ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQWMG Review (4th Gen Tandem OLED)

1. Introduction2. Design3. TrueBlack Glossy Coating vs QD-OLED4. On-screen Display (OSD)5. Panel Analysis: SDR6. Panel Analysis: HDR7. Response Times & Motion Clarity8. Input Latency9. Closing Thoughts10. View All Pages

HDR Testing

Following on from the SDR results on the previous page, here we re-test the relevant areas of the display with HDR enabled.

ASUS provides a range of HDR modes within the OSD, and we're focused on the HDR Gaming mode and the DisplayHDR 500 True Black settings. Please note that we have used the configurable HDR option so each mode has been tested at maximum brightness.

Brightness

Kicking off with HDR brightness then, the HDR Gaming mode delivers superb results – it peaks at almost 1600 nits, while even the 2% APL holds at 1510 nits, then dropping off as the window size increases.

The True Black mode is still very bright too, this time topping out at 833 nits which it can maintain up until a 10% APL, and then it drops off to a similar level as the HDR Gaming mode.

We can again see how much of an improvement this is compared to a prior WOLED panel in the PGO32UFS, with the XG27AQWMG coming in brighter at every APL tested, and by over 300 nits for the 1% APL in particular, so you are getting significantly brighter highlights.

Greyscale

Of course, the EOTF curve plays a big part here too, with the HDR Gaming mode looking pretty accurate but with a slight bump to brightness for mid-greys.

The TrueBlack mode is even more accurate, though you do have to weigh up losing out on the peak brightness capabilities, but it's great to have the option.

Here we look at the EOTF curve across a range of APLs, with the HDR Gaming mode looking very good across the board – some over-brightening at lower APLs which I don't mind at all, and only the slightest roll-off at larger APLs. Very good performance, overall.

Once more, the True Black mode is the more accurate of the two, with very good EOTF tracking at all window sizes, making it a great option if you don't want such a bright presentation – and you can always lower the brightness in the OSD, too.

Colour Accuracy

Regardless of which mode you choose, the colour accuracy is stellar, helped by the super-wide gamut. It still doesn't cover 100% of the Rec.2020 space, which is why the results for the 100% cyan and 100% green channels aren't as good as the others, but it's still very impressive overall.

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