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ASUS ZenScreen 2025: What’s new and why it matters

Written by Matt Gregory | May 25, 2025 5:15:06 AM

Matt Gregory got a close-up introduction to the full ASUS ZenScreen 2025 lineup in Taipei, and found a range of innovative portable monitors designed for diverse modern work needs. It's all about having the right screen at the right time for how you work.

If there’s one thing that becomes clear the moment you step into ASUS’s Taipei HQ, it’s that this is a company deeply serious about displays. Not just in terms of raw specs, but in how those specs translate into real-world usability. On my recent visit to their display business unit, I had the chance to get hands-on with the latest 2025 range of ZenScreen displays, and what struck me wasn’t just how advanced these portable monitors have become, it’s how smart they now feel (I will explain the “smart” part later). ASUS isn’t just making screens anymore; they’re solving problems you didn’t quite realise you had based on feedback from end users in cutting edge jobs/ industries.

Suddenly, you’re looking at a razor-thin OLED foldable on a hotel/ office/ home desk and thinking: “Oh. Yes. This. Is. It”

ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QH

ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QHLet’s start with the ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QH, because, frankly, it’s hard not to. This is ASUS swinging for the fences, and it's hit a home run IMHO. Imagine a 17.3-inch OLED panel that folds down like a book, yet manages to retain near desktop-class image quality. When open, the display is vibrant, bright, and colour-rich in that unmistakable OLED way; inky blacks, popping highlights, and a feeling of visual depth that makes IPS panels feel slightly washed out by comparison. Seriously, when I was first demo’d the display I thought the image on the screen was a placeholder ready to be peeled away - I thought it was too good to be true, but it really wasn’t. Seriously, you need to see one of these!

But what makes the MQ17QH special isn’t just the OLED, it’s the fact that it folds so well. The hinge is sturdy yet smooth, and ASUS has done an excellent job minimising (but not 100% eliminating) the crease when viewed head-on. It’s designed for portability, yes, but it’s also clearly built for creatives and mobile professionals who need screen real estate without the baggage of a second laptop or bulky external monitor. Paired with a stylus or used as an extension for a color-accurate workflow on the move, it’s a compelling piece of gear.

ZenScreen MB16AHG

ZenScreen MB16AHGNext up is the ZenScreen MB16AHG. This one feels like a nod to ASUS’s gaming roots, but with a broader appeal. It’s a 15.6-inch portable monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, and while that spec may shout “gamer” to most, it actually makes a surprising amount of sense for everyday productivity. The smoothness of the UI alone, whether you’re scrolling through spreadsheets or editing timelines, is noticeably improved.

This model uses an IPS panel with solid colour accuracy and contrast, and it connects via USB-C or HDMI. There’s a built-in kickstand that’s far more stable than some of the earlier ZenScreen designs, which I appreciated as I tend to knock things over - a lot. It’s a screen that’s fast, responsive, and practical, which makes it ideal for hybrid workers or anyone who finds themselves working across locations.

ZenScreen MB16AMTR and MB169CK

Also on display were the ZenScreen MB16AMTR and MB169CK and you need to get hands on with them to really appreciate the differences. Both are 15.6-inch Full HD portable monitors, but they do differ in features and design.

The MB16AMTR (above) offers a 10-point touchscreen, a built-in 7800mAh battery for up to four hours of use (very handy for workers on the move), and hybrid connectivity with USB-C and mini-HDMI ports, making it ideal for interactive tasks and last minute changes to a presentation on the train to a meeting!.

In contrast, whilst the MB169CK (below) lacks touch capability and a built-in battery it is lighter at 0.78 kg, features dual USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alt Mode, and includes a very cool 360° kickstand for versatile positioning, catering to users seeking a mobile, lightweight secondary display.

ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD

But perhaps the most “ah-ha!” moment came with the ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD. This is a dual 14-inch OLED setup that folds out like a book and gives you a full, side-by-side desktop workspace in a footprint not much larger than a laptop. And yes, it’s OLED again (are you spotting the 2025 theme here yet?), which means both screens have deep blacks and high contrast. But what stood out to me is how naturally the Duo format works in practice.

