TechRadar Review Calls Philips 34B2U5900C a Leading 5K2K Ultrawide Monitor
TechRadar's review of the Philips 34B2U5900C praises its sharp 5K2K 34-inch ultrawide panel, 140W USB-C power delivery and 120Hz/240Hz modes, while citing limited HDR, dated design and slightly limited color coverage.
The 34B2U5900C uses a VA panel rather than the IPS type that might be expected from a 5K2K model, according to TechRadar, and has a quoted static contrast of 3,000:1. It supports its full 5,120 by 2,160 resolution at 120Hz over DisplayPort, HDMI and USB-C, and also offers a 2,560 by 1,080 mode at 240Hz. TechRadar lists brightness at 550 nits, pixel response at 2ms, color coverage at 95% DCI-P3 and VESA mounting at 100mm by 100mm.
Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.1 inputs, one DisplayPort 1.4 input, USB-C with 140W power delivery under USB Power Delivery 3.1, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB hub with three USB-A and three USB-C ports. A KVM switch lets the monitor, keyboard and mouse be shared across two computing devices, and a multiview option can display both machines at the same time. The USB-C power output is well above the 96W of previous generations of single-cable USB-C connectivity, TechRadar says, allowing one cable to drive the display and fully power many high-spec desktop-replacement laptops.
The review describes the monitor's design as slightly dated, with a particularly thick lower bezel, and says it is clearly not an ultra-slim OLED. It adds that the display is well put together and exceptionally ergonomic, helped by a base that swivels through a full 360 degrees and clearly labeled, easily accessible rear ports. TechRadar also notes a light sensor that adjusts brightness to ambient conditions and a proximity sensor that dims the screen when the user steps away from the desk.
HDR is a weaker area. The panel is DisplayHDR 400 certified, which TechRadar places at the lowest rung for HDR support and capability, and it does not offer local dimming, let alone the per-pixel lighting control of OLED. The review also cites slightly limited color coverage among its drawbacks.
In its verdict, TechRadar lists the super-sharp 5K2K panel, USB-C with 140W power delivery and the 120Hz and 240Hz modes as pros. It lists limited HDR capability, dated design and slightly limited color coverage as cons. The review concludes that, on paper, the Philips 34B2U5900C looks set to feature strongly among the best business monitors available and is the ultimate non-OLED 34-inch 5K2K ultrawide productivity monitor for PCs and Macs.