LG UltraFine 4k  Monitor Review

Reviewed Jul 16, 2019 at 09:22am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
LG UltraFine 4k

Track

0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Gaming 
0.0
Multimedia 
0.0
Media Creation 
0.0
HDR Gaming 

Track

 0
The LG UltraFine 4k is a decent 23.7 inch, 4k monitor. It delivers decent overall picture quality, with very good low input lag and decent motion handling. Like most IPS monitors, it has great wide viewing angles. This monitor has outstanding peak brightness and excellent gray uniformity, but it has mediocre reflection handling and doesn't look as good in a really bright room. Unfortunately, the backlight has a strange flicker frequency, which results in noticeable duplications in motion. It also doesn't look as good in a dark room, which is typical of IPS monitors.

This monitor is marketed towards Mac computers and only has USB-C inputs, which might be an issue for some PC users. This monitor doesn't have any controls, either, and no on-screen display, which is a bit strange.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The LG UltraFine 4k 23.7 is a decent monitor for most uses. It's best suited for office use, with wide viewing angles, a high-resolution screen, and excellent uniformity. It isn't as well-suited for gaming, due to the simple 60Hz refresh rate and lack of advanced gaming features.

Pros
  • Great peak brightness.
  • Image remains accurate when viewed at an angle.
Cons
  • Strange backlight flicker, which causes noticeable duplications.
  • No HDMI or DisplayPort connections.
0.0
Office 

This is a very good monitor for office use. The 24", 4k screen delivers great screen real-estate and has wide viewing angles and excellent gray uniformity. The stand has bad ergonomics, though; it can't swivel, and can't rotate to portrait orientation.

0.0
Gaming 

Decent monitor for gaming. It has a fast response time, but the strange backlight flicker causes noticeable duplications. Unfortunately, it has a simple 60Hz refresh rate and doesn't support any advanced gaming features, like FreeSync.

0.0
Multimedia 

This is a decent choice for multimedia. The 4k resolution is great for watching the latest 4k movies, and it has wide viewing angles and great peak brightness. Unfortunately, it doesn't look quite as good in a dark room, and the strange backlight flicker causes noticeable duplications in motion.

0.0
Media Creation 

This is a decent monitor for media creation. The 24", 4k screen is great and allows you to see more of your work at once. It also has very good viewing angles, low input lag, and a fast response time. Unfortunately, the stand has bad ergonomics, so it might be difficult to place in an ideal viewing position.

0.0
HDR Gaming 

This monitor doesn't support HDR. For a good 4k gaming monitor with HDR, check out the LG 27UK650.

  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Gaming
  • 0.0
    Multimedia
  • 0.0
    Media Creation
  • 0.0
    HDR Gaming
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Jul 16, 2019: Review published.
    2.  Updated Jul 14, 2019: Early access published.
    3.  Updated Jul 12, 2019: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
    4.  Updated Jun 13, 2019: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

    Check Price

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    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    We tested the 23.7" LG UltraFine 4k, which is the only size currently available.

    If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their LG UltraFine 4k doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review. Note that some tests such as the gray uniformity may vary between individual units.

    Model Size Resolution Refresh Rate Notes
    UltraFine 4k 23.7" 4k 60Hz  

    Popular Monitor Comparisons

    Comparison picture

    Left: LG 27UD58-B. Middle: LG UltraFine 4k. Right: BenQ EW3270.
    Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

    The LG UltraFine 4k is a decent monitor for most uses, but there are much better monitors for less. See our recommendations for the best monitors, the best 4k monitors, and the best monitors for MacBook Pro.

    Apple Studio Display 2022

    Track

    The LG UltraFine 4k and the Apple Studio Display 2022 are different types of monitors meant for MacBooks. The Apple monitor has a higher 5k resolution, resulting in sharper text and more detailed images. It also has more accurate colors thanks to its sRGB mode, which you can only use with macOS devices. The Apple monitor has more variants, so you can choose which stand type or screen finish you want. The main advantage of the LG monitor is that it has two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, while the Apple only has Thunderbolt 3 on one USB-C port.

    BenQ EL2870U

    Track

    The LG UltraFine 4k is a bit better than the BenQ EL2870U for most uses. The LG has better viewing angles, better uniformity, and slightly better ergonomics. The BenQ, on the other hand, supports HDR, has better reflection handling, and has a flicker-free backlight.

    LG 27UD68-B

    Track

    The LG 27UD68 is a bit better than the LG UltraFine 4k for most users. The 27UD68 has better ergonomics, better reflection handling, and a flicker-free backlight. The 27UD68 also delivers better gaming performance, with less input lag and FreeSync variable refresh rate support.

    LG 27UK650-W

    Track

    The LG 27UK650-W is much better than the LG UltraFine 4k. The 27UK650 has better ergonomics, better reflection handling, a flicker-free backlight, and it supports HDR. The 27UK650 also has better gaming performance, with less input lag and support for FreeSync variable refresh rate technology.

    Show more 
    How We Test Monitors
    How We Test Monitors

    We buy and test more than 30 monitors each year, all of which we purchase ourselves, without cherry-picked units or samples. We put a lot into each unbiased, straight-to-the-point review, and there's a whole process from purchasing to publishing, involving multiple teams and people. We do more than just use the monitor for a week; we use specialized, custom tools to measure various aspects and deliver objective, data-driven results. We also consider multiple factors before making any recommendations, including the monitor's cost, its performance compared to the competition, and whether it's easy to find.

