HKC Unveils World’s First 1,080Hz Dual-Mode Gaming Monitor
▼ Summary
– HKC has unveiled the AntGamer ANT275PQ MAX, a 1440p Fast TN monitor that can achieve a 1,080 Hz refresh rate at a 720p resolution.
– The monitor also offers a native 1440p resolution mode with a 540 Hz refresh rate, supported by DisplayPort 2.1 connectivity, for high-performance esports gaming.
– As a TN panel focused on speed, the monitor is expected to have limited color accuracy and contrast, with no anticipated local dimming features.
– HKC, a major Chinese display manufacturer, has priced this monitor around $1,000 in China, placing it above many high-end OLED and Mini-LED alternatives.
– The “world’s first” claim for such high refresh rates is contested, as other companies like Samsung and TCL CSOT are also demonstrating or releasing 1,000+ Hz panels.
The race for ultra-high refresh rate displays has reached a new milestone with HKC’s introduction of a groundbreaking dual-mode gaming monitor. The AntGamer ANT275PQ MAX is touted as the world’s first monitor capable of reaching a staggering 1,080 Hz refresh rate, though this peak performance comes with a specific condition. This Fast TN panel achieves that extreme figure by operating at a 720p resolution through a specialized dual-mode function. When users require higher visual fidelity, the monitor can switch to its native 1440p resolution, where it still delivers an exceptionally smooth 540 Hz refresh rate. This flexibility is designed to cater to competitive esports players who might prioritize raw speed in certain titles while enjoying sharper detail in others. Supporting these high-bandwidth demands, the monitor is equipped with a DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR20 connection.
While full specifications are still emerging, the model number suggests a 27-inch screen size. As a TN panel, expectations for color reproduction and contrast should be tempered, as this technology traditionally favors speed over image depth. Features like local dimming are unlikely on a monitor so singularly focused on performance. Techniques such as black frame insertion, which can improve motion clarity, tend to offer diminishing returns at these extraordinarily high refresh rates.
The AntGamer brand is a gaming-focused subsidiary of HKC, a major Chinese display manufacturer with a significant global market share. The monitor’s anticipated price point positions it as a premium product, potentially competing with high-end OLED and Mini-LED displays on the market. Interestingly, HKC is simultaneously developing a monitor that represents the philosophical opposite of this speed demon. The upcoming M10 Ultra is promoted as the world’s first RGB Mini-LED panel, utilizing separate red, green, and blue mini-LEDs across thousands of dimming zones to target unparalleled color accuracy and contrast, rather than pure refresh rate. Both the ANT275PQ MAX and the M10 Ultra are slated for a full reveal at the CES 2026 exhibition.
The claim of being “first” is becoming increasingly nuanced in this competitive segment. Other manufacturers are preparing their own ultra-high refresh rate offerings for the same event. Samsung has already announced an Odyssey G6 model with an IPS panel that hits 1,040 Hz at 1080p. Furthermore, TCL CSOT has previously demonstrated prototype 4K and even 8K panels with 1,000 Hz capabilities, though these were not consumer-ready products. This flurry of activity signals that the battle for display supremacy is accelerating on multiple fronts, pushing both refresh rates and pixel densities to new heights.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
