Acer used IFA 2026 in Berlin to announce the Predator XB253Q U1, a 24.5-inch esports monitor that runs Full HD at a 1,000Hz refresh rate — which Acer bills as a world first for the combination of 1,000Hz, its 0.3ms VRB Pro blur reduction, and a glare-cutting circular polarizer. It will sell for $1,099.99 (around ₱68,700) in North America starting Q1 2027, per Acer's announcement.
What a 1,000Hz refresh rate actually means
Refresh rate is how many times per second a screen can draw a new image. Most monitors run at 60Hz to 144Hz; dedicated esports displays have pushed to 360Hz and 540Hz. At 1,000Hz, the XB253Q U1 can put a fresh frame on screen every single millisecond — the practical benefit being lower motion blur and less delay between your input and what you see, in games running at very high frame rates.
The full spec sheet:
- 24.5-inch IPS panel (an LCD type known for accurate colors and wide viewing angles), 1920 x 1080 resolution at up to 1,000Hz
- 0.3ms response time using VRB Pro (Visual Response Boost), Acer's backlight technique for cutting motion blur and ghosting
- A circular polarizer layer to reduce glare and eye strain in long sessions
- 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 color coverage, 1.07 billion colors (8-bit + FRC), VESA DisplayHDR 400 certification
- 400 nits of typical brightness, peaking at 450 nits
- Two HDMI 2.1 ports and one DisplayPort 2.1
- AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible support
- A fully adjustable stand: tilt, swivel, 150mm of height travel, and pivot to portrait
Who is this for?
Acer is aiming squarely at competitive players, positioning the monitor around "extreme responsiveness, smooth frame pacing, and motion clarity." The honest caveat: to feel anything close to 1,000Hz, your PC has to render frames at rates only lightweight competitive titles reach, on powerful hardware. Staying at 1080p is the enabler — Full HD is far easier to drive at extreme frame rates than 1440p or 4K, which is why the resolution that sounds modest on a ₱68,700-class monitor is actually the point. The variable refresh rate support on both AMD and NVIDIA cards matters at these speeds too, keeping frame delivery smooth and tear-free when the frame rate swings.
Price and availability
The XB253Q U1 arrives in Q1 2027: $1,099.99 (around ₱68,700) in North America and €1,099 (around ₱79,600) in EMEA, with a China release in the same quarter. No Philippine price or availability has been announced yet — Acer's launch markets so far are North America, Europe, and China, so local buyers should treat the peso figures above as conversions, not an official SRP.
Also new: a 4K QD-OLED Predator
Acer paired the speed play with a picture-quality one. The Predator X32 V3, detailed by PC Guide, is a 31.5-inch 4K QD-OLED running at 180Hz with a 0.03ms response time and VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400 certification, priced at $899 (around ₱56,200) — also due Q1 2027. Between the two, Acer's IFA message was clear: one monitor for the fastest esports screens ever shipped, one for cinematic 4K play, and both a full quarter away from store shelves.
