The Samsung Odyssey G5, specifically the LC27G55T, is the most affordable Odyssey monitor currently available in the market. It aims to provide quality performance without asking for a lot of money, offering the same 1000r VA screen of its G7 counterpart minus the niceties. Let’s see if the Samsung Odyssey G5 is worth your money even if it doesn’t offer the extras which made the Odyssey monitors so attractive.
Samsung Odyssey G5 (LC27G55T) Specifications
- Screen Size: 27 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1440 WQHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: Vertical Alignment (VA)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 1ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 2500:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: No
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: (Yes 75 x 75)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 2.0 x 1, USB 2.0 x 1, 3.5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand(WxHxD): 24.3″ x 18.8″ x 10.7″
- Weight: 9.9 lbs
Design and Features
The Samsung Odyssey G5 looks identical to its G7 upperclassman, but it is noticeably lacking a few extra features. The monitor has a carbon fiber-like texture on its shell, and it’s mostly finished in matte black which is easier to maintain. The display isn’t bezel-free, but the thin borders sit almost flush against the outer layer.
This model is also slightly smaller and lighter than the G7 variant since it doesn’t have the same stand. However, it is still chunky from the side since it has a 1000r curve which is considerably deeper than all the other curved monitor options in the market. The base takes up more space than what’s necessary, but it gives the slightly larger monitor more footing.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is also made mostly of plastic, but it feels solid and reliable overall while wobbling is minimal. There are no cosmetic defects on the monitor and its plastic panels don’t feel thinner compared to its premium siblings. The only weakness in this aspect is the hinge on the stand which isn’t firm enough to hold the monitor permanently when it is angled downward.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is controlled by a single joystick with a small indicator LED just under the Samsung name on the bottom bezel. The brand has been doing this for most of their monitors, so most of the monitors are easier to use, especially in the budget categories. The joystick also doubles as the power button, but it’s not easy to mistakenly power down the screen due to the menu’s layout.
One of the main weaknesses of the Samsung Odyssey G5 is it only offers tilt for ergonomics, so you have to exactly center it to your seat to get the most out of the curved screen. Thankfully, it has VESA bolt holes, unlike the C27RG50 which is excellent for gaming, but severely limited in this regard. You can use a VESA mount, but the high placement means that the center of gravity is off so it can tilt down if the arm isn’t tightened properly.
It is also worth noting that the Samsung Odyssey G5 doesn’t have the Infinity core Lighting feature of the G7 and G9 monitors. That’s fine since having LEDs means that the price is higher, but they are useful if you want to set a theme or bias lighting for your setup.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 only has DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 2.0 for video input, along with a single USB 2.0 slot for service such as updating the firmware. That’s all you will need for a PC and another platform like a gaming console, but we would have loved to see more ports such as usable USB connectors. There is also a 3.5mm jack for headphones, but we know most have USB headsets or would rather use the motherboard’s I/O instead.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 doesn’t have speakers, but that’s ok since its immersive aspect is amplified by using a good pair of cans. Most of the monitor’s intended audience will opt for the latter or speakers since they will be able to provide the oomph necessary for entertainment. A built-in pair would enhance the value per dollar, but it’s hard to argue here since the product already quite affordable for a 1440p variant.
Display and Performance
The Samsung Odyssey G5 sports a 27-inch curved VA panel with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a boosted 1ms response time. The backlight on this model is limited to 250 cd/m2 while its contrast is listed at 2500:1. The G5 monitor doesn’t have an effective HDR implementation, but it supports HDR inputs and translates it as best it could.
The 2560 x 1440 resolution and a 27-inch screen is a match made in heaven due to its perfect balance between sharpness and visibility. Reading walls of text doesn’t become a chore, but you do get a nice bump in virtual space and crispness which will enhance games and editing work. It will need more GPU horsepower, but it isn’t difficult to push 144Hz nowadays since the newer cards have become quite powerful.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 only goes up to 99% sRGB coverage which is decent for a gaming display, but underwhelming compared to the other Odyssey models. Color accuracy out of the box is decent since the DeltaE average sits at 2.89. It isn’t perfect for editing or creative use, but gamers will be hard-pressed to notice the errors.
Calibrating the Samsung Odyssey G5 is beneficial since you can lower the dE average to 1.16 which is considerably better. However, we don’t think paying for a colorimeter is worth it since the screen looks great even if you only apply a few tweaks. The gadget is only advisable if you are designing or creating content but buying a higher-tiered model specific for that use is a better path.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 punches through its brightness rating, reaching as much as 280 cd/m2 at 100% backlight. The contrast ratio at 60% brightness reached as much as 2950:1, but it’s still insufficient in producing an appreciable HDR experience. We also noticed that the screen looks dim when it is subjected to glare, so you need to close your blinds or curtains if you are gaming during the day.
Panel uniformity for the Samsung Odyssey G5 isn’t so great since there are some backlight leaks at the top and bottom edges of the screen. it affects the screen’s black uniformity since it adds clouding to the adjacent quadrants. It is not as noticeable when the screen is in full color and it varies between every unit due to tolerances.
The Samsung Odyssey G5’s pixel response time is decent at 144Hz and if your framerate can max it out. The trails are minimal at best as long as the monitor’s overdrive feature is set to its Faster setting and if your graphics settings are optimized to reach 120Hz or higher. We don’t recommend the Fastest level since it induces overshoot which is counterproductive in this aspect.
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is a FreeSync gaming monitor, but it’s also compatible with Nvidia’s G-Sync even if it’s not certified. You have to use DisplayPort for the latter, but that’s typical for PC users nowadays. Input lag sits at 5ms at 144Hz, so there is no need to worry about de-synced instances or delays.
Thoughts on the Samsung Odyssey G5
The Samsung Odyssey G5 is an excellent gaming monitor if you consider that it’s only $300 even if it has a 1440p resolution. Its image quality and gaming performance are great, but you lose out on some creature comforts and valuable extras the G7 variants and its more expensive competitors offer. It’s FreeSync and G-Sync compatible, so its value extends a bit more since you don’t have to change monitors if you swap GPU brands.
However, there are some design flaws and limitations that you have to consider first before pulling the trigger. One example is the monitor’s center of gravity when mounted, which will be a deal-breaker if the monitor arm you use cannot hold it up. These are minor factors and can be easily solved, so it is still a great buy if you are after a good quality screen that will not break the bank.
Pros:
- Reasonable Color Performance for a Budget Monitor
- 144Hz 1440p for $300!
- Good Pixel Response Time
- FreeSync/G-Sync Compatible
Cons:
- Limited Stand and Brightness
- Low Center of Gravity When Mounted
- Tilt-Limited Stand
About the Author:
Paolo is a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since his junior high years. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations and he believes that it’s every citizen’s right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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