ZOWIE Unveils Battle Royale-Focused XQ Monitor Series
The XQ series marks ZOWIE's first WQHD monitors, breaking from the full HD resolution the XL series has maintained, and positions the brand against high-refresh-rate OLED competitors on a visibility-focused axis rather than raw refresh rate.
Key Facts
- The ZOWIE XQ2566X, a 24.1-inch Fast TN monitor with WQHD resolution and 360Hz refresh rate, launches August 19, 2026 at 164,800 yen.
- The ZOWIE XQ2766X, a 27-inch model with the same resolution and refresh rate, ships around October 2026 with pricing to be announced later.
- DyAc 3 uses a direct-lit LED backlight, a change from the edge-lit backlights of DyAc and DyAc 2, to reduce motion blur.
- The XQ series includes a Color Filter feature with presets for PUBG, Apex Legends, and Fortnite that adjust screen saturation and contrast.
- BenQ Japan announced a collaboration with Thirdwave's GALLERIA brand, bundling the XQ2566X with a desktop PC on August 19.
Reporting from 3 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), 4Gamer.net, Game Spark.
BenQ Japan announced on August 12, 2026, that its ZOWIE esports brand will release the XQ series of gaming monitors, a new line designed specifically for battle royale games. The lineup consists of two models: the 24.1-inch XQ2566X, which goes on sale August 19, and the 27-inch XQ2766X, scheduled for October. Both displays use Fast TN LCD panels with a 2560x1440 (WQHD) resolution and a maximum 360Hz refresh rate. The XQ2566X is priced at 164,800 yen, while the XQ2766X price has not been announced. The series introduces DyAc 3, the latest version of ZOWIE's motion blur reduction technology, which uses a direct-lit LED backlight with multiple LEDs arranged behind the panel, a change from the edge-lit backlights of earlier DyAc versions. BenQ claims the combination of DyAc 3 and 360Hz produces less motion blur than 500Hz OLED displays. The monitors also include a Color Filter feature with presets for PUBG, Apex Legends, and Fortnite that adjusts saturation and contrast when in-game effects obscure enemies, plus a new ZOWIE Sync smartphone app for wireless settings adjustment.
The XQ series is not a replacement for the XL line, which remains aimed at tactical FPS titles like Counter-Strike and VALORANT. ZOWIE product director Chris Lin said the company deliberately delayed entering the 360Hz market, spending about two years on development because it judged IPS panels common in early 360Hz monitors were not fast enough for competitive FPS play. The XQ series instead targets the different demands of battle royale games, where long-range target acquisition and late-game ring fights matter more than close-range reaction speed.
DyAc 3 required a structural overhaul. Lin said the backlight, the control IC, and the optical film were all redesigned, with patents pending on the algorithm. The direct-lit backlight adds thickness to the panel compared with earlier ZOWIE models. The monitors also include a G-sensor that displays tilt and horizontal level on screen, allowing players to reproduce their home monitor angle at tournament venues. The Eye Shield side attachments now use magnets instead of hooks. A collaboration with Thirdwave's GALLERIA brand will bundle the XQ2566X with a desktop PC featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Radeon RX 9070 XT, also launching August 19.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- GAME Watch (Impress) BenQが放つeスポーツモニターの新定番「XQシリーズ」を解説する
- 4Gamer.net TN液晶＋直下型LEDで有機ELよりも残像感が少ないバトルロイヤル向けディスプレイ「XQ2566X」がBenQ ZOWIEから発売
- Game Spark ZOWIEの新モデルはバトロワ特化型。ゲーミングモニター「XQ」シリーズが今夏から登場、新たな残像軽減技術とWQHDで視認性を追求【発表会レポート】