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| The new Viewsonic VX24G26J monitor sports a 23.8-inch IPS panel with 4K resolution. |
The small-screen 4K dream is finally here, but it comes with trade-offs that may surprise you.
There is no shortage of high-end monitors in the market with drool-worthy specs, but nearly all of them come in large screen sizes. While there is no doubt that having screen real estate is ideal for many use cases—from video editing to immersive gaming—there are plenty of folks who would rather opt for a smaller size due to a multitude of reasons. Whether it's cramped desk space, competitive gaming preferences, or simply a love for that retina-display sharpness, the demand for compact 4K monitors has been quietly simmering for years.
Prominent display maker ViewSonic appears to have such folks in their crosshairs, having recently launched the 24" VX24G26J-4K gaming monitor. As the name suggests, the monitor packs a 23.8-inch Fast IPS panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160. The small size allows for a very sharp experience, courtesy of an impressive pixel density of 185 PPI. For context, that's significantly higher than the 163 PPI of a standard 27-inch 4K monitor and absolutely crushes the 1080p 24-inch displays that still dominate the eSports scene.
ViewSonic also claims a refresh rate of 160 Hz, and a response time of 1 ms (GtG). This combination of 4K resolution and 160 Hz is a sweet spot that has been historically reserved for premium 27-inch and 32-inch panels. There appears to be no support for a dual-mode functionality which would allow for higher refresh rates at lower resolutions, making the gaming monitor an easy choice for e-sports enthusiasts—who usually prefer 1080p or 1440p at blistering speeds. The lack of dual-mode might be a deliberate choice to keep costs down, but it does mean you're locked into pushing 4K at 160Hz if you want to utilize the full potential of this display.
Good Color Coverage, Mediocre Contrast
The gaming monitor's overall picture quality should be decent, considering the claimed 100% coverage of the sRGB and 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB color gamuts. This level of color accuracy makes it suitable not just for gaming, but also for light photo editing and content creation—especially for those who don't have the desk real estate for a massive 32-inch behemoth.
Although a glossy coating would've helped with the picture quality by making colors pop and blacks appear deeper, ViewSonic decided to go with a matte finish to help with reflections. This is a practical choice for brightly lit gaming dens and office environments, but it does come at the cost of that "wet" look that glossy displays provide.
That said, the advertised 1000:1 contrast ratio is typical of IPS panels, and is simply no match for the OLEDs and mini LEDs of the world. If you're coming from a TV or a high-end smartphone screen, you will likely notice the lack of deep, inky blacks. Dark scenes in games like Alan Wake 2 or Resident Evil will look more gray than black, which is a compromise you'll have to accept at this price point.
A peak brightness of 400 nits has been stated, which should be fine for indoor usage in SDR mode. However, this brightness level is borderline for HDR content. To truly enjoy HDR, you'd typically want at least 600 nits with local dimming. At 400 nits, you'll get a taste of HDR, but it won't be the transformative experience that high-end monitors offer.
Connectivity and Ergonomics
I/O options include dual HDMI 2.1 ports, a single DisplayPort 1.4 port, as well as a 3.5 mm audio jack. The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 is a future-proofing win, as it allows consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X to run 4K at 120Hz without chroma subsampling. However, it's worth noting that DisplayPort 1.4 might struggle with 4K at 160Hz without Display Stream Compression (DSC), so you'll want to ensure your GPU supports that feature.
Other notable details of the monitor include height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments for better ergonomics, low blue light mode to reduce eye strain, as well as FreeSync/G-Sync compatibility. The ergonomic stand is a welcome addition, as many budget monitors force you to buy a separate VESA mount just to get the screen to eye level. The pivot feature is particularly useful for programmers and writers who prefer a vertical orientation for code and documents.
When Can You Buy It?
The 24-inch ViewSonic monitor has only been launched in China for now, with details regarding pricing and global viability yet to be shared. Considering the features on offer, a modest price tag would be safe to expect. Given the current market trends, a sub-$400 price point would make this monitor a compelling option for students, freelancers, and competitive gamers with space constraints. However, ViewSonic has been known to price their niche products at a premium, so we'll have to wait for official global pricing to see if this is a budget-friendly gem or a luxury niche item.
The source report from TechPowerUp suggests that the monitor is part of a broader push by ViewSonic to cater to the Asian market's preference for smaller form factors. Whether this strategy will resonate with Western audiences remains to be seen, but the buzz on tech forums suggests there's definitely a hungry audience for this kind of product.
The Competition
Customers who would rather go for a 27-inch monitor with similar specs, can checkout something like the Asus TUF VG27UQ1A, currently available for around $377.99 on Amazon. That model offers a similar 4K 144Hz experience but with a larger screen and slightly different color specs.
Final Verdict: Who Is This For?
The ViewSonic VX24G26J-4K is a monitor that doesn't try to be everything to everyone. It's a highly specialized tool designed for users who want the sharpest possible image in a compact form factor. It's perfect for:
- Competitive gamers with limited desk space who want crisp visuals without the head-turning required by larger screens.
- Mac users who are used to the 218 PPI of the 5K iMac and want a similar "retina" experience for Windows gaming.
- Professional users who need high pixel density for coding or editing but cannot accommodate a massive monitor.
However, if you're a media consumer who craves deep blacks and cinematic HDR, you'll likely be disappointed by the 1000:1 contrast ratio. If you're a competitive gamer who prioritizes speed over resolution, the lack of dual-mode functionality might be a dealbreaker.
The success of this monitor ultimately hinges on its price. If ViewSonic can price this competitively—say, around $350—it will likely fly off the shelves. If it pushes into the $500+ territory, it will face stiff competition from established 27-inch 4K monitors and even entry-level OLEDs.
For now, we'll be keeping a close eye on ViewSonic's global announcements. If you're in the market for a smaller 4K display, this might be the monitor you've been waiting for—just be prepared to compromise on contrast to achieve that unparalleled pixel density.
Source : Viewsonic, spotted by TechPowerUp
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| Input options include a single DisplayPort and dual HDMI ports. |
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| The Viewsonic VX24G26J monitor sports a relatively clean and classy design. |