144 Hz, 40 inches, FreeSync Premium and much more are the features of the new gaming monitor from AOC, which the manufacturer introduced in mid-June. Our AOC Agon AG405UXC review clarifies whether gamers can grab it without hesitation and where the strengths and weaknesses lie.
Technical data
| Display size | 40 inch |
| Resolution | UWQHD (3,440 x 1,440 pixels) |
| Screen refresh rate | 144 Hz |
| Panel type | IPS |
| Screen Surface | Non-glare |
| Image format | 16:9 |
| Brightness | 300 cd/m²; DisplayHDR 400 |
| Contrast ratio | 1,200:1 |
| Screen colors | 16.7 million |
| Color space | 100 % sRGB 85 % NTSC 93 % DCI-P3 |
| Viewing angle | H: 178° / V: 178° |
| Curvature | none |
| Response time | 4 ms (GtG); 1 ms (MPRT) |
| Connectors | 1x DP 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 1x USB-C 1x USB-B 4x USB A |
| Audio | 1x Audio out (3.5mm jack) |
| Integrated speakers | yes (2x 5 watts) |
| Color | Black |
| VESA suspension | 100 x 100 mm |
| Weight | 11.9 kg |
| Energy consumption | 5.0 W |
| Standby consumption | ≤ 0.5 W |
| Price | € 515.10 * |
AOC Agon AG405UXC review: scope of delivery, design and workmanship
- Cable and remote control included
- Simple design
- Robust, high-quality workmanship; secure stand
The AOC Agon AG405UXC weighs around 12 kilograms in the test. No wonder, the gaming monitor not only relies on high-quality workmanship, but also on a particularly large screen diagonal of 40 inches in 21:9 format.
Before we can get started, the monitor has to be assembled. In concrete terms, this means that the display and the two-part stand have to be screwed together. The manufacturer includes the screws and a suitable screwdriver in the box. The assembly is also very simple and can be done in just a few steps.
Besides that, we also find other accessories in the scope of delivery. Thus, in addition to the power cable, AOC even includes picture cables such as HDMI and DisplayPort cables. Besides a quick-start guide and warranty card, a remote control including batteries is also included.
The AOC Agon AG405UXC itself is visually rather plain. Only the red manufacturer logo can be found on the back, and only the Agon lettering on the front – the ultrawide monitor does not offer RGB lighting.
With its anodized surface, the monitor looks good, and there is nothing to complain about in terms of build quality. Everything looks valuable and robust. It goes without saying that you need some space due to the size.
However, this also applies to the stand, which protrudes about 29 centimeters onto the surface and thus ensures a secure hold. Although the monitor wobbles considerably when touched roughly, it still stands firmly on the respective surface. Rubberized feet on the underside additionally ensure that nothing slips.
Connections, equipment and controls
- Good port selection
- USB hub
- USB-C with PowerDelivery and DisplayPort legacy mode
The AOC Agon AG405UXC’s ports are found on the rear panel, with cables plugging into the monitor from the bottom. A light gray contrasting designation of the ports helps to immediately find the right input.
The power cable is connected to the right of the stand. The power switch, which turns the monitor on and off, is also located here. On the left side, on the other hand, are the “normal” ports, which are quite impressive. Offered are:
- 2x HDMI 2.0
- 1x DisplayPort 1.4
- 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (with PowerDelivery and DP Alt mode)
- 1x 3.5mm jack
- 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1
- 1x USB-B 3.2
Thereby, the monitor realizes a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels with a maximum of 144 hertz with a flat IPS panel. However, this is only possible via DisplayPort or USB-C. The maximum refresh rate is 100 Hz via HDMI.
The response time is 4 ms for the gray-to-grey transition and 1 ms MPRT. AMD FreeSync Premium is included to improve the picture, and the monitor is also compatible with NVIDIA G-Sync. AOC also integrates two speakers, each with 5 watts of power, which actually provide good sound (for a monitor, of course). A KVM switch is also integrated, where you can switch between USB-C and USB ports in the OSD.
Operating the AOC Agon AG405UXC
- Practical operation via remote control
The monitor can be operated either via the buttons on the front of the monitor or, much more conveniently, with the help of the included remote control. This is kept pleasantly compact and features all important functions.
Another advantage of the remote control is that, for example, brightness, volume or picture mode can be switched at the touch of a button, instead of having to go via the on-screen display.
