Acer's Predator X27U F5 represents another addition to the growing selection of 1440p monitors featuring 500Hz OLED technology, offering superior motion handling while trimming non-critical elements to achieve a reduced cost.
The emergence of 1440p 500Hz QD-OLED displays during the autumn of 2025 has been noteworthy. Such elevated refresh rates were once considered rare, yet today multiple choices exist from various makers. Acer's model enters this market by reducing certain specifications to offer the high-speed panel at a more accessible starting price.
Explore further details below, followed by our selection of top-rated displays for reference.
The core technical details of the Acer Predator X27U F5 align with those of recent 500Hz QD-OLED releases now available for purchase. These devices combine impressive refresh speeds with a standard-definition resolution.
A key differentiator for the Predator X27U F5 lies in its input options. It includes two DisplayPort connections, two HDMI interfaces, and a USB-C port supporting DisplayPort functionality, resulting in five total video sources. In contrast, many rivals offer only three, and several omit USB-C entirely.
Acer launches the Predator X27U F5 at a suggested retail price of $799.99, undercutting several competitors. For instance, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 starts at $999.99, while the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDPG and MSI MPG 271QR both begin at $899.99. Discounts often appear, potentially lowering costs by hundreds of dollars, so monitor promotions prior to buying.
The exterior of the Acer Predator X27U F5 remains unremarkable, consistent with typical monitor aesthetics that avoid flashy elements. The front presents a sleek glossy panel bordered by slim dark edges and a subtle Predator emblem. The back employs straightforward, durable black materials without significant variation.
This minimalist style proves sufficient. Reviewers often favor understated looks, especially since the monitor's backside faces away once positioned on a workspace. Notably absent are basic RGB lights, which appear on many units in this range. However, a retractable headphone holder exists on the stand's column, though accessing it proves awkward.
The included base feels solid but occupies excessive space with its extended arm and broad footprint, more suited to larger screens than this 27-inch model. Users with limited desk area may find it pushes the screen nearer than desired compared to standard 27-inch setups.
Ergonomics cover standard height, tilt, and swivel movements, plus a 90-degree rotation for vertical viewing, all expected at this level. The mounting pattern uses a 75x75mm VESA size rather than the usual 100x100mm, but most compatible hardware accommodates both without issue.
The Predator X27U F5 excels in port variety versus rivals, featuring two DisplayPort 2.1 outlets, two HDMI 2.1 slots, and a USB-C input with DisplayPort alt mode plus 65W charging capability—five video options overall, exceeding the three typical on peers. Dual DisplayPorts are rare, as single units dominate.
This extensive setup suits hybrid monitor-TV use, allowing connections for two consoles, two computers, and a notebook simultaneously.
The USB-C links to two USB-A outputs, powered alternatively via a USB-B connection, and includes a KVM function for input switching. A downstream USB-C would enhance it, but omissions persist across similar products.
Five video inputs set the Predator X27U F5 apart, surpassing the three on most equivalents.
Navigation uses a quick-response joystick at the bottom rear edge, yielding an intuitive, clearly marked interface. Minor critiques include compact text sizing, yet overall usability shines.
Customization abounds with various color profiles, gamma settings, and temperature options. Lacking specialized modes like DCI-P3 or AdobeRGB, and using broad labels like 'Warm' over precise figures such as 6500K, they remain serviceable. Advanced tuning via six-color controls is possible.
Gaming aids include aiming overlays, frame rate displays, shadow enhancers, and a reduced viewing zone for emulating compact screens in competitive play or legacy titles.
Unlike some rivals like the Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDPG, it omits a presence detector to mitigate burn-in by auto-dimming when the user steps away—a growing inclusion in OLEDs.
Integrated 5-watt audio units deliver mediocre sound, better than absent alternatives in the segment. Suitable for background noise or non-audio-focused gaming, they fall short for immersive media.
Powered by a Samsung QD-OLED panel at 1440p and 500Hz, the Predator X27U F5 debuted in recent models across brands, proving reliable with top-tier results.
Peak luminance exceeds 300 nits, strong for OLED and increasingly standard in new QD-OLEDs.
Such output suffices broadly, often running at low percentages in dim environments. The reflective surface may challenge well-lit rooms despite this.
OLED's inherent strengths yield unmatched contrast, with the X27U F5 exemplifying infinite ratios by reaching true black levels unattainable elsewhere.
This delivers profound depth and nuance in shadows, surpassing IPS, VA, or even Mini-LED alternatives for immersion.
Quantum Dot enhancement expands gamut coverage dramatically, aiding wide-color workflows and vibrant visuals across media.
Accuracy trails slightly behind leaders, but OLED excellence masks variances—even direct comparisons reveal minimal discrepancies. It achieves gamma near 2.3 (target 2.2) and 6400K white point (target 6500K), yielding faintly darker tones; common among peers.
At 1440p on a 26.5-inch size, pixel density hits roughly 110 PPI—functional yet underwhelming versus 4K options at comparable costs. Softness appears in content, most evidently on desktop UI with aliased text.
Overall, the display impresses with rich, engaging visuals ideal for gaming and video in standard dynamic range, meeting expectations without novelty.
Certified VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 with an HDR 1000 setting aiming for 1000 nits, it approaches but not fully attains this—still competitive for the format.
Results mirror contemporary OLEDs: near-1000 nits for small highlights, diminishing with broader illumination. This suits highlight-driven HDR in games, maintaining strong impact.
Absent is manual HDR luminance tweaking, useful for dim settings or overly intense titles—a minor but appreciated omission elsewhere.
The 500Hz rate ensures exceptional smoothness and reactivity, far beyond 60Hz norms and double 240Hz, benefiting high-FPS scenarios with sharp motion and stable pans—dramatic from lower tiers, evident from mid-range upgrades.
No impulse drive like Asus's ELMB or MSI's MPRT limits lower-speed clarity enhancements, potentially disappointing enthusiasts.
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification holds, with unofficial Nvidia G-Sync compatibility via RTX 5050 testing. Dual branding would reassure more.
Motion benefits tie to the shared panel, bolstering the X27U F5's value at its price tier.
Joining the expanding 1440p 500Hz QD-OLED category, the Acer Predator X27U F5 boasts elite contrast, hues, and fluidity.
Against options like the Samsung Odyssey G6 OLED or Asus ROG Strix XG27AQDPG, it skimps on aesthetics and ergonomics but counters with $799.99 pricing (Samsung sales undercut currently) and superior five-input access.
Matthew S. Smith, a veteran tech writer with 15 years assessing gadgets, contributes to PCWorld alongside Wired, Ars Technica, Digital Trends, Reviewed, IGN, and Lifewire. He explores AI and virtual worlds for IEEE Spectrum and hosts Computer Gaming Yesterday, a channel on historical PC titles.