Philips has stayed busy over the last few months, unveiling a number of new displays headlined by its monster 40-inch 4K that we recently reviewed. Today’s release is in partnership with EPI on a 32-inch QHD monitor that sports Ambiglow lighting effects. Designed for a “more immersive experience”, the changing backlight colors are made to supplement content on screen. Full details below.
One thing is clear, manufacturers are working hard to divert from old school heavy-bezel designs in favor of sleeker looks and high-quality materials. For Philips, that starts with an attractive angled stand that creates one of the more unique visuals that we’ve seen in recent years.
The 32-inch QHD IPS display works out to a 2560 x 1440 resolution at 60Hz, with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Sadly, Philips skips out on the USB-C input on this new release. You actually won’t find any USB inputs here, which is rather disappointing.
Dual HDMI 1.4 and DisplayPort 1.2 headline the list of ports, along with audio out that’s handled via HDMI.
Back to that Ambiglow system that Philips is pushing hard as the standout feature here. This is hardly the first time that we’ve seen adaptive lighting on the back of a monitor or TV. You might remember this was a major selling point for Philips when it had both feet in the HDTV market a decade ago. How immersive this technology makes your gaming experience is largely dependent on user preferences. What I do like is the Philips Hue-esque experience that is so very popular amongst YouTubers (and 9to5 writers) these days.
There are a variety of refresh modes, as you’d expect with one specifically designed for first person shooters looking for that extra boost. Other options include racing, real time strategy and a new SmartFrame mode that “enables highlighting of specific area and allows for size and image adjustments.”
Philips new 32-inch QHD IPS display is available for purchase today with a list price of $329.99. MicroCenter is getting an exclusive first crack at availability with a discounted offer at $299.99. This display is expected to hit other retailers in the coming weeks as availability increases.
[9to5-press-release]
Get in the Moment with the new M-Line Featuring Immersive Ambiglow by Philips
Fremont, California – August 1, 2017 – Today EPI, the leading technology company and brand license partner for Philips monitors, announces the new 326M6FJSB, a 32-inch Philips QHD LCD display with immersive Ambiglow. With its immersive lighting effects, Ultra Wide-Color Technology, SmartImage Game mode, and Flicker-free technology, the 326M6FJSB is the perfect monitor for home entertainment and productivity. The Philips 326M6FJSB 32” QHD monitor retails for $379.99 MSRP, but is currently available at Micro Center for the discounted promotional price of $299.99.
The 326M6FJSB features Philips Ambiglow technology that adds a new dimension to the viewing experience. This innovative technology enlarges the screen by creating a halo of light around its edges. The monitor is powered by a fast processor that analyses the incoming image content and continuously adapts the color and brightness of the emitted light to match the image. Users can adjust the ambience according to their preferences. Especially well-suited for watching movies, sports or playing games, Philips Ambiglow offers a unique and immersive viewing experience.
In addition to Ambiglow lighting, the monitor also supports Philips’ Ultra Wide-Color technology. This technology delivers a wider spectrum of colors for a more brilliant picture, producing more natural-looking greens, vivid reds and deeper blues. The IPS panel provides extra wide viewing angles of 178/178 degrees, making it possible to view the display from almost any angle. IPS panels display remarkably crisp images, making it ideal for photos, movies and web browsing, as well as professional applications which demand color accuracy and consistent brightness.
For gamers, Philips has equipped the 326M6FJSB with a new SmartImage Game mode, offering unique customizable options gamers can adjust according to the genre of game they are playing. For example, “FPS” (First-person shooting) mode improves dark themes in games, allowing gamers to see hidden objects in dark areas; “Racing” mode adapts display with fastest response time, high color, along with image adjustments; and “RTS” (Real-time strategy) mode has a special SmartFrame mode, which enables gamers to highlight specific areas and allows for size and image adjustments. Gamers can save their personal presets to up to two profiles to save customized settings based on different games, ensuring the best performance.
The display also features a LowBlue mode and Philips Flicker-free technology for the most enjoyable viewing experience possible. Developed for wellbeing, LowBlue mode works to reduce harmful shortwave blue light that can cause eye damage and affect vision over time. Flicker-free technology also reduces eye fatigue and regulates the screen’s brightness for more comfortable viewing.
Monitor Specifications:
LCD Panel Type: IPS Technology
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Optimum Resolution: 2560 x 1440 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Density: 93 PPI
Viewing Angle: 178° (H) / 178° (V) @ C/R > 10
Response Time: 5ms
Color gamut (typical): NTSC 108%, sRGB126%
Contrast Ratio (typical): 1200:1
Display Colors: 1.07G
Connectivity: VGA, DP 1.2, HDMI 1.4 (MHL) x 2
sRGB
Adaptive Sync
Flicker-Free, SmartImage, Ultra Wide-Color Technology
High-resolution images are available for download here.
About EPI
Nothing affects your computing experience more than the monitor you see the world through. Envision Peripherals is the company bringing you Philips monitors and AOC monitors in North America. We are a subsidiary of TPV, the largest monitor manufacturer in the world, with over 60 years of manufacturing experience. The Philips monitor line offers customers in business, education, government, and in the home an unparalleled combination of smart innovation, vivid imagery and timeless style – all backed by an industry-leading four year advance replacement warranty. AOC’s exciting Agon gaming monitors are the choice of many of the world’s best gamers, and we are an official sponsor of Team Liquid. AOC also provides a rich lineup of quality monitors sold for everyday use by businesses, schools and home users.
EPI has offices in Fremont (Corporate HQ), Atlanta, Detroit, Toronto and Miami. For more information, visit www.philips.com/monitors, www.aoc.com, or call (510)-770-9988.
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