The *COMPLETE* list of 27" 5K Displays?

[i486dx2-66]

So there have been a lot of 5K display discussions recently... trade show teases of new models, lamentations of the lack of options other than the Apple Studio Display, enthusiastic iMac conversions, LG comparisons, etc, etc. But every once in a while, a post comes along, or you find an obscure reference... "but what about the 5K Iiyama?" What Iiyama? Oh... and you learn about a discontinued display, previously unknown to yourself.

Well, after the third or fourth time having that happen to me, I decided to compile a list, and it was actually quite a bit longer than I expected. At least NINE displays, 17+ if you go by model numbers, or into the dozens if you count conversion combinations. I also encountered some common misconceptions along the way (LG is the only 27" 5K panel manufacturer? False. No 5K display bests 60Hz? False. All 5K displays are IPS? False!). So without further ado, here is my list.

This likely isn't complete, Please post here if you know of any others.
Also let me know if you know how to make a table >10 columns wide on the forum... until then, it's just a screenshot of a spreadsheet... But hopefully someone finds this research helpful.

(The yellow highlights aren't things that are good or bad, just things I thought were of particular interest.)

[Converted to a forum table on 2023-05-27]

Brand	Model	Size	Resolution	PPI	Panel Type	Panel Finish	Brightness	Color	Max Refresh Rate	Inputs	USB-C PD?	Announce or Release Date (earliest)	Price	Status	Comments	URL
Apple + DIY	5K iMac (conversion)	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	500 cd/m2 (2017+)	P3 wide color (2017+)	60Hz	Varies depending on conversion board.	Yes (some options)	2014-10?	(varies)	27” iMac is discontinued, but display panels and conversion PCBs are still available new.	Conversion via R1811, R9A18, U49, T18, or T19 display driver boards. 2014, 2015, and 2017+ iMacs have different panels (and resulting characteristic / capabilities).	DIY 5k Monitor - success :-) My "latest Macs" are a heavily upgraded 2009 Mac Pro (6c CPU, M.2 SSD, USB 3, RX580...) and more recently a 12c 2013 Mac Pro with an eGPU (Vega 56) - both machines with more than enough CPU power, GPU power and RAM for my needs, but I long aspired to upgrade to a nice 5k monitor to replace my... forums.macrumors.com
Apple	Studio Display	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy or Matte	600 cd/m2	8-bit + FRC	60Hz	Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C)	Yes – 96W	2022-03-08	$1599, down to $1300 at sales, or $1359 refurbished	Available	Two stand options, only one video input (HBR2+DSC Thunderbolt or USB-C, or HBR2+HBR2 Thunderbolt).	Studio Display - Technical Specifications View all technical specifications for the 27-inch 5k Retina Studio Display. www.apple.com
Clientop (aka “Clientop Industrial Co., Ltd”) via “Airow Electronics”	“5K monitor display”	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy? (Text says “5K mirror retina screen”…)	540 cd/m2	Not specified	60Hz	“HDMI / DP / Type C / USB”	Not specified	Unknown. (First observed on 2023-05-25)	$1,528.23	Available	Description says it uses the LG LM270QQ2-SPA3 panel. Stand supports tilt, rotation, and height adjustment.	1492.69US $ |New Arrival Lm270qq2-spa3 5k 5120*2880 Uhd 27 Inch Lcd Panel Oxide Tft Gaming Computer Monitor Support Metal Case Or Aluminum - Display Screen - AliExpress Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com www.aliexpress.us
