The Samsung OLED G9 is a curved gaming monitor with a TV fused into 49 inches of pure brilliance. Yes, it incorporates Samsung’s TV Plus and Game Hub platform for uninterrupted access to various streaming platforms and delivers shows, movies, and games from powerful apps with the possibility of expansion.
Beyond the TV features, we’re more interested in the screen here, and all I can say is that it’s just epic. OLED is slowly gaining popularity among desktop monitors, and Samsung has aced it with last year’s OLED G8 and now with the latest OLED G9 (G95SC). The model we’re reviewing is the Samsung OLED LS49CG954SNXZA, which features a Neo Quantum Processor Paro, a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, a ‎5120×1440 resolution, and is G-Sync compatible.
The OLED G95SC gets a 1,800R curvature that immerses you into whatever game you’re playing, and Samsung claims that this is the world’s first 49-inch OLED gaming monitor. Apart from gaming, this monitor is also ideal for multitaskers and professional creatives, as the expansive display affords you lots of real estate to keep multiple windows open.
Overall, the Samsung OLED G9 is easily one of the best gaming and curved monitors, offering stellar picture quality, fast gaming performance, and an immersive curved display. Well, it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s money well spent for what you’re getting.
About the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC)
Here are the specs of the monitor in this review (model LS49CG954SNXZA)
- Resolution: 5120 x 1440 pixels
- Display Size: 49 inches
- Refresh rate: 240Hz
- Peak brightness: 250 nits (SDR rated), 232 nits (SDR tested), 400 nits (HDR rated), 418 nits (HDR tested)
- HDR support: VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400, HDR10+
- Color depth: 8-bit + FRC
- Color saturation: 100% sRGB (rated), 99% DCI-P3 (rated); 100% sRGB (rated), 98% DCI-P3 (tested), AdobeRGB 96% (tested), Rec.2020 82% (tested)
- Contrast ratio: 1,000,000:1 (rated), effectively infinite (tested, all modes)
- Pixel response time (GtG): 0.03ms
- Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Micro-HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C (upstream and DisplayPort Alternate Mode), 3x USB-A 3.0
- VRR Support: Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- Other features: 100mm x 100mm VESA mount, 2x 5-watt speakers, quantum dots, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2
What we like
Spectacular image quality
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a 49-inch OLED display with a 5120 x 1440 resolution, with the OLED panel being able to turn individual pixels on and off independently, allowing for enhanced contrast and excellent dark levels. The OLED panel is combined with quantum dots that improve how light is distributed throughout the monitor’s surface, thereby increasing the spectrum of colors that can be displayed. It delivers a vivid and vibrant color that’s immediately appealing and holds up well compared to LED panels.
The OLED LS49CG954SNXZA covers 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, 96% of Adobe RGB, and 82% of rec.2020. Some competing monitors, such as the Dell 6K UltraSharp monitor and the less expensive Asus ProArt PA279CRV, can compete with the OLED G9, but Samsung’s image quality is the best in the gaming class.
Though the Odyssey G9 delivers the best image and gaming performance, it suffers a common flaw with other OLED monitors: maximum brightness is underwhelming. The screen has 250 cd/m2 in normal brightness and a maximum brightness of up to 1000 cd/m2 for small and short-term light spots. That’s fine for a home office or gaming room, but it could appear dim in a room with sunlit windows or excess overhead lighting. It doesn’t help that Samsung uses a glossy display coat, which is a fingerprint magnet.
On image quality, the LS49CG954SNXZA doesn’t raise the bar too high – its overall performance is something we’ve seen from monitors like the Alienware AW3423DW that costs much less but features a QD-QLED panel from Samsung, but the Samsung G9 is one of the most attractive OLED monitors you can buy right now.
Splendid gaming and motion performance
The Samsung OLED G9 delivers a 240 refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. That’s nothing new for an OLED monitor, but it’s impressive that it’s packed into a monitor with such a high resolution. Games that can hit 240 fps per second, assuming you have a capable system, such as the Corsair Vengeance i8200 with an RTX 4090 or other graphics card capable of hitting such highs, will feel immersive and fluid.
Gaming is a completely different experience from other monitors out there. All that is due to the 32:9 aspect ratio with its unique VR-style viewpoint of the gaming action. The virtual environment is brought closer to your eyes, clearer than it even looks in the real world, which will take some time to get used to. Once you’re acclimatized to the new realities, everything looks better, as you can see enemies before they see you.
