In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM OLED gaming monitor. This is the 27″ brother of the critically acclaimed PG32UCDM. On that note, we’ll test its real-world performance, panel characteristics, power management, and how it stacks up against other flagship displays in its class.
Disclosure: Disclosure: The ROG Swift PG27UCDM was supplied by ASUS exclusively for the purpose of this review, with no stipulations or influence over the content.
Table of Contents
Technical Specifications
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM is a 4K UHD gaming monitor featuring a 26.5-inch QD-OLED panel, 240 Hz refresh rate, and an ultra-fast 0.03 ms response time. ASUS also managed to snuck in a 90 W USB-PD with DP Alt Mode to sweeten the deal.
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Panel Size | 26.5 in |
| Panel/Backlight | QD-OLED |
| Surface Treatment | Anti-Reflection |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (16:9) |
| Pixel Density | 166.26 ppi / 0.15525 mm |
| Refresh Rate | 240 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate | Adaptive-Sync |
| Brightness | 450 cd/m² (SDR) 1000 cd/m² (HDR) |
| Contrast Ratio | 1.5 M:1 |
| Response Time | 0.03 ms (GtG) |
| Color Coverage | 99% DCI-P3, 145% sRGB |
| Color Depth | 10-bit |
| Connectivity | |
| Display | 2x HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1a, |
| USB | USB Type-C (DP Alt Mode, PD 90 W), 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Audio | 3.5 mm (Out) |
| Ergonomics | |
| VESA Mount | 100 x 100 mm |
| Pivot | -90°/+90° |
| Swivel | ±30° |
| Tilt | -5°/+20° |
| Lift | 110 mm |
| Anti-strain | Anti-Blue Light |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 705 mm |
| Width | 369.2 mm |
| Height | 610.3 mm |
| Weight | 4.97 kg (w/o stand) |
Packaging and Accessories
The Swift PG27UCDM is cradled by a two part recycled cardboard packaging. I like this better compared to styrene as they do not squeak and does not leave any expanded beads.
Scope of delivery are as follows:
- ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM
- DisplayPort cable
- DisplayPort 2.1 (DP80) cable
- HDMI Ultra High Speed Cable
- Microfiber cloth
- Power cord
- Quick start guide
- ROG pouch
- ROG sticker
- USB 3.2 cable
- USB-C cable
- VESA mount kit
- Warranty Card
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM comes with a generous bundle of accessories, including a handy pouch to store most of them. Additionally, the cables are highly flexible and comes with an impressive build quality.
Design, Build and Connectivity
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM is as stylish as the 32-inch model, complete with the distinct tripod base and chin mounted joystick designs.
The rear-end of the PG27UCDM is also a carbon copy of the PG32UCDM. On that note, the monitor still sports a 1/4-inch female thread adapter to mount any compatible gears. For an instance, you could mount a tablet or a notebook on top of it as seen on my review of the ASUS TUF VG34VQL3A.
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM offers a host of connectivity options. That includes the dual HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 2.1a port, and a USB-Type C port with support for DP Alt Mode and PD 90 W charging. For most modern notebooks, a single cable is all you require.
Navigation is conveniently handled by a chin-mounted joystick along with a few shortcut buttons.
Ergonomics
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM is again, a 27-inch monitor (26.5-inch panel-wise) with a native resolution of 3840 x 2160, offering a generous pixel density of 166.26 ppi. If your desk has a depth of 60 cm, it should fit without any problems, however, the stand does extend a bit at the back and will eat some space due to its tripod design.
As for the PG27UCDM’s OLED panel itself, viewing angles are excellent just as expected, along with ample amount of glare protection. This monitor offers a complete suite of ergonomic adjustments too so you are practically covered on all fronts.
OSD Menu
The OSD of ROG Swift PG27UCDM features nine primary menus, offering up to three layers of sub-menus based on the complexity of the chosen settings. The first menu is Gaming, with options like VRR, GamePlus, GameVisual (presets), and Shadow Boost.
