Gigabytes latest OLED gaming monitor looks like a dream, but living with it was more complicated

Date:
Thu, 21 May 2026 04:09:15 +0000

Description:
The Gigabyte MO27U2 is fast and colorful, but its HDR issues and high price hold it back.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Gigabyte
MO27U2: Two-Minute Review Weve seen many glitzy gaming monitors over the
past few years, so its almost refreshing to see a premium model that eschews all the in-your-face RGB lighting and pointy bits for a more sober option
that better suits a mixed work-and-play environment. But is the Gigabyte MO27U2 actually worth buying? Its a tandem QD- OLED screen with a multi-layer OLED structure that boosts brightness and efficiency, while Gigabytes OLED Care features help reduce burn-in risk. Its latest-gen sub-pixel technology fends off the spidery text that blighted predecessors, and this, plus the
high resolution, high-pixel-density, reflection-reducing, glossy coating, means its also very good for work: multiple windows can be comfortably used
at once and large spreadsheets can be more easily viewed. Latest Videos From Gigabyte MO27U2 (HDR Black) at Amazon for 539.98 When it came to multimedia, the QD-OLEDs penchant for color vibrancy and contrast quickly came to the fore, but there were some issues.

Despite a huge number of image-tinkering options in the on-screen display (OSD) menu, finding a perfect balance of HDR contrast and image clarity
proved trying. No matter what I did, highlights would blow out noticeably in bright areas while patchy image aberrations often blighted content. I havent seen image-processing issues like that for a while.

Switching color spaces and preset modes often felt like installing a
too-small carpet: shifting in one direction might smooth out some color
issues but introduce horrendous blocky artifacts to gradients. Its not altogether terrible, but I expect better from a premium gaming monitor.
(Image credit: Future) The 240Hz refresh rate keeps rapidly moving objects practically blur-free, with G-Sync helping prevent image tearing. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Motion clarity is supposedly enhanced by Gigabytes Ultra Clear technology,
but the setting was grayed out no matter what settings I adjusted. Indeed, fighting with settings became a regular annoyance: while some changes
provided instantaneous results, others would see the monitor essentially
reset and potentially require a full Windows reconfiguration. A firmware upgrade made no difference.

The new Gigabyte Control Center app also felt like a broken mess. It
struggled to identify the monitor, offered fewer options than the OSD and didnt automatically sync with them. While you might not change settings regularly, you wont want to tinker with this too much. (Image credit: Future) Beyond the 4K QD-OLED screen, the MO27U2 hangs its hat on its gaming enhancements. The OLED variable refresh rate (VRR) anti-flicker feature will appeal to console gamers keen to reduce flicker when variable refresh rates are in play. The Tactical Switch button quickly drops the display size down
to a 24-inch mode and switches the aspect ratio to 4:3 or 5:4 to suit particularly persnickety competitive first-person shooter (FPS) players.

Theres an all-green-screen night-vision feature, an Eagle Eye sniper-zoom window plus the usual on-screen crosshairs and contrast-busting Black Equalizer features to stop enemies from jumping out of shadows. Some feel gimmicky, but theyll appeal to niche audiences.

Another core feature is Gigabytes multifaceted anti-burn-in technology,
backed by a three-year warranty, which potentially provides additional peace of mind.

Ultimately, though, the MO27U2 is priced as a premium gaming monitor but misses the mark in just too many areas. There are better options for similar money. (Image credit: Future) Gigabyte MO27U2: Price & availability How much does it cost? $650 / 539 / AU$1,499 When is it available? Its out now in most regions Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, Australia and
elsewhere Gigabytes MO27U2 is available at significantly different price points all over the world, yet its expensive everywhere.

Its worth comparing it with other premium UHD, 240Hz QD-OLED monitors in your region as its likely youll find a better deal, especially in Australia where the price is significantly higher, for some reason. Value: 3 / 5 Gigabyte MO27U2: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Gigabyte MO27U2 specifications

Screen size

27-inch

Aspect ratio

16:9

Resolution

3,840 x 2,160

Brightness

250 nits typical SDR; 1,000 nits peak HDR at 3% average picture level

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

0.03ms GTG

Viewing angle

178(H)/178(V)

Contrast ratio

1,500,000:1

Color coverage

99% DCI-P3

Inputs

1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-C (18W power delivery), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB-B, 1x 3.5mm audio jack

Weight

7.1kg (15.7lb) Gigabyte MO27U2: Design Sober, work-friendly design Good connectivity Excellent gaming features The Gigabyte MO27U2 has a thin yet robust glass screen thats supported by a (refreshingly small) sturdy base.
Its simple to assemble owing to the stem clipping onto the back of the screen and screwing onto the base with a single thumbscrew.

The stem affords plenty of adjustment: theres -5 to +21 of tilt, -15 to +15
of swivel, 90 of counterclockwise pivot and a generous 130mm (5.1in) of
height adjustment. Its small footprint means competitive gamers can get right up close to it. (Image credit: Future) All of the important ports are
covered. There are two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, one USB-C port (that supports DisplayPort, 18W power delivery and USB hub connectivity) plus one USB-B upstream port and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream ports. Theres also a 3.5mm headphone jack and (usefully) two 5W speakers. Some may lament offering only 18W of power delivery in the modern market, but thats nitpicking. DisplayPort 2.1 is also an omission that few in the real world will miss. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) You can access the settings by a joystick button (and two programmable buttons) at
the bottom of the screen. Its mostly responsive and intuitive, but some adjustments can reset the screen and even require setting up in Windows all over again.

