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LG introduces the first screen that can be both flat and curved at the push of a button.
All gamers know how important it is to have a screen capable of guaranteeing the best performance, whether you play on a TV via your console or on your PC monitor. Every gamer has his own needs when it comes to monitors, also depending on the type of game he prefers.
For example, those who play competitive multiplayer titles a lot will want a low level of input lag from their screen, while those who prefer a more engaging experience will be attentive to the quality of the audio sector. Then there are those who prefer a traditional flat screen and those who prefer a curved one for a greater level of immersion in the game world. To accommodate both of these types of gamers, LG has made a monitor that can bend on command.
Yes, you got it right: the model is called LG OLED Flex LX3 and is able to offer different degrees of curvature depending on the player’s preference.
After testing this new screen in the LG offices, we want to tell you about the characteristics of the LX3, tested with an Xbox Series X and various titles, pending its release, scheduled for the Christmas period.
A versatile screen
Let’s immediately start talking about the main feature of the LG OLED Flex LX3, namely the possibility of bending the screen on command.
Many gamers love to play on curved screens because they are able to increase the immersion during the gaming sessions, especially in first person view titles. By playing from too far away, however, this “immersive effect” is somewhat lost, which is why we usually prefer to use a curved monitor on a PC, where we usually play at close range, rather than on the home TV. The LX3 is able to satisfy both types of gamers, given that, in addition to the warp option, it is a hybrid that works well as both a television and a monitor.
The maximum curvature that the LX3 can reach has a radius of 900R, but you can adjust it over 20 levels depending on your preference. To change the curvature just a button, which allows you to increase it by 5% with each pressure. However, it will be possible to set three different customizable modes so as to immediately switch to your favorite setting – usually one for the flat screen, one for the maximum curvature and one at the user’s discretion.
The LX3 screen is 42 inches, which has all the main features of LG’s high-end screens – for example the OLED evo self-illuminating pixels, which allow for really high image quality, with extremely defined colours, especially as regards black and contrasts. There is also support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, VRR, HDR and a response time of 0.1ms for those who want to have very low input lag. Furthermore, there is also support for 120 fps.
We tested all of these options with various Xbox Series X titles; for example, with Forza Horizon 5 (which you can find on Amazon) we were able to admire a 4K and 60 fps graphic quality, trying it both in flat screen mode and with maximum curvature at close range.
It goes without saying that the difference in immersion in such a sudden change of screen settings was clearly visible. The same effect also on Halo Infinite, which we were also able to enjoy at 120 fps, rendered very well and with a truly lightning-fast command response time.
We then had the opportunity to try other titles, such as the recent Scorn, in which the graphic detail was the master, with a contrast between dark and light colors that was really evident and which left you speechless for how much the screen managed to emphasize the already base excellent graphic quality of the title.
Even the frenetic battles faced in Metal: Hellsinger (which we recently reviewed) gave satisfaction both for the fast response times and for the on-screen performance, not to mention the excellent audio quality due to the support of Dolby Atmos.
During about an hour of testing with different games we really appreciated the versatility of the LX3, really able to change according to the needs of the player and, above all, the game – adapting from time to time as regards both the curved screen, and for many other options that improve the user’s quality of life when grappling with his favorite titles.
Personalization that makes the difference
In addition to the high quality of the image and sound and the possibility of adjusting the screen, the LG OLED Flex LX3 also offers several options that greatly improve the user experience in its use. First of all, it is equipped with an anti-reflection coating that greatly reduces visual distractions, not to mention the great comfort for the eyes guaranteed by the anti-flicker and anti-glare certifications.
In addition to this there are several fully customizable settings, both audio and video, dedicated to the various types of games. In fact, there are already preset sets for FPS, sports, RPG, tactical and much more that allow you to modify the image, perhaps giving greater priority to the brightness or the scenic impact of the colors, depending on the genre.
For the audio, you can also decide whether to give more emphasis to the dialogues or to the background music. Each pre-set set can then be changed and saved according to the user’s preferences.
In addition to this, the LX3 screen also allows you to decrease the size of the image, adapting it to a 32 or a 27 inch. This has been done especially for players of competitive titles, such as FPS and strategy, who prefer a smaller screen size to better control the playing area.
But that’s not all: there will also be the possibility of using an option called Multi View, which will allow you to simultaneously view the contents of a game and another source, such as the YouTube app or Twitch or even your phone screen. In this way it will be possible to follow tips and tricks dedicated to a title without having to bother looking at another screen, breaking the immersion in the game in question.
The LG screen also allows you to connect to its support, via USB ports, other devices such as headphones, keyboards or mice, with a PC connected via HDMI cable. In this way you will have the convenience of being able to better manage the cables and peripherals of your computer, simply by pressing a key that activates the connection between PC and screen.
This option is called Switching Hub and also allows you to use a microphone integrated into the monitor speakers, also equipped with echo cancellation so that you can comfortably converse even without using headphones. The stand with which the screen is equipped is adjustable in height up to 140 mm and can also be tilted downwards or upwards.
Finally, for those who love watching movies and TV series, especially if from many years ago, the LX3 is able, thanks to its α9 Gen 5 processor, to optimize the image for better rendering (although obviously it cannot work miracles).
Ultimately, after our test we think that the LG OLED Flex LX3 screen offers a unique versatility that is perfect for both those who want to play on TV and for those who prefer PC.
However, all this comes at a rather high price, i.e. around 3,000 dollars– a figure that is due to its role as the top of the range among new LG screens. Not a screen suitable for all users’ pockets therefore, but designed for those looking for an ideal high-end solution for any situation and able to become both flat and curved according to needs: these users, probably, will not find better in the current gaming monitor market.
