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 Future Future Future Nicely engineered Good connectivity Daisy chaining capability has limitations Specs Panel size: 32-inch Panel type: IPS Black 2.0 Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 Brightness: 450 nits Contrast: 3,000:1 (static) Pixel response: 4ms Refresh rate: 60Hz Color coverage: 99% DCI-P3 HDR: DIsplayHDR 400 VESA: 100mm x 100mm Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 in x1, DisplayPort 1.4 in x1, USB-C 96W PD in, DisplayPort out, USB-C out, USB-A hub x3 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.