ViewSonic XG321UG-S 32" Gaming Monitor Black

This is a comprehensive review is for the ViewSonic XG321UG Pros: ++ Full Array Local Dimming, 1152 zones, mini LED ++ H.D.R. 1400 ++ NVIDIA G-Sync Ultimate + NVIDIA Reflex ++ 144Hz native refresh rate ++ 32" 4K IPS with 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe, and 98% DCI-P3 coverage ++ Clear and excellent O.S.D. Cons: -- As close as you'll get, but "not an absolute perfect image" when compared to OLED. -- Some blooming effects due to the FALD, but can be adjusted -- Very expensive [INTRO] I was in the market for a 32" 4K display. I first purchased the LG 32GQ950-B at a good deal around $1000 since that monitor normally sells for $1300. However, due to a washed out HDR color issue and auto dimming problem it has, I returned that monitor and purchased the $2500 ViewSonic XG321UG. Now, I bring this up because I will be comparing the LG to the ViewSonic to help you on what to look out for and why the XG321UG came out on top. [FALD] This monitor features 1152 mini LEDs that grant Full Array Local Dimming. The 1152 zone FALD is what gives this monitor its OLED like qualities. When something is black on the screen, it is truly black! In other words, it is as black as when the monitor is off, exactly like an OLED. I have never seen this before on a non-OLED monitor and it is absolutely awesome. I also did not see any kind of local dimming issues I saw with the LG or other monitors where the local dimming causes a slow dimming/brightness issue when the screen has a 50% white image and a 50% dark image. What you will see is the white portion of the screen getting brighter and darker repeatedly because the monitor can't decide on a brightness level. No issue with the ViewSonic. Now having said that, it is still not perfect like an OLED. When you run the mouse cursor over a dark area, you will see a blooming effect around the cursor which is due to the mini LEDs turning on in that area. Though this blooming effect is noticeable, you can adjust this by decreasing the black levels of the monitor which essentially turns the FALD to "always on" to four different brightness levels to compensate for this. I leave the blackness level adjusted to off. [HDR] The HDR on this monitor is absolutely a sight to see. With 1400 Max nits and the FALD going simultaneously, images, dark movies with bright lights or explosions, games, you name it all look stunning and where this monitor really shines. As I mentioned before, the LG i purchased before had a problem with its HDR mode. Basically, when HDR was on and in Windows, all the colors would be very washed out. If you tried to compensate for the color in Windows or Nvidia settings, those colors would stack on top causing an over saturation issue in games. The ViewSonic monitor does not have that problem. Colors look great as you would expect consistently from one thing to the other. Plus this monitor still gives you the bility to adjust the color when in HDR mode. The LG would lock you out of the color settings. [OVERALL] This monitor comes with all the bells and whistles. It has awesome HDR, awesome black levels thanks to the FALD, 4K, G-SYNC, 144HZ, you name it. I purchased this monitor over the ASUS ROG Swift PG32UQX, simply because both monitors have the same technology, but the ViewSonic is $500 less expensive. Of course, you are still paying for it at $2500. However, if you are like me and use this monitor for school or anything that requires static images for long periods of time, you don't have to worry about burn in issues like an OLED, yet you can still get beautiful blackness levels of an OLED. Also wanted to mention the menu OSD. Both the LG and the ViewSonic had easy and clear on screen displays. Anyways, I hope this review educated you on what to expect when a monitor uses HDR mode and how local dimming can effect the display.