Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED review: A portable monitor that impresses

Best Prices Today: Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED

Portable monitors often make sacrifices to achieve the portability and budget pricing they’re known for. Even OLED displays are often inexpensive, with prices for some models dipping below $250. The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED takes a different approach. It aims to deliver excellent image quality in both SDR and HDR content and is priced to match this aspiration. Fortunately, Viewsonic hits its mark.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best portable monitors to learn about competing products.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED specs and features

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s specifications are impressive on paper. It delivers a 4K OLED panel which, although certainly not unique to this monitor, is typically found only in expensive portable monitors and laptops. The panel is also VESA DisplayHDR 500 certified, which is unusual for a portable monitor. Most lack a VESA DisplayHDR certification.

• Display size: 16-inch widescreen
• Native resolution: 3840×2160
• Panel type: OLED
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Adaptive sync: No
• HDR: Yes, VESA DisplayHDR 500 certified
• Ports: 2x USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 60 watts Power Delivery, 1x Mini-HDMI 2.0, 1x 3.5mm audio-out, 1x USB-C power-in
• VESA mount: None
• Speakers: Included
• Price: $499.99 MSRP / $449.99 retail

These premium specifications come at a premium MSRP of $499.99 which can be found for $449.99 at some online retailers. That’s a high price for a portable monitor and may immediately send budget-conscious shoppers to flight. If you’re willing to pay up for premium image quality, though, you’ll like what you see.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED design

Viewsonic engineers had a tough job designing the VX1655-4K-OLED. It’s an expensive portable monitor, which implies it should look nicer than its competition. Fortunately, Viewsonic manages to pull it off thanks to slim bezels on three sides and a glass panel that covers the entire front of the display. The rear of the portable monitor is also sturdy with a metallic feel and a remarkably rigid chassis. There’s close to zero flex evident when handling the display, which isn’t typical for a portable monitor.

The VX1655 is a 16-inch widescreen monitor, so it requires a large handbag or backpack to carry. However, the monitor weighs only 1.5 pounds on its own and is thin at just 0.6 inches its thickest point. It’s easy to slip in any bag that can accommodate a 15-inch or 16-inch laptop, and may even fit alongside the laptop so long as the laptop isn’t unusually thick.

A kickstand is built into the monitor’s chassis and can’t be detached. That’s a departure from most competitors, which typically feature a detachable stand that often doubles as a cover or case. The integrated kickstand improves stability, however, as it won’t unexpectedly detach or collapse when the monitor is bumped or moved.

The monitor comes with a detachable cover that protects the front of the monitor. It will guard against scratches and gentle bumps but felt thin in my hands, so I recommend buying a protective sleeve. On the plus side, the cover adds just a couple tenths of a pound to the overall weight, so it doesn’t make the monitor more difficult to pack.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED connectivity and menus

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED integrates its connectivity into the kickstand, which includes two USB-C ports, each supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode and 60W of power delivery to power the monitor. A single mini-HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack round out the options. It’s a good range of connectivity, though I would have preferred a full-sized HDMI port.

It’s possible to power the monitor through a single USB-C connection if it’s used with a device that provides enough power (Viewsonic lists the maximum power consumption at 24 watts). Otherwise, power can be supplied with the included USB-C power adapter. The included power adapter is larger than I would expect at roughly 3.5 inches deep, 2 inches high, and an inch thick, which can be inconvenient. Many travelers will prefer using their own USB-C charger, and any that can provide at least 30W should work.

A joystick on the right side of the kickstand provides access to the monitor’s on-screen menus. It’s responsive, easy to use, and a significant upgrade from the menu controls found on many competing portable monitors. They’re often integrated into the volume and power buttons and ask users to press them for a specific period or in specific combinations (which are easy to forget).

The on-screen menus are well-labeled and easy to read, offering a respectable range of image quality adjustments, including color temperature and gamma presets, as well as color calibration options. While generally easy to use, I noticed the joystick input sometimes flipped unexpectedly while navigating through the menus. This means an input that had opened a menu could change to cancel a menu, or vice versa, which often led to accidental or incorrect navigation.

A small speaker is built into the kickstand. It’s weak, but crisp — at least when handling simple audio sources like a podcast. More complex tasks, like music or movies, easily overwhelm it. I wouldn’t want to rely on it, but it could be useful for a video call in a pinch.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED SDR image quality

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s display panel is the star of the show. It’s a 4K OLED panel with a refresh rate of 60Hz and 16:9 aspect ratio. While OLED panels are not uncommon in 2024, even among portable monitors, it’s still a premium panel with an extremely pixel density. It also performed well in most tests.

