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This is a translation from Japanese of an article published by PC Watch (Impress) on June 23, 2026.
Writer: Satoshi Hinuma. Photos: Katsuya Inoue.

	Four ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ team members who played a key role in realizing the 7-year warranty. At the center is the new FlexScan EV3451X.

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ monitors are highly regarded by both individual users and businesses, not only in Japan, but around the world. Starting in June, select models will now come with a standard 7-year warranty. Even ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s 5-year warranty was already considered generous. Extending it to seven years represents a significant step forward.

While ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ has long offered a standard 5-year warranty, similar coverage is available from other manufacturers, though often limited by specific models, regions, or duration. Now, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ has extended its warranty by an additional two years. A 7-year warranty is virtually unprecedented, but how is it even possible? From a user’s perspective, this is highly welcome. At the same time, it invites a broader question: what makes this approach beneficial for the manufacturer?

To uncover the answer, the PC Watch editorial team visited ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s headquarters in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. There, we spoke with representatives from planning, design, manufacturing, and support to understand the thinking behind the 7-year warranty and toured the production facilities to examine the technical foundation that makes such an extended commitment possible. What emerged was a clear picture of durability grounded in meticulous data, along with a deep sense of pride in ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s quality and technology.

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s 7-Year Warranty Begins – Existing Products Also Covered

Before going further, it is worth outlining which models are covered. The 7-year warranty applies to six models, including some previously released products:

FlexScan EV3851X (37.5-inch, 3840 x 1600)
FlexScan EV3451X (34.1-inch, 3440 x 1440)
FlexScan EV2740S (27-inch, 3840 x 2160)
FlexScan EV2720S (27-inch, 2560 x 1440)
FlexScan EV2410R (24.1-inch, 1920 x 1200)
FlexScan EV2400R (23.8-inch, 1920 x 1080)

The FlexScan EV3851X and EV3451X are new ultrawide monitors, announced globally on June 23, 2026. Ultrawide monitors enable users to create a broad workspace that would traditionally require a dual-monitor setup, consolidated into a single screen.

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ already offers the EV3450XC, a 34.1-inch ultrawide model equipped with a built-in camera and microphone. In contrast, the new EV3451X omits these features to achieve a more cost-optimized design. At the same time, it introduces new functionality, such as a hotkey feature that allows users to adjust brightness, volume, and color mode directly from the keyboard without the need for software. This approach gives each model a clearly defined and differentiated value.

Editorial note: Highlighted portions differ from the original text.

	The New FlexScan EV3451X
	The new monitor is supported by the 7-year warranty. Resolution: 3440 x 1440, maximum refresh rate of 100 Hz. Pictured is the white model; a black model also available.

	True to ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, color reproduction is excellent.

	A slim yet highly flexible ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ stand.

	Supports USB Type-C® and includes USB Type-A and LAN ports, functioning as a docking station.

Even units already in use will benefit from the extended warranty retroactively. For example, a product that has been used for two years will still receive five additional years of coverage. This is a significant advantage for existing users.

The 7-year warranty covers up to 30,000 hours of use, the same limit as the previous 5-year warranty. However, this still provides a generous margin. Even with usage of 12 hours per day, it would take approximately 9 years and 7 months to reach 30,000 hours.

7 Years Assured by Both Design and Real-World Use

This brings us to the central question: why did ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ choose to offer a warranty period as long as seven years?

According to Masato Nakashima of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s Strategic Business Development Department, who led the project, “current economic conditions are driving a shift toward longer device lifecycles, alongside a strong sustainability movement, particularly in Europe, and growing demand to reduce environmental impact through extended product use.”

	Masato Nakashima Senior Manager, Strategic Business Development Department

Regarding the basis for the extended period, he explains, “FlexScan EV Series products have always been designed and evaluated for long-term, continuous use by corporate customers. Although we have provided a 5-year warranty for over 20 years, our component selection and product design have, in practice, been validated to ensure reliable use for up to seven years.”

He adds that “we have also received many accounts from Europe, where sustainability awareness is well established, of users continuing to use ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ products for more than seven years without issue.” This reinforces confidence that a seven-year lifespan is already assured, both by design and through real-world use, forming one of the key foundations for the introduction of the 7-year warranty.

“Products are already being used for seven years in the real world. We wanted to present that clearly as a formal commitment to our customers,” says Nakashima. “With designs that do not assume frequent replacement, long-term usage data, and global support experience, we concluded that we can responsibly offer a 7-year standard warranty.”

Relentless Pursuit of Quality in Design and Manufacturing Enables a 7-Year Warranty

Nakashima recalls that “there was some resistance internally” when the proposal was first introduced. However, cross-department collaboration ultimately helped bring the initiative to fruition.

