The 240Hz OLED gaming displays are coming

CES 2023 is now just days away, and there’s already a standout category that we’re particularly excited about: 240Hz OLED gaming monitors.

Generally speaking, OLED panels can achieve better picture quality and a faster response time than their LED or IPS equivalents but have historically lacked the ability to match them in providing high-refresh rates. There have been some exceptions — such as the Alienware AW3423DW, a QD-OLED running at 175Hz — but now, OLED gaming displays have finally achieved the optimal 240Hz refresh rate prized by gamers who specialize in eSports and FPS titles.

There are several 240Hz OLED displays (that we’re aware of) being showcased at the CES 2023 conference. One of the more innovative offerings is the Corsair Xeneon Flex, a 45-inch OLED with a customizable curvature and a $1,999 price tag. By squeezing the screen together, you can switch between flat and 800R curved display modes, making it ideal for both work and play.

We managed to get our hands on a pre-release version of the Corsair Xeneon Flex for an early review, and even that left a great impression. You’re getting that all-important 240Hz variable refresh rate and a 1440p resolution, alongside AMD FreeSync Premium,  Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, and a zippy 0.03-millisecond response time.

Meanwhile, LG will be showcasing its 45-inch ultra-wide OLED and 27-inch OLED UltraGear monitors, which are already available for preorder and $1,699 and $999, respectively. Both 240Hz displays are 1440p and feature a response time of 0.03ms. LG Display has also confirmed in a press release that these OLED panels will be used in premium monitors from other brands, such as Corsair and Asus.

Speaking of Asus, we also know that a new 27-inch ROG OLED gaming monitor will be unveiled during CES 2023, though details for that are slim. A teaser for the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM posted to Twitter earlier this month indicates this, too, will be running at 240Hz and feature a 1440p resolution, but otherwise, there’s no word on pricing or a release date.

Dough will also be using a glossy version of the above-mentioned LG Display OLED panel in its own 27-inch Spectrum OLED monitor running at 240Hz with a 1440p resolution, though we haven’t heard anything about it being showcased at CES 2023. If you’re happy to take the plunge regardless, preorders start at $649, and fulfillment is expected around July 2023.

We’re excited to see what these new gaming monitors are capable of, but we’re still going to nitpick — literally in this case. Both of the LG UltraGear OLED displays claim an average brightness level of just 200 nits, and the Corsair Xeneon Flex has a measly average of 150 nits. OLED displays are typically dimmer due to power requirements, heat, and the risk of burn-in, but if you’re used to something like the Samsung Odyssey G9 (which has a typical brightness of 420 nits) then these displays may feel pretty subdued.

The lack of options for 4K resolution could also be a dealbreaker for some, though it’s worth bearing in mind that you’d need an extremely powerful gaming PC to run most titles at that resolution and make full use of a 240Hz refresh rate. A current-gen console won’t be up to snuff, either. Generally, 1440p is the sweet spot that offers great image quality without sacrificing refresh rate, and consequently, framerates.

The imminent introduction of 240Hz OLED displays to the market could be a game-changer for folks that like to switch between fast-paced competitive shooters and beautiful, graphically demanding titles. It’s a shame that some of the prices we’re seeing are so high, but that’s to be expected with new tech. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to afford one of the above models by the time the next generation of OLED gaming monitors can hit 500Hz.