The ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP was first shown at the CES 2024 exhibition, which took place in January 2024. The official announcement took place much later. By then, other 480 Hz OLED displays in 2K WQHD format had emerged. Since then, companies such as AOC, Acer, and Sony have joined ASUS. On the other hand, our Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review unit is still on relatively free sale, and therefore, ASUS still has all the trump cards in this unequal battle for the buyer.
With the global transition of two major display manufacturers, LG Display and Samsung Display, to developing and producing OLED panels, ASUS quickly expanded its product range. LG Display received greater preference, so ASUS quickly secured all the rare and exclusive panels. Thus, the company also got the fastest panel in the W-OLED line with a vertical scan rate of 480 Hz, made in the 26.5-inch WQHD format. During its first public demonstration, Asus listed the ROG Swift PG27AQDP as the world’s best 4K OLED gaming monitor. It is not a joke!
Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP Review
Unboxing
The Asus monitor comes in a medium-sized cardboard box with a simple visual design. The unpacking scheme is standard. The monitor comes disassembled (body + stand + central stand) and includes full protection from external influences. For ease of carrying, there are two special cutouts-handles on the ends of the package.
The product package includes:
- External power supply and power cable
- DP 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 cables
- USB 3.2 Type-B cable for PC connection
- VESA mount adapter (100 x 100 mm)
- Microfiber cloth
- ROG sticker set and Energy Star stickers
- Plastic inserts for lighting with fasteners
- ASUS VIP Member brochure
- Quick start guide and information letter
- Case for cables and accessories
Design and Ergonomics
The new Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP monitor combines all the manufacturer’s latest design developments. The monitor differs from all gaming solutions presented on the market due to the use of a translucent back cover for the case and an advanced Aura RGB and Light In Motion backlight system that can synchronize.
In the thinnest places, in the absence of additional electronic components, the thickness of the case does not exceed 3-4 mm. The Y-shaped stand rises above the surface, featuring a metal construction coated with gray wear-resistant paint. The central stand combines matte and glossy plastic, while its internal structure remains entirely metal.
Despite its shape, the stand is relatively compact and allows you to move the monitor away from the user, even on a table that is not very deep. The central stand integrates the most straightforward cable routing system and lighting elements: red backlighting of the vertical Swift inscription and side translucent plastic inserts.
The quick-release mechanism attaches the central column to the monitor. To use the monitor with third-party brackets, you must use a special adapter from the delivery set, which is convenient and practical.
The factory stand traditionally consists of two parts that users can connect without a screwdriver, thanks to the mounting screw at the base with a folding wing nut.
Thanks to the reasonably ergonomic stand, the user can adjust the screen’s position in space with maximum convenience: tilt it (-5° —20°), turn it left/right (by 30°), and change its height above the table (110 mm).
It is also possible to rotate the screen to portrait mode (Pivot) in both directions. Despite the abundance of adjustments, the monitor remains well-centered: you rarely need to align it horizontally after rotation.
The manufacturer uses metal for all retaining elements, the insides of the fastening mechanisms, and the base of the stand. The latter uses three tiny rubber feet to grip the work surface better.
They have paid a lot of attention to the monitor’s decoration. The main visual sophistication is the translucent part with the slogan “For those who dare.” The second part of the back surface of the case has a backlit ROG logo with integrated Aura RGB lighting.
The monitor does not creak or crunch when twisted or repositioned, looks excellent, and most of the elements are practical and wear-resistant. It is hard to find fault with anything – it is premium, which says it all.
The rear of the monitor houses all the primary connection interfaces, oriented downwards. Connecting cables is highly convenient – thanks to the ability to turn the case into portrait mode.
The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP monitor does not use a built-in speaker system, which is generally typical for solutions from the ROG Swift series. However, the design incorporates many slots for air access, using potential speaker areas to improve ventilation. The corresponding slats are located at the bottom and top of the rear part of the case. As a result, the monitor’s cooling system is passive, so you don’t have to worry about noise—there is none.
Menu and Control
In the latest premium models of the ROG line, ASUS began to use a control unit with two physical keys and a 5-way joystick between them. The unit is located in the center of the lower edge of the device and slightly extends beyond the case. In the front is a switchable backlight of a small ROG series logo, which serves as a power indicator.
