Review of the 34" Samsung Odyssey OLED G8

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is the fourth ultrawide QD-OLED monitor we’ve reviewed, following two models from Alienware and one from MSI. This review will include interesting comparison data and some unexpected findings.

The Odyssey OLED G8 uses the same 34-inch 3440 x 1440 QD-OLED panel as the other monitors we’ve reviewed, so there are no major differences in specifications. The G8 has a maximum refresh rate of 175 Hz, just like the Alienware and MSI models, as well as other top features such as a 0.03ms response time, 99% DCI-P3 color coverage, and support for adaptive sync.

Samsung does not claim that the Odyssey OLED G8 has a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, but this is a known characteristic of the QD-OLED panel used in the monitor. We will test the monitor’s brightness later in this review.

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is the most expensive QD-OLED ultrawide monitor released so far, with a price of $1,500. This is $200 more than the Alienware AW3423DW and $400 more than the DWF and MSI models. To justify this higher price, Samsung will need to offer exceptional features and performance.

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 has an impressive design, which is a stark contrast to the unattractive MSI 342C that we recently reviewed. The G8 is the smallest, thinnest, and most elegant QD-OLED monitor we’ve seen so far.

The panel is seamlessly integrated into the front of the monitor with a small bezel at the bottom. The stand, made of a combination of metal and plastic, looks great and is very sturdy. It also doesn’t take up too much desk space.

The minimalist design and slim construction of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 are particularly impressive. While the Alienware monitors have a nice design, the OLED G8 looks more modern and takes full advantage of the thinness of the OLED panel.

The back of the monitor is made of a combination of silver metal and plastic, which blend together well despite being different materials. The OLED G8 is also the quietest QD-OLED monitor we’ve reviewed, with no fan or a fan that is so silent it’s not noticeable.

However, there are a few drawbacks to the design of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8. The bottom bezel appears to have a protective film applied, similar to the removable plastic film used to protect glossy parts during shipping. However, when I tried to remove it, it became clear that it was not meant to be removed. Be careful not to make the same mistake!

The stand only allows for height and tilt adjustments, with no swivel option. However, the monitor does support VESA mounting.

The choice of ports on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 may also be an issue for some users. Instead of using standard full-sized ports, Samsung has chosen to use mini versions.

The monitor has one mini-DisplayPort, one micro-HDMI port, and two USB-C ports, one of which can also be used as a display input. The HDMI port is version 2.1, which is a plus.

For many people, this may not be a problem. They can simply use the included 1.5m mini-DisplayPort to full-sized DisplayPort cable to connect the monitor to their GPU. However, finding high-quality mini-DP or micro-HDMI cables can be more difficult and/or expensive than finding standard cables, especially if you need a longer cable such as 3 or 5 meters.

This also means that if you already have a high-quality DisplayPort cable, you won’t be able to use it with the Odyssey OLED G8 without an adapter, which may not be of the same quality. This is unnecessary, as the monitor is large enough to accommodate standard-sized ports.

It would have been better if Samsung had included both small and full-sized ports, giving users the option of a sleek, thin cable look while still providing the convenience of standard-sized ports for a PC monitor.

One unique feature of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is its full smart functionality, similar to that of a smart TV. Unlike most gaming monitors, which simply act as displays with inputs, the OLED G8 is internet-connected and can run various apps such as Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. It also supports other features enabled by its processing capabilities.

This is unusual for a gaming monitor, especially one designed for PC gaming, where the input device (such as a PC or game console) can already run these apps and often provides faster and easier access than the included remote.

While integrated app support is not necessarily a bad thing, it may not be useful for many buyers.

App support on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 would have been more useful if it had enabled advanced HDR format playback, such as Dolby Vision, which is not accessible through a PC. However, the G8 does not support Dolby Vision. On the other hand, the advanced OSD offers a wider range of settings with fewer restrictions, supports firmware updates over the internet, and supports Bluetooth functionality such as Bluetooth speakers. It is also smooth to use.

The level of software features on the OLED G8 is far ahead of its competitors. If you specifically want native app support, this is the only QD-OLED ultrawide monitor that offers it.

Since the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 uses the same 34-inch QD-OLED panel as other monitors, those who have read other reviews will already be familiar with some of the issues related to the coating and subpixel structure of this panel.

If you were hoping that the Samsung version would handle reflections better or reduce ambient light reflectivity, you may be disappointed. The OLED G8 looks fundamentally identical to the Alienware and MSI models in this regard.

For those who are not familiar with the issue of coating, here is a brief explanation: The coating on the QD-OLED panel used in the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is glossy and does not have a polarizer, so it can reflect a significant amount of ambient light, depending on the conditions.

In a typical indoor environment with artificial lighting or in a room with sunlight, blacks on the monitor may appear grey or washed out due to the reflection of light off the panel. This is different from a glossy LG OLED, which appears much blacker even in a room with ambient light.

The subpixel structure of the QD-OLED panel used in the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is not ideal for desktop productivity use. The panel uses a triangle RGB layout instead of the traditional RGB stripe, which can cause fringing on high-contrast edges such as text. This issue cannot be easily corrected with software.

Some people may not notice this issue, but others, including myself, find it quite noticeable, especially when compared to a normal LCD. This can reduce the crispness and clarity of text in some situations, but it is not an issue for content consumption such as gaming or watching videos.

OLED monitors, in general, are not ideal for desktop usage, productivity apps, and web browsing because they are susceptible to permanent burn-in. Therefore, the subpixel issue may not be a major concern if you are using the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 as intended for content consumption. However, if you plan to use it for productivity work, you’ll need to consider not only the risk of burn-in but also the suboptimal subpixel layout.

Samsung does not make any specific claims about burn-in coverage in its warranty policy, which varies between countries. This is a significant weakness compared to its main competitors, which offer 3-year warranties that include burn-in coverage. It is disappointing that the OLED G8, which is the most expensive of these displays released so far, does not offer premium warranty support despite its premium price of $1,500.

As expected, the QD-OLED panel used in the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 offers extremely fast response times, similar to other QD-OLED monitors we’ve tested. At its maximum refresh rate of 175Hz, the monitor has an average response time of 0.3ms, which is very fast and results in clear motion at this refresh rate.

Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 – 175Hz, 120Hz, 60Hz

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 has no noticeable inverse ghosting and offers motion clarity that is as good as the Alienware AW3423DW and far superior to any LCD at the same refresh rate. The cumulative deviation is impressively low at just 44.

One of the best things about OLED technology is that performance is consistent across all refresh rates. This means that whether we test the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 at 175Hz or 60Hz, the average response time remains at about 0.3ms.

Unlike LCDs, which typically get slower as the refresh rate decreases, the G8 OLED offers consistent performance with a single overdrive mode experience. There are no overdrive settings required for an OLED monitor.

The response time performance of the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is no different from that of other OLED monitors. The only factor that affects motion clarity at the maximum refresh rate is the refresh rate itself.

The OLED G8 has a good refresh rate of 175Hz, so it will offer clearer motion than a monitor like the LG C2, which has a refresh rate of 120Hz. However, the difference in clarity compared to the Alienware AW3423DWF, which has a refresh rate of 165Hz, is negligible. Monitors with a higher refresh rate of 240Hz, such as the Corsair Xeneon Flex and LG 27GR95QE, offer superior clarity due to less sample and hold motion blur at this higher refresh rate.