Ergonomics
In terms of ergonomics, the AOC Agon AG405UXC shows quite a bit of variation. It can be tilted between -3.5 degrees and 21.5 degrees, can be tilted between -30 degrees and 30 degrees, and can be adjusted in height by up to 150 millimeters.
However, the gaming monitor does not offer a pivot function, i.e. the possibility to turn the display 90 degrees vertically. But that’s common in the ultrawide monitor sector anyway.
The AOC Agon AG405UXC’s picture quality
- High resolution, good sharpness (despite less than 100 ppi)
- FreeSync Premium and G-Sync compatibility
- Nearly no ghosting
As already mentioned, the AOC Agon AG405UXC relies on a flat IPS panel. Thanks to a matte surface, it is also very well protected from reflections. Accordingly, the viewing angle stability of 178 degrees in all directions is also convincing.
With a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440 pixels and a screen diagonal of 40 inches, the AF405UXC achieves a pixel density of less than 100 ppi. Nevertheless, I have to admit that I liked the picture extremely well already after the first start-up. Ghosting is also absolutely no problem for the display.
Fonts are clear and sharp, colors intense. The manufacturer has configured this very well at the factory. If you like, you can of course make further settings in the on-screen display and let off steam in detail in AOC’s G menu.
There are also various operating modes for different gaming genres, for example shooters or strategy games, but also an eye-friendly low-blue mode. HDR can also be activated as an option in the menu – optionally for pictures, videos or games. This increases the monitor’s maximum brightness up to 400 cd/m², which earns it a VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. Without HDR, a maximum of 300 cd/m² is possible.
In the field test, I was really pleased with the picture. Both in terms of consuming videos and moving images as well as playing games or displaying texts. However, you have to keep in mind that the IPS panel already reaches its limits at this size. Especially in terms of contrast ratio and color reproduction. However, it undoubtedly remains a niche that the manufacturer serves with this monitor, that’s clear.
Lab test
In the lab test, however, the AOC Agon AG405UXC shows a few weaknesses. Especially in terms of the tone curve as well as the homogeneity of the screen.
There are three gamma settings to choose from in the menu, but it is not specified which value they correspond to. I performed tests for all three settings, and the result is always (mostly) the same: Especially in the lower area, there are quite strong deviations from the gamma curve, while it approaches again at the top.
Color and luminance homogeneity sometimes show deviations of up to 7.9 (at maximum brightness, in the middle upper third), while uniform illumination shows deviations of up to 14 percent in the middle rectangle at the right edge.
Surprisingly, you don’t notice much of this in practice, though. When displaying pure white or pure black, as well as colorful images, I didn’t notice any significant differences between the image sections.
It definitely looks good in terms of color space coverage: 100 percent sRGB, 86 percent AdobeRGB and 94 percent DCI-P3 are offered, and the color fidelity is – on average – at DeltaE 1.91, which is a very good factory calibration.
OSD settings
I really like the on-screen display, or OSD for short, of the AOC Agon AG405UXC. It is displayed in high contrast in the lower right corner of the screen and offers numerous setting options. In tidy sub-menus, we not only adjust brightness or contrast and activate the HDR option, but also adjust the picture settings in detail, activate FreeSync, an overdrive mode and other settings.
AOC Agon AG405UXC review: conclusion
With the AOC Agon AG405UXC, the manufacturer delivers its largest ultrawide gaming monitor to date. And it undoubtedly serves a niche, because you don’t see 40 inches in 21:9 format with WQHD resolution every day.
However, the manufacturer’s result is almost completely convincing. Of course, the pixel density is only around 93 ppi, but you do not really notice that in practice. In return, there is an excellent build quality, a simple and chic design, a really convincing picture quality and modern features.
State-of-the-art ports like HDMI 2.1 are missing, but you do not have to do without a KVM switch or USB hub, nor do you have to do without USB-C with DisplayPort legacy mode and even 90 watts of PowerDelivery.
This results in a largely coherent overall package at a somewhat too high price for the release. However, this circumstance should change in the coming months. In any case, those looking for a large and high-quality ultrawide gaming monitor will be well served by the AOC Agon AG405UXC.
AOC Agon AG405UXC
Workmanship
Image quality
Features
Value for money
88/100
The AOC Agon AG405UXC marks a compelling ultrawide monitor with very good picture quality, modern and convenient connectivity, and excellent operation.
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