Samsung has updated its most prestigious PC screen. Featuring a 49-inch curved OLED panel, the Odyssey G9 is truly an incredible productivity/entertainment tool for those who can afford it.
When we look at the Samsung catalog, we realize that there are products for absolutely everyone. The Korean firm strives to reach as many people as possible, with a range that goes from affordable to ultra-premium. In the segment of PC monitors, we find the Odyssey G9 at the head of the gondola. A huge 49-inch curved screen which, in 2023, has the good idea to switch to OLED technology. Once placed on a desk, the mastodon already makes a strong impression. And, when it lights up, the magic happens very quickly.
Launched at €1,800, the Odyssey G9 represents a hell of an investment. But, you are not only acquiring a PC monitor positioned on gaming. In reality, you are buying a complete entertainment center, which inherits a set of features from the world of TV (Smart Monitor). In fact, the Odyssey G9 is a television that only lacks an aerial socket. It has everything else, starting with the Samsung ecosystem which allows access to a maximum of applications without the need to be connected to an external device.
There are plenty of reasons to fall for the Odyssey G9
A great gaming display from an immersive point of view
If many players swear by the framerate by being ready to sacrifice – a little – the graphic fidelity for the performances, others prefer to bet on the immersion. There’s probably nothing better than a 49-inch curved screen (5120 × 1440 pixels) to get closer to the action. With that 1800R curvature, you really feel like you’re surrounded by the image. The 32:9 ratio does the rest, even if it requires the game to be compatible (small flaw: the screen interface is not). We tried Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart above and our photo below speaks for itself: it’s stunning and we don’t want to go back.
If the game is not 32:9 compatible, you still enjoy a wide image, which also benefits from all the qualities of OLED technology. Namely: rich and accurate colors, perfect blacks and incomparable contrasts. Only the brightness is a little behind, but you would have to place the screen behind a window and take advantage of it in the middle of the day to suffer. Otherwise, in terms of general dynamics, the arguments are undeniable and obvious. You won’t have to worry about possible light leaks, with remarkable uniformity.
Beyond the intrinsic qualities, the Odyssey G9 has everything you need to satisfy gamers: HDMI 2.1 port, 240 Hz refresh rate, 0.03 ms response time, AMD FreeSync Premium compatibility Pro, various Gaming modes, customizable rear lights, hub for cloud gaming (including Xbox Game Pass)… The Odyssey is truly a Rolls-Royce.
Productivity on 49 inches
49 inches is huge. This represents a diagonal of almost 125 centimeters. You can display things on such a surface and, for productivity, that’s a big plus. Concretely, we can see the Odyssey G9 as the equivalent of two to three screens placed in front of us. Those who need to have several windows under their eyes at all times can make it a powerful ally – provided they have space on the desk (almost 1.2 meters wide, which can be imposing) . The monitor has a USB-C port capable of recharging your computer (power of 65W), and you can even display two sources simultaneously (example below: a Windows PC in HDMI, a Mac in AirPlay).
We will also praise the pretty design of the Odyssey G9 which, if we forget the fairly discreet lights at the back, does not play in flash (unlike some gaming products). The finishes are pretty, the central foot with a cable pass has its little effect and you can even adjust the height. Only problem: the screen is very thin and fragile and it will be necessary to handle it with care when taking it out of the box. An accident can happen quickly.
Other forms of entertainment
As mentioned in the introduction, the Odyssey G9 can replace a television in terms of entertainment features. From the main menu, you can access a whole host of streaming platforms: from Netflix to Apple TV+, via Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ or even MyCanal.
Everything is there, which offers great versatility to a very expensive product. There is even a remote control to navigate through an interface that is necessarily very rich – and not always very fast. We feel that the Odyssey G9 does a lot, with ergonomics that show it.
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