Hey there! If you‘re looking into high-performance monitors, you may be wondering – what‘s all the hype around "Nano IPS" displays? Is this new screen technology from LG markedly better than regular old IPS panels? Or is it more marketing buzzwords than meaningful upgrades?
Well as an experienced tech product analyst, let me walk you through the key differences between standard IPS and Nano IPS displays. I‘ll break down exactly what Nano IPS improvements add to the viewing experience…and what they don‘t.
A Quick History of IPS
First, a fast history lesson. IPS (in-plane switching) display tech was originally developed by LG and Hitachi way back in 1996. Up to that point, Twisted Nematic (TN) LCD panels were the norm, but they suffered from awful viewing angles and mediocre color accuracy.
IPS innovated by orienting liquid crystals in a horizontal direction across the panel, allowing much better off-center visibility. This came at the cost of contrast ratio compared to vertical VA (Vertical Alignment) panels, but the vibrant colors and consistency made IPS a hot item for creative and productivity setups.
For decades, LG has iterated on basic IPS technology – gradually improving response times from 8 milliseconds (ms) down to 4ms, while boosting color reproductions into the low 70% NTSC gamut range.
Then in 2019, LG unveiled its Nano IPS variation…and the hype train took off.
What Nano IPS Improves
So what makes Nano IPS so special compared to the IPS panels of old? As the name suggests, LG introduced nanometer-sized particles into the screen‘s backlight system.
This extra "nano" layer enhances two core aspects of monitor performance:
| Spec | Standard IPS | Nano IPS |
|---|---|---|
| Response Time | 4ms | 1ms |
| Color Gamut | ~72% NTSC | 98% DCI-P3 |
As you can see, Nano IPS panels achieve remarkably faster gray-to-gray response times of just 1ms (on par with the fastest gaming TN screens).
But even more impressively, colors reproduce at up to 98% of the DCI-P3 digital cinema color space. That equates to 135% coverage of standard sRGB – allowing extremely vibrant, saturated visuals.
So in essence, Nano IPS aims to be a "best of both worlds" display tech. It matches (or even beats) the fastest TN screens that hardcore esports gamers demand…while achieving the gorgeous, wide colors that artists and creators need for their photo/video editing workflows.
Real-World Performance Differences
Now those bulletpoints definitely wow on paper. But do these upgrades actually improve real-world visuals to justify the higher price?
As a display quality aficionado myself, I‘ve pored over countless expert reviews analyzing whether Nano IPS presents visible enhancements. Here‘s what my research shows:
According to testing benchmarked across dozens of monitors on Rtings.com, the color gamut difference between IPS and Nano IPS proves substantial. Mainstream IPS panels typically cover around 70% of the more expansive AdobeRGB color space. Meanwhile Nano IPS blows that away, hitting over 85% AdobeRGB coverage for intensely vivid and accurate colors.
However, the fast 1ms response time doesn‘t show as drastic real-world improvements. Rtings measured mere 15% less motion blur on Nano IPS compared to a quality 4ms IPS monitor. External reviewers like Hardware Unboxed also found little perceivable gaming benefit from 1ms vs 4ms displays.
So it seems the rich DCI-P3 color reproduction should interest creators, but the faster response time likely won‘t gain most gamers extra on-screen advantages.
Direct Panel Comparisons
Let‘s analyze some concrete monitor models to showcase the differences between standard IPS and LG‘s new Nano IPS variant with those color and response upgrades built-in…
LG 27GL850 – Mainstream IPS Monitor
- 1440p Resolution
- 144Hz Refresh Rate
- 4ms Response Time
- 98% sRGB Color Gamut
LG 27GN950 – Nano IPS Monitor
- 4K Resolution
- 144Hz Refresh Rate
- 1ms Response Time
- 98% DCI-P3 Color Gamut
At first glance, that jump from sRGB to DCI-P3 color reproduction is startling – making Nano IPS massively expanded gamut obvious. Plus the LG 27GN950 sports cutting-edge 4K visuals compared to everyday 1440p.
However, response times likely won‘t reveal real-world speed differences, with most users hard-pressed to spot less motion blur between 4ms and 1ms panels.
So while Nano IPS clearly provides best-in-class colors thanks to nanoparticles expanding its gamut, you‘ll only benefit from the faster transitions while gaming if you play hyper-competitive esports titles at a pro level.
Which Use Cases Shine With Nano IPS?
Given its strengths and weaknesses gleaned from expert testing, which user groups stand to gain the most from ponying up for a new Nano IPS monitor?
Creative Work
Without question, the vastly widened DCI-P3 color gamut gives artists, photographers, video editors and digital creators better tools for accurate color matching across editing software, printers, presses and other high-fidelity mediums.
You‘d be hard-pressed to find another consumer monitor matching the vivid yet realistic tones pumping out of a Nano IPS display.
High FPS Esports Gaming
On the gaming front, Nano IPS only pulls notably ahead if you play fast-paced first-person shooters like Valorant or Fortnite and your system can power frame rates exceeding 120FPS.
That buttery gameplay lets pro-level gamers better spot the extra smoothness during chaotic battles from 1ms transitions between shades.
Streaming/Entertainment
For media enjoyment, even hardcore movie buffs likely gain zero viewing benefit from the enhanced response time or wider colors during streaming Netflix binges. Most entertainment these days uses standard dynamic range in fairly narrow color spaces.
As such, a Nano IPS would simply waste electricity pushing extra colors and speed that video content can‘t utilize. A cheaper IPS panel gives identical visual results.
Shop Top-Rated Nano IPS Models
Specific buying recommendations based on your needs and budget:
Best Nano IPS Gaming Monitor – LG 27GN950 4K 144Hz Monitor – Striking colors and crispness, perfect for esports pros
Top Professional Nano IPS Display – LG Ultrafine 32-Inch Ergo – Ideal for creative editing with expansive screen space
Entry-Level Nano IPS Pick – LG 32UP550-W 4K Monitor – 60Hz refresh great for work/media rather than gaming
No matter your niche, keep in mind that IPS and Nano IPS sit at the higher end of the price spectrum given their superb color reproduction and sharpness compared to alternatives like VA or TN panels. Let me know if you have any other questions!
