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QQH Z12-4 Portable Monitor: 30 Second Review
I'm sure there's some weird backstory to why Chinese monitor makers like three-letter names, but I have no idea why.
This design is a 15.6-inch panel that can connect to any computer system that supports HDMI or USB-C (and Thunderbolt), and it comes with all the cables to connect to those standards.
The connection can only be made using a USB-C cable, which carries both data and power, although powering the display will require battery power from the connected laptop.
Alternatively, power can come from the included phone-style power supply, and HDMI can be used to connect to a computer.
Aside from portability, the big selling point of this 15.6-inch IPS panel is its native 4K resolution. This makes it ideal for playing 4K content on a console or computer and editing photos.
It comes with a soft case that doubles as a stand, and the metal structure along with the lid should protect the display during transport.
All of this comes at a surprisingly low price of around $230, which is the price many brands are asking for a 1080p panel.
My only reservation is the usefulness of the 4K resolution on 15.6 inches, as you have to get really close to see the pixels if that's even possible.
It's a compromise, but at this price point, if you can find it, it's an obvious candidate for one best portable monitors for those with a limited budget.
QQH Z12-4 Portable Monitor: Price and Availability
- How much does it cost? US$230
- When will it be released? It is now available in the US.
- Where can I get it? Straight from BKCH or through online stores such as Amazon.
The asking price for this Z12-4 monitor is at Amazon.com costs just $230, which is less than the $299.99 it was originally released for in the US. On Amazon.co.ukit retails at £296.
Looking at Amazon in various regions, QQH only offers a wide range of unfamiliar brands that make portable 4K monitors with overlapping features and styles.
Other brands include Newsoul, Uperfect and EVICIV, among others. All are priced between £185 and £230 in the UK and between $180 and $230 in the US.
This makes the QQH one of the more expensive options, but it is still very affordable.
Specifications of the QQH Z12-4 portable monitor
|
Model: |
BKH Z12-4 |
|---|---|
|
Screen Size: |
15.6″ corner to corner |
|
Permission: |
3840 x 2160 |
|
Compatibility: |
USB-C, HDMI |
|
Number of ports: |
3 |
|
Ports: |
2 USB-C, 1 mini-HDMI |
|
Specified color specification: |
100% sRGB |
|
Quoted contrast: |
1200:1 |
|
Panel depth: |
6 (Hello, PRK) |
|
Display technology: |
IPS |
|
Brightness: |
400 nits |
|
Size: |
355.6 mm x 215.9 mm x 7.6 mm |
|
Weight: |
?Display and cover 770g. |
|
Accessories included: |
Cover (also stand), 1 x USB-C to USB-A cable, 1 x USB-C to USB-C cable, 1 x Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable, 1 x 5V 3A power adapter |
|
Touch control: |
No |
|
Maximum update: |
60 Hz |
|
WEIGHTS: |
Yes |
|
Guarantee: |
1 year |
Portable monitor QQH Z12-4: design
- Simple design
- Cover-stand
- USB-C or HDMI
I've seen a number of portable screens over the past couple of years, and the QQH Z12-4 is right up there with that trend.
It uses a slim aluminum body to house a 15.6-inch 4K IPS panel, and while the screen isn't protected by glass, it does come with a soft cover that attaches magnetically to allow you to project on the go.
The lid folds down to form a monitor stand, although it's designed for landscape orientation only. This screen can be used in portrait mode, but it requires a VESA 75mm monitor arm, which is not included in this kit.
You get a 15W power supply to power the screen via USB-C, another USB-C cable to connect your laptop, and a third cable to connect HDMI to the Mini HDMI input on the screen.
Using USB-C, you can use a single cable for both display and power, but it will draw 15W from your laptop.
One slight variation on the Z12-4 theme is that all inputs and control buttons are located at one end, rather than scattered between the left and right sides.
In normal use, two USB-C and Mini HDMI ports are found in the bottom left corner, while the top left corner houses a group of buttons for navigating the OSD menu, as well as a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones.
There are speakers on this display, but they are so tiny that it might be better to use headphones. There is a power button in the button block, but it looks completely pointless. Throughout my testing, I never had to press the power button for the display to appear, as the USB-C and HDMI ports seem to recognize when data is coming into them and automatically wake up the display.
Overall, the Z12-4 is a capable yet simple design that is relatively easy to carry and use. How much abuse it can take is a bit debatable, since QQH only offers a one-year warranty.
QQH Z12-4 Portable Monitor: Performance
- Decent range
- 89% sRGB
- Uneven backlight
|
Color range |
Percent |
|---|---|
|
sRGB |
89% |
|
AdobeRGB |
74% |
|
P3 |
75% |
|
NTSC |
70% |
|
Rec2020 |
54% |
|
Brightness/Contrast |
Line 5 – Cell 1. |
|
Maximum brightness |
265 |
|
Maximum Contrast |
420:1 |
Let me be blunt: the only performance numbers the manufacturer gives are wrong, and some of them are quite significant.
Most promotional materials list QQH as 100% sRGB at 89%, 400 nits brightness at 265, and a contrast ratio of 1200:1, which is closer to 420. I know OEMs often tend to exaggerate, but some of these boosts are silly.
The irony is that most of the results I got from this inexpensive display are more than acceptable for general use. However, the figures given imply that it will suit those who are serious about color, although it is not at that level.
Likewise, this monitor has an HDR mode, but it doesn't have the brightness or contrast to take advantage of HDR, and you end up with strangely oversaturated images.
Of all the tests I ran, this screen was the worst at brightness uniformity. The backlight seems to be located on the left side of the screen, in the middle. It gets darker as you move away from this point.
By the time you reach the right side, the panel becomes 14-28% dimmer, which is alarming. When you compare this to the gamut, tonal sensitivity and color uniformity, which are at the better end of the spectrum, what is most striking is the lack of consistency.
Perhaps I'm expecting too much from an inexpensive device, but the brightness and contrast claims undermine what this display is good at.
Portable monitor QQH Z12-4: final verdict
When evaluating a budget product, it is unreasonable to have the same expectations for it as for a premium screen. The $230 Z12-4 includes a practical set of cables, a power supply, and a protective cover that doubles as a stand. 4K resolution is compatible with most laptops and mobile devices, and most systems can be connected via USB-C or HDMI.
However, it is generally considered good practice to view a 4K screen on a screen 1.2 times its size. Thus, the optimal distance would be 18.72 inches, which is just over 1.5 feet or 47.5 cm outside America.
It's close. And the impracticality of 4K on the desktop is highlighted by Windows 11, which recommends scaling the screen by 250% to use the interface. I actually found that 300% was the best option, but that scaling makes it somewhat pointless to choose a 4K screen over a 1440p or even 1080p model.
Yes, you can still view pictures and movies in their original 4K resolution, but everything else is upscaled to make icons identifiable and the pointer visible.
It's hard to determine what size 4K screen would be truly useful, but I'd say 28 or 32 inches rather than 15.6.
QQH Z12-4 Portable Monitor: Report Card
|
Value |
Inexpensive in the USA |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
Basic design, but has VESA and two inputs. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Poor brightness uniformity but excellent tonal response |
3 / 5 |
|
General |
Too small to use 4K |
3.5 / 5 |
Is it worth buying the QQH Z12-4 portable monitor?
Buy if…
Don't buy if…
To learn more about additional options, we looked at best monitors for dual screen setup.
