We might have made the point back in 2014 that curved dispalys are mostly gimmicky, but since we’re not buying 4K screens in big enough numbers yet, something has to sell us on the idea of buying a new display. Which is perhaps why Samsung has gone all out with its curved screen technology for a new, 27-inch monitor at CES 2016.
The new CF591 is a 27-inch, 1080p display with an aggressive 1800R curvature and a 16:9 aspect ratio. That means its size is similar to the 27-inch monitors your familiar with, but the curve adds some spice to its look. Samsung boasts of the monitor’s immersive experience, claiming it “vibrantly displays even the smallest details,” and draws users in with its curved panel.
Samsung doesn’t go into specifics about the monitor’s color accuracy or contrast. Instead, it talks up the display on all fronts, saying it has “gaming and entertainment features unmatched in the industry” and offers “frameless design for an ultra-premium look.”
To translate from PR-speak, this means the CF591 is being positioned as a jack of all trades, rather than a niche display. It seems to be an evolution of the Samsung SD590, which we reviewed earlier this year. That was the first 27-inch curved display we ever tested, and it remains part of a rare breed. We’ve only tested two other monitors since then with a 27-inch (or smaller) curved panel.
The CF591 supports color correction too, so it would be great for movies or photo editing, and even comes with its own set of dual five-watt, built-in speakers to deliver high-quality sound.
Pricing and availability have not yet been announced, but we’ll likely see the monitor appear in the first quarter of 2016 at a price in the $200 to $300 range. If its image quality lives up to what’s promised, it could set a new standard for curved 16:9 displays.
