As an ardent gamer, the quest for the perfect gaming monitor may seem never-ending. Fear not, for we have discovered a gem that will undoubtedly redefine your gaming experience. Enter the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8, a game-changer that makes it a Best Buy in the world of gaming monitors.
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The Odyssey OLED G8: An Overview
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is the latest entrant into the QD-OLED ultrawide arena, following the Alienware models and the fresh MSI variant. This impressive newcomer uses the identical panel as these 34-inch 3440 x 1440 QD-OLEDs, so while the specs may not be strikingly different, the Odyssey G8 brings a unique charm to the table.
High-End Specs
Equipped with a maximum refresh rate of 175 Hz, akin to the Alienware and MSI models, the G8 also boasts top-tier features like a 0.03ms response time, 99% DCI-P3 coverage and adaptive sync support. While Samsung doesn’t boast a 1,000 nit peak brightness rating, this is a noted performance attribute of this QD-OLED panel.
Pricing and Justification
Priced at $1,500, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is the priciest QD-OLED ultrawide till date, costing $200 more than Alienware’s AW3423DW and $400 more than the DWF and MSI models. However, Samsung’s model justifies its price with killer features and performance. Read more in the verdict for an amazing deal Best Buy is currently having on this beast.
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Aesthetics and Design
In contrast to the rather unattractive MSI 342C, the Odyssey OLED G8 triumphs with a sleek and stylish design. The monitor integrates the panel beautifully into the front with a small bottom bezel strip. The stand, a blend of metal and plastic, exudes sturdiness with minimal desk space occupation.
Minimalistic and Slim Design
The slim construction and minimalistic design of the OLED G8 are truly impressive. The rear end, a mix of silver metal and plastic, contributes to a balanced look. Unlike its counterparts, the OLED G8 operates silently, bringing no fan noise into your gaming experience.
Design Drawbacks
No product is without its flaws. In the case of the Odyssey OLED G8, the protective film-like appearance of the bottom bezel may mislead users into trying to peel it off, a mistake that should be avoided. The stand supports only height and tilt, lacking swivel adjustment. However, it does support VESA mounting.
Another drawback is the choice of ports. Samsung has opted for mini versions of the display ports, including one mini-DisplayPort, one micro-HDMI port, and two USB-C ports. The HDMI port, however, is 2.1, which is a positive aspect.
Unique Features
The Odyssey OLED G8 is not your average gaming monitor. It features full smart functionality, similar to a smart TV. This internet-connected monitor can run various apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+, among others. Though unusual for a gaming monitor, this feature could be a bonus for some users.
Advanced HDR Format Playback and Other Features
While integrated app support may not seem useful to all, it could have been made more appealing if it enabled advanced HDR format playback like Dolby Vision. The G8, however, does not support Dolby Vision. On the bright side, the advanced OSD supports a wide range of settings, firmware updates over the internet, Bluetooth functionality, and smooth operation.
Monitor Characteristics: Coating, Subpixel Layout, Burn-In
The Odyssey OLED G8, like other 34-inch QD-OLEDs, has a glossy QD-OLED panel coating that reflects ambient light, making blacks appear grey or raised in certain conditions. The monitor also has a triangle RGB layout instead of the traditional RGB stripe, resulting in fringing on high contrast edges like text. However, these are non-issues for content consumption.
As for burn-in warranty, Samsung hasn’t made specific claims about burn-in coverage. This is a significant drawback, especially considering that their main competitors offer 3-year warranties that include burn-in coverage.
Display Performance
The QD-OLED panel of the OLED G8 offers lightning-fast speeds. With a 0.3ms average response at its maximum 175Hz refresh rate, the OLED G8 is superior to any LCD at the same refresh rate. Performance is nearly identical at all refresh rates, making the G8 OLED a single overdrive mode experience.
Input Lag and Power Consumption
The input lag of the OLED G8 is excellent. The monitor is incredibly fast to use, with power consumption similar to other QD-OLEDs tested.
Color Performance
The OLED G8 is a wide gamut monitor with high color space coverage, with 99.4% coverage of DCI-P3 and 97.1% coverage of Adobe RGB. Despite this, the product isn’t ideally suited for color-critical productivity work.
Factory Calibration and Color Accuracy
The G8 excels in terms of color accuracy and color performance capabilities. The factory calibration of the monitor is exceptional, with great grayscale performance. However, the monitor ships without a gamut clamp enabled by default, leading to oversaturation of SDR content.
HDR Performance
The HDR performance of the OLED G8 is a vital selling point. Unlike most LCD monitors, OLEDs have true HDR capabilities, resulting in a significant difference in real-world HDR image quality. The self-lit quality of OLEDs means that each pixel can individually illuminate itself for perfect HDR image quality.
Brightness and Color Accuracy
The OLED G8 isn’t especially bright, but it’s sufficient for HDR and pairs well with its remarkable black levels. HDR accuracy is quite good and can achieve 1000 nits without sacrificing mid-tones.
The Verdict
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is the stand-out QD-OLED release, boasting unique features and top-tier performance. Despite its higher price tag, the G8 justifies it with its excellent accuracy, smart TV capabilities, superior design, low input lag, and silent operation. However, the monitor’s performance with AMD GPUs is a significant drawback, making it less suitable for AMD GPU owners.
The bottom line, though, is that the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 promises a spectacular gaming experience. And the good news? Best Buy recently slashed the price of this 34-inch gaming monitor by $600, making it an even more attractive deal for gamers. But hurry, as this offer won’t last long!