Sony has entered the gaming monitor market with its first PlayStation-branded 27-inch display. Aimed squarely at PS5 owners, the monitor aims to blend PS5 aesthetics with key gaming features for $349.99. It launches on August 27th and will be available at Best Buy.
The monitor's design heavily favors the PlayStation 5, featuring a black stand and white back panel that perfectly matches the console. Branding is minimal, with a subtle PlayStation logo on the rear. From the front, the display presents a conventional, modern look with thin bezels. Control over the On-Screen Display (OSD) is handled by a joystick located on the back of the unit.
A standout feature for PlayStation enthusiasts is the integrated fold-down charging dock for DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers, located centrally behind the display. This aims to reduce desk clutter and provides a convenient place to store and charge controllers. The inclusion of this feature, along with its console-matching design, reinforces its identity as a PlayStation accessory.
Display Performance and Features
The monitor utilizes a Fast IPS panel with a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, supporting a 240Hz refresh rate on PC and 120Hz on the PlayStation 5. It also includes Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, functioning with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. The panel offers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, with a 1ms gray-to-gray response time contributing to effective motion clarity. Factory calibration resulted in color accuracy just under the industry standard Delta E < 2, making it suitable for some creative work. Its contrast ratio is rated at a standard 1000:1, and its average brightness is 350 nits, which is sufficient for well-lit rooms but not as high as many modern TVs.
Sony's Auto HDR Tone Mapping feature is included for PS5 users, automatically adjusting HDR settings to optimize the console's output for the display. For PC use, this automatic tone mapping is absent, but the display's SDR performance is still strong. The monitor includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort 1.4, and USB Type-A and Type-C ports for peripherals.
Design and Usability Compromises
Despite its appealing features, the monitor makes some compromises. The included stand is a basic metal construction that offers tilt and height adjustments but lacks portrait orientation rotation. However, it does support a standard 100x100mm VESA mount for users who wish to use an alternative stand. The OSD interface is described as basic and functional rather than premium, lacking the software customization options found on Sony's Inzone monitors, which do not require mouse and keyboard input.
The monitor's edge-lit IPS panel, while offering good color and viewing angles, results in inconsistent blacks and a contrast ratio that is considered average. The integrated speaker is functional but produces thin, tinny sound, making a headset a significantly better option for audio.
Performance Across Platforms
Testing involved using the monitor with both a PlayStation 5 and a gaming laptop equipped with an RTX 4090. The 1440p resolution was found to be a practical sweet spot, offering sharp visuals without demanding excessively high-end PC hardware for high frame rates. On the PS5, the Auto HDR Tone Mapping proved effective in enhancing HDR content, and VRR and 120Hz were easily configured. PC gaming also delivered a visually rich experience with vivid SDR colors and VRR support functioning well with both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. The controller charging hook consistently performed as expected, offering a simple and effective way to dock controllers.
Ultimately, the PlayStation 27-inch Gaming Monitor offers a solid, if not groundbreaking, experience. When stripped of its branding, it presents as a decent monitor with a functional charging dock. While other monitors may offer superior brightness, HDR capabilities, or local dimming at a similar or lower price point, Sony's offering provides a streamlined, plug-and-play experience specifically tailored for PS5 users. The design synergy with the console and the practical utility of the charging hook are its primary selling points, ensuring a cohesive and convenient setup for PlayStation fans.