For a brand that used to be unambiguously budget-orientated, AOC has come a long way.
For proof, look no further than the new AOC U32U3CV.
This is an extremely well specified 32-inch, 4K professional monitor.
(Image credit: AOC)
Without giving away too much, too soon, its performance is also excellent.
Happily, however, one legacy attribute AOC has retained is aggressive pricing.
This is an awful, awful lot of monitor for your money.
(Image credit: AOC)
You also get HDR 400 certification and a USB-C hub with power delivery, KVM support and ethernet.
With the added professional features, it looks like a very strong proposition.
Of course, the spec list isn’t absolutely comprehensive.
(Image credit: AOC)
There’s no local dimming, for instance, and the refresh rate is only 60Hz.
So, that’s not really a criticism.
Along with the 32-inch 4K IPS panel, you get a nicely-engineered metal stand and slick, slim-bezel aesthetics.
(Image credit: AOC)
That includes comprehensive adjustability, with tilt, height, swivel and rotation into portrait mode.
However, the ergonomics aren’t flawless.
The U32U3CV has an unusually large and wide stand base.
(Image credit: AOC)
As for connectivity, it’s truly comprehensive.
Complementing the USB-C hub are four USB-A ports and ethernet.
This isn’t a gaming monitor, so high refresh is not critical.
(Image credit: AOC)
Of course, this is a display designed for serious work and content creation in particular.
To that end you get <2 DeltaE factory calibration and Calman Ready support for rapid hardware calibration.
This monitor is really lovely.
(Image credit: AOC)
That applies across the multiple colour space presets, including sRGB, DCI-P3 and the rest.
It’s punchy, too, and if anything the subjective experience exceeds the 400 nit specification.
As that number implies, this is a VESA DisplayHDR 400 Certified monitor.
(Image credit: AOC)
That means it has entry-level HDR support, but lacks local dimming.
In other words, it’s not a true HDR monitor but can at least decode an HDR signal.
Another relative limitation is the 60Hz refresh rate.
(Image credit: AOC)
Historically, high refresh hasn’t been a clear part of the remit for a professional display like this.
But that’s arguably beginning to change and a higher refresh would make for a more responsive computing experience.
That said, the actual pixel response is just fine for this class of IPS monitor.
(Image credit: AOC)
Long story short, it’s unlikely you’d reject this monitor on the basis of pixel speed.
By those metrics, the AOC Graphic Pro U32U3CV punches well, well above its weight.
Many such monitors attract a significant price premium.
(Image credit: AOC)
But not the AOC Graphic Pro U32U3CV.
With both attributes, it’s an absolutely fantastic package for the price.
For high-resolution displays, we’ve rounded up all thebest 5K and 8K monitors.
(Image credit: AOC)
(Image credit: AOC)
(Image credit: AOC)