	Masahiro Sugumi Group Leader, Sustainable Design Department, R&D

Masahiro Sugumi, who oversees product design, explains, “When the idea of a 7-year warranty was raised, we carefully reviewed our quality and reliability standards and confirmed that development could be carried out with sufficient margin rather, than operating at the limit.”

The conclusion was clear: “All requirements for a 7-year warranty are fully met.” Sugumi adds, “This is supported by the fact that, in addition to office monitors, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ also develops monitors for mission-critical fields such as maritime, aviation, and railway applications, where performance is verified through rigorous testing.”

	Operation Testing Under Extreme Temperature and Humidity Conditions
	Environmental chamber used to verify monitor performance under harsh temperature and humidity conditions.

“Products are designed, prototyped, and validated to ensure reliable operation even in harsh environments. When issues arise, the process is repeated from the prototyping stage. The know-how gained through this process is then applied to the validation standards for office use products,” he explains, highlighting ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s distinctive development approach.

“Even accounting for production variation, our monitors have always been designed to exceed seven years. We have firm assurance that we can stand behind a 7-year warranty,” Sugumi adds with confidence.

	Vibration and Drop Testing
	Vibration testing in progress. The monitor, tightly secured, is shaken vigorously inside its cardboard packaging.
	A moment from the free-fall test, where the package is dropped from a raised height. A loud impact echoed immediately after, yet the monitor inside remained fully functional without issue.

	Electromagnetic Testing
	A large anechoic chamber is used to analyze electromagnetic effects.

From a manufacturing perspective, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ has established systems that enable the company to confidently support a 7-year warranty. Jumpei Kobayashi of the Manufacturing Department explains, “Quality does not improve suddenly, but is built up steadily over time.” He adds, “ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s foundation lies in nearly 30 years of experience manufacturing LCD monitors domestically in Japan, along with a corporate culture that continues to pursue quality.” ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ already had a manufacturing foundation in place that was capable of supporting a long-term warranty.

	Jumpei Kobayashi Manager, Production Technology, Manufacturing Department

The company also places strong emphasis on talent development. Through regular personnel exchanges and continuous sharing of knowledge and skills between its factories in Nanao and Hakusan, Ishikawa, “we are raising the overall level of our production sites. In addition, we maintain consistently high product quality through structured training for new assignments and ongoing certification programs,” says Kobayashi.

	ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Monitor Production Floor
	Inside the Hakusan factory. People and robots work together to assemble products.

	Factory Automation
	Automation, including AI-based image processing and robotic operations, enhances both product quality and workplace safety.

	Robotic arm lifting and transporting a monitor.

	Full Inspection by Both Robots and Human Eyes
	All assembled monitors undergo quantitative adjustment and inspection using measurement instruments.

	In addition to automated checks, every unit is also subject to visual and sensory inspection by human eyes. This hybrid approach between robotics and human expertise plays a critical role in maintaining high quality.

Within this system, many employees are engaged in the manufacturing and inspection of mission-critical products for fields such as healthcare and industry, where strict quality standards are required. “The ability to apply that same trained eye to inspect general-use products like the FlexScan series is one of our key strengths.”
 

Assessing the Validity of the 7-Year Warranty Through Accumulated Data

One would think that extending the warranty to seven years would introduce unavoidable risks for ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, including reduced replacement demand and increased repair obligations over a longer period, leading to lower revenue and higher costs.

As noted earlier, these concerns initially led to internal resistance. Even so, Nakashima explains, “We knew that our products had the capability to support a 7-year warranty. Even if it involved higher costs, we believed there was sufficient value to justify the decision.”

The key evidence that provided a convincing basis was the data compiled by Koichiro Tsuchida of the Quality Assurance Department, who oversees customer support. At ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, detailed production and customer data has been accumulated over decades, including when and in what quantities products were manufactured, which components were used, and how many units were delivered to each destination.

	Koichiro Tsuchida Section Leader, Quality Assurance Department

In addition, for monitors returned for repair, detailed records are maintained not only of operating hours but also of the nature of each issue.

The accumulated data, spanning production, customer use, and repair history, is leveraged not only to inform product development but also to enable fast and precise customer support and repair services.

	ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Maintenance Center for Repair Analysis
	Repair work in progress. Technicians carefully carry out repairs, collect and analyze failure data, and share information with the quality assurance department and related teams.

When Tsuchida analyzed this extensive body of data, it became evident that extending the warranty period would not result to a significant increase in repair volume.

“More than 80 percent of the units sent in for repair are concentrated within the first 10,000 hours of use,” says Tsuchida. In other words, once a monitor continues to operate stably beyond that point, it is likely to remain reliable for many years thereafter, even beyond the warranty period.

	Analyzing the Validity of a 7-Year Warranty Based on Accumulated Data
	Tsuchida explaining using sample data. More than 80 percent of repair cases occur within the first 10,000 hours of use.

