An Update on ASUS’ ROG Swift PG27UQ G-Sync HDR 4K 144Hz Monitor

It has been a long time since ASUS officially revealed their ROG Swift PG27UQ G-Sync HDR gaming monitor, a display that was initially intended to release in the second half of 2017.  

With the combined technological might of Nvidia, AU Optronics and ASUS aimed to deliver a 4K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support and a 384-zone Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlight alongside support for Nvidia G-Sync. These specifications have proven too much for AU Optronics, delaying the release of G-Sync HDR in the process. 

An ASUS representative has stated on the company’s forums that the PG27UQ will enter production in May, with shipping starting at the end of May or in early June, though TFT Central has estimated that the public release of this display won’t be until Q3 (June-September). It is likely to take some time before ASUS’ PC27UQ displays can be manufactured in meaningful quantities. 

The same ASUS representative has also confirmed that users of the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X can both be used with this display in HDR mode using HDMI 2.0, though the screen will not offer G-Sync functionality and will operate at 60Hz. 

AU Optronics is the primary barrier to the mass production of G-Sync HDR displays, given the difficulties that are faced when combining local dimming technologies and full HDR10 brightness levels with high-speed, variable refresh rate technology. ASUS’ ROG Swift PG27UQ need to respond quickly to any visual changes, while also offering brighter highlights and deeper blacks than other displays, which is a big problem to overcome given the slow response of early Local Dimming setups.