Buzz
Assessment of the Design of BenQ 32-inch EW3280U Monitor
BenQ is undoubtedly one of the best brands when it comes to both gaming and regular monitors. The new EW3280U monitor boasts a minimalist design with dimensions of 524.1 × 726.8 × 253.8mm. It features slim bezels and a 32-inch display. Utilizing an IPS panel with a 178-degree viewing angle, along with anti-glare coating.
The monitor has a resolution of 3840 x 2160. For gamers, the response time is 5ms (GtG) with a refresh rate of 60Hz. What's intriguing is that the typical brightness of the monitor is only 350 nits. However, enabling HDR will boost the brightness to 400 nits.
In addition to the monitor's technical specifications, it also features integrated 2.1 channel speakers on the front, along with a digital signal processor for sound customization. The speakers are positioned on the bottom bezel of the monitor. It's designed to tilt up and down between angles of -5 degrees and 15 degrees.
A front-facing sensor detects ambient light, used by smart controls to optimize screen brightness and color temperature. On the left side where the BenQ logo sits, there's an easily accessible volume wheel, providing a multimedia monitor-like experience. Looking at the back, you'll find 5 common navigation buttons to navigate through the menu. There's a power button below the navigation button.
BenQ also places quick access buttons for inputs and color modes, above the navigation button. Additionally, there's a subwoofer speaker Volo at the back. When it comes to connectivity, the EW3280U has two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4, and a USB Type-C port.
The USB-C port can be used to provide power at 60W, connect DisplayPort, and transfer data. The EW3280U also features an easy-to-use remote control, giving users the ability to control the monitor like a regular TV.
Features and Performance
The BenQ EW3280U is not just a 4K monitor. It comes with several user and gamer-friendly features. One of the standout features of the monitor is HDRi, BenQ's proprietary HDR technology that enhances contrast, clarity, and image detail. HDRi helps display content in dark and bright areas without overexposure.
The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 400 and HDR10 certified. Users will have the option to switch between different HDR modes such as Cinema HDRi, Game HDRi, and Display HDR. We tested the monitor with Sony PlayStation 4 Pro and Microsoft Xbox One X. We tried playing games like Uncharted: The Lost Legacy with HDR gaming, and the performance was very impressive.
We also tested games like Halo 5 on Xbox One X and the multiplayer mode of Killzone: Shadow Fall, where the low 5ms input lag proved beneficial. Although the BenQ EW3280U isn't a dedicated gaming monitor, its response time is certainly much better than most TVs around. Unfortunately, we didn't have any latest consoles like Sony PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to test the monitor with.
I also connected the monitor to a PC equipped with Ryzen 7 3800X, 32 GB DDR4 3600MHz RAM, and XFX Radeon RX 6900 XT GPU. And gaming at 4K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate was truly enjoyable.
We've also previously discussed the monitor's two speakers and subwoofer. The monitor uses appropriate sound modes for Cinema, Pop/Live, Game, Rock/Party, and Dialog/Vocal. This monitor also comes with BenQ's eye care feature to minimize eye strain for users after prolonged use, whether it's office work, watching movies, or gaming.
Conclusion
If you're looking to buy an affordable 4K monitor for your PC or gaming console, then the BenQ 32-inch EW3280U is a good monitor to consider. The monitor delivers excellent sound quality thanks to the front speakers and Volo subwoofer. The monitor comes with pre-set HDRi settings to enhance image and video clarity for gaming and movie watching.
The 32-inch monitor is large, a size quite suitable for watching movies or doing your office work. The integrated sensor detects the surrounding environment to optimize brightness and color temperature. The convenient volume wheel for access and the accompanying remote control make switching between inputs and controlling volume easier.
