The new HP Thunderbolt 4 Monitor uses IPS Black contrast technology. 

HP today announced the 31.5-inch monitor at its Amplify partner conference, designed for data-intensive, image-demanding workers. The HP Z32k G3 4K claims to be the first monitor to use an IPS Black panel along with a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port.

Dell pioneered IPS Black, using LG Display technology for 27-inch and 31.5-inch USB-C UltraSharp monitors. IPS Black is a type of IPS panel that should double the typical contrast ratio of traditional IPS, delivering darker black levels. LG Display stated that IPS Black levels are “35 percent deeper than existing IPS products”.

The HP Z32k G3 claims a contrast ratio of 2000:1 compared to a standard IPS monitor, which is typically around 1000:1, with premium IPS samples reaching around 1300:1. Assuming HP shared the exact figure, it’s worth noting that the specification does not match a strong VA monitor or, compared to the contrast provided by displays with more expensive backlight technology, Mini LED or OLED.

We tested IPS Black on the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE and saw an impressive contrast ratio of up to 1977:1 at the highest contrast settings, where small black text was harder to read on a white background, but dark colors and lighter details were rendered more vividly. Even at default contrast settings, the monitor hit 1873:1 and delivered image quality that was noticeably more vibrant than a typical IPS monitor. The HP Z32k G3 likely uses the same 31.5″IPS Black panel as the Dell UltraSharp 32 (U3223QE).

The HP display claims up to 400 nits of brightness and backs it up with VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. It’s also supposed to cover 98 percent of DCI-P3 with a Delta E of less than 2, so color errors shouldn’t be visible to the naked eye. These claims are close to what we saw when we tested the Dell UltraSharp IPS Black 27-inch monitor.

HP also stated that its IPS Black monitor can display more accurate colors at lower brightness settings than traditional IPS monitors.

Unlike Dell IPS Black monitors, which can be connected to a PC via DisplayPort 1.4 over USB-C with a maximum transfer rate of 32.4 Gb/s, the HP IPS Black Monitor uses Thunderbolt 4 at 40 Gb/s (the monitor, according to HP, will not work with computers). that don’t support Thunderbolt 4 or USB-C over 20Gbps). This makes the display potentially suitable for power users driving two 4K displays at 60Hz, a Thunderbolt 4 dock, external storage, and external graphics cards.

The monitor also charges PCs up to 100W and has a KVM switch to switch between the two systems. HP Display Manager also provides remote monitor management, including deployment, asset tracking, and remote configuration of Z32k G3 settings, HP says.

HP has said it will announce pricing for the Z32k G3 closer to the November release date.