OLED monitors have long tempted photographers with their promise of rich contrast and perfect blacks. However, concerns around brightness, reflections, and longevity have held many back. The new Gigabyte MO27Q28G WOLED aims to overcome these hurdles with a bright, wide-gamut panel and a sleek, borderless design, making it a compelling proposition for photo editors.
The announcement comes as OLED technology continues to evolve, promising improved performance for creative professionals. The Gigabyte MO27Q28G WOLED is no exception, offering features that could potentially redefine the editing experience for photographers.
Design and Build
The minimalist aesthetic of the MO27Q28G stands out immediately. Its 4-sided borderless design and impressively slim 2mm metal base create a clean, modern working environment while freeing valuable desk space. Ergonomics are solid, and the stand remains stable despite its small footprint, making it a practical choice for those with limited workspace.
Colour, Contrast, and Brightness
At the heart of this monitor is Gigabyte’s 4th-gen “Primary RGB Tandem” WOLED technology. This feature delivers a 1500-nit HDR peak brightness, 99.5% DCI-P3, and 84% BT.2020 coverage. For photographers seeking deep blacks without sacrificing brightness in well-lit studios, the technical performance is impressive. However, real-world calibration proved more complicated than expected.
Compared to a Retina 5K, 27-inch iMac, known for its naturally balanced and consistent image, the MO27Q28G initially felt too dark and contrast-heavy, even in SDR mode. After considerable tweaking of brightness, black level, and colour temperature, an acceptable baseline was achieved, but it never quite matched the neutrality and luminosity of high-end IPS displays. Photographers transitioning from such displays should be prepared to spend time fine-tuning.
Anti-Reflection and HDR Performance
One feature that genuinely improves the editing experience is the 99% anti-reflection coating. The matte WOLED surface virtually eliminates distracting reflections, making it one of the best OLED panels for daylight conditions. For editors working near windows or in bright rooms, this is a significant benefit.
The combination of Perfect Black performance (verified to 500 lux) and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 delivers beautiful tonal separation. Shadow detail remains stable even under bright ambient lighting, and high-contrast scenes, such as mid-day bushland or night street photography, show excellent depth. However, OLED’s inherent contrast can make mid-tones feel denser than expected, requiring additional care to ensure grading decisions aren’t overly influenced by the panel’s natural “pop.”
Burn-in Protection and Additional Features
Gigabyte’s AI OLED Care is a reassuring approach to burn-in protection, working quietly in the background and running pixel maintenance when the monitor is idle. The inclusion of a 3-year warranty with burn-in coverage is excellent, especially for professionals concerned about longevity.
The KVM, decent port selection, and OSD Sidekick software are welcome additions, facilitating integration into a multi-device setup, assuming connectivity behaves. While the 280Hz refresh rate is primarily gamer-focused, the benefits extend to video shooters. The 0.03 ms response time, VRR anti-flicker optimisation, and Ultra Clear motion handling make fast-moving footage and sports sequences look exceptionally sharp, offering a genuinely smooth panel for hybrid photographers who also shoot video.
The Wrap-Up
The Gigabyte MO27Q28G is an ambitious WOLED monitor that delivers standout anti-reflection performance, excellent colour coverage, strong HDR capability, and one of the brightest OLED implementations available. For photographers working in bright studios or mixed lighting, its visibility and glare handling are among the best in its class.
However, it’s not without compromises. The image out-of-the-box can feel too contrasty for precise photographic editing, requiring user intervention to reach a neutral baseline. Even then, some may prefer the more natural rendering of a high-quality IPS display. Nonetheless, the MO27Q28G offers excellent OLED benefits at a competitive price.
Results
- Set up and handling: ★ ★ ★ ★ – Sleek and stylish design with lovely anti-reflection coating.
- Features: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – AI OLED Care, KVM, and OSD Sidekick add strong usability performance combined with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 and Perfect Black, offering decent contrast and blacks.
- Image quality: ★ ★ ★ – While WOLED delivers deep blacks and wide gamut, the panel felt overly dark and contrasty compared to IPS reference displays, requiring significant tweaking to look balanced.
- Value for money: ★ ★ ★ ★ – With a solid warranty, a generous feature set, and a competitive AUD $899 price tag, the MO27Q28G represents good value, particularly for those wanting OLED contrast without the premium of pro-grade panels.
At this price, it’s an accessible option that’s certainly worth considering, especially for those looking to benefit from OLED technology without breaking the bank.
