LG Unveils Surprising Statistic: A 22% Surge in OLED Gaming Monitors!

I’ve been struggling to suppress the temptation to upgrade my displays to OLED for some time, saving that money for trivial matters like food and fuel. However, it seems that many other PC gamers have already made the transition. As reported by a statement from LG, over a fifth of gaming monitors are now utilizing advanced OLED screens.

The sourcing on this one is a bit convoluted, to be frank. The announcement originates from the well-known YouTube channel HDTVTest, which features a sponsored video discussing LG’s latest OLED monitors showcased at CES (noted by PCGamer). Presumably, LG provided the channel with the statistic: “It’s only been two years since LG launched its first UltraGear OLED gaming monitor, but OLED currently occupies 22 percent of the overall gaming monitor market share.”

This is even more remarkable when you consider LG’s projection for the television OLED market share, which stands at 18 percent. And judging by the phrasing, this pertains to monitors actively in use, rather than monitors being shipped to retailers…although I wouldn’t be surprised if the latter is the figure actually being referenced. HDTVTest attributes both numbers to a virtual briefing conducted prior to CES.

It’s certainly an intriguing statistic, but do pay attention to those caveats. LG refers to the 22 percent penetration figure for “gaming monitors,” while 18 percent encompasses the broader television market. It stands to reason that PC gamers, particularly those using desktops (and therefore more likely to purchase standalone monitors), would be keener on upgrading to the latest and most advanced displays compared to the average PC user. Meanwhile, the general television buying audience tends to gravitate towards larger and/or more affordable screens, and OLED TVs primarily attract those looking to create a premium living room setup.

So yes, we are witnessing a significant rise in OLED monitors, and fortunately, they are becoming far more accessible — several models fell below the $500 threshold during Black Friday late last year. However, more budget-friendly conventional monitors aren’t going anywhere, even if gaming monitors appear set to transition to OLED panels in rapid succession.

Now come on, Samsung, just give me that 57-inch, dual 4K ultrawide OLED already. I don’t need to consume that much food.

Further reading: The most outstanding monitors we’ve evaluated