QD OLED displays are the measure of all things in the field of gaming monitors due to their perfect contrasts, rich colors and almost non-existent latency. With the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD, the manufacturer impressively proves that an outstanding and modern 4K OLED monitor does not necessarily have to cost more than 800 euros. Our test reveals more.
Technical specifications
| The product | AG326UD |
| Display size | 31.5 inch |
| Display resolution | 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) |
| Screen refresh rate | 240 Hz |
| Panel type | QD-OLED |
| Screen surface | anti-glare |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Brightness | 250 cd/m² (SDR); 450 cd/m² (HDR) |
| Contrast ratio | 1.500.000:1 |
| Screen colors | 1.07 billion |
| Color space | 99 % DCI-P3 138 % sRGB 97.5 % AdobeRGB |
| Viewing angle | H: 178° / V: 178° |
| Curvature | none |
| Response time | 0.03 ms (GtG) |
| Connections |
|
| Audio connections | 1x 3.5 mm jack |
| Integrated speakers | yes (2x 8W) |
| Color | Dark gray |
| VESA mount | 100 x 100 mm |
| price | € 768.12 * |
AOC Agon Pro AG326UD review: 4K monitor with RGB
- Simple design; harmonious RGB lighting
- Impeccable workmanship
- Lush scope of delivery
When it comes to the best gaming monitors, there has long been no way around QD OLED displays. However, monitors with 4K UHD resolution in particular can easily cost around 1,000 euros. The new AOC Agon Pro AG326UD proves that it can be cheaper without compromising on quality.
The gaming monitor is part of the high-end line from Agon by AOC and is the bigger sibling of the AOC Agon PRO AG276QZD2 (our test). The AG326UD model is larger at 31.5 inches and has a higher resolution in 4K UHD, but “only” has a frame rate of 165 Hertz, which should be more than sufficient for most gamers.
The proximity to the AG276QZD2 is evident in the design language. The AOC Agon Pro AG326UD also relies on a simple dark grey plastic case, which comes with an asymmetrically tapered panel on the back, including customizable RGB lighting and an equally asymmetrical pentagonal stand.
The stand is large enough to guarantee a secure hold for the gaming monitor, which weighs around 10.2 kg – and to place the keyboard and mouse on it if required.
Although the AG326UD cannot be mounted without tools, it is quick to do so: Using the enclosed screwdriver, the monitor arm is connected to the back using two Phillips screws. The stand itself is then attached using the integrated screw. Once this is done, the monitor is ready for use.
Commendable: The manufacturer includes cables, accessories and VESA mount (100 x 100) for the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD in a cardboard box. Included are cables for DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-B upstream, for example.
The monitor arm also comes with a simple but practical cable guide and has a fold-out headset holder on the top. The build quality of the AG326UD is outstanding and leaves nothing to be desired.
Features, connections and operation
- 4K with 165 Hz
- 250 nits in SDR, 450 nits in HDR, 1,000 nits with individual pixels
- Good speakers
- impeccable ergonomics
The AOC Agon Pro AG326UD is equipped with modern features that leave little to be desired. It is equipped with a 31.5-inch QD OLED panel from Samsung, which has a resolution of 4K UHD with 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. However, the frame rate of 165 Hz is slightly lower than that of the more expensive competition – a Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD, for example, achieves 240 Hz – but the speed is absolutely sufficient for most cases. Only absolute high-end gaming PCs can handle 4K/240 anyway.
The AG326UD also has a flat, glossy panel that is very well protected against reflections thanks to its anti-reflective coating. As is typical for OLEDs, the response time is 0.03 ms and the contrast ratio is a whopping 1,500,000:1. The maximum brightness is 250 nits in SDR mode and 450 nits in HDR mode, with individual pixels reaching up to 1,000 nits.
The Montior features Adaptive Sync synchronization technology and comes with VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. It also offers a Low Blue Light mode, Flicker Free technology and various gaming modes. Color reproduction and color accuracy are also impressive: the manufacturer promises 138% sRGB, 99% DCI-P3 and a Delta E value <2.
Two 8-watt speakers are also integrated, which deliver a surprisingly full and detailed sound. For monitor speakers, of course. You can definitely watch videos or play a game or two.
The ergonomic options are also pleasing: The AOC Agon Pro AG326UD can be tilted, swiveled, tilted and adjusted in height by 150 mm. There is also a pivot mode to rotate the display vertically.
The selection of connections is modern. The following are available: 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC, one USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 (1.5 Gbit/s, upstream), three USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbit/s, downstream), one of which has a quick charge function and a headphone output.
