CONS

• High input lag
• Low SDR and HDR brightness
• Slight oversaturation in some scenes

BENQ MOBIUZ 4K GAMING MONITOR (EX480UZ) SPECS

One of the standout products revealed at CES 2023 was BenQ’s impressive 48-inch OLED gaming monitor, known as Mobiuz 4K (model EX480UZ) this large monitor offers a vibrant 4K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and various HDR features to deliver the most realistic image quality possible for your PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X games. Despite currently being discounted by on the BenQ website, it remains a premium screen for gamers who prioritize visual appeal. While its gaming performance may not be perfect, the Mobiuz may still be a suitable choice for those who align with its target audience and don’t prioritize twitch-gaming precision.

Witness the Powerful Mobiuz.

The Mobiuz boasts an impressive 48-inch diagonal size, featuring minimal bezels except for a bit of extra space at the bottom to accommodate the integrated 5-watt speakers and 10-watt woofer. Its sleek matte-black finish gives it a contemporary appearance, complemented by a stylish orange accent on the stand. Unlike the shaky stand of the ASRock Phantom Gaming 34, the Mobiuz stand is sturdy and can securely hold the monitor’s weight of 42 pounds. For those looking to mount the monitor on a wall or aftermarket stand, there is a 200mm-by-200mm VESA bracket fitting on the back (bracket not included).

The Mobiuz presents an impressive 48-inch diagonal size, with minimal bezels except for a small amount of additional space at the bottom to accommodate the integrated 5-watt speakers and 10-watt woofer. Its sleek matte-black finish gives it a modern look, enhanced by a stylish orange accent on the stand. In contrast to the unstable stand of the ASRock Phantom Gaming 34, the Mobiuz stand is strong and capable of securely supporting the monitor’s weight of 42 pounds. For those interested in mounting the monitor on a wall or aftermarket stand, there is a 200mm-by-200mm VESA bracket fitting on the back (bracket not included).

In basic terms, a KVM functions as a hardware hub. For instance, if you are working on your desktop and need to switch to another computer, a simple push of a button on the KVM will allow you to seamlessly transition to the secondary source while retaining control using the same input devices. This KVM feature enables the sharing of one keyboard and mouse across multiple devices, which I found especially beneficial when utilizing picture-in-picture (PiP) modes.

These modes divide the screen into multiple sections, with one source displayed on the main screen and another in a smaller window. This feature is commonly found in high-end gaming monitors and is even more practical on a large screen. You have the option to split the screen in half, with each half rendered at 1,920 by 2,160 pixels, or you can choose a smaller window of 1,280 by 720 pixels that appears in the corner. Additionally, you can even divide the display into four sections, similar to playing Mario Kart on the N64, but with a higher resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels for each quadrant.

The OLED screen continues to impress, regardless of how you analyze it. While monitors like the LG 45 UltraGear OLED strike a balance between resolution and performance, the Mobiuz fully embraces the 4K experience. Beyond resolution, the advantages of OLED technology are evident—it surpasses IPS panels in various aspects such as power efficiency, color gamut, and viewing angles. It is worth noting that OLED screens are prone to burn-in if a static image remains on display for an extended period. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge that OLED screens come at a higher price point compared to IPS, TN, and VA monitors.

BenQ enhances the Mobiuz by incorporating several eye-care modes. Color Weakness aids those with typical color vision impairments in distinguishing colors more effectively, and Brightness Intelligence Plus automatically adapts the brightness and color temperature to suit your preferences. These settings, along with other video and audio modes, can be accessed using the provided remote control.

The hotkey for toggling between HDR and HDRi modes is conveniently located in the lower right corner of the screen. BenQ defines HDRi as an innovative adaptive technology that customizes HDR content according to your surroundings. By utilizing a small sensor to monitor variations in ambient lighting and on-screen visuals, the display automatically fine-tunes the image’s brightness, contrast, and color temperature. Users have the option to choose between Cinema HDRi and Game HDRi modes on the monitor.

The shortcut for switching between HDR and HDRi modes can be found at the bottom right corner of the screen. BenQ characterizes HDRi as an intelligent adaptive technology that modifies HDR content based on the user’s environment. Through the use of a small sensor that detects changes in ambient lighting and screen content, the display adjusts the image’s brightness, contrast, and color temperature accordingly. Users can select between Cinema HDRi and Game HDRi modes on the monitor.

The Mobiuz is undeniably large, with dimensions of 25.5 by 42.1 by 4.2 inches (HWD), making it a significant presence on any desk. It falls just shy of the size of certain jumbo OLED TVs, such as the 55-inch LG C2 Evo. While it may not be easily adjustable, it does provide a limited tilt range of -2 to 15 degrees.

During our evaluation, the speakers delivered exceptional sound quality at both low and high volumes, while the visual sharpness of 4K video was impressive in standard lighting settings. However, the extent of this quality remains to be determined. Additionally, how does it perform when it comes to gaming? Let’s delve deeper into the specifics.

Evaluating the BenQ Mobiuz 4K: Striking at First Glance.

The Mobiuz’s performance was put to the test to determine how it compares to the highly regarded 4K OLED panels in gaming monitors. To evaluate its capabilities, we conducted benchmark tests using Calman monitor calibration software, a Murideo Six-G signal generator, and a Klein K-80 colorimeter. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis, we also included a selection of high-end OLED and IPS monitors for comparison. Although there aren’t many 4K OLED gaming displays available, we have gathered a few for the purpose of this evaluation.

The initial assessment we conduct focuses on examining a monitor’s default picture mode using an SDR signal. The Mobiuz displayed a brightness of 120 nits, which is considered low for SDR content, but it is not an issue in environments with neutral or low lighting conditions. When testing HDR content, we observed the average brightness increase to approximately 262 nits, with peak luminance reaching around 438 nits.

The SDR result falls below BenQ’s stated brightness of 450 nits. However, it is important to note that lower brightness levels can be acceptable and even preferable for OLED monitors. The suitability of brightness depends on the viewing environment; for example, lower brightness may pose challenges in well-lit rooms, but can actually enhance the viewing experience in dimly or artificially lit spaces. This is due to the fact that OLED monitors are able to maintain contrast levels with less brightness compared to other types of monitors, thereby ensuring visual clarity and enabling comfortable viewing in darker settings even at lower brightness settings.

Despite the aforementioned limitation, we would prefer if the peak brightness could be increased. Currently, the viewing experience in a naturally lit room (such as ours, with an office window nearby) was found to be less than optimal. The Mobiuz is more suitable for a dimly lit gaming environment rather than an office setting with closed curtains.

Quality Control: BenQ Mobiuz Gaming Monitor (EX480UZ)