UPERFECT UPlays C2 Review: A 16-inch 120Hz Portable Gaming Monitor with Impressive Specs

With so many great handheld and compact gaming devices now available on the market, having a portable monitor can be quite useful for those who want to enhance their gaming experience.

Devices like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, ROG Ally and the Xbox Series S are just a few examples of compact video game consoles that can benefit from a larger, yet still portable screen.

In this article, we will take a look at the UPERFECT UPlays C2 120Hz Monitor 2K, a versatile portable display that boasts impressive features, making it a great option for gaming as well as productivity tasks.

Let’s kick things off with some of the key specs:

The C2 features a 16-inch IPS panel with 2560×1600 resolution, a refresh rate of 120Hz and response time of 3-5ms. These two latter features are key to ensure games and fast-paced videos run smoothly, with no lag or stuttering. On top of that, it also supports HDR and FreeSync technologies for an even better gaming experience.

The C2’s display covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut and has a contrast ratio of 1200:1, providing excellent color accuracy, while the 500 nits maximum brightness ensures content is visible even in brighter rooms. It has a wide viewing angle of 178°, so you can get clear views from almost any angle.

It also comes with VESA compatibility so you can mount it on the wall or use with a stand if desired. Finally, it has two full-featured USB Type-C ports, one mini HDMI port, one 3.5mm headphone jack and two built-in speakers for audio playback.

Initial Impressions & Build quality

The retail box for this portable display is purely functional, you won’t find any fancy packaging or branding here. UPERFECT seems to focus all their efforts into producing a high-quality device, while keeping things simple and saving costs when it comes to packaging materials.

Inside the box you’ll find the 16″ monitor, a power adapter, 2 USB Type-C cables, 1 mini HDMI to HMDI cable, a smart cover and the user manual. It’s nice to see a company providing so many accessories with their product, something we see less and less these days.

The unit itself is slim and lightweight, with super thin bezels around the screen and a slightly taller chin. The frame is made of a high-quality ABS plastic material that includes VESA mounting holes on the back. Overall the monitor feels very sturdy and high quality. We particularly like the fact that there is no branding on the front of the unit, which contributes to its clean, minimalist design.

Out of the box the display’s brightness is set quite low, but you can use a control mechanism on the right side of the monitor to adjust a number of different settings, including brightness, black levels, contrast, aspect ratio and color temperature. You can also use these controls to enable features like HDR and FreeSync. The “pulley” mechanism and button used to access these OSD settings isn’t the smoothest, but it gets the job done.

An unexpected highlight is the case that comes bundled with the C2. It’s similar to an iPad Smart Folio case, but this one is made of a textured PU leather material. It helps protect the display from dust and scratches, and also doubles as a stand.

The case feels very solid and durable, and it looks great, complementing the design of the display quite nicely. The robust polyurethane material should withstand daily use and the wear-and-tear of travel for years to come without any issues.

One thing to keep in mind when using the smart cover as a stand, is the fact that you can fold back the front portion of the cover to help keep the monitor securely in place.

Gaming on the UPlays C2

The UPERFECT Uplays C2 is primarily advertised as a gaming monitor, so we’ve put it through its paces with a range of devices, including the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 gaming laptop and the recently launched ASUS ROG Ally.

The setup process for all of these gaming devices is really straightforward and requires minimal effort. You won’t even need to use the Nintendo Switch dock to connect the handheld to this monitor. All you need is one USB-C cable for power and another for the video input (the OLED version only requires a single cable). Systems like the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S will need to use the mini-HDMI port, however.

In terms of performance, the C2 delivers an impressive display quality with its 2.5K resolution IPS display. The monitor’s high refresh rate of 120Hz allows for smooth visuals without any stuttering even during intense gaming sessions. As an example, Ori and the Will of the Wisps runs beautifully at 120FPS and looks absolutely amazing on this monitor.

In our testing, the UPERFECT UPlays C2 performed extremely well with all types of games, from modern AAA titles to indie games and retro classics. The screen is bright and vivid, and the colors look incredible on the display. It’s something you have to see in person, as we’ve noticed photos really don’t do it justice.

The C2 also comes with a set of built-in speakers, which is a great feature for a portable monitor, but when it comes to sound quality they are not particularly amazing. The speakers are certainly serviceable but even at the highest volume they don’t get super loud and lack some bass. If you’re using the C2 with something like the ROG Ally for example, I’d just stick with the Ally’s speakers instead, which sound phenomenal. Alternatively, you can also connect an external speaker to the unit using the 3.5mm audio jack.

A great portable monitor for the ROG Ally

Speaking of the Ally, we were pleasantly surprised at how well this display works when paired with the handheld. It gives you the performance benefits of a docked experience while remaining highly portable, so you can easily move your gaming setup between rooms. Games like Forza Horizon 5, Diablo IV and indies like Planet of Lana all look stunning on the C2’s vibrant screen.

Daily Use & Productivity Tasks

If you’re working from home or on the go, the portability of this monitor is another great aspect to keep in mind. Its slim, lightweight design allows you to easily move it around the house or carry it in your bag while traveling, without taking up too much space.

As mentioned previously, you can use its adjustable smart cover as a stand, or connect it to a traditional stand or monitor arm using the VESA mounting holes on the back of the unit.

We’ve tested it with a MacBook Pro as well as a Windows laptop and it works really well as a productivity tool. Its 100% coverage of the sRGB color gamut makes it a handy compact display for video and photo editing.

Pros & Cons

The C2 delivers great image quality and performance, but portability also comes with a couple of quirks and caveats. Let’s break down the pros and cons of the display.

Pros

• Effortless plug-and-play installation
• Excellent image quality
• 120Hz refresh rate delivers smooth gameplay
• Lightweight & slim
• Thin bezels
• Multi-device compatibility
• Multiple cables and a smart cover included with the product

Cons

• The speakers on the unit are not very loud and lack bass
• The pulley mechanism used to access the OSD settings is a bit fiddly

Verdict

Priced at $269.99 (currently on sale for $189.99) the UPERFECT UPlays C2 120Hz portable monitor is an affordable choice for gamers, content creators and creative professionals who need a reliable portable display.

Its slim design makes it easy to transport while its QHD resolution and high refresh rate provide excellent image quality and smooth gameplay without any stuttering issues. Features like HDR and FreeSync support help further enhance the gaming and viewing experience, while the included smart cover protects the display and doubles as a stand.

For anyone looking for a sturdy portable monitor with great features at an affordable price point, the UPERFECT UPlays C2 is definitely worth considering.

In case the C2 monitor doesn’t meet your required specifications, UPERFECT offers a huge range of other options on their website. These include a 144Hz monitor and this 240hz gaming monitor with an even higher refresh rate.

If you’re interested in picking one of these up, you can use the special discount code INSPIRATIONGD20 to get $20 off for any orders above $150 through UPERFECT’s website.

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This product was provided by its manufacturer for review purposes, but the opinions are all our own. This post contains affiliate links to partner brands. We earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase. There is no extra cost to you, so it’s just a nice way to help support the site.