Fingers-on: Samsung’s 6K gaming monitor is right here to bully your graphics card

Samsung makes a darn good monitor, although it tends to make you pay for the privilege. The corporate was additionally on the forefront of the gaming OLED area, although once more, it’s removed from something approaching “reasonably priced” territory until you discover one on sale. That development continues with a minimum of 4 new Odyssey designs for 2026, together with one with a daft 6K decision. 

I’ll begin with the largest and most dramatic as a result of it’s additionally probably the most fascinating (although it isn’t OLED). This up to date model of the 32-inch Odyssey G8 with a quick IPS panel pushes the decision to “6K,” at a ridiculous and odd 6144×3456 decision. For context, that’s virtually 3 times the overall pixels as a regular 4K monitor, although clearly not fairly as a lot as an 8K show. Even in the usual 16:9 side ratio, I think about that even probably the most beefy gaming PC goes to battle underneath the load with all of the settings turned up, even at a comparatively humble 165Hz refresh price. 

In case your desktop begins screaming for mercy, you may give it some. That is additionally the newest dual-mode design, with a much less intense “3K” decision (presumably half in each instructions) providing precisely double the velocity, as much as 330Hz. Different options embrace HDR10+ help for wealthy colours, G-Sync help, and an included USB hub. 

I’ve to say, at 32 inches, it’s comparatively small in comparison with some huge gaming displays in the marketplace, I didn’t see the purpose of 6K decision. My eyes can’t inform the distinction between that and 4K at this measurement, particularly with all the results of a sport like Cyberpunk 2077, and that goes double if there’s any movement on the display screen. When you have completely unimaginable peepers, perhaps you possibly can admire 21 million pixels on the panel at any given time… however I can’t. Between that and the bizarre decision, I can’t see this being higher than a 4K possibility, although maybe a mega-sized 6K providing can be higher acquired. That stated, I’d have to spend extra time with it earlier than making a closing name.

Michael Crider / Foundry

At $1,600 earlier than any included reductions — $50 for early patrons and as much as $300 in Samsung retailer credit score, sadly not relevant instantly — this monitor is certainly an “funding” in a gaming setup. However contemplating the dual-mode functionality and the pliability for workplace work, I believe it’s not solely unreasonable. I’d really feel so much higher if the guarantee lasted greater than a 12 months, and I’d nonetheless anticipate a traditional sale. 

If that 32-inch mannequin is simply too wealthy to your blood or too massive to your desk, there’s additionally a 27-inch model coming. The smaller measurement means “simply” 5K decision on the IPS panel (5120×2880), with the complete res providing 180Hz and doubling to 360Hz at QHD decision (1440p). In any other case the specs on this model of the G8 are the identical, with a worth of $950 earlier than reductions. This is likely to be extra in style with esports gamers, or those that don’t assume their PC can deal with the odd 6K kind issue. It nonetheless received’t be low-cost at $950.

Michael Crider / Foundry

Meet Samsung’s new OLED gaming displays

On the identical occasion, Samsung confirmed off a pair of latest 32-inch OLEDs. The brand new 32-inch 4K OLED G8 now has an lively cooling system to assist stave off the dreaded panel burn-in, although it’s additionally protected by a 3 12 months guarantee. Samsung reps instructed me that the next-gen penta tandem QD-OLED panel’s stacked pixel setup means a peak brightness of as much as 1,300 nits, although its extra typical brightness ranking wasn’t on the spec checklist. The 4K panel can be licensed for DisplayHDR True Black 500, a primary for OLED displays. 

In any other case this mannequin is providing the now-standard 240Hz refresh at 4K, although I’m glad to see USB-C video with charging at as much as 98 watts, which must be sufficient for many gaming laptops. It’ll price $1,300 when it goes on sale. There’s additionally a 27-inch 4K mannequin for $1,100 — I’d say when you’re going to spend that a lot, spring for the larger panel. Additionally this was the one one proven in a silver case colour.

Michael Crider / Foundry

A brand new possibility from Samsung this 12 months is an up to date Odyssey G7 (GG73SH), breaking with the corporate’s standard anti-glare finishes for a shiny, media-focused 4K OLED. Although it drops the lively cooling panel safety, it makes up for it with the dual-mode trick: 165Hz refresh at full decision, 330Hz at 1080p. This one can be a bit of extra reasonably priced at $1,100, so avid gamers would possibly discover it extra interesting, particularly when the same old reductions arrive. 

Even in Samsung’s devoted presentation area, the shiny OLED panel was distractingly reflective. I’d suggest in opposition to this one until you may have a fully preferrred gaming setup, otherwise you solely play after darkish. However with the twin mode possibility, it is likely to be extra interesting to these with a necessity for aggressive velocity.

Although these 4 designs had been introduced as Samsung’s gaming lineup for 2026, there could also be different Odyssey displays coming later. Earlier press releases referred to as out a penta tandem improve for the 49-inch, dual-1440p mannequin particularly. But when that’s within the works, I didn’t see it at Samsung’s presentation.