Samsung LU32J590UQUXEN Review

The Samsung LU32J590UQUXEN is a stylish 4K UHD monitor that can support a detailed 3840 x 2160 resolution image.  At 32″ in size it can really do the 4K detail justice, you don’t really feel the benefit of higher resolutions on screens smaller than this.

This monitor is going to suit anyone looking for an accessible large home screen with decent enough image quality at UHD resolution, and whilst not targeted at gamers directly, it also has some game friendly features making it a good all rounder.

Build Quality

This Samsung 32″ monitor is slim and attractive in design with narrow bezels surrounding the screen.  I thought that the stand looked elegant and this would be an attractive screen to have at home.  If the stand is not to your taste then it also includes 100 x 100 VESA mounting so that you can attach a monitor arm of your choice.  A monitor arm might actually be a good idea because the included stand is only capable of limited tilt.

The LU32J590UQUXEN comes with the expected range of modern ports, this includes two HDMI (1.4 and 2.0) and DisplayPort (1.2).  It also includes a headphone socket but no USB hub.

Performance

The Samsung imclude AMD’s FreeSync adaptive sync quality which, when paired with a compatible graphics card, will provide smooth tear free images.  If your PC is unable to sustain 60 frames per second continuously, FreeSync steps in to smooth out the refresh rate during the dips.  This monitor can output frames up to a max of 60hz which might not suit some gamers looking for 144hz, or higher, but remember that this is a 4K screen so going above 60 frames per second isn’t going to be realistic on most hardware anyway.

The Samsung LU32J590UQUXEN utilises a VA based panel which has its pros and cons.  On the plus side, this technology provides the darkest blacks and high contrast but they can appear a bit like TN panels when it comes to viewing angles.  Response times won’t be as fast as with dedicate gaming screens but this is still a good all rounder.

Thanks to the 4K UHD resolution, high contrast,  270-nit peak brightness, and 10-bit color support the overall image quality can be recommended for the price.  Ultimately, if you are looking for the highest quality and largest colour range you’ll want to look at professional monitors, likely with an IPS based panel.  But this is a good option for anyone looking for something more balanced that won’t break the bank.