MSI MPG 272URX: 27” QD-OLED with extreme power and precision ✨🔥
Right now, the best gaming monitor you can get is probably a 240Hz 4K QD-OLED model from MSI, Dell, or Asus! Some very interesting models using third-generation Samsung QD-OLED panels arrived last year in a 32-inch version, and now we're seeing the same specs in a more compact 27-inch design. This should allow for better compatibility with smaller desks, as well as improved esports visibility and text sharpness with a 166 PPI resolution. But how does it work in practice? 🎮😊
To find out, we're reviewing MSI's new $1099/£989 MPG 272URX. Since this is one of several models from different companies based on the same panel, we expect MSI to differentiate itself in terms of price, fit, features, and design. 🔍✨
If you're not familiar with QD-OLED monitors, it's worth mentioning that these panels excel at HDR content, thanks to their ability to turn off individual pixels for perfect blacks and unmatched contrast, as well as excellent color reproduction, viewing angles, and response times. However, the downside to OLED is that these monitors can be expensive, and there's a risk of permanent burn-in on static content, though this is quite unlikely with varied use and preventative measures in place. 🔒
The industrial design is effective, with a lower stand than many gaming monitors, allowing you to easily place a keyboard on top. It also supports 100x100 VESA mounting.
Like MSI's previous QD-OLED monitors, the MPG 272URX It benefits from a relatively restrained design, with thin bezels on three sides of the monitor and a gray/silver bar at the bottom with the MSI logo in the center. ✨ The base here is quite compact, with a lip in the center and flatter edges that allow you to rest a keyboard without difficulty. ⌨️ The stand supports up to 110 mm height adjustment, as well as tilt (25°), swivel (60°) and pivot, making it easy to position the monitor correctly. 🔄
We'd normally recommend using a monitor stand with any high-end monitor for its ergonomic and desk space benefits, but the design here is sensible enough that it shouldn't be a must-buy from day one. 👍 The rear of the monitor is full of vents to keep the panel cool; be sure to remove the included plastic strips to allow them to breathe. 💨 Plus, there's a fairly subdued MSI RGB logo in the top center. 🌈🔥
MSI has taken a step forward with its OSD, which is both well-designed (especially compared to the minimalist Dough Spectrum Black 32 we recently reviewed) and extremely feature-rich. In terms of purely gaming features, it includes crosshairs, multi-stage zoom with Optix Scope, AI Vision for adjusting monitor parameters and highlighting dark areas, a timer function, and a ton of preset modes for different game genres. 🎯
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There are also more general-purpose options suited for content creators, including sRGB, Adobe RGB, and Delta P3 modes for targeting different color gamuts, 98W USB-C charging for connecting a laptop with a single cable, PIP/PBP modes, and a KVM switch. I really appreciate these latter inclusions, as being able to easily use your new high-end monitor with a laptop is a great option. gaming or MacBook Pro via a single cable makes the monitor feel like a much more valuable purchase. 💻
MSI has always done well to offer users additional options for OLED care, and this is also true with the 272URX, which features options for pixel shifting, screen savers, static screen detection, logo detection, taskbar detection, and boundary detection. It's an extremely comprehensive list and is backed by a three-year warranty that covers burn-in, making MSI one of the best options, in my opinion, when it comes to OLED display quality. monitors based on OLED. 🔒🌟
It's a simple but effective design, including an 80Gbps DisplayPort 2.1 port (future-proof?).
