The AGON PRO AG276QZD is big, but also fast and super bright. A now-industry standard 240hz but with 1440p resolution, after using it for a while I can comfortably say it’s one of the best monitors I have experienced.
The 0.03ms response time is built for high-level gaming. With shooters like Valorant or Marvel Rivals, where you want performance you can really feel the difference: moving from a 0.1ms response time of the same frame-rate I could immediately feel it. With games like Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate where I would prefer to play with settings all on high to really enjoy how the games look, well frankly, the AGON PRO AG276QZD can do both.
It took a while to get used to a flat-screen after using a curved monitor for so long, but with that bedding-in period passed,I really started to enjoy using it. Playing at 1440p, 240hz is fantastic and just the right balance for just about any game or activity. Whilst it is completely overkill for anything like basic video editing or writing, it can’t be ignored that the screen is stunningly bright. Another huge plus point for the AGON PRO AG276QZD is that unlike some other screens where the sun shines in and creates glare, with this model it seems to be almost non-existent, which is impressive considering I haven’t had another monitor succeed in doing this.
It does have a great built in adjustable stand but it does have some drawbacks. Let’s focus on the positives, first, however. You can move it up and down. It has a height adjustment distance of 130mm, and it moves pretty much every direction on its built-in arm. It even angles up and down. However (and it may be nitpicking) the actual stand itself is asymmetrical which has both positives and negatives, too. Compared to what you might consider standard with the upside-down ‘Y’ shaped feet, its more a flat metal panel which does allow for the monitor to sit on a desk-wide mousepad which is more common nowadays. But it does make it more difficult to align which is hypercritical, but some people may be hung up on this point.
It has a built-in backlight which, really, is kind of lacklustre and gets overcome by any kind of overhead light or even light coming off the screen. I ended up turning this off because it seemed relatively pointless having it on, but there is appeal there as I could see it against my wall when it wasn’t being drowned out amongst other lighting.
In terms of image burn-in, I haven’t had any problems and I’ve easily racked up well over a hundred hours using it on various games and tasks which is good. Also, when you’re idle it automatically reduces the brightness Like most monitors nowadays it also has an “all-in-one” switch, commonly called a JOG switch by some. Unlike the issues that some monitors see with this ceasing to work (some I’ve built a personal gripe with) this one has not had this problem for me so far. Which is relieving considering how good it’s been outside of that.
The display ports and HDMI ports are positioned somewhat awkwardly, mind you, with it being behind and almost under the main part of the monitor. If you’re going to have it directly in front of a wall, you will have a hard time swapping display cables around without moving the monitor out of where you have it placed, which was slightly irritating for me.
Also, it has HDMI 2.0, instead of 2.1, which means you won’t be able to run 1440p / 240hz without using a display port connection. This isn’t a concern for console gaming as the PS5 and Xbox do not run above 120hz, you won’t get above 1440p on it though so while it will perform for those wanting to play games with higher frame rate, for those who want their games in 4k, this monitor is perhaps for you.
Another negative is that after four hours of using it, it tells you to take a break so it can “refresh” which is a feature of OLED technology to maintain lifespan. It pops up with a menu which I have accidentally selected “yes” to and it turns off to go through its cycle, but never turns back on, so you have to do it manually. This can be frustrating if you’re in the middle of a game because it will be in the way if you don’t tell it “no”.
I will also add that it has too many settings for what a monitor really is. Some of them, like the monitor “reset”, don’t fully reset the monitor which is what you would want it to after messing around with display settings like contrast brightness and so on – especially when you want to just go back to the default. You don’t have to mess with them though, and honestly, it isn’t really a bad point to have so many settings, they’ll be useful for a lot of people, just I find them to be overkill.
However, if you want the top range, the price is going to be high. The AOC AGON PRO AG276QZD is a very solid OLED model but with a price point of about £440.00, it will be considered too highly priced by many people, especially when you consider what the average person will want from a monitor. Other monitors that are extremely similar in refresh rate and resolution can be found from about £100 cheaper.
The AOC AGON PRO AG276QZD is simply satisfying to play games on. In addition to its qualities, most notably being its response time and refresh rate and resolution combination, they so greatly outweigh any negatives which are mainly its external factors. I must add that it isn’t exactly light, but I would still recommend it though, to anybody who wants to experience some top moments while playing shooters, fighting games, and any beat-em ups, as it feels like the monitor was built specifically to enhance this.