After being officially announced back 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 the first details came out in January, I recently had the chance to personally check out its smaller siblings (plus one of Samsung’s new smart monitors), which are just as impressive for lower prices and more convenient screen sizes.
Similar to the Alienware AW3225QF and HP Omen Transcend 32, the 2024 Odyssey G8 OLED (G80SD) and Odyssey G6 OLED (G60SD) are based on Samsung’s third-generation QD-OLED technology. This means you get rich colors and deep blacks 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 2560 x 1440 resolution and 360Hz refresh rate.
My favorite of the two is the G8, as it has 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-thin 0.15-inch panel. Meanwhile, Samsung has equipped both the G8 and G6 with a dynamic cooling system that reduces temperatures better and can even proactively control brightness if needed. And, for the first time, Samsung is offering a three-year warranty in case the monitor burns out.
I also appreciate that, despite being a relatively large monitor, the G8 supports height adjustment and the ability to rotate into portrait mode. Adding to the 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 game 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.
Alternatively, for more die-hard gamers, the G6 packs almost all the same technology (including a remote control and matte finish) into an even more practical 27-inch screen. You still have Samsung’s CoreLighting+ module on the back to provide some ambient RGB hues and a similarly sleek metal design. Samsung has even redesigned the feet of the G8 and G6 to give people with unusual gaming setups more flexibility and room to place their mouse and keyboard.
Ultimately, while it’s neither an OLED nor a gaming display, Samsung’s M80D Smart Monitor is an excellent display of 4K office productivity. It includes a magnetic mount for the detachable webcam, so you can easily set it up without the need for a tripod or quickly remove it at the end of a video call. You can also pair it via Wi-Fi with other Samsung devices, allowing you to easily move pictures or files from one to another. Just like the G8 and G6, it supports Samsung’s Gaming Hub and the ability to natively stream shows from apps like Netflix on the monitor.
The G9 remains the true flagship of Samsung’s gaming monitors, but the company has now made great options for 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 will come with a $300 discount for anyone who makes an early bird purchase before official sales begin later this month.
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