Dell	UltraSharp UP2715K	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	350 cd/m2	10-bit	60Hz	1x mini-DP, 2x DP	N/A	2014-09	$2500, down to $2000 by the end?	Discontinued	Requires dual DP cables for full resolution @ 60Hz.	Dell 27 UltraSharp Ultra HD 5K Monitor - UP2715K | Dell UAE The Dell UltraSharp 27 Ultra HD 5K Monitor | UP2715K features 5K clarity and superb Harman Kardon® stereo sound. Visit Dell.com/monitors. www.dell.com
HopeStar (aka Hope aka Songren, aka “Shenzhen Hopestar Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.”)	HOP5K27	27”	5120x2880	~218	AH-IPS	Matte,Hard coating (3H)	310 cd/m2	16.7M Colors	60Hz	2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DP	N/A	Unknown. (First observed on 2023-05-25)	$530!	Available	Seller offers OEM branding, packaging, etc, so this same display may appear in the future under other names. By far the cheapest new 27” 5K display ever available.	Wholesale Monitor 27 Inch 2k 4k 165hz Gaming Monitor Pc Computer Screen 2560*1440 120%srgb 1ms Gaming Pc Monitor - Buy 27 Inch Gaming Monitor,27 Inch Monitor 4k 2k 165hz Gaming Monitor,5k Monitor 27 Inch Product on Alibaba.com Wholesale Monitor 27 Inch 2k 4k 165hz Gaming Monitor Pc Computer Screen 2560*1440 120%srgb 1ms Gaming Pc Monitor - Buy 27 Inch Gaming Monitor,27 Inch Monitor 4k 2k 165hz Gaming Monitor,5k Monitor 27 Inch Product on Alibaba.com www.alibaba.com
HP	Z27q	27”	5120x2880	~218	PLS (IPS)	Matte	300 cd/m2	10-bit	60Hz	2x DP 1.2	N/A	2015 (CES)	$1,300.00	Discontinued	Requires dual DP cables for full resolution @ 60Hz. Uses a PLS panel (made by Samsung).	HP Z27q Monitor Review: Aiming For More Pixels www.anandtech.com
Iiyama	ProLite XB2779QQS	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	440 cd/m2	6-bit + A-FRC	60Hz	2x DP 1.4, 3x HDMI 2.0	N/A	2018-03	$1,077.00	Discontinued	Note low color depth! Uses same glass panel as iMacs (empty hole from camera). Does not support DSC or dual-DP. Full resolution is only available via DisplayPort connections. User report: The Iiyama XB2779QQS (and possibly Planar IX2790, but I've only confirmed it on the Iiyama) can do "dual DP" (aka dual-link SST) for 5K60. It has a Picture-by-Picture mode (#706). This will not result in a "combined" desktop on macOS since the EDIDs don't contain tile information and there's no .mtdd overlay for the display.	Iiyama’s ProLite XB2779QQS: a 27-inch 5K IPS Monitor for $900 www.anandtech.com
Kuycon	G27X	27”	5120x2880	~218	H-IPS	Glossy	520 cd/m2 typical, 590 cd/m2 peak	8-bit + FRC	60Hz	HDMI 2.0, DP 1.4, TB3 / USB 4	Yes – 100W	2022-10?	$779.00	Available	Available in two enclosure styles (one like Apple Studio Display, one like Apple Pro Display XDR) and multiple stands. Max resolution not available over HDMI.	Kuycon G27X Monitors ClickClack.io discovers talented indie keeb designers and brings their products to international market at a fair price. clickclack.io
