Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP 4K monitor review: Our first taste of the latest IPS Black 2.0 panel tech

In this age of OLED everywhere, all the time, what hope for a mere LCD monitor launching into the market? Actually, the new Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP, a 32-inch 4K model, actually looks like a very compelling package for creative professionals, on paper.

It's built around LG's very latest IPS Black 2.0 technology, which offers much better contrast than any previous IPS panel tech. Maybe that will close the gap to all those OLED monitors with their perfect per-pixel lighting control?

The panel also comes with both HDR 400 certification and 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema colour space, not to mention Pantone Validation for design and print workflows.

Then there's this monitor's impressive connectivity. Along with the usual HDMI and DisplayPort inputs, you get USB-C with 96W of power delivery and a three-port USB-A hub. If that's not exactly exceptional, there are also DisplayPort and USB-C outputs for display daisy chaining, plus a full KVM switch to help streamline the sharing of this display across two computing devices.

As for obvious shortcomings, well, it's limited to 60Hz, and as that HDR 400 certification implies, there's no local dimming. But, again, maybe that high-contrast IPS Black 2.0 panel means this monitor can get by without local dimming? If it can, and given its fairly attractive price for such a well specified productivity monitor, this new Iiyama is a dead cert for a high ranking among the best business monitors we've tested this year.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Design and features

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

• Nicely engineered
• Good connectivity
• Daisy chaining capability has limitations

Iiyama's monitors are usually no nonsense to a fault when it comes to design. Aesthetic flair isn't exactly the brand's signature. The new Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP doesn't obviously buck that trend with its sober, minimalist styling.

That said, with slim, symmetrical bezels on all four sides of that 4K IPS Black 2.0 panel and a slightly slicker looking stand than most existing Iiyama models, this new 32 incher looks more contemporary than we've come to expect from the Japanese brand.

Functionally, the chassis gets the job done, too, thanks to a sturdy, well built stand and outstanding connectivity. HDMI, DisplayPort and USB-C inputs are pretty much a given these days for a 32-inch 4K model at roughly this price point, which is currently £667 in the UK and likely around $800 when it becomes available in the US.

What you wouldn't automatically expect is a full KVM switch and support for display daisy chaining from the additional DisplayPort output. The catch with the daisy chaining feature, unfortunately, is that resolution and refresh support from the DisplayPort output tops out at either 2,560 by 1,440 at 60 Hz or 4K at 30Hz. The latter not really being a realistic option due to how sluggish and choppy it looks and feels.

It's a slightly odd limitation given you might expect a monitor with daisy chaining capability to support another display of the same specification. Still, there's a three-port USB-A hub, including two ports on the left bezel. So, connectivity is generally a very strong point.

Support for creative workflows is also pretty good thanks to Pantone Validation, which helps ensure color accuracy through the print pipeline, 6-axis color hue and saturation controls and numerous color space presets. For the record, it's all backed by a reassuring three-year warranty from one of the most respected brands in the display industry.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Performance

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

• Nicely calibrated
• Crisp, clean font rendering
• Limited HDR capability

In performance terms, easily the most intriguing aspect of the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP is its IPS Black 2.0 panel technology. To put it into context, until the first generation of IPS Black LCD panel arrived from LG in 2022, most IPS monitors topped out at 1,000:1 static contrast, with some capable of 1,300:1.

IPS Black generation one upped that to 2,000:1. Now this new IPS Black 2.0 panel lifts contrast even further, to fully 3,000:1. That's on a par with many VA panels, which used to trade on their clearly superior contrast.

So, how much difference does IPS Black 3.0 make? Subjectively, it's relatively subtle. The Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP is still pretty obviously an IPS monitor and some of that characteristic IPS glow still leaks through in black tones.

On a related note, this HDR 400 display lacks local dimming. Long story short, you're never going to confuse this monitor with an OLED panel and its perfect per-pixel lighting control.

This Iiyama is not truly capable of HDR visuals. That said, as the 450 nit brightness specification implies, this is a very punchy panel and in that regard—full-screen brightness—it wallops any currently available desktop OLED monitor.

It's also very nicely calibrated and includes a comprehensive list of color space presets in its OSD menu. That includes both DCI-P3 and Display P3, the latter being the default color space used by Apple Mac computers.

What's more, if you hook up to a Mac over USB-C, MacOS's keyboard brightness controls are supported by the monitor, which is a welcome refinement.

Another positive feature is the matte anti-glare coating. Glossy display panels are currently in vogue, especially for gaming. However, the heightened reflectivity they involve can be problematic in many professional settings.

The matte anti-glare coating Iiyama has gone for does a good job of reducing reflectivity without introducing any coarseness or sparkle to the image quality.

Perceived contrast is also good for a matte panel. Sitting side-by-side with the latest RGB-stripe OLED panel technology in the same 32-inch 4K format, which is meant to "solve" the problem of font rendering for OLED panels, it's notable that this conventional LCD panel still has slightly crisper, cleaner text.

That said, if super sharp fonts are your thing, you might want to think about picking up a 6K 32-inch display, which can now be had under $1,000 / £1,000 on occasion.

Less impressive than the calibration, overall punch and visual clarity is the HB3201UHSNP's limitation to 60Hz refresh rate. The slightly sluggish response and juddery motion rendering is immediately obvious if you're used to 120Hz or above displays. Of course, high refresh is not a particular requirement for most pro creator workflows.

But it is an issue for daily sense of computing responsiveness and Iiyama should probably think about moving to 120Hz-plus across the range, or at least for non budget-orientated displays like this.

Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP: Final verdict

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

If you know a little about panel technology and came in hoping the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP's IPS Black 2.0 technology might be revolutionary, the reality is more prosaic than that. It's a small, incremental step in lighting control and contrast performance, rather than a major leap. Put simply, OLED panels still rule for HDR visuals, black levels and viewing angles.

However, not only is the Iiyama ProGraphic HB3201UHSNP still a step forward for conventional IPS tech, it's also a strong overall package. It's nicely calibrated and well optimised for professional and creator workflows.

It delivers a strong connectivity feature set, too, including USB-C, a USB-A hub, KVM switch and even display daisy chaining, albeit the latter capability has limitations. This new model is also that little bit sharper and more contemporary looking in design terms than we've come to expect from Iiyama, which is a welcome refinement.

Really, the one obvious limitation is the 60Hz refresh rate. Strictly, 120Hz-plus refresh isn't a professional or creator workflow requirement. But it does make daily computing feel slicker and more pleasant. And it would elevate what is already a very good display into a great one.

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(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

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