Review: ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM 32" monitor
I believe that for creative professionals, an accurate and reliable display is as essential as the camera in their hands.
The ASUS ProArt series has long been known for delivering high-quality panels tailored for content creators, and the company's new 31.5-inch 4K UHD QD-OLED monitor, the PA32UCDM, aims to set a new benchmark.
So, with its combination of cutting-edge OLED technology, high refresh rates, and professional-grade colour calibration tools, this display is built to impress. But does it live up to its promise?
Design and Build
Straight out of the box, the PA32UCDM exudes a premium feel. The sleek, minimalist design with a sturdy, adjustable stand provides a professional aesthetic that suits any studio or workspace.
The 31.5-inch panel offers a comfortable balance between screen real estate and usability, without feeling overwhelming on a desk.
Despite never having used an external monitor alongside my iMac before, setting up the PA32UCDM was remarkably simple. It was essentially plug-and-play, with no complicated calibration or display settings needed to get started.
The base stand simply attaches via clip-locks straight into the back of the monitor.
Once powered on, the intuitive on-screen controls and ProArt calibration tools further enhanced the experience, allowing me to fine-tune the display to my preferences with minimal effort.
Display Performance
The monitor boasts a 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution on a QD-OLED panel, delivering exceptional clarity and detail.
One of its standout features is the 99% DCI-P3 colour coverage, ensuring vibrant and accurate colour reproduction essential for photographers and video editors working in high-fidelity colour spaces. The true 10-bit colour depth enhances HDR content, allowing for smooth gradients and precise highlights.
With a peak brightness of 1,000 nits (3% area), the display offers deep contrast between inky blacks and bright whites, a hallmark of OLED technology.
The inclusion of multiple HDR formats, Dolby Vision (coming in Q1 2025 via firmware update), HDR10, HLG, and VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black ensures compatibility with a variety of content workflows.
The PA32UCDM also features smart heat management. The graphene film behind the QD-OLED panel effectively dissipates heat, ensuring the monitor performs optimally during long editing sessions without overheating.
This design detail enhances reliability and longevity, which is crucial for any professional working with high-end tech.
There’s also an anti-glare and low-reflection coating specifically designed to improve the visibility and usability of the display in a range of lighting environments works wonderfully.
As a result there was less distraction from surrounding light, which can otherwise make the screen harder to read or navigate, especially in brightly lit rooms or outdoors. I was even able to leave my window blinds open, which I can never do with my iMac which would pick up every reflection in the room.
Photography performance
The PA32UCDM is an exceptional option for photographers, offering 4K UHD resolution and OLED technology that display images with stunning detail, making fine-tuning edits easy.
Its 99% DCI-P3 colour gamut ensures accurate, lifelike colours, while true blacks and remarkable contrast add depth, making shadows and highlights appear more natural than on traditional LCDs.
The colour accuracy out of the box is top-notch, requiring no extensive calibration, though the ASUS ProArt Hardware Calibration system ensures long-term precision for those needing the most accuracy. The 10-bit colour depth smooths gradients and reduces banding, enhancing tonal transitions.
Using the PA32UCDM for photo editing in Lightroom has been a revelation. The colours are well-calibrated and true to life, making it easy to achieve the desired look without second-guessing adjustments.
Pairing it with my Apple iMac 27” (2019 model) has significantly sped up my workflow, allowing me to reference folders, web research, and client notes on the second screen while editing. The dual monitor setup has also made general tasks like browsing and writing more efficient.
I used to think a 27-inch display was enough, but after working on the 31.5-inch PA32UCDM, I don’t think I could go back. The extra screen real estate greatly enhances productivity and immersive viewing, making the editing process more comfortable and efficient.
Refresh rate and responsiveness
A 240Hz refresh rate is a rare find in professional-grade monitors, making this model a hybrid between a high-performance gaming display and a creative workhorse.
Coupled with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro (pending processing), it offers ultra-smooth visuals, reducing ghosting and screen tearing. This is particularly useful for video professionals working with fast-moving footage or anyone who needs responsive real-time previews.
Colour calibration and workflow integration
For those who rely on precise colour accuracy, ASUS has integrated ProArt Hardware Calibration, compatible with both Windows and Mac.
The monitor is also set to receive firmware updates later this year for Calman Ready and Light Illusion ColourSpaceCMS support, meaning it will offer industry-standard calibration tools.
Connectivity and workflow
The PA32UCDM is well-equipped with connectivity options, featuring Dual Thunderbolt 4 (supporting up to 96W Power Delivery and Daisy-chaining), HDMI 2.1, and a built-in USB 3.2 Gen 2 10G Hub (including USB-C and USB-A ports).
I connected it to my Apple iMac 27” via USB-C, and the setup was seamless. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals juggling multiple devices, whether it’s a laptop, desktop workstation, or external storage drives.
Final Word
The ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM excels in colour accuracy, deep contrast, and a fast 240Hz refresh rate, making it an excellent choice for creatives who demand precision and versatility.
While some features, like Dolby Vision support and advanced calibration tools, are pending firmware updates in 2025, the monitor already proves itself as a top-tier option for photographers and videographers.
Its high resolution, exceptional colour accuracy, deep blacks, and vibrant contrast make it ideal for photo processing, colour grading, and fine-tuning in Lightroom.
With its seamless blend of colour-critical work and high-refresh-rate performance, the PA32UCDM enhances both creative projects and daily tasks, making the transition to dual monitors a workflow game-changer.
The wrap-up
Set up and handling ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The PA32UCDM is very simple to set up. The base stand and monitor are locked together with a solid clicking mechanism which gives a great impression of the overall build quality.
Features ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Packed with features, the PA32UCDM is made for creatives and it shows with its true-to-life colours, true blacks and effective cooling design it sure packs a lot. The ASUS OLED care to minimise screen burn-in is also nice to have.
Image quality ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Everything about this monitor oozes quality. The 178° wide view panel, which gives consistent colour from all angles, really makes processing images a joy. The ProArt calibration technology allows fine tuning to perfect the experience further.
Value for money ★ ★ ★ ★
At $2,799, the PA32UCDM is a hefty investment, but ASUS has created something truly special that justifies the cost. You definitely get what you pay for.