    Test Results

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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style
    SizeLocked24"
    CurvedLockedLocked
    Curve radiusLockedN/A
    Weight (without stand)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)
    Weight (with stand)
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)

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    Stand
    Width
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Depth
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    0.0
    Ergonomics
    Height Adjustment
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Switch portrait/landscapeLockedLocked
    Swivel RangeLockedN/A
    Tilt RangeLockedLocked

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    Back
    Wall MountLockedLocked

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    Borders
    Borders
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Thickness
    Thickness (with stand)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Thickness (without stand)
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    Picture Quality
    0.0
    Contrast
    LCD Type
    LockedIPS
    Native Contrast
    LockedLock : 1
    Contrast with local dimming
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Local Dimming
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

    for videos & test results

    LG UltraFine 4k Local Dimming Video Sample
    Local Dimming
    LockedLocked
    Backlight
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    SDR Peak Brightness
    SDR Real Scene
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Peak 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 2% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 10% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 25% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 50% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR Sustained 100% Window
    LockedLock cd/m²
    SDR ABL
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    HDR Peak Brightness
    HDR Real Scene
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 2% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 10% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 25% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 50% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Peak 100% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 2% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 10% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 25% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 50% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR Sustained 100% Window
    LockedN/A
    HDR ABL
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Horizontal Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
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    for videos & test results

    LG UltraFine 4k Horizontal Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Shift from Left
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift from Right
    LockedLock°
    Brightness from Left
    LockedLock°
    Brightness from Right
    LockedLock°
    Black Level from Left
    LockedLock°
    Black Level from Right
    LockedLock°
    Curve RadiusLockedN/A

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    0.0
    Vertical Viewing Angle
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

    for videos & test results

    LG UltraFine 4k Vertical Viewing Angle Video Sample
    Color Shift from Below
    LockedLock°
    Color Shift from Above
    LockedLock°
    Brightness from Below
    LockedLock°
    Brightness from Above
    LockedLock°
    Black Level from Below
    LockedLock°
    Black Level from Above
    LockedLock°

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    0.0
    Gray Uniformity
    50% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    50% DSE
    LockedLock%
    5% Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    5% DSE
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Black Uniformity
    Native Std. Dev.
    LockedLock%
    Std. Dev. w/ L.D.
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Pre Calibration
    Picture Mode
    LockedN/A
    Luminance
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Luminance Settings
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedN/A
    RGB controls
    LockedN/A
    Color Temperature
    LockedLock K
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Post Calibration
    Picture Mode
    LockedN/A
    Luminance
    LockedLock cd/m²
    Luminance Settings
    LockedLock
    Contrast Setting
    LockedN/A
    RGB Controls
    LockedN/A
    Color Temperature
    LockedLock K
    White Balance dE
    LockedLock
    Color dE
    LockedLock
    Gamma
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    SDR Color Gamut
    sRGB xy
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB xy
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    SDR Color Volume
    sRGB in ICtCp
    LockedLock%
    Adobe RGB in ICtCp
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    HDR Color Gamut
    Wide Color Gamut
    LockedN/A
    DCI P3 xy
    LockedN/A
    Rec. 2020 xy
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    HDR Color Volume
    DCI-P3 in ICtCp
    LockedN/A
    Rec. 2020 in ICtCp
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Image Retention
    IR after 0 min recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR after 2 min recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR after 4 min recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR after 6 min recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR after 8 min recovery
    LockedLock%
    IR after 10 min recovery
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Gradient
    Color Depth
    LockedLock Bit

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    0.0
    Color Bleed
    Pixel row error
    LockedLock%
    Pixel column error
    LockedLock%

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    0.0
    Reflections

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    Motion
    0.0
    Motion Blur
    80% Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    100% Response Time
    LockedLock ms
    Best Overdrive Setting
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Image Flicker
    Flicker-freeLockedLocked
    PWM Dimming Frequency
    LockedLocked
    Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    LockedLocked
    BFI Maximum Frequency
    LockedN/A
    BFI Minimum Frequency
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Refresh Rate
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedNo
    Native Refresh Rate
    Locked60 Hz
    Factory Overclock
    LockedN/A
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedLocked
    G-SYNC Compatible
    LockedLocked
    VRR Maximum
    LockedN/A
    VRR Minimum
    LockedN/A
    VRR Maximum With OC
    LockedN/A
    VRR Supported ConnectorsLockedN/A

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    Inputs
    0.0
    Input Lag
    Native Resolution
    LockedLock ms
    Non-Native Res @ Native Refresh
    LockedLock ms
    Native Resolution @ 60 Hz
    LockedLock ms
    Variable Refresh Rate
    LockedN/A
    10 bit HDR
    LockedN/A
    Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
    LockedN/A

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    0.0
    Resolution and Size
    Native ResolutionLocked3840 x 2160
    Aspect RatioLockedLocked
    MegapixelsLockedLock MP
    Pixel DensityLockedLock PPI
    Screen DiagonalLockedLock"
    Screen AreaLockedLock in²

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    Inputs
    Total Inputs
    DisplayPortLockedLocked
    Mini DisplayPortLockedLocked
    HDMILockedLocked
    DVILockedLocked
    VGALockedLocked
    DisplayPort OutLockedLocked
    USBLockedLocked
    USB CLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out 3.5mmLockedLocked
    Microphone In 3.5mmLockedLocked
    Digital Optical Audio OutLockedLocked
    Analog Audio Out RCALockedLocked
    Power SupplyLockedLocked

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    Features
    Additional Features
    Speakers
    LockedLocked
    HDR10LockedLocked
    Multiple input display
    LockedLocked

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    On-Screen Display (OSD)

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    Controls

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    In The Box

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