Samsung unveiled a new lineup of OLED gaming monitors under its popular Odyssey brand at CES 2024 this week. The highly-anticipated releases include 27-inch and 32-inch flat screen models, as well as a massive 49-inch curved display, covering key sizes desired by gamers.
Odyssey Finally Adopts OLED in Response to Gamer Demand
For years, gamers have clamored for Samsung to release OLED monitors to rival offerings from competitors like LG. OLED provides perfect black levels and pixel response times under 1ms, delivering incredibly fluid motion clarity. Samsung is finally answering the call in 2024, using next-gen Quantum Dot OLED technology for its new Odyssey lineup (Source 1).
“Samsung’s 2024 Odyssey OLED gaming monitors look like they’ll be a big upgrade over previous options,” said Digital Trends. “The monitors feature a glare-resistant matte display, fast refresh rates, and the perfect blacks that OLED is known for.”
The new monitors check every box for what gamers want:
- Anti-glare matte display for visibility in bright rooms (Source 2)
- Very fast 240Hz and 360Hz refresh rates
- Deep black levels and vibrant colors through OLED and Quantum Dots
- Aggressive 1000R curvature for immersion (49″ model)
Samsung’s adoption of flat and curved OLED is a game-changer for the category. Monitor expert KitGuru said the new models appear “extremely promising,” bringing Samsung’s world-class display technology to the forefront for gamers (Source 3).
Breakdown of the New Odyssey OLED Models
Samsung announced three new monitors to kick off CES 2024. Here are the key details on each model:
Odyssey OLED G9 – 49-Inch 5K Curved
- Screen Size: 49-inch curved
- Resolution & Refresh Rate: 5120 x 1440 @ 240Hz
- Features: 1000R curvature, matte anti-glare finish
The 49-inch monster OLED is the latest iteration of Samsung’s wildly popular dual QHD ultrawide. It matches the specs of the 2023 Neo G9 LCD model but with OLED picture quality for the deepest blacks. The 240Hz refresh rate ensures silky smooth visuals for fast-paced games.
Odyssey OLED G8 – 32-Inch 4K Flat
- Screen Size: 32-inch flat
- Resolution & Refresh Rate: 3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 240Hz
- Features: HDR600 True Black, matte anti-glare
Perhaps the most exciting reveal is the 32-inch G8, Samsung’s first ever 4K flat OLED gaming monitor. It’s being touted as the world’s first 4K 240Hz OLED, besting the previous speed record of 200Hz from models like the Alienware 34 (Source 4). Expect astonishingly fluid and responsive visuals from this gaming beast.
Odyssey OLED G6 – 27-Inch QHD Flat
- Screen Size: 27-inch flat
- Resolution & Refresh Rate: 2560 x 1440 (QHD) @ 360Hz
- Features: HDR600 True Black, matte anti-glare
Lastly, there’s the 27-inch G6 flat OLED which prioritizes blindingly quick 360Hz refresh over 4K resolution. According to Samsung, it’s the “world’s first 1440p 360Hz gaming monitor” (Source 5). With ultra low input latency and insanely fast pixel response, the G6 should satisfy esports players need for speed.
| Model | Screen Size | Resolution | Refresh Rate | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey OLED G9 | 49″ curved | 5120 x 1440 (dual QHD) | 240Hz | 1000R curvature, matte anti-glare |
| Odyssey OLED G8 | 32″ flat | 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 240Hz | World’s first 4K 240Hz OLED gaming monitor |
| Odyssey OLED G6 | 27″ flat | 2560 x 1440 (QHD) | 360Hz | World’s first 1440p 360Hz gaming monitor |
What Gamers Can Expect from Samsung’s Odyssey OLED Monitors
Samsung’s adoption of OLED for its 2024 gaming monitors checks off every box for what enthusiasts have demanded.