The Image menu lets you adjust the PG27UCDM’s selected presets, including brightness, contrast, and, if supported, HDR. Keep in mind that some options might be unavailable based on the preset you choose.
The Color menu offers options to change the monitor’s color space, temperature (Kelvin), saturation (6-axis capable), and Gamma.
As for panel protection, ASUS offers the OLED Care suite. This is a combination of settings made specifically to mitigate common OLED issues such as image retention, burn-in, and even screen uniformity concerns.
Software
Using the ASUS Display Widget is a way to intuitively control the OSD menu. This is a great option should you prefer a desktop environment to fine-tune the PG27UCDM’s settings.
OSD Presets
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM includes nine picture presets, with some offering little difference to each other in terms of reported brightness, contrast and white points. We ultimately settled for the sRGB Cal profile as I find it well calibrated at 120 cd/m² together with the downloadable profile from ASUS.
| Spyder5 ELITE | OSD Settings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings | Brightness (cd/m²) | Black Level (%) | Contrast (:) | White Point (K) |
| Scenery | 46.2 | 0.00 | 46250:1 | 6900 |
| Racing | 46.1 | 0.00 | 46060:1 | 7000 |
| Cinema | 41.2 | 0.00 | 41170:1 | 8000 |
| RTS/RPG | 46.4 | 0.00 | 46390:1 | 6900 |
| FPS | 46.2 | 0.00 | 46190:1 | 7000 |
| sRGB Cal | 75.9 | 0.00 | 75860:1 | 7000 |
| MOBA | 46.5 | 0.00 | 46470:1 | 6900 |
| Night Vision | 13.8 | 0.00 | 13840:1 | 6700 |
| User | 46.4 | 0.00 | 46410:1 | 6900 |
OSD settings are as follows:
- Preset = sRGB Cal
- Brightness = 55% (120 cd/m²)
- Contrast = N/A
- Color Temperature = N/A
- Gamma = N/A
The PG27UCDM is calibrated straight out of the factory, complete with its own calibration report and downloadable profile from its product support page.
Gamut
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM offers excellent color coverage with the tested color spaces.
| Spyder5 ELITE | Gamut, Percent (%) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Space | sRGB | AdobeRGB | DCI-P3 | NTSC |
| Measured | 100 | 94 | 99 | 92 |
Tone Response
Tone response is somewhat closer to 2.1, which is a little off compared to the standard 2.2 we used to measure from most sRGB presets.
Brightness and Contrast
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM achieves an SDR brightness of 231.1 cd/m², which falls short of its specified rating of 450 cd/m². I would assume that the figure measured by ASUS has been achieved with smaller window sizes. Contrast is great, and white point (uncalibrated) is usable.
| Spyder5 ELITE | Brightness and Contrast, SDR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings | Brightness (cd/m²) | Black Level (%) | Contrast (:) | White Point (K) |
| 0% | 12.9 | 0.00 | 12890:1 | 7000 |
| 25% | 67.1 | 0.00 | 67150:1 | 6900 |
| 50% | 121.7 | 0.00 | 121660:1 | 6900 |
| 75% | 175.9 | 0.00 | 175900:1 | 6900 |
| 100% | 231.1 | 0.00 | 231140:1 | 6900 |
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM comes with a proper VESA certified DisplayHDR True Black 400 and a peak of 1000 nits based on its specifications. We measured around 845 cd/m² at a 1% window size and I do not find it disappointing. What I do however, is the decline in brightness above 4% window size which is a bummer for scenic HDR scenes. Despite this drawback, the performance remains impressive, particularly due to the nature of its OLED panel.
Screen Uniformity
The color uniformity of the PG27UCDM’s OLED panel is practically perfect.
The luminance uniformity is also outstanding, showing ASUS’ legendary QA/QC in practice.
Color Accuracy
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM has an excellent color accuracy, boasting an average Delta-E of 1.07.
