Acer Predator X39 OLED review

Gaming monitors typically fall within the 24 to 34-inch range, so when something like the Acer Predator X39 comes along—a 39-inch, curved, ultrawide OLED—it's bound to grab attention. Bigger is often better, but once you exceed 34 inches, it can start to feel overwhelming for most desktop setups. Fortunately, the X39 manages to sidestep the need for a super-wide 32:9 aspect ratio while still offering a significantly larger display than your average 21:9 ultrawide.

The sheer size of the X39 demands a good portion of your desk, occupying roughly a meter of width. Thankfully, the 800R curve helps to offset its scale. While not as extreme as the curve on Samsung's Odyssey Neo G8, it's sufficient to reduce head movement and eye strain. That said, at 39 inches, there's only so much a curve can do. Playing fast-paced shooters like Marvel Rivals may still feel like a workout for your neck.

Straight out of the box, the Predator X39 is a head-turner. Its robust aluminum frame oozes durability and blends seamlessly with its sleek, minimalist aesthetic. It's refreshingly understated, with no unnecessary RGB lighting—just a professional black and gray design that could easily fit in a corporate office.

The massive panel sits on a forked-leg stand that supports height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, although its large footprint may pose a challenge for users with smaller desks. Surprisingly, Acer doesn't include meaningful cable management solutions, a notable oversight for a monitor at this price. However, there is a threading mount for attaching accessories like cameras or lights, which is a nice touch.

Connectivity on the Predator X39 is plentiful, with two HDMI 2.1 ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 connections, and a USB-C port offering 90 W Power Delivery. Additional ports include a USB-B upstream connection, a secondary USB-C, three USB-A ports, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The built-in KVM switch automatically shares peripherals between two connected devices (via USB-C PD and USB-B). Oddly, there's no option to manually control the KVM, nor is there a menu for it in the on-screen display (OSD), which feels like a strange omission.

The OSD itself is simple and accessible via a joystick located on the bottom bezel. It offers a typical array of gaming options alongside advanced color controls, including different color spaces and six-axis calibration for precise adjustments. While I can't vouch for out-of-the-box color accuracy with professional-grade precision, the X39 looks fantastic to the naked eye.

The true star of the Predator X39 is its WOLED panel, sourced from LG's latest tech. Colors are bright, vibrant, and lifelike, thanks to the 99% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. Whether you're editing photos, gaming, or binge-watching, the color depth and richness are a delight. The 3440 x 1440 resolution ensures decently sharp visuals, while the ultrawide aspect ratio provides excellent multitasking capabilities.

However, the X39 does stumble in some areas. At 39 inches, the 3440 x 1440 resolution results in a noticeably low pixel density of about 95 PPI. Text and fine details look softer than they should, and the WOLED panel's subpixel layout exacerbates text fringing, which can be distracting during productivity tasks. Over time, my eyes adjusted, but the issue is hard to unsee, leading to occasional strain. While these drawbacks are less noticeable in games, they're significant for users who want or need crisp visuals for detailed work.

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In gaming scenarios, though, the Predator X39 truly excels. Its 240 Hz refresh rate and 0.03 ms response time ensure smooth, fluid motion, making it perfect for fast-paced titles. Playing Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 feels incredibly responsive and immersive. HDR TrueBlack 400 further elevates the experience, delivering deep blacks and excellent contrast for a truly cinematic feel. While I don't have my own measuring tools, Windows reports a peak brightness of 750 nits which is impressive, and the WOLED panels do offer a slightly higher full-screen brightness compared with equivalent QD-OLED at 275 nits. The built-in speakers are also quite passable in a pinch, but you'll want to stick to external audio solutions for the best sound quality.

At its $1,600 MSRP, the Predator X39 isn't cheap by any means but it's regularly on sale at the moment for $1,200, and it is a ginormous OLED after all. As far as immersive, gorgeous gaming experiences go, the X39 nails it with excellent image quality, high refresh rate, and the curvature make it great for anyone who wants a cinematic experience. The plethora of connectivity options, including USB-C Power Delivery, add a layer of versatility, making it suitable for professionals as well - if you can get past the low text clarity.

However, the monitor's flaws—low pixel density, text fringing, and a lack of manual KVM control—can't be ignored. These limitations are especially glaring given LG's upcoming 5K2K curved OLED panels showcased at CES 2025, which offers significantly better pixel density and resolution. This new competition makes the X39 feel like it's a step behind, particularly for users who need more than just gaming performance from their monitor. There's also the fact that the LG version of this screen, which uses the exact same WOLED panel, can be picked up for under $1,300 right now if you want to go straight to the source.

Overall, the Acer Predator X39 is an excellent gaming monitor that delivers an immersive experience but while I've thoroughly enjoyed gaming on it, the compromises make it hard to recommend for those who need a more versatile display. It's fantastic if all you do is game but in a rapidly evolving market, the X39 feels a touch late to the game, with some cheaper and some more effective alternatives already available.