Gaming monitors with a 21:9 aspect ratio have established their relevance among gamers, and for the longest time, we’ve all gotten comfortable with the 34–38-inch diagonals and curves that range from 1800R to 3800R. But the more extreme specs are now available on the megawide monitors like the INNOCN 44C1G where you’ll find 32:9 44-inch screens, or the superfluous Samsung Odyssey G93SC with a 49-inch screen, a ‎5120×1440 resolution and up to 240Hz refresh rate.
Unlike the ultrawide monitors, most of these mega-wide displays are laser-focused on gaming, and with their extreme sizes and curves, they are better suited for entertainment and productivity.
We’ve looked at two other high-res, 32:9 screens — Samsung Odyssey G93SC and the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 – both with very tight 1800R and 1000R curve radii respectively. The Neo G9 has the most extreme curve we’ve seen yet and is one of the best gaming monitors we’ve tested.
The INNOCN 44C1G we’re reviewing, on the other hand, lacks the fancy curve of Samsung’s flagship monitors, boasts a lower resolution, and costs much less than the competition while delivering reliable ultrawide screen real estate. If you’re looking for a comfortable mega-wide monitor for gaming and productivity, the 44C1G offers tremendous value thanks to its 44-inch WFHD screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and 32:9 aspect ratio. But that’s not all, it’s a nice-looking monitor too.
Design and Features
The INNOCN 44C1G is expansive as a matter of simple fact. But initial impressions simply it should just cost more than its current price. The sheer scale of the 44-inch panel, exaggerated by the extreme 32:9 aspect ratio, is a big part of that. The modern styling, quality materials, and solid build quality only add to the premise of money well spent.
The highlight specs from that phenomenal panel start with a native resolution of 3,840 by 1,080 pixels., but we’re used to 3,840 by 1,080 pixels in these screen sizes. Given the large panel size, there’s a relatively modest resolution, and translates into a decent pixel pitch with 96% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. The panel type is IPS and it’s an LCD screen, with a peak brightness of 400 nits and static contrast of 1,000 to one.
With only 96 percent color coverage, it means that more demanding gamuts such as DCI-P3 will be less than stellar. Once again, this is an 8-bit per channel panel, so it’s not pitched at workflows that demand top-tier color accuracy.
Instead, it’s productivity at which the 44C1G aims to excel. In the larger part, that’s the function of the large, mega-wide panel that lends itself to running multiple application windows in parallel (split screen support).
But this monitor has more tricks up its sleeves. For gamers, it has AMD FreeSync support, meaning with a capable gaming PC, you’re good to run your games at high refresh rates. But unlike most ultrawide monitors we’ve reviewed including the HP S430C, it lacks a pop-up webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition for accessible security.
You also get both HDMI and Displayport connectivity. But the clever bit involves the inclusion of a USB-C port that supports video input and device charging, allowing for a single-cable connection to drive the display and charge a laptop.
Performance
If you’re considering an ultrawide panel like the INNOCN 44C1G for productivity, the big question is how many windows it can accommodate side by side. The physical size of the 44C1G 44-inch panel suggests it could be up to four. However, with its fairly low DPI, three windows, side-by-side, are more realistic.
A curved ultrawide panel like the Samsung LS49CG932SNXZA is more comfortable when used as a productivity or gaming panel and it doesn’t offend. With the INNOCN 44C1G, you’re not getting the sweet curve, but there’s just enough space to work on your tasks, and your windows won’t look distorted at all. It’s a nice balance.
When it comes to image quality, it’s just adequate, but nothing more. The native color balance doesn’t immediately inspire confidence and the panel lacks overall punch, while the presets in the OSD menu don’t include common color spaces such as sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3. Simply put, it’s a fairly common IPS panel with OK colors, decent contrast, and simple pixel response. All of these are acceptable considering the monitor’s price.
It’s on connectivity where the monitor shines. Plug in two laptops via the USB-C or HDMI and the monitor automatically switches to picture-by-picture mode, with each laptop allocated half of the 44-inch panel. With both laptops connected, you can mouse directly across the screen to switch from one device to another and simply select, drag, and drop files from either device to another, using the mouse.
The monitor supports HDR400. This will prove useful for content creators who plan to work on HDR content. However, keep in mind this is basic HDR, if you want to use higher HDR, you’ll want to look at a Mini-LED or OLED monitor. With AMD FreeSync and a 12HZ refresh rate, it’s a good monitor for gamers who need something affordable for both gaming and work.
INNOCN 44C1G Review: Verdict
The INNOCN 44C1G is average by some metrics of image quality. The pixel pitch is mediocre, the 44-inch IPS panel offers a middling quality of color accuracy and response. It’s not a great prospect for top-tier gaming or demanding content workflows. That could’ve been seen as a big disappointment were it not for its very affordable price tag. No other ultrawide monitor in the 44-inch range does what this INNOCN monitor does.
And, when it comes to productivity, this is a very clever display. In addition to the obvious advantages of the large ultrawide panel, the INNOCN 44C1G has excellent connectivity, includes AMD FreeSync support, and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s not a perfect ultrawide monitor, but the INNOCN 44C1G might just be exactly what you need to elevate your productivity.
If you need better clarity, and more features for both gaming and productivity, alternatives are many. The 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 delivers a premium gaming experience you can’t find elsewhere. It’s expensive but it’s unique with a touch. For players and creators with high-end systems, it’s a great choice.
Recommended Configuration
INNOCN 44C1G Ultrawide Monitor 43.8" WFHD 3840 x 1080p 120Hz Monitor 32:9 IPS Computer Split Screen Monitor 96% DCI-P3 HDR400 FreeSync Premium USB Type-C HDMI Height Adjustable Mountable Monitor
The Review
INNOCN 44C1G
The 44-inch INNOCN 44C1G delivers a decent and unique productivity experience with above-average color clarity, solid build quality, and clever port selection including USB-C at a very affordable price.
PROS
- Large and extremely wide
- Very clear, bright image
- Solid performance for the money
- Clever port options
CONS
- Minimally HDR
- Mediocre color quality
Review Breakdown
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EDITOR's RATING
