LG UltraFine Evo 6K 32-inch Monitor Review: More Pixels, Please

The UltraFine 6K is also a Nano IPS Black screen, which is not the case with the Asus model. Nano IPS Black is actually a combination of two technologies that improve IPS image quality in different ways. Nano IPS improves color coverage, while IPS Black increases contrast. The combination of the two is quite spectacular, especially on such a sharp screen. It covers sRGB and AdobeRGB at 100%, something I’ve never seen on an IPS monitor before. Color accuracy is also incredibly strong. Right out of the box, I measured the average color error at a Delta-E of 0.62. Anything less than 1.0 is considered excellent, even for professional graders. No further calibration is necessary here.

In terms of brightness, my review unit achieved 480 nits in standard dynamic range (SDR), which is quite bright. The screen has an anti-glare matte coating that deters glare and reflections without dimming the screen too much. This will probably bother some people coming from a shiny, older LG 5K display. Although I would also prefer a glossy screen, LG’s solution is quite subtle. And while it’s certainly not a true HDR monitor since it uses a regular IPS LED panel, I was able to measure 640 nits of peak brightness in HDR. This is a far cry from what OLEDs or mini-LEDs can do. Remember: HDR effect is created by higher brightness And contrast. This is what makes OLED displays attractive. The UltraFine Evo 6K has a contrast ratio of 2,000:1, but I only got 1,720:1 in my testing. This is still better than average, as monitors like the Dell UltraSharp 32 4K use improved IPS Black to bring the contrast closer to 3,000:1.

The refresh rate is the only big issue with the UltraFine Evo 6K’s image. It’s only 60Hz. It doesn’t matter how sharp, vibrant, and color-accurate your image is if the motion looks stiff. Even fairly affordable monitors like my favorite, the Dell 27 Plus 4K ($300), have a 120Hz refresh rate. This probably isn’t LG’s fault, as Asus’ 6K monitor is also stuck at 60Hz, but that’s a current limitation of the resolution offered. I have no doubt that future 6K monitors will have a 120Hz refresh rate, but from now on, that’s a tradeoff you’ll make for the extra pixels.

Expensive proposition

Photography: Luke Larsen

The LG UltraFine Evo 6K costs $2,000. While it’s not as much as Apple’s ridiculous Pro Display XDR, it also lacks the HDR capabilities that make this monitor special. The price seems particularly egregious when you consider the low price of OLED monitors. Dell’s first non-gaming OLED, the Dell 32 Plus QD-OLED, costs just $850 and is often on sale for under $700. It’s only 4K, but it’s better for watching and producing HDR content.

Finally, if you’re going for 6K, there’s also the Asus ProArt PA32QCV to consider. I haven’t tested it yet, but it’s $600 cheaper than the LG model, despite using the same 6K panel. What does that extra $700 get you? A flashier design, to begin with, but also more current ports. While I like where Asus has placed its ports better than LG, it uses older specs like Thunderbolt 4 and DisplayPort 1.4. The biggest difference is the lack of Nano IPS Black, which means it probably doesn’t have the color performance and contrast of the LG model. These differences aren’t insignificant, but are they worth $700? It’s hard to say, especially since it’s otherwise the same panel. I can’t say for sure until I’ve tested the Asus model, but on the surface the LG UltraFine 6K seems a bit overpriced in comparison.

On the other hand, if you’re already spending this much money on a 6K monitor, picture quality is paramount and the inclusion of Nano IPS Black makes the LG UltraFine 6K a better alternative to OLED or Pro Display XDR.