Gamers searching for high-end gaming monitors in 2023 have a wealth of options at their disposal. OLED and Mini-LED gaming monitors are now available at or below $1,000, making it difficult for new products to stand out. Surprisingly, RedMagic’s 4K Gaming Monitor manages to make a bold entrance into the crowded market by delivering excellent features and image quality.
RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor – Design & Build Quality
Although the RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor comes with a mundane name and a basic design, the rear panel includes a unique RGB LED lighting element with a triangular geometric pattern. The plastic chassis of the monitor feels reasonably sturdy, but the material quality is not impressive. Compared to designs from Alienware, ASUS, and Samsung, the build of the RedMagic 4K monitor feels cheap. The stand adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot, which feels smooth, but the quick-release mechanism is flimsy and difficult to engage. The monitor supports third-party monitor arms and stands, using a 75 x 75 millimeter bolt pattern instead of the 100 x 100 millimeter standard.
RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor – Connectivity & Features
The RedMagic 4K monitor offers an extensive range of connectivity options, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one USB-C that includes DisplayPort alternate mode, making it convenient to connect devices. The DisplayPort inputs can handle a maximum refresh rate of 160Hz, while the HDMI 2.1 ports can reach up to 120Hz. Additionally, the USB-C port can deliver up to 90 watts of USB Power Delivery for charging external devices and drives two USB-A ports for peripheral use. The joystick located on the right flank controls the on-screen menu, providing access to a variety of features such as an on-screen crosshair, timer, frame rate counter, and black equalizer feature.
RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor – Image Quality
The RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor provides exceptional image quality for a 27-inch 4K (3,840 x 2,160) Mini-LED gaming monitor. Local dimming is made available as an option, but image quality remains attractive, even in bright and colorful games. The monitor’s maximum sustained SDR brightness of 542 nits is extremely bright, making it possible to use the monitor even in rooms with large sunlit windows. Additionally, the color gamut of the RedMagic 4K monitor is impressive, spanning 100% of sRGB and DCI-P3, and 99% of AdobeRGB, ensuring that content displays as intended.
The sharp and detailed experience provided by the 4K monitor enhances gameplay and is especially evident in games like Final Fantasy XIV. The RedMagic 4K monitor has 1,152 local dimming zones, causing minimal blooming issues. When HDR is turned on, the monitor surpasses its VESA DisplayHDR 100 certification, reaching a maximum fullscreen brightness of up to 1,200 nits, and a maximum contrast ratio of 15,100:1. Although this HDR monitor’s contrast ratio doesn’t compare to an OLED monitor, bright HDR games look stunning with excellent detail and lavish color.
Conclusion
While the RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor may have its downsides, such as with its uninspiring menu system and cheap build, it provides exceptional image quality and an extensive range of features. The razor-sharp 27-inch 4K Mini-LED panel is impressive and is sure to enhance any gameplay experience. In a market with many notable competitors, the RedMagic 4K Gaming Monitor’s high-end image quality, deep contrast, and vivid colors make it stand out, making it a worthwhile investment for gamers.