You can have the Duo setup to run a messaging app on one side and a browser window on the other, and immediately it feels like a more ergonomic, less distracting experience. No more alt-tabbing or window-juggling. It’s the kind of product that might not seem essential until you’ve tried it. After that, it will be hard to go back to a single portable panel I think. Whether you’re a coder, a journalist, a designer or just someone who likes to keep their Slack and Spotify visible while working, this thing just makes sense and I think Gen Z will love it.

ASUS ZenScreen MB27ACF

Moving from portable to desktop-class, I spent time with the ASUS ZenScreen MB27ACF, a 27-inch IPS monitor that’s clearly designed to bridge the gap between portability and full-size productivity. What’s clever here is the use of a minimalist, ultra-thin chassis with USB-C connectivity, making it easy to slot into any desk setup. It’s light enough to be considered semi-portable (if you're the sort who packs up their home office into a Pelican case like us), but it also works beautifully as a daily driver for remote or hybrid work.

The panel quality is solid - this is not an OLED, but it is bright, colour-accurate, and with excellent viewing angles. It’s a good reminder that not every monitor needs to dazzle; some need to depend, and the MB27ACF does just that. I could easily see this becoming a favourite for editors, writers, and developers who need reliability with realistic portability above all else.

ASUS ZenScreen MB249C

The ASUS ZenScreen MB249C is a very good, large (but not quite 27” large) display alternative to the MB27ACF for users who prioritise portability, desk space, and budget. With its 23.8-inch Full HD display, 75Hz refresh rate, and integrated stand options, it delivers solid performance for everyday tasks, while being lighter, more compact, and typically more affordable than the larger, higher-spec MB27ACF.

ZenScreen Smart Monitor MS27UC

And then there’s the ZenScreen Smart Monitor MS27UC, which turned heads at CES 2025 for good reason. It’s a full 27-inch 4K screen with built-in smart functionality, and it’s ASUS’s take on the “work-from-home hub” concept that’s become increasingly relevant in the past few years. Now I *really* liked this!

What’s impressive here is how seamlessly the Smart Monitor integrates into a modern workflow. It has native support for productivity apps, media streaming, and even light cloud access without needing to be plugged into a PC. I saw it used standalone with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and it functioned like a lightweight desktop computer. But plug in a laptop or desktop, and it becomes a sharp, high-resolution monitor that can anchor a more traditional setup.

It’s clear ASUS is betting on flexibility here. The MS27UC works as a monitor, a media hub, and even a light smart TV replacement, all while retaining a clean, office-appropriate aesthetic. This is the thing I referred to at the start of this article as “smart” and it isn’t just the product name. My thinking is not every remote/freelance worker has the luxury of co-working spaces, coffee shops or even a home office. We are living in a world where people (especially younger people) are having to bring their workspace into their home space and usually that has to involve a compromise somewhere. This helps solve that issue, your home work space can include a professional standard display for real client/ creative work that after the work is done, can become a TV (that feels like an ancient term now, but you know what I mean - a Netflix / YouTube playing device!). I happen to think that is kinda cool - and smart.

What sets this range apart

Across the board, what stands out most about the 2025 ZenScreen lineup is intentionality. I thought about this a lot (the flight home was 17hrs, so I kinda had to). Each model seems designed with a specific use case in mind, whether it’s the foldable OLED for creatives on the move, the high-refresh IPS panel for mobile gamers and power users, or the Smart Monitor aimed squarely at hybrid professionals.

ASUS isn’t just pushing specs here, it’s refining the concept of what a “portable display” can be. It’s no longer just about taking a second screen with you. It’s about having the right screen for how you work, wherever that might be.

And standing in the demo room in Taipei, it was clear that this isn’t some side project or experimental wing. ASUS is doubling down on ZenScreens in a way that feels very forward-looking. They’re asking: What will work look like in five years? Ten? And how do we build the hardware for it today?

From what I’ve seen, they’re answering those questions with style - and a surprising amount of OLED.