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Philips 288P6LJEB, Solid Build And Performance
It is a common misconception that monitors based on the same panel part perform the same. While this is a logical conclusion to draw, our testing proves that it’s rarely the case. Having four monitors all made from the same component shows clear differences not only in our benchmark results, but also in their feature sets.
Asus was first to market with its PB287Q. Sporting a price tag well below prior 4K models, it represented a major breakthrough in pixels-per-dollar. The only caveat was its TN technology. Obviously, that wasn't seen a major issue because the competition followed quickly with their own versions of Innolux’s part. People are obviously buying them.
Hot on Asus’ heels was Dell, then Planar, Samsung and Phillips. The UD590 is the only screen we haven’t tested yet, but that will be rectified soon. While none of the monitors win awards for supreme color accuracy or contrast, their performance is more than adequate for gaming and productivity. The important difference appears in our input lag test.
It seems there are two different control board solutions in use. Philips and Dell are using one that creates a tremendous amount of lag, over 100 milliseconds in our measurements. Additionally, the Dell is limited to 30Hz, regardless of the connection you use. Both the P2815Q and 288P6LJEB are fine for Windows, but any kind of motion-intensive title can be a frustrating experience even for casual gamers.
Asus and Planar manage to support a 60Hz rate over DisplayPort 1.2, yielding input lag scores that are lower than most of the QHD/IPS monitors in our database. They’re not in the vicinity of any 120 or 144Hz screens. But, in our observation, first-person shooters are perfectly playable for all but the most skilled gamers.
We’ve also seen many comments comparing TN to IPS with regards to image quality. Many TN monitors do indeed exhibit poor viewing angles, washed out color and low contrast. However none of the 28-inch Ultra HD screens we’ve tested fit in that category. When viewed head-on, they are indistinguishable from an IPS monitor. Color saturation is excellent and contrast is nearly as good. You’ll certainly spot the TN display when you move off-axis, but even in a 28-inch size, this Innolux panel looks pretty good.
It is inevitable that we’ll have 4K IPS screens at this price point eventually. It's hard to say when that will happen. For now, though, the Philips 288P6LJEB and its brethren represent the best value in Ultra HD displays. If gaming is not part of your daily routine, any of these monitors will suffice. Entertainment buffs will want to stick to either the Asus or Planar displays. Philips’ and Dell’s screens simply have too much input lag to make them viable for high-speed play. For all other uses, we have no problem recommending the 288P6LJEB.
