| Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner) | 27 inches |
| Native Resolution | 2560 by 1440 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
Corsair returns to its roots with the Corsair Xeneon 27QHD240 OLED a remarkable 27-inch OLED gaming monitor that offers a stunning 1440p resolution and an impressive 240Hz refresh rate. Unlike its bendable predecessor, the Xeneon Flex, this monitor boasts a sleek, flat design that is sure to please gamers. With its LG panel technology, the monitor delivers exceptional visual fidelity, although the color accuracy may be slightly compromised at peak brightness due to an exaggerated color gamut. Nevertheless, the monitor’s numerous I/O ports and compact size make it a standout choice. Corsair has truly outdone themselves with this OLED monitor, catering to gamers who are willing to invest in a top-notch display.
Corsair’s most recent OLED model has moved away from the curved design in favor of a slim, flat panel that sits on top of a port hub, connecting to a sleek, black stand. The monitor appears incredibly thin, weighing only 13.8 pounds. Despite its delicate appearance, the Xeneon’s frame is surprisingly sturdy. The stand’s rubber feet keep the monitor firmly in place, allowing for easy adjustments to height and tilt. With minimal bezels, the 27-inch OLED screen provides a distraction-free viewing experience.
The monitor’s sleek and lightweight design allows it to have a compact form, making it suitable for various locations. Corsair’s monitor has dimensions of 20.8 by 23.7 by 8.8 inches (HWD), making it ideal for tight spaces like busy desks. While slimmer than Sony’s Inzone M3, it does have a slightly taller maximum height. Additionally, the monitor offers convenient tilt and pivot options for flexibility, and its absence of RGB lighting gives it a more understated look.
Rotating the monitor reveals two vertical columns of I/O ports surrounding the 100-by-100mm VESA mount, a departure from the typical horizontal layout of ports that is commonly seen. Included in these ports are four USB Type-A ports, USB-C upstream and power-delivery ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports, a headphone jack, and a DisplayPort. Notably, this monitor does not come equipped with built-in speakers.
The monitor is efficiently arranged, even without a sound system. It effectively manages cord congestion and maintains a sleek design.
A convenient feature is the integration of a proximity sensor located at the base of the screen. When your hand approaches, the screen will indicate the precise location of the OSD control, power button, and input toggle. No longer will you need to tilt, adjust, or search around your monitor to locate the power switch. This is an enhancement that I believe will become popular.
In my opinion, the Xeneon’s OLED screen is absolutely stunning and definitely worth sacrificing the 4K resolution, especially considering its screen size. The 2K resolution is perfect for the 27-inch panel class, making it ideal for midrange PCs, as well as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 (especially if you prioritize performance over visual quality). Regardless of the video source, you’ll be able to enjoy the screen to its fullest potential. OLED screens truly stand out from the rest, surpassing IPS displays in various aspects such as power efficiency, color gamut, and viewing angles.
The sole technology that offers “authentic blacks” is OLED, where the black pixels are completely turned off to form areas with zero light and optimal contrast. OLED does have some drawbacks, such as a notably higher price compared to IPS, TN, or VA panels, and the risk of burn-in if a static image remains on the screen for an extended period. Nevertheless, Corsair provides a remarkably generous three-year warranty that covers burn-in protection.
The utilization of LG’s Meta technology by this Corsair monitor, introduced at CES 2023, enhances viewing angles and brightness by up to 30% and 60% respectively, as claimed by the company. Each OLED pixel is self-lit with a micro lens array (MLA) to further enhance clarity and brightness. This enhancement is particularly noticeable in naturally lit scenes and is expected to be well-received by enthusiasts of National Geographic. It is worth noting that despite the LG panel used in this monitor, the technology was absent in the recent LG UltraGear 45 OLED.
In our upcoming section, we will closely examine the performance of the screen, which offers support for AMD FreeSync Premium and is also compatible with Nvidia G-Sync. These features work together to enhance your gaming experience by minimizing screen tearing and ensuring smooth gameplay.
The Corsair’s grand arrival and stunning 27-inch display offer a potential for an enhanced gaming experience, but does it live up to expectations? With the 2K OLED market expanding, we decided to compare the Xeneon with other popular OLED models like the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor and the LG 45 UltraGear, along with some comparable IPS and VA panels. To accurately assess the disparities, we conducted various benchmark tests utilizing our Calman monitor calibration software, Murideo Six-G signal generator, and Klein K-80 colorimeter.
