LG first introduced the new UltraWide 40WP95C-W monitor during last year's CES. Boasting a 40" curved panel with 5K2K resolution, 98% DCI-P3 color gamut, and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, the 40WP95C-W appeared to be a content creator's dream come true. But could the real-world performance of LG's latest ultrawide live up to its lofty promise?
We had to wait more than a year to find out, but at long last the LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W is here, and, friends, it is spectacular.
First Impressions
The first thing to know about the UltraWide 40WP95C-W is that it is a conspicuously large monitor with a similarly massive footprint. In fact, the 40” 40WP95C-W is one of the biggest ultrawide monitors you can buy—second only to the 49” class. Size is obviously something you’ll want to keep in mind when considering the 40WP95C-W, since it requires a decent amount of office space to install.
But despite its monstrous proportions, the 40WP95C-W is an objectively handsome monitor that foregoes any hint of brutishness in favor of a more refined aesthetic. Not only does this approach make for a better-looking display, it also made the 40WP95C-W incredibly easy to set up and install using its robust, one-click stand. That stand, by the way, offers height, tilt, and swivel adjustments—something you don’t always get with monitors this size.
If you want to forego the stand altogether, the 40WP95C-W is 100x100mm VESA certified, so you can attach it to a compatible mount—e.g., a monitor stand or articulating arm. Or you can mount it directly to a wall. Having so many installation options isn't necessarily a make-or-break feature, but it's definitely appreciated.
On the back of the monitor is where you'll find the power port and all your necessary connection ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports (one for input, one for output), a DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, two USB-A ports, and a headphones jack. Of those various connection types, the one that should jump out is the Thunderbolt 4 port, which we'll cover below.
Thunderbolt 4
At the time of its CES announcement, the LG UltraWide 40WP95C-W was the first monitor to offer Thunderbolt 4 support—a feature that is just as important today as it was back then. What makes Thunderbolt 4 so important? In short, Thunderbolt 4 ensures the fastest data transfer and video output speeds, the simplest and most reliable connections to the widest range of peripherals, as well as the ability to charge a countless variety of devices—all over a single wired connection.
The advantages of this single-cable interface are especially evident for professional content creators, including photographers and videographers, who tend to utilize a wide range of supplemental devices (with varied connection protocols), including high-capacity storage devices that demand the fastest transfer speeds available.
Image Quality and Performance
Along with its large size, premium build, and cutting-edge connectivity options, the UltraWide 40WP95C-W offers excellent image quality overall with few drawbacks.
For most content creators, two key factors decide a monitor’s image quality: resolution and color. The UltraWide 40WP95C-W offers a 5K2K (5160 x 2160) resolution, which yields a pixel density of 140 ppi. For comparison, that is the same pixel density you get from a 32” monitor with 4K resolution.
Pairing the 40WP95C-W’s high resolution and pixel fidelity with its expansive 40" panel makes working with photographs and other hi-res files much more efficient as it allowed us to edit our work without constantly having to zoom in and out of an area, or move the project window around to work on a specific section.
Arguably, the most critical factor for any creative monitor is color, which is where the UltraWide 40WP95C-W really shines (no pun intended). Based on LG’s “Nano IPS” panel, the UltraWide 40WP95C-W is rated to cover 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and supports “10-bit” color depth using 8-bit + Frame Rate Control (FRC) technology. The combination works marvelously as the colors we saw were consistently vivid, vibrant, and with less banding than you might see on a true 8-bit monitor. And, because the monitor covers the 98% of the DCI-P3 space and can be adjusted to cover 100% of sRGB, it's excellent for web,video, and print work.
Speaking of video: editing programs like Premiere Pro were a joy on the UltraWide 40WP95C-W. Thanks to the large display, we were able to view the entire timeline of our project, while keeping our browser and files open and easily accessible readily available.
Value
When it comes to cost, there’s no sugar-coating the 40WP95C-W’s hefty price tag. It’s expensive. No more than any other 40” 5K2K ultrawide, but still. However, despite its high cost, the UltraWide 40WP95C-W still offers tremendous value.
When you consider the 40WP95C-W's many premium features—its immense screen size, outstanding image quality, Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, and more—the price makes sense. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be any easier on your wallet, but at least you know you’re getting a fair amount of bang for your hard-earned buck.
Our Take
The UltraWide 40WP95C-W is an excellent monitor for content creators and other professional creatives, including photographers and video editors. While more expensive than your average, run-of-the-mill widescreen monitor, the UltraWide 40WP95C-W returns tremendous value thanks to its premium design, 5K2K "Nano IPS" panel, color accuracy, and exclusive Thunderbolt 4 connectivity.
The only caution we would advise is to serious gamers, who will likely want more than the UltraWide 40WP95C-W's moderate refresh rate can deliver—despite the inclusion of FreeSync technology. Otherwise, the UltraWide 40WP95C-W is a darn near-perfect monitor that we highly recommend.
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