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Our HDR benchmarking uses Portrait Displays’ Calman software. To learn about our HDR testing, see our breakdown of how we test PC monitors.
The AG276QZD2 offers five HDR modes, three of which can also be used with SDR content. The extra two are Display and 1000 Max and have their own unique characteristics that I’ll explain in a moment. Once you select a mode, the switch between SDR and HDR is automatic.
Of the five HDR modes, I strongly recommend avoiding Movie and Picture. They add a lot of unattractive edge enhancement that ultimately reduces sharpness. Game is free of artifacts, but it has a very light luminance curve that dulls the image. 1000 Max suggests a higher peak level, but it is no brighter than the others. It also has very dark shadows that make it unsuitable for gaming. Display is the default and best choice for its accuracy and correct tone mapping.
HDR Brightness and Contrast
It’s hard to ignore the AG276QZD2’s relatively low peak output level in the HDR brightness test. This is because there is no variable brightness feature. That omission is shared by the AG276QZD, but it is visibly brighter in HDR mode, as are the other screens. Black levels and contrast are the same across the board, so you still get the deep image OLED is known for. But the highlight areas don’t quite have the pop that they should.
Grayscale, EOTF and Color
In the HDR grayscale test, there are no errors of consequence, just a slight warmth in the brighter steps which does not adversely affect content. The EOTF tracks a bit dark, but shadow detail remains visible.
Color rendering is similar in all five HDR modes, so I’m showing the results from Display. Saturation is on target except for the 100% points, which are a bit under the mark. Most content is unaffected, but images with a lot of bright primary colors will have a little less verve. The BT.2020 chart is much the same with coverage that extends to 85% red, 75% green and 95% blue.
Test Takeaway: Though the AG276QZD2’s color gamut is wider than last year’s AG276QZD, its HDR rendering doesn’t take full advantage of the extra saturation. It definitely looks more colorful in SDR mode but HDR comparisons between the two screens are more alike than they should be. Other than overall saturation, the AG276QZD2 shows excellent color accuracy and solid tone mapping.
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