The landscape of display technology is constantly evolving, with manufacturers continually pushing boundaries to deliver enhanced visual experiences. As we move into 2025, a plethora of new monitors and TVs are being unveiled, each boasting unique features and improvements. This article provides a comprehensive Display Compare, analyzing the latest trends and specifications from newly announced products, helping you navigate the increasingly complex world of display technology.
OLED vs. QLED: A Contrast in Premium Display Technologies
OLED and QLED continue to be the dominant forces in the premium TV market, each with distinct advantages. Samsung and Philips are both heavily invested in these technologies, offering consumers a range of options.
Samsung’s 2025 S85F OLED TVs, launching in South Korea, introduce a wave of AI-powered features. These TVs are not just about stunning picture quality; they’re integrating ‘AI Smart Home’ functionality, suggesting a move towards smarter, more connected home entertainment systems. The focus on AI could be a key differentiator for Samsung in the coming year.
Samsung S85F OLED TV showcasing advanced AI features for a smarter home experience.
Philips, on the other hand, is expanding its QLED and OLED TV lines with a strong emphasis on Ambilight technology. The Philips PUS9000 “The One” QLED series aims to deliver high-end features at a mid-range price, making premium display technology more accessible. Ambilight, a signature Philips feature, enhances immersion by projecting light from the edges of the screen onto the surrounding wall, and is featured across many of their new 2025 models, including the PUS8600 and PUS8000/PUS8010 series. The PUS8600 series, for example, features Quantum Dot Color and 3-sided Ambilight, focusing on enriching the viewing experience through color and ambient lighting.
Philips PUS8600 QLED TV with Ambilight technology, creating an immersive viewing environment.
Comparing OLED and QLED, OLED generally offers superior black levels and contrast due to its self-emissive pixels, while QLED, especially with Quantum Dot technology as seen in Philips models, can achieve higher brightness and wider color gamuts. The choice between them often depends on viewing environment and personal preference, with OLED excelling in darker rooms and QLED performing well in brighter settings.
Mini LED: Bridging the Gap
Mini LED technology is emerging as a strong contender, aiming to bridge the performance gap between traditional LED-backlit LCDs and OLEDs. AOC’s Q27G40XMN and Q27G41XMN gaming monitors, for instance, utilize Mini LED backlights with 1152 local dimming zones. This allows for significantly improved contrast ratios and HDR performance compared to standard LED-backlit monitors, approaching OLED-like picture quality while often at a more competitive price point.
AOC Q27G40XMN gaming monitor with Mini LED technology, delivering enhanced contrast and brightness.
Philips is also embracing Mini LED in their 2025 TV lineup, with the MLED910 and MLED950 series. The MLED950 is positioned as a premium Mini LED TV, boasting 144Hz refresh rates and high peak brightness, indicating a focus on both picture quality and gaming performance. These Mini LED TVs aim to deliver a compelling alternative to OLED, particularly for users who desire high brightness and are concerned about OLED burn-in.
High Refresh Rates and Gaming Focus
The demand for high refresh rates is surging, especially in the gaming monitor market. AOC’s CQ27G4ZH monitor stands out with a 300Hz refresh rate on a curved QHD display, targeting competitive gamers who prioritize ultra-smooth motion and minimal input lag. Similarly, MSI’s MAG 275QF X32 offers a 320Hz QHD Rapid IPS display, pushing refresh rates to new heights for even clearer and more responsive gaming visuals.
MSI MAG 275QF X32 gaming monitor with a 320Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth gaming.
AOC also offers dual-mode monitors like the U27G4, which supports 4K at 160Hz and FHD at 320Hz, providing flexibility for different gaming scenarios and content types. BenQ’s EX271 and EX251 MOBIUZ gaming monitors, while slightly lower at 220Hz, still offer very high refresh rates combined with HDR400 certification, balancing performance and visual fidelity. Gigabyte’s GS25F2 and AOC’s 25G10HE further illustrate the trend of 200Hz+ refresh rates becoming increasingly common in gaming monitors, even in more affordable segments.
AOC U27G4 dual-mode monitor offering both high resolution and high refresh rate options for versatile gaming.
This focus on high refresh rates reflects the growing esports and enthusiast gaming markets, where every millisecond counts. However, it’s important to note that achieving these high refresh rates at higher resolutions like 4K often requires the latest HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 standards, as well as powerful graphics cards with DSC (Display Stream Compression) support.
Resolution and Display Size Diversity
While high refresh rates dominate gaming discussions, resolution and display size remain crucial factors for overall visual experience. Ultra-wide monitors like the Philips 34B2U3600C with its 34-inch curved QHD display cater to users seeking immersive viewing for productivity and entertainment. The 21:9 aspect ratio provides more screen real estate, enhancing multitasking and cinematic experiences.
Philips 34B2U3600C ultra-wide curved monitor, ideal for immersive viewing and enhanced productivity.
On the other hand, for users prioritizing sharpness and detail, 5K monitors like the ViewSonic VP2788-5K offer incredibly high pixel density. This 27-inch monitor with a 5120 x 2880 resolution is targeted at professional creators who demand exceptional image clarity and color accuracy for tasks like photo and video editing.
LG’s UltraGear OLED Smart Monitor series, including the 34GX90SA and 39GX90SA, showcases the combination of OLED technology with ultra-wide curved displays, offering both stunning picture quality and immersive form factors. They cater to users who want the best of both worlds: OLED’s visual performance and the benefits of a large, curved screen.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Display for Your Needs
The latest display announcements for 2025 reveal a market driven by innovation and diversification. Whether you prioritize cutting-edge display technology like OLED or Mini LED, ultra-high refresh rates for gaming, or high resolutions for professional work, there is a growing range of options to choose from.
When making a display compare and deciding on the best monitor or TV for your needs, consider these key factors:
- Primary Use Case: Gaming, content consumption, professional work, or general use?
- Viewing Environment: Bright or dark room?
- Budget: Premium, mid-range, or entry-level?
- Desired Features: Refresh rate, resolution, panel type, HDR performance, smart features?
By carefully evaluating these factors and understanding the latest trends in display technology, you can make an informed decision and select a display that perfectly matches your requirements and enhances your viewing experience. The advancements in display technology continue to offer exciting possibilities for immersive and high-fidelity visuals in the years to come.
