ASUS Debuts Budget-Focused VA259HGA Monitor with 100Hz Refresh Rate
ASUS is finally killing off the 60Hz standard for budget buyers with its latest release, the VA259HGA. Launching in China on November 27 for just ¥799 (roughly $110 USD), this 25-inch display brings smoother motion to the sub-$150 price bracket, a segment previously choked by sluggish panels. By pushing refresh rates to 100Hz, ASUS is catching up to aggressive competitors like Xiaomi and Acer, who have already begun democratizing high-refresh screens for hybrid work-play setups.
Panel Performance and Specs
The panel itself is a 25-inch IPS unit running at Full HD (1920 x 1080). While 1080p is par for the course here, the real story is motion clarity. The VA259HGA delivers a 100Hz refresh rate—overclockable from base specs—paired with a 1ms (MPRT) response time.
For context, ASUS’s previous budget workhorses, like the VA24D series, often capped out at 75Hz. This jump to 100Hz, combined with AMD FreeSync support, makes the VA259HGA a surprisingly capable option for budget gamers who want to eliminate screen tearing but can't justify the "ROG tax."
The display also covers standard metrics for this tier:
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Brightness: 250 nits
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Contrast Ratio: 1000:1
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Color Gamut: 72% NTSC
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Viewing Angles: 178° horizontal/vertical
ASUS has also baked in its TÜV Rheinland-certified Eye Care tech, featuring flicker-free backlighting and low blue light filters. While these are standard inclusions on almost every monitor in 2025, they remain essential for reducing strain during long spreadsheet sessions.
Connectivity and Critical Trade-offs
Hitting that ¥799 price point required aggressive cuts, and the I/O panel is where they show. Users are stuck with legacy connections: one HDMI 1.4 port, one VGA port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
The omission of DisplayPort is annoying, but the lack of USB-C is the real dealbreaker for some. Without USB-C, this monitor is a poor choice for modern MacBook or Ultrabook owners expecting a single-cable docking solution. This is strictly a desktop-first peripheral, or a secondary screen for laptops that still have HDMI out. Despite the port scarcity, ASUS managed to squeeze in 2W stereo speakers—tinny, sure, but useful if you lack external audio.
Physically, the monitor keeps things clean with sub-7mm bezels and a stand offering basic tilt (-5° to +23°). Fortunately, ASUS didn't cut corners on mounting; it retains standard 100x100mm VESA compatibility, letting users ditch the basic stand for a third-party arm.
Market Availability
Retailers JD.com and Tmall began selling the VA259HGA immediately following the November 27 launch. While North American and European release dates remain unconfirmed, press materials suggest a global rollout in Q1 2026. If ASUS can maintain the ~$110 pricing structure internationally, the VA259HGA will be a formidable contender in an increasingly crowded entry-level market.