LG Ultrafine 6K: Designer monitor with Thunderbolt 5 and IPS Black 14 comments
Image: LG Electronics
LG has developed a new 6K monitor that offers the modern Thunderbolt 5 interface. The LG UltraFine 32U990A packs a so-called Nano IPS Black panel with increased contrast in a sleek and slim body.
The UltraFine 6K monitor with the identifier 32U990A is not part of LG’s new launches sent to the press, but is mentioned in passing during the CES Innovation Awards. Therefore, details on the equipment are still scarce. It is claimed to offer high color fidelity with 98 percent coverage of DCI-P3 and 99.5 percent of Adobe RGB and support color calibration software. Accordingly, professional users are addressed.
While the “Nano” coating on the backlight of the IPS panel guarantees a wide color gamut, IPS Black means deeper black and a contrast ratio of 2000:1, at least double that of classic IPS panels. If IPS Black 2.0 was already in use, even 3000:1 would be possible.
In this case, 6K resolution should mean 6,144 × 3,456 pixels in 16:9 aspect ratio on a 31.5-inch diagonal. The Dell UltraSharp U3224KBA also uses such a 6K panel with IPS Black, and it’s also on LG Display’s unofficial production roadmap.
Diagonal (format) Resolution Pixel (ppi) Monitor (example) 32 inch (16:9) 7680 × 4320 “8K” 33.18 million (275) Dell UP3218K 6144 × 3456 “6K” 21.23 million ( 220) Dell U3224KB 6016 × 3 384 “6K” 20.36 million (216)
Apple Pro Display XDR 3,840 × 2,160 “4K” 8.29 million. (138) Asus PG32UQX
Asus’ new ProArt Display 6K PA32QCV uses a different panel with a slightly different resolution of 6,016 × 3,384 pixels Apple Per XDR display matches.
First 6K monitor with Thunderbolt 5
For the interfaces of the 32U990A, LG is using Thunderbolt 5 for the first time. The latest generation of Intel’s universal interface doubles the data rate from 40 Gbps with Thunderbolt 4 to 80 Gbps with Thunderbolt 5. In a sense, up to 120 Gbit/s is also possible. It’s possible.
Thunderbolt 5 Thunderbolt 4 Thunderbolt 3 USB4 USB 3/DP One universal port ✓ ✓ – – – Accessories with 4 Thunderbolt ports ✓ ✓ – – – Minimum required speed 80 Gbps
(120 Gbps in 1 direction) 40 Gbps 40 Gbps 20 Gbps 10 Gbps Minimum video requirement two displays 6K two displays 4K one display 4K one display one display Minimum data requirements PCIe 64 Gbps
USB 3.2 10Gbps PCIe 32Gbps
USB 3.2 10Gbps PCIe 16Gbps
USB 3.2 10 Gbps USB 3.2 10 Gbps USB 3.2 5 Gbps Computer charging/waking required ✓ ✓ – – – Power to port (minimum) 15 watts 15 watts 15 watts 7.5 watts 4.5 watts PC Requirement – Power supply provide 140 watts (min.)
240 watts max.) 100 watts (min.)
140 watts (max) – – – Thunderbolt Network 64 Gbps 32 Gbps 16 Gbps – – Certification required for all computers, cables and accessories ✓ ✓ ✓ – – Quality testing for cable manufacturers ✓ ✓ ✓ – – DMA protection required ✓ ✓ – – – Meets specifications USB4 compliant compatible compliant compatible Topics: Screens CES 2025 IPS Black LG Monitors Source: CTA
Élodie compares monitors for resolution, refresh rate, and colour accuracy to meet gamers’ and professionals’ needs.
