Philips’ massive 49-inch, 32:9 monitor is getting a resolution bump

In an effort to shake up the ultra wide monitor market last year, both Samsung and Philips took things one step further, launching massive 49-inch 32:9 aspect ratio displays. The first wave of 32:9 monitors sported a 3840×1080 resolution, but this year, Philips will be upgrading this model, with a new 5120×1440 panel and FreeSync 2.

The Philips Brilliance 492P8 will get the upgrade to a 49-inch 5120×1440 panel later this year. At this size and aspect ratio, it is roughly the equivalent of having two 27-inch 2560×1440 monitors stitched together with no bezel in the way. As for other specs, they remain the same as the previous 3840×1080 version, with a VA panel, 1800R curvature, 5000:1 contrast ratio, 178-degree viewing angle and 600 nits peak brightness.

Much like the original, Philips hasn't listed a refresh rate. Samsung's 32:9 CHG90 has a 144Hz refresh rate, but that particular monitor operates at the lower 3840×1080 resolution. The inclusion of FreeSync on Philips' monitor suggests that gaming has been kept in mind, but it could well end up being a standard 60Hz panel.

A price wasn't announced, but I'd expect it to be over the £1000 mark.

KitGuru Says: I recently made the jump to 21:9 for my gaming rig and so far, I’ve loved having the additional space at the sides. However, at 49-inches with a 32:9 aspect ratio, I can’t help but feel like the lack of vertical resolution will become a hinderance. Still, I won’t know for sure until I see one in action. What do you guys think of these new mega-wide displays from Philips and Samsung? Is this the next step forward, or should we be sticking to 21:9?

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