Our Top Pick from Each Brand
Samsung Odyssey OLED G8
32" 4K, 240 Hz, QD-OLED, 0.03 ms
The flagship Odyssey delivers breathtaking QD-OLED visuals at 4K 240 Hz with Samsung's most refined gaming features, including Smart Hub built in.
Check Price on AmazonLG 27GR95QE (UltraGear OLED)
27" QHD, 240 Hz, WOLED, 0.03 ms
LG's acclaimed WOLED gaming monitor pairs infinite contrast with 240 Hz smoothness and excellent factory calibration for both gaming and creative work.
Check Price on AmazonBrand Overview: Odyssey vs UltraGear
Samsung Odyssey Lineup
Samsung's Odyssey brand covers a wide range from budget VA curved monitors to premium QD-OLED flagships. The lineup is known for aggressive curves (1000R on some models), Samsung's proprietary QD-OLED panel technology, and integrated Tizen Smart TV features on high-end models.
LG UltraGear Lineup
LG's UltraGear brand focuses on IPS and WOLED panels, with a strong emphasis on color accuracy and ergonomic design. LG leverages its in-house LG Display WOLED panels for its premium monitors and is renowned for offering excellent Nano IPS and IPS Black panels at competitive mid-range prices.
Head-to-Head Category Comparison
| Category | Samsung Odyssey | LG UltraGear | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLED Panel Quality | QD-OLED: vivid colors, high HDR peak brightness | WOLED: uniform brightness, proven track record | Samsung |
| IPS Panel Quality | Limited IPS options in Odyssey line | Nano IPS with excellent color accuracy | LG |
| VA Panel Quality | Strong VA curved lineup (G3, G5) | Few VA models available | Samsung |
| Color Accuracy (factory) | Good (dE ~1.5 on OLEDs) | Excellent (dE <1.0 on OLEDs) | LG |
| HDR Performance | HDR10+, brighter HDR highlights | Dolby Vision support on some models | Tie |
| OSD / Software | Tizen Smart Hub, Game Bar overlay | LG OnScreen Control, basic OSD | Samsung |
| Smart TV Features | Built-in streaming apps, AirPlay, DeX | None (monitor only) | Samsung |
| Ergonomic Stand | Tilt, height on most; limited swivel | Full tilt, height, swivel, pivot on most | LG |
| Adaptive Sync | FreeSync Premium / Premium Pro | G-Sync Compatible + FreeSync | LG |
| Console Compatibility | HDMI 2.1 on mid/high models | HDMI 2.1 on mid/high models | Tie |
| Warranty | 3 years + burn-in coverage on OLED | 3 years + burn-in coverage on OLED | Tie |
| Price / Value (OLED tier) | Often $50-150 less than LG equivalent | Competitive but slightly higher | Samsung |
| Price / Value (IPS tier) | Few IPS options | Excellent mid-range IPS selection | LG |
Panel Technology: QD-OLED vs WOLED
The biggest differentiator between Samsung and LG at the premium tier is their OLED technology. Samsung uses QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) panels manufactured by Samsung Display, while LG uses WOLED (White OLED) panels from LG Display. Here is how they differ in practice.
Samsung QD-OLED
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Wider color gamut: Quantum dots produce more saturated reds and greens, covering ~99% DCI-P3 with more vivid, punchy colors.
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Higher HDR highlights: QD-OLED can push brighter small-window HDR highlights (up to 1,300 nits) due to the lack of a white sub-pixel diluting luminance.
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Better viewing angles for color: Colors remain more consistent off-axis than WOLED, which can show a slight color shift when viewed from sharp angles.
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Color fringing: The triangular sub-pixel layout can cause visible color fringing on fine text, though this has improved with newer generations.
LG WOLED
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Better text rendering: RGBW sub-pixel layout with dedicated white sub-pixel provides cleaner, sharper text without fringing.
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More uniform full-screen brightness: The white sub-pixel helps maintain brightness across large bright areas, reducing ABL impact.
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Longer track record: LG Display has manufactured WOLED panels since 2013, resulting in mature, reliable manufacturing and better-understood longevity.
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Slightly narrower color gamut: The white sub-pixel dilutes color saturation slightly, resulting in ~95% DCI-P3 vs Samsung's ~99%.
