Smart Backlight Tech Redefining Gaming Monitors in 2024

The term "smart backlight" was the talk of the town for high-end monitors in 2024. Now, in mid-2025, that cutting-edge tech is becoming more accessible for South African gamers. We’re talking about Mini-LED and full-array local dimming (FALD). To break it down, we chatted with our display guru, Lerato. She explains what this tech does, why it’s more than just a buzzword, and how it delivers a real competitive advantage. ✨

Your Smart Backlight Questions, Answered

MSI G321Q 31.5" WQHD IPS 2K Flat Monitor, 170Hz Refresh Rate, 1ms MPRT Response Time, 1.07B Display Colors, 16:9 Aspect Ratio, 1200:1 Contrast Ratio, G-Sync / AMD Freesync, HDR, Black / 9S6-3DB91A-041

R5999.00In Stock

ViewSonic VX2779A-HD-PRO 27" Gaming Monitor / IPS-Level Display / 240Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms MPRT / AMD FreeSync / HDR10 / VX2779A-HD-PRO

R4099.00In Stock

Dahua LM24-A200V 24" Monitor / FHD 1920 x 1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / 5ms Response Time / DHI-LM24-A200V

R1999.00In Stock

HP OMEN 27s FHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / VESA DisplayHDR 400 / NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible / Integrated Dual 3W speakers / Customize aRGB lighting through OMEN Light Studio / 780G5AS

R8999.00In Stock

Alienware AW2523HF Gaming Monitor - 24.5-inch (1920x1080) 360Hz Display (DP 1.4), 1ms Response Time, AMD Free Sync, Preset OSD Modes, Height/Tilt/Swivel/Pivot Adjustability, Dark Side of The Moon - AW2523HF

R7799.00In Stock

Dahua 27" QHD Gaming Monitor - E331 / 1000:1 Contrast ratio / 16.7M Colors / 2560x1440 / 180Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms Response Time / DHI-LM27-E331

R3599.00In Stock

Q: What is a ‘smart backlight’ and how is it different from older monitors? A: Think of a standard monitor backlight as a single big lightbulb that’s always on. A smart backlight, or local dimming, divides the screen into dozens or even thousands of individual zones that can be dimmed or brightened independently. This means you can have intensely bright highlights right next to deep, dark blacks, creating incredible contrast that older edge-lit displays just can't match.

Q: I keep hearing about Mini-LED. Is that the same thing? A: Mini-LED is the ultimate evolution of that smart backlight concept. It uses thousands of tiny LEDs (far smaller than traditional ones) to create hundreds or thousands of dimming zones. More zones mean more precise control over the image, leading to near-OLED levels of contrast without the risk of burn-in. It’s the premium standard for HDR gaming right now.

Q: What’s the actual benefit for gaming? Does better contrast make you a better player? A: It absolutely can. In dark games like Alan Wake 2 or a shadowy corner in Call of Duty, better contrast means you can actually see details in the dark areas instead of looking at a murky grey patch. You can spot an enemy hiding in the shadows much more easily. It also makes HDR content look spectacular, with explosions and spells that really pop off the screen.

AOC AGON AG275QXR 27" QHD 2K 170Hz Gaming Monitor - Pink - 2022 Edition ,IPS, Flicker-free technology, AMD FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible / AOC-AG275QXR

R6999.00In Stock

Dahua LM24-A200V 24" Monitor / FHD 1920 x 1080 / 100Hz Refresh Rate / 5ms Response Time / DHI-LM24-A200V

R1999.00In Stock

ViewSonic TD1655 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Portable Touchscreen Monitor / Ultra-portable Design / Advanced in-cell Capacitive Touchscreen / 2-Way Power With USB Type-C / Frameless Design / Portrait and Landscape Modes / dual integrated speakers / TD1655

R5299.00In Stock

LG UltraGear 32GN600 32" QHD 2560 x 1440 Gaming Monitor / 165Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms Response Rate / AMD FreeSync ™ Premium / Virtually Frameless Design / Incredible Speed to Victory / 32GN600F-B.AFB

R4999.00In Stock

HP 527SF G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - Black/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / Anti-glare / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / -5 to +25 degrees Adjustable Tilt / 94F44AS

R4499.00In Stock

HP 524SA G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - White/Silver / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94C36AS

R4199.00In Stock

Q: Is this advanced tech only available on expensive, high-end screens? A: It used to be, but not anymore. While the highest number of dimming zones is still reserved for flagship models, the principles of local dimming are trickling down. Many mid-range monitors now include some form of local dimming that offers a significant step up in contrast over older designs. Mentioned gear: You’ll find that leading brands like HP monitors are integrating better contrast technology across their line-ups.

Q: This all sounds pricey. Can you get a monitor with a decent picture for a fair price in SA? A: Definitely. You don’t need to spend R20,000 to get a great-looking display. While true Mini-LED might be out of reach for some, you can find fantastic performance by focusing on monitors with high native contrast ratios (VA panels are great for this). Mentioned gear: There is a fantastic range of monitors under R7000 that deliver an amazing experience. Some of the best-value Dell monitors under R7000, for example, offer deep blacks and vibrant colours perfect for most gamers.

Q: So if I'm buying a monitor today, what should I look for? A: If your budget allows for it, a monitor with even a basic local dimming feature is a huge plus for cinematic gaming. If not, prioritise a VA panel for its superior native contrast. It’s great to see brands that were once only known for speed now focusing on amazing picture quality too. Mentioned gear: Reputable brands like Viewsonic offer a wide spectrum of monitors, from esports-focused to visually stunning displays.

HP OMEN 27qs QHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor / QHD Resolution (2560 x 1440) / AMD FreeSync™ Premium / Eyesafe® certified / Height Adjustable Stand / Pivot Rotation Functionality / 780J4AS

R13499.00In Stock

HP OMEN 24 FHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 24" FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare Display / AMD FreeSync Premium / Pivot Rotation and Height Adjustable / 780D9AS

R5199.00In Stock

HP OMEN 32q QHD 165Hz Gaming Monitor - Black / 1ms / 32" QHD (2560 x 1440) / AMD Freesync™ Premium / 780K0AS

R9999.00In Stock

ViewSonic VX3218-PC-MHD 32" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 180Hz Curved Gaming Monitor / 180Hz Refresh Rate / 1ms MPRT Response Time / AMD Adaptive Sync Prevents Screen Tearing / 1500R Curve Ultimate Immersion / VX3218PCMHD

R5199.00In Stock

HP 527SA G5 FHD Gaming Monitor - White/Silver / 27" FHD (1920 x 1080) / IPS Panel / 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x VGA / Eye Ease with Eyesafe Certification / 94F48AS

R4999.00In Stock

AOC 20E1H 19.5" HD (1600 x 900) 60Hz Desktop Monitor - 5ms response time - WLED-Backlit - HDMI, VGA Inputs - Cable Management - Stand Offers Tilting / 20E1H

R1499.00In Stock

Key Takeaways

• Smart Backlights = Better Contrast: They allow parts of the screen to get truly dark while other parts stay bright.
• See In The Shadows: This technology gives you a real competitive advantage by revealing details in dark game scenes.
• Mini-LED is the Goal: It’s the best version of this tech, offering thousands of dimming zones for incredible HDR performance.
• It’s Becoming Affordable: While premium in 2024, local dimming features are now available on more budget-friendly monitors. 🚀