What’s missing: USB-C and a KVM switch. Too bad, but these have probably fallen victim to the lower price.
Operation and OSD
- Practical joystick
- Clear OSD
- convincing G-Menu software
The AOC Agon Pro AG326UD is operated via a pentagonal joystick, which is located on the right-hand side of the rear panel and can also be quickly felt in the game. It enables precise control and switches the monitor on and off.
The tidy on-screen display (OSD) can be accessed at the touch of a button, where all settings can be made in eight different tabs (gaming mode, brightness, BiB setting, color setting, audio, Light FX, OLED Care/Extra and OSD setup).
If you want to be even more precise, download the free G-Menu software from the manufacturer’s website.
You can make all monitor settings within the software. The interface is clearly laid out and allows you to make adjustments without fiddling around on the back.
Picture quality of the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD
- excellent picture quality
- extremely low response time
- numerous OLED protection mechanisms
In my opinion, the picture quality of the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD is beyond reproach. Of course, the fast QD OLED panel plays to its strengths, especially in gaming, but the built-in panel is an absolute all-rounder and also delivers an excellent performance for office tasks or media consumption.
Color fringing and similar problems, which caused problems with the readability of text on the first QD OLED generations, no longer play a role today – as they do on the AG326UD. Fonts are displayed crisp, detailed and clear.
Even in the factory calibration, the monitor impresses with a convincing brightness and great color display, which gives games that certain pep. The low response time of just 0.03 seconds is particularly impressive.
Tearing and ghosting are absolutely non-existent at 165 Hertz and the AG326UD does not suffer from any other image quality issues in the gaming test.
In my opinion, only the white balance is not ideally set at the factory. The default setting is too warm, but this can be corrected via the OSD. Various modes are also offered, which are intended to improve the color display for color-critical work such as image processing and video editing. But to be honest: the monitor already achieves outstanding values here, even in the factory calibration, as the lab test should show.
The AOC Agon Pro AG326UD offers numerous options for screen care and OLED maintenance, which is particularly important for OLED displays. With screen saver, pixel orbiting, pixel refresh and much more, the monitor is perfectly equipped. All options can also be customized and switched off if desired.
Lab test of the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD
After the practical test, the AG326UD went into the test lab as usual. As always, I reset the monitor to its factory settings and took a measurement using the Datacolor SpyderX Elite, which checks the display for brightness, gamma values and color representation, among other things. The standard picture mode in SDR mode was used.
In terms of color gamut, the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD lives up to the manufacturer’s promises and covers the DCI-P3 color space almost completely. I only measured around 94 percent in the AdobeRGB color space compared to the promised 97.5 percent.
The color fidelity is outstanding. AOC promises an average Delta E value of <2, but I was able to measure a very strong Delta E 0.52 in the factory setting. This value can be improved again with a little fine-tuning.
The gaming monitor also masters the gamma curve with flying colors and maintains the gamma 2.2 curve perfectly. You can choose between three settings in the OSD, although these do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the actual value (gamma 1, 2 and 3).
The brightness is at a good level of 213.4 nits in SDR mode, although some other OLED monitors are noticeably brighter. Up to 435 nits are possible via HDR in the “HDR Game”, “HDR Movie” and “HDR Picture” modes. Only the fourth mode, “HDR Peak”, is noticeably darker at 387 nits.
The homogeneity of the picture is also excellent. There are no major deviations in either the colors or the brightness.
The differences between maximum brightness and 50 percent brightness are all below a value of 2, which is almost perfect. So it makes no noticeable difference in which brightness you use the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD.
AOC Agon Pro AG326UD review: Conclusion
With the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD, the manufacturer once again delivers an absolute price-performance hit. For less than 800 euros, you get a 4K OLED monitor with outstanding picture quality that is just as perfect for gaming as it is for office tasks or media consumption.
It not only offers excellent brightness distribution, but also outstanding color fidelity, which also makes the display exciting for all those who want to carry out color-critical work.
Coupled with modern connections, practical operation and the excellent G-Menu software, the result is a powerful overall package, in which even the speakers deliver a good sound.
Although the white point is slightly off at the factory, this can be easily compensated for. However, it is a shame that a USB-C port and KVM switch are missing. If that doesn’t bother you and 165 Hertz is enough for you, the AOC Agon Pro AG326UD is an excellent choice.
VORTEILE
- Outstanding picture quality
- Excellent color fidelity
- Good speakers
- Attractive price
NACHTEILE
- No USB-C
- No KVM switch
Fazit
Outstanding 4K QD OLED monitor with excellent picture quality at an almost unbeatable price.
