14 DAY TRIAL // Benq has launched a new gaming-oriented display, which is the world's first curved display to arrive with a 144Hz refresh rate.
Although the device is unique and impressive due to its sheer size, great viewing angles and impressive refresh rate, the 2560x1080 refresh rate is not really awing anybody.
The new curved BenQ XR3501 display is a big 35” AMVA 8-bit RGB panel with 2560x1080 resolution and 178°/178° horizontal/vertical viewing angles. The new gaming monitor boasts 2000:1 contrast ratio, 12ms response time and 4ms grey-to-grey response time.
Besides all these incredible features, the monitor also has an unique advantage - an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, being the only curved monitor in the world with such a high refresh rate.
As any respectable gaming screen, the new display has a DisplayPort 1.2, a mini DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 1.4 connections. It does not have any built-in USB hubs, but at this performance and unique features, the lack of USB hubs is hardly an issue.
Not 4K, but good enough
The curved panel, very high refresh rate and more than excellent gaming resolution make this monitor a very attractive offer for any gaming enthusiast. Although when having a curved screen nothing else matters too much, BenQ considers that a curved design must come with excellent performance.
However, for a UWHD (Ultra Wide High Definition) screen, the 2560x1080 resolution might be a bit underwhelming, especially considering that BenQ sells 4K monitors at that screen size, but one must admit that none of them has a 144Hz refresh rate.
The compromise is quite obvious here, and we wonder if it would even be possible for BenQ to bring UHD resolution monitors with such a high refresh rate.
Nevertheless, BenQ has nothing to fear for the moment, since graphics cards that can run 4K games with full details don't come around easily and are by no means cheap.
Right now, it makes sense to invest in such a monitor only for competitive gaming and excellent immersion, but expect things to change soon.
The new XR3501 curved monitor is shipping across America for about $999 (€912).