Initially, the monitor was assessed in its factory picture setting using an SDR signal. The Corsair Xeneon achieved an average brightness of 307 nits (candelas per square meter). When switched to HDR mode, the average brightness significantly increased to 637 nits. These measurements were calculated based on an 18% average picture level (APL).
The evaluation of HDR peak brightness, which represents the maximum level of brightness an image can achieve, requires a more nuanced approach. Our measurements indicate a peak brightness of 704 nits, whereas Corsair specifies the monitor to have a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. It is important to note that Corsair’s peak HDR rating is based on a 3% Average Picture Level (APL), while our measurement is based on 10% APL. It is worth mentioning that we conducted this test using the VESA DisplayHDR compliance tests, which are freely available on the Microsoft Store. According to Corsair, the monitor is expected to average around 800 nits at peak brightness with a 10% APL, so our result aligns closely with the monitor’s theoretical capability.
The brightness levels of these numbers are satisfactory, particularly for an OLED display, as OLED monitors can uphold contrast with reduced brightness, enabling comfortable viewing in dimly lit environments. While low brightness could pose a challenge in well-lit rooms, we encountered no difficulties with the brightness levels of the Corsair monitor, whether we were in a dimly lit studio or a naturally illuminated office testing area.
The Corsair Xeneon impresses when it comes to the monitor’s color gamut. It covers 135% of the sRGB color gamut, 92% of Adobe RGB, and 96% of DCI-P3, providing excellent coverage overall. However, there is one drawback to note. Exceeding 100% sRGB coverage can result in over-saturated colors due to the increased number of colors displayed in that space.
The color accuracy may not be optimal, but it has the potential to enhance the vibrancy of specific scenes. Despite this, the color accuracy remained consistent, with a Delta E measurement of 2.3 in Standard mode. A higher Delta E value indicates a greater deviation of colors from their intended hue. Ideally, a value below 1 is preferred, although only a few gaming monitors are able to achieve this level of accuracy.
Firstly, we will examine the contrast ratio, which signifies the difference in brightness between the brightest white and darkest black that a monitor is capable of displaying. This factor plays a crucial role in determining picture quality, particularly in dark scenes during gaming sessions. Our measurements revealed a contrast ratio of 3,476:1 and a black level of zero. Although Corsair suggests that the contrast ratio could potentially reach 1,500,000:1 (similar to the LG Ultragear 45 OLED), this figure is exceptionally high and is rarely achievable in everyday usage. IPS panels typically aim for contrast ratios of 1,000:1 or higher, whereas OLED and mini LED panels have the potential to achieve significantly greater contrast ratios in theory, primarily due to the characteristics of black pixels.
The 27-inch OLED display from Corsair is undoubtedly visually appealing, but its gaming performance remains a question. Normally, we rely on an HDFury Diva HDMI matrix to assess a monitor’s input lag. However, in this instance, we encountered difficulties obtaining an accurate reading, most likely attributed to a glitch in the testing device or software rather than the monitor itself.
Through anecdotal testing, it was found that Cyberpunk 2077 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive provided an enjoyable experience. No screen tearing was observed, even with the refresh rate set at 240Hz. The high refresh rate will also be advantageous for console gaming, especially since many console games now support variable refresh rates (VRR), providing gamers with additional video options. Additionally, the clarity of the OLED panel compensates for any potential loss in resolution.
Corsair promotes a gray-to-gray (GTG) response time of 0.03 milliseconds, however, the company mistakenly labels it as input lag, which is a different concept. GTG specifically measures the duration for a pixel to transition from one gray level to another, whereas input lag measures the delay in displaying a received signal on the monitor. GTG is not a universally standardized metric due to variations in how vendors measure gray levels, therefore, it is not included in the measurements conducted in our reviews.
In my testing, I encountered no problems whatsoever with the Corsair. This monitor seamlessly complements both high-end hardware and average PC builds, while its ports offer ample opportunities for connecting multiple devices. Although it may be considered too compact by some, for my personal office setup, a 27-inch OLED monitor is an absolute dream come true.
Naturally, the cost of that particular model is. While it may be more expensive than a standard IPS screen of similar dimensions, the advantages of OLED technology are undeniable – once you experience it, you won’t want to go back.
Corsair’s newest OLED screen is highly recommended by us. This ultra-thin and lightweight monitor has a small footprint but is packed with impressive visual capabilities. It is a dream come true for gamers, especially those who are hesitant about the hardware demands and compromises needed to achieve 4K resolution on a midrange gaming PC. Additionally, it is a stunning choice for gamers who play on both consoles and PCs, making it an Editors’ Choice-winning gaming OLED monitor in a rapidly growing market.
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