A 4K decision and a excessive refresh fee are on the minds of hardcore avid gamers who need the very best of the very best out of their gaming screens. However for a sure subset of avid gamers, it’s not all concerning the pixel depend, however the dimension—or, extra exactly, the width—of the monitor. With its latest providing, Samsung hopes to present these customers the very best of each worlds. The Odyssey OLED G9 ($2,199) is the newest revision of the Odyssey G9 that simply occurs to the primary 49-inch, 32:9 curved OLED gaming monitor. In fact, with nice innovation comes a weighty worth: patrons should dig deep. However should you can afford it, few screens have extra wow issue than the Editors’ Selection-winning Odyssey OLED G9.
An Odyssey Like No Different, Priced to Match
The Odyssey OLED G9 could also be a world’s first, but it surely’s acquainted to followers who’ve laid eyes on Samsung’s older G9 fashions and even latest ultrawide choices from rivals, just like the LG 49 Curved Ultragear, which we’re reviewing alongside it. The OLED G9’s huge wingspan curves barely, with a mild 1,800mm curvature. Additionally expressed as “1800R,” the quantity is the radius of a circle that will be created by a hypothetical ring of those screens positioned edge to edge. (The decrease the millimeter depend, the tighter the curve is.) Regardless of the less-perceptible curve, the skinny panel is bound to catch your eye as a result of it is so skinny, measuring at a razor-thin 4.5mm, or 0.18 inch at its thinnest level. For comparability, the flexible Corsair Xeneon Flex is round 6mm (0.2 inch).
In contrast to the Xeneon Flex, which manages its slim body by transferring its port hub to its stand, the Odyssey OLED G9 saves area by merely not together with many ports. One HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort, and one mini HDMI port be a part of three USB-C ports, holding the majority to a minimal.
Remarkably, two 5-watt audio system are fitted inside, every with an excellent vary of sound, even when the bass isn’t booming. A tremendous metallic silver end coats the monitor’s again, whereas on the middle the place the monitor meets the stand, a translucent base provides a contact of RGB lighting, customizable due to the CoreSync and Corelighting+ software program, which sync together with your sport and output visuals to accommodate it.
When it comes to measurements, this OLED Odyssey is 20.8 by 47 by 9.3 inches (HWD) total, an imposing determine however impressively slim in the case of ultrawide screens, following the spectacular instance set by the skinny panel itself. For comparability, the LG 49 measures 18.3 by 46.1 by 15.5 inches (HWD), the additional depth coming from its deeper, 1000mm curve and bulkier body. Weight-wise, it is available in at 28.4 kilos, a lot lighter than the 49-inch Ultragear’s 32.5 kilos, and even the older non-OLED Odyssey’s 36.8 kilos.
However slim physique apart, the principle motive you’re contemplating buying this mighty monitor is for that beautiful display. The twin quad HD (5,120-by-1,440-pixel) show packs a 240Hz refresh fee and a rated 0.03ms response time, but it surely’s the OLED half that shines. OLED shows outclass IPS and VA panels in every thing from energy effectivity to paint gamut. OLED expertise additionally offers “true blacks,” which implies that the black pixels flip off to create zero-light zones and most distinction. The principle draw back is that proper now, the expertise is considerably dearer than IPS, TN, or VA.
Whereas the Odyssey OLED is rather less than 1,000,000 pixels in need of 4K decision, the upgraded panel expertise greater than makes up for it, and the extra actual property afforded by the 32:9 facet provides a layer of immersion that you simply simply can’t faucet into with a traditional 16:9 widescreen monitor.
The Odyssey OLED G9 additionally employs Samsung’s Neo Quantum Processor Professional, which the corporate says instantaneously analyzes photos and mechanically adjusts brightness whereas amplifying distinction on a pixel-by-pixel stage. First showing in Samsung TVs in 2021, the processor works a bit just like the AI upscaling tech that’s turning into extra commonplace in present GPUs. In brief, the monitor makes use of AI algorithms to determine and alter components of a picture that must be enhanced, upscaling with as few visible artifacts as potential.
Testing the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9: Excellent Shade Accuracy
Samsung’s new G9 actually brings the products, and its large OLED display greater than impresses—however how does it stack up towards different OLED screens? Whereas we haven’t examined many different 32:9 screens, we now have seen loads of OLEDs (and non-OLEDs) at each 16:9 and 21:9 ratios, so we pulled out the numbers to see how Samsung’s world’s first compares towards a few of our favorites, together with our Editors’ Selection choose for the class, the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF).
First, we examined the monitor in its default image mode with an SDR sign utilizing the Datacolor SpyderX. The OLED G9 noticed a mean brightness of 261 nits (candelas per sq. meter), which places it just a few nits over Samsung’s 250-nit ranking. That is a bit dimmer than the Samsung Odyssey Neo G7 (a assessment of which is coming shortly), to make sure, however brighter than each the 49-inch LG and its little sibling, the LG 45 UltraGear OLED.
