In addition to being faintly terrifying to flex, Corsair’s new flexible OLED gaming monitor seems to not be the pointless MacGuffin I feared it could be. It is nonetheless going to be critically dear, although.
Sure, Corsair at this time introduced down a prototype of its Xeneon Flex (opens in new tab) OLED monitor for me to play with. That is the one you may shift between a typical flat display monitor and a curved one, as you see match. This meant I may get hands-on with the system and see what the fuss was about. And because it seems, there’s a lot right here to get enthusiastic about, and never simply due to that straight-to-curved gimmick, which truly is probably not that gimmicky in any case.
My fast response to seeing the Xeneon Flex in individual was surprisingly to not seize it and begin bending it to my will, however quite to gawp at its LG-made OLED panel. This factor is gorgeous to take a look at, with attractive distinction and colours that actually pop. There is a depth to the blacks right here that make you see movies in a brand new gentle, and the likes of the most recent Avatar 2 trailer look completely unimaginable.
We have just lately seen a number of OLED displays, with Alienware’s 34 QD-OLED (opens in new tab) rapidly turning into a brand new favourite gaming monitor within the workplace. And whereas the Corsair display has a number of extra methods up its sleeve, the very fact it’s constructed round such a powerful panel is all the time going to be a robust place to begin.
You are going to need to sport on this monitor.
We have already lined the specs for Corsair’s new display (opens in new tab), together with the truth that it has a local decision of 3440 x 1440 throughout its 45-inch panel, resulting in a comparatively low pixel density of 83ppi. That did not really feel like a specific downside in video games, though I did not use it a lot in Home windows past launching video games, which can have highlighted its shortcomings on this entrance extra.
One factor that is noteworthy from enjoying video games on it’s that this can be a fast panel. Fairly other than the 240Hz refresh fee, which is vaguely achievable on extra modest playing cards due to that native decision, it additionally boasts a 0.03ms GtG response time. You possibly can banish movement blur as soon as and for all, mainly. Except you resolve to allow it in your sport of selection that’s. You monster.
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♬ Bend Me – Marletta, Luigi (opens in new tab)
Which is all high quality and effectively, however what of its celebration trick? What’s it like to really convert between a flatscreen monitor and a curved one? To begin with, it is terrifying. Even watching Corsair’s PR pull the edges ahead flawlessly to result in its super-tight 800R curve had me watching behind trembling fingers, and so they’d accomplished that numerous instances by that time. That did not cease my mind from complaining that this was clearly flawed and an abomination although.
It would not take lengthy to get a deal with on precisely how a lot power to make use of although. The primary bend is understandably worrying, however then you definately rapidly get a really feel for it and it turns into easy. Not precisely straightforward, as a result of there is a little bit of your mind saying “no, no, no, cease!” however it works. There’s an audible click on as you attain the complete 800R bend and once you return it to flatness. The plan is to have three middleman clicks within the transport mannequin as effectively—this right here I’ve acquired my palms on is a prototype.
You are not restricted to the tightest curves by the best way. If you wish to have a subtler curve, extra within the 1000R vary, then you may. Simply deliver the edges in till you are blissful. You possibly can curve only one facet of the display as effectively, which can truly work relying in your structure.
I am not satisfied both, however I am certain there’s somebody on the market that may need to.
This does beg the query, why do you want a display that may be curved or flat? The thought of working in photoshop, workplace apps, or no matter, after which going for a extra immersive curve for gaming does make sense. Driving video games as an example profit from a slight wrap-around, and even Halo Infinite felt extra immersive with the edges introduced in.
I am not usually a fan of curved screens, as I play totally different sorts of video games, and a few do not profit from being curved. Some do, reminiscent of Cyberpunk 2077 (opens in new tab) and Apex Legends (opens in new tab), whereas the likes of MtG Enviornment (opens in new tab) and Hearthstone (opens in new tab) do not care in any respect. The Xeneon Flex may very well present that excellent answer to let me select as wanted. Offered the worth is true in fact.
There’s nonetheless no official phrase on the pricing at this level. The Xeneon Flex will not hit the shops till the brand new 12 months although, so there’s nonetheless loads of time to type that one out, however that is one monitor I will be keeping track of.
