Hongo 16.1″ Portable Monitor 2024 REVIEW

Upgrade your Switch/Mobile video and gaming experience.

Those who currently own a Nintendo Switch or OLED model (non-Switch Lite) likely understand the allure of a system that allows for portable and docked home play sessions.  Even though we enjoy a bit of Mario, Zelda, or Samus on the go, my sons and I prefer a more significant screen experience for many games, including Fortnite and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This past Christmas, we upgraded the kids’ Nintendo Switch gaming experience with swivel chairs, foldable TV trays, and portable monitors like HONGO’s 16.1” 2.5K Gaming Monitor.  We were ready to challenge the gods in the latest Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 update with the new setup. 

Packaging:

The Hongo 16.1” Portable Monitor arrived in a 16-inch wide by 10 13/16 inches tall by 2 3/8 inches thick retail package. Although this was not an Apple product, the packaging embodied the brand’s clean, sterile, white spirit.  Interestingly, the vibrant image reminded me of an iPhone or iPad box.  I liked how the crisp edges of the screen contrasted against the white cover, and the gradient features of the rich dark blue to lighter blue sky set against the geometric orange-yellow design. 

The warm, inviting colors provided a refreshing contrast and suggested a high-definition, quality device. Below the image, you will find seven product feature icons denoting the gaming/phone/computer features, an art icon, lightweight, thin nature, and 1-year warranty.  The front/top panels listed a generic product name, “PORTABLE MONITOR,” while the top panel also listed a product UPC sticker. The back panel provided a list of product contents (Portable Monitor, Smart Cover, USB-A to USB-C Cable, HDMI Cable, Quick Start Guide), five product use scenarios (Business Meeting, Entertainment, Eye Care, HDR Mode, Plug and Play), and a few product manufacturing labels.  

Unboxing:

Within the box, you will find a 2-pound, 4.9-ounce, 14 5/8 inches long by 9 1/8 inches tall by 1/2 inches thick monitor/case resting within a foam cutout. Beneath the screen, you will find a 20-panel instruction manual and a 7 1/8 inches long by 6 1/4 inches tall by 1 3/16 inches thick accessory box.  The box contained a 1 7/8 inches tall by 1 11/16 inches wide by 1 1/16 inches thick wall charger, a 58-inch long HDMI to mini HDMI cable, a 58-inch long USB-A to USB-C power cable, and 48-inch long USB-C to USB-C cable. 

Each cable provided plastic prong end caps and a convenient cable management strap.  The magnetic Smart Cover attached to the Portable Monitor via a 3 1/2 inches tall magnetic attachment point.  The top 6 3/8 inches segment of the screen measured 1/4 inches thick, while the lower 2 5/8 inches segment measured 3/8 inches thick.  The lower left segment provided a Mini-HDMI port and dual full-featured USB-C data ports for power supply and AV signal transmission (the output device needs full-featured USB-C ports).

The lower right segment provided a micro USB port (mouse/keyboard/peripherals), an OSD menu  (scroll up to adjust volume, scroll down to adjust brightness, press button in to turn on the OSD menu, scroll the track wheel to control the cursor, and press the button to confirm), an LED indicator light, a 3/16 inches tall by 1/8 inch thick power button (short press to return or 3-sec hold for power on/off), and a 3.5mm Audio Output port (Headsets, speakers, or digital audio).  

Testing:

When ready to enjoy the screen/features, lift the protective front panel away from the monitor, extend the base of the screen from the back surface of the Smart Cover, and align the screen within one of the two 3/8 inch thick screen channels. The recessed channel will allow the screen to remain upright, while the slightly raised distal screen cover prevents forward movement of the screen. The two options will allow for a more upright or slightly more angled option. 

I removed the plastic covers from the USB-C to USB-C cable and plugged the cable between my iPad Pro 12.9” (5th Generation) and monitor.  Although it was not as bright as my iPad Pro, I was impressed with the screen size and the display’s resolution.   I turned to Netflix and watched an Episode of Blown Away.  I enjoyed the colors within the molten glass and found the visual experience was more enjoyable than the audio. I would have preferred more bass support, as the sound felt a bit muffled.

I tapped the three dots at the top of my iPad and smoothly moved the show to the External Monitor.  If desired, you can navigate to Display & Brightness, tap the Arrangement option and turn on/off Mirror Display.  With the Mirror Display off, the monitor displayed a large Apple icon and my lower tray Apps.  I could move screens to the “Display” monitor using the three buttons or mirror . 

