Bridging the gap between gaming monitor and OLED TV
Updated: Dec 7, 2023 11:36 am
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It’s about time we took a closer look at the BenQ MOBIUZ EX480UZ. For sure an impressive gaming monitor which wows as soon as you take your first glance at it. This behemoth of a display can arguably be dismissed as way too big for its own good, something we can agree with in some cases, but it definitely has its audience. BenQ are well-respected in the world of gaming monitors – high refresh rate panels for esports are what spring to mind personally, but their MOBIUZ range succeeds in providing highly-immersive displays for all.
Pros
- Stunning OLED panel
- Large 48” screen perfect for console gaming
- Impressive built-in speakers
- HDR is optimized automatically
- Connectivity for both HDMI 2.1 & USB-C
- AMD FreeSync Premium support
Cons
- Expensive
- Too big for many desktop users
- Minimal ergonomic support
| Dimensions | 27.6″ x 42.1″ x 10.5″ |
| Weight | 42.6 lbs |
| DCI-P3 | 98% |
| Adaptive Sync | AMD FreeSync Premium |
| Ergonomics | Tilt (down/up) -2° – 15° |
| Connectivity | DisplayPort 1.4 (x1), HDMI 2.1 (x2), USB-C (x1), USB Type B (x1), USB 3.2 (x2) |
If you’re yet to experience OLED, then you’re in for a treat if you have the cash to spend on the BenQ MOBIUZ EX480UZ. OLED monitors are some of the best for gaming, comfortably sitting alongside other high-end offerings. Thanks to its 4K resolution and high refresh rate, this rivals the best gaming TVs on the market. Especially when you consider these MOBIUZ monitors feature excellent built-in speakers, something that’s usually an afterthought on gaming monitors. It honestly feels more like a TV, but this hybrid design is surprisingly great for someone that wants something for PC & console games, movies, and shows all in one place.
Design & Features
Design-wise, the EX480UZ fits right in with the rest of the MOBIUZ line-up, except we make the big jump to 48”. The triangular stand provides a sturdy base, but there aren’t any thrills beyond that. It isn’t too great in terms of ergonomics, lacking anything like height or swivel adjustments, just some forwards/backwards tilt. For such a large screen like this, that’s something we just had to accept, though it gives us yet another parallel to draw against televisions. Overall, the build quality is solid, nothing to complain about there. Just make sure you have more than enough space to accommodate it.
Overall, the build quality is solid, nothing to complain about there. Just make sure you have more than enough space to accommodate it.
One annoyance is that there’s just two HDMI ports on the EX480UZ – fairly lackluster if you want to use it for all your devices/consoles at once, but suitable enough for just a couple – plus your gaming PC connected via DisplayPort. USB-C connectivity with 90W power delivery is more than welcome too. We found that the included remote is a must-have, especially since you’ll be sat some way away from the screen, and it gives you easy access to display settings. One of which is the HDRi feature, letting you optimize contrast and colors at the press of a button. Another blessing is the KVM switch, especially for gamers using a keyboard & mouse on console.
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Price
No doubt that the price will be a deal-breaker for those with a more modest budget. However, it’s worth mentioning that it’s no longer as costly as it was on release. It currently sits (at the time of publication) at $1,499.99 and we’ve spotted it drop around 10% lower when deals are on. Compare this to a similarly-specced monitor like the ASUS PG48UQ and you’ll see that this price tag is pretty suitable. We reviewed the 42″ PG42UQ monitor, a contender if you want something marginally cheaper.
When you put the price side by side with an OLED TV like the 48” LG C2 which can drop closer to the $1000 mark, it does sound like a tough sell outside of a niche market. It’s only really worth it if you need the monitor-specific features or DisplayPort & USB-C.
Performance
There’s no question that one of the key selling points of this BenQ display is the OLED panel. As expected with OLED, the colors are crisp and lifelike. Visuals in general are fantastic, but brightness levels are noticeably dimmer than conventional backlit LED monitors we’ve tested of course – which is painfully obvious when you’re using it for simple web browsing or office work. For gaming and media consumption though, it’s top-notch. The MOBIUZ EX480UZ doesn’t just impress with how it looks, it feels great to play on too: 1ms GTG response time makes sure the OLED panel doesn’t lag behind the action and the 120Hz refresh rate allows for smooth 4K gaming up to 120 FPS on modern consoles and any gaming PC worth its weight. FreeSync Premium is included too and that deals with any screen tear woes; Xbox Series X/S players also benefit from this due to support on the console’s AMD GPU, or you could use HDMI 2.1’s VRR implementation, or both.
In most cases, gaming monitor speakers are something to forget about, but BenQ’s MOBIUZ range flips this on its head. It makes total sense to fit this large-screen monitor with powerful speakers, and they’re great. You get 2.1 channel speakers and a 10w subwoofer for a soundbar-like experience which is important if you see this as a TV replacement.
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In most cases, gaming monitor speakers are something to forget about, but BenQ’s MOBIUZ range flips this on its head.
We’re pretty impressed with the BenQ MOBIUZ EX480UZ, that’s for sure. We have our doubts about whether it’s practical enough to fully recommend for all, but it’s a real winner in the right setup. The 48-inch display certainly feels overwhelming for any old desktop and as a gaming monitor for daily use or work, we’d much prefer something smaller. For sitting back and relaxing while you game or basically using it as a television, it’s golden.
The visuals are great for whatever game, movie, or TV show you throw at it – and while the price is a tough ask, it’s not too different from its competition. Solid connectivity for your gaming PC is what sets it apart from an OLED TV, especially the USB-C with power delivery for your Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. Both of which of course have hopped on the OLED bandwagon – for the best we’d say.
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