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The quest for OLED computer monitors is still ongoing. The ultimate goal, of course, is the wide availability of 25 to 32-inch Ultra HD screens in the same form factors as the LCD panels that are commonplace today. Progress has certainly been made. Large screen TVs have come down dramatically in price, and smaller screens in phones, tablets and laptops are sometimes graced with an OLED panel. The improvement in contrast and color saturation is not subtle. OLEDs look a lot better than LCDs.
Though the Zion Pro isn’t a desktop monitor in the traditional sense, it’s a step in the right direction. As a Kickstarter project, I consider it a humble beginning. But a closer look at its performance and capabilities should capture the attention of major display manufacturers. There is certainly a demand and a need for screens like this.
The Zion Pro delivers infinite contrast courtesy of its deep black levels. Since it can address individual pixels and turn them off when necessary, no LCD can match its image depth. It also exceeds the color gamut of all but a few IPS monitors I’ve tested. With 110% coverage of DCI-P3, it delivers lush and vivid hues to all content. And its HDR performance is exemplary. Though it isn’t the brightest panel out there, it still produces blacks to die for and makes the most of the HDR standard. The only flaw there is that some content renders a little too darkly. A tweak of the EOTF luminance tracking would fix that.
Though the Zion Pro isn’t billed as a gaming monitor, it performs better than any other 60 Hz screen I can think of in first-person titles. Moving through finely detailed environments showed a little softness, but there was no ghosting or stutter. And even though there’s no Adaptive Sync, I didn’t see any frame tears.
As a Kickstarter project, the Zion Pro’s pricing is somewhat fluid. But at this writing, you can reserve one for a promised May delivery for around $600. That’s in the premium range for sure but not out of reach for those looking for a nice second screen. And its touch functions add value.
If you’re looking for one of the most stunning images possible on a video display, and a small screen is compatible with your activities, definitely check out the Zion Pro AMOLED Portable Monitor.