With the mirror function activated, I could watch movies on both monitors, or I could turn off my iPad Pro and watch the movie on the Monitor.  I used Apple TV and watched “A Star is Born” and then an episode of Ted Lasso.  Interestingly, the Movies Anywhere App did not support external output and would not play the video when connected to “External Monitor” via USB-C to USB-C cable.  This was a limit of the App and not one for the monitor, however. 

While plugged in to my iPad Pro, the volume initially came from my iPad, not the monitor.  Press the AirPlay icon (little TV icon with a lower triangle) and move the sound from the iPad to the Display.  If the sound comes from the iPad, you cannot control the volume from the monitor.  If the sound comes from the display, you can use the controls on the display, but the iPad volume will not adjust the Display. 

On initial impression, the screen appeared a bit dim.  I pressed down on the OSD trackwheel and found that I could adjust the brightness up/down by pressing up/down on the wheel.  I returned to the main screen by pressing the lower power/back button and then pressed up on the trackwheel to adjust the volume.  I was able to change the volume and brightness to full while plugged into my MacBook Pro and my iPad Pro 12.9.” 

The instruction manual suggested connecting to a power supply if needing >80% brightness or volume and that some USB-C ports are data vs power only.  The screen required an additional power supply while plugged into my iPhone 15 Pro Max.  While plugged into my Daughter’s iPad Mini Gen 6, the screen did not require an additional power supply, except when increasing the brightness.  For added brightness, I plugged the power adapter and USB-A to USB-C cable from the adapter into the monitor. The horizontally oriented power adapter fit snugly into my wall outlet and allowed access to both ports. 

I found the included power adapter cable to be a satisfactory length to reach from the wall outlet to our tv tray/swivel chair system.  When needed, we used a multiport hub with extension cord for extra reach.

For a subsequent test and the main reason for the use of the screen, I plugged the USB-A to USB-C cable into the upper part of the monitor, and then the included USB-C to USB-C cable between my Nintendo Switch and the monitor. I adjusted the screen brightness and volume with the OSD wheel and played several rounds of Fortnite and Super Mario RPG while enjoying the vibrant screen color/brightness.

The device allowed for pass-through charging and extended a typical play session.  However, the pass-through charging was inadequate to keep the Switch charged like the Dock.  For convenience, you can leave your Switch attached to the Monitor overnight for charging.  If I were going to design a Hongo Monitor 2.0, I would include USB-C to USB-C charging to allow for similar USB-C outputs for added playtime and for power support for larger devices. 

Settings:

A small, bright Mode Settings box will appear if you press the OSD wheel.  The main button lets you access Brightness, Image, Color Temp, OSD Setting, Reset, and Misc menus. Press the up/down arrow to navigate amongst the headings. Press the OSD menu button to confirm the selection and to move deeper into the options. 

To turn off the Mode Settings menu, you can either wait 10 seconds for the panel to auto close, or you can press the power button (back button), to return to the upper page and then close. The Brightness menu will allow you to adjust the brightness, contrast, eco (Standard, text, movie, game), DCR (off/on), HDR (off/auto/2084). The aspect panel will allow you to adjust between wide/4:3. 

The color temp panel will allow you to adjust the color temp, red, green, blue.  The OSD setting panel will allow you to adjust the language, the OSD vertical/horizontal position, timer (10 seconds default), and transparency.  The Reset function was self-explanatory.  The Misc segment will allow you to adjust the signal source, turn on/off the low blue light mode, turn up/down the volume, and activate/deactivate the free sync. 

Review:

I tested the device with my iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Pro 12.9”, Nintendo Switch, MacBook Pro 15”, and my daughter’s iPad mini Gen 6.  The additional screen improved productivity using my MacBook and added a convenient secondary screen for my iPad.  We played several Switch games and enjoyed the crisp imagery.  The screen resolution proved adequate for videos like Fury on Apple TV+ and cartoons like X-Men ’97 on Disney +. 

I found the HDR Off mode was a bit greyed/subdued, the 2084 mode felt too neon, while Auto mode provided the best color feel.  My MacBook, iPhone, and iPad Pro colors still felt warmer and more vibrant than the monitor, even with the brightness set to 10.  The Auto HDR mode increased the dynamic range and visual product/output.  The monitor’s speakers may have been the weakest part of the entire setup. 

I would give the visuals an 8.5, while the sound was a 7.  The bass felt weak, and there was a noticeable difference between the iPad Pro and the monitor speakers.  I plugged a Tribit speaker into the 3.5mm port and enjoyed a more profound bass experience than with the Monitor. Add in a small tablet carry case/portable monitor carry case and external battery for a portable experience.