Philips has announced two new monitors designed for office and home use, be it to work on documents and navigate the web or dabble in some gaming. Joining the brand’s 2000 series, the 27E3C2500 and 32E3C2500 feature curved 2560×1440 panels and 144Hz refresh rates, along with some welcome budget-friendly price tags.
The 27E3C2500 and 32E3C2500 are practically identical, if not for their size and contrast ratio. Both are based on 1500R curved QHD (2560×1440) VA panels. The main difference between the two is the 27E3C2500’s smaller 27in size, which results in a 109PPI pixel density, against a 31.5in diagonal and 93PPI density for the 32E3C2500.
The other difference relates to contrast. The 27E3C2500 offerings a higher 4000:1 ratio, against 3,000:1 for the 32E3C2500. In other words, pick the size you want; the rest is practically identical.
Differences aside, both monitors are designed to deliver sharp images for work and gaming. Their curved nature is also a plus, boosting immersion by bringing the screen’s edges into your peripheral vision.
Philips even advertises HDR10 support for those consuming HDR content, including a SmartContrast feature said to analyse the displayed content to adjust the backlight and enhance contrast. That said, without local dimming zones, don’t expect miracles from this feature, especially as both models max out at 300nits of brightness. Still, you can’t complain when the prices start at just £129.99.
Gamers will also enjoy Adaptive-Sync support, which matches the display’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s output to reduce screen tearing. This is complemented by a 4ms (grey-to-grey) / 0.5ms (MPRT) pixel response time, which, though not the fastest, is typical for entry-range VA panels. Low blue light and flicker-free technologies are also present to reduce fatigue, and there’s a dedicated mode for reading.
Design-wise, both models come equipped with a basic square stand, limited to -5°/+20° tilt. Once more, that’s nothing unusual on a budget monitor, plus if you wish, you can swap it for a 100x100mm VESA mount to unlock the full range of adjustments.
Lastly, in terms of connections, you only get one HDMI 2.1 port and one DisplayPort 1.4 input, plus a 3.5mm audio jack out. Note, however, that the box only includes one HDMI cable, so you’ll need to bring your own DisplayPort lead if you want to use both inputs simultaneously. Philips also pairs both models with a pair of 2W speakers for those who need basic audio or plan to connect a console.
The Philips 27E3C2500 and 32E3C2500 will be available starting in November, priced at £129.99 and £169.99, respectively. This puts them among the cheapest big-brand options available for 2560×1440 screens with 144Hz refresh rates.
