LG has unveiled its new UltraGear evo gaming monitor brand ahead of CES 2026, featuring three flagship models that push into 5K territory with on-device AI upscaling. If you've been waiting for higher-resolution ultrawide OLEDs, this might finally be it.
The Three New Models
39-inch 5K2K OLED (39GX950B):
- 5120 x 2160 resolution (142 PPI) with 21:9 aspect ratio
- 1500R curved panel (less aggressive than LG's previous 800R)
- 165Hz native, 330Hz at 2560x1080 via dual-mode
- 0.03ms response time, Primary RGB Tandem OLED
- DisplayHDR True Black 500 with on-device AI upscaling
27-inch 5K Mini LED (27GM950B):
- 5120 x 2880 resolution with 2,304-zone local dimming
- 165Hz at 5K, 330Hz at QHD via dual-mode
- DisplayHDR 1000 (up to 1,250 nits peak)
- "Zero Optical Distance" tech to reduce blooming
52-inch 5K2K (52G930B):
- 5120 x 2160 resolution, 12:9 aspect ratio
- 240Hz refresh, 1000R curve
- DisplayHDR 600
The resolution bump is significant—39-inch ultrawides have traditionally used 3440x1440, which results in noticeably softer text compared to 27-inch 1440p displays. The 5K2K resolution brings them much closer to parity at 142 PPI.
The Curve Change: 1500R vs 800R
LG's previous 39-inch ultrawide OLED (39GX90SA) used an aggressive 800R curve. User feedback across monitor forums and reviews suggested many found it too curved for productivity work—spreadsheets and text felt distorted.
The new 39GX950B uses a 1500R curve—nearly half as aggressive. The 52-inch model keeps a 1000R curve.
My opinion: The 1500R is the right call. I tested the 800R curve on the previous model and it felt excessive for anything beyond pure gaming immersion. For mixed use—coding, writing, spreadsheets during the day, gaming at night—the gentler curve makes way more sense. The 1000R on the 52-inch is probably fine given the sheer size, but I'd need hands-on time to judge.
The AI Upscaling Wild Card
Both the 39-inch and 27-inch models feature what LG calls "5K AI Upscaling"—on-device processing that aims to deliver "5K-class clarity without requiring GPU upgrades."
In theory, you run games at lower resolutions (reducing GPU load) while the monitor upscales to native resolution. The system also includes AI scene optimization and audio processing.
My take: I'm skeptical. Monitor-based upscaling has historically been mediocre at best—often adding lag or artifacts without meaningful visual improvement. GPU-based solutions like DLSS and FSR work because they're integrated into the rendering pipeline. Monitor upscaling happens after the fact.
That said, if LG actually pulled this off well, it could be genuinely useful. We'll need hands-on testing at CES to see if this is a real feature or just marketing fluff. I hope it's the former, but past experience makes me cautious.
Pricing: The Elephant in the Room
LG hasn't announced pricing yet. They'll share details at CES 2026 (January 6-9).
For context:
- Current 39-inch ultrawide OLEDs retail around $1,200-1,500
- 27-inch 5K Mini LED monitors typically run $1,200-2,000
- The 52-inch will command a premium as the "world's largest 5K2K gaming monitor"
If the 39-inch lands under $1,500, it's very competitive. Above $1,800, you're paying a steep premium for resolution and AI features that may or may not deliver. The 27-inch Mini LED will likely hit $1,500-2,000 given the zone count and HDR 1000 certification.
Worth noting: Ultrawide OLED prices have dropped steadily. Samsung's 49-inch super-ultrawides launched at $1,800+ and now regularly sell for $900-1,100. If you're patient, waiting 6-12 months post-launch often nets better pricing.
Mini LED vs OLED: Which Makes Sense?
OLED wins on:
- Perfect blacks and infinite contrast
- 0.03ms response times (critical for competitive gaming)
- No blooming around bright objects
But:
- Lower peak brightness (500 nits vs Mini LED's 1,250 nits)
- Burn-in risk with static content (improved with newer panels, but still a concern)
Mini LED wins on:
- Much higher peak brightness (better for HDR highlights and bright rooms)
- No burn-in concerns
- Better for mixed use (productivity + entertainment)
But:
- Blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds
- Slower response times
- Black levels not as deep
LG claims their "Zero Optical Distance" tech on the 27GM950B reduces blooming—we'll see.
My opinion: For pure gaming, especially competitive gaming where response time matters, OLED is still king. For mixed use—working 8 hours then gaming 3 hours—the Mini LED makes more sense. Higher brightness is genuinely useful for daytime productivity, and burn-in risk with static UI elements (taskbars, health bars, minimaps) is real over time, even with newer panels.
I'd personally lean toward the Mini LED if the blooming control actually works as advertised. But I need to see it in person first.
What Could Make or Break These
These make sense if:
- You do heavy productivity work plus gaming on the same display
- You have GPU power for 5K gaming (or plan to upgrade soon)
- You value sharper text over pure screen size
- You've been frustrated by aggressive curves on ultrawides
These might not if:
- Your GPU can't drive 5K2K at acceptable framerates and the AI upscaling disappoints
- Your budget caps around $1,000
- You prefer 16:9 for competitive gaming
- You already own a 3440x1440 ultrawide and don't need sharper text
There's also broader market context: if GPU prices continue climbing due to memory supply constraints (as recent industry reports suggest), fewer people will have hardware capable of driving 5K displays. That could impact demand and force pricing adjustments post-launch.
What We'll Learn at CES
LG will showcase these at CES with hands-on demos, including a "Dream Setup" area and SimCraft racing sim section.
Key questions:
- How effective is the AI upscaling versus native resolution?
- What's the actual pricing?
- Availability timeline—Q1 2026 or later?
- How well does Mini LED blooming control work in practice?
- Is the 52-inch practical for gaming, or mainly suited to sim racing?
LG also announced the UltraGear GX7 (27GX790B)—a 27-inch QHD OLED with 540Hz (or 720Hz at 720p)—goes on sale globally January 7, 2026.
Bottom Line
The 39-inch 5K2K OLED addresses a real gap in the market. Current 39-inch ultrawides at 3440x1440 have noticeably lower pixel density than 27-inch 1440p displays, making text and UI elements look softer. The resolution bump fixes that.
Whether it's worth the likely premium depends entirely on pricing. Under $1,500? Very competitive. Above $1,800? You're paying a lot for resolution and unproven AI features.
If you already own a 3440x1440 ultrawide and it meets your needs, there's no urgent reason to upgrade unless sharper text genuinely bothers you. And if you're budget-conscious, older models will likely drop in price once these launch.
My read: If you're in the market for an ultrawide OLED and have been holding off due to resolution concerns, these are worth watching at CES. But I'd wait for hands-on reviews before pre-ordering, especially to validate the AI upscaling claims. Monitor-based upscaling has a poor track record, and I want to see proof it actually works before recommending it.
Sources: LG official press release (December 26, 2025), Tom's Hardware, TFTCentral, NotebookCheck, retail pricing data from Newegg and Amazon