Asus has unveiled a new ProArt display, a top-spec monitor that’s designed for professional users. The company claims that the PA32UCG is the world’s first professional 4K display that supports a combination of a maximum brightness of 1600 nits and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. These specs, alongside a variety of HDR support, put the display into direct competition with Apple, which announced its own display for professional users, the Pro Display XDR, earlier this year. 

In terms of its specs, the Asus display compares well to Apple’s, although they both have different strengths. Both are 32 inches in size and have a maximum peak brightness of 1600 nits, but Apple’s display has a higher resolution at 6K compared to 4K on the Asus model. However, the ProArt PA32UCG has a higher refresh rate: while Apple’s Pro Display XDR tops out at 60Hz, Asus’ model goes all the way up to 120Hz, and it’s equipped with variable refresh rate technology that can scale between 48Hz and 120Hz. 

Asus is also emphasizing the HDR capabilities of its ProArt display. The company claims it has 1,152 individual mini LED backlights to achieve a precise amount of contrast between bright and dark areas of an image, and it also supports all three major HDR standards (HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision). The 10-bit display is also able to support the DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020 color spaces. Asus says it puts each monitor through a three-level factory pre-calibration process, so the monitor’s colors should be as accurate as possible when they reach you.

Finally, the monitor is equipped with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one DisplayPort, three HDMI ports, and a built-in USB hub.

Asus didn’t announce any pricing at its conference at IFA 2019, but it said that it plans to ship the ProArt Display PA32UCG in the first quarter of next year. It’s currently unclear whether Apple’s $4,999 display (and its $999 stand) will be available by then. Asus’ latest monitor is part of a four-strong professional lineup, which also includes the 21.6-inch PQ22UC, the 27-inch PA27UCX, and the 32-inch PA32UCX.