CONS

• HDR effect is only subtle
• Lacks built-in speakers

HP U28 4K HDR MONITOR SPECS

Panel Size (Corner-to-Corner)	28 inches
Native Resolution	3840 by 2160
Aspect Ratio	16:9

HP presents the U28 4K HDR Monitor as a display tailored for content creators in the consumer market. This panel boasts an attractive design and impressive performance in terms of color-gamut coverage and color accuracy within the sRGB space. It is particularly well-suited for working with artwork intended for online platforms. Additionally, this high-resolution monitor handles the DCI-P3 space quite well, achieving nearly 90% coverage in our tests. While the U28 is capable of displaying HDR video content, the impact is relatively subtle. Overall, it is a versatile panel suitable for general use and light content creation, although it faces strong competition within its market segment.

An Array of Pixels Packed into a Panel.

The 28-inch in-plane switching (IPS) panel of the monitor provides a 4K or UHD (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) resolution with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. This combination of resolution and screen size results in a remarkably high pixel density of 157 pixels per inch (ppi). This pixel density surpasses that of lower-resolution 27- or 28-inch screens as well as larger 4K displays. The increased pixel density ensures exceptional image sharpness, making it ideal for tasks involving photo editing and other artistic endeavors.

Similar to other IPS displays, the U28 offers expansive viewing angles, reaching up to 178 degrees in both vertical and horizontal directions. This ensures that colors stay accurate and free from distortion or posterization, even when viewing the screen from extreme angles.

The display is encompassed by slim black bezels at the top and sides, while the bottom bezel is slightly thicker. The cabinet, stand, and base have a silver color. The stand offers a comprehensive range of ergonomic adjustments, including height, tilt (up to 5 degrees towards and up to 23 degrees away from you), swivel (up to 35 degrees in either direction), and pivot (between landscape and portrait) controls. If you prefer to mount the U28 on a wall or secure it to a movable arm, there is a square array of holes on the back spaced 100mm apart, which can accommodate a VESA mounting bracket.

The available ports on this device include an HDMI 2.0 port, a DisplayPort 1.2 connector, a USB Type-C port that supports DisplayPort over USB Alternate Mode and USB power delivery (PD) of up to 65 watts, and a hub consisting of three USB 3.1 Type-A ports. Additionally, there is a 3.5mm jack for headphones or powered external speakers, as the monitor does not have built-in speakers. While the USB hub is a convenient feature with useful ports, it is not as extensive as the ones found on the Philips Brilliance 279P1 or the HP Z27k G3 4K USB-C Display, which are renowned for their connectivity options and are often referred to as “docking-station monitors.”

All the ports of the U28 are positioned at the rear, oriented outward, and arranged in a vertical column. Unlike the downward-facing ports commonly found on other displays, these ports are conveniently accessible.

Additionally, positioned at the rear but conveniently accessible with one’s right hand, there is a compact joystick controller designed for navigating the U28’s onscreen display (OSD). This controller offers enhanced convenience and ease of use compared to the small control buttons typically located on the lower bezels of numerous monitors.

The U28 is supported by HP with a standard warranty of three years, which is a common feature among premium productivity monitors.

Evaluating the U28: Brilliant, Exhibiting Exceptional sRGB Coverage and Precision.

I evaluated the U28’s luminance, contrast ratio, and color precision utilizing our customary testing tools: a Klein K-10A colorimeter, a Murideo SIX-G signal generator, and Portrait Displays’ CalMAN 5 calibration software.

HP rates the luminance of the display at 400 nits (candelas per square meter), and it exceeded that measurement in my testing, reaching 410 nits. Furthermore, it outperformed its rated contrast ratio of 1,000:1, achieving a score of 1,333:1. (Refer to our monitor testing methodology for more details.)

The U28 performed exceptionally well in our sRGB color-gamut assessment, achieving a coverage of 99.8% of the sRGB spectrum. (Refer to the chromaticity or color coverage chart provided above.) sRGB is the designated color space for online art and various other applications.

The U28 excelled in our sRGB color-gamut evaluation, encompassing 99.8% of the sRGB spectrum. (Please see the chromaticity or color coverage chart above.) sRGB is the standard color space utilized for online art and a multitude of other applications.

HP states that the U28 has a Delta E of under 2, indicating high color accuracy in the sRGB color space. Delta E, or dE, measures the difference between the displayed color’s hue and the color input received by the monitor. The dE value listed in monitor specifications is an average of numerous individual color readings spanning the spectrum; the lower the value, the more precise the color representation. Many professional monitors boast a dE of less than 2 across different color spaces. The U28 has achieved this standard for sRGB, with an average dE of 1.4.

The U28 fell slightly short of HP’s stated 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, achieving 89.6% according to the chart. HP did not provide any information on the panel’s coverage of Adobe RGB, but my testing revealed it to be at 84%.

Besides conducting formal testing, I also performed our typical ad-hoc testing by examining photos from our test suite and watching a variety of video clips. The photos displayed vibrant colors and were bright, while the videos appeared bright with well-saturated colors. The monitor effectively preserved details in both bright and dark areas.

The U28 is a monitor that has received VESA certification for DisplayHDR 400. Unlike numerous HDR monitors, the U28 does not possess specific HDR settings. Instead, similar to several televisions, it will automatically play HDR video signals when received. During testing, I observed several familiar clips from the YouTube HDR Channel on this monitor. These clips exhibited commendable contrast and were reasonably bright, although the HDR effect was comparatively understated in comparison to other HDR monitors I have evaluated.

A panel with high resolution and accurate sRGB coverage.

The HP U28 4K HDR Monitor excels in managing the sRGB color space, thanks to its precise color accuracy and wide coverage, as well as its high pixel density and resolution. Additionally, it effectively renders HDR content.

The HP monitor is part of a large selection of 4K monitors that share the same screen size and color coverage. An alternative option is the Philips Brilliance 279P1, which is more affordable and has won the Editors’ Choice award. This monitor offers almost identical color gamut coverage as the HP (99.6% of sRGB, 88.9% of DCI-P3, and 85% of Adobe RGB). In addition, it surpasses the U28 in terms of port selection by including Ethernet and built-in speakers. Nevertheless, the U28 remains a highly capable display that is definitely worth considering as a versatile monitor with some creative features.