The AOC Graphic Pro U32U3CV is a high-performance monitor for creatives that offers more value than its competitors. What is lacking in ergonomic stand design is more than made up for in colour performance and connectivity. If you have £500 to spend on a monitor, then you won’t get much better than this.
For
High resolution and accurate colours
A high level of connectivity
More affordable than its rivals
Against
Only has a 60Hz refresh rate
The stand protrudes out too far
Unsuitable for gamers
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AOC has a fantastic reputation for delivering high-spec gaming monitors for a fraction of the price that their rivals are charging. This is no more true than for the AOC AGON Pro AG276FK and AOC Gaming Q27G4XF monitors with their high refresh rates and abundant connectivity options.
I was therefore excited and a little bit intrigued when I heard that AOC was releasing a dedicated monitor for creatives that had very little to commend itself even to the most casual gamers.
It’s called the aptly named the Graphic Pro U32U3CV and boasts an impressive 4K resolution, high dynamic range performance, and more connectivity options than you can throw a stick at. If you’re in the market for one of the best monitors for graphic artists or any other creative disciplinen for that matter, (you may be looking for a great video-editing monitor) the U32U3CV from AOC should definitely be on your shortlist.
A beautiful monitor that is well built and engineered
Some ergonomic issues around the base
The 32-inch 4K IPS panel is housed by a 3-sided frameless plastic surround that helps to keep the focus on the display itself. I’m a bigger fan of a frameless aesthetic that extends to all four sides, but I’ve never seen that on any other AOC monitor, so I wasn’t surprised to see it lacking here.
The display is held up by a well-built and carefully engineered metal stand. Despite looking fantastic, it unfortunately protrudes a little too far into the desk for my liking. Thankfully it doesn’t interfere with my keyboard or mouse, but it’s too close for comfort. That being said, I can’t fault how it looks. The two lines that flow from the display down to the desk not only look fantastic but also add a design touch that creatives often crave.
The main set of ports, including power, are located on the rear of the monitor and, most importantly, are facing downwards. That means you can position this monitor close to the back of your desk, which helps alleviate the aforementioned issue with base protrusion. There’s also an additional set of ports, including 2x USB-A (one includes charging), USB-C, and headphone.
Finally, it’s possible to adjust the height, tilt, swivel, and rotation of the monitor, although the swivel is limited to only 15 degrees in both directions, which I feel is a little limited.
Design score: 4/5
Features
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
A focus on colour accuracy
Fantastic connectivity
With the U32U3CV, AOC has given a lot of effort to deliver outstanding colour accuracy straight out of the box. The hardware calibration achieves Delta E<2 (sRGB) and settings can be quickly fine-tuned thanks to the built-in Calman Ready feature. Additionally, the monitor ships with 98% coverage of the DCI P3, 100% of the sRGB, and 100% of the Rec 709 colour space. It doesn’t get much better than that.
The monitor is perfectly suited for anyone working with images or any creative who demands precise colour rendering. It’s also bolstered by Vesa DisplayHDR 400, which delivers the high dynamic range that graphic artists require.
Alongside colour accuracy, the U32U3CV excels when it comes to connectivity. Computers and laptops can be connected with no drama at all thanks to two HDMI ports, a DisplayPort, and a USB-C port that supports video. There’s also KVM switch functionality that enables users to share the monitor across two devices. Very handy.
In terms of power delivery, you’ll get 96W through one of the USB-Cs and 15W for USB-A. These combined will guarantee your laptop and smartphone remain fully charged. The spread of these ports across the rear and the side significantly helps to make the ports easily accessible when they’re needed.
Features score: 4/5
Performance
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
A monitor that is good to go right out of the box
Limited 60Hz refresh rate and slow response time
The main strength of the U32U3CV is how well it performs from the get-go. I didn’t have to perform any calibration or adjustments to get fantastic results. The 4K IPS panel guarantees the pixel density that makes images look sharp and crisp.
The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified, which, as the number suggests, delivers 400 nits of brightness. I placed the monitor in a bright room and had no problems with it competing against the natural light. It’s nice to have HDR support, but the lack of local dimming means the picture is not as vibrant as it could be. Extreme blacks and whites just weren’t quite as deep or bright as I would have hoped. Not bad, just not the best.
Colour coverage of 98% DCI P3, 100% sRGB, and 100% Rec 709 helps to deliver consistent results across the whole gamut range. I didn’t notice any colour replication issues when I pulled up a range of images. This is definitely a reason for creatives to go with this monitor.
At 60Hz, the monitor unfortunately lacks a high refresh rate. This will immediately put off gamers, but it might also be a consideration for animators. If you are working in that world, including motion graphics, and you want your content to appear smooth, then you’ll be better served by a monitor with a higher refresh rate.
Performance score: 4/5
Price
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Not cheap but fantastic value for money
The BenQ PD3225U currently tops our guide to the best monitors for graphic artists but that will set you back an eye-watering £1,000. Fear not! Thanks to the U32U3CV, you don’t need to spend anywhere near that much to own a cracking monitor that is purpose-built for creatives. AOC is currently selling the U32U3CV for £549, which means you’re getting a whole lot of monitor at a more affordable price.
Price score: 4.5/5
Who's it for?
(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)
Built for creatives, and only creatives
The AOC U32U3CV is unashamedly for creatives. The 60Hz refresh rate and very slow response time will immediately turn off any gamers, even if they’re only casual. The monitor is branded with ‘Graphic Pro’, which shows AOC’s focus on those working to create image and video content. As a result, this is an ideal monitor for photographers, photo editors, videographers, video editors, visualisers, and any other type of designer.
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AOC Graphic Pro U32U3CV: score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and build:
Well-built but lacking in the area of ergonomics.
4/5
Features:
A lot of colour features and amazing connectivity.
4/5
Performance:
Colour accurate but lacks refresh rate.
4/5
Value:
An affordable price, especially compared to the competition.
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You want an affordable yet eminently capable monitor designed for creatives
You need calibrated colours
You need a USB-C hub as well as a monitor
Don't buy it if...
You’re a serious gamer or even a casual gamer
You could make do with a 27-inch monitor
You need maximum control over the monitor’s ergonomics
The Verdict
8
out of 10
AOC Graphic Pro U32U3CV
The AOC Graphic Pro U32U3CV is a high-performance monitor for creatives that offers more value than its competitors. What is lacking in ergonomic stand design is more than made up for in colour performance and connectivity. If you have £500 to spend on a monitor, then you won’t get much better than this.
Paul is a digital expert. In the 20 years since he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science, Paul has been actively involved in a variety of different tech and creative industries that make him the go-to guy for reviews, opinion pieces, and featured articles. With a particular love of all things visual, including photography, videography, and 3D visualisation Paul is never far from a camera or other piece of tech that gets his creative juices going. You'll also find his writing in other places, including Creative Bloq, Digital Camera World, and 3D World Magazine.
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