OLED technology is leading the charge into the future of PC gaming monitors. Originally sold to PC gamers as part of LG’s UHD gaming monitors, the panels are now 22 per cent of the PC gaming monitor market, according to LG—but that’s a surprising figure considering they’re new to the market. These panels have overtaken and turned on their own heels in just two years since LG first launched its OLED gaming monitor range, reshaping gaming as we know it.
More surprising still is how fast OLED has found favor with PC gamers in particular, as it’s only 18% of the market for OLED TV (though available since 2013). One of the things that makes OLED in PC gaming monitors so appealing to gamers is just how quickly they are being adopted.
Why Gamers Are Choosing OLED
The high performance and the awesome visual quality makes the popularity of OLED in PC gaming monitor. Contrast ratios and blacks as deep as they can be are present with OLED panels, and you get vibrant colors; colors like you’ve never seen in games before. OLED lets you find your way through intricate, detailed open world environments or lock in fast-paced competitive gameplay every step of the way.
The catch however, is that the competitive rule that won the league for Manchester City last season is literally what his exceptional visual brilliance relies on. The cheapest entry level 27 inch, 1440p OLED monitors from recognizable brands begin at around $600, and most cost more than $800. But high end options — such as ultrawide or 4K OLED monitors – can reach $1,000 or more. And yet, despite these hefty price tags, gamers are getting more and more comfortable spending on OLED monitors in order to experience this immersive feel.
OLED vs. LCD: A Shift in Preferences
Though LCD displays are still the dominant market, there is no doubt that OLED technology is on the verge of being seen. Better off than with traditional LCD monitors where decent 27 inch 1440p model can still be had for as little as $200. Even with that price advantage, consumers are now turning to OLED panels for superior picture quality and performance.
Since 22% of all PC gaming monitors sold today are OLED proves that gamers care more about quality than price. As more manufacturers jump on the OLED bandwagon, it’s only natural that prices will drop, as more users can now afford the premium engineering within.
Price Drops Are on the Horizon
The high cost is one of the biggest barriers to wider adoption of OLED in gaming monitors for PCs. In fact, 27-inch early 1440p OLED monitors were costing as much as 42 inch 4K OLED TVs were back then, definitely not something sensible. Thankfully the prices have already started coming down, for entry level machines are available at about $600.
Looking ahead, the trend is clear: But OLED prices are likely to fall even further. By a couple of years, experts expect 32 inch 4K OLED on the market for under $500, and at affordable prices 27in and Ultrawide too. By combining this price reduction with ongoing OLED technology developments this could permanently set it up as the best choice for PC gaming monitors.
Addressing OLED’s Brightness Concerns
The one big issue around the use of OLED technology for applications which require full screen viewing has been its brightness level. The problem historically with OLED monitors is that they weren’t as bright as their LCD counterparts, which could be an issue if you’re a big gamer that likes to play in lit environments.
Fortunately, CES 2025 brought exciting news: They unveiled new OLED panel technology designed to have significantly higher brightness by manufacturers like Samsung and LG. In particular, these advancements promise up to 400 nits of full screen brightness — effectively rectifying one of the last remaining punches that needed to be thrown in order for OLED panels to become viable computer gaming monitors. On the heels of these improvements, new things are on the horizon for OLED monitors, making them even more desirable for gamers!
The Future of OLED in PC Gaming
As OLED tech gains traction, the gaming industry will be all the more impacted. With dropping prices and the continuing advances in brightness, OLED panels are likely to see their market share continue to grow, so much so, that their application will be the superior panels, at least in the near future. Some experts predict that OLED could make up a third of the PC gaming monitors market within the next few years.
While LCD monitors will likely remain a budget-friendly option, the trend is clear: Defining the standard of gaming visuals is OLED. For both casual gamer and competitive esports enthusiast the future of PC gaming monitors should be brighter — so to speak — with OLED forging the way.
