The Viewsonic VG1656N distinguishes itself in the portable monitor market with its wireless connectivity. Unlike most competitors relying solely on wired connections, the VG1656N includes a USB-C dongle enabling wireless video transmission from laptops, smartphones, and even gaming devices. However, this feature alone justifies its high $339 price tag, making it a premium option.
The wireless functionality isn’t seamless. The monitor still requires external power, and its internal battery lasts just over three hours (3h 33m in testing) with no clear battery level indicator. This means a USB-C cable is always recommended. More critically, wireless operation introduces noticeable latency and image compression, reducing sharpness in videos, photos, and even text. The underlying display quality isn’t high to begin with; the VG1656N covers only 65% of the sRGB color space (50% DCI-P3) and achieves a modest peak brightness of 268 nits. The 1,920×1,200 resolution at 60Hz is unremarkable for its price point.
A More Affordable Alternative
For comparison, the Arzopa Z1RC, though lacking wireless capabilities, offers a larger, sharper (1600p), more colorful (100% sRGB), and brighter (368 nits) display for half the price ($150). This highlights how heavily the VG1656N relies on its wireless feature to justify its premium positioning.
The monitor’s physical design also compromises portability. At 9.6mm thick (14.8mm with the included case) and 872 grams (1.39kg with the case), it’s bulkier than most portable monitors. The built-in speakers are weak at default volume and distort at higher levels. Navigating the settings menu is slow and does not show battery level.
Connectivity Issues & Practical Concerns
The VG1656N struggles with automatic source switching, often powering down aggressively. If last used with a wired connection, attempting to switch to wireless may result in the monitor repeatedly cycling between power-on and power-off before input selection can be reached. This reinforces the need for a USB-C cable as a backup. The included folio cover doubles as a stand, essential since there’s no built-in kickstand or VESA mount. The bundled 60W charger is larger than ideal for a portable device.
The Viewsonic VG1656N’s wireless feature is its only significant advantage, but it comes with usability compromises that make it hard to recommend outside niche scenarios.
Testing Methodology
Monitor measurements were taken using a Spyder X2 Ultra colorimeter and DataColor’s Spyder X2 software in SDR mode. Testing included brightness, contrast, and color gamut coverage. Results can vary due to differences in testing equipment and monitor settings. Motion tests were also conducted to assess ghosting or refresh rate-related issues for gaming.
Conclusion
The Viewsonic VG1656N is a specialized device. Its wireless capability is valuable if you absolutely need it, but the compromises in image quality, battery life, connectivity reliability, and overall value make it difficult to justify for most users. Unless wireless is non-negotiable, more affordable and better-performing alternatives are readily available.
