It’s handy to have a monitor that’s easy to transport and can act as a primary or secondary display. A monitor like the Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor can easily fit those requirements, along with providing the type of viewing angles, color, and performance to please even the most demanding gamers.
There are monitors with higher resolutions, batteries, and wireless connectivity that the 15.6″ 144Hz Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor lacks. For many use cases, however, the simplicity and overall performance of this monitor make it a better choice.
Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor
$180 $190 Save $10
Portable monitors are functional, but they aren’t typically great for gaming. That changes with the Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor.
- Brand
- Arzopa
- Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Refresh Rate
- 144Hz
- Screen Size
- 15.6in
- Ports
- Mini HDMI, Full-featured Type-C x 2, 3.5mm audio
- Display Technology
- IPS, 178-degree viewing angles
- Aspect Ratio
- 16:9
- Screen Brightness
- 300 nits
- Display Weight
- 1.36lbs (0.62kg)
- Sound
- Built-in dual speakers
- Thickness
- 0.3in (7.62mm)
Getting to Know the Hardware
With its 15.6″ display size and 16:9 aspect ratio, the thin and lightweight Arzopa G1 Game strikes a nice balance between usability and portability for an entertainment-centric display. Not every cable or adapter you’ll ever need is included, but you do get one USB-C to USB-A cable, one USB-C to USB-C cable, and one Mini HDMI to HDMI cable. Also included are a wall charger for devices that can’t supply power and display over USB-C and a magnetic smart cover that doubles as a stand.
If your device features a USB-C port and can output both video and power of at least 5V/3A, then a single USB-C to USB-C cable is all that’s needed to use the monitor. If you need to connect a device over HDMI, then you’ll need both an HDMI to Mini HDMI cable and a separate power source that provides at least 5V/3A that goes from a USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-A to USB-C cable that then connects to the monitor.
When facing the display, to the left, from top to bottom, is the Mini HDMI port, USB-C2, and USB-C1 ports. Both USB-C ports support concurrent power delivery (PD) and DisplayPort (DP). To the right, from top to bottom, is the Power/Return Key, a rocker switch that, when pressed up, controls brightness and, when pressed down, controls volume, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The simple controls are matched by an on-screen display that is easy to use and intuitive, including when switching between the three possible display inputs.
The smart cover is separate. The magnet does a reasonable job of keeping the cover attached to the back of the monitor, but I’d much prefer a more secure attachment. When folded over, the cover works as a stand. While, again, I’d much prefer a dedicated adjustable stand, the smart cover does a reasonable job of keeping the monitor stable when placed vertically or horizontally at various angles.
Audio-visual Performance: A Must See, Not Hear
At the default 15% brightness, the screen lacks a bit of vibrancy, but it’s still pleasing to look at and provides far less of a battery drain from a connected device when not using external power. Going to higher levels of brightness, and as high as 100%, the display looks as good as just about any standard desktop monitor.
Thanks to its 100% sRGB color gamut, colors really pop on the display. While it’s still best to look at the monitor head-on for optimal results, viewing angles are excellent, with minimal darkening even at the most extreme angles.
The Arzopa G1 Game supports a 144Hz refresh rate, which is more than double the typical 60Hz. For devices that support a 144Hz refresh rate, you can generally expect smoother and more fluid graphics, particularly when gaming. Of course, the Arzopa G1 Game also supports lower refresh rates.
As expected, the audio from the built-in speakers is mediocre. Even at the loudest possible setting, it’s not very loud and lacks any noticeable bass. On the plus side, stereo separation is good. Overall, If you want more than serviceable audio, you’ll need to use headphones, either through the monitor’s 3.5mm audio jack or natively on your connected device.
Real-world Performance
Connectivity was tested with a variety of devices, either over USB-C or HDMI. Outside of requiring external power for the HDMI-based connections, the overall setup was quick and simple, and the performance was excellent. Although you can use most recent smartphones and tablets with the Azorpa G1 Game, the most practical use cases are really with standard computers and gaming devices.
Android-based Devices
Most Android tablets and smartphones are plug-and-play using the USB-C to USB-C cable, providing both display and power to the monitor. For certain Android devices, like the ones from Samsung with DeX, there’s an option to have a desktop-like computing experience on the second display if you also connect a mouse and keyboard.
