Samsung has dropped a new weapon into the hands of competitive gamers in the UK: the Odyssey OLED G6, the world’s first OLED gaming monitor to hit a staggering 500Hz refresh rate.
This 27-inch beast doesn’t just crank up speed for the sake of bragging rights. Pairing that 500Hz refresh rate with a razor-sharp 0.03ms response time and QHD resolution (2560 x 1440), it’s clear Samsung is aiming squarely at esports players and anyone who hates even a hint of motion blur.
Specs that scream performance
Under the hood, the Odyssey OLED G6 is powered by Samsung’s QD-OLED tech, meaning you’re not just getting speed but also the kind of rich contrast and colour depth OLED panels are known for. Certified with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500, it promises inky blacks and vivid highlights, while support for NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro should keep gameplay tear-free and buttery smooth.
For long sessions, Samsung has added a few thoughtful touches: Glare Free tech to reduce reflections, OLED Safeguard+ to help protect against burn-in, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits so visuals pop even in well-lit rooms. It’s also Pantone Validated, which means colour accuracy should be on point not just for gaming, but for creative work too.
If 500Hz sounds like overkill, that’s because it probably is for most people. Even some of the best graphics cards will struggle to push 500fps at QHD resolution, and the difference between 240Hz, 360Hz and 500Hz won’t be obvious outside of pro-level play. That said, it does cement Samsung’s push for cutting-edge displays.
A price that matches the ambition
All of that tech doesn’t come cheap. The Odyssey OLED G6 is launching at £799 in the UK, available now from Samsung’s store and select retailers. That puts it in the same ballpark as other high-end esports displays, though none can currently boast that 500Hz OLED badge.
If you want to see how the G6 stacks up against the rest of the competition, check out our guide to the best gaming monitors where there’s an option for every type of gamer.
Opinion
Samsung’s 500Hz OLED monitor is an impressive showcase of what’s possible, but only a niche of ultra-competitive gamers will really benefit. For everyone else, it’s a glimpse of where gaming displays are heading next.