You can reprogram one of the physical hotkeys, while the second always turns the monitor on and off. Three joystick positions—up, down, and right—are also available for selecting hotkeys.
By default, the manufacturer selects the following functions: selection of Game Visual modes, transition to the compact section with Game Plus functions, and AI Assistant section.
You can reassign quick access functions through a special subsection in the menu.
The Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP’s main menu has nine sections, with partially rethought content.
Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review test
Color Gamut
According to the manufacturer, the monitor uses a new 26.5-inch W-OLED panel from LG Display with an extended color gamut, close to the full DCI-P3. Let’s check its capabilities on a live sample during this Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review:
The screenshots reveal that two of the three reference points noticeably shift in space relative to the standard sRGB color standard, surpassing it in many areas. When compared to the even wider DCI-P3, the monitor falls slightly behind only in green halftones, which is normal for a monitor with a modern W-OLED panel from LG Display.
The monitor doesn’t need to switch to DCI-P3 emulation mode—it already works with slightly larger coverage.
Without a profile and software that support the color management system, all familiar pictures, photos, and video sequences display increased color saturation. Some people will like it, while others may be disappointed.
Consumers care more about natural colors than the most accurate color rendering. They can achieve this without profiling (creating an ICM|ICC profile) by using the built-in factory-calibrated sRGB Cal mode.
The preset is above average; brightness adjustment is available. Factory emulation reduces the sRGB color coverage to 91.1%, which is not inspiring. Visually, on the 2D CIE diagram, the monitor covers the entire sRGB space, but with a more accurate calculation of 175 key shades, the numbers are lower – this happens. There can be no questions, given the gaming focus of the model. The main thing is that reducing saturation visually corrects the image, making it look more realistic, especially when viewing videos, photos, and graphics.
The monitor returns to a wide color gamut when switching to the Blue Light Filter eye strain reduction mode at the maximum exposure level (Level 4). Still, the results are significantly lower than in the basic Racing mode.
Finally, we used the factory Racing mode with the full-color gamut (Wide Gamut) selected for manual adjustment and further calibration. In this case, we got a relatively high result with a volume of 140% relative to the sRGB space and DCI-P3 coverage of 95.1% – typical figures for modern W-OLED panels from LG Display.
Speaking about shades that exceed the studied standards, we can combat them using well-known methods: built-in emulation modes, ICC/ICM profiles, and software that regularly supports the color management system (CMS). Among these are Adobe products, XnView, FastStone Viewer, Windows photo viewers (7, 8, 10, 11), Opera, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.
Brightness, Contrast, and Basic Color Accuracy
The monitor has eight main preset modes and options for emulating different color spaces.
With default settings, this ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP review model uses Racing mode with the following settings:
- Shadow Boost: Off
- Brightness: 100
- Contrast: 80
- Uniform Brightness: Off
- OLED Anti-Flicker: Off
- Clear Pixel Edge: Off
- Display Color Space: Wide Gamut
- Color Temp.: 6500K
- Gamma:2.2
We made the following adjustments to achieve 100 nits brightness, a 6500K white point, and overall display enhancements:
- Shadow Boost: Off
- Brightness: 29
- Contrast: 80
- Uniform Brightness: Off
- OLED Anti-Flicker: Off
- Clear Pixel Edge: Off
- Display Color Space: Wide Gamut
- Color Temp.: User – RGB (100/99/96)
- Gamma: 2.2
We made the main changes by reducing the brightness, enabling the Uniform Brightness function, and adjusting the RGB Gain values. The monitor does not need to adjust the contrast and saturation levels or the gamma—you will only make it worse. In addition to the main settings, we deactivated most of the “OLED lifesaving” systems that negatively affect the image on the screen. We did this when testing all modes, including the factory settings of the Racing preset.
Now, let’s review the collected data presented in the tables below:
The ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP will not spoil you with high brightness, especially after activating the Uniform Brightness function, which allows you to look at the work of the W-OLED panel from a different angle – it will be much more comfortable – the brightness will not change with each change in the picture on the screen. In this case, with a trim fill level, in factory mode, the brightness of white will be about 250 nits – more than enough for long-term work in an average level of external lighting space.