LG	UltraFine 5K 27MD5KA, 27MD5KA-B?, 27MD5KB, 27MD5KB-B	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	500 cd/m2	10-bit	60Hz			2016-10-27		Discontinued	Lots of name variants on LG displays… haven’t fully researched the differences, but went with groupings from displayspecifications.com. Early LG units had a soft-recall for EMI/interference issues 27MD5KA are Thunderbolt only. They require dual HBR2 over Thunderbolt for 5K60. 27MD5KL requires Thunderbolt for 5K60 same as 27MD5KA. Max framerate at HBR2 link rate (single DP mode) of LG UltraFine 5K is ≈39Hz even though HBR2 should allow up to ≈46Hz or 47Hz for CVT-RB2.
LG	UltraFine 5K 27MD5KL, 27MD5KLB, 27MD5KL-B	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	500 cd/m2	10-bit	60Hz			2019?	$1299.99, as low as $905 refurbished (Amazon)	Available	(See above)	LG 27 Inch UltraFine 5K IPS Monitor - 27MD5KL-B | LG USA Discover the LG 27 Inch UltraFine 5K IPS Monitor that features macOS Compatibility and 5K IPS Display. Find reviews, specs, and more for 27MD5KL-B. www.lg.com
LG	UltraFine 5K 27MD5KLB-B	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	500 cd/m2	10-bit	60Hz				$1,049.00	Available	(See above)	LG 27MD5KLB-B: 27” UltraFine™ 5K IPS Monitor with Thunderbolt 3 & Type C Ports & macOS Compatibility | LG USA Business Get information on the LG 27” UltraFine™ 5K IPS Monitor with Thunderbolt 3 & Type C Ports & macOS Compatibility. Find pictures, reviews, and tech specs for the LG 27MD5KLB-B www.lg.com
Philips	PerfectKolor 275P4VYKEB, 275P4VYKEB/00	27”	5120x2880	~218	PLS (IPS)	Glossy	300 cd/m2	10-bit	60Hz	2x DP	N/A	2015-09? (displayed at IFA 2015)	$1500?	Discontinued	PLS panel (made by Samsung).	https://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/275P4VYKEB_00/brilliance-5k-lcd-monitor-with-perfectkolor, https://www.kitguru.net/peripherals...rilliance-275p4vykeb-5k-monitor-review/all/1/
Planar	IX2790	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS		440 cd/m2	8-bit	76Hz (60Hz Recommended)	3x HDMI 2.0, 2x DP 1.4	N/A	2018-12?	$765?	Discontinued	Only known 27” 5K display that supports >60Hz refresh rate. Does not support DSC or dual-DP.	https://www.planar.com/media/439284/planar-ix2790-specsheet.pdf
RichVision	RV100	27"	5120x2880	~218	IGZO		500 cd/m2	8-bit	60Hz	HDMI, DP 1.4, Type-C	65W	Unknown. (First observed on 2023-08-27)	$407.31 (2023-08-28)	Available	Available in silver, green, blue, and grey colors.	RV100 RV100 www.richvision.com
Samsung	ViewFinity S9	27”	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Matte	600 cd/m2	"Max 1B Colors"	60Hz	Mini-DP, Thunderbolt 4	Yes – 90W	2023-01	TBD	Coming Soon (June 2023)	Not yet available.	Samsung Electronics Unveils Its New Odyssey, ViewFinity and Smart Monitor Lineups at CES, Igniting the Next Generation of Display Technology The Odyssey Neo G9’s groundbreaking dual UHD 57” curved display paves the way for monitors in 2023 and beyond news.samsung.com Compare All Monitors for business | Samsung Business Australia Discover all Samsung monitors. Compare models by product type and features that matter to your business. www.samsung.com
X-Force		27"	5120x2880	~218	IPS	Glossy	540 cd/m2	"1.07 Billion Colors"	Unspecified, but supports AMD FreeSync?	HDMI, DP, Type-C	Yes - 60W	Unknown (First observed on 2023-08-28)	$548.75 (2023-08-28)	Available	Advertises the use of an LG panel	taobao | 淘寶 淘寶（Taobao）讓您隨心淘超值商品，爲您提供流行服飾、美妝洗護、3C數碼、大小家電、家俬家居、箱包皮具、運動戶外、五金工具、玩具等千萬件熱銷好貨，淘寶支持文字或圖片搜索商品。天貓淘寶海外作爲Taobao面向華人的跨境電商平台，覆蓋200多個國家和地區的消費者，其中核心站點包括：淘寶香港（taobao hk）、淘寶台灣（taobao tw）、淘寶澳門、淘宝新加坡、淘宝马来西亚、淘宝韩国（타오바오 사이트）、淘宝澳洲、淘宝加拿大、taobao world。 world.taobao.com