Apple iPad and iPhone
If you have a newer Apple iPad, it will likely already have a USB-C port, so you can use the USB-C to USB-C cable to connect. If you have an older iPad or an iPhone with a Lightning connector, there’s no way at present to use a Lightning to USB-C cable to power and connect to an external display. Instead, you’ll need to use something like the Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter and the HDMI to Mini HDMI cable. In that scenario, the Arzopa G1 Game will also need external power. In short, it’s doable, but a lot of trouble versus other mobile devices.
Asus Chromebook CX1 and Other Computers
The Asus Chromebook CX1 is a fairly typical low-cost laptop with a 14-inch 1920×1080 IPS display. Using the Arzopa G1 Game as a secondary monitor was as easy as plugging in the USB-C to USB-C cable and waiting a brief moment for the laptop to configure itself. As with most computing devices, the Asus defaulted to a resolution of 1920×1080 at 60Hz, requiring entry into the settings to change to 144Hz.
Evercade EXP and VS
The handheld Evercade EXP and VS console both support HDMI output, although, with the EXP, you’ll need a mini HDMI to mini HDMI cable or adapter. One nice feature of both of these systems is that they support TATE mode for compatible games.
TATE, which is Japanese for vertical, is a portrait mode for supported games. It’s a great way to play classic arcade games in their original vertical orientation or pinball games in a more authentic aspect ratio. Support is on a per-game basis, but it’s very easy to turn the Arzopa G1 Game on its side for TATE gaming.
Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation
Despite the Nintendo Switch having a built-in USB-C port, it’s unable to drive an external display without being docked. Using a dock, the HDMI to mini HDMI cable, and external power to the monitor, the Arzopa G1 Game works great as an external display, including for TATE-mode capable games. However, the maximum refresh rate the Switch supports is 60Hz, so it can’t take full advantage of the 144Hz capabilities of the monitor.
Microsoft’s Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X consoles all support 144Hz monitors, but only select games on the Series S/X support 120 FPS with a matching refresh rate of 120Hz. As such, you’re generally better off using the monitor at 60Hz for 60 FPS gaming. Sony’s PlayStation 4 only supports 60Hz maximum, with the PlayStation 5 going up to 120Hz.
Valve Steam Deck
The native display resolution of Valve’s popular handheld gaming PC, Steam Deck, is 1280×720 (720p) with a 60Hz refresh rate. When connected via a Type-C to Type-C cable, the monitor is immediately recognized, with the Steam Deck providing power and a default resolution of 1920×1080 at 60Hz to the Arzopa G1 Game.
Pressing the STEAM button and going to Settings, then Display, you can Turn off Automatically Set Resolution and choose 1920×1080@144. Due to battery life constraints, you’re probably best off playing the Steam Deck docked when using an external controller, but if you’d like to mix things up, it’s as plug-and-play as it gets.
It’s important to remember that the Steam Deck is optimized for 720p, so playing natively at 1080p may affect performance in some games. Either way, the Arzopa G1 Game makes a solid choice for a Steam Deck external display, particularly if you want to play docked.
Should You Buy the Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor?
Although its list price is $250, the Arzopa G1 Game usually retails for $150 or less, making it a great value. When it comes to warranties, products like this are practically considered disposable, so coverage is rarely robust. That’s why it’s notable that the Arzopa G1 Game touts a 30-day return and exchange guarantee, a 12-month warranty, and lifetime technical support. Of course, support doesn’t mean much if the product itself fails to deliver with its performance, but in this case, the Arzopa G1 Game does exactly what it promises.
If you’re looking for a high-performance portable monitor, the Arzopa G1 Game makes a fine choice for gaming or even general usage. Its 1080p resolution is not necessarily ideal as a primary display outside of entertainment content, but it’s just fine for productivity purposes as a secondary monitor. While it’s hard to recommend the monitor at its full list price, the retail price is extremely competitive versus monitors with lower-performance technology, even if you’re not always going to be able to take advantage of its 144Hz refresh rate.
Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor
$180 $190 Save $10
Portable monitors are functional, but they aren’t typically great for gaming. That changes with the Arzopa G1 Game Portable Monitor.