The Arzopa Z3FC is an affordable, versatile portable monitor that's perfect for those who are always on the go. Whether you're a professional, a gamer, or both, this monitor is a great addition to your toolkit. We recently had the chance to test it out for a few weeks and were pleasantly surprised by its performance. But here's where it gets controversial... While the Arzopa Z3FC is a decent option for gaming on the go, its HDR capabilities and stereo speakers leave something to be desired. So, let's dive into the details and see if it's worth your investment.
Design
The Arzopa Z3FC is a sleek and stylish device that's made to work with a range of devices, from laptops to gaming consoles. It's incredibly light at just 780g and thin at 9.3mm, making it easy to carry around in your backpack or luggage. The grey matte aluminum alloy finish is also very sturdy and feels great in your hands.
The display is quite minimal, with 2 USB-C 2.1 ports and a single Mini HDMI port on the side. It also has a dedicated power button, volume control buttons, and a slim kickstand that folds out up to 80 degrees. The display automatically detects devices, so it's all you need in terms of functionality.
In the box, you'll find a fabric sleeve, a standard USB-C to USB-C cable, a standard USB-C to right-angle USB-C cable, and a Mini HDMI to HDMI cable. However, you may need to use more than one cable at once, depending on the device you're using.
Display
The Z3FC is an IPS panel with a 107% sRGB color gamut, 1000:1 contrast ratio, and 400 cd/m² of brightness. This makes it a very respectable portable monitor for most everyday tasks. Even running at QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution, things look great.
The IPS panel also helps for better viewing angles, which is important if you're using it as an additional monitor. However, I found that the HDR content looked a little flat due to the 8-bit display color and color depth. This only applied to gaming, as standard SDR content looked good when used with my laptop, for example.
It's strange that Arzopa is promoting HDR 10 compatibility, as it usually runs on 10-bit color depth. As a result, when HDR is activated on something like the PS5 Pro, colors feel way too washed out to be enjoyable.
Performance
You can get a 180Hz refresh rate via a DisplayPort, but the included Mini HDMI to HDMI cable only supports 144Hz. While you can buy a DisplayPort cable and an HDMI to Mini HDMI adapter, it's an extra step that gets in the way of the monitor's portability. That being said, with both the USB-C to USB-C cable and HDMI to Mini HDMI cables, it's decent enough and works well with most gaming consoles.
The Z3FC also packs in two 1W speakers, but I wouldn't recommend using them. If you're connecting the monitor to a laptop or PC, use those standard speakers. If you're connecting it to a gaming console, use a headset. While they're a nice inclusion, they're simply not that loud and sound quite tinny, with next to no bass.
Finally, I would like to point out that the input lag is incredibly minimal, making it great for all types of gaming, whether competitive or single-player. This is a feature I commend, even though not much processing might be going on in the background.
Verdict & Value
Overall, the Arzopa Z3FC portable monitor provides decent value for all kinds of situations, including everyday use and gaming on multiple consoles. While it lacks decent speakers and vibrant HDR capabilities, the IPS panel and 2.5K resolution, in conjunction with its slim and stylish design, make it an incredibly versatile portable option.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights:
- Stylish design
- Plug and play functionality
- Sharp resolution and smooth refresh rate
- Compatible with a range of devices
Lowlights:
- HDR feels washed out
- Dual speakers are a nice inclusion, but don’t sound that great
Manufacturer: Arzopa
Price: A$296
Available: Now
Review based on unit supplied by Arzopa, and is available via Arzopa’s official website (https://global.arzopa.com/products/arzopa-z3fc-16-portable-gaming-monitor-2k-qhd-180hz-bundle?srsltid=AfmBOopnepDksv-1Puv24yUtEI6F85byFYiLfr_jk6sM9KJlrfNTXHdV).
