Samsung’s Odyssey G8 might be the best 32-inch gaming monitor of the year

After being officially announced at CES 2024, all of Samsung’s new 2024 gaming monitors are finally available for pre-order today. However, while the massive 49-inch Odyssey G9 (G95SD) grabbed most of the attention when initial details emerged in January, I recently had the chance to check out its smaller siblings (plus one of Samsung’s new smart monitors) in person. , which are equally impressive due to their lower prices and more practical screen sizes.

Similar to the Alienware AW3225QF and HP Omen Transcend 32, the Odyssey G8 OLED (G80SD) and Odyssey G6 OLED (G60SD) 2024 are based on Samsung’s third-generation QD-OLED technology. This means you get rich colors and deep blacks along with support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and increased brightness compared to traditional OLED displays. But from there, the two monitors differ slightly with the 32-inch G8 being more versatile thanks to its 4K resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, the smaller G6 is better suited for competitive gaming with its 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and 360Hz refresh rate.

While not as large as the Odyssey G9, the G8 comes with a number of premium features including a 4K resolution, support for Samsung's Gaming Hub, CoreLighting+ and more.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

My favorite of the two is the G8, as it features a flat screen (not curved like the Alienware) with an anti-reflective matte coating and an extremely sleek design that lets you appreciate its super-slim 0.15-inch panel. Meanwhile, Samsung has equipped both the G8 and G6 with a dynamic cooling system that lowers temperatures better and can even pre-control the brightness if needed. And, for the first time, Samsung offers a three-year warranty in case the monitor is subject to burn-in.

I also appreciate that even though it’s a relatively large monitor, the G8 supports height adjustment and the ability to rotate in portrait mode. As a nod to convenience, it comes with built-in stereo speakers and a solar remote (similar to what you get from Samsung’s flagship TVs), so you can easily connect it to games consoles alongside a traditional PC. And in case that’s not enough, the G8 also features Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which lets you access streaming services like NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming without having to connect to another device.

Samsung's Odyssey G6 is a premium gaming monitor designed for the competitive scene thanks to a 27-inch QD-OLED panel with QHD resolution and 360 Hz refresh rate. Samsung's Odyssey G6 is a premium gaming monitor designed for the competitive scene thanks to a 27-inch QD-OLED panel with QHD resolution and 360 Hz refresh rate.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Alternatively, for more hardcore gamers, the G6 packs almost all the same tech (including the remote and matte finish) into an even more practical 27-inch display. You still get Samsung’s CoreLighting+ module to deliver some ambient RGB hues and an equally sleek metal design. Samsung even redesigned the legs of the G8 and G6 to give people with unusual gaming setups more flexibility and space to place their mouse and keyboard.

Finally, while it’s neither OLED nor a gaming display, Samsung’s M80D Smart Monitor is a pure display of 4K office productivity. It features a magnetic mount for a detachable webcam, so you can easily position it without the need for a tripod or quickly remove it at the end of a video call. You can also pair it over Wi-Fi with other Samsung devices, allowing you to easily move images or files from one to another. Like the G8 and G6, it supports Samsung’s Gaming Hub and the ability to stream shows from apps like Netflix natively to the monitor.

Samsung's M80D Smart Monitor is an interesting take on a productivity display with 4K resolution, PIP support, an included remote control, and more. Samsung's M80D Smart Monitor is an interesting take on a productivity display with 4K resolution, PIP support, an included remote control, and more.

Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The G9 remains the true flagship of Samsung’s gaming monitors, but the company has now made excellent options in smaller sizes as well. The Odyssey G8 and G6 will start at $1,300 and $900, respectively, while the M80D Smart Monitor will cost $700. Pre-orders go live today and come with a $300 discount for anyone who makes an early purchase before official sales begin later this month.

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