To paraphrase a certain Scottish chef, “Finally, some good $%^ing deals.” OLED monitors, even those from lesser-known brands, seem to have been locked into a $400 bottom for a couple of years now. Today you can get a 27-inch Samsung model for $349.99, no need to go refurbished or off a major retailer. It is without qualification a good…um….freakin’ deal.
The Odyssey G50SF is a 27-inch, QHD (2560×1440) OLED monitor that’s hitting the “sweet spot” for current PC gaming. With a 180Hz refresh rate it’s not the fastest out there, but it should satisfy all but the twitchiest of PC gamers. And with support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, it’ll keep things moving smoothly even if your desktop is struggling to keep up with the latest games.
If there’s a downside to this design, it’s that the monitor is definitely intended for desktops, not laptops. It has exactly one HDMI and DisplayPort input each, and not even an extra USB port to add a little functionality. (There is a USB-A port on the back, but it’s just for technical support, you won’t be able to plug it into your PC.) So yeah, this screen is definitely lacking a bit in flexibility…but considering the savings, that’s entirely okay. At least there’s a VESA mount so you can add on a monitor arm.
Amazon is showing this as a $200 sale off the retail price, with a “selling fast” tag. I really have no idea how long it’ll last, but if Amazon sells out of stock you can try your luck at the official Samsung store, which has the same price at the time of writing. If you’re looking for other options, check out this enormous 49-inch Samsung OLED, still going for $800 today, or peruse PCWorld’s picks for the best monitors on the market.
Get a 27-inch Samsung OLED gaming monitor for $350Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 15-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he's the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop "battlestation" in his off hours. Michael's previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he's covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he's always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.