The Samsung G80SD 4K OLED 3840×2160 gaming monitor is one of the most versatile OLED gaming monitors we have tried so far. Let’s talk about specs and features and find out what you should know before you add it to your cart and spend your hard-earned money.
Note that Samsung did not send us this monitor to review.
The Samsung Odyssey G80SD is a 32-inch 3840×2160 gaming monitor and is Samsung’s entry in the 240Hz and .03ms response time (GtG) OLED monitor race that competes with other similar specced monitors like the MSI MPG321URX and the Alienware AW3225QF.
Specs and design
According to the Samsung product page, it supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and is G-Sync compatible, so screen lag or image tears shouldn’t be an issue. A Samsung boasts about its sleek metal design, and we agree that it’s one of the better-looking builds than the plastic body that some competition offers.
The screen is only about two inches thick at its widest point, and the stand’s footprint occupies minimal space. It’s super easy to put together as you connect the stand to the base and twist and snap the stand into the back of the monitor. Once put together, it measures about 28 inches wide, has a max height of about 23 inches, a depth of about 10 inches, weighs around 18 and a half pounds, and is height adjustable.
It comes with a sticky film protective layer covering the entire screen, and once removed, reveals the matte OLED glare-free display, which Samsung claims will reduce glare and deliver a better experience than the glossy displays from the competition.
Key Features
- OLED Glare Free
- Sleek metal design with height-adjustable
- Samsung OLED Safeguard+
- 240Hz Refresh Rate
- 0.03ms (GtG)
- 250 nits of brightness and a wider spectrum of colors, shades, and contrasts
- 3-Year warranty
What are the connections?
The connections feature a PC -IN, a USB Type B port, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two HDMI 2.1 ports (one with ARC for soundbars), a DisplayPort 1.4 connection, and the AC power connector port. Unfortunately, there are no Type-C inputs or fast charging capabilities, which is disappointing.
It’s compatible with the VESA mount, which is 100mm by 100mm.
On the bottom of the monitor are the built-in 10-watt speakers that use Active Voice Amplifier Pro AI technology to analyze your environment and enhance dialogue, making it easier to hear and understand.
Once the monitor is put together and powered on, you can turn on Core Lighting Plus, adding ambient lighting for extra aesthetic appeal.
Setup and options
We will not go into all the setup details, but it comes preloaded with most of the key streaming apps, including Netflix and YouTube, and includes a live channel browser comparable to Roku. The initial setup took about five minutes to connect to Wi-Fi, create a Samsung account, and log into the device. The G8’s gaming hub gives you access to streaming platforms. The monitor provides many options, including game genre and color profiles, where you can select presets like ECO, Standard, RPG, RTS, FPS, and more. It has aim assist, and we can turn adaptive sync on and off in more settings. Other options are to turn on Core Lighting Plus and adjust Dynamic Black Equalizer to adjust sharpness, saturation, and black levels.
The monitor has an advertised brightness of 250 nits, has HDR10 and HDR10 Plus gaming modes, and has a color accuracy of 99% in the DCI color space.
Wrapping it up
The monitor is an excellent gaming monitor and even better for some users who plan to double it as a TV. It makes the price much better since you use it for two purposes. As a gaming monitor, all of the monitor’s extras seem more of an annoyance than an asset.
Overall, the monitor looks great, and the overall build quality is impressive, but while testing, one specific area could be worrisome. The HDMI board or whatever is underneath the connection ports has a slight press inward of the power cable, making the entire internal board snap inward as if it’s not secured. We also read that other reviews have mentioned the same issues. So, while connecting your devices, take extra care and do not press too hard.
There are no sRGB, Rec. 709, Adobe RGB modes, and no color profiles aimed at creators, so you must also consider that if you are a photographer or YouTuber.
The G80SD offers a three-year burn-in warranty, like other top models like Alienware and MSI.
