Samsung surprised everyone at CES 2025 with the unveiling of its new gaming monitor, the Odyssey OLED G6, boasting a groundbreaking 500Hz refresh rate. The introduction of this monitor has changed the landscape of the gaming world, with brands like MSI, Asus and others following suit.
Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G6, however, stands out due to its unique competitive-focused refresh rate. Although I initially had my reservations about the high refresh rate, I found myself drawn to the technology after experiencing it firsthand at CES 2025.
The Odyssey OLED G6, with its 27-inch display, 1440p resolution, and a 500Hz refresh rate, is a game-changer for competitive gaming. I realized that the OLED technology can potentially outshine its predecessors, like the Alienware AW2524H, which failed to capture the market despite their high refresh rates.
While testing the Odyssey OLED G6, I played some of Samsung’s preferred demo games like PlayerUnknown’s Battleground and was taken aback by the enhanced motion clarity. This monitor is particularly beneficial for competitive games like Fortnite and Marvel Rivals, as OLED technology leverages the high refresh rates demanded by competitive gamers.
To understand the tech jargon, refresh rate refers to the number of times your monitor refreshes every second. With a 500Hz refresh rate, the Odyssey OLED G6 refreshes every 2 milliseconds, providing a clear advantage in competitive games. It’s less about the milliseconds and more about the motion clarity, which allows gamers to track targets and react quicker.
However, motion clarity is also influenced by another factor – response time. This refers to how quickly a pixel can change color. While most gaming monitors claim a 1ms response time, the actual response times are usually much higher. The intersection of refresh rate and response time is crucial to achieving optimal motion clarity.
Most high refresh rate monitors struggle with slow pixel response times, leading to visual artifacts and blurring. This is where the Odyssey OLED G6 shines. With Samsung’s QD-OLED tech, the monitor offers almost instantaneous response times and, combined with its 500Hz refresh rate, the resulting motion clarity is unparalleled.
The high refresh rate of the Odyssey OLED G6 is immediately noticeable and significantly enhances the gaming experience. The monitor delivers a smooth and sharp display owing to its 1440p resolution. But most importantly, I felt a sense of total control over my character, a feeling difficult to articulate but evident once you experience the Odyssey OLED G6.
While the Odyssey OLED G6 may not be for everyone, it is a worthy investment for serious competitive gamers. Certain games like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant can benefit from the high frame rate. Even if you enjoy competitive titles occasionally, a 240Hz refresh rate monitor like the Asus ROG Swift PG32UCDM should suffice. But for those seeking the best possible motion clarity, the Odyssey OLED G6 is a promising choice for 2025.
