The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is a high-end gaming monitor that offers “endgame” specifications for top-shelf gaming performance. It competes with very compelling 4K 240Hz OLED options like the Alienware AW3225QF and MSI MPG 321URX, but it has a trick up its sleeve. Let’s check it out to see if it’s the top dog in its sizzling hot cream of the crop segment.
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 Specifications
- Screen Size: 32 Inches
- Resolution:3840 x 2160 UHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: QD-OLED
- Refresh Rate: 240Hz
- Response Time: 0.03ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1000000:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2 (1000 cd/m2 Peak)
- Built-in Speakers: None
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – Yes
- Stand: Pivot– Yes
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.4 DSC x 1, HDMI 2.1 x 2, USB-C PD90W x 1, USB 3.0 x 2, 3.5mm x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 28.3″ x 23″ x 10.4″
- Weight: 18.5 lbs
Design and Features
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD went with a sophisticated aesthetic which looks more attractive than some of its competitors. The monitor has a combination of silver and matte black, so it doesn’t look too aggressive even if it has RGB lighting. The screen has a bezel-free design, so you get a very modern and unobstructed view all the time.
It’s larger than your typical desktop monitor, but Samsung kept the dimensions modest to match the aesthetic. It only needs 10.4 inches of depth, and its depth is so minimal that it can slip under some peripherals. Thanks to its thinness, the whole thing only weighs 18.5 pounds, so it’s very easy to move around for most.
Its build quality is fantastic, thanks to its premium materials and craftsmanship. The panels feel lightweight but don’t flex when squeezed with moderate force and are free from cosmetic defects. The included stand is firm enough to hold the screen up, so it won’t sag or wobble while in use.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD has a joystick for the OSD instead of pesky buttons. It’s located at the back near the middle of the bottom bezel, so it’s very easy to reach. However, it also includes a dedicated remote, which makes things easier, especially when you use its Smart TV features.
It’s also great that a fully adjustable stand is included, allowing users to manipulate the angle as needed. It’s very easy to get a comfortable view, although we don’t see anyone using this monitor as a secondary portrait display. You can use VESA mounts, but those are unnecessary in most cases since the stand is already flexible by itself.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD’s connectivity layout includes DisplayPort 1.4 and two HDMI 2.1 slots for 4K 120Hz-capable consoles. What’s disappointing is that it doesn’t have USB-C like so many of its competitors. It does have two USB 3.0 ports and a 3.5mm jack for peripherals, but we wish Samsung was a bit more generous than that.
We love that the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD has a powerful pair of speakers with 10 watts of power. They sound great for games, movies, plus anything in between, unlike most built-ins with other gaming offerings. We still prefer headsets for immersion, but it is always nice to have a built-in that’s as good as what Samsung’s TVs have.
Display and Performance
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD sports a 32-inch QD-OLED panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 0.03ms response time. The panel’s brightness has a 250 cd/m2 typical output while the contrast is listed at 1000000:1. This model isn’t listed with HDR certification, but we know what its capable of.
32-inch 4K monitors are more desirable since they are easier on the eyes for desktop use. Its easier to use them for office work since visibility and legibility are considerably better versus the 27-inch 4K variants. It will take a lot of GPU oomph to get this monitor to its maximum, but that’s very close to becoming doable with the next generation GPUs.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD covered more than 100% sRGB and 99% DCI-P3 for stunning vibrancy in games and movies. Its default accuracy had a massive dE average of 3.93, but that’s mostly due to the extra color coverage. Using the included sRGB mode locks it down to a more amicable 1.34, but it also gets rid of the extra pop in the color.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 0.8, making it very suitable for professional use. However, you will need a colorimeter to achieve that and maintain that low dE throughout the panel’s life. We think it’s only practical if you use your monitor for a business or job, but not for gaming.
The OLED panel reached 265 cd/m2 in SDR, but its peak only got to 471 cd/m2 so its not as bright as the other QD-OLED panels. Its contrast was infinite, so it still achieves what’s most important and expected from an OLED panel. Its great for HDR games and movies, although some effects from a higher brightness output might be missing.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was perfect and free from backlight bleeding simply because its self-illuminating. Some light blooms can happen, but its not as common as it would be on a mini-LED variant. The only real threat to OLED’s uniformity is burn-in, but there are ways and implementations to help prevent it.
Its pixel response time is also fantastic since the panel doesn’t have to wait on an LED backlight for transitions. It also helps a lot that it goes up to 240Hz, although we recognize that its quite difficult to reach that. However, its still perfect for fast-paced titles, including E-Sports titles like Valorant.
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD is compatible with FreeSync and G-sync for tearing and stutter-free gaming. Its essential to have VRR for both cards so you don’t have to buy a new monitor every time you switch to the other GPU brand. Its input lag sits at 3ms at 240Hz, indicating that its responsive enough for professional gamers.
Thoughts on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD is a fantastic gaming monitor thanks to amazing color and contrast outputs. It is designed like a true flagship, and it performs just like most of its esteemed competitors. We like that it doesn’t join the gamer-centric crowd when it comes to aesthetics.
However, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G80SD is far from perfect, and it has a few disadvantages. Its not as bright as the other 4K 240Hz OLED, and its missing some extra features that could make it a true dual-purpose display. Its fantastic for games and as a smart TV on the side, but we think it lacks the ability to be a dock for portable workstations.
Pros:
- Excellent Colors and Contrast
- Modern and Sleek Design
- Very Fast and Responsive
Cons:
- Limited Peak Brightness
- No USB Ports
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that 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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