K, 160Hz monitor (with 320Hz at 1080p) boasts 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, resulting in impressive contrast. While the AI-driven dual-mode functionality is questionable, the potential for Mini-LED to offer a viable, burn-in-free alternative to QD-OLED at a lower price point is significant.

Escalating Refresh Rates and Resolutions

The combination of refined QD-OLED technology and more powerful graphics cards continues to drive higher refresh rates. 4K at 240Hz is now a reality, alongside 1440p at 500Hz. Gigabyte's Aorus FO27Q5P, a sleek and vibrant monitor, targets VESA TrueBlack 500 certification, promising brighter highlights and enhanced HDR. Similar designs are offered by other brands, providing consumers with diverse options.

MSI revived TN panels, introducing the MPG 242R X60N with an impressive 600Hz refresh rate. While this sacrifices color accuracy and viewing angles, it caters to gamers prioritizing speed.

CES 2025 also marked the emergence of 5K monitors. Acer's Predator XB323QX (5K, 144Hz) incorporates Nvidia's G-Sync Pulsar technology. LG debuted two "5K2K" (5120 x 2160) ultrawide (21:9) gaming monitors, the Ultragear 45GX950A (800R curve) and the Ultragear 45GX990A (adjustable curvature up to 900R). Beyond gaming, Asus showcased the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV (6016 x 3384), a 31.5-inch mini-LED display for creators.

The Convergence of Smart TVs and Gaming Monitors

Smart monitors, offering integrated streaming services, are gaining traction. While not all CES smart monitors were explicitly gaming-focused, this trend is likely to expand. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor (32-inch 4K) features streaming apps and multi-platform streaming capabilities. LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA provides an ultrawide option with similar features. Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor utilizes neural processing to enhance its 4K OLED panel, upscaling content and adjusting picture settings. Its 165Hz refresh rate also makes it suitable for gaming.

Conclusion

CES 2025 demonstrated a forward-looking approach to gaming monitor technology. The showcased displays pushed boundaries, indicating future industry directions. While 2024 was a significant year, 2025 promises even greater advancements.