Software, OSD & Smart Features
Samsung: Tizen Smart Hub + Game Bar
- ✓ Built-in streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+) -- no PC needed
- ✓ Game Bar floating overlay shows FPS, input lag, HDR status, and VRR info
- ✓ Samsung DeX support for wireless phone-to-monitor desktop mode
- ✓ AirPlay 2 for easy Apple device casting
- ✓ Core Lighting+ RGB ambient lighting on back of select models
- ✗ Smart features add complexity; some users find them unnecessary on a gaming monitor
LG: OnScreen Control + Basic OSD
- ✓ LG OnScreen Control desktop app for easy OSD adjustments from Windows/Mac
- ✓ Clean joystick-based OSD navigation that is intuitive to use
- ✓ Hardware-level black stabilizer and crosshair overlay for gaming
- ✓ Dual Controller for managing two connected PCs simultaneously
- ✓ No bloatware or unnecessary smart features cluttering the experience
- ✗ No built-in streaming; requires a connected device for all content
Flagship Specs: Odyssey OLED G8 vs LG 27GR95QE
| Specification | Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 | LG 27GR95QE |
|---|---|---|
| Panel | QD-OLED | WOLED |
| Size | 32" | 27" |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) | 2560 x 1440 (QHD) |
| Refresh Rate | 240 Hz | 240 Hz |
| Response Time | 0.03 ms GtG | 0.03 ms GtG |
| DCI-P3 Coverage | 99% | 98.5% |
| Peak Brightness (HDR) | ~1,300 nits (small window) | ~1,000 nits (small window) |
| HDR Support | HDR10+ | HDR10, Dolby Vision (some FW) |
| Connectivity | HDMI 2.1 x1, DP 2.1, USB-C | HDMI 2.1 x2, DP 1.4 |
| Smart Features | Tizen OS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, speakers | None |
| Ergonomic Stand | Tilt, height | Tilt, height, swivel, pivot |
| Approx. Street Price | ~$1,100 | ~$800 |
Which Brand Should You Choose?
Choose Samsung Odyssey if you:
- • Want the most vivid, color-saturated OLED gaming experience via QD-OLED
- • Need a 4K OLED for both PC gaming and console gaming at the highest resolution
- • Value smart TV features like built-in Netflix, YouTube, and screen casting
- • Prefer a large curved VA monitor for immersive budget gaming
- • Want the brightest possible HDR highlights for content like HDR gaming and cinema
Choose LG UltraGear if you:
- • Need excellent factory color calibration for creative work alongside gaming
- • Prefer a no-nonsense monitor without smart TV bloat
- • Want the best mid-range IPS gaming monitors (Nano IPS technology)
- • Need a fully adjustable ergonomic stand with tilt, height, swivel, and pivot
- • Prioritize G-Sync Compatible certification for NVIDIA GPU users
Our 2026 Verdict
Samsung wins on features and color vibrancy -- the Odyssey OLED G8 is the most feature-packed gaming monitor on the market with its QD-OLED panel, smart hub, and 4K 240 Hz output. LG wins on precision, value, and versatility -- their WOLED and Nano IPS lineups deliver class-leading color accuracy with fully adjustable stands and cleaner software experiences. Both brands are excellent; the right choice depends on whether you prioritize spectacle (Samsung) or refinement (LG).
Frequently Asked Questions
Samsung uses QD-OLED panels (made by Samsung Display) while LG uses WOLED panels (made by LG Display). QD-OLED generally delivers wider color gamut, higher peak brightness in HDR highlights, and less aggressive auto-brightness limiting. LG's WOLED panels offer more uniform full-screen brightness and have a longer track record. For gaming specifically, Samsung's QD-OLED panels have a slight edge in color vibrancy and HDR pop, while LG's UltraGear OLED monitors offer excellent uniformity and proven reliability.
Both Samsung and LG offer standard 3-year warranties on their gaming monitors. LG has an edge with OLED models specifically -- the LG UltraGear OLED line includes a 2-year burn-in warranty as standard, which Samsung matches on its Odyssey OLED series. For non-OLED monitors, warranty terms are effectively identical. Customer service experiences vary by region, but both brands operate extensive global support networks.
Yes, most Samsung Odyssey monitors with HDMI 2.1 ports work with PS5 and Xbox Series X at 4K 120 Hz or 1440p 120 Hz. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 supports 4K 240 Hz over HDMI 2.1 and is fully compatible with both consoles. Note that some older Odyssey models only support 1440p on consoles. LG UltraGear monitors also support consoles well, with many models featuring dedicated console-optimized modes.
In 2026, Samsung tends to offer more aggressive pricing on VA and OLED models, while LG offers strong value in their IPS lineup. At the mid-range ($300-500), LG's UltraGear IPS monitors like the 27GP850-B often provide better color accuracy for the price. At the premium end ($800+), Samsung's Odyssey OLED models frequently undercut LG's equivalent OLED offerings while delivering comparable or better specs. Overall value depends on the specific models being compared rather than brand alone.
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