I havent find any side by side comparison, but since the"A" version is using the AOC panel, you can easily judge by the performance of the AOC panel monitor instead of being so specific to a 226bw thats using the AOC panel.
basically, AOC panel has more backlit bleeding and less color accuracy...
i heard it a forum in China, let the pics explain the rest.
Once you open the box, you can easily tell from the back of the monitor.
See the "Model:226BW (R) A"? the A means its using AOC panel
Factory model osd info-Panel info- AU M220EW01 which also means its using the AOC panel...
Samsung is changing the panel for their 226BWs from samsung panel to AOC ones.
the quality of the AOC panel is not bad but obiously not as good as the samsung one...