Details
Monitors with 4K resolution have been here for some time now, but their significant expansion has long been hindered by their high prices. More solid models used to cost over €500, and the cheaper ones often offered relatively low-quality panels with TN. However, times have changed and 4K monitors are not necessarily a privilege anymore, but common mainstream products. This is exactly what AOC is trying to prove with the new U27V4EA.
Main specifications
| Parameters | AOC |
| U27V4EA | |
| Alfa Gamer Pro 60S | |
| Display | 27" IPS, 16:9 |
| Resolution | 3840 × 2160 px |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | 10-bit (8+FRC) |
| Response time | no |
| Brightness | 4 ms (GTG) |
| Contrast | 350 nits |
| Color spaces | 1000:1 |
| Outputs | sRGB: 112 %, AdobeRGB: 83 %, NTSC: 79 % |
| USB hub | 2× HDMI 2.0b, 1× DisplayPort 1.2 |
| Audio input/output | no |
| Speakers | no/yes |
| VESA | yes, 2× 2W |
| Approximate price | yes (100 × 100) |
| Approximate price | € 300 |
Package and equipment
The design of the cardboard is strikingly similar to the one we see with Philips monitors. The print shows the silhouette of the monitor as well as a few basic specs, such as diagonal size, resolution and available connectors.
In addition to the monitor, the package includes a two-part power adapter, an HDMI cable and documentation. You will also find a report from the monitor calibration, which is common for more expensive monitors, so it is a pleasant surprise.
The package of course includes a stand, which consists of two parts. The oval-shaped base has a black surface and a screw from the underside, which you can tighten without the use of a screwdriver, only using your fingers.
The second part of the stand snaps into the first and is tightened with the mentioned screw.
Unfortunately, the foot does not offer any height adjustment, so the monitor can only be tilted.
It is worth noting that the U27V4EA also offers the option of mounting with VESA 100 × 100, which is a partial solution to the problem of limited mobility of the supplied stand.
Attaching the stand to the back of the monitor is easy and only takes a few seconds. The speed and ease of installation is mastered beautifully, but it is not extraordinary. Most competitors offer the same solution. As soon as it is necessary to use some tools or the procedure requires several steps, it would certainly be the target of my criticism, but there is no such thing.
After the mounting, we can look at the front side. I praise the minimalist design, which looks modern and timeless. The bottom of the monitor has a thin chin with the manufacturer’s logo. There are no thick frames on the sides, which you will appreciate in a multiple-monitor setup. But it looks good even when using only one.
At the back is again the manufacturer’s logo and the upper part is made of a kind of stripes, which is definitely better than if there was glossy black plastic.
But let’s move on to connectivity, which can be described as average, satisfactory, but by no means exceptional. Two HDMI 2.0 connectors and one DisplayPort 1.2 will provide the ability to connect up to three different sources at 4K and 60 Hz, which you will appreciate when using a PC, laptop and, say, a game console at the same time. Older models of 4K monitors often offered 4K@60 Hz only on a selected port and not all ports.
In addition to the video inputs, the monitor also offers a 3.5 mm audio jack and, of course, a power connector. What is a little disappointing in 2021 is the absence of USB-C and at least a smaller USB hub (e.g. two USB-A connectors), which would definitely make this monitor more attractive.
In addition to the AOC logo, you can also see pictograms of the controls and a small status light on the lower chin.
The mentioned frames on the sides and top are really thin and contribute to the modern look of the monitor. The manufacturer is also able to offer an even more attractive design with a completely frameless design, but for a different price. The proof is the U32U1 tested last year.
When describing the supplied stand, we have already said that it offers only limited positioning options. Specifically, the inclination is set from -5 to +23 degrees. You will not find pivot or height adjustment here.
Backlight bleed is a bit disturbing, especially on the top left and slightly on the right edge.
Of course, as always, each panel is different and your piece can be better, but also worse. In the next chapter, we will also measure the uniformity with a color analyzer.