 

[kitsunesoba]

Nice to see the various options all lined up.

To nitpick, PLS is a Samsung-specific variant of IPS, so it's technically still IPS… just Samsung IPS. It's strange that this panel never surfaced anywhere but that Philips monitor though.

Also surprising to see the low brightness on a few of these. I know that color-accurate setups call for low brightness, but at the same time it seems a little strange for a display costing in excess of $1k to not be capable of hitting at least 400 nits.

 

[wilberforce]

Kuycon display look interesting. Would like to see some user reports on these, and see how they do long term.
LG displays are not very good value IMO, despite being cheaper than Apple Studio.
Still not many good available alternatives to Studio display.

 

[i486dx2-66]

To nitpick, PLS is a Samsung-specific variant of IPS, so it's technically still IPS…

Nitpicks are welcomed! That's good to know - if any of the other IPS displays have known variants, I'll list those too.

It's strange that this panel never surfaced anywhere but that Philips monitor though.

It is - At the very least, one would think that Samsung themselves would have made a variant?

 

[i486dx2-66]

Kuycon display look interesting. Would like to see some user reports on these, and see how they do long term.

Indeed they do. They seem to be at an unbeatable sweet spot for cost, design, brightness, and input flexibility. At literally half the cost of a Studio Display, I really think the only thing holding them back is the lack of reputable resellers.

 

[joevt]

27MD5KA are Thunderbolt only. They require dual HBR2 over Thunderbolt for 5K60.
27MD5KL requires Thunderbolt for 5K60 same as 27MD5KA.
Both of those and the Apple Studio Display are limited to HBR2 link rate, same as any display that requires dual DP for 5K60.
Apple Studio Display can use HBR2+DSC (Thunderbolt or USB-C) to get 5K60.
Planar and Iiyama doesn't support DSC or dual DP so 5K60 is limited to 8bpc.

I wonder what the minimum refresh rate for the displays are at 5K?

Max framerate at HBR2 link rate (single DP mode) of LG UltraFine 5K is ≈39Hz even though HBR2 should allow up to ≈46Hz or 47Hz for CVT-RB2.

Do any of the displays support 5K using 4:2:0 or 4:2:2?

 

[Amethyst1]

I wonder what the minimum refresh rate for the displays are at 5K?

I ran my Iiyama at 34.5 Hz at 5120×2880 (540 MHz pixel clock limit) and 17 Hz at 4088×2880 (216 MHz pixel clock limit).

 

[developeren]

As someone who bought a M1 recently and looking for a 5K display, please do not forget that especially the 3rd party panels suffer from purple tint and dreadful compatibility issues. If you want something stable, I would either wait for the S9 or go with Apple panels. (Was thinking about DIY 5K option but even with that, idk if it will be on par with studio display, QA and stability wise Honestly **** Apple for removing the sub pixel rendering from macOS and forcing people to spend +1000 for any usable option at all.

 

[joevt]

I ran my Iiyama at 34.5 Hz at 5120×2880 (540 MHz pixel clock limit) and 17 Hz at 4088×2880 (216 MHz pixel clock limit).

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...an-early-intel-recently.2285317/post-30546856
I suppose a different GPU and/or newer macOS version should be able to get full resolution even with HBR link rate in that case. Though a newer GPU won't be limited to HBR.

I forgot that some 5K displays have HDMI input.

 

[MacProFCP]

So there have been a lot of 5K display discussions recently... trade show teases of new models, lamentations of the lack of options other than the Apple Studio Display, enthusiastic iMac conversions, LG comparisons, etc, etc. But every once in a while, a post comes along, or you find an obscure reference... "but what about the 5K Iiyama?" What Iiyama? Oh... and you learn about a discontinued display, previously unknown to yourself.

Well, after the third or fourth time having that happen to me, I decided to compile a list, and it was actually quite a bit longer than I expected. At least NINE displays, 17+ if you go by model numbers, or into the dozens if you count conversion combinations. I also encountered some common misconceptions along the way (LG is the only 27" 5K panel manufacturer? False. No 5K display bests 60Hz? False. All 5K displays are IPS? False!). So without further ado, here is my list.

This likely isn't complete, Please post here if you know of any others.
Also let me know if you know how to make a table >10 columns wide on the forum... until then, it's just a screenshot of a spreadsheet... But hopefully someone finds this research helpful.

(The yellow highlights aren't things that are good or bad, just things I thought were of particular interest.)


View attachment 2206233


Keywords for the forum search engine, since the above spreadsheet image won't be searchable text:
5K 5120x2880 Apple Dell HP Iiyama Kuycon LG Philips Planar Samsung iMac conversion Studio Display UltraSharp UP2715K Z27q ProLite XB2779QQS G27X UltraFine 5K 27MD5KA, 27MD5KA-B, 27MD5KB, 27MD5KB-B 27MD5KL, 27MD5KLB, 27MD5KL-B 27MD5KLB-B PerfectKolor 275P4VYKEB, 275P4VYKEB/00 IX2790 ViewFinity S9

Thanks for doing this. Very helpful.

 

[Amethyst1]

I suppose a different GPU and/or newer macOS version should be able to get full resolution even with HBR link rate in that case.

