Currently, Samsung leads with 68% of the market going to its 27”, 29”, 32” and 34” offerings. The 27” sells here for A$549.95 and the 32” for $829.95. The US market has the 34” at US$999.99.

The smaller sizes are simply slightly curved (using a 4-metre radius) versions of flat screens - 1980 x 1080 x 16:9 ratio and will run off an HDMI signal at 30Hz. As they get larger the ratio increases to 21:9 and resolutions go to 3440 x 1440 and may require Display Port to drive them at up to 60Hz. All offerings at present are IPS LED/LCD

Other players include HKC (14%), Dell (6%), LG (4%) AOC/Philips (4%), Acer (3%) and HP (1%). About 900,000 units were shipped in 2015 and growth is expected to double to 1.8M units based largely on the demand for PC gaming.

“Sales of curved-screen monitors have been exceptionally strong in China recently because their releases coincided with a boom in the country’s Internet cafés,” said Anita Wang, WitsView (Trendforce), research manager. “These venues are driving the demand for large-size monitors with novel designs, so curved-screen products fits right into this market.” 

In addition to product cost, industrial design is also a crucial factor in determining the market success of a branded curved-screen monitor. For example, ASUS’s Republic of Gamers 34-inch curved screen monitor that sells for around $2000 for high-end gaming has been well received by consumers for its physical appearance. The product has seen excellent reception in North America even though it was released earlier in 2016 – well after similar sized offerings from competing brands.

Acer’s Predator gaming brand has the X34 that sells here for about $1900 and appeals more due to its stark gaming looks, under-glow frame lighting, and zero frame that allows two or more to be used side by side with almost no side frame.

Dells 34” offering is much more sedate and at under $1400 is finding use in business and gaming arenas. Similarly, LG’s 34” offering under $1200 is gaining in the business space although it is aiming for three monitor setups in gaming for a 10320 resolution display. It also offers drivers for sRGB calibration and picture in picture – 2, 3 or 4 virtual monitors on the screen.

In China, domestic brand HKC introduced its first 32-inch curved screen monitor at the end of last year. The sleek design and economical pricing of HKC curved-screen products have allowed the brand to establish a strong foothold in the local Internet café market. The Chinese brand was ranked second place behind Samsung in the sales of curved-screen products in the fourth quarter of last year with a worldwide market share of 14%.

Why the appeal?

Curved screen TV’s have been a hit and miss affair. At the recent Australian launch of LG’s new OLED flat screen TV’s experts on hand admitted that at least a 70” size was needed to get any ‘immersive effect’ in a typical lounge room viewing situation – typically sitting about 3 metres from the screen.

But when you sit 60cm from the screen, a curved monitor – or two as the manufacturers would like – tends to fill your useful field of view and it is immersive. The theory is that the slight curvature matches the curve of the eye, images are all the same distance from the eyes, reflection is reduced, and it offers more of a 3D view – a sense of surround. I cannot argue with that.

I reviewed AOC’s 27” curved 1920 x 1080 monitor last year and my take on it was ‘curved – just enough to make a difference but not enough to be a nuisance’. Perhaps I need to review two 34” to see if curved is better.

I suspect that unless you are a gamer – a typical normal person –, you may be better looking for a 4K, 3840 x 2160 flat monitor – for the ultimate desktop experience. And gamers may well have to decide to invest in VR. Decisions, decisions.