In DCI-P3, the brightness is at the same level, but the color temperature setting differs from Racing, although the overall deviation level remains similar. Both modes will please the user with high image saturation, distinguishable deep shadows (extremely surprising for OLED), and a generally correct gamma setting responsible for image contrast. The balance of the grayscale CT is high in both cases.
In sRGB, the brightness level will be even lower, but you can correct this by manually adjusting the corresponding parameter. The corresponding standard sets gamma curves, and shadows are distinguishable, perhaps even excessively. However, the balance of the CT of gray shades is one and a half times lower than that of factory settings. But do not be upset—the stability of the CT remains high.
The Blue Light Filter—Level 4 mode we tested provides a 10-20% reduction in saturation depending on the compared color space. The brightness remains high (185 nits at the center of the screen) and cannot be adjusted (locked at 65%)—this is sad. Shadows remain visible, and the gamma curve closely matches the sRGB Cal. mode. However, the gray and white balance has shifted towards noticeable green-orange tinting, while the color temperature remains relatively stable.
Switching back to Racing with full color (Wide Gamut) coverage, manual brightness adjustments, and RGB allowed us to achieve comfortable work in front of the monitor with the correct white point and decent gray balance. After a full calibration, the gamma curves came close to the reference, deep shadows retained adequate visibility, and RGB imbalance was practically absent. We can rate the stability of color rendering during a week of work at the monitor as high.
Additional Features and Settings
The monitor lacks an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustment, and the menu has several additional parameters that directly affect the accuracy of color rendering and the overall image quality. For this ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP review, we decided to look at the impact of the available Shadow Boost and Gamma functions and evaluate the effects of various Color Temperature and Blue Light Filter modes on the color temperature level and the stability of the grayscale color temperature.
By default, Shadow Boost is not used. The gamma curve graph is shown above.
All deep and medium shadows become well and even excessively distinguishable at the first three levels of Shadow Boost. For certain players, it’s precisely what they need. Regular work on the monitor is not suitable. At the last level, AI, the distinguishability continues to increase but can dynamically change depending on the picture on the screen – a kind of built-in AI.
Regarding gamma settings, remember that the manufacturer set the mode to a default value of 2.2. However, test results showed it was closer to 2.14. The picture contrast aligns closely with the sRGB curve, which we consider the right decision by ASUS.
Under the conditions created for testing, the remaining four modes (1.8, 2.0, 2.4, 2.6) behaved similarly, demonstrating absolute average gamma values lower than the declared values by 0.05-0.13. This is an average level of accuracy, more than sufficient for a gaming OLED.
Let’s continue this Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review by evaluating the color temperature modes. In the main Color Temp. settings, modes with specific values are available – from 4000 to 10000K and an additional manual mode with available RGB gain adjustments. There are also four levels of Blue Light Filter impact.
Based on the findings, the following observations can be made:
- The manufacturer indicated specific values of the CT in the corresponding modes with high accuracy, and the test results confirmed this.
- The stability of the color temperature in all Color Temp. modes remain at a high level, but a deviation in either direction from 7500K leads to an apparent increase in the maximum deviation by 2-3 times. This should be taken into account when selecting the color temperature.
- Surprisingly, the Blue Light Filter modes do not provide a wide range of color temperature adjustment in the “warm zone,” limited to 4800K versus 4100K in Color Temp.
- At the strongest BLF-Level 4, the brightness control is locked, which does not happen at any Color Temp settings. – this is a critical point.
- The stability of the CT in BLF modes is noticeably higher than in the “warm” Color Temp presets – at least some advantage from this function.
Gradient Uniformity
The 10-bit OLED panel (with or without FRC—here, we can only guess) in the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP demonstrated relatively high-quality gradients in uniformity in most of the tested modes but only at high levels of the set brightness.
After reducing to ~50% and below, the quality of gradients decreases, many sharp transitions with various parasitic shades appear, and the picture becomes dirty and has visual defects. This happens right before your eyes, and the reason for this, in all likelihood, is the limitation of the dynamic range during the adjustment of the Brightness value.
