Computer monitors are one of the most important PC peripherals, and using the right one can greatly enhance our viewing experience when using a desktop computer. In this review, we will have a close look at two high-end Philips monitors, models 349X7FJEW and 328P6AUBREB. The first is a curved ultrawide model at 34 inches, while the second is a 32-inch display that supports the HDR10 technology for high image quality.
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Buy Philips 349X7FJEW on Amazon.
Buy Philips 328P6AUBREB on Amazon.
About Philips
Philips is a well-known company around the world. Undoubtedly, we all have used one of their devices in the past.
As you may know, Philips is not limited to computer peripherals. It manufactures - among others - electrical appliances, lighting products, kitchen accessories, and so on.
Philips has been around for more than 110 years.
Admittedly, the brand is best known for televisions rather than computer displays. However, they have released, and continue to produce, several monitors.
In this review, we will see two of its leading models, the Philips 349X7FJEW and the Philips 328P6AUBREB.
Philips 349X7FJEW
First on our list is the Philips 349X7FJEW screen. It's an ultrawide model, which means that the screen ratio is 21:9 instead of the classic 16:9 we might be used to.
Ultrawide monitors
Because of this ratio, ultrawide monitors are more rectangular than their 16:9 counterparts.
For example, this display is a 34-inch model but is much shorter than a 34-inch screen with a 16:9 ratio.
Let's also note that the 21:9 ratio is used in the cinema. For this reason, when watching a movie on a 16:9 screen, we will notice two horizontal bars on the edges.
This is not the case for ultrawide monitors, which is why they are ideal for movies.
At first, ultrawide may seem uncomfortable to us, but if we use it for a while, we will hardly want to change it. Especially for those who watch movies or for those who have multiple windows open at the same time, this size is ideal.
As for gamers, this ratio can enhance our gaming experience, as it will give us a larger field of view - depending on the game. This can be exploited to our advantage over other players, without being considered to be hacking or cheating.
Of course, let's note that some games, as resent as Fallout 4, do not fully support the ultrawide resolution, and we will need to install some third-party programs or mods to make it work properly.
Specifications
The 349X7FJEW comes in white color, with a metallic stand coated in a glossy, silver tint. The stand has a triangular design, which makes it steady but not particularly elegant.
Generally, it's a sturdy construction, but the frame's quality feels a bit cheap. We can't say we were impressed.
The bezels are virtually nonexistent on all sides except for the bottom. In the middle, we will find a backlit Philips logo.
To be honest, the logo seems ugly and redundant at that part of the screen, but this is a matter of personal preference. At least we can turn the light off through the on-screen menu.
At the back, we will find a Display Port 1.2, HDMI 1.4 and 2.0 ports, an audio jack, and four USB 3.0 ports, one of which has fast-charging capabilities.
Furthermore, there's also a joystick button, which can be used to navigate the on-screen menu.
From an ergonomic point of view, the 349X7FJEW has a very good height adjustment that works smoothly, as well as a tilt of -5 to 20 degrees.
The monitor also has the Freesync technology, which supports a frequency of 40 to 100Hz, and can only be used by AMD graphics cards.
Regarding the panel, we are talking about 3440x1440 pixels and 1800R curvature. The refresh rate is at 100Hz, which is relatively unusual for computer screens. Philips chose a VA panel instead of IPS, which, in practice, did not prevent us from enjoying the screen.
Last but not least, it has two built-in speakers of 5W each.
Final verdict
For a VA panel, the viewing angles are good enough, and this is probably due to its curvature.
Moreover, its colors are bright and, of course, the great advantage of such a panel is the deep blacks.
The refresh rate is good for gaming. It's not 144Hz, but it's definitely better than the 60Hz of most screens.
The size offers a different viewing experience, but not everyone likes the 21:9 ratio.
Something that we did not like at all is the white color, but that's a matter of personal taste.
As far as the price is concerned, at this moment, we can find the monitor on Amazon at $600.
If we take into consideration the QHD resolution, the 34-inches curved and ultrawide panel, the high refresh rate, and the Freesync, the monitor is considered VFM.
However, from such an expensive model, we would definitely expect better manufacturing quality, as well as more ergonomic options.
Philips 328P6AUBREB
The Philips 328P6AUBREB belongs to a completely different category than the above display.
Specifications
In terms of design, the 328P6AUBREB comes in an all-time-classic black matte color, it has a beautiful circular stand with a silver hue on the supporting arm, and a discreet hole in the middle to hold our wires. In short, the design is impeccable.
The Philips logo is again down the center of the screen, but this time it's more discreet, with no backlit options.
Bezels are about half an inch.
The frame is made of high-quality materials and it looks far superior to the ultrawide model we saw above.
The screen diagonal is at 32 inches - 31.5 to be exact - and it has a resolution of 2560x1440.
This model also includes Adobe sRGB calibration, which makes the colors more accurate for those who do graphic design, color correction, and the like.
It also supports HDR10, which is a feature that can't be easily found on monitors of this category.
At the back we will find all the ports; it has HDMI 2 and DisplayPort 1.2, headphone ports, an ethernet port, and two USB 3.0 ports.
The screen also comes with a USB 3.1 Type-C port, which means it can transfer data and power to and from any device that has a corresponding port. In other words, we can connect laptops, tablets, smartphones - you name it.
The ergonomics are excellent; the 328P6AUBREB can turn in any direction. It can tilt up and down, pivot vertically, be elevated, and swivel at 360 degrees to any side.
The refresh rate is at 60Hz, and according to Philips, the panel also incorporates Low Blue Mode. This technology prevents blue screen radiation that can negatively affect our health.
Final verdict
This monitor managed to amaze us. First of all, the colors look extremely impressive.
And we are not just talking about HDR videos, which are relatively scarce. We tried several kinds of footage and it really felt bright and real.
We should note that HDR content works only through the HDMI port, but we didn't mind that at all.
Its size is more than enough for any use. We were accustomed to an already large 27-inch QHD screen, so the 32 inches provided us with more space to work.
We had room for multiple windows, which makes it ideal for tasks like office, browsing, and more.
Our gaming experience was great as well, although the display is not marketed for gamers.
It may have "only" 60Hz, no Freesync or Gsync, but the colors and size made us forget that it's not a gaming monitor.
To summarize, we would suggest this screen for someone looking for an all-around monitor. With the price of around $500, we consider it one of the best screens in its category, although it's currently only reserved for Prime members on Amazon.
Did you like the review?
Would you like to see other Philips screens in future reviews? If you have any questions or want to suggest another model for a future review, feel free to leave your comments below.
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