Samsung announced in mid-December that it would be producing two QD-OLED panels with higher refresh rates and new sizes specifically for gamers: a 27-inch 1440p 360Hz screen and a 32-inch 4K 240Hz screen. As new screens become popular, new monitors will undoubtedly follow. Samsung’s 32-inch G8 (G80SD) and new 27-inch G6 (G60SD) were introduced prior to CES, and the company also updated its 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SD) with a 5,120×1,440 240Hz panel. Rather than curved, the two smaller models are flat.
In mid-December, LG also unveiled its rival UltraGear OLED screens. Unlike Samsung, these models use higher refresh rates and are centered around the 32-inch dual-refresh UltraGear 32 OLED, which can display 4K content at 240Hz and 1080p content at 480Hz.
Prices and availability are not available after “2024.”
The pixel refresh rates of all Samsung OLED/QD-OLED panels are approximately 0.03 ms, so you should be more concerned if a monitor lacks this feature than if it is heavily emphasized in promotional materials. Additionally, all three of the new Samsung monitors adhere to VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 standards, support FreeSync Pro, and have matte (antiglare) finishes. You can tilt, swivel, pivot, and raise or lower the screen on both the G8 and G6 thanks to their adjustable stands.
Generally speaking, OLED screens are glossy, which makes them look great—especially in retail settings. However, reflections can make using them in bright environments difficult. A rise in matte OLED/QD-OLED screens this year is something I anticipate and applaud.
With its 144Hz maximum refresh rate and other features, OLED/QD-OLED monitors may have turned off esportsters, who are gamers accustomed to lower 1080p resolution, smaller 25-inch monitors, and lower image quality. Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SD) is a new model in the line, and the company hopes that its 360Hz, 27-inch, 1440p models will appeal to this market.
Although Razer included dual refresh technology in one of its Blade 16 laptop screens last year, it’s still relatively uncommon. LG includes it with its Pixel Sound behind-the-screen speaker technology (which supports DTS Virtual:X) in its flat UltraGear OLED 32 (32GS95UE). It also features the somewhat redesigned back and stand, which appears to be an improvement over the clunky, oversized model from last year, though it’s unclear if the readily accessible ports were a trade-off. Not everyone is a fan of LG’s antiglare coating, and they continue to use DisplayPort 1.4.
Both the 34 (34GS95QE) and 39 (39GS95QE) UltraGear OLEDs are curved and update at 240Hz refresh rate; however, their resolution remains at 3,440×1,440 (meh). Every LG OLED monitor satisfies the requirements for G-Sync Compatibility, FreeSync Premium Pro, and DisplayHDR True Black 400.
