This isn’t the first time I’ve spent time with Xiaomi’s Gaming Monitor range, and at the rate Xiaomi is going, I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last. The Xiaomi G27i 27-inch Full HD 1080p IPS Gaming Monitor I’ve had on my desk for the past few weeks is a refresh of last year’s model, showing that Xiaomi really is keen on taking a piece of the gaming pie. But are they doing enough to get their foot in the door with this monitor refresh?
I guess you’ll have to read on to find out.
Last year, I said the G27i was a budget-friendly monitor that won’t wow you but still delivers a great 1080p performance while still keeping your wallet happy. This year, while I would still say the monitor isn’t necessarily packed with a host of extra features, the upgraded panel, faster overall refresh rate, and more gaming-inspired design certainly step it up from its predecessor.
This year’s model still offers a great 1080p display, with an IPS panel, 1ms Grey-to-Grey response times, a TUV blue-light certification, FreeSync Premium support, and high colour accuracy, but the most notable upgrade here has got to be its 200Hz refresh rate.
This is a nice little jump from last year’s 165Hz, and really puts the monitor into the top of the budget monitor category. For anyone on a budget, the three main things you should look for are a high refresh rate, 1080p resolution, and an IPS panel. Now, with 200Hz under its belt, the G27i ticks all three boxes, and ticks them hard.
While I’m generally hesitant to pick up a monitor beyond 24 inches at Full HD resolution, the G27i did a remarkable job of convincing me otherwise. Whether I was editing video, populating spreadsheets with admin tasks, or (and mostly this) playing Unreal Tournament ‘99, the monitor felt sharp, clear and vibrant. Of course, we’re not getting OLED colours here, but everything still felt vivid enough.
The updated design is also a massive win. The previous design looked sleek and sharp, but felt a little too “office.” This new esports-centric design has smoother, rounded curves and a thick, sturdy monitor arm that I could very easily see set up on tables at an esports tournament.
Even still, with the thicker monitor arm, Xiaomi has opted for a flat metal base to keep everything upstanding. The flat base is ideal for gamers who use large mousepads, as it slides underneath the pad without taking up any extra desk space. I do prefer it to the legged design you get with other gaming monitors, even if it does look a little plain.
Not everything is perfect with Xiaomi’s latest refresh, however. Sticking with the design aspect, you only get an up-and-down tilt for adjustability. There is no left or right swivel, and definitely no rotation. Also, as mentioned in last year’s review, I’m not a fan of the cell-phone style power adapter the monitor comes with. Sure, it’s compact and easy to travel with, but its short cable and hardwired design limit you to where you can find a nearby two-pin plug point.
Since we’re playing around in the affordable range of tech here, these aren’t really the biggest negatives, and they can easily be solved with a VESA-compatible monitor arm or a third-party power brick, but those do start adding extra costs to the overall setup.
I also wish Xiaomi had just thrown in a small pair of speakers here. They didn’t do so in the last model, and they didn’t do it again here. Small speakers, even not-really-good ones, make such a difference. Especially for those looking at the 27-inch monitor for both work and play.
Overall, though, I’d say I’m much more impressed with this year’s model than last. I’m still not absolutely blown away, but the upgrades to the panel and the all-around look are more than welcome and really lift the monitor as a whole. For just R3,999 at retail, you could pick up the G27i and walk away a happy chappie.
BONUS:
If you just don’t have enough space for a 27-inch monitor, or if you still dream of the good old days when you definitely had the chops to be a professional esports player, as I do, then you may want to check out the Xiaomi G24i 24-inch Full HD 1080p IPS Gaming Monitor. Essentially, the exact same monitor as the G27i refresh, just slightly smaller, at 23.8 inches to be exact. You still get the 200Hz refresh rate, the esports design update, and all the other features, too; you’re just slimming down the overall screen size. The G24i retails at R3,299, so you also get a little bit more of a saving here.