After using the additional correction profile created during the calibration process, the quality of tonal transitions continues to decline: “granulation” increases, various parasitic shades appear, and transitions in deep shadows become rougher.
A phenomenon familiar to many owners of OLED TVs and monitors—loss of visibility of deep dark shades—is also present in our Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review unit. With specific color settings, the monitor likes to paint the extreme dark areas in solid black, thereby increasing the overall contrast of the scene. However, this is noticed to the least extent compared to many other OLEDs on the market.
In any case, this feature can be corrected by adjusting the Shadow Boost parameter. Still, at particular parameter values, you will find yourself in a situation where the monitor’s ability to reproduce deep shadows disappears. It’s up to you to decide what’s best. There is no ideal option here.
Contrast Stability and Brightness Range
We enabled the Racing mode to evaluate contrast stability and the range of brightness adjustments. We changed the Brightness value from 100% to 0% in 10-unit increments. For the table below, the measured values were obtained through the HCFR program, which allows you to estimate the black level more accurately and, accordingly, determine the reliable contrast ratio (which is not very relevant for OLED). The Uniform Brightness function was forcibly activated.
All brightness values were obtained at 100% screen fill (APL). The 31-263 nits range will be sufficient for working on the monitor at low-medium levels of external illumination in the workroom. Changing the APL level to 2-3% with the Uniform Brightness function active practically does not change the obtained values.
Without this option, the gaming monitor can demonstrate up to 429-430 nits at peak (for SDR) in a small area of the screen of 3-5% of its location (APL). The minimum value remains at 31 nits.
To achieve the highest possible figures, we tested the monitor’s behavior in HDR mode with different screen fills, with the default HDR settings, and after activating manual brightness control with a setting of 100% Brightness.
At 2% fill, the ASUS gaming monitor showed 1120 nits with maximum brightness activated and 792 nits with basic settings. A subsequent increase in screen fill provoked a decrease in brightness to 764-853 nits in the first case and practically no changes in the second.
At fill levels of 25-100% APL, the brightness levels between modes are leveled out, and the stable brightness at 100% fill is close to the TX level of 275-278 nits. Using the latest generation W-OLED with integrated micromirrors (MLA+) increased the maximum brightness in all the cases considered. Somewhere by 5-10%, and at the peak of HDR by 20% and even higher, as indicated by ASUS. It turns out that they did not deceive. This is good news!
Response Time and Refresh Rate
For the ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP, the manufacturer announced the classic 0.03 ms GtG response time and a refresh rate of 480 Hz without activating additional overclocking. Until mid-2024, the model was the only one among OLEDs with such a high refresh rate. At the beginning of 2025, the situation was different – quite a lot of 500 Hz QD-OLEDs were announced, and 480 Hz W-OLED analogs were available for sale in the USA, Europe, and Asia.
ROG Swift PG27AQDP does not use the controlled Overdrive/Trace-Free overclocking technology. Still, it does have a very useful “black frame insertion” function called ELMB, which is seldom found in OLED gaming monitors. In our Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review, its activation is available only after turning off the VRR systems and with the refresh rate set at 240 and 120 Hz.
First, we tested the response time on this Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review unit using familiar visual tests (such as the TestUFO results above) and the OSRTT hardware and software complex.
After testing, we concluded that the clarity of the moving image on the OLED novelty fully corresponds to the level of a premium gaming monitor and visually significantly surpasses what the best high-speed IPS representatives from the camp of 240-400 Hz solutions in a comparable format, as well as 240-360 Hz OLED, can offer.
At high frequencies (360-480 Hz), the monitor demonstrates no visible blurring of moving objects on the screen and noticeable artifacts. Increasing the frequency from 120 to 240 Hz significantly improves the smoothness and clarity of the picture. However, activating ELMB at 120 Hz visually compares the monitor with its operation at a frequency of 240 Hz. Using ELMB at a frequency of 240 Hz, the monitor can demonstrate a result at the level of native 480 Hz – an excellent opportunity not to worry too much about the fps level, but a serious reason to think about the strain on your eyes – with the ELMB function active, it will be noticeably higher than without it.
