As GPUs grow more powerful, they’re not just transforming gaming and artificial intelligence—they’re now driving sweeping changes in the monitor display market.
While GPUs were originally developed to enhance visual performance in video games and high-definition content, their role has expanded. Today, the demand for monitors that can fully harness advanced GPU capabilities is fueling a rapid transition from traditional LCDs (liquid crystal displays) to OLEDs (organic light-emitting diode displays).
South Korean display makers, having lost ground to Chinese rivals in the LCD sector, are regaining momentum in OLED technology, where they still hold a clear edge in innovation and performance. As consumers increasingly seek monitors with higher resolution and faster response times, OLED panels are emerging as the next standard.
According to market research firm Omdia, shipments of OLED monitor panels are projected to reach 3.01 million units this year, a staggering increase from just 160,000 units in 2022—an 18-fold surge in only two years.
Four key specs define a high-performance monitor: resolution, pixels per inch (PPI), refresh rate and response time. A greater number of pixels results in higher resolution, while a higher PPI produces sharper images. Refresh rate refers to how many frames a monitor can display per second—a higher rate yields smoother motion.
Response time, which indicates how quickly a display can change from one image to another, affects motion clarity; the faster the response, the less ghosting or blur. OLED monitors outperform conventional office monitors across all four categories, making them ideal for gamers and high-resolution video streaming.
To meet the growing need for premium displays, manufacturers are rolling out OLED panels that maximize the advantages of resolution, refresh rate and response time.
Samsung Display introduced a 27-inch UHD OLED panel earlier this year—the first of its kind designed for gaming monitors. With a pixel density of 160 PPI, it delivers a clear and detailed picture.
“The clarity of the screen allows for more precise editing in photography and video production,” the company official said. “It also delivers an immersive viewing experience for movies and games.”
Samsung Display also plans to launch a 500Hz model in the first half of the year. A 500Hz refresh rate means the monitor displays 500 frames per second—far surpassing standard office monitors, which generally offer less than 100Hz.
LG Display is strengthening its position in the high-performance monitor segment with the mass production of a 45-inch OLED panel featuring 5K2K resolution—the highest among OLED gaming displays. With a pixel width about 1.3 times greater than UHD, the panel delivers ultra-high-definition clarity. Its response time is just 0.03 milliseconds, making it roughly 100 times faster than the 3-millisecond average of typical LCD panels.
A high refresh rate alone isn’t enough—if response time lags, motion blur can still appear. To address this, LG Display applied its in-house DFR (Dynamic Frequency and Resolution) technology, which allows users to switch between high-refresh and high-resolution modes depending on the content. The company has also developed a 27-inch monitor supporting a 480Hz refresh rate.
The accelerating demand for high-spec monitors is closely tied to the rise of next-generation GPUs.
Until recently, OLED monitors were often considered overkill, offering far more resolution and speed than mainstream users required. But that perception has shifted. With companies like Nvidia continuing to release ever more powerful GPUs, top-tier displays have become a necessity.
PC makers are now asking panel suppliers for monitors that can match the performance of cutting-edge GPUs.
“The emergence of high-performance GPUs has changed the game,” said an industry official. “Only display manufacturers with strong technical capabilities are now in a position to win those high-end orders.”
At present, Samsung and LG together control more than 90% of the global OLED monitor panel market. Unlike in the LCD segment—where Chinese manufacturers have caught up—South Korea still holds a commanding lead in OLED technology.