The gameplay feels smooth and responsive, better than some of the best gaming monitors we’ve reviewed, including 360 and 500 Hz models. OLED monitors deliver smooth and fluid motion, meaning you’ll see fine detail that doesn’t break even on fast-paced scenes during gaming. With low input lag, the OLED G9 is crafted for the competition, and the 240Hz refresh rate balances well with its AQHD resolution to provide high frame rates.
HDR games like Doom Eternal and Call of Duty WWWII look sensationally crisp with deep contrast, but the OLED G9 doesn’t get as bright as a Mini LED panel since its black levels tend to offset that deficiency. Still, image quality on gaming monitors doesn’t get better than this; the visuals are just awesome.
Again, with the 240Hz frame rate and support for Adaptive Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll get a smooth and beautiful image, even with a computer that struggles to render smooth images. If you have a new Nvidia GeForce graphics card, you don’t need G-Sync in the display anymore; Adaptive Sync works fine. The lightning-fast response times of 0.03 milliseconds make the display ready for gaming.
Samsung TV Plus & Game Hub
In addition to a premium design and top-tier gaming performance, the Odyssey OLED G9 packs useful built-in smart TV features and a remote control. This makes it a fully functional smart display with built-in apps, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Bluetooth. You can stream Netflix and Hulu right from your desk or stream games through GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass. While most owners will insist on using this monitor with a connected PC or game console, but it’s possible to do without.
The remote lets you control the display like a smart TV instead of a monitor. It is more flexible than the horrible joysticks and on-screen menus available on most monitors. Also, you no longer have to lean awkwardly when you need to change the monitor settings. Still, there’s a physical joystick on the rear of the display, and it works as backup, just in case you misplace the remote.
What we don’t like
Sharpness is a little underwhelming
The Samsung OLED G9 has a resolution of 5120 x 1440 – sounds excellent on paper, but in real-world use, it’s not any better than a 27-inch 1440p monitor with a pixel density of around 109 pixels per inch. That’s bright enough for watching movies and playing games, but it’s less impressive on the Windows desktop, where small fonts and tiny interface elements can look washed out.
The display sharpness is further reduced by the QD-OLED panel, which uses a subpixel layout that’s not the same RGB layout found in most monitors and which Windows prefers. Also, the OLED monitor doesn’t get as bright as a Mini LED like the Samsung Odyssey Ne2o G95NA (LS49AG952NNXZA), but it still looks fantastic in most use scenarios. In short, the OLED G9 doesn’t look as sharp as it should, given its 1440p resolution.
Samsung OLED G9 Review: Verdict
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is every gamer’s dream monitor. While it might look daunting at first with its wider-than-life 49-inch curved display, it’s that same curvature that makes this gaming monitor so immersive. Granted, it doesn’t get as bright as other monitors I’ve reviewed; its vivid and vibrant colors make up for that deficiency. Similarly, the buttery smooth 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time make playing games all the more exciting.
If you don’t need all that screen size or have a smaller desk that can’t fit a 49-inch monitor, the 34-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 is a great alternative. Not only does it pack the same features as the OLED G9, but it’s hundreds of dollars cheaper than its ultrawide sibling. The Alienware AW3423DWF is yet another great option.
The size and cost aside, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a great gaming monitor for anyone looking to play games on an ultra-wide aspect ratio or for users who would want to switch from dual-monitor setups to a single monitor. Also, the OLED G9 can double up as a smart TV thanks to its Samsung TV apps and Game Hub features. All these make the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (LS49CG954SNXZA) a superb monitor worth its premium price for those who want an ultra-large gaming monitor.
Recommended Configuration
SAMSUNG 49" Odyssey OLED G9 (G95SC) Series Curved Smart Gaming Monitor
$1,199.99 in stock
14 used from $878.13
The Review
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
The Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 (LS49CG954SNXZA) is an excellent ultra-wide monitor loaded with gaming and entertainment features that justifies its price in both performance and design.
PROS
- Immersive 49-inch OLED curved display
- High frequency and fast response times
- Great colors and perfect OLED contrast
- Samsung TV Plus & Game Hub
CONS
- No sRGB mode
- Too large for small desks
Review Breakdown
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ARS SCORE
