Samsung's Odyssey G8 monitor details

Samsung's Odyssey G8 (G80HF) is a 27-inch monitor with a Fast IPS panel that can display 5K resolution (5,120 × 2,880 pixels) at 180 Hz or QHD resolution (2,560 × 1,440 pixels) at 360 Hz. This dual-mode capability allows users to switch between resolutions and frequencies depending on their needs, making it suitable for both content creation and gaming.

Performance metrics and input lag

The monitor has a display latency of 4.6 ms in 5K at 180 Hz and 1.7 ms in QHD at 360 Hz. Input lag varies, averaging 13.3 ms at 60 Hz, 13.1 ms at 180 Hz, and 10.6 ms at 360 Hz. The GtG response time averages 3.7 ms in 5K at 180 Hz and 2.5 ms in QHD at 360 Hz, though some transitions take longer.

HDR and color performance

The monitor supports HDR10 and HDR10+ for gaming but has a maximum brightness of about 370 cd/m² in HDR mode, which is relatively low for HDR displays. It covers 94.48% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and 69.82% of the BT.2020 color gamut, providing rich colors for compatible content. However, local backlight dimming is limited to a few large vertical zones.

SDR mode and color accuracy

In SDR mode, the monitor has an average delta E of 2.77 and a maximum of 4.4, with a grayscale delta E of 1.7. The average color temperature is 6,329 K, slightly warmer than the standard 6,500 K. The average gamma is 2.145, close to the target of 2.2, ensuring good color accuracy.

Resolution and viewing experience

The 5K resolution on a 27-inch panel offers a pixel density of 218 ppi, higher than a typical 4K screen. This makes it ideal for tasks like photo retouching and identifying small details. The viewing angles are 178° horizontally and vertically, but the native contrast ratio of 1,000:1 limits the depth of blacks compared to OLED panels.

Gaming performance and limitations

The QHD mode at 360 Hz provides a smooth experience for competitive gaming, especially in first-person shooters. However, dark tones can be hard to distinguish in some games like Alan Wake 2. HDR performance is limited by the modest brightness and the contrast of the IPS panel.

Design and connectivity features

The monitor lacks built-in speakers but includes a 3.5 mm audio jack for external devices. It offers an easy-to-use OSD menu with options like Adaptive-Sync and "Double Mode" for resolution switching. The design is discreet and suitable for both professional and gaming setups, though it has thick side borders and no USB-C port.

Power consumption and ergonomics

The monitor's power consumption is around 179.2 W/m² at 150 nits, which is relatively high. It includes ergonomic adjustments such as tilt, rotation, and height adjustment, and supports VESA 100 x 100 mounting. Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.1 inputs, a DisplayPort 2.1, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and a USB hub with USB-B and USB-A ports.