The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM impressed as a top-tier gaming monitor last year, and Asus is back with a compelling successor for 2024: the XG27AQDMG. This updated model boasts several enhancements, including LG Display’s first glossy OLED panel, new features, and a noticeable boost in brightness, all while hitting a lower price point of $750, making it one of the most affordable OLED monitors available.
A brighter, cheaper OLED with a glossy finish? These are precisely the features PC gamers have been clamoring for. The XG27AQDMG delivers on these promises, improving upon the PG27AQDM while significantly reducing the cost, making it an ideal entry point for gamers considering the switch to OLED.
Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG Specifications
| Feature | Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 26.5 inches |
| Panel Type | OLED (LG Display WOLED) |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1440 |
| Peak Brightness | 450 nits (SDR) |
| HDR | DisplayHDR True Black 400 |
| Local Dimming | 3,686,400 zones |
| Contrast Ratio | 1.5M:1 |
| Response Time | 0.03ms GtG |
| Refresh Rate | 240Hz |
| Curve | N/A |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Inputs | 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.0 |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x 3.5mm |
| List Price | $750 |
A Streamlined Design
ROG logo on the Asus XG27AQDMG monitor.
While Asus ROG monitors are known for their sleek aesthetics, the XG27AQDMG adopts a more practical design to match its lower price. This is primarily evident in the stand, which forgoes the large tri-point design with signature ROG underglow found on monitors like the PG34WCDM. Instead, it features a flat metal stand encased in plastic. While visually less premium than other ROG stands, it offers superior versatility.
The smaller footprint frees up desk space, and the stand provides extensive adjustability: 25 degrees of tilt, 90 degrees of swivel, and 180 degrees of pivot for vertical orientation. It also offers nearly 5 inches of height adjustment. Asus retains the convenient cable-routing channel and a phone holder notch in the base. A 100×100 VESA mount is also available for alternative mounting options.
Illuminated ROG logo on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
Despite the simplified stand, the monitor itself retains a premium feel with its remarkably thin profile and passive cooling design. An external power brick further contributes to the sleek aesthetic. The rear panel houses the monitor’s internal components and features an illuminated RGB ROG logo, providing subtle bias lighting.
The XG27AQDMG maintains the stylish ROG look but lacks the premium feel of Asus’s higher-priced OLED offerings. The streamlined lighting and stand are understandable cost-saving measures but are worth noting.
Enhanced Features
Cyberpunk 2077 displayed on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
The XG27AQDMG introduces key features beyond a simple refresh. Most notably, it incorporates Asus’s Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology, previously seen only on select monitors like the Asus ROG Swift 32 QD-OLED. ELMB utilizes Black Frame Insertion (BFI) to enhance motion clarity, effectively mimicking the flicker of a CRT display by inserting black frames between regular frames. This improves perceived motion clarity, especially beneficial at lower refresh rates or when using the monitor with a console.
ELMB is limited to 120Hz with reduced brightness but remains a valuable addition for scenarios requiring lower refresh rates.
Tripod mount on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
Other features include two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, but USB-C with power delivery and a KVM switch are absent. Externally, the monitor offers a quarter-inch tripod mount for accessories and a phone holder notch in the stand.
Connectivity and Controls
The XG27AQDMG features a standard DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports. The absence of HDMI 2.1 might disappoint some, but it’s not necessary for the monitor’s native resolution and refresh rate.
On-screen display menu of the Asus XG27AQDMG.
Navigation is straightforward with a four-way joystick and two buttons located beneath the display, controlling a large, intuitive on-screen display (OSD). The OSD provides extensive customization options, including nine picture profiles, six-axis color adjustment, multiple gamma points, and color space clamping for sRGB and DCI-P3.
Alternatively, Asus’s DisplayWidget Center software allows for mouse control of all OSD settings via a USB-B connection.
Exceptional Brightness
OLED demo on the Asus XG27AQDMG monitor.
The XG27AQDMG represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Beyond the glossy finish, Asus and LG Display have implemented improvements to the panel itself. Asus claims a 20% brightness increase, and testing confirms this. Peak HDR brightness reached an impressive 1,176 nits in a 1% window—the highest recorded for an OLED monitor, surpassing the previous model’s 931 nits.
SDR brightness also sees a substantial improvement, peaking at 405 nits in a 5% window, compared to the previous model’s sub-350 nits. This boost is likely attributed to LG’s MLA+ technology, which uses micro lenses to enhance brightness.
HDR demo on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
Color performance is excellent, with 100% sRGB, 97% DCI-P3, and 89% AdobeRGB coverage. Color accuracy is also impressive, with a 0.92 color error in SDR. Extensive color adjustment options, including six-axis control and color space clamping, provide further fine-tuning capabilities. The XG27AQDMG surpasses its predecessor in both brightness and color accuracy.
Immersive Gaming Experience
Doom Eternal gameplay on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
With Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, and a 240Hz refresh rate, the XG27AQDMG delivers a superb gaming experience. The 27-inch 1440p display provides an excellent balance for both cinematic and competitive gaming, now with enhanced brightness and color.
While 4K remains the high-end standard, 1440p on a 27-inch screen offers excellent pixel density, making games like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 look sharp, complemented by impressive HDR performance. The monitor is accessible to a wider range of PC hardware, allowing for high frame rates without requiring top-of-the-line components.
Forza Horizon 5 gameplay on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
The 240Hz refresh rate combined with OLED’s ultra-low response times produces exceptionally smooth motion. In esports titles like Valorant and Rainbow Six Siege, the XG27AQDMG provides unparalleled motion clarity. While 4K is appealing, especially for high-end PCs and consoles, the XG27AQDMG demonstrates the advantages of 1440p with its higher refresh rates and optimal pixel density.
Burn-in and Warranty
Alan Wake 2 displayed on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
Asus offers a three-year warranty covering burn-in, similar to the Alienware 27 QD-OLED. While burn-in is a potential concern with OLED technology, it’s unlikely to occur with typical usage within the warranty period. The XG27AQDMG includes several burn-in prevention features, such as a pixel-cleaning function and pixel-shifting. A brightness limiter also dims static elements to minimize panel strain.
Should You Buy the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG?
Forza Horizon 5 on the Asus XG27AQDMG.
The Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDMG directly addresses common OLED concerns with its glossy panel, enhanced brightness, and competitive price. It represents a compelling evolution in OLED gaming monitors, offering significant improvements at a more affordable price point.
The pricing is particularly attractive, especially compared to other 27-inch OLED options. While the LG UltraGear OLED 27 remains slightly cheaper, the XG27AQDMG undercuts the PG27AQDM and Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240, offering superior brightness at a lower cost.