Response Time
While the PG27UCDM boasts an impressive OLED display with features worth celebrating, its visual response performance is merely decent based on our tests. Having measured (not observed) better results from VA panels, I double-checked on my end to see if there was an issue, but found nothing out of place. That includes changing settings, test systems (and its components), cables, ports, drivers, and everything in between.
The good news is that OLED continues to outperform IPS panels in observed MPRT. For instance, our RGB overshoot results don’t appear too concerning in comparison—though tools specifically designed to detect artifacts, like Blur Buster’s test suite, can make them more noticeable.
Input Lag
The input lag of the PG27UCDM stands out as one of the best I’ve tested so far, boasting a class-leading On Display Lag averaging at just 2.3 ms.
Power
The Swift PG27UCDM consumes around 49.62 watts of power at a brightness level of 120 cd/m² – a respectable figure for a 27-inch OLED display
Final Thoughts
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM redefines gaming and professional-grade monitors, blending advanced features with thoughtful design to deliver a stellar user experience.
The design and build of the PG27UCDM showcase ASUS’s commitment to aesthetics and functionality. Its stylish tripod base, chin-mounted joystick, and comprehensive connectivity options – including HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1a, and USB-C with DP Alt Mode and PD 90 W charging – ensure versatility and convenience, especially for modern users seeking seamless integration with their devices. Ergonomics are a clear priority, with a fully adjustable stand, excellent glare protection, and superb viewing angles, making long hours of usage both comfortable and immersive.
Packaging and accessories highlight ASUS’s environmental and user-centric approach. The recycled cardboard packaging is not only eco-friendly but also practical, while the generous accessories – complemented by high-quality cables – enhance the overall value of the package. Attention to detail extends to the OSD (On-Screen Display) menu and accompanying software, which allow intuitive control and fine-tuning of the monitor’s extensive features. This includes presets, color calibration, and ASUS’s proprietary OLED Care suite, which mitigates common OLED issues such as burn-in.
The monitor excels in key performance metrics like screen uniformity, color accuracy, and input lag. Its calibrated factory settings, impressive average Delta-E of 1.07, and class-leading input lag of 2.3 ms make it a standout option for professionals and gamers alike. However, its brightness at larger window sizes could be improved. Sugar coating with the specified SDR brightness is not helping either.
While the monitor does encounter some challenges, such as brightness limitations for larger HDR scenes and less-than-perfect visual response time compared to some VA panels, these shortcomings are acceptable when weighed against its overall performance. The PG27UCDM’s OLED technology still outperforms IPS displays in many observed scenarios, ensuring a high-quality experience that meets the expectations of its target audience. Price-wise though, it surely has some competition and you may want to consider the larger PG32UCDM as a more well-rounded option.
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM is a compelling choice for gamers seeking top-tier performance, exceptional design, and advanced functionality. It delivers on most of its promise of providing an immersive and refined display experience while addressing user needs with thoughtful features.
ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM Monitor $1,199
Product Name: ROG Swift PG27UCDM
Product Description: The ASUS ROG Swift PG27UCDM is a high-performance QD-OLED 4K UHD gaming monitor with ultra-fast input response, vibrant colors, and versatile connectivity.
Brand: ASUS
Summary
The ROG Swift PG27UCDM offers cutting-edge features and outstanding performance, with some minor trade-offs that don’t overshadow its strengths. It’s a compelling choice for gaming and professional use! Let me know if you’d like further insights or comparisons.
Pros
- Stunning QD-OLED 4K UHD panel with vibrant colors and deep blacks
- Ultra-fast 240 Hz refresh rate and 0.03 ms response time
- Excellent color accuracy and screen uniformity
- Versatile connectivity options
- Ergonomic design with full adjustability and glare protection
- Class-leading input lag performance at 2.3 ms
Cons
- Limited brightness for larger HDR scenes
- Consumes more desk space due to tripod stand design
- Slight deviation in tone response (closer to 2.1 instead of 2.2)
- Brightness lower than specified rating in SDR mode
