So I have an update for anyone still interested in this issue. In short, they are either completely incompetent or trying to sweep this issue under the rug. I've exchanged multiple (way too much) emails with their support and they are denying there is any form of issue. This looks like a 100% scam and they have NO WILL TO FIX ANYTHING. So STAY AWAY FROM THIS MONITOR AND STAY AWAY FROM ASUS.
Below you can find continuation of my communication with ASUS support:
Customer (sent them multiple photos from this thread and the other one on this forums):
Hello,
The images and description of the issue were included in the forum links I provided in my initial inquiry.
The problem manifests in gradients close to black (around 10% RGB brightness depending on the monitor). It’s most visible in SDR with Uniform Brightness enabled and brightness set to 40%, but it occurs to a lesser extent with any settings.
I’m attaching the requested images as files.
Once again, here’s a link to one of the threads where this issue has been reported by many users:
https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-monitors/xg27aqdmg-insane-banding-posterization/td-p/1054736
Support:
Dear Customer,
Thank you for the images. However, the global team still requires the original source image as a specific file. This is needed for them to replicate the issue by displaying the same image on their monitor. Could you please send this image?
Customer: (sent them original screenshots they requested)
Hello,
I’m attaching images where the issue is clearly visible. There shouldn’t be any noticeable “steps” in gradients. The problem is evident even on a typical 256-gradient test, where in darker shades (depending on the monitor’s brightness) there’s a noticeable drop in brightness (“step”) around the RGB code 20-20-20. The issue mainly concerns the white subpixel and its contribution to the final color.
To reiterate, the worst cases occur with:
- Monitor refresh rate set below 120Hz – the lower the refresh rate, the more pronounced the issue and the larger the gradient steps.
- Uniform Brightness ON
- Brightness between 20% and 40%
Additional details can be found in the links to the ASUS forums I’ve already sent multiple times.
Support:
Dear Customer,
We’ve received feedback from the headquarters that they still cannot replicate the issue on their monitor. They’re requesting a screenshot of the screen and a photograph of the monitor to compare how the same screenshot appears on their monitor versus yours. Please send a screenshot of an image that is displayed incorrectly on your monitor and include a photo showing how your monitor displays it.
Customer (sent them both original screenshot + screen photo):
Hello,
Frankly, I’m losing patience. Is this some sort of cat-and-mouse game to see who gives up first? Are you trying to sweep this issue under the rug? I’ve already sent you these images – both the screen photo and the original screenshot – multiple times, in various forms. Moreover, all of these are included in the posts on the ASUS forums, along with additional photos from other users, which I’ve also linked to you several times.
Attached, again, are the screen photo and the original screenshot. I hope you at least remember the settings I’ve sent in previous emails and won’t, for a change, ask for them again.
Let me repeat: the point where the gradient “breaks” depends on the brightness of the white subpixel, which is tied to the monitor’s brightness setting. If I receive one more email stating that the issue cannot be replicated or that additional information is needed, I will consider this entire case an attempt to scam customers. I will also demand a refund, as this is a defective product without the possibility of repair.
