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Brightness and Contrast

To read about our monitor tests in-depth, please check out Display Testing Explained: How We Test PC Monitors. We cover brightness and contrast testing on page two.

Uncalibrated – Maximum Backlight Level

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AOC U27G4XM — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The U27G4XM has more than enough light output for any indoor or outdoor environment. With nearly 500 nits peak available, it could be used at a location shoot or turned down to 50 nits for dark room gameplay. The panel’s native contrast is 923.3:1, a bit below the IPS average of 1,000:1. With local dimming set to medium, it delivers around 1,600:1 for SDR content with no clipping in shadow or highlight areas.

After Calibration to 200 nits

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Calibration bumps the contrast up to 989.2:1, a slight improvement. With local dimming on medium, it’s around 1,600:1. If you set it to strong, the backlight is shut off, making measurements impossible. ANSI contrast stays relatively consistent at 922.1:1, which is average for IPS panels with either full-array or edge backlights.

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Test Takeaway: The U27G4XM offers effective local dimming for SDR content, which sets it apart from some other screens that only dim for HDR. It has nearly 500 nits peak available, making it good for brightly lit environments. Native contrast is just below 1,000:1, and dynamic contrast is 1,600:1 with local dimming on medium. Image depth and texture are exemplary at this price point.

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Christian Eberle is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware US. He's a veteran reviewer of A/V equipment, specializing in monitors. Christian began his obsession with tech when he built his first PC in 1991, a 286 running DOS 3.0 at a blazing 12MHz. In 2006, he undertook training from the Imaging Science Foundation in video calibration and testing and thus started a passion for precise imaging that persists to this day. He is also a professional musician with a degree from the New England Conservatory as a classical bassoonist which he used to good effect as a performer with the West Point Army Band from 1987 to 2013. He enjoys watching movies and listening to high-end audio in his custom-built home theater and can be seen riding trails near his home on a race-ready ICE VTX recumbent trike. Christian enjoys the endless summer in Florida where he lives with his wife and Chihuahua and plays with orchestras around the state.