MSI MPG 272URX review: This monitor packs more OLED goodness per inch

At a glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

• 26.5-inch 4K OLED panel looks sharp
• Great contrast and color performance
• Strong motion clarity
• Respectable HDR performance
• Lots of connectivity including USB-C

Cons

• Design is a bit bland
• Gamma, color temperature slightly off-target
• 4K OLED panel carries a premium price

Our Verdict

The MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED isn’t just a superb 4K gaming monitor. It’s a great all-around display for office productivity, HDR movies, and creative work.

Price When Reviewed

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Price When Reviewed

$1,099.99

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OLED monitors had a great 2024, but this year might be even better. The first 27-inch 4K OLED displays based on Samsung’s third-gen QD-OLED have arrived. That’s important for two reasons: 27-inch 4K monitors are popular, and QD-OLED’s pricing will undercut the rare few 27-inch 4K OLED displays that were available before.

MSI’s MPG 272URX QD-OLED is the first of this new breed to land on my desk, and it’s impressive.

MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED specs and features

The MSI MPG 272URX’s most important feature is its resolution. 27-inch 4K monitors were available prior to this year, but they were rare. The new MSI also has a 240Hz refresh rate, while prior 4K OLED monitors were stuck at 60Hz.

• Display size: 26.5-inch 16:9 widescreen
• Native resolution: 3840×2160
• Panel type: QD-OLED 10-bit panel
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• Adaptive sync: Yes
• HDR: Yes, HDR 10, DisplayHDR 400 True Black Certified
• Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1 (UHBR20), 1x USB-C with DisplayPort and 98 watts USB Power Delivery, 1x USB-B 5Gbps upstream, 2x USB-A 5Gbps downstream, 1x 3.5mm audio-out
• VESA mount: 100x100mm
• Speakers: None
• Price: $1,099.99

While the 4K QD-OLED panel is the headliner, MSI hasn’t skimped on the extras. The MPG 272URX has a DisplayPort 2.1a port that can handle up to 80Gbps of bandwidth, a USB-C port with 98 watts of Power Delivery, and a pair of downstream USB-A ports. A KVM switch is included, as well.

Read on to learn more, then check out our roundup of the best 4K monitors for comparison.

MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED design

The MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED doesn’t make a strong first impression. From the front, it features slim bezels on the sides and top, while a matte-black plastic chin lines the bottom of the display. Around back you’ll find a mixture of matte-black metals and plastics with some attractive but subtle MSI branding. Thankfully, the monitor includes RGB LED lighting to provide much-needed flair.

Matthew Smith / Foundry

Its sturdy and functional stand follows the same understated approach, using matte-black materials that avoid drawing attention. While the stand’s base is large, its flat design means the desk space it occupies remains usable. The stand includes a generous cable management cutout and provides typical ergonomic adjustments: tilt, swivel, and height. It can also pivot 90 degrees for portrait orientation. A 100x100mm VESA mount is available for third-party monitor stands and arms.

The MPG 272URX QD-OLED has an internal power supply instead of an external power brick. This slightly increases the monitor’s thickness but eliminates the hassle of finding space for an awkward power brick on your power strip. Personally, I prefer an internal power supply and appreciate MSI’s decision.

MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED connectivity

MSI doesn’t hold back on connectivity with the MPG 272URX QD-OLED. The monitor has two HDMI 2.1 ports, one DisplayPort 2.1a port, and a USB-C port with DisplayPort mode, totaling four video input options. The DisplayPort 2.1a connection supports up to 80Gbps of bandwidth, the maximum this version of the standard can provide.

The monitor’s USB connectivity is equally impressive. The USB-C port delivers up to 90W of power delivery, making it suitable for charging connected tablets or laptops. The monitor also includes two USB downstream ports and a USB-B upstream port, providing connectivity for devices without USB-C. A KVM switch function rounds out the feature set.

While the MSI’s connectivity is excellent, it’s largely matched by what’s available on competing 27-inch 4K OLED monitors entering the market, such as the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. However, the specifications for the upcoming Alienware AW2725Q and Samsung G81SF show they won’t offer USB-C with DisplayPort, which gives MSI and Asus an advantage in connectivity.

MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED features

Matthew Smith / Foundry

An easy-to-use joystick, centered on the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED’s chin, provides access to the monitor’s on-screen menus. It offers a comprehensive range of quality adjustments including gamma, color temperature, and color settings, as well as color calibration. Competitors usually offer these options too.

However, the MSI notably lacks a uniform brightness mode. This is an option provided by some competitors, such as Asus, which restricts the OLED monitor’s maximum SDR brightness to reduce fluctuations when switching between dark and bright content. The monitor also lacks brightness adjustment in HDR mode. I think both Uniform Brightness and adjustable HDR brightness should be standard for any premium OLED monitor.

MSI provides the standard array of gaming-centric features, including an on-screen crosshair, timer, refresh rate readout, black equalizer for boosting visibility in dark areas, and a scope mode for zooming in to take more precise shots. While these features don’t provide an edge over the competition, gamers who use them will appreciate their presence.

The MPG 272URX QD-OLED takes a pass on audio. The monitor doesn’t include built-in speakers, so owners need to rely on a headset or external desktop speakers. That isn’t unusual for a gaming monitor, and since most people would likely use a headset anyway, the lack of audio output isn’t a significant drawback.

MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED image quality

The MSI MPG 272URX has a 26.5-inch third-generation Samsung QD-OLED panel with 3840×2160 resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz. 4K resolution is the headliner for this monitor and, indeed, its overall performance is otherwise in line with prior QD-OLED monitors (in SDR, at least).

Jon L. Jacobi / Foundry

We start off with brightness, where the MPG 272URX QD-OLED provides a modest maximum SDR brightness of 269 nits. That’s right in line with most QD-OLED monitors we’ve tested. The Asus ROG Swift PG27QDP, which has an LG WOLED panel, was a bit brighter in this test.

A glossy finish coats the QD-OLED panel. Though it has a good anti-glare finish, reflections will be obvious when a bright light source is opposite the monitor, and in any brightly lit room. The monitor is more than bright enough to use in most settings, but glare could become an issue if your room has large, sunlit windows or bright lights sitting opposite the monitor’s position in the room.

Jon L. Jacobi / Foundry

Contrast is a strength for all OLED monitors. An OLED panel’s ability to activate each pixel individually makes it possible to achieve a minimum brightness of zero nits. That’s important, as it provides a better sense of realism in depth, as well as more convincing detail in dark scenes. The MPG 272URX does well here, though it also has no advantage, as all its competitors offer the same contrast performance.