Samsung's 'world's first' 6K 32-inch gaming monitor goes on sale for 1,499 euros
Expect a similar dollar price.
Samsung announced its "world's first" 6K gaming monitor back at CES. But now it's finally gone on sale, listed for pre-order on Samsung's German website for €1,499.
We'd expect a dollar price at around the same figure. So, what exactly would you be getting for your €1,500 from the Samsung Odyssey G8 (G80HS)? The basics involve a 32-inch 6K IPS panel. Yeah, IPS, not OLED or even VA, the latter being the usual choice for Samsung LCD monitors.
I'm not clear that Samsung Display even makes IPS panels, including the 32-inch 6K panel in question. So, it's possible that Samsung Electronics (the Samsung subsidiary that actually makes this monitor) could actually be buying in the panel from arch rival LG.
The 6,144 by 3,456 resolution maps to the LG panel, however the lowly quoted static contrast of 1,000:1 does not. The 6K LG IPS panel is rated at 2,000:1. The only other 32-inch 6K panel I know of is made by AU Optronics has a slightly different resolution of 6,016 by 3,384 pixels and a contrast rating of 1,500:1. Perhaps the contrast spec on the Samsung Germany site is wrong.
Anywho, refresh rate-wise we're talking 165 Hz, with a 330 Hz 3K alternate mode. The Odyssey G8 (G80HS) doesn't have full-array dimming and tops out at just 350 nits. So, HDR support is extremely limited.
In the end, the appeal here is the ultra-high 224 DPI pixel density. I've reviewed a couple of non-gaming 6K 32-inch panels and the image quality in terms of sharpness and font rendering is pretty sweet. But for gaming, I'm not sure I can see the point, especially given the limitations this display has in other areas.
Personally, I think a 32-inch 4K panel based on the very latest OLED tech would be a much better all-round compromise, with far better HDR and response, and a higher refresh rate, all while offering decent enough pixel density. Honestly, I'd rather have the last-gen QD-OLED version, which is currently going for just $679.99 on our monitor deals page.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.

1. Best overall / 4K:
MSI MPG 321URX
2. Best budget 4K:
Asus ROG Strix XG27UCG
3. Best 1440p:
MSI MPG 271QRX
4. Best budget 1440p:
KTC H27T22C-3
5. Best 1080p:
AOC Gaming C27G4ZXE
6. Best Ultrawide:
Gigabyte MO34WQC2
7. Best budget ultrawide:
Xiaomi G34WQi
8. Best 32:9:
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
9. Best dual-mode:
Alienware AW2725QF

Jeremy has been writing about technology and PCs since the 90nm Netburst era (Google it!) and enjoys nothing more than a serious dissertation on the finer points of monitor input lag and overshoot followed by a forensic examination of advanced lithography. Or maybe he just likes machines that go “ping!” He also has a thing for tennis and cars.
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