This ultrawide 49-inch monitor could replace two displays, or more

(Image credit: Philips)

Philips has introduced its new large-format ultra-wide display designed for business clients who currently use two 24 or 27-inch LCDs. The new Philips 498P9 Brilliance has multiple inputs, including a novel USB-C port, as well as an integrated KVM switch

The Philips Brilliance 498P9 is based around a curved 48.8-inch VA panel that features a 32:9 aspect ratio, a 5120x1440 resolution, a 3000:1 contrast ratio, and a 70Hz refresh rate. The monitor can reproduce 91% of the Adobe RGB as well as 121% of the sRGB color gamut and comes calibrated to a DeltaE <2 accuracy. 

To make the ultra-wide LCD somewhat more appealing to gamers, Philips equipped it with VESA’s Adaptive-Sync variable refresh rate technology.

Mighty display

The Philips 498P9 SuperWide monitor can connect to hosts using one DisplayPort, two HDMI inputs, and a USB 3.2 Type-C port. There is no word on power delivery on the USB-C connector, unfortunately. The device also has a 3.5-mm audio connector. To make it easier to operate several PC with a single monitor-keyboard-mouse setup, the LCD is equipped with an integrated KVM switch that allows to change sources with a press of a button. 

To make the Philips 498P9 Brilliance easier to set up, it comes with a base that tilts, swivels, and is height-adjustable. Meanwhile, the base can be detached and owners may use VESA mount (100x100) instead to attach the monitor to an arm or even build a multi-monitor setup consisting of several 49-inch LCDs for multi-display applications in air traffic control, financial, and surveillance spaces. 

The Philips 498P9 Brilliance monitor will be available in August 2020. In the UK, the unit will cost £749, so expect it to cost around €800 ~ €850 in mainland Europe and feature a $800 MSRP in the U.S. The model 498P9 is a cheaper version of the Brilliance 499P9H announced earlier this year. 

Considering the fact that the 49-inch display is supposed to replace midrange 27-inch LCDs and a KVM switch, its price does not really look too excessive.

Anton Shilov is the News Editor at AnandTech, Inc. For more than four years, he has been writing for magazines and websites such as AnandTech, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, Kit Guru, EE Times, Tech & Learning, EE Times Asia, Design & Reuse.