UltraGear evo is LG's bet on 5K gaming with integrated AI: these are the three models

At CES 2026, LG introduced a new premium sub-brand within its gaming monitor family: UltraGear evo. It starts with three flagships sharing a 5K floor and adding an AI processor within the monitor itself: the ultra-widescreen OLED 39GX950B, the MiniLED 27GM950B, and the panoramic 52G930B. The inaugural trinity leaves an editorial blemish: the most expensive model dropped the OLED and was left out of the AI features that the brand is touting as flagship.

What is UltraGear evo

UltraGear evo is the new premium sub-brand within the UltraGear family, with 5K as the common minimum resolution. What distinguishes it from conventional UltraGears is a dedicated AI processor integrated into the monitor that enables three functions: 5K AI Upscaling (scaling to the panel's native resolution), AI Scene Optimization, and AI Sound. It goes against the dominant model in upscaling (DLSS, FSR) where the GPU does the work: here, the processing happens in the monitor, without impacting graphic performance, and works with any compatible source (PC, console, handheld) as long as the input is at least Full HD. The key detail: only two of the three models launched under the evo brand include these AI features. The largest and most expensive, does not.

39GX950B: the 5K2K OLED many were expecting

The 39GX950B is an ultra-wide 21:9 OLED with 5K2K (5120×2160) on a 1500R curved screen, a sensible correction from the aggressive 800R of the 45GX950A predecessor that many deemed excessive. It uses the fourth-generation LG Primary RGB Tandem WOLED panel, with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification and up to 99.5% DCI-P3 coverage. Dual mode allows switching between 165 Hz at native resolution for cinematic games and 330 Hz at WFHD (2560×1080) for competitive FPS, with a response time of 0.03 ms (GtG). The pixel density reaches 142 PPI: enough for text to remain crisp although system scaling is advisable for prolonged productivity use. Serious connectivity: DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1, and USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and 90 W charging. Price: USD 1,799.

27GM950B: the first serious 5K MiniLED venture

The 27GM950B is LG's first serious foray with MiniLED at 5K resolution (5120×2880). What the brand calls Hyper Mini LED has 2,304 local dimming zones and 9,216 LEDs according to official specifications: 1.5× more zones and 5.9× more LEDs than LG's previous MiniLED, the 27GR95UM. The stated goal is to tackle blooming, the halo effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds that high-density MiniLEDs drag. To this end, it adds Zero Optical Distance, a technique that minimizes the gap between the panel and backlight to reduce light bleeding. The numbers are compelling: 1,250 nits peak, VESA DisplayHDR 1000, up to 99% DCI-P3, and 218 PPI on 27 inches. It also comes with Dual mode (165 Hz at 5K, 330 Hz at QHD) and a response time of 1 ms (GtG). DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR20 guarantees the bandwidth for 5K at high refresh without visible compression. It's the most affordable of the three, at USD 1,199.

52G930B: the largest of the evo line, with asterisks

The 52G930B is the largest in the UltraGear evo catalog: 52 inches in 5K2K (5120×2160), 21:9, 240 Hz refresh, 1 ms (GtG), and 1000R curvature. The vertical height is equivalent to a 16:9 42-inch stretched horizontally, positioning the monitor as a multi-monitor setup replacement for gaming and productivity. The marketing phrase says "world's largest 5K2K 240Hz," a specific qualification by resolution and refresh: the Samsung Odyssey Ark, for instance, is 55" but at 4K.

Here's where the asterisks come in. First, it is not OLED: the panel is VA. This is a clear technical regression compared to the 45GX950A predecessor which was 5K2K OLED. Second, it doesn't include the AI features that LG is promoting as the evo brand's flag. The footnote in the official announcement is explicit: 5K AI Upscaling, AI Scene Optimization, and AI Sound are available "exclusively" on the 39GX950B and 27GM950B. Third, the HDR certification is DisplayHDR 600 and the color coverage drops to 95% DCI-P3, more modest levels than its siblings. Connectivity: DisplayPort 2.1, two HDMI 2.1, USB-C with 90 W, and two downstream USB-A with KVM function. Price: USD 1,999.

How the three models compare

A side-by-side look highlights that the most expensive is not the most complete of the line.

The 27GM950B stands out as the model with the highest certified brightness, best HDR of the line, and, at the same time, the cheapest. The 52G930B ranks higher in size and raw refresh, but lower in panel, HDR certification, color coverage, and brand functions. The editorial question is direct: what does the most expensive UltraGear evo monitor do without the two things that justify the "evo"?

Conclusion

The inaugural UltraGear evo lineup has two clear winners and a less coherent proposal. The 27GM950B is probably the most interesting bet of the three for price/innovation ratio: it's the most affordable, the only one with HDR 1000 certification, and the first serious 5K MiniLED implementation in gaming. The 39GX950B is the most complete and the obvious choice for those who value OLED black depth and ultra-wide 21:9 format without compromise. The 52G930B demands caution: at USD 1,999, without OLED and without the AI features that give the sub-brand its name, it's worth waiting for independent tests before jumping to order.