LG Electronics recently launched a new OLED gaming monitor equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), which sold out its initial stock in just 16 minutes, marking a successful debut. The company aims to secure a leading position in the OLED display market by leveraging the popularity of its OLED gaming monitors.
Explosive Demand Surpasses Expectations: "AI Features Enhance Versatility"
Kim Boo-young, head of LG Electronics' Monitor Product Planning Team, spoke with a reporter at the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "If we convert the sales record, it means one unit was sold every 2.4 seconds," adding that the unexpected demand has led to a shortage of stock, prompting the company to ramp up production.
The company officially launched the 39-inch 'LG UltraGear Evo AI OLED Gaming Monitor' in May, which was first unveiled at CES 2026, the world's largest consumer electronics and IT exhibition.
Kim attributed the product's success to the introduction of 'AI upscaling,' which enhances input video in real-time to achieve near 5K quality, even when connected to low-spec PCs or laptops. He noted, "We increased versatility so that consumers do not need to purchase expensive graphics processing units (GPUs) to maximize the performance of high-spec OLED monitors."
This versatility has expanded the monitor's use beyond gaming to include design and video editing, leading to increased consumer demand. According to the company, gaming monitors now account for nearly half of LG Electronics' total monitor sales, reflecting rapid growth.
LG Electronics emphasized its focus on the positive functions of AI. While some competitors in China and Taiwan apply AI to cheating technologies that reveal enemy positions or footsteps, LG is concentrating on enhancing image and sound quality.
The new product features three key functions: 'AI upscaling' for achieving 5K quality even with low-spec PCs, 'AI custom picture quality' that automatically optimizes the display for documents and videos, and 'AI sound pro' that clearly separates voices based on the situation.
OLED Monitors Ideal for Gaming: "Expanding Demand for High-Value Products"
The growth of OLED monitors in the premium monitor market is significant. According to global market research firm Omdia, OLED's share in the premium monitor market priced over $800 increased from 2.4% in 2022 to 60.6% last year, indicating a shift in demand towards high-value products.
In particular, the gaming sector shows a strong preference for high-spec monitors like OLEDs. The self-illuminating structure of OLED panels allows for fast response times and excellent contrast, making them suitable for gaming environments where quick screen transitions and clear visuals are crucial.
However, OLED panels have limitations, particularly in handling ultra-high resolutions above 5K. Kim acknowledged, "The overall direction is correct in moving towards OLED as the top display technology, but there are still technical limitations in covering ultra-high resolutions." He added that LG is also advancing LCD-based mini LED products that incorporate technology to minimize light bleed (halo effect).
LG Electronics plans to strengthen its AI-based gaming monitor lineup to secure leadership in the premium monitor market.
Kim stated, "Consumers now want to accomplish everything from gaming to sound enjoyment, video creation, and social media sharing with a single monitor," emphasizing that the company will continuously develop and apply new AI features in next-generation products. He concluded, "We aim to create products that comprehensively meet consumers' multi-experience needs, bridging the gap between gaming and professional tasks like design and editing."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.