With OLED’s pixel-perfect dimming control, the new Odyssey monitors deliver intensely dark blacks side-by-side with vibrant, rich colors. Scenes with high contrast produce an extraordinary sense of depth and realism thanks the practically infinite contrast ratio of OLED panels (Source 6).
OLED also enables response times under 1ms, ensuring crystal clear motion clarity during fast gameplay sequences. There’s no blurring or artifacts dragging behind moving objects. Samsung specifies a grey-to-grey response time of just 0.1ms, putting it near instantaneous levels.
Multiple reviewers have commented how the new Odyssey monitors appear glare-free and easy to see even with lighting behind the user. Samsung engineered an anti-reflective, matte display coating that disperses light to prevent distracting glare (Source 7). This allows wider viewing angles and better visibility in sunlit rooms.
Of course, blisteringly quick 240Hz and 360Hz refresh rates give games an incredibly smooth look and feel. At 240 FPS, a new frame renders just over 4ms, while 360 FPS gets down below 3ms. This speed eliminates unwanted stutters or choppiness, keeping gameplay incredibly fluid.
Overall, Samsung’s monitors cover every technical specification gamers could want from a modern display in 2024. OLED picture quality, anti-glare visibility, and lightning quick pixel response come together for a monumental generational leap over previous LCD options. Considering Samsung’s sterling reputation for industry-leading monitors and TVs, expectations are sky high for the new Odyssey lineup.
Set for Release Later This Year
Though just revealed at CES, Samsung hasn’t provided firm details on pricing or availability dates yet. Some rumors suggest a Q3 release around summer time. Given the cutting edge specs and OLED panels, expect premium pricing over $1000 when pre-orders start.
Samsung indicated the monitors are currently sampling to partners and will launch globally later this year. Specific regional release dates, configs, and MSRP pricing will likely get announced closer to retail launch in the coming months.
Outlook Going Forward
Gaming monitors were overdue for innovation, having stagnated on LCD variants the past few years. By embracing key technologies like OLED and extreme refresh rates up to 360Hz, Samsung is kicking off the next-generation of buttery smooth, high fidelity displays for gamers.
The new Odyssey lineup also foreshadows where the broader monitor market is heading. Expect more manufacturers to adopt flat and curved OLED panels moving forward across various sizes. Display analyst Ross Young predicts OLED monitor sales ballooning from just 600,000 units in 2023 up to 4.5 million by 2027 (Source 8). Adoption will accelerate as prices drop in the coming years.
Samsung has set the pace with impressive world firsts like 4K 240Hz and 1440p 360Hz OLED gaming monitors. Rivals are now playing catch up. Other CES announcements in the space include HPs new flat 32-inch gaming monitor with 4K at 240 Hz using Mini LED backlighting (Source 9). But that model lacks OLED picture quality and response times.
For leading monitor vendors, OLED gaming displays represent a new battlefield moving forward. Expect rapid spec bumps and new “world’s first” announcements trying to keep pace with market leader Samsung. Exciting advancements in display response, resolution, refresh rates, and even panel curvature lie ahead thanks to this new OLED arms race.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung unveils three new Odyssey OLED gaming monitors at CES 2024, delivering the deep blacks, incredible contrast, and lighting quick response times demanded by gamers
- Lineup includes s 27-inch 1440p 360Hz model, 32-inch 4K 240Hz model (world’s first 4K OLED), and 49-inch 5K 240Hz curved monster
- Anti-glare matte coating enables reduced glare and reflections for gaming in bright rooms
- Pricing and availability later this years
- Ushers in new generation of gaming monitors leveraging OLED picture quality and lighting quick refresh rates over 360Hz
Samsung has clearly raised the stakes in the gaming monitor space. With breakthrough OLED performance across key ultra-wide and flat formats, the Odyssey lineup delivers unprecedented speed and fidelity. Rival brands playing catch up will struggle to match this combination of bleeding edge technological capabilities. Going forward, deeper OLED adoption seems inevitable as Samsung cements its leadership in next-gen displays.
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