By Tim Levy | January 31, 2026

In a world where we consume most of our visual media on small, glossy 4-inch cell phone screens, the ASUS ProArt Display PA32KCX is a stunning antithesis.

This 32-inch 8K mini LED monitor is more than just a display, it’s a professional magnifier that takes your favorite high-resolution photos to a new level of appreciation.

The pure, unadulterated detail that can be seen at the native 7680 x 4320 resolution and an incredible 275 ppi is simply amazing.

moment of truth

Every photographer’s defining moments are revealed in Lightroom. I first opened a recent portfolio image saved at 1920px and pressed “F” to make it full screen. Then a wave of disappointment washed over me. “I should have saved all my images in 8K,” I said to myself.

My files, once saved at a respectable 1920 pixels and 220 dpi, looked as small as if they were on an iPad. This disappointment forced me to look into my archives and my favorite 48MP images taken recently to see what the original RAW would look like. And I was amazed at the amazing details. You can now zoom in on images to see intricate details that you previously missed. Through this screen, you can relive the moment as if you were actually there.

Ah, beautiful “matte”

But the other “wow” factor isn’t just the pixel count, it’s also the lack of reflections. The screen is perfectly beautiful and matte. Unlike the standard Apple display’s mirror finish, which doubles as a grooming mirror, the PA32KCX only absorbs light. I waved my phone’s flashlight directly at the panel, and the normally harsh light dimmed to a forgotten, dull glow.

This is thanks to ASUS’ LuxPixel technology, which combines an advanced anti-glare low-reflection (AGLR) coating with “Eye Care” technology. The monitor comes with a substantial hood, but honestly, the screen surface is amazing at blocking out ambient light, so the hood feels more like a bonus than a necessity. Even after a full day of pixel peeping and general use, I didn’t experience any of the common “pixel overload” or eye strain. This monitor is very easy on the eyes and can even be described as “relaxing to look at”.

Underpinning this experience is an incredible spec sheet aimed squarely at those who demand the best. This 32-inch 10-bit panel is a Mini LED powerful panel with 4032 dimming zones, 1200 nits peak brightness, and VESA DisplayHDR 1000 certification. Color reproduction is excellent, with a factory calibrated Delta E of less than 1 and coverage of 97% of DCI-P3 and 95% of the Adobe RGB color gamut.

Navigating the monitor’s thumbstick menu is easy, complemented by limited integration with Mac’s own controls. The out-of-the-box calibration was so good that I didn’t have to touch anything, but I nearly burned out my eyeballs by pushing the brightness from a comfortable 240 setting to the 400 (maximum) setting just to see what it could do. For those who need an outdoor HDR location monitor, this one will hold up well against even the harshest glare.

If you feel the monitor needs to be calibrated, you can pull down the built-in colorimeter for automatic self-calibration. I hated the whole proofreading ritual, so this is a godsend.

Exterior and ports

This monitor arrives in a box large enough for at least eight cats, and it’s surprisingly easy to set up. The sturdy stand allows for easy height, tilt, and pivot adjustments, and the nearly invisible bezels on three sides give it a sleek, modern edge. But while the screen itself is clearly the star, at around $13,000, an aluminum finish similar to Apple’s higher-end products might have been nice.

Connectivity is future-proof with dual Thunderbolt 4 (96W power delivery), dual HDMI 2.1, and DisplayPort 2.1. You can also use picture-in-picture mode from up to four different 4K sources simultaneously.

Is this for everyone?

Let’s address the two elephants in the room. First up is the 60Hz refresh rate. Yes, gamers have complained. But this isn’t really a gaming monitor. Using 8K worth of pixels in a game is overkill, especially when a regular graphics card has a hard time keeping up with the gameplay. For our target audience of photographers and video post-production professionals, 60Hz is perfectly sufficient.

If you want a similarly sized gaming monitor that also doubles as a high-end post-production monitor, we recommend checking out the following: 32 inch 4K ASUS ProArt display OLED PA32UCDM Delivers amazing 240Hz refresh.

The second problem is more practical. When running at native 8K, the operating system’s UI elements become comically small. To make menus and palettes easier to read, we actually run the OS at a scaled resolution (like 4K) and dedicate the entire 8K canvas to creative applications. In any case, image details and text look great at this resolution.

summary

ProArt PA32KCX is a no-compromise tool. This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s an investment that requires the rest of your workflow to improve accordingly. It’s truly an engineering marvel. I love this monitor. My only real problem? I’m already dreading the day ASUS demands the return of this review unit. I just hope they… forget.

specs

• 32-inch 8K UHD (7680 x 4320) features 4032 zones locally dimming mini LED backlighting with LuxPixel AGLR IPS 178° wide viewing angle panel.
• 1200 nits peak brightness and 1000 nits sustained full-screen brightness for outstanding color contrast.
• True 10-bit color depth and quantum dot technology delivers 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 97% DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020 color gamut and industry-leading Delta E < 1 color accuracy.
• The built-in colorimeter supports self/automatic calibration as well as Calman and Light Illusion ColourSpace CMS professional calibration software.
• Support for multiple HDR formats including Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10.
• The Light Sync solution supports ambient light and backlight sensors for reliable color performance from the start.
• Built-in Auto KVM allows you to easily switch between two connected laptops or PCs with one keyboard and mouse.
• Dual Thunderbolt 4 up to 96W power delivery, HDMI2.1, DisplayPort2.1, and built-in USB hub.
• Ergonomic design with tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustments for a comfortable viewing experience.