IPS Black monitors provide deeper blacks and higher contrast than conventional IPS displays. If previously monitors with IPS Black were available with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, now HP has significantly raised the bar. At CES 2025, the company introduced several gaming monitors, including the Omen 27qs G2 with IPS Black panel, which supports a 280Hz refresh rate and 2000:1 contrast ratio.
Image source: HP
Regular IPS monitor panels have a contrast ratio of 1000:1, but IPS Black has twice that ratio due to its lower black level. This brings IPS Black matrices closer to VA matrices, whose contrast ratio often reaches 3000:1.
In addition, dark content is less distorted when viewed at an angle. A few years ago, IPS Black matrices debuted in office monitors with a frequency of 60 Hz, and later the first models with a frequency of 120 Hz appeared.
With the release of the Omen 27qs G2, the first true gaming monitor comes to market with an IPS Black panel and a 280Hz refresh rate. The 27-inch monitor supports a resolution of 2560 × 1440 pixels. The panel has a pixel density of 109 PPI. Compared to the first generation Omen 27qs, the main innovations were the IPS Black matrix and an increase in the refresh rate from 240 to 280 Hz.
HP has also increased the refresh rate on the updated Omen 27q (WQHD) and Omen 27 (FHD) models from 165 Hz to 180 Hz. The same goes for the Omen 34c G2 (UWQHD), which now offers a 180Hz refresh rate but is equipped with a VA panel.
Another new product is the Omen 32x, positioned as a “smart gaming monitor.” It is equipped with a built-in processor and Google TV operating system, which provides content streaming and cloud gaming. The monitor has a diagonal of 31.5 inches, supports a resolution of 3840 × 2160 pixels and a refresh rate of 144 Hz.
The Omen 27 qs G2 will retail for $450, the Omen 27q G2 for $300, the Omen 27 G2 for $250, and the Omen 34c G2 for $480. All new HP monitors will go on sale by the middle of this year.