UPERFECT UMax 27 Switches
Type
Portable MonitorPrice
$669Dual-mode monitors are trending, and we see major monitor makers introducing several such displays that can switch between two different display configurations. This way, the dual-mode displays are able to double the refresh rate at lower resolutions, bringing more smoothness for gameplay. This is particularly convenient for gamers who often switch between slow-paced and fast-paced titles.
Unfortunately, dual-mode configuration isn't very common on portable monitors, which are already limited in their feature set. I have seen that UPERFECT is one of the very few monitor makers that tend to bring something unique to the table every few months, and is one of the handful of display makers to release a dual-mode portable gaming monitor.
In this review, we will take a close look at the UPERFECT UMax 27 Switches dual mode monitor, analysing its specifications, features, ease of usage, and convenience to give our final verdict.
Packaging and Content
Even though the UMax 27 is advertised as a portable monitor, with a 27-inch screen size, you can't expect to have the same portability as the 15 to 18-inch portable monitors. Portable monitors are incredibly thin, which makes them ideal for easy portability. With a carrying handle on the box, the UMax 27 can be carried easily and has all the cables and accessories to get you started wherever you want. The UMax 27 Switches box contains the following accessories:
- UMax 27 Switches Dual Mode Portable Monitor
- 1x HDMI cable
- 1x DP Cable
- 1x USB-C power cable
- 1x USB-C Alt DP cable
- User Manual
- Fibre cloth
Technical Specifications
- Panel size: 27-inch IPS LCD Dual-mode display: 3840 × 2160 @ 144 Hz, 1920 × 1080 @ 288 Hz
- Aspect ratio: 16:9
- Viewing angle: 178°
- Contrast ratio: ~1000:1 (typical IPS class)
- HDR support: Yes
- Ports: USB-C (video + power), Mini-HDMI
- Speakers: Built-in stereo
- Stand: Integrated adjustable kickstand
- Mounting: VESA compatible
- Form factor: Thin portable desktop-replacement monitor
A 27-inch screen size is already quite large for a portable monitor, but it's designed for more immersion. UPERFECT has plenty of portable monitors ranging from 13 to 27 inches, but this 27-inch display is its only dual-mode monitor yet. UMax 27 Switches offer a standard IPS panel with specifications you see on most regular IPS gaming monitors.
The monitor offers a native 2160p or 4K resolution rated at up to 144 Hz, but can be switched to 1080p resolution at twice the refresh rate, i.e., 288 Hz. 4K resolution at a 27-inch screen size produces a sharper display, but for 1080p, the pixel density can feel somewhat low. Nonetheless, the 1080p resolution is reserved for fast-paced gaming where users need a higher refresh rate for smoother gaming.
UMax 27 Switches also offers FreeSync support for tear-free gaming and has built-in speakers. It's better to use external speakers because these are quite weak, which is common on most portable monitors, as they are designed to work at a low power. UMax 27 brings a 100.40% sRGB color gamut with a good color accuracy of Delta E < 3. It's not perfect, but it's adequate for most creators. Brightness can go up to 530 nits, which is excellent for usage in bright environments, and the HDR support is also provided for vivid visuals.
Overall, specifications and features seem satisfactory for a portable screen, but we will discuss these in more detail in the upcoming sections.
Connectivity and Ease of Usage
The UMax 27 is one of the best portable monitors in terms of connectivity. Unlike conventional portable monitor displays, the UMax 27 brings a standard HDMI port for display, along with a DisplayPort that makes it perfect for devices like laptops and GPUs. A USB Type-C Alt DP port is also available, making connectivity convenient. With the HDMI and DP ports, 120Hz refresh rate is supported as per the specs, but I was able to get 4K@144Hz and 1080@288Hz with the DP cable when connected to my GPU.
To power the monitor, a 45W adapter and USB-C cable are shipped in the box. It's recommended to use the native adapter for powering it, but you can use your own, provided it can deliver sufficient power. I use my Genki Moonbase for such instances, which is a perfect utility for powering several devices simultaneously. Apart from the display output ports, there is a 3.5mm audio jack for external audio devices on the other side, which is a nice addition.
Using the monitor is straightforward. After connecting the monitor to my PC using a DP cable and powering it through the USB-C cable, it automatically runs at 4K@144Hz. A metal kickstand is available to support the monitor on your desk, but you can also use the VESA mount to fix it on a dedicated monitor stand for more flexibility and adjustments.
With the navigation buttons provided on the right side, it's easier to switch between 4K@144Hz and 1080p@288Hz quickly. There are various options to tweak display properties from the OSD, including the option to enable AMD FreeSync. Once you turn it on, the AMD Adrenalin software will allow you to turn it on through the app.
Performance
Visual quality is as good as I expected. The text at 4K resolution is crisp, but you need to increase the display scaling to something like 150% or 175% to ensure the icons and taskbar are properly visible. At 1080p, this won't be an issue, but for 4K resolution, a 27-inch display is small. At 1080p resolution, the difference in crispness can't be compared with a 24-25-inch monitor, because it can be a bit blurry. Therefore, we recommend using 4K resolution for regular work.
Viewing angles are also great, and everything appeared bright and clear from all angles. It's hard to show through the pics, but if you turn on HDR through Windows, things get crisper a bit more. What you are seeing in the pic comparing two IPS monitors side by side doesn't show a noticeable difference in details, but with naked eyes, you can actually see the image quality on the UMax 27 is noticeably superior. Of course, a direct comparison with standard IPS panels, especially when one supports HDR or a higher resolution, may not be entirely fair, but having sharper and more detailed visuals with the same content is still a welcome improvement.
Thankfully, there is no bleeding, and I love how bright it can go. Even at 50% brightness, it's adequately bright enough for well-lit rooms. The contrast is average, but the color reproduction is excellent. The color accuracy is appreciable, and the movement feels pretty smooth in both modes. However, switching from 144Hz to 288Hz doesn't feel like a big upgrade.
The high response time of 15 ms makes 288Hz kinda useless when the frames cannot transition quickly. At 288Hz, each frame theoretically stays for 3.47 ms, but since the response time is almost four times slower, the real benefit of a higher refresh rate disappears. Such a high response time will introduce ghosting, making it a lackluster choice for competitive gaming, but for the masses, ghosting isn't going to be very noticeable in fast-paced gaming. Noticing ghosting during fast gameplay usually requires slow-motion recording with a high-frame-rate camera (120–240 fps), since normal video capture rarely reveals these motion artifacts clearly.
Still, 288Hz isn't very practical on this monitor. 4K@144Hz is more ideal, but it's convenient to have a native 1080p@288Hz mode for low-power hardware.
The Verdict
I love the Dual Mode display concept, and it's a welcome move to bring it to portable monitors. Though portable monitors are often limited in features, the UMax 27 Switches display felt like a regular display, offering a great viewing experience, smooth gameplay, convenient connectivity, and easier portability. Even though a 27-inch screen size is already too big for easy portability, the thin and lightweight construction of UMax 27 makes it easier to carry around than its regular counterparts.
Except for the high response time and a hefty price tag of $669, I have no major complaints about this one. Check out the UPERFECT UMax 27 Switches on the official website.
You can find additional information about our hardware review process and ethics policy here.
UMax 27 Switches offers convenient features for users such as easy resolution switching, modern connectivity, sharp visual quality, and a high refresh rate that makes it ideal for both gaming and work.
- Sharp image quality
- HDR support
- Dual mode configuration
- Great connectivity
- AMD FreeSync support
- Thin and lightweight design
Pros
- High response time of 15 ms
- Expensive
Cons
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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