OLED vs OLED
Alienware AW2726DM vs ASUS XG27AQWMG: the cheapest OLED or the brighter one?
The AW2726DM is the cheapest way into QD-OLED but is dim; the XG27AQWMG costs more and measures far brighter on a glossy tandem WOLED panel.
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Pick for the least money
Alienware AW2726DM
Choose the Alienware for OLED contrast at the lowest cost in a dim room.
Check price on AmazonPick for brightness
ASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG
Choose the ASUS if you want a much brighter picture and a USB hub.
Check price on AmazonBrightness is the difference
Tom's Hardware measured the AW2726DM at about 200 nits in SDR and about 400 nits in HDR. It measured the XG27AQWMG at 557 nits SDR and 653 nits HDR, both at a 25% window. Even allowing for different test conditions, the ASUS is much brighter, which matters in anything but a dim room.
Panels and coatings
The Alienware is a 240Hz QD-OLED without an sRGB mode, so desktop colors look oversaturated. The ASUS is a 280Hz 4th-gen tandem WOLED with a glossy TrueBlack coating that reflects lamps and windows but looks very clear in controlled light.
Ports
The Alienware has DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC and two HDMI 2.1 ports (VRR up to 120Hz) and no USB at all. The ASUS adds a small USB hub. Neither has USB-C.
Warranty
Tom's Hardware reports a 3-year warranty including burn-in for the Alienware. The ASUS has a 3-year warranty, and ASUS's US policy covers panel burn-in on newer OLED models.
Verdict
On a tight budget in a dim room, the Alienware delivers the OLED look. If you can stretch, the ASUS is the more satisfying monitor.
Side-by-side
| Attribute | OLEDAlienware AW2726DM A 27-inch 1440p 240Hz QD-OLED priced like a mid-range LCD: most of the OLED experience for far less, minus brightness and extras. Check price on Amazon | OLEDASUS ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG A 27-inch 1440p 280Hz tandem WOLED with a glossy TrueBlack coating that brings much of the flagship picture to a lower price. Check price on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Choose this if… | ||
| Choose this if… | You want OLED contrast and speed for the least money. | You want a bright, glossy OLED picture and do not need 480Hz+. |
| Panel and motion | ||
| Panel family | ||
| Panel family | OLED | OLED |
| Panel subtype | ||
| Panel subtype | QD-OLED | WOLED (4th gen tandem) |
| Motion technology | ||
| Motion technology | None | Unknown |
| Backlight | ||
| Backlight | Not applicable (OLED) | Not applicable (OLED) |
| Coating | ||
| Coating | Unknown | TrueBlack glossy |
| Subpixel layout | ||
| Subpixel layout | Triangular RGB (QD-OLED) | Unknown (4th-gen WOLED) |
| Size and speed | ||
| Size | ||
| Size | 27″ (16:9) | 26.5″ (16:9) |
| Resolution | ||
| Resolution | 2560×1440 | 2560×1440 |
| Refresh rate | ||
| Refresh rate | 240Hz | 280Hz |
| Dual mode | ||
| Dual mode | No | No |
| Adaptive sync / VRR | ||
| Adaptive sync / VRR | Adaptive-Sync; AMD FreeSync Premium | G-SYNC Compatible; FreeSync Premium |
| Image and HDR | ||
| HDR (manufacturer) | ||
| HDR (manufacturer) | HDR modes; about 400 nits peak measured | VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 (per listing) |
| Independent measurements (not normalized) | ||
| Independent measurements (not normalized) |
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| Connectivity | ||
| DisplayPort | ||
| DisplayPort | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC (needed for 240Hz) | 1x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC |
| HDMI | ||
| HDMI | 2x HDMI 2.1 (VRR up to 120Hz) | 2x HDMI 2.1 |
| USB-C | ||
| USB-C | None | None |
| KVM | ||
| KVM | No | No |
| Console notes | ||
| Console notes | HDMI 2.1 with VRR up to 120Hz; consoles output up to 1440p 120Hz here. | HDMI 2.1; consoles run at up to 1440p 120Hz. |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty | 3 years including burn-in | 3 years including burn-in (US) |
| Burn-in coverage | ||
| Burn-in coverage | Covered | Covered |
| Stand | ||
| Stand | Height-adjustable stand | Adjustable ROG stand |
Scroll sideways to see every monitor. Measurements come from different outlets and methods, so compare them only within the same source.