Gaming Monitor Shipment Projected to Grow 37% YoY in 2020, with IPS Monitors Seeing Noticeably Increased Market Share, Says TrendForce

According to the latest investigations by TrendForce’s Department of Display Research, the shipment of gaming monitors (defined as having frame rates of 100Hz or higher) is projected to reach upwards of 12.2 million units in 2020, a 37% increase YoY, owing to the wider variety and market availability of models with consumer-friendly prices.

TrendForce analyst Anita Wang indicates that, in 2H19, affordably priced IPS gaming monitors began entering the market, while manufacturers adopted fast-response liquid crystals for some of their IPS gaming display panels in an effort to address the persistent issue of slow response times. As such, IPS monitors are projected to reach a 25% share in the gaming monitor market this year.

AOC/Philips takes first place in the ranking of gaming monitor shipment in 2020

The gaming monitor market has been hypercompetitive in recent years. In particular, AOC/Philips is expected to rank first in terms of shipment in 2020, thanks to their portfolio of highly cost-effective curved gaming monitors and affordable IPS models, in addition to AOC/Philips’ existing cost advantage. ASUS is likely to reach second place; not only is the company focused on the high-end professional gaming market, but it is also looking to raise its sales performance via a line of affordable products. Finally, Acer, which is likely to be ranked third on the list, is sticking with its strategy of maintaining a comprehensive product range. On the other hand, curved gaming monitors are still projected to reach a 54% market share in 2020 despite the growing market share of flat IPS monitors. In the curved gaming monitor segment, this year’s highlight is the release of new monitors with 1000R curvature radiuses, which are expected to bring about a breakthrough for the curved monitor market. In particular, Samsung and MSI are showing the most aggressive product planning efforts. These two manufacturers are projected to have similar shipment numbers.

As panel manufacturers gradually release their 165Hz panels, there is a rapid increase in gaming monitors’ frame rates as well. Case in point, from 1Q19 to 1Q20, the share of 165Hz monitors in the overall gaming monitor market increased from 4% to 21%. As well, out of the top five gaming monitor brands, MSI leads the pack in terms of product planning, with 165Hz monitors accounting for 40% of its total gaming monitor shipment in 1Q20, followed by ASUS, whose 165Hz monitors accounted for 30% of its 1Q20 gaming monitor shipment.