We are still months away from CES, but the flow of innovation hasn’t slowed downed for a moment. In the latest news, Visual Instruments, a San Francisco-based startup, has pulled back the curtain (or rather, the glass) on the Phantom, which the company touts as the world’s first fully transparent computer monitor.
First noticed by Notebook Check, this 24-inch 4K monitor isn’t just another screen. It’s a see-through canvas that lets users look beyond the screen while still projecting crisp, high-brightness visuals.
At first blush, the Phantom looks like a sleek pane of glass poised over a minimalist base. But dig deeper, and its tech reveals a clever optical illusion. Phantom doesn’t rely on pixel-level transparency like OLEDs. The monitor rather uses reflection-based projection. To put that into context, the Phantom features a hidden panel in the base that beams images onto a specially coated, angled glass surface, creating the illusion of a floating display.
What’s impressive here is the fact that users can toggle transparency on the fly. The monitor includes three preset modes: transparent, translucent, and opaque, supposedly. While the company refrains from spilling many details about the tech, Tom’s Hardware is quick to point to the company website’s FAQ section, where the makers claim that “the monitor is powered by technology similar to HUDs in aircraft or vehicles, which is the most polished way of achieving a see-through look.”
The specs are remarkable for a device that’s as much an art installation as a productivity tool. Clocking in at native 4K resolution (16:9 aspect ratio), the Phantom boasts a blistering peak brightness of 5,000 nits in Ultra HDR mode, enough to punch through glare in the sunniest of setups. The monitor supports USB-C and HDMI connectivity and is compatible with PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. While details on video playback or gaming prowess aren’t disclosed yet, the company promises it functions like any conventional monitor when dialed down to opaque mode.
Besides functionality, much of Phatom’s marketing narrative centers on health, which is why you’ll find many references to “reducing eye fatigue” and “giving your eyes natural opportunities to relax and refocus” in the company’s FAQ section. Priced around $1,600, the Phantom targets discerning pros and tech enthusiasts who crave that premium edge. According to Notebook Check, there are 10 units worldwide, three of which were snapped up within hours of the November 10 announcement.
The timing of the announcement couldn’t be any better. The global transparent display market, valued at $1.04 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $13.73 billion by 2032, fueled by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.8%. Heavyweights like Samsung, LG, and Panasonic are already in the game with transparent OLEDs and LEDs. Still, Visual Instruments’ HUD-inspired approach sidesteps some of its pitfalls, such as limited contrast in bright environments, potentially carving out a niche for desktop monitors. That said, preorders are live at the company’s official website, so act fast before the glass runs empty.
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