Just days before the tech world converges on Las Vegas, LG Electronics has fired a decisive salvo in the high-end display wars. On December 26, 2025, the company announced the UltraGear evo, a new premium gaming monitor brand set for its grand unveiling at CES 2026. This isn't merely a refresh of existing models; LG is positioning it as a fundamental challenge to the status quo. According to Lee Choong-hwoan, head of LG's Display Business, this lineup "marks a definitive turning point, signaling the end of compromises in gaming display performance."
The statement is bold, but the technology backing it is equally ambitious. At the heart of the launch is the world's first 5K AI Upscaling technology, a proprietary on-device solution promising to enhance content to near-5K clarity in real-time. Coupled with groundbreaking panel innovations across OLED and MiniLED, LG is framing the UltraGear evo launch not as a product refresh, but as a potential paradigm shift.
For years, gamers have faced a trilemma: choose high resolution, high refresh rates, or perfect visual fidelity—rarely all three. LG's UltraGear evo strategy to solve this hinges on a dual advance: moving intelligent processing directly into the monitor itself, while simultaneously pushing panel technology to new extremes. The core question for enthusiasts is clear: can this fusion of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge display engineering finally deliver the holy grail?
The UltraGear evo Vision: Beyond Specs to AI Intelligence
The UltraGear evo brand represents LG's focused push into the apex of gaming displays. While raw specifications like refresh rate and resolution have long been the primary battleground, LG is introducing a new vector of competition: on-device intelligence.
The flagship innovation is the proprietary 5K AI Upscaling. Unlike driver-based solutions like NVIDIA's DLSS or AMD's FSR, this processing happens directly within the monitor itself. The promise is significant: gamers could experience visuals approaching 5K clarity from lower-resolution content without needing a prohibitively expensive GPU upgrade. Imagine playing a demanding AAA title at a smooth 1440p frame rate, while your monitor's AI processor reconstructs the image to resemble the crisp detail of a 5K signal. The critical question for CES hands-ons will be assessing any potential artifacts or latency introduced by this on-device processing compared to established GPU-native techniques. This feature is exclusive to the two top-tier models in the launch lineup, suggesting LG views AI as a premium differentiator.
The integrated AI processor doesn't stop at upscaling. It also enables AI Scene Optimization for real-time image adjustment and AI Sound for enhanced audio processing. This holistic approach aims to manage the entire sensory experience, moving the monitor from a passive output device to an active participant in gameplay enhancement.
Flagship Deep Dive: The 39-inch 5K2K OLED (39GX950B)
Serving as the ultrawide centerpiece of the UltraGear evo range is the 39GX950B. This model leverages LG's latest panel technology, the Primary RGB Tandem OLED. This architecture stacks two OLED emission layers, a technique that significantly boosts peak brightness and improves color accuracy while maintaining the perfect blacks and instantaneous pixel response inherent to OLED.
The monitor's standout feature is its innovative Dual Mode. It allows users to switch between a high-fidelity 165Hz at its native 5K2K (5120x2160) resolution and a competitive-focused 330Hz at a WFHD (2560x1080) resolution. This effectively provides two elite-tier monitors in one, catering to both immersive single-player adventures and fast-paced esports. With a 0.03ms Gray-to-Gray response time, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, and a 1500R curvature, it is designed as an all-around performer. It is, of course, fully equipped with the new 5K AI Upscaling and companion AI features.
Flagship Deep Dive: The 27-inch 5K MiniLED (27GM950B)
For gamers who prioritize extreme brightness and HDR impact but are wary of the blooming artifacts that can plague traditional MiniLED displays, LG presents the 27GM950B. Marketed as the world's first "New MiniLED" monitor, it directly attacks the technology's historical weakness.
Its "Zero Optical Distance" engineering and a dense array of 2,304 local dimming zones are designed to minimize halos and blooming, promising precision that rivals OLED in high-contrast scenes. Where it aims to surpass OLED is in sheer luminosity, boasting a peak brightness of up to 1,250 nits alongside VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification. Similar to its OLED sibling, it features a Dual Mode, toggling between 165Hz at native 5K (5120x2880) and 330Hz at QHD (2560x1440). With a 1ms GtG response time and the full suite of AI upscaling features, this model is positioned as the precision HDR powerhouse.
The Panoramic Powerhouse: 52-inch 5K2K Curved (52G930B)
LG hasn't forgotten the immersive sim racing and flight simulation community. The 52G930B is a statement piece, claimed to be the world's largest 5K2K gaming monitor. Its defining characteristic is its unique 12:9 aspect ratio, which LG states provides a workspace 33% wider than a standard 4K UHD display. This makes it a compelling option not just for gaming, but for productivity and multi-tasking.
Focused on sheer scale and immersion, this model forgoes the AI upscaling technology. Instead, it delivers a 240Hz refresh rate at its native panoramic resolution, wrapped in an aggressive 1000R curvature to fill the user's peripheral vision. With VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, it is built for gamers who want to be surrounded by their game world without the bezels of a multi-monitor setup.
CES Showcase and the Broader UltraGear Lineup
At CES 2026, LG plans to showcase these monitors in two dedicated zones. A "Dream Setup" area, inspired by Reddit's gaming battlestation communities, will highlight the lifestyle appeal, while a SimCraft racing simulator will demonstrate the immersive potential of the 39-inch OLED model in action.
Alongside the UltraGear evo brand, LG also announced a separate high-refresh champion: the UltraGear GX7 (27GX790B). This 27-inch QHD monitor utilizes the same Primary RGB Tandem OLED technology but is built for pure speed, offering a 540Hz refresh rate (with a 720Hz Dual Mode). Its global sales are slated to begin on the opening day of CES 2026, serving as a bridge between existing high-refresh offerings and the new evo series.
The elephant in the room, however, remains unaddressed in the announcement: pricing and specific availability. LG is building maximum anticipation, saving these crucial details for the live CES reveal. The market's reception will hinge on whether the performance justifies what are expected to be premium price tags.
The UltraGear evo lineup is a targeted assault on every high-end gaming niche: OLED purity, MiniLED precision, and panoramic immersion. What unifies them is a clear push beyond the raw spec sheet into intelligent, context-aware enhancement. The potential of 5K AI Upscaling to democratize high-resolution gaming experiences could indeed be a game-changer, altering how we think about the relationship between GPU and display.
If the on-stage demos at CES 2026 validate the performance of 5K AI Upscaling—showing minimal latency and genuine visual uplift—LG's fusion of intelligence and engineering will have made a compelling case. The final, decisive factor will be pricing. Only then will we know if this ambitious push truly marks the 'end of compromises,' or simply the beginning of a new, more expensive premium tier.
Tags: LG UltraGear, Gaming Monitors, CES 2026, AI Upscaling, OLED Gaming
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