The Biggest Gaming Monitor Trends of CES 2025

CES 2025 showcased a plethora of new gaming monitors, highlighting significant advancements in display and graphics technology. The show revealed some exciting surprises and impressive feature upgrades, making 2025 a landmark year for gaming monitor enthusiasts.

QD-OLED's Continued Dominance and Increased Accessibility

QD-OLED technology solidified its position as a leading force in gaming monitors. Major brands like MSI, Gigabyte, and LG all unveiled QD-OLED offerings, emphasizing improved burn-in warranties and protective features. The trend toward this display technology, already strong in 2024, is set to accelerate. Several companies introduced 4K 240Hz QD-OLED monitors with high-bandwidth DisplayPort 2.1 connections. MSI even unveiled a groundbreaking 1440p QD-OLED, the MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50, boasting a 500Hz refresh rate. The advancements in protective features are also noteworthy, with Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor in the ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG automatically displaying a black screen when the user is away, mitigating burn-in. As the technology matures, price reductions are anticipated, making these high-performance monitors more accessible.

Mini-LED: A Viable Contender

While not as prominent as QD-OLED, Mini-LED technology remained a significant presence. MSI positioned its MPG 274URDFW E16M, featuring dual-mode AI mini-LED, as a more affordable QD-OLED alternative. This 4K, 160Hz monitor (with 320Hz at 1080p) boasts 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, offering impressive contrast. Although the AI-driven dual-mode functionality is questionable, Mini-LED's advantages—high brightness, excellent contrast, and the absence of burn-in risk—make it a compelling option, especially if pricing remains competitive.

Higher Refresh Rates and Resolutions

The convergence of refined QD-OLED technology and more powerful graphics cards continues to drive higher refresh rates. 4K 240Hz monitors are now a reality, with 1440p 500Hz monitors also emerging. Gigabyte's Aorus FO27Q5P, targeting VESA TrueBlack 500 certification, stands out for its vibrant display and high brightness. MSI resurrected TN panels with the MPG 242R X60N, achieving a remarkable 600Hz refresh rate, although this comes with trade-offs in color accuracy and viewing angles. The year also saw the emergence of 5K monitors, with Acer's Predator XB323QX (5K, 144Hz) and LG's pair of "5K2K" ultrawide monitors (5120 x 2160) leading the charge. Asus even showcased a 6K (6016 x 3384) monitor, the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV, aimed at creators.

Smart Monitors Blur the Lines Between TVs and Gaming Monitors

Smart monitors, offering built-in streaming services, are gaining traction. While not all showcased models were explicitly gaming-focused, the trend is clearly growing. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor (32-inch 4K) and LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA (ultrawide) provide streaming capabilities. Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor, featuring a 4K OLED panel and neural processing for enhanced picture quality and upscaling, also offers a compelling option for gamers with its 165Hz refresh rate.

Conclusion

CES 2025 demonstrated the continued evolution of gaming monitors, pushing boundaries and hinting at future innovations. Following a strong 2024, 2025 promises to be even better, offering a diverse range of options for gamers at various price points and with diverse needs.