ASUS MG24UQ and MG28UQ IPS 4K FreeSync Monitor Review

Final Thoughts

Pricing

Currently, the MG24UQ is only available in the US from one online store for $399.99 plus shipping. Sadly, there’s no retail channels stocking the product throughout Europe. Saying that, I wouldn’t expect this situation to continue for much longer given the size of ASUS’ position in the gaming monitor market. Also, both products are relatively new and low supply is to be expected. The MG28UQ can be purchased for $549.99 from Newegg or £399.99 if you’re residing in the UK.

Summary

Evaluating any monitor is a difficult task due to the subjective nature of people’s eyesight. Furthermore, bad luck can come into play and forge a negative perception about a company’s quality control. While the technical data is useful for those who have experience with display technologies, it’s not always clear for the average consumer. Putting that aside, the ASUS MG24UQ is a superb choice due to the IPS display, ergonomic stand, robust build quality and easy-to-navigate menus. The panel’s stock performance is excellent and only a few minor changes were required during calibration. This allows for a very sharp and detailed image while utilising the monitor’s impressive pixels-per-inch rating.

In the past, some critics have suggested the sweet spot for 4K lies around 32-inches and above. However, modern operating systems and software are much better at UI scaling. It’s not perfect though and on the 24-inch model, you might experience the infrequent scaling problems with certain applications. On the other hand, it’s not enough to detract from the sublime picture quality. The display also utilises ASUS’ flicker-free technology and blue light reduction to form a less imposing image on your eyes. In theory, this means users with delicate vision can use the screen for long periods without experiencing eye fatigue.

The 28-inch model opts for an almost identical appearance and the main differences revolve around the contrasting panel types. Instead of utilising an IPS panel, the larger option has a 10-bit TN screen. Even though this limits the colour depth, viewing angles and AdobeRGB coverage compared to IPS alternatives, it’s more responsive. Personally, I’ve never really used a 4ms (GTG)  monitor and experienced severe input lag or ghosting compared to TN options. However, I’m a single player gamer who doesn’t play anything competitively. As a result, the slight difference between 4ms and 1ms might be enough in extreme situations.

Another benefit of the MG28UQ is the lack of backlight bleed which can be a regular occurrence on IPS products. Granted, the MG24UQ only contains very-minor IPS glow on the right bottom side and is one of the better examples I’ve seen. TN panels will always produce an image without this backlight leakage and might be a determining factor when choosing a monitor. To conclude, both monitors are exceptionally well made and cater towards users with polarising priorities. The 24-inch edition is a wonderful choice for viewing video content, high-resolution photographs and gazing at the gorgeous colour definition of numerous images. In contrast to this, the 28-inch model accommodates users aiming for an affordable 4K monitor sporting a 1ms response time. This is probably the better option if you care less about image quality and more about the potential for motion blur.

Pros

• Clearly labelled connectors
• Clever stand design
• Excellent picture quality on both models without calibration
• FreeSync provides an affordable gaming experience without stutter
• Marvellous OSD layout
• Matte black finish
• Strong, visually attractive base
• Superb packaging
• Versatile stand with lots of adjustment options

Cons

• 24-inch model is difficult to purchase right now outside of the US.

“The MG24UQ’s IPS panel performs brilliantly without calibration and features a superb colour gamut. Also, the MG28UQ is one of the best TN screens I’ve encountered which manages to maintain good colour depth while offering a blisteringly fast response time.”

Thank you ASUS for providing us with this review sample.