Brightness was a bit of a surprise, as the VX1655-4K-OLED achieved a maximum SDR brightness of 457 nits. That is high for any portable monitor and strong for an OLED panel in a portable monitor or laptop. The display remains comfortable to view in nearly any room. However, the glass covering the panel is extremely reflective, so glare can still be an issue when using the monitor outdoors or near a sunny window.

The VX1655’s excellent contrast ratio was less surprising, as it’s a feature nearly all OLED displays offer. Still, it contributes to a rich and immersive viewing experience with deep, inky black levels that convey an excellent sense of depth.

It’s a significant improvement over the IPS panel technology found in most budget-friendly portable monitors. IPS displays typically have a contrast ratio around 1,000:1 and can look hazy and gray when they should appear pitch black. The VX1655’s contrast ratio makes it superior for entertainment, including PC games and streaming services.

Color gamut is another highlight, as the VX1655 covers the entire sRGB and DCI-P3 color space, as well as 94 percent of Adobe RGB. These are top-notch results for a portable monitor and make it useful for color-critical photography, design, and video editing tasks. It also makes the display look saturated and vivid in everyday use.

Color accuracy, on the other hand, was just okay, though that comes with a caveat. OLED panels can fluctuate in brightness depending on what is displayed, and that fluctuation can cause problems when testing color accuracy. Some competing brands, especially Asus, solve the problem with a uniform brightness mode that prevents brightness fluctuations but slightly reduces the maximum brightness of the display. Viewsonic should consider adding a similar option. I know this is an issue, as I was able to see subtle brightness fluctuations as tests were performed.

The VX1655 performed well in gamma and color temperature tests. It achieved a gamma curve of 2.2, which is directly on target, and a color temperature of 6600K, just a hair cooler than the ideal target of 6500K. The monitor also provides multiple gamma and color temperature options for tuning the image to your needs.

The VX1655’s HDR performance is the best of any portable monitor we’ve tested to date.

Sharpness is a perk. The 16-inch 4K panel delivers 275 pixels per inch, an incredible pixel density that easily exceeds a 27-inch 4K monitor, which packs just 163 pixels per inch. Text and high-resolution images look wonderfully sharp, and at times, they can even appear a bit unreal. In my opinion, it’s a bit overkill for a monitor of this size, but if you’re seeking the sharpest image possible in a portable monitor, you will not be disappointed.

On the whole, the image quality of the VX1655 is exceptional. The Viewsonic ColorPro VP16 OLED surpasses it in some respects, including color gamut and color accuracy. However, for most people, the superior sharpness and brightness of the VX1655 should prove appealing. The VX1655 also defeats OLED portable monitors I’ve previously reviewed from brands that are popular on Amazon, like the Innocn 15A1F. We still recommend the 15A1F, as it’s much more affordable, but the VX1655’s improved resolution and brightness make it better for content creation and entertainment.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED HDR image quality

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s HDR performance was a pleasant surprise. The monitor is VESA DisplayHDR 500 certified and, in my testing, proved capable of reaching a maximum brightness of just over 500 nits.

That’s important because the added brightness allows HDR content to reveal more detail, which creates the vivid, crisp, and realistic look of HDR content. It also delivers a “wow” factor in bright scenes or scenes that feature occasional bursts of brightness. 500 nits is still lower than ideal (I’d like to see 1,000 nits or more), but the VX1655’s HDR performance is the best of any portable monitor we’ve tested to date.

Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED motion performance

Gaming is not the Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED’s focus, so it sticks to a refresh rate of 60Hz. That can’t provide the enhanced motion fluidity you’ll enjoy from monitors with a 120Hz or 240Hz refresh rate, which are available for the same price or less.

Still, the VX1655’s motion clarity is okay. That’s mostly due to the low pixel response times that OLED panels provide. Put simply, each pixel responds quickly to changes, which reduces the amount of motion blur behind moving objects. There’s still plenty of blur visible behind fast-moving objects, but it’s acceptable for less competitive PC games.

Should you buy the Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED?

The Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED is an exceptional portable monitor. It has a bright, vivid, high-contrast OLED panel that delivers excellent image quality in both SDR and HDR content. The monitor’s design also stands out with a built-in kickstand and a rigid chassis. I noticed a couple minor flaws: The bundled display cover felt flimsy, and the on-screen menus were at times confusing to navigate, but those are minor issues. If you want excellent image quality from a monitor that you can easily fit in a backpack, it’s hard to beat the VX1655.

Best Prices Today: Viewsonic VX1655-4K-OLED