HP’s new Thunderbolt 4 monitor uses contrast-rich IPS Black tech

HP announced a 31.5-inch monitor today at its Amplify partner conference aimed at workers with data-heavy setups and strong image-quality needs. The 4K resolution HP Z32k G3 claims to be the first monitor to use an IPS Black panel along with a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port.

Dell was the first to use IPS Black, tapping the LG Display tech for 27-inch and 31.5-inch USB-C UltraSharp monitors. IPS Black is a type of IPS panel that’s supposed to double the typical contrast ratio of traditional IPS by delivering darker black levels. LG Display claimed that IPS Black’s black levels are “35 percent deeper than existing IPS products.”

HP’s Z32k G3 claims a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, compared to the standard IPS monitor, which is typically around 1,000:1, with premium IPS examples reaching around 1,300:1. Assuming HP shared an accurate figure, it’s worth noting that the spec doesn’t match a strong VA monitor or, compared to contrast offered by displays with more expensive backlighting technology, Mini LED or OLED.

We tested IPS Black on the Dell UltraSharp U2723QE and saw impressive contrast ratios up to 1,977:1 with contrast settings maxed to the point where small black text was harder to read on white backgrounds, but dark colors and lighter details came through more vividly. Even at default contrast settings, the monitor hit 1,873:1 and showed image quality that was noticeably more lively than a typical IPS monitor. HP’s Z32k G3 likely uses the same 31.5-inch IPS Black panel employed by Dell’s UltraSharp 32 (U3223QE).

HP’s display claims up to 400 nits of brightness and backs that with VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification. It’s also supposed to cover 98 percent of DCI-P3 with a Delta E of under 2, so color errors shouldn’t be visible to the naked eye. Those claims are close to what we saw when testing Dell’s 27-inch UltraSharp IPS Black monitor.

HP also claimed that its IPS Black monitor could deliver more accurate colors at lower brightness settings than traditional IPS monitors.

Unlike Dell’s IPS Black monitors, which can connect to PCs via DisplayPort 1.4 over USB-C for a max transmission rate of 32.4Gbps, HP’s IPS Black monitor uses 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 (the monitor, according to HP, won’t work with computers that don’t support Thunderbolt 4 or over a 20Gbps USB-C port). That makes the display a potential fit for power users managing up to two 4K displays at 60 Hz, a Thunderbolt 4 dock, external storage, and external graphics cards.

The monitor also charges PCs at up to 100 W and has a KVM switch for toggling between up to two systems. HP’s Display Manager also enables remote monitor management, including deployment, asset tracking, and remote tweaking of Z32k G3 settings, HP said.

HP said it would share pricing for the Z32k G3 closer to its November release date.

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