Acer Predator X32 X2 and X27U X1 in a QD OLED double pack – now it’s colorful and fast, but not cheap

What takes a long time will… at least finally be released. Acer has taken a surprisingly long time to catch up with the competition. While ASUS and MSI have been relying on Quantum Dot OLED panels (QD-OLED for short) for some time now in order to wrest a little brightness and color printing from the OLED principle, Acer is now also coming out of hiding. With the Predator X32 X2 and the smaller X27U X1, the manufacturer is bringing two models into the ring – both with 240 Hz and everything that makes an impression on the data sheet.

QD-OLED – Better than OLED? Yes and no. But brighter.

The technology behind it is well known: QD-OLED combines the deep blacks of classic OLEDs with a quantum dot layer to give the colors a boost and spice up the otherwise rather poor luminosity a little. Presumably, the panels – unsurprisingly – once again come from Samsung’s factories, which are currently looking to massively expand their market position in QD OLED. Acer thus joins the list of customers, along with ASUS, MSI and various brands in the OEM segment.

Predator X32 X2 – 4K and 240 Hz for wide desks

Let’s start with the X32 X2. The 31.5-inch model delivers native 3840×2160 pixels at up to 240 Hz refresh rate. The panel offers true 10-bit color depth, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and a GtG response time of 0.03 ms. Values that are also known from other QD OLED monitors. FreeSync Premium Pro is also on board – the whole thing will presumably also be G-Sync compatible, even if Acer doesn’t make any big statements here. The monitor offers a height adjustment of at least 150 mm, but remains rather restrained in terms of brightness. 250 cd/m² in SDR mode is no reason to celebrate – HDR becomes more of a checkbox here than a real selling point. The internal speakers (2x 2W) are best ignored. Anyone who plays 4K at 240 Hz usually has an external DAC or at least a headset at the start anyway.

Predator X27U X1 – Small but powerful (and loud)

The smaller model – the X27U X1 – comes with a 26.5-inch panel with 2560×1440 pixels. Here too, 240 Hz is available, which is technically impressive, but in times of 500 Hz displays (ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG248QP, sends its regards) no longer raises eyebrows. At least it has usable speakers: 2x 5W – twice as loud as its big brother. Height adjustment: 120 mm – sufficient if you don’t play standing up or slide a bookshelf under the monitor.

Panel performance identical, but different due to form factor

Both devices are based on the same technological framework. The differences lie in the details – screen size, resolution, ergonomics and speaker performance. Whether this has a noticeable effect in practice remains questionable. In any case, the target group will decide according to resolution and form factor, not the wattage of the internal speakers.

Pricing: Enthusiast level with a regional surcharge

What does the fun cost? At USD 599.99 in North America, the X27U X1 is still reasonably affordable. In Europe, it will be more expensive as usual: 699 euros in the EMEA zone, 699 pounds in the UK – that’s a lot of money. The X32 X2 will be sold from June for 999.99 USD, in Europe for 1,199 euros and in the UK for 999 pounds. In China, the market of number crunchers, the price is 3,999 yuan for the small model and 5,999 yuan for the large model.

Technically solid, economically ambitious

With the two QD OLED monitors X32 X2 and X27U X1, Acer is finally delivering a piece of technology that was actually expected last year. The technical data reads well, even if it is not revolutionary. 4K@240Hz is still rare at the moment – but this is less due to a lack of panels than to the simple fact that hardly anyone has enough GPU power for such combinations. So if you think you’re pushing the limits here with a mid-range computer, you should perhaps shift down a gear – or go straight for the X27U. The bottom line is two solid monitors with the latest panel design, typical weaknesses (brightness, HDR) and typical strengths (contrast, color reproduction). Acer is thus positioning itself for a target group that wants a little more, but doesn’t always get more. After all, the figures are right. And, as we all know, that’s what counts in this segment.

Source: ACER