I'm not sure whats happened to the Gigabyte Control Center app, which is now barely functional. On the occasions that it did detect the display, it only provided access to a handful of settings and then wouldnt always sync them with the screen. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) A Game Assist menu provides access to Game Info such as an on-screen timer, refresh rate display and multiple on-screen crosshairs. The Tactical Switch setting allows configuration of the shortcut button (next to the joystick button). You can also use it to automatically switch the display from a 16:9 ratio to 4:3 or 5:4. Resolution can be switched to a 24-inch mode with 4:3
and 5:4 options, something that makes a difference when playing competitive shooters.

Other features include an Eagle Eye sniper zoom box in the middle of the screen. I find this unusably annoying, but if youre a camping sniper-type player, it might be beneficial to your gameplay. Theres also green-screen-style night vision (which I couldnt get on with) plus (a
welcome) flash dimming setting.

Other gaming features include AI Black Equalizer, which flattens contrast to reveal enemies hiding in shadows. (Image credit: Future) If youve got a console, then VRR mode can help prevent tearing in supported 120Hz games. Separately, Ultra Clear inserts black frames at 120Hz to reduce motion blur. Its very effective and something that pro-gaming esports screens often make use of.

Other features are the usual monitor fare. There are plenty of image adjustment options and presets, so you can (at least attempt to) set up the monitor just so.

Finally, theres a suite of OLED Care options including Pixel Clean, Static Control, Pixel Shift, Sub-Logo Dim, Corner Dim and much more. It also regularly performs an automatic maintenance cycle, but you can delay it if youre in the middle of something important (unlike some rivals).

All in all, there are few features missing from the Gigabyte MO27U2, but it gets marked down for the terrible partner app and slow adjustment of some settings. Design: 4 / 5 Gigabyte MO27U2: Performance Impressive QD-OLED panel Mediocre HDR handling Fast 240Hz gaming performance The tandem QD-OLED panel is generally very impressive. It gets bright (1,000-nit peak HDR brightness), with rich and vibrant colors, very good contrast and very nearly true blacks. The issue of spidery text (that weve seen with previous-generation panels)
has been banished, and this, plus the UHD resolution and a physics-defying, low-reflection glossy screen means its excellent for work as well as multimedia consumption.

However, being a premium monitor means my expectations are higher. HDR performance is an issue: while details are visible in dark areas and bright lights pierce through them in localized areas of the screen, highlights get lost in bright areas too easily. This image shows how highlights get lost in bright areas too easily (Image credit: Future) Transitions and gradients are mostly very smooth, but most adjustments will transform them into a stepped, blocky, artifact-riddled mess. This will be a minor point for many gamers,
but there are better performers for similar money (not least from Gigabyte) available, so its marked down accordingly.

Still, the 240Hz refresh rate marries with a fast, 0.03ms pixel response time to banish blur to a degree where only the most demanding competitive FPS players might grumble. Nvidia G-Sync compatibility ensures image tearing isnt an issue.

The twin 5W speakers might not offer the best fidelity, but they get loud and punchy and are very useful for watching casual videos from time to time, so I appreciate their inclusion. Performance: 4 / 5 Should you buy the Gigabyte MO27U2? Swipe to scroll horizontally Gigabyte MO27U2 scorecard

Value

The Gigabyte MO27U2 is expensive in all markets but performance doesnt quite live up to the price.

3 / 5

Design

Many gaming monitors are dripping with RGB and design flourishes. The MO27U2 is far more sober, which will appeal to many.

4 / 5

Performance

The MO27U2 is great for work but not perfect when it comes to multimedia and gaming performance.

4 / 5

Final score

Ultimately, the Gigabyte MO27U2 promises much but doesnt quite deliver at its premium price point

4 / 5 Buy the Gigabyte MO27U2 if... You want a fast, colorful, UHD gaming monitor and you can find it at a good price The price of the Gigabyte MO27U2 varies widely from region to region. If you can find it cheap, the speed,
high resolution and general color performance will make it good value. You want a gaming monitor for work, too The UHD resolution, basic-looking stand and low reflectivity mean you can comfortably work on the Gigabyte MO27U2 all day. Don't buy it if... Youre a demanding multimedia enthusiast Though colorful and bright, the HDR performance isnt the best and the settings dont make it easy to correct all of the issues. While tandem QD-OLED is notionally the top technology of today, this isnt the best implementation of it. Youre not flush with cash There are plenty of very high-quality gaming monitors on the market and prices are getting lower as the market matures. (Image credit: Future) Also Consider Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P Gigabytes last-gen S-tier, 32-inch gaming monitor might technically be last generation but its better in many important ways and the price has dropped considerably since launch.

Read our Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P review Gigabyte M32UC Gigabytes non-QD-OLED, 4K gaming monitor packs in the features and still manages to offer a 144Hz refresh rate. Its also significantly cheaper.

Read our Gigabyte M32UC review Want more options? Check out our guide to the best gaming monitors . Gigabyte MO27U2: Price Comparison 599.99 539.98 View Low Stock 599.99 539.98 View Low Stock 599 View 599.99 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/monitors/gigabyte-mo27u2-gaming-monitor-re view


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