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So, after the AOC 27B1H Full HD monitor I reviewed in July, Philips sent over a gigantic 32 inch Curved Full HD Curved monitor for us to evaluate. The Philips 328E9Q Curved LED Monitor is a glossy type, heavyweight, but sturdy monitor with internal speakers and built-in power supply. It has individual ports like HDMI, Displayport, VGA, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Philips 328E9Q Curved LED Monitor specs
| Size | 31.5″ |
| Screen Area | 27.50 x 15.47″ / 698.4 x 392.85 mm |
| Panel Type | VA LCD |
| Curvature | 1800R |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Pixels Per Inch (ppi) | 70 ppi |
| Finish | Matte |
| Maximum Brightness | 250 cd/m2 |
| Contrast Ratio | 3000:1 |
| Dynamic Contrast Ratio | 20,000,000:1 |
| Refresh Rate | 75 Hz |
| Adaptive-Sync Technology | FreeSync |
| Bit Depth / Color Support | 8-Bit (16.7 Million Colors) |
| HDR Compatibility | None |
| Color Gamut | 102% NTSC 122.6% sRGB |
| Response Time | 4 ms (GtG) |
| Viewing Angle | Horizontal: 178° Vertical: 178° |
| Dot Pitch | 0.364 x 0.364 mm |
| Backlight Lifespan | 50,000 Hours |
Build and design
The first thing that will catch your attention is the glossy back panel which could pass as a secondary mirror. But the meat of this product isn’t on how it looks, but how sturdy it is. The Philips 328E9Q Curved LED Monitor comes with a standard VESA mount at the back, but as it is it can stand in your desk with a stylish stand.
The menu system is activated by the joystick at the back of the monitor.
The curved design allows you to immerse yourself in whatever you are doing with your computer. As it is, the design works best if you are a gamer or you use this monitor for viewing videos as well as video editing.
Performance
Coming from the 27-inch ultra-slim monitor, the Philips 328E9Q Curved LED Monitor is something new to my eyes.
First, the curved design.
I had to train my eyes with the new layout of the monitor, but after a few hours on it, I realized that while it is a super huge monitor, the panning of my eyes from left to right became easier and comfortable.
While the colors are bright and clear, I observe ghosting especially when you move around your mouse. This could distract you when you are working on color graphics or simply browsing over on a particular website.
Response time is quick as well and the built-in speaker was just enough to bring audio externally. It is not the greatest audio on a speaker, much like a commercial TV that needs a soundbar for audio enhancement.
Also, the overall weight of the monitor must be put into consideration if you want to own this model. It is heavy at 6.78kg with the stand installed.
Verdict
Set aside the fact that the Philips 328E9Q Curved LED Monitor is no longer a new model, it brings new users a new dimension productivity-wise.
It is best for people who like to consume media because it emulates the curve screen of the cinema. But the low-quality speaker might turn you off.
The VESA mounts are nice since you can buy a third-party swing arm for additional mobility of the monitor.
The built-in power supply can either be pro or a con. It is a pro because there’s no need for additional accessory externally, it is a con because it adds bulkiness to the monitor.
The ghosting is one of the major concerns I encountered. This is not a cheap monitor that’s why I expected it to have a smooth display.
