Samsung Electronics has announced plans to launch a trio of new QD-OLED Odyssey gaming monitors, including the G6, G8 and G9.
With LG taking the opportunity to announce its newest OLED monitor panel, which delivers a blazing-fast 480Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution, Samsung has hit back with the latest additions to its lineup.
The names might sound familiar, as Samsung introduced the original Odyssey G8 back in September 2022, as one of the world’s first gaming displays fitted with QD-OLED tech. The larger Odyssey G9 went on sale last year, so it will be interesting to see what new capabilities Samsung is bringing to the table with the updated versions.
The upgraded Odyssey OLED G9 once again comes with a 49-inch ultra-wide curved display with a resolution of 5,120x1,440 pixels and a 32:9 aspect ratio. As for the new G8 and G6, these provide gamers with their first flat-screen QD-OLED display options, with a 32-inch 4K UHD and 27-inch QHD 16:9 specifications, respectively.
The most interesting of the two looks to be the Odyssey G6, which offers a speedier 360Hz refresh rate at native resolution, compared to the G8 and G9, which offer a still very slick 240Hz. All three of the new monitors offer a grey-to-grey response time of 0.0.3ms.
Other new features in the G8 and G9 include Samsung’s SmartThings Hub, Smart TV platform and Gaming Hub, which come pre-installed in the displays to enable both video streaming and cloud gaming without the need to hook up a PC or console. There’s also a new Multi Control feature that makes it possible to connect other compatible Samsung devices to the monitors and seamlessly transfer content to them.
Each of the new displays are said to boast Samsung’s new OLED Glare-Free technology, ensuring an unimpeded gaming experience in even the brightest of rooms. The displays are also VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified, which means they can deliver “incredible black details and vivid colours” independent of the game or content being displayed, Samsung said. Other features include AMD FreeSynce Premium Pro support, two HDMI 2.1 ports and USB and DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity options.
All three new models sport the familiar slim metal design that characterises the Odyssey range, and come with a new Core Lighting+ system that integrates immersive lighting effects within the bezel of the display.
“Along with game genres, gaming platforms are getting more diverse,” said Hoon Chung, executive vice president of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s new OLED Odyssey gaming monitors will empower gamers with more immersive game environments and innovative technology that personalises their gaming experiences – meeting and exceeding their evolving needs.”
Samsung has not yet said when the new Odyssey displays will go on sale, but it promised they will be on display at its booth during CES 2024 in Las Vegas next week, so we may learn more at that time.
