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Samsung Odyssey G8 G80SD is a superb gaming monitor with a smooth 240Hz refresh rate

Samsung Odyssey G8 G80SD is a superb gaming monitor with a smooth 240Hz refresh rate

We’re in a period where monitors and displays are moving away from being standard productivity tools and becoming more fleshed-out gaming monitors. Typically, many display manufacturers try to take advantage of high FPS, HDR, and visual mode support to make gaming easier. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD Gaming Monitor boldly blurs the lines between a productivity monitor and a TV by going beyond expectations. This versatile $1,799 monitor aims to appeal to both casual users and more committed PC gamers, making it an attractive option for anyone looking for a new monitor. After spending time with the monitor, I’m impressed with its design, performance, smart features, and overall value.

Taking the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD out of the box, I was delighted by the striking aesthetics. Featuring a 32-inch 4K UHD OLED display, it offers generous workspace with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and an aspect ratio of 16:9. Ultra-thin bezels frame the screen beautifully, creating an exceptional immersive viewing experience for gaming or pairing with another monitor for a dual-screen setup. On the back of the monitor is a series of available ports. This includes the AC100-240V 50/60Hz power supply, which is connected to a large power supply, so keep that in mind. There are also two USB-A ports, a DisplayPort, two HDMI ports, and built-in speakers.

The quality of the display is also thoughtful. Included in the package is a sturdy stand that allows for height adjustment, tilting and swiveling. This flexibility ensures that you can easily find your ideal viewing angle, whether I’m writing a new story or flicking through Netflix – something I’ve never done from my PC. If you prefer a minimalist setup, the monitor is VESA compatible, allowing you to mount it on the wall or on an arm for a sleeker look. This is the route I took, mounting the 32-inch screen onto my existing stand. It was pretty simple to screw in the monitor and integrate it into my PC setup.

At the heart of the monitor is its impressive 4K UHD panel, which delivers breathtaking picture quality. The monitor features a wide color gamut and 250 nits brightness, enabling vivid, accurate colors that truly enhance the viewing experience. Supporting HDR10, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD gaming monitor excels in delivering stunning contrast and brightness. Whether you’re editing photos or videos, HDR capabilities and its Dynamic Black Equalizer enhance the overall viewing experience with deep blacks and bright highlights. The monitor also has a matte screen, which can reduce glare, which is particularly useful as the maximum brightness is not exceptionally high. With minimal frames, the visual experience while playing games is rich and immersive.

Positioned primarily as a gaming monitor, the Samsung display offers a refresh rate of up to 240Hz and a marvelous 0.03ms response time, ensuring that inputs and reactions are recorded at impressive speeds. Response time like this is essential when playing competitive games like Call of Duty: Warzone where being responsive and saving your inputs in the moment can win or lose a match. Sharpness and clarity are immediately noticeable, bringing everything from the dynamism of streamed content to the intricate details of games to stand out off the screen. Its high frame rate looks exceptional when playing Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Loading up Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, I was amazed by the depth of the visuals. In both cases, the rich open world environments shine on the screen. Whether I was walking through New York or driving around Night City, the visuals looked smooth and fluid. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD gaming monitor is also G-Sync compatible, meaning it’s able to reduce visual stuttering and screen tearing during high-octane moments. As someone who traditionally plays games in the living room, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD is probably the closest thing to having the same visual experience at my desk using my PC.

One of the unique aspects of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD is its smart functionality, which sets it apart from other gaming monitors. Powered by Samsung Tizen OS, the monitor supports access to streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime Video , YouTube and Disney+. This means you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies without needing to connect a separate device, install additional software on your PC, or use browser access. Of course, you will need an active subscription for each service. The user interface is sleek and intuitive, making navigation a breeze as everything is powered by the NQ8 AI Gen3 processor. Setting up your favorite apps is quick and easy, and you can easily switch between tasks without any hassle. So when you take a break from Metaphor: ReFantazio, you can catch up on episodes of Agatha All Along. The box includes a remote control that allows for quick navigation. There’s also built-in Bixby support, adding an extra layer of convenience.

The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD gaming monitor also encourages the use of the Gaming Hub. Here, I was able to access Xbox Cloud Gaming to quickly and seamlessly play games like Starfield, Halo Infinite, and Forza Motorsport. Of course, internet bandwidth will ultimately dictate user experience, but as long as you have a stable internet connection, you can use the cloud to stream games to NVIDIA GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, Boosteroid, and Utomik. Note, however, that individual subscriptions are required to use these services. Thanks to this, you can play a catalog of games without having to first install them on your PC. Samsung Gaming Hub is compatible with the Xbox Wireless Controller, PlayStation DualSense, Amazon Luna Controller, and Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Another impressive feature is Samsung DeX compatibility, which allows you to wirelessly connect to the monitor and enjoy a desktop-like experience. This feature is especially useful for multitasking, allowing you to run apps and access files easily. The Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD gaming monitor also supports screen mirroring, so you can share content from your smartphone seamlessly.

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD Gaming Monitor is a great buy for anyone looking for a premium mid-to-high-end gaming display for the office. That’s a bit more than many other monitors on the market. However, its combination of 4K UHD supports a vivid color gamut and smart features. This is a versatile gaming monitor that will be an interesting option for those looking to get the most out of their screen at their desk. Whether for daily workflows, playing the latest games or streaming content, the Odyssey G80 offers enormous value. Its ability to serve as both a stylish gaming display and entertainment center means you get much more than just a standard monitor. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD Gaming Monitor is a remarkable choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home office or entertainment setup. Its sleek design, stunning display, and versatile gaming-friendly features combine to create a truly unique experience.

Image credit: Samsung

This story is sponsored by Samsung

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