Philips 272E1CA 27-inch Curved Full HD Monitor: specs and who it suits

The Philips 272E1CA is a 27-inch curved monitor with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display and a frameless design. It sits in Philips' E-Line range and is aimed at home and office desks, with extras such as built-in speakers and FreeSync. Here is what the main specs mean in daily use.

Resolution and size

At 27 inches, Full HD spreads 1080 lines of pixels over a fairly large screen, so the image is less sharp than on a 1440p or 4K panel of the same size. That is a normal trade-off: Full HD is easy for almost any computer to drive, and it suits everyday work, video and games at a normal desk distance. If you do a lot of fine text work or photo editing, check whether this pixel density suits you.

The curved VA panel

Philips lists a curved VA panel with a 1500R curvature. The "1500R" means the curve matches a circle with a radius of 1500 mm, so the screen wraps slightly around you when you sit about 1.5 metres away or closer. Philips says the curve and wide viewing angles give a more immersive view.

VA panels typically have strong contrast, which helps dark scenes look deeper. Philips adds SmartContrast with a "Mega Infinity" dynamic contrast ratio, a figure produced by dynamically adjusting the backlight, so it isn't directly comparable with native contrast.

Colour: 100% sRGB

sRGB is the standard colour space used for most web content, office software and games. A monitor that covers 100% of it can display that full range of colours. It does not mean the screen is factory-calibrated, and for colour-critical work you would normally calibrate it or choose a wider-gamut model.

Adaptive-Sync and 75Hz

The monitor supports AMD FreeSync (Adaptive-Sync) up to a 75Hz refresh rate. Refresh rate is how many times per second the picture updates, and 75Hz is a little smoother than the 60Hz common on office screens. Adaptive-Sync matches the monitor's refresh to the graphics card's frame rate, which reduces tearing and stutter in games. Check your graphics card and cable to confirm support.

Speakers and mounting

Philips includes built-in speakers, handy for video calls and casual listening without extra desk gear. Built-in speakers are generally modest compared with dedicated desktop speakers or headphones. The monitor also has VESA mounting, so it can be fitted to a monitor arm or wall bracket that matches the standard hole pattern in the manual.

Size and warranty

The listing gives dimensions of 18.2 x 24.1 x 8.0 inches (46 x 61 x 20 cm) and a weight of 9.8 lb (about 4.4 kg). Philips says its monitors come with a four-year advance replacement warranty in the United States, which generally means a replacement is sent before you return the faulty unit.

Who it suits

It suits home offices, students and general desktop use where a roomy screen with a gentle curve and basic speakers is wanted. Competitive gamers who want very high refresh rates would look at faster panels.

What to check before you buy

• Inputs: confirm which ports it has against your computer's outputs, and whether cables are included.
• Desk depth: a curved screen needs a little more depth; measure your desk.
• Resolution: check that 1080p is sharp enough at 27 inches for you.
• Mounting: if you want an arm, confirm the VESA pattern and weight limit.
• Warranty: the four-year cover is stated for the United States; check terms where you live.

The short version

• 27-inch curved (1500R) VA Full HD monitor with a frameless design.
• 100% sRGB coverage and Philips SmartContrast.
• AMD FreeSync / Adaptive-Sync up to 75Hz.
• Built-in speakers and VESA mounting.
• Four-year advance replacement warranty in the United States.

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