LG’s ultra-tall 16:18 monitor means less scrolling

In case you haven’t noticed, the screens have gotten taller. Laptops are the most obvious example, with more opting for 16:10 this year than we’ve seen in years, with even a 3:2 aspect ratio possible. LG has brought that taller look to external PC monitors with the introduction of the LG DualUp Monitor today (28MQ780), 27.6″16:18 aspect ratio monitor.

It’s not that LG just took a traditional monitor form factor and turned it sideways. DualUp is closer to a square than the more common 16:9 displays. At 16:18, the length and height of the monitor are close to the same measurement, but the monitor is still larger than the width. If you are tired of scrolling through long articles, tables, lines of code, and a constant news feed, this option is worth considering.

While taller screens are increasingly common in laptops, they are incredibly rare in PC monitors. There are plenty of ultra-wide monitors filling the peripheral vision of gamers and productivity junkies, but finding a vertical PC monitor is next to impossible. We recently reviewed the much thinner 7:32 vertical monitor, but it’s mostly available in Japan, and as a portable monitor it’s much smaller at 8.8 inches. As for mainstream, widely available monitors in the US, the DualUp Monitor should be one-of-a-kind whenever it arrives – LG hasn’t given a price or release date.

In addition to the unique aspect ratio, the monitor also has rare dimensions. Its diagonal is 27.6 inches, and at 2560 × 2880 resolution, the pixel density is 139.6 pixels per inch. The monitor also has the same number of pixels (7,372,800) as two 21.5-inch QHD 16:10 monitors (2560×1440 resolution), but it’s much higher.

With the exception of height and resolution, the DualUp Monitor’s other specs are pretty standard, if not a little lower than you might expect. The contrast ratio typical of a good IPS panel is 1000:1. And I wouldn’t complain, but LG also today announced the UltraFine Display (32UQ85R), which is an LG Nano IPS Black panel. It should provide “realistic and nuanced blacks while adding more depth to images”, allowing the monitor to claim a contrast ratio of 2000:1. However, 1000:1 should be sufficient for a quality monitor with accurate color saturation (DualUp claims 98% DCI- P3), and LG’s new IPS technology is still unresolved.

There’s support for HDR, but LG doesn’t make any claims about VESA certification, which will have implications for monitor brightness, which affects contrast ratio, the factor that has the biggest impact on making HDR look different (and better) than SDR. LG says the DualUp can reach up to 300 nits of brightness, which is fine but underwhelming.

However, LG offers an updated version of its Ergo Stand. This makes it more interesting than a regular monitor mounted on a stand on a table. The LG Ergo Stand attaches to your desk for an eye-catching look while also saving space on your desk.

It’s also a USB-C monitor, so you can charge other devices with it up to 96W, which is very close to the 100W maximum. However, you are not limited. The monitor also includes two HDMI ports, plus a DisplayPort and three USB-A ports (one upstream and two downstream). You also get a pair of 7W speakers to complete the package outside of the panel.

LG will showcase its tall monitor, as well as the UltraFine Display, which was also announced today, at CES in early January.