The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is an exciting dual-mode monitor that displays content in 4K UHD at 240 Hz on a 32-inch screen diagonal and switches to Full HD at 480 Hz at the touch of a button. We already know this from the LG UltraGear 32GS95UX (our test). Our test clarifies what the ASUS model has to offer and whether it’s worth buying.
Technical data
Product | OLED PG32UCDP 32GS95UX |
Display size | 31.5 inch |
Resolution | 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) |
Screen refresh rate | 240 Hz (4K); 480 Hz (1080p) |
Panel type | W-OLED |
Screen surface | Anti-glare |
Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
Brightness | 250 cd/m² |
Contrast ratio | 1.500.000:1 |
Screen colors | 1.07 billion |
Color space | 99 % DCI-P3 |
Viewing angle | H: 178° / V: 178° |
Curvature | none |
Response time | 0.03 ms (GtG) |
Connections |
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Audio connections | 1x 3.5 mm jack |
Integrated speakers | no |
Color | Black |
VESA mount | 100 x 100 mm |
Special features | Dual mode; Auto KVM; DisplayWidget Center; Aura Sync |
Price | € 29.99 * |
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP review: Futuristic with LED lighting
- quick and easy to install
- futuristic design; great workmanship
- lots of (RGB) lighting
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP picks up on the design of the series. Wide, open stand, chic RGB lighting on the back and red LED lighting (“ROG Lighting Projection”) underneath the stand.
There’s no doubt about it: the gaming monitor looks great and is much more futuristic and less plain than the LG model mentioned above. The assembly is just as simple. Simply screw the stand together, insert it into the back and you’re ready to go. Without tools and in just a few simple steps.
A huge 280-watt power supply unit is included with the monitor, as well as all the necessary cables, instructions, warranty information and several plugs that can be used to adjust the image of the lighting projection.
While the LG UltraGear has a pivot function, this is unfortunately not possible with ASUS. However, the monitor can be adjusted in height by 80 mm, rotated between -15° and 15° and tilted between -5° and 20°.
The design also scores with some appealing elements that we already know from the recently tested ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG, for example. These include the anodized surface, the 1/4-inch thread above the stand for mounting cameras, lights and more or the RGB lighting on the back in the form of the ROG logo.
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is very bright anyway. Even the Swift lettering on the back of the stand and three arrow-shaped forms on the bottom edge shine in red. Those who like it colorful will definitely get their money’s worth here.
Connections, features and operation
- two HDMI 2.1 ports
- USB hub with KVM switch
- excellent operation; practical software
In terms of connections, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP leaves nothing to be desired. The image output is via HDMI 2.1 (two connections are available here) or DisplayPort 1.4. These connections can be found on the left-hand side of the stand.
On the right-hand side, the manufacturer has added a USB hub with three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C with 90 watt power delivery, a USB-B 3.2 upstream port, a 3.5 mm jack connection and an optical SPDIF output. The selection is therefore significantly larger than that of the LG UltraGear, and a KVM switch is also available.
It should be noted that using the PowerDelivery function of the USB-C port with 90 watts greatly reduces the maximum brightness of the monitor. Optionally, the power supply can be limited to 45 watts, which then achieves full brightness.
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP also deserves praise for its operation, which takes place via the centrally positioned joystick and two additional buttons that guide you through the clear and extensive on-screen display.
If desired, however, the entire operation can also be carried out via the DisplayWidget Center app, which makes fiddling around on the back unnecessary. The app offers a clear design and scores highly in terms of ease of use.
Features of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP
- Dual mode
- excellent OLED protection mechanisms
- exciting AI functions
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP uses the same flat, low-reflection W-OLED panel that is also used in the LG UltraGear. The most important special feature is of course the dual mode, which switches between 4K/240 Hz and 1080p/480 Hz at the touch of a button – this also works much faster and more flawlessly with the ASUS monitor than with LG.
I also like the picture quality a little better here in 1080p mode. The display doesn’t look quite as coarsely pixelated as the competitor.
This is combined with a low response time of 0.03 ms and third-generation OLED technology, which displays movements more sharply thanks to Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB). The Clear Pixel Edge algorithm, on the other hand, noticeably improves the readability of text.