During testing with the OSRTT hardware and software complex, we checked the monitor’s operation only at the maximum frequency of 480 Hz. There is no point in testing at frequencies lower than that—OLEDs maintain phenomenal response speed over a vast frequency range.
Thus, the average response time did not exceed 0.63 ms, and the fastest GtG transition occurred in 0.1-0.2 ms. There are very weak artifacts in the figures when testing a couple of transitions, but we did not encounter them visually – you will not be able to do this either.
We also checked the monitor’s output delay time—the so-called input lag. In this Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review model, when connected via DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC and a frequency of 480 Hz, it did not exceed 1.75 ms on average with G-Sync Compatible activated.
The gaming monitor supports all necessary adaptive synchronization standards without using any hardware module. The systems work perfectly in the declared frequency range (the manufacturer specifies 40-480 Hz), allowing the absence of micro lags and image breaks with a firmly floating FPS level.
Viewing Angles
The ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQDP monitor is another OLED monitor we have tested. It has proven that OLED technology has no competitors in terms of viewing angles and overall picture stability.
The image above shows everything perfectly. When changing the viewing angle in a wide range, the color and brightness of the picture on the screen of our Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review unit change slightly but remain at a high level.
Brightness and Color Temperature Uniformity
We evaluated the monitor’s brightness uniformity and color temperature consistency at 35 points across the screen. We conducted the test with brightness set to 100 nits, displaying a full-screen test field (100% APL). All calculations (deviations) were based on data from the central point. The Uniform Brightness constant brightness system was activated, and the Outer Dimming Control function, responsible for darkening at the edges, was disabled.
With the brightness set, the average deviation from the central point was 2.9%, and the maximum was 6.9%. This result is high for this class of device. With the settings we used, there is no reason to complain about the uniformity of the glow.
The surface diagram clearly shows how the brightness level is concentrated across the matrix field. The brightest zone is quite large—it takes up about half the screen—and the right and left edges of the panel are darkened.
The photo above shows a white field with minimal corrections in a graphics editor to more clearly represent what is happening on the screen in terms of the uniformity of the light field.
Darker gray fills demonstrate problems much more clearly. The ROG Swift PG27AQDP monitor has no apparent color temperature or brightness uniformity issues. However, a slight flickering and “dirty screen” effect may appear on dark fills—a feature of all modern OLED monitors on the market.
As we have already noted, there can be no problems with the black field —when outputting 100% black color, the pixels on the screen turn off, and we are left witnessing only a tiny area with a white mouse cursor and an inscription in the upper left corner of the screen.
Now, let’s evaluate the consistency of the color temperature across the entire screen.
During testing, manual settings of the CT were used to obtain 6500K, and the brightness of the white field in the central point was maintained at 100 nits. The result is 0.6% on average and 1.3% at maximum—nowhere higher.
The difference between the minimum and maximum did not exceed 150K – this is a level higher than any professional IPS for working with color and the level of most gaming QD-OLED in a similar size. Finally, W-OLED monitors have reached such high results.
Final Line
ASUS continues to spoil buyers who can spend around $1,000 on their new gaming monitor. The ROG Swift PG27AQDP model remains a unique solution in the advanced OLED class and has the set of functions that we have long been expecting from solutions based on W-OLED matrices manufactured by LG Display.
We have become accustomed to unique design and excellent build quality from all the solutions tested in the ROG series. Advanced ergonomics, various external lighting systems, and convenient control with many features are other standards that ASUS set for its top lines many years ago.
This Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDP review demonstrates not only a phenomenally high response speed and impeccable image clarity but also pampers you with high peak brightness values when playing HDR content, high-quality factory settings with adequate essential contrast and visibility in deep shadows, and the calibrated sRGB Cal. mode provides a quick opportunity to switch to neutral color rendering in an instant.
Thanks to a W-OLED panel, the ASUS solution has no problems with a deep black field at almost any level of external lighting, which seriously distinguishes the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDP from all its closest analogs on QD-OLED. In other words, there is something to envy.
For those who like to purchase this gaming monitor, it can be bought on Amazon.com for $999.99 and Amazon.co.uk for £924.23. Good luck in making the right choice!