The analysis also revealed that, among failures occurring within the initial 10,000 hours, the primary cause is often the LCD panel. This is an area where it is inherently difficult to eliminate defects entirely due to the nature of LCD panels. At the same time, by sharing information and working closely with panel manufacturers, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ continues to implement measures to minimize this risk.

Regarding monitor usage time, Tsuchida adds, “On average, more than 80 percent of users operate their monitors for 12 hours or less per day. Under these conditions, even with an extended warranty period from five to seven years, most users will not reach 30,000 hours. Taking into account that failures are more likely to occur in the early stages, a 7-year warranty is a practical and user-oriented approach.”

Long-Term Reliability Provides Peace of Mind While Reducing Costs and Environmental Impact

What, then, are the benefits for users of a 7-year warranty for users? In addition to the peace of mind that comes from using the same product over a longer period, Nakashima highlights, “the ability to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) from purchase to disposal,” as well as “lowering environmental impact associated with transportation and packaging at both the purchase and disposal stages.”

	Monitors Operating Continuously in a High-Temperature Environment
	After mass production begins, long-term life testing is conducted under high-temperature conditions. Even under harsh environments, use is verified, suggesting the potential for operation far beyond the warranty period.

Because monitors are essential work tools, frequent replacement can inevitably lead to temporary declines in productivity. For organizations deploying anywhere from dozens to thousands of units, the cost from introduction to disposal, as well as the associated environmental impact, becomes substantial and cannot be overlooked.

Even with monitors that carry a warranty of around three years, they are often used for longer. However, failure at some point is unavoidable. When an unexpected replacement is required, companies may struggle to procure unplanned equipment on short notice. In the current economic climate, there is also a significant risk that procurement costs will exceed expectations compared to planned and budgeted replacement cycles.

	The 7-Year Warranty Delivers Significant Benefits for Users
	The fact that no replacement costs or work are required for seven years is a major advantage.

By contrast, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ monitors with a 7-year warranty help reduce the effort and costs associated with replacement. They minimize the risk of productivity loss and alleviate concerns about unexpected failures. As a result, they ease administrative burdens and support stable, uninterrupted operations, offering a clear value for organizations.

Pursuit of Quality Without Dependency on Unit Volume

While cost reduction is a clear benefit for users, fewer replacement cycles could be perceived as a disadvantage for ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. However, the key point is that the company’s business model is not fundamentally dependent on unit sales volume.

	Monitors Assembled One by One
	LCD panels before assembly.
	Careful assembly by on-site technicians.

According to Nakashima, “the global market for computer monitors is relatively stable, with modest growth but no rapid expansion or contraction.” He adds, “ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ is not positioned to hold a dominant global share.”

He explains that at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, the priority is to “gradually increase the number of users who seek a level of quality that cannot be found elsewhere.” From this perspective, “enhancing the value of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ products through a 7-year warranty works in our favor.”

Amid growing sustainability trends, where prolonged product use is increasingly expected, maintaining shorter warranty periods would not be the most effective approach.

Tsuchida also explains, “While a longer warranty means providing service over an extended period, a positive experience with an ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ monitor increases the likelihood that customers will choose ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ again. In this way, we see the extended warranty as fostering a continuous cycle of trust and long-term customer loyalty.”

In addition, as opportunities to receive user feedback increase, “we can accumulate those insights and apply them to future product development and customer support, creating a positive cycle of improvement,” he adds. “The 7-year warranty aligns with our commitment to continuously delivering high-quality products.”

New Facility Enabling Close and Agile Collaboration Across Departments

In 2025, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ completed a new building at its headquarters, consolidating customer-facing departments such as customer support, repair services, and quality assurance. Previously separate, these functions are now integrated together. By working in close coordination with adjacent design and manufacturing teams, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ further strengthens its end-to-end approach to customer support.

	ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Headquarters
	The new building where the interviews were conducted.
	The headquarters factory grounds. The new building (left) is located next to the main building.

Compared to the previous structure, Tsuchida notes that “when inquiries from customers reach the quality assurance department, information now flows more smoothly among the teams located in the new building.”

	Spacious and Bright New Facility
	Part of the customer support desk, the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Contact Center, located in the new building. It is operated in-house rather than outsourced, enabling prompt responses based on accumulated experience and rapid internal feedback.
	The layout provides a sense of openness, with ample natural light.

	A Layout Designed for Easy Communication
	The facility features an open environment, with layouts such as atriums and well-ventilated spaces that remove barriers between floors and departments.
	Adjacent to the atrium on the first floor is the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Maintenance Center. Here, repair services are provided in a controlled environment with temperature, humidity, and static electricity management

These facility enhancements are also expected to support the stable delivery of the 7-year warranty. “Customer support is often seen as reactive, focused on responding to inquiries,” says Tsuchida, “but the 7-year warranty represents a new initiative to provide support more proactively.”