In terms of ports, we have a pretty standard selection, including two HDMI 2.1 ports supporting the full 3840x2160 resolution at 240Hz with HDR, a 3.5mm headphone output, a USB-C with support for Alt Mode and 98W charging, a USB-B for the USB hub, and two USB-A ports on the bottom that can be used for firmware updates. ⚡️
You'll notice I didn't mention the DisplayPort, which, as a DP2.1 UHBR20 (80Gbps) port, deserves a special mention. This is an expensive port to include, which is why Dell opted for a DP 1.4 port on its equivalent model, the $900 AW2725Q – but it does allow full connection speeds without DSC (display stream compression). Personally, I'm fine either way, but for those looking to use their latest-gen Nvidia or AMD graphics cards to their full potential, the 272URX has everything you need. 🚀
To see how the 272URX performs, we put it through DF's usual battery of monitor tests in DisplayCAL and SpyderX using a SpyderX Elite colorimeter. (We have a more advanced SpyderX Pro on the way, but it didn't arrive in time for this review.) 🖌️
This collage of DisplayCAL results paints a pretty convincing picture of the 272URX, with generally excellent color accuracy figures and reasonable tracking of the 2.2 gamma curve.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the results here are extremely strong. The 272URX is one of the best-calibrated monitors we've tested, with very good color accuracy scores (0.3 Delta-E 2000 on average, or below the limits of human perception), excellent panel uniformity in both brightness and color, and solid tracking of the Adobe RGB, Delta P3, and sRGB color spaces in the monitor's respective modes. 📊
Adding in the usual OLED advantages—near-instant pixel response times, wide viewing angles, and infinite contrast—you have an excellent option for a wide range of gaming and content creation/consumption scenarios. Contrast and color richness are particularly evident compared to high-end LCDs, and there are also noticeable improvements in text clarity thanks to the fourth-generation QD-OLED panel used here. I particularly noticed how much sharper the text looks compared to the 32-inch QD-OLED I use daily, due to the 272URX's higher PPI. 📖✨
Brightness is perhaps the only slight weakness here, at around 250 nits in SDR or 1000 nits in a small window (three percent) in HDR. 🌟 Note that there are two modes, one that targets 400 nits without ABL (automatic brightness limiting) and another that targets 1000 nits with ABL. ⚡ Personally, I find ABL to be a bit distracting, so I opted for the 400-nit option for most of my testing and was generally very pleased with the quality of the HDR playback. 🎬
I also didn't find the 250 nits of SDR brightness to be too dim for daytime use in moderate light, compared to previous OLEDs that only reached around 200 nits… though combining extremely sunny days with dark scenes in games or movies may require you to draw the shades to appreciate the details. ☀️🕶️
The SpyderX software results are also positive, showing excellent color accuracy, great tonal response, near-complete coverage of the most common color spaces, solid luminance uniformity, and good color uniformity at 100 percent brightness. Overall, an excellent report.
Burn-in is technically possible here too, though I haven’t seen any signs of it on my 32-inch QD-OLED after a full year of use for content creation and gaming 🎮 with minimal precautions, such as using dark mode in Windows 🌙 and leaving several OLED care measures on their defaults. Monitors Unboxed ran a more extreme test with almost no precautions on a similar panel, and found only minor changes after a similar period.
With this in mind, I'm still perfectly happy to recommend OLEDs for mixed-use or purely gaming scenarios 🕹️, although if you're going to be working on your monitor for eight hours a day 📅 – especially if you're going to be spending most of that time in a single application – you'll get better results with an LCD alternative 💡. ⚠️
Particularly for gaming, the 272URX shines. The 27-inch QD-OLED's shorter throw is better suited to esports than its 32-inch counterparts, where you'll want to sit close to the screen to make it easier to hit distant opponents, while still being able to see things like radar and ammo count without moving your head. There's even a 24-inch emulation mode if you want to zoom in even further. 🕹️💥
OLED’s legendary high-speed pixel response times and high refresh rate are also a boon for gaming of any genre, while the contrast, color reproduction, and HDR support are all top-notch and enhance games of all kinds. (I don’t consider the lack of Dolby Vision support to be a significant factor given how poor the experience is on PC.) You can also use this display for gaming on PS5 Pro, PS5, or Xbox Series X, though you’ll be limited to 4K 120Hz on those systems. 🔥🎉
The OSD options are extensive, with especially good levels of customization for creators and burn-in prevention measures.
In summary, the 272URX is a fantastic monitor that’s easily recommended for owners of ultra-high-end gaming PCs – think those equipped with RTX 4090, 5080, or 5090 graphics cards – who want to maximize the latest games. MSI has managed to differentiate its 27-inch QD-OLED offering from rivals Asus and Dell with some clever features, a pleasing design, and suitability for a wide range of gaming and non-gaming tasks. 🏆🖥️
At $1099/£989, it's not cheap, but this is effectively the price of being on the cutting edge. If you prefer a more compact monitor than the 32-inch alternatives that debuted last year, this is a good choice—especially for esports or similar competitive gaming. However, it's worth noting that those 32-inch QD-OLED models are likely closer to being discounted, and having a larger monitor based on the same core technology at a similar price is probably worth it if you have the space for it. Still, it's nice to have the option, and given the rise of 27-inch gaming monitors, I suspect these will be well-received. 🌟🎊
To find out, we're reviewing MSI's new $1099/£989 MPG 272URX. Since this is one of several models from different companies based on the same panel, we expect MSI to differentiate itself in terms of price, fit, features, and design. 🔍✨