Hopping over to HDR mode, we used the VESA DisplayHDR compliance checks (obtainable without spending a dime on the Microsoft Retailer) to measure a peak HDR brightness of 452 nits, in keeping with the monitor’s VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 ranking.
Now, don’t be startled by what seem like low brightness readings on an OLED monitor—they’ll preserve distinction with much less brightness, permitting viewing in darker rooms. Low brightness could also be a problem in brighter rooms, together with in our naturally lit workplace testing area, however we nonetheless discovered the outcomes passable.
Turning our consideration to measuring the monitor’s coloration gamut, we see that the Odyssey OLED G9 excels on this space. The OLED G9 spanned 100% of the sRGB coloration gamut, 97% of Adobe RGB, and 98% of DCI-P3. These are near-perfect readings, simply barely bested by the Alienware 34. There aren’t any slouches in our lineup, although, as we recorded incredible color-coverage outcomes from all of them.
Relating to coloration accuracy, the OLED G9 recorded a superb Delta E of 0.8. That is even higher contemplating we measured it proper out of the field utilizing the default image mode. The upper the Delta E, the farther colours are likely to stray from their meant hue. A price beneath 1 is right, although only a few gaming screens attain it, particularly out of the field.
Subsequent, we take a look at the distinction ratio, which signifies the distinction in luminance between the brightest white and darkest black {that a} monitor can produce. It makes a distinction in image high quality, particularly throughout darkish scenes in gameplay. We measured a distinction ratio of 6,280:1 and a black stage of 0.6. The OLED G9 is rated for a peak distinction ratio of 1,000,000:1, however that is a quantity you’ll possible by no means see in regular day-to-day use. OLED and mini LED panels can attain dramatically larger distinction ratios, at the very least in principle, because of the nature of the black pixels. For comparability, IPS panels usually goal distinction ratios of 1,000:1 to three,000:1.
Media and Gaming Efficiency
With exceptional coloration outcomes, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 visuals impress, however how does the monitor carry out whereas gaming? To quantify that, we use an HDFury Diva HDMI matrix to measure a monitor’s enter lag and play a handful of video games from our library to see if there are any noticeable blemishes like display tearing.
First, the input-lag outcomes. We measured 4.5 milliseconds (ms) of enter lag, which isn’t rock-bottom, however nonetheless excellent. LG does barely higher, although, as each the 49-inch and 45-inch Ultragear screens managed to dip decrease.
The decrease the quantity, the higher, however something beneath 15ms of enter lag is completely playable. It’s a quantity that in all probability received’t imply a lot outdoors of the hardcore esports crowd, which can possible not be enjoying on one of these monitor anyway, higher suited to smaller screens just like the Alienware 500Hz Gaming Monitor (AW2524H).
Ultrawidescreen gaming is already a little bit of a distinct segment, however a 32:9 facet ratio, huge as it’s, is an excellent smaller area of interest. Consoles don’t assist it, and never each new PC launch helps it, both. Even video games that do assist a 21:9 facet ratio could not stretch to 32:9 (like Diablo IV). Nonetheless, you could find trendy releases with assist for the facet ratio, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal, each of which look beautiful on the OLED display. AMD Freesync Premium Professional assist is available to fight display tearing if that’s your precedence.
This gaming monitor can also be a sensible monitor, which suggests it has entry to Samsung’s on-line gaming hub, in addition to different media options you would possibly see on Samsung TVs. The gaming hub options embrace entry to widespread streaming apps like Xbox Sport Move and Nvidia GeForce Now, whereas the media hub is packed aplenty with video streaming apps.
Verdict: Our New Favourite Ultrawide OLED
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a monitor for fans, meant for these prepared to max out their PC builds and sink into one thing immersive and complex, like Microsoft Flight Simulator. It matches effectively with high-end {hardware}, and it’s obtained sufficient wingspan to exchange most multi-monitor setups, too. However there’s a worth to pay for all of that—$2,199, to be precise. That is a hefty sum to swallow, regardless of how deep your pockets could also be.
The brand new OLED G9 is clearly not geared toward informal avid gamers, however maybe that’s why it’s in a position to shine so brightly. It’s not a monitor for everybody, however should you’re the kind of one who will get excited upon listening to the phrases “32:9 facet ratio,” then the Odyssey G9 is straight away a contender and perhaps already has you promoting some shares to afford it.
In the end, it is without doubt one of the most interesting screens we’ve seen this 12 months. Its slim, smooth body, paired with a stunning OLED panel, means it’s positive to impress even the staunchest of ultrawide naysayers. Each the Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) and LG 45 UltraGear OLED Curved Gaming Monitor are worthy alternate options, but when cash’s not an object and it is advisable go massive and broad, then the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is the monitor to beat.
