The Biggest Gaming Monitor Trends of CES 2025

CES 2025 showcased a plethora of new gaming monitors, highlighting advancements in display and graphics technology. The show revealed some exciting surprises and significant improvements across the board, 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 presented their latest QD-OLED offerings, emphasizing enhanced burn-in warranties and protective features. The trend toward this display technology is expected to continue strongly throughout the year.

This builds upon the significant growth seen in 2024. New displays boast impressive specifications, including 4K 240Hz QD-OLEDs with DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity. MSI even unveiled a groundbreaking 1440p QD-OLED, the MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50, achieving a remarkable 500Hz refresh rate. The variety of models from different manufacturers suggests a future filled with incredibly fast and visually stunning monitors.

Further advancements in protective features are also noteworthy. Asus's Neo Proximity Sensor, integrated into the upcoming ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDPG, automatically detects user absence and displays a black screen to prevent burn-in. This is a significant improvement over the current need for manual monitor shutdown.

As QD-OLED technology matures, price reductions are anticipated. While initial launch prices remain high, older generations of these monitors are likely to become more affordable throughout the year.

Mini-LED: A Viable Alternative

While not as prevalent as QD-OLED, Mini-LED technology still held a presence at CES. MSI positioned its MPG 274URDFW E16M, a dual-mode AI mini-LED monitor, as a more budget-friendly alternative to QD-OLED. This 4K, 160Hz monitor boasts 1,152 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of approximately 1,000 nits, delivering impressive contrast. It also offers a 320Hz refresh rate at 1080p, although the AI-driven dual-mode functionality remains questionable.

Despite limited options at CES, Mini-LED's potential remains significant. Its high brightness, excellent contrast (with sufficient dimming zones), and absence of burn-in risk make it a compelling option for those seeking high-quality displays without the premium price tag and maintenance concerns of QD-OLED. If pricing remains competitive, Mini-LED could become a strong contender in the market.

Escalating Refresh Rates and Resolutions

The convergence of refined QD-OLED technology and increasingly powerful graphics cards continues to drive higher refresh rates. 4K 240Hz displays are now a reality, alongside 1440p 500Hz monitors. Gigabyte's Aorus FO27Q5P, a sleek and vibrant monitor, stands out with its VESA TrueBlack 500 certification, promising brighter highlights and improved HDR.

MSI's revival of TN panels for the MPG 242R X60N, boasting a 600Hz refresh rate, demonstrates a commitment to pushing speed boundaries, albeit with trade-offs in color accuracy and viewing angles. The practical benefits of such high refresh rates for the average gamer, however, remain debatable.

CES 2025 also marked the emergence of 5K monitors. Acer's Predator XB323QX, a 5K 144Hz monitor with Nvidia G-Sync Pulsar technology, and LG's pair of "5K2K" ultrawide gaming monitors (the Ultragear 45GX950A and 45GX990A, with varying curvature options) highlight this trend. Furthermore, Asus showcased the ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV, a 6K mini-LED monitor aimed at content creators, further illustrating the industry's upward trajectory in resolution.

The Rise of Smart Monitors

Smart monitors, offering integrated streaming services and smart TV functionality, are gaining traction. While not all CES displays were explicitly gaming-focused, the trend towards smart monitors is undeniable. HP's OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor, LG's UltraGear 39GX90SA, and Samsung's M9 Smart Monitor (featuring 4K OLED and neural processing for upscaling) exemplify this convergence of gaming and smart TV features.

Conclusion

CES 2025 showcased a future of gaming monitors pushing technological boundaries. The advancements in QD-OLED, Mini-LED, refresh rates, resolutions, and smart monitor integration promise an even better year for gaming displays in 2025 than the already impressive 2024.