ASUS has also equipped the display with various excellent OLED protection mechanisms such as Pixel Cleaning, Pixel Move, Screen Saver and more. The fact that the monitor comes with a three-year guarantee against burn-in also deserves praise – this is still not a matter of course.
Another special feature are the AI functions, which are particularly interesting for gamers. The AI Crosshair, for example, is a crosshair that automatically changes color to stand out from the background. AI Visual, on the other hand, recognizes which content is currently being displayed and adjusts the monitor settings accordingly, which works very well.
AI Sniper is half a cheat code: the function automatically zooms in on the center of the target in shooters, which improves aiming. While all of these functions work perfectly, the AI Shadow Boost (which brightens dark areas to make enemies more visible) hardly resulted in any change to the image during my test.
All important image synchronization technologies are also included: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility and Adaptive Sync.
Picture quality of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP
Despite the identical panel, the picture quality of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP and the LG UltraGear 32GS95UX differ quite significantly, which is astonishing. In terms of maximum brightness in SDR mode, both monitors are on a par: I was able to measure 255 nits, 5 more than ASUS claims (and 20 less than LG’s manufacturer’s specification).
In HDR mode, however, the PG32UCDP is noticeably brighter. According to ASUS, the peak brightness is 1,300 nits, but I was even able to measure over 1,400 nits in individual pixels. Top. The LG monitor fell significantly behind here with 650 nits.
The overall picture quality of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is outstanding. The OLED-typical rich colors and excellent contrasts make for an impressive gaming experience. But the text readability is also outstanding and in no way has to hide behind an IPS panel.
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is at the forefront in terms of picture quality and offers absolutely no cause for criticism. Only when changing the frame rate in VRR mode is there a slight flickering, but this is much less pronounced than with most other OLED panels.
Lab test of the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP
Of course, I also took a look at the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP in the lab and the results were quite good. However, some fine-tuning is necessary in the factory calibration to noticeably improve the picture.
For example, the color space coverage is 100% sRGB, but only 93% DCI-P3 as the best value. Here, calibration and a switch to user mode deliver the advertised 99% DCI-P3 color space coverage.
Unfortunately, the actual gamma values deviate greatly from the information in the OSD. Here I measure a value of gamma 1.8 as an example, although a value of 2.2 is actually set. If you want a value that is close to 2.2, you have to set the maximum in the menu.
As already mentioned, the maximum brightness is around 255 nits in SDR mode. The white point, like the colors, can be set and adjusted in detail in the menu.
The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is quite well positioned in the area of color homogeneity, i.e. the uniformity of color distribution. The maximum deviation here is 2.7 percent, which beats the result of the LG counterpart.
The monitor delivers a similarly good result in the area of luminance homogeneity, i.e. the uniformity of the illumination. The maximum deviation here is 7 percent at 50 percent brightness. The higher the brightness setting, the less uneven the results. At 83% brightness, a recommended value for the monitor, the deviations only amount to a maximum of 5%.
The color fidelity is also very good. Here I measured an average value of DeltaE 2.36, with larger deviations in the dark gray and cyan range, which means that the monitor is still well suited for color-critical work.
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP test: Conclusion
With the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP, the manufacturer delivers an outstanding gaming monitor that sets the tone, especially in terms of picture quality. Especially when gaming in 4K with up to 240 Hz, the monitor with active HDR shows off its strengths excellently and outshines the competition in terms of peak brightness. The text display of the new W-OLED panel is also impressive across the board.
The 1080p mode with 480 Hz is a nice extra for competitive gamers, but in my opinion not a selling point for the display, although switching at the touch of a button is of course extremely practical.
What speaks in favor of the ASUS monitor, however, are the practical AI-supported gaming functions, which offer a clear advantage over the usual counterparts. The whole thing is combined with an appealing design and lots of lighting elements – but how much you like it is of course a matter of taste.
Just like the fact whether these extras are worth the extra price. With a recommended retail price of around 1,600 euros, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP is more expensive than many of its competitors.
ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP
Workmanship
Image Quality
Features
Value For Money
91/100
Gaming monitor with excellent picture quality, outstanding brightness, appealing lighting and practical dual mode. However, the price is significantly higher than the competition.