Yes, the "HBR2/HBR3 sink connects at RBR" problem only affects [Snow] Leopard on NVIDIA GPUs. And using a Delock 62603 (HBR×4), I was able to get 4088×2880@27Hz.

 

[Amethyst1]

Please post here if you know of any others.

Addendum:

• The Dell UP2715K is glossy.
• The HP Z27q is matte.
• The HP Z27q uses Samsung’s PLS panel according to Displayspecifications.
• The Iiyama XB2779QQS is glossy and uses panels manufactured for iMacs (it has the same glass in front of the screen, complete with the empty hole for the iSight.)
• FWIW, my Iiyama had lots of stuck green subpixels. I mean lots.

 

[user314159]

Indeed they do. They seem to be at an unbeatable sweet spot for cost, design, brightness, and input flexibility. At literally half the cost of a Studio Display, I really think the only thing holding them back is the lack of reputable resellers.

Here is a good review I found. I don’t know Russian, but YouTube allowed for a decent auto translation into English.

By the way, does anyone know what app the guy uses to adjust brightness? He says there is an additional app available, otherwise you have to use the remote.

Thinking I’ll pick up one of these.

 

[user314159]

I took one for the team and just ordered a Kuycon. $799 including the adjustable stand + $53 shipping. The Russian review above confirmed that it was a high quality LG panel inside, and the HDR mode was pretty good. 1 year warranty, and put it on my AMEX so in case there’s an issue during year 2, I’m sure they’d reimburse me.

 

[nasawhy]

By the way, does anyone know what app the guy uses to adjust brightness? He says there is an additional app available, otherwise you have to use the remote.

The little menu bar app looks like Better Display:

GitHub - waydabber/BetterDisplay: Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more!

Unlock your displays on your Mac! Flexible HiDPI scaling, XDR/HDR extra brightness, virtual screens, DDC control, extra dimming, PIP/streaming, EDID override and lots more! - waydabber/BetterDisplay

github.com

 

[i486dx2-66]

Addendum:

Great information, thanks!

 

[i486dx2-66]

I took one for the team and just ordered a Kuycon.

Please post a review when you receive it! 👍

 

[tennisproha]

That kuycon G27x is akin to buying those fake AirPods Pros right, cause it literally looks like a knock off Studio Display?

 

[i486dx2-66]

That kuycon G27x is akin to buying those fake AirPods Pros right, cause it literally looks like a knock off Studio Display?

Is that a bad thing? Samsung is going the same way with the ViewFinity S9. I personally like having stylistic consistency of my equipment - so third parties making an attempt, instead of just throwing out generic plastic meh is a good thing in my book.

(By the way, the G27X is actually orderable two ways, one of which mimics the case style of the Studio Display, and one the Pro Display XDR:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/4K-5K-60HZ-27-32-Inch_1600752686222.html)

 

[kitsunesoba]

It would be kinda funny to pair the Pro Display XDR version of the G27X with a hackintosh built in that knockoff Mac Pro 2019 case for the most Mac-like not-Mac setup possible.

 

[Bigwaff]

Column for PPI would be useful for understanding native macOS retina support for each monitor.

What Is Pixel Density And Pixels Per Inch (PPI)? [Simple]

What does pixel density and pixels per inch (PPI) mean? Here's everything you need to know so you can make the best possible buying decision.

www.displayninja.com

Mac external displays for designers and developers, part 2

Since writing about Mac external displays in 2016, not much has changed. LG, Dell, Samsung, and other display makers have either never catered for the specs many Mac designers and developers want, or they’ve reluctantly produced products that have been short-lived or compromised.

bjango.com

 

[joevt]

Column for PPI would be useful for understanding native macOS retina support for each monitor.

But all the displays are 5K and 27" so the ppi will be mostly the same for all of them.

 

[Bigwaff]

But all the displays are 5K and 27" so the ppi will be mostly the same for all of them.

Resolution and PPI are not the same thing.

 

[JtheLemur]

5120x2880 @ 27” all gonna be 217.57ppi

 

[redheeler]

In 2014 I thought 5K would be everywhere by 2023 as it has very obvious advantages to 4K. Apparently not though. Thanks for compiling this list OP!