ASUS XG32UQ 160Hz 4K UHD IPS with HDMI 2.1
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made using the “Buy” button at the bottom of this post. Where possible, you'll be redirected to your nearest store. Further information on supporting our work.For desktop use and gaming on both PCs and consoles, the high refresh rate ‘4K’ experience can be very rewarding. The ASUS XG32UQ is built with this in mind, featuring HDMI 2.1 to provide a 120Hz ‘4K’ UHD signal plus VRR for systems including the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The usual pared-back version of the ROG Strix styling is provided, with dark matte and satin-finish plastics used extensively. The top and side bezels are dual-stage, with slim panel border flush with the rest of the screen plus thin hard plastic outer part. The OSD (On Screen Display) is controlled by a joystick and accompanying buttons at the rear of the screen, running down the right side as viewed from the front.
A 32″ IPS-type panel with 3840 x 2160 (‘4K’ UHD) resolution is used, which we believe could be the AUO M320QAN02.C AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle) panel more specifically. A 160Hz refresh rate is supported alongside Adaptive-Sync and HDMI 2.1 VRR, including Nvidia ‘G-SYNC Compatible’ and AMD FreeSync Pro with a 48 – 160Hz VRR range plus LFC. A matte anti-glare screen surface, 1000:1 static contrast ratio and 178°/178° viewing angles are specified. 10-bit colour is supported (8-bit + FRC), whilst the monitor is factory calibrated with specified DeltaE <2. A flicker-free WLED backlight provides a 450 cd/m² (600 cd/m² HDR peak) typical maximum luminance and 96% DCI-P3 (130% sRGB) colour gamut. The monitor responds to HDR10 content at the VESA DisplayHDR 600 level, allowing it to put its 10-bit colour reproduction and fairly generous gamut to good use. Alongside some reasonable brightness pulses and local dimming to provide a situational edge in contrast. We assume 8-16 dimming zones are included in an edge-lit arrangement, as vertical bands running from the left to right side of the screen.
A 1ms grey to grey response time is specified, a figure you should pay little attention to. ASUS claims to include variable overdrive, re-tuning the overdrive to minimise overshoot at lower refresh rates. Though this has been implemented on previous Adaptive-Sync models from the manufacturer with limited success. ELMB also features, a strobe backlight setting which can be used instead of VRR if you wish. Low Blue Light (LBL) settings are included to promote a more relaxing viewing experience, with an on-screen crosshair, timer, stopwatch and ‘FPS counter’ (refresh rate display) also featuring. The included stand provides tilt, swivel and height adjustment (80mm or 3.15 inches) and attaches centrally via a quick-release mechanism. Removing this reveals 100 x 100mm VESA holes for alternative mounting. The ports face downwards beneath a removable plastic cover and include; 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (plus upstream), 2 HDMI 2.1 ports (48 Gbps), DP 1.4 (DSC) and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Further information can be found on the manufacturer’s website. The monitor is listed for ~$870 USD.
