PlayStation 27″ Monitor Faces Backlash — 'This Is Such a Bad Product', Reddit Says

The gaming community is buzzing after the announcement of a new PlayStation-branded 27-inch monitor, but not in a good way.

Fans and tech enthusiasts have swiftly voiced their disapproval, flooding social media with criticism over the device's pricing and specifications. With one Reddit user's harsh critique setting the tone, the question is: has Sony missed the mark with its latest hardware offering?

Unveiling the New PlayStation Monitor

Sony has unveiled a 27-inch screen tailored for gaming under the PlayStation brand, set to arrive in the US and Japan. The device was shown off during the State of Play Japan live stream, where video clips highlighted its promise of 'vivid visuals at QHD with high refresh rates and VRR support'. The cost of the unit has not been disclosed.

Sony Interactive Entertainment's President and CEO Hideaki Nishino stated that 'Today, we're also announcing a gaming monitor which will launch in Japan and the US', adding that it would feature 'vivid visuals and a built-in charging hook for your DualSense wireless controller'.

Although the display has a native 240 Hz capability and can connect to a personal computer, the included text verified it 'supports a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz when connected to a PS5 console', cautioning that the 'design and specifications are subject to change'.

Dissecting the Specs: A 120Hz PS5 Cap?

Shuzo Kikuchi, the VP of Product Management at Sony Interactive Entertainment, wrote on the PlayStation Blog that the new PlayStation display was 'built for desktop gaming with a PS5'. Furthermore, Kikuchi detailed the specific capabilities of the device.

• A Quad High Definition (QHD) IPS panel offering up to 2560 x 1440 resolution, allowing users to game from a convenient distance at their desk.
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatibility with Auto HDR Tone Mapping, which automatically fine-tunes HDR settings when initially connected to PS5 and PS5 Pro systems, promising deep, lively visual quality.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) capability and refresh speeds of up to 120 Hz for fluid, uninterrupted gameplay on PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles, alongside 240 Hz when using compatible PC and Mac hardware.
• A charging hook integrated into the unit for a DualSense or DualSense Edge wireless controller (available separately), making it simple for users to start playing immediately.

Connectivity and Setup Flexibility

Kikuchi also noted that the new PlayStation gaming screen supports VESA mounting systems and comes equipped with a comprehensive selection of audio and connection ports, including USB sockets for the PlayStation Link adapter:

• There are two HDMI IN ports (version 2.1) and one DisplayPort IN port (version 1.4) for connection to a PS5, PC, Mac, or other equipment.
• The HDMI IN socket (version 2.1) supports a maximum resolution of 2560×1440, 240Hz, FRL, and VRR; the DisplayPort IN port (ver 1.4) supports up to 2560×1440, 240Hz, and DSC.
• Users get two USB Type-A sockets and one USB Type-C socket, which can be utilised with PlayStation Link Adapters or different peripherals.
• A stereo speaker is built in, and there is a 3.5 mm audio jack for output.
• The unit is compatible with various VESA mounting systems, enabling a more adaptable monitor arrangement.

The 27-inch PlayStation Gaming Display, featuring a DualSense Charging Hook, is set to arrive in 2026 in both the US and Japan, according to Sony, who stated further details on a specific release date would follow. Information on the price tag it will carry is still scarce.

While the official launch timeline and cost of the display are still unclear, the announcement was met with immediate and vocal disappointment from the gaming community online, particularly on Reddit.

Gamers Voice Scathing Online Criticism

A prominent thread in the PS5 community's forum, under the title 'First look at PlayStation's 27" Gaming Monitor', showcases the earlier-mentioned capabilities of the 27-inch PlayStation screen from Sony. However, the reception has been far from universally favourable for the corporation; indeed, numerous comments were highly critical.

Commenting on the potential cost of the screen, Reddit user rustybutterindia wrote: 'Even 500 seems high, no?... QHD, IPS'. Another community member, ClacksInTheSky, pointed out: 'And it won't even be one of the better displays. Sony make decent Bravia TVs but they're always a bit overpriced compared to equivalent LG or Samsung panels'.

'This seems mid af tbh', user chewwydraper noted. 'IPS panel, as far as I can tell it's not mini-LED so the HDR won't be real HDR. Who is this for? Sonys already got the Inzone monitor line which is better than this.'

The user llIicit voiced a powerful objection, declaring, 'This is such a bad product. Marketed as a PS monitor, but runs at a lower resolution than the console is capable of, and double the refresh rate it's capable of'.

The user continued by criticising the likely retail price and the panel type: 'And if it's like the last PS monitors, it will be overpriced as hell. They also didn't specify the panel tech, so it's definitely not OLED, because that's a major selling point. Edit: they did actually specify it elsewhere. It's IPS. There are a million IPS monitors that will run circles around this thing on terms of value'.

The Challenge Ahead for Sony

Ultimately, while the new PlayStation screen boasts specific connectivity features and a convenient controller hook, the immediate community response suggests a significant mismatch between its specifications and expected value.

With a launch set for 2026 and no established retail price, Sony must now navigate this strong early criticism as it prepares to market a device that many gamers already view as underwhelming compared to existing competition.