Expert review of the Samsung Odyssey G85
Samsung Odyssey G85
- Thanks to the 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, you game with very smooth images.
- The curved design creates a panoramic effect, so you'll have an immersive gaming experience.
- Thanks to the Mini-LED local dimming, the entire screen remains clearly visible in every situation.
- This monitor doesn't have built-in speakers to play music or hear the sound of your movies.
First impression of the Samsung Odyssey G85
With a 32-inch screen size, this monitor is larger than average monitors. The size comes close to an ultrawide, but it's just small enough for a normal desk. The back looks just as other Odyssey models like a sci-fi spaceship, but that gives it a nice gaming look. Make sure you have a screwdriver when you assemble the monitor. You're working with small screws when you attach the monitor arm.
Immersive gaming experience thanks to the curved screen
The first game I tested was GTA V. On a curved screen, the game looks more realistic and in first person view, it looks like you're in the middle of the action. I boarded a plane and looked down from the cockpit window on the vast Grand Senora Desert. It looked like I was actually behind the controls of the plane, especially because of the first person view. A third person view also looks interesting on the curved screen, but to get the best effect, first person view is the right choice. This way, the game feels immersive.
Intensively smooth gameplay with competitive games
Because of the 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, it's logical to test a shooter. I chose Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. I set my resolution to 1080p and started in both a campaign and online. I'm not the best with shooters, but the 240Hz refresh rate gave me a huge advantage. The gameplay is smooth and the images are lifelike. Unfortunately, the video card of my laptop isn't strong enough for a smooth 4K resolution. You need a really powerful video card for this, like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 or AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT.
Realistic shadows and light effects thanks to Mini-LED
Dark games often have problems with lighting. Sometimes the screen is too light for a scary ambiance, sometimes it's too dark and you don't see anything. The Mini-LED technology in the screen lights up and dims the lights when there's a clear difference. Dark games, such as Dead Space, automatically find the best balance this way. The Quantum HDR 2000 support gives the screen extra options for colors and brightness. This combination ensures the perfect ratio, which automatically adjusts to the surroundings of your game. This way, you're never bothered by too dark or too brightly lit rooms.
Ergonomically adjustable and other options
I of course speak for everyone when I say I want to sit comfortably during gaming. The monitor is adjustable in all ways and also supports portrait mode, so you can tilt the screen 90 degrees. This way, you can also play arcade games on the Odyssey G85, such as Space Invaders. Do you game more on a console? Connect your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X & S via the HDMI 2.1 port and get started with 4K 120Hz gaming. Unfortunately, I didn't have a console near to test this.
Conclusion
Are you looking for smooth images, sharp graphics, and an immersive gaming experience? The Samsung Odyssey G85 is the monitor you're looking for. The curved screen, the 240Hz refresh rate, and the 4K resolution are all properties you need for a high-end gaming monitor. The Mini-LED technology creates realistic light effects and the compatibility with consoles gives you extra options. In addition, the screen isn't too big, but it